Celebrating 50 years of growth with the Detroit Jewish Community

THE JEWISH NEWS

21 SHEVAT 5753/FEBRUARY 12, 1993

ASIO0

SPECIAL SECTION

Jewish Business

An overview of Detroiters,
past, present and futures.

Pages B1-B52

L'CHAYIM SECTION

College Life

The challenges faced
by students and families.

Pages L1-L8

BACKGROUND

First Shuttle

Warren Christopher tries
to re-start peace talks.

Pages 35

Contents on page 5

Taking Sides On Gays

Detroit and U.S. Jewish organizations enter the debate
on gays and lesbians in the military.

s the nation de-
bates the rights of
gays and lesbians
in the military,
Jewish organiza-
tions, both local
and national, are
butting heads on

the issue.
The Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, representing Reform
temples in the United States and
Canada, issued a statement last week
urging President Bill Clinton to end
the ban on gays and lesbians in the
military.
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg couldn't be
more pleased.
"I'm delighted that the Reform
movement has taken a courageous and
just stand on this issue. We're fortu-
nate as Jewish Americans to have a
president so committed to justice for
all," said the spiritual leader of
Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy.
The UAHC's brief letter, penned by
the chairperson and director of the

loseUp:

"I always harbored the belief that
some are much more Jewish in spirit
than in birth," Jack said. Jack
converted to Judaism 11 years ago.
He prays each Sabbath and reads the
Jewish scholars. He's a member of
Temple Beth Zohar — the small
congregation inside the walls of
Jackson State Prison.

Does Halachah uphold
Kevorkian-style suicide?

RUTH LITTMAN STAFF WRITER

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

A

Death Wish

74:

ewish doctors, lawyers and rab-
bis in metropolitan Detroit are
expressing differing views on
the latest assisted suicide per-
formed by Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
Elaine Goldbaum, 47, of Southfield,
debilitated by an advanced case of mul-
tiple sclerosis, killed herself Monday
morning by inhaling carbon monoxide
provided by Dr. Kevorkian.
The assisted suicide, Dr. Kevorkian's
12th, sparked dissent from several
Orthodox doctors.
"Halachah does not leave room for
assisted suicide," said Phillip Friedman
at Neurological Surgery PC in
Bingham Farms.
Dr. Friedman, a member of Con-
gregation Shomrey Emunah, said
Jewish law distinguishes between as-
sisted suicide and discontinuation of
medical treatment in terminal cases.
As a Jewish physician, Dr. Friedman
believes Torah permits terminally ill
patients to end treatment when it
serves merely to prolong suffering.

j

Commission on Social Action, likened
the plight of gays and lesbians with
Marranos — Jews in Spain forced to
act as Christians to save their lives
during the Inquisition.
The letter to President Clinton
reads: "The Inquisition. Recalling this
history, Jews of today can identify with
the plight of gay and lesbian soldiers
who have become modern-day

HOMOSEXUAL page 18

SUICIDE page 20