Ns 4 W.:MOMMIW sil*SVM.'mr n q ipt nvA5PERR Hammers, Saws, Nails And Sweat: It's A Jungle Gym Out There Three years ago, one of this community's proud- est moments was literally built from the ground up. That's when we came together with hammers, saws, nails, sweat and a great deal of "elbow grease" on a hot July 4-weekend Sunday to build the Weinberg Playground at the JPM JCC. There, the most Orthodox worked alongside the most secular; women with their heads covered and men with yarmulkes and tzitzit shoveled through the dirt and clay next to comrades in tank tops and shorts. What our own community leaders sometimes have trouble accomplishing — the bringing to- gether of diversity within the sphere of Detroit's Jewry — a playground was able to accomplish. It was all for our children, all for our community. We realize that this space is typically occupied by editorials addressing the important issue of the day, be it here or in Israel. We fully realize, as our cover package illustrates, the most important of political events is soon to happen in Israel. This Sunday, May 19, however, we have an op- portunity to roll up our sleeves and come togeth- er again at the Weinberg Playground. That's when both the playground and the DeRoy Pre-School Playground will be refurbished. The effort requires two shifts, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from noon until 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and activities will be available for the younger chil- dren. No, this isn't earth-shattering news that will change your life. It is, however, an opportunity to fix up two play areas for our children. We urge your participation. It's something to feel good about for a change. More Than Blintzes JE WISH NEWS Shavuot. Just say the word around a typical gath- ering ofAmerican Jews and watch the blank stares and quizzical expressions. "Isn't that one of the re- ally minor holidays?" is a common response. A more informed reply might offer, "Isn't that when we eat cheese blintzes for some unknown reason?' Shavuot is no minor holiday or gastrointestinal binge (although dairy is traditionally eaten dur- ing the two-day festival). It has been previously proffered in these pages that Shavuot is a really important holiday in dire need of a really good public-relations agent. After all, how can a holi- day upon which an entire faith — and thus, the genesis of all monotheistic religions — is based and observed for at least four millennia be virtu- ally unknown and ignored by the overwhelming majority of its disciples and followers? Isaac Bashevis Singer once said that we have to believe in free will because we have no choice. While many of us claim to be practicing Jews by making sure to purchase High Holiday tickets for shul every year, getting a jump on buying our Chanukah gifts, or noshing on matzah during Pe- sach, we inexplicably tend to forget the Jewish festival that perhaps offers more meaning and in- sight than any other into why we are Jews. Throughout our history, Jews have sought con- nections with each other through the boUndaries of ethnicity, languages, customs, political affilia- tions, humanistic values, etc. But what else but God's giving of the Torah to the children of Israel 4 14, . 2 u_, u_, 01) 22 risRA€L is kotort..)G rrs FIRST- EVER DIRECT €GECTION3 OF THE PRIME MIN1S -leR tr's JUST Lit