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We Pray For A
Better School Agenda

Oakland County's Board of Commissioners failed
last week to adopt an advisory resolution in sup-
port of prayer in public schools.
The motion didn't fail because of a lack of sup-
port. The commission's ponderous agenda pushed
the issue to the end of the day, after several pro-
ponents had already left. It can be assumed that
the issue will be raised again, and adopted.
It makes little difference to the commissioners
that the United States Supreme Court has ruled
against school prayer. Apparently, a mandatory
moment of silence is deemed areligious enough
to pass any constitutional or judicial test.
But what about intent? And what about reali-
ty?
Advocates of silent prayer in the public schools
see this issue as a key step in turning America away
from drug use, divorce, single-parent families, abor-
tion, crime and violence. It is not a cure-all, but a
positive movement, they believe, back toward the
traditional values upon which this nation was
founded.
These are well-meaning people, but with a hor-
rible blind spot to the evils of school prayer when

it is abused. Silent prayer in principle should over-
come the past abuses, such as those described by
Rabbi David Nelson in his Community Views col-
umn on Page 5 today.
But any prayer law is subject to abuse. In North
Carolina, some basketball teams are having week-
ly prayer meetings in conjunction with practice ses-
sions. How does a Jewish player, a Jehovah's
Witness, a Buddhist, Moslem or other non-Chris-
tian fit into this Christian prayer meeting?
In western Michigan, a public school board has
waged an expensive fight for several years against
removing a picture of Jesus which has hung hi its
high school for 30 years. What will the climate of
government-sanctioned "silent prayer" be in that
high school?
More importantly, do advocates of silent prayer
really believe that a daily moment of silence will
change the mores of America?
Will it make a young drug dealer give up the
easy dollar? Will it make a pregnant teen consid-
er marriage?
If it were that easy, we'd all be praying and no
one would be silent about it.

Streamlining AIPAC

Everybody loves to bash the American-Israel Pub- lobbying and those insisting on maintaining
lic Affairs Committee, the centerpiece of the pro- AIPAC's original emphasis on congressional ac-
Israel lobby in Washington. Often AIPAC's efforts tivity. With a new cast on Capitol Hill and an ad-
at "spin control," along with its legendary secre- ministration exceedingly warm toward Israel, that
tiveness, give fresh ammunition to its critics. But debate is now moot: Working with an overhauled
AIPAC's critics frequently underestimate its re- Congress must be AIPAC's top priority.
By definition, lobbying works best away from
silience and adaptability, qualities evident last
week when the group unveiled a long-rumored staff publicity's glare. But in recent years, AIPAC has
crafted a self-image that is almost conspiratorial.
reduction and reorganization.
AIPAC's relatively new director, Neil Sher, has Mr. Sher, who is now stamping his imprint on the
cut about 18 employees from the payroll and shift- organization, needs to guide it toward a more open,
ed some responsibilities to its regional offices. This honest relationship with the press — and with the
comes at a time of painful retrenchment for the en- very community it serves.
In the past two years, AIPAC has sometimes
tire pro-Israel community: Money is tight and con-
tributors, lulled by the prospects for peace, are come into conflict with an Israeli government that
cutting their giving. Thus, AIPAC is correctly seek- is taking serious risks for peace. Its professionals
often are caught between certain lay leaders who
ing a leaner, more efficient profile.
More important is that AIPAC also took steps have little use for Prime Minster Yitzhak Rabin's
to strengthen its congressional lobbying staff. This policies — and the group's mandate to lobby for a
was a smart response to a new political climate strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
Last week's pursuit of a more efficient, more fo-
that will make it harder to protect American for-
eign aid and military and economic programs that cused AIPAC may give Mr. Sher the stature need-
ed to help the lobby develop a more coherent,
bolster Israel.
For years, AIPAC has been torn between fac- consistent approach to the complex peace process.
tions demanding it focus more on executive branch

C

Letters

Not News

Since when did The Jewish News
become so low as to put on the
front page two women to be mar-
ried? This is against God. What
have you turned the paper into
since Phil Slomovitz sold it to
you?
This is not news. It is gossip
and has been going on for years.
Did you have to bring it out on
the front page? We have been
readers since it was the Detroit
Jewish Chronicle. Never did any-
thing like this take place.

Marion H. Leib
Boca Raton, Fla.

Losing Sight
Of Proper Ways

Chanukah after the last few
weeks of terrible events. Or of the
Jews living in the areas of the for-
mer Soviet Union. The possibili-
ties are endless.
I hope that the editorial staff
will focus more on the important
Jewish issues that are occurring
all around and deliver a news-
paper that educates and uplifts
the members of the community.
for whom it is supposed to serve.
That should be the only purpose
of The Jewish News.

Vivienne S. Feigelman
Southfield

Away From
The Hushed Tones

Bravo for recognizing the gay and
lesbian Jewish community and
There are no available words to their nachas. For far too long the
express the feelings I have about only notice given was in hushed
the front-page article that ap- tones and whispers, usually tak-
ing the form of gossip regarding
peared in the Dec. 2 issue.
With a world fighting for sta- one's sexual identity.
Then, unfortunately, AIDS
bility in their moral family, com-
munity and even worldly life, it reared its ugly head and the com-
is indeed unfortunate that The munity at large learned that we
Jewish News finds it necessary were losing valuable members.
to champion the rights of a gay And now, simple and accurate re-
couple before our eyes without porting without judgement on
any regard for the eyes who will how gay and lesbian couples are
pass over these pages. Though opting for commitment cere-
one member of the couple feels mbnies.
Certainly one must realize
she is Jewish, the details of such
that
gay and lesbian coupling is
a relationship and the lifestyle is
their business, not the public's at replete with all of the trappings
large. The majority of families, of the more common and nu-
inside and outside of the Jewish merous heterosexual unions.
community are feeling the pres- Each is valid and just and every
sure of a world that has seemed bit as acceptable as the other.
to have lost sight of the proper May we see same-gender nup-
way for man to deal with his fel- tials frequently as these are
low human being. At least the mitzvahs to be celebrated by all.
Jewish people have a guide, the
Robert Lebow
Torah, to aid us with our quest
Huntington Woods
to maintain a value system and
to hold on to our No. 1 priority,
the Jewish family unit, and raise
our children to follow in these
ways.
In these times of increasing in-
It is sad that The Jewish News tolerance, it is refreshing to see
cannot be a part of this building that the Detroit Jewish News is
process. How more inviting an willing to print articles like "New
article about a family experienc- Vows" and risk the homophobic
ing the kindling of the menorah criticism sure to follow. Such ar-
and the enjoyment of Shabbos ticles provide our community
Chanukah, which by the way co- with thoughtful portrayals of con-
incided with Rosh Chodesh troversial issues.
Tevet, would have been. Or per-
Please continue to publish ar-
haps an article about the Jews in ticles which address matters of
Israel who are celebrating PORTRAYALS page 22

Portrayals

