IS • • • COMPILED BY ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM High-Tech Hope For Quadriplegics L h ifting a cup, gripping a pen or turning a han- dle — everyday actions p most people perform with- , out thought — are only a dream for quadriplegics. 4 Now, however, a system , developed by Dr. Roger 1 Nathan of the mechanical engineering department at Ben-Gurion University could reduce their level of dependence. , Dr. Nathan, a British-born expert in bio- medical engi- neering, has F created devices for activating, by transmis- sion of electri- :al pulses, the i --!rms - and ., ads of quadriplegics. , Aivation is carried out by _ 'computerized system in Lich electrodes are con- - .ected to stimulation points the skin surface over the muscles. Each electrode operates on a separate mus- cle so as to achieve complex and delicate movements. Electrical pulses, imitating those of the brain, are then transmitted to each muscle. k . II The intensity of the current determines the force of the muscular contractions. Dr. Nathan's team is one of the few in the world working on the activation of upper limbs. While the leg contains few muscles and the walking movement is mechanically simple, hand movements are highly com- plex. The hand and the arm have about 30 muscles — 12 of which are activated for the gripping of a cup. Work is be- ing done on three different systems, depen- dent on the extent of cervi- cal vertebrae damage. The first product, for those with limited forearm and hand movement, is in the final stage of development. It enables three hand move- ments, a grasp grip for cup or book, a key grip for pen or handle, and exercise movement. The other two systems should be complet- ed within the next several years. ms Update For Survivors ndi\-;iduai s wishing to . I make property, land, l i 1-movable property or I land compensation claims 1 ' in the former German Democratic Republic (East 'Germany) have until the end of this month to do so. • Under an amended law, the German government must receive by Dec. 31 any claims for appropriat- ed land or property. Claims for movable property must `II I be received by June 30, 1993. Previous law set no time 4 limit for such claims. For intornaation, contact the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, 2100 Edison Plaza, Detroit, MI. 48226, or call 962-6526. In addilion, a new agree ment,g-ried by the German government and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. will pay repara- tions to survivors who were, until now, unable to receive reparations. The reparations will offer benefits to the thou- sands of Nazi victims who lived after the war in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and were unable to file applications by the 1965 deadline. Some 90,000 Jews who made it to the West after the deadline received only a small sum as compensa- tion. The new accord pro- vides for an additional one- time payment. Payments will a..de to those held more than six months in death camps, in ghettos for at least 18 months, and those who lived in hiding for at least 18 months. For information, write the Claims Conference, 15 E. 26th St., New York, N.Y., 10010, or tall (212) 696-4944. Dershowitz on Latkes sko4 Rover Meets Wheat Germ N o doubt Rover al- ready has complain- ed countless times about that dumb, boring dog food you keeping feeding him. Haven't you noticed how he watches when you sit down to filet mignon and he's looking at another bowl of Tasty Dog? Maybe it's time you put that steak knife down, big fella, and get your pooch some Murphy's All Natural Gourmet Dog Biscuits. Available at local pet stores, the biscuits are the brainchild of Detroiter Kevin Spitz. Partial pro- ceeds from the sale of the product will benefit humane societies. The biscuits are being packaged by develop- mentally disabled clients of the Jewish Vocational Service. But here's the really sen- sitive part of this whole thing: the biscuits are made only with natural ingredi- • ents like wheat germ and honey — perfect for today's socially conscious, politically correct dog. This Message Could Be Deadly L ooking for a new way to network? Maybe it's time for shiva! No, no, I'm not talking about houses of mourning. I'm talking about a new communications system available through the PC Connection Catalog. And yes, it's really called "Shiva." Only those well-versed in computerese could actually understand what Shiva does ("it lets you work in the interface you are used to whether it's Windows or DOS"). But gee, with a name like Shiva, it has to be high-tech fun, right? H e spends many of his days in the court- room, but around this time of year attorney Alan Dershowitz (in town this week to speak for the Jewish Federation) also can be found in that most excit- ing of spots, the kitchen. McCall's magazine man- aged to secure Mr. Dershowitz's family recipe for latkes (it appears in the December issue). If you're in the mood for a high-powered meal, give it a try: Coarsely grate .3 large peeled baking potatoes, 1 and 1/2-pounds small zuc- chini, 1 large onion; drain. Add 4 large egg whites, 1 large egg yolk, 1 Tbsp. chopped dill, 1 and 1/4 tsp. vegetable oil, 1 and 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 and 1/4 tsp. pepper, 2 minced cloves garlic; mix. Mix in 2/3 cup matzah meal, adding more if needed for batter consistency. In skillet, heat 1/4-inch oil over medium heat. Fry latkes 8 minutes or until What's not to like? The perfect Hanukkah pancake Pao, Janne mon, Man who Im owed to such hig, profile &ma as M. Tyson. Leona Mamie, and Mia Farrow. Imam his way around . kitchen as nal as the courtmoni. So .e alad him to dux his trosund Elonly rod, foe potato psocakes. Into boot. coandy pats 3 peeled porno. 11. eaerbisi. s ordere drain. Add Logr ear edam , ‘er. 7I9 chap, 6L r5f op *am. aiL ode M m pep, atimenickao gad, . M irin rep sat, . aid mon meal if needed ko ferns consimn,. In dales. heat We- adorer rtedram heat panedre Mauna or orna beamed both ides. ming 'A alp bacon he ad, flancning goadr drain. Make ea. m m browned on both sides, using 1/4 cup batter for each, flattening gently. Drain. Makes 22. Where R ion and Rock Mix o you think rock stars are more interested in trouble than Torah? Think again. Bob Beresh, son of Clifford and Ruth Beresh of Beverly Hills, spent last summer with United Synagogue Youth (USY) on Wheels, a six-and-a-half week program that takes 11th-graders on a tour of the United States. Among last summer's stops: Nebraska, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Washing- ton, D.C. While in California over the weekend, the teens found themselves in the same hotel as the band Pearl Jam, whose tour was just getting under way. On Shabbat, the USYers were having a discussion on Pirke Avot, Sayings of the Fathers, when in popped an unusual guest: Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Mr. Vedder even joined in the discussion. The Round Up Goes Profound, So Help Me God U sually, as every regu- lar Round Up reader (and isn't that every- one?) knows, this section of the paper is dedicated to lighthearted, jovial aspects of Jewish news. No "PLO attacks Israel," no "Jewish community at odds about ..." and certainly no "Religious discussion focus- es on..." here. But then along comes a theological issue so pro- found, Round Up cannot idly sit back. And that's.the case with "So help me God." We hear it every day. In the courtroom as the wit- ness makes his vow to tell the whole truth. In conver- sation — "Bobby better clean up his room or he's not going to watch 'Love Connection' tonight, so help me God!" But what, pray tell, does it mean? Believing it's time for the Jewish community to at last address this earth-shatter- ing question, the Round Up is soliciting responses that explain the phrase, "So help me God." The most illumi- nating, or most clever, will be printed on this very page in the coming weeks. All submissions, sent to The Round Up, c/o The Jewish News, must be received by Dec. 30. Send in your ideas or I will be forced to come up with something myself. So help me God, I will not let this question go unan- swered.