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It was the largest Jewish event in Detroit since
the founding of the State of Israel. Thousands of
Jews from around the world crowded the Palace
of Auburn Hills in August 1990 for the opening
of the Jewish Community Centers North Amer-
ican Maccabi Youth Games.
David Hermelin bustled from table to table at
the VIP reception. Part-owner of the Palace and
master of ceremonies for the Maccabi opening
just a few minutes away, he had numerous
friends waiting to shake his hand and whisper
a few words.
But, when introduced to some visitors from
England, parents of the goalie of the British soc-
cer team, David Hermelin took five minutes to
discuss with total strangers a mutual love —
magic. The goalie was an amateur magician, and
so is David Hermelin.
Mr. Hermelin's magic for the citizens of De-
troit goes far beyond a black cape and a few spe-
THE DE TROIT JEWISH NEWS
curity of the people of Israel. It would; rarely has
not talking helped a complicated situation.
Mr. Netanyahu needs to get into a room alone
with Mr. Arafat, enabling the two to gain a feel
for one anther's styles. Both leaders decry what
they say are violations of the Oslo Accords by
each other's side. So Mr. Netanyahu should for-
go the emissaries and personally take the case
to Mr. Arafat. And he must listen to the subse-
quent response. Historic breakthroughs are not
made by advisers. They are cemented by lead-
ers with vision and courage. Mr. Netanyahu was
elected to craft a path suitable to Israeli aspi-
rations — which includes avoiding a return to
the violent days of the intifada.
As American Jews, we are keenly interested
in progress in the peace talks. Mr. Netanyahu
has said repeatedly that he will not abandon the
Oslo Accords. If so, then we urge him to confront
the Palestinian where he thinks the process has
gone awry.
As the world watched, Yitzhak Rabin reluc-
tantly took the hand of Yassir Arafat. That was
perhaps the most difficult handshake an Israeli
has ever made. Mr. Netanyahu, by comparison,
has an easy task. He must simply keep the ball
rolling
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11
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Meet Arafat
Were Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Ne-
tanyahu and U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich
to share a relaxed cup of coffee, what would the
conversation be? Both might lament how much
more fun and easier it seemed to lead a charg-
ing opposition than to harness the reins of pow-
er. While the American politician has had a
difficult second year at the helm of the House,
Mr. Netanyahu is having a rough go in only his
second month on the job. Resignations, threat-
ened resignations, budget cuts and increased sec-
ular-religious rhetoric now top his agenda.
Ironically, Mr. Netanyahu's election campaign
was all about his vision of moving the peace
process forward. But, as in the months before the
election, that effort has sputtered. Mr. Netanyahu
came into office promising that the hard work of
negotiating a secure "final status" arrangement
with the Palestinians would be a top priority. As
such, he has cautiously delayed the withdrawal
of Israeli troops from Hebron, a move that his
defense minister has said must take place. He
also has refused to meet with Palestinian Au-
thority leader Yassir Arafat. During the cam-
paign, Israel's leader said he saw no need to greet
the Palestinian. Now, he promises to sit with Mr.
Arafat if convinced that it would benefit the se-
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cial words. For the Jewish community and the
general community, he symbolizes that in-
creasingly rare philanthropist who is a doer as
well as a donor. Charitable groups around the
world know that gaining David and Doreen Her-
melin's involvement translates to two tireless
workers with a wide circle of committed friends
and the wherewithal to generously make things
happen.
There is magic in the air when the Hermelins
are in the room. For years, they have worked that
magic to bring us together, to bridge our differ-
ences, to improve our community. And it has nev-
er mattered to them whether the subject is a total
stranger — we are all very important persons to
the Hermelins.
It is most fitting that the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit has selected David Her-
melin — an authentic Jewish role model — to
receive its 1996 Butzel Award.
Have we reached a time and a
place where the Jewish north-
west exodus has ended?
To respond: "So, What Do You Think?"
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Letters
Affiliation:
Right Vs. Privilege
Laurence Imerman portrays a
provoking issue ("Community
Views" Aug. 9) faced by many
temple boards: whether or not to
expel "deadbeat" Jews from affil-
iation. But without a Torah, Tal-
mud, Midrash or Kabbalah
interpretation, this problem lacks
a Jewish context.
Moreover, this issue is a dilem-
ma only for those who flail and
protest the numeric decline of
Jews in America while condon-
ing economic elitism in shut. Ju-
daism is the only religion where
one's deficient-dues status pro-
hibits attendance during its holi-
est days.
It doesn't matter if you are a
"liberal" or a "pragmatist" as de-
fined by Mr. Imerman. Both la-
bels presume Judaism is a "pay
as you go" plan. The former de-
pends upon the actions of benev-
olent autocrats and the latter, a
collection agency.
Having worked in a variety of
financially related fields, I am
aware of the need for revenues to
sustain the institution. Staff
salaries, building expenses, fix-
tures and religious materials rep-
resent only a portion of funding
requirements. The problem is
that the aggregate cost exceeds
the economic reality of many Jew-
ish households. In light of the de-
cline in attending families, the
financial burden is ever devas-
tating for remaining congregants.
Contemporary Judaism is de-
fined by the rabbinic model,
which, above all, characterizes
the rabbi's relationship with the
congregation and charges the
congregation as the primary fo-
cus for religious expression and
Jewish interaction. Therefore,
temple affiliation is a right of
every Jew, not a privilege. One's
ability to pay is less a condition
to belonging than the congrega-
tion's obligation to support its
members.
For those mired in the "pay as
you go" mentality, I can offer a
few suggestions which help pro-
mote the practice of Judaism
while recognizing the limited re-
sources of existing and new mem-
bers.
The Internet presents a unique
opportunity to equate the cost of
membership to the member's de-
sired involvement and ability to
pay.
Whether it is only receiving the
Sabbath sermon, participating in
an on-line religious service, ed-
ucational or social event, the
economy of the Net inspires ac-
cess with a proportional cost of
affiliation. The prospect of reach-
ing people outside the local prox-
imity of the temple as well as the
sick and physically challenged
will offset any loss of full mem-
bership.
Another option that limits fi-
nancial overhead expenses is the
process of merging compatible
Jewish congregations. This plan
obviates the need to support two
staffs and two buildings.
A third, more controversial op-
tion is a joint venture between a
Jewish and gentile congregation.
This plan mitigates most savings
for the benefit of ecumenical re-
lations.
Those who contend that the
ability to pay is the congregation's
obligation can establish a not-for-
profit corporation affiliated with
one's temple. Examples include
food cooperatives, adult and child
day-care services and contract-
ing services. Another option is an
employment referral service
where the temple receives a
placement fee.
If the primary objective is the
cultural/religious survival of Ju-
daism in America, then congre-
gations must play a more
affirmative role for the sake of
their own financial viability. Ar-
bitrarily determining if a fellow
Jew is destitute or freeloading is
needlessly intrusive and de-
meaning.
The above options are not in-
tended to limit debate. It is up to
each congregation to lay its own
foundation on which Eretz Israel
can bUild, dwell and prosper.
Barry A. Hyman
Troy