amination may do well, but if he has not worked to master the material he will quickly forget what he has learned. The immigrants who came to America from the shtetl often had a better appreciation of American freedom than those who were born here, to whom liberty was granted without a struggle. I have encountered converts to Judaism, Jews by choice, who have demonstrated pro- found care for, and love of, the Jewish religion to a greater degree than some who were born Jews, but care little and know less about their heritage. We value most highly that for which we have had to struggle. The long, hard route through Sinai helped the Israelites appreciate Eretz Yisrael, a love that has lasted through the centuries, that has become more intense because of the difficulties en- countered in returning to the ancestral homeland. That which is won through strug- gle becomes more precious than anything easily attained. The development of character takes time. There is no such thing as instant maturity, instant education or instant spiritual attain- ment. Character is distilled out of our daily confrontation with temptation, out of our regular response to the call of duty. It is formed gradually as we learn to cherish principles and submit to self-discipline. We need to understand Torah, the laws of life, before we are worthy to enter the Promised Land. Happiness in marriage re- quires time and patience. Love may come suddenly, but true fulfillment in marriage requires effort, tolerance and time. There are marriages that should end in divorce because both parties sustain pain and injury in the marital bond. But I see some mar- riages that should not have ended in divorce because one or both partners were too im- patient to make the adjust- ment that marriage requires to develop the insight that a good marriage entails and to heal a relationship after it had sustained injury. Many people cannot wait long enough to learn the forbearance that marriage demands. Love for Judaism is not born out of a product of an in- stantaneous transforming event. Love for Judaism is nourished by devotion, study, the observance of Sabbath and Holy Days, striving for moral values, the fulfillment of mitzvot and sharing in the welfare of the Jewish commnity. This appreciation of our heritage is acquired slowly and gradually on a founda- tion of daily experiences and encounters. Thus does the Torah instruct us: "You shall teach these words diligently to your children, speaking of them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down at night and when you rise up in the mor- ning." ❑ I LOCAL NEWS I THIS PASSOVER EXPERIENCE THE EXODUS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. FREE CRASH COURSE IN READING HEBREW FIVE 11/2-HOUR WEEKLY CLASSES CLASSES BEGIN MARCH 5TH YOU'LL BE READING HEBREW BY THIS YEAR'S PASSOVER SEDER CALL 1-800-44-HEBREW LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN AREA SPONSORED BY: THE NATIONAL JEWISH OUTREACH PROGRAM in conjunction with AISH HATORAH / ALEYNU and MACHON L'TORAH OF METRO DETROIT JIE WENN M For maximum liquidity, security and a high rate of return, consider our money market account. In addition to earning the Donoghue Rate, an average of the nation's top money market mutual funds as published in The Wall Street Journal, you'll have convenient check writ- ing privileges, the ability to easily transfer funds and the security of FDIC insurance up to $100,000 per account. Call for details today. You're At The Head Of The Class *Based on $35.000 minimum balance and the Donoghue Rate on January 31,1990. Ask about our competitive rates for over balances. Rates subject to change without notice. With a Subscription To The Jewish News MIDWES1 GUARANTY Call: 354-6060 BANK Member FDIC Member Federal Reserve System THE JEWISH NEWS 1475 W. Big Beaver Road Troy. MI 48084 649-3838 VING AN AFFAIR? WE'VE GOT THE PERFECT INVITATION FOR YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION. William and Barbara Yoffee recently donated a copy of the first publication of the Bill of Rights from 1789 to Congregation Beth Achim. The document appeared in the United States Gazette and is now on display in the synagogue's main lobby. Pictured are Rabbi Martin J. Berman, William and Barbaa Yoffee, and synagogue president, Abe Gamer. •WEDDINGS •BAR/BAT MITZVAHS •SHOWERS • SWEET 16s •AND A WHOLE LOT MORE •ALL AT 25% OFF American Red Cross Blood Services Southeastern Michigan Region by invitation only JULIE ROTT 661-3383 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 43