LIFE PAGE 43 "12 Days of Fitness" Featuring special savings on a different fitness item each day December 17 a leg press machine December 18 a programmable treadmill December 19 a compact personal home gym December 20 December 21 a steam cabinet an electric incline treadmill December 22 select stationary bikes December 23 a home gym with VKR December 26 December 27 a sauna a programmable treadmill December 28 a cross country skier December 29 a home gym with VKR and leg press December 30 a walker treadmill AND, ASK ABOUT OUR TRY BEFORE YOU BUY *PROGRAM 1-800-220-2580 Farmington Hills Birmingham 1489 S. Woodward 27853 Orchard Lake Road (between 14 Mile & Adams) Orchard 12 Plaza (810) 646-8477 (810) 488-0220 Open Seven Days Rochester Hills 3140 Walton Blvd. University Square Plaza (810) 375 9707 -4r - Rabbi Goldman queried his teacher, the late Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, on this issue. "In this case, where it would greatly enhance the quality of life of another human being, that would be regarded as an excep- tion to the rule. It's considered a great mitzvah," says Rabbi Goldman, though he acknowl- edged that other Orthodox rab- bis might disagree. Another factor deterring peo- ple from organ donation, medical professionals say, is that too few people understand that patients who are declared brain dead will not return to life. It's a difficult reality for families to grasp, they say, because the body must be kept on a respirator to preserve the organs for potential trans- plant. The patient, therefore, re- mains pink and warm and breathing, even though there is no hope for survival. Transplant specialists aim to dispel myths surrounding the distribution of available organs. Money, they stress, does not play a role in who receives transplant surgery. The "Legacy" video features in- terviews with donor family mem- bers, like Penny Willet, who lost a son in a car accident. Ms. Wil- let recalls the moment the nurse announced her son had died, ask- ing if she and her husband would opt to donate his organs. "I remember my husband and I just looking at each other, not saying a word. We just nod- ded our heads to say 'yes,' " she says. "It helped me. It helped me a great deal to know that my son's organs were going into someone else so they could have another chance. "I look at people and I often wonder, is it my son's eyes that are in the person, or is it his kid- ney or his liver? And, gee, look at the life that's in them." Emanuel Reinitz, chief of transplant surgery at Harper Hospital, is a Jew who believes there is a strong argument to be made for organ donations which will save another person's life. "Every transplant is a bitter- sweet experience. What keeps me coming back, as a physician, is that in one event you suddenly see a quantum change in a per- son's life. Their whole world view changes from shades of grey to a full, colorful existence." Dr. Reinitz underscores; however, the significance of the halachic debate. Jews should choose to donate organs only if they feel comfortable doing so. "As a member of the Jewish community and the community at large, I think there is an attempt to make this issue one for discussion because there is a shortage of organs," he says. "But no one is trying to force someone to do something that they feel is not the right thing to do." 0 Wings Of Healing An ecumenical book of prayer serves as a tool of hope for the sick. RUTH LITTMANN STAFF WRITER I he prayers are different, but the hope is the same: recovery. On the Wings of Healing is an ecumenical book of reflec- tions by Rabbi Dannel Schwartz and the Rev. Charles Richter. It contains prayers of different religions: Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu. Placed in nightstands beside hospital beds here and on the East Coast, the small, 31-page book offers a less daunting, in- terfaith alternative to Gideon's Bible. "The Bible doesn't have little post-it notes saying, 'Turn to Psalm 24,' " Rabbi Schwartz says. "People don't have a road map through the Bible." Wings Of Healing includes readings specifically aimed at putting patients in touch with their spirituality and religious tradition. Research shows that patients heal better holistically, when recovery includes body, mind and spirit. The Rev. Richter and Rabbi Schwartz chose most of the prayers, some of which specifi- cally address health and healing. Others, including the medita- tions at the back of the book, were written by Rabbi Schwartz and offer words of inspiration. General prayers include "Prayer Before An Operation" and "Prayer After the Birth Of a Child." There are Christian prayers for baptism and Jewish prayers in Hebrew. Muslim prayers are written in Arabic and English. The Hindu prayers in- clude English versions as well. Rabbi Schwartz and the Rev. Richter sought translations from Hindu and Muslim religious leaders locally. Rabbi Schwartz, of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield,