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WATCH BANDS Kcc ping D•troner. right on tim• ,int:c 1927 *Some models available in men s an SOUTHFIELD: (Southfield & 12 Mile) 552-0080 PONTIAC: (Voorheis & Telegraph) 333-2263 FARMINGTON HILLS: (Orchard Lk. & 13 Mile) 851-0440 %vomen. s. MT. CLEMENS: (Canal & Garfield) 263-7700 MADISON HEIGHTS: (12 Mile & Dequindre) 541-0808 WARREN: Universal Mall 573-0373 Dreisbach Sons Cadillac • High Mileage Leases • Free Loaners • Pick-up 6z- Call Discounts Delivery Fleet & Leasing Manager Tim Audette • Fleet 531.2600 WE LEASE ALL MAKES FOREIGN & DOMESTIC 28 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1990 Oriental Rugs Today's Pleasure Tomorrow's Treasure 251 Merrill Birmingham (313) 644-7311 2915 Breton Grand Rapids (1.800-622-RUGS) operates on a $3 billion deficit. While the rabbis are always eager for the oppor- tunity to bring more Jews back to tradition, they say the education they offer does more than just that. Soviet Jews who study are more likely to be committed to staying in Israel, Rabbi Weinbach said. "They're developing a real ideological anchor — which is critical," he said. "If they don't feel any ties to the re- ligion and the land, they're not going to stay here." As part of its outreach to the Soviet o/im, Ohr Somayach recruited former refusenik Vladimir Raiz of Vilna. Now a teacher and counselor at the yeshiva, Mr. Raiz "is a hero," Rabbi Weinbach said. "For many years, he ran an unofficial, undercover Ohr Somayach branch in Vilna." Like most other Soviet Jews, Mr. Raiz said he in- itially knew nothing of Judaism. "But in our heart and soul we always had one thing —Jerusalem." He began attending pri- vate classes taught by Jew- ish visitors from the United States and England. Then he applied for permission to emigrate. He believes get- ting out was a miracle. The KGB, he said, can close many doors of Jewish study, "but to close the ways of heaven — that they can't do." Now, Mr. Raiz is hiring other former refuseniks to teach at Ohr Somayach. He advises the instructors to start at the very beginning because many Soviet Jewish ohm don't even know what a mezuzah is, he said. Classes at the yeshiva are vital "because it's impossi- ble to learn Judaism from the newspapers or televi- sion," Mr. Raiz said. Students are often taken on field trips, visiting the very locations where biblical events occurred. "We're living in the labor- atory of Jewish history," said Rabbi Yermiyahu Abramov, an instructor at the yeshiva and special assistant to the Ministry of Absorption. The rabbis at Ohr Somayach say their ap- proach of not forcing religion on the new students has paid off. As the pupil's knowledge increases, "he discovers pro- found ideas behind every practice and custom," Rabbi Abramov said. "Then the idea comes alive for him." On a typical afternoon, small groups of Soviet Jews gather upstairs for courses at Ohr Somayach. Which class they attend depends on their level of Hebrew. The section's director, Yosef Shachor, points to one room where Soviet Jewish students who've been in the country one year already speak fluent Hebrew. Ohr Somayach has the feeling of a typical American college campus, with a few noticeable exceptions: A large Israeli flag is flown on Israel Independence Day. Beside bulletin board notices requesting softball players are announcements of up- coming shiurs, lessons. Classes include Jewish law and practice, the Book of Proverbs and the Oral Law in a contemporary society. Students are garbed in everything from shorts and multicolored kipot to black suits and hats. The office walls reveal paintings of rabbis and airplanes — gifts from Israel Defense Force members who took classes at the yeshiva. With special summer and winter sessions in addition to the regular, year-round study, most students stay for one to two years. "Sometimes they come for one day, sometimes they stay for years," Rabbi Wein- bach said. "We want every- body to walk out a little more intelligent. What we're against is ignorance." ❑ '1 NEWS him'. Ed Koch Hit In Jerusalem Jerusalem (JTA) — Former New York City Mayor Edward Koch was struck in the head by a rock while on a walking tour of the Old City with Jerusalem's Teddy Kollek. Mr. Koch, 66, suffered a minor bruise on his scalp. He was given first aid and con- tinued his tour. The incident occurred on David Street, not usually a trouble spot. Mr. Koch, who served three terms as mayor of New York and is an outspoken supporter of Israel, took his stroll with Mr. Kollek, an old friend, to demonstrate that the Old City is basically safe and secure. The stoning clouded that message. But Mr. Koch said later that the tour had been an uplifting experience for him, and he urged pilgrims and tourists, Christians and Jews, to come to the Holy City and enjoy it.