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Purim Became The Rally
We All Really Needed
On Monday afternoon, several leaders in this
Jewish community met to discuss a possible ral-
ly in support of Israel. They wisely choSe not to
have it.
Instead, the best possible show of solidarity
happened: Purim. It was as if God had given us
this particular holiday this year to help us with
this tragedy. It helped us recognize that no mat-
ter how comfortable, regionalized, high tech or
anything else we want to call Israel, there are
enemies the magnitude of Haman who still want
to destroy us. In a sense, we mix our joy with our
sorrow, and this is what the story of Purim can
represent.
In real terms, Jewish Detroit did rally on Mon-
day evening. We were at congregations all over
the area. We stamped out the name of Haman;
we talked somberly of our broken hearts. Most
importantly, we were together at a time that oth-
erwise could have been empty.
In a matter of weeks, well "rally" again — this
time around our Passover tables.
At a time when Israel and Diaspora Jews need
to heal, it is perhaps the ancient words of the
Haggadah and the traditions of the seder that
will offer Israel its best hopes for an existence
without terrorism.
Our tradition was and is our rallying point.
And at this time, when order is so disorderly, our
traditions are exactly what we all need — if not
for a peace "process" — for an internal, individ-
ual peace.
What Now?
Pain, fear and anger is running through Israel
and Diaspora Jewish communities. This week,
just before we were about to begin the celebration
of Purim — when we are commanded to be hap-
py — our eyes welled with tears and our hearts
felt pierced.
By Monday's end, Israel's Prime Minister Shi-
mon Peres had declared war against the Hamas
Islamic fundamentalist group, and suspended
peace talks with the Palestinians and Syrians.
Palestinian Authority President Yassir Arafat,
sensing that all gains could soon be lost, moved
his own troops through the streets of Gaza. The
Clinton administration pledged to pressure Mr.
Arafat and Syria's Hafez el-Assad to come through
with more than words.
There have even been unprecedented Pales-
tinian rallies in favor of the peace process.
All a response to the horrible attacks in Israel.
In nine days, Islamic fundamentalist suicide
bombers had struck four times, taking the lives
- at press time — of 61 people and wounding at
least 234 others.
All sides must continue to fight such actions
against Israel. We urge them to do so in a coor-
dinated fashion. We also recognize that approxi-
mately 20 percent of the Palestinians support
Hamas. That group is primarily a social-relief or-
ganization, albeit one with a deadly military wing.
Mr. Arafat can only contend with Hamas' popu-
u) larity by delivering on the peace front. As our spe-
w, cial report points out, there are many moves that
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he and Mr. Peres can take together to fight this
plague of indiscriminate fear.
We do hope that eventually the peace talks can
resume. Even the Likud opposition knows that
there must be dialogue with the Palestinians. In
fact, they were in power when the discussions be-
gan. This is an excruciatingly painful period, but
there is no turning back. We must not give Hamas
a bloody victory — and we must do everything
possible to stop Jews and others from getting
killed.
The attacks, Hamas claims, were revenge for
the assassination of Yahya Ayyash, the purport-
ed mastermind of previous deadly bombings
against Israelis. The Jewish state's security ser-
vices are believed to have carried out his intricate
murder operation. We do not know if there is a
cause and effect. We do know that, until two weeks
ago, there has been an almost seven-month gap
in such attacks.
We are reminded of the stirring words of the
late Yitzhak Rabin. Three and one-half years ago,
he reluctantly shook Mr. Arafat's hand on the
White House lawn. "Enough," he said, uncharac-
teristic volume in his voice, "Enough bloodshed."
Today, we sorely miss his leadership and vision.
Mr. Rabin understood that Jews everywhere
must focus on Israel as their spiritual and cultural
homeland, and not be obsessed with defensible
borders and the enemy's strength. And that this
will only come after peace blesses the land of our
ancestors and its modern inhabitants.
Letters
Exposing
Extremism
Respectfully
Disagreeing
We applaud your strong con-
demnation of extreme positions
taken by certain presidential can-
didates ("Waging the Battle
Against Demagoguery," Feb. 23)
and the role the media in gener-
al have played in exposing this
extremism.
You are correct in noting that
501(cX3) tax-exempt organizations
have a restricted role in the polit-
ical arena. We cannot endorse a
particular candidate or party, nor
should we. However, each one of
our agencies directly and as-
sertively confronts the issues
raised in the political arena. We
address the challenge of religious
extremism and demagoguery year-
round and not only in election
years. We decry xenophobia from
all corners, political and otherwise.
We wage an aggressive battle
against anti-Semitism. We edu-
cate the Jewish and non-Jewish
community about a multitude of
issues. These candidates and the
public are well aware of our po-
sitions.
The March 1 article "Respectful-
ly Disagreeing" by David Zeman
was silent as to the major fault
with Israeli politics. That fault is
that there is no right wing which
insists that there will be no dis-
cussion of Israeli politics with
Arab "destroyers of Israel."
Debating the peace.
As in Israeli politics, the rep-
resentatives of both leftist Labor-
Allen Zemmol, Meretz (Avshalom Vilan — Peace
Jewish Council; Now) and centrist Likud (George
Dr. Leonard Sahn, Mann — Zionist Organization of
ADL; America) were the only ones who
Brian J. Kott, talked about Israeli compromise.
American Jewish Committee As dominant parties, both have
decided to surrender Judea,
Samaria and Jerusalem, only
they differ on the means.
It should come as no surprise
that many people out of the 150
I wish publicly to thank the staff present walked out on the two
and administration at the Pren- speakers because they felt, despite
tis Manor (Jewish Home for the their Jewishness, that they had
Aged) for the care they gave to no representation on that panel.
my mother-in-law, Anna Barack, They were right-wing Jews and
these past months until her death opposed the giving away of land
to the Arabs in the first place. And
on Feb. 27.
Their compassion and dedica- there was no representation of
tion went well over and above their view that Israel was Jewish.
It is "questionably" legal, un-
"just doing their job." Her digni-
der
the guise of "racist," to wipe
ty, no matter what her condition,
was respected and maintained out the rightists' representation
in the Knesset. However, this is
throughout her stay.
It is a shame that a Jewish America where all views should
community, as large as it is, can- be heard — left, center and es-
not support a Jewish Home for pecially right. If this cannot be
Aged. It seems that we as a Jew- done, especially when discussing
ish community have lost some of Israeli politics, then the panel is
our values and place our priori- fundamentally flawed and should
be treatod that way by the media.
ties in different places.
Thanks
To Prentis
Flora Sacks
Southfield
Michael Drissman
Troy