U AN OPEN LETEER TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY GOD'S THEATER 40' winding stidsits iictup@@ Jcupe Part 1 of "Genesis: A Livn( Conversation" airs on De- troit's WTVS-Channel 56 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. Parts 2-10 air 6-7 p.m. on consecu- tive Sundays, Oct. 20 - Dec. 15. The Jewish Unity Committee of the Jewish Community Council came together to build bridges between Jews and to foster an environment of mutual respect which will encourage communication and unity among us. We looked for ways to light the flame of Jewish unity, to keep the fires of Judaism burning brightly. Shabbat is a force that is unique to the lives of Jews, and a concept that our people have given to the world. We need to utilize Shabbat's unifying potential. On Shabbat Lech Lecha, October 25-26, let's celebrate together the unity of our people! Doing It Yourself F or those inspired to do so, here are the basics for starting and running a Genesis group, as outlined in On Friday evening, October 25, we ask that you first kindle an additional candle - the Candle of Jewish Unity. By performing this one simple ceremony, you will join Jews across metropolitan Detroit in recognizing our unity, and the connection to the Jewish people which Shabbat brings. Talking .About Genesis: A Re- source Guide (Doubleday, We look forward to working with you "b'yachad" - together in unity. JPM / Jewish Community Center Maple-Drake / Jewish Community Center Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Hillel Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit, WSU Temple Emanu-El Temple Israel UI i■► For more information on Unity Shabbat call (870) 642-5393, Sponsored by the Jewish Community Council and The Jewish News. LU z C/D w H- CC F- LU LU H- 52 El Jewish Unity Committee Bert Schreiber and Jeannie Weiner, Co-Chairs, Jewish Unity Shabbat Michael Traison, Chairman, Jewish Unity Committee Allen Zemmol, President, Jewish Community Council Morris Baker (z"I), Alexander Blumenberg, Barbara "is,. Cook, Gerald Cook, Dr. Mark Diem, Carol Weintraub Fogel, Ethan Gilan, Sandy Hansell, Julius Harwood, v Annette Meskin, Shelley Nadiv, Irving Panush, Sorah Rosen, Michael Seligson, Deanna Sperka, Walter Stark, Leonard Trunsky, Larry Winer • -_\ Mr. Moyers, too, ventures the hope that people around the coun- try will respond. Maybe they'll be able to raise their level of conver- sation above the recriminations and soundbites he views as a kind of intellectual fungus that has tak- en over America. But he has no illusions about changing the world. "I don't any souls will be saved in this se- ries," he said. "All I'm saying here is this is important, I've heard this, I want you to have a chance to hear it," Mr. Moyers said. "What's impor- tant is what you choose to do with it." ❑ We write this open letter to the entire Detroit area Jewish community to encourage participation in a unique endeavor, JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT, on October 25-26, 1996, 13 Heshvan 5757, Shabbat Lech Lecha. Last year UNITY SHABBAT followed Prime Minister Rabin's assassination and the ensuing turmoil within the Jewish community. This year UNITY SHABBAT is the closest Sabbath to Yitzhak Rabin's Yahrzeit. For additional information and suggested activities for Unity Shabbat, materials will be available October 14-25 at the following locations: page 51 40' $5.95). * The ideal group size is be- tween six and 10 people. Try tA, include people of di %rent back- grounds and religions (even people of no religion). How of- ten and how long the group meets is up to you. * If possible, either watch the TV series together, or have it available on tape. Also, be pre- pared with one or more trans-__ lations of the Bible, to compar e the language. And check the re- source guide in advance for any materials, such as newspaper and magazine clippings, that you may want to use. - * Some groups choose to ro- tate the leadership. The leader should pin down the time and place of the next meeting, and be ready with any supporting \ material s. Make sure everyone ' in the group has read in ad- vance the Genesis story under discussion. * Start the discussion with a reading from one or more ver- sions of the Bible. As leader, make sure no one monopolizes the conversation, and no one in-4 terrupts a speaker. * As a participant: listen; be honest; be open to new ideas; don't rush to smooth over dif- ferences; and don't lay to pros- elytize.