C An Open Letter To Our Communities . Dear Friends, We, as people who each have a deep commitment to our communities, ask you to re-elect 48th District Court Judge Thomas Brookover. We have worked closely with Judge Brookover over the years and have personally observed the Judge's professionalism and no-nonsense attitude towards his job and his concern for the welfare of our communities. Judge Brookover hands out tough sentences to repeat of- fenders and puts drunk drivers in jail. He's been deeply involved in programs to help women who have been victims of abuse and works to rehabilitate young first offenders. Judge Brookover has also used his administrative skills as Chief Judge to benefit our communities. Please vote for Judge Brookover on the Non-Partisan Ballot on Tuesday, November 5. Maxine Berman State Representative L. Brooks Patterson Oakland County Executive Fred Korzon, Supervisor Bloomfield lbwnship David R. Piche, Chief of Police Bloomfield Hills Jeddy Hood, Supervisor West Bloomfield Thwnship CoCo Siewert, Mayor Birmingham David King, Chief of Police Orchard Lake Jack Beach, Chief of Police Keego Harbor Marvin D. McTavish, Chief of Police Sylvan Lake Laurence B. Deitch U of MRegent Gilda Jacobs County Commissioner Linda Finkel, President Bloomfield Hills Board of Education Hedy Nuriel Robert Naftaly Community Leader DE Seymour Gretchko, Superintendent Women's and Children's advocate West Bloomfield Schools Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Judge Thomas Brookover 6735 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 330 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 26 1:351-3137 Renewed Enthusiasm: A Rebirth Of Tradition • Shabbat Vayera: Genesis 18:1-22:24; II Kings 4:1-37. D RABBI IRWIN GRONER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS wring the course of these weeks, we read stories dealing with Abraham and Sarah and their family. What distinction has earned them the designation of the first Jewish family? Why were they designated as models of that greatness which the Jewish peo- ple was to seek in all subsequent generations? It is difficult to define "great- ness" and it would be hazardous to reduce it to one trait. But de- spite this risk, I believe that the guiding principle in the lives of Abraham and Sarah that made them unique was a fierce and un- wavering enthusiasm for virtue. It is not correct to say that Abra- ham had an interest in justice; he had a passion for justice. He demanded it with forcefulness, vehemence and daring. He loved righteousness with an intense and pervasive enthusiasm. Hospitality was a practice in many families in the ancient Near East. But Abraham ran to receive strange visitors. He has- tened to prepare food for them. According to tradition, Abra- ham's home was constructed with four separate entrances, one on each side, so that weary wan- derers of the desert would have immediate access to his abode. Abraham's passion for justice held such fervor and zeal that he was willing to enter into a con- frontation with the Almighty. When God was about to bring de- struction upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham argued with Him. It is hard to find an- other figure in the Bible who was daring and courageous enough to challenge God and declare, "Shall the judge of the whole world not do justly?" The sheer forcefulness of Abra- ham's and Sarah's spirits at- tracted the loyalty and devotion of their contemporaries. The Bible intimates that they at- tracted converts to their way of life, not necessarily because of their convincing arguments, but rather by the power of their con- victions. In the physical world, illness is contagious; but good health cannot be transferred. If we as- sociate with people of good health, their physical fitness is not thereby transferred to us. But in the spiritual realm, ethical ex- . Irwin Groner is rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. cellence and moral idealism are contagious and infectious, if they are maintained with sufficient fervor and enthusiasm. Emerson once wrote, "Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the tri- umph of enthusiasm — nothing great was ever accomplished without it." That explains the achievement of Abraham. Rabbi Irwin Groner A glance at the world around us reveals the paradoxical dis- tribution of the quality of enthu- siasm. It is disturbingly absent in the righteous endeavors of mankind. It is present in its most wayward and illicit enterprises. The forces of progress are often lacking in fervor while the caus- es of evil are associated with thrill and excitement. Righteousness has lost its at- tractiveness, while immorality has captured it. Were Abraham alive today, I believe he would not be glorified _ as a "celebrity"; he would not be sought after by TV talk shows or make the headlines of newspa- pers. Such dubious honors would more likely be extended to the leading citizens of Sodom and Go- morrah because their daring ex- ploits in criminality, degeneracy, sexual perversion and depravity would make them folk heroes of popular culture. c:\ Were Abraham with us, he might notice that his spirit is not in great evidence among his de- scendants. American Jews are fa- vorably disposed toward their tradition, but enthusiasm is not the identifying quality of this re- lationship. The spirit of our time was captured very well by the lit- tle boy who recounted his expe- riences in religious school to his parents declaring, "I don't mind going to Sunday school; I just don't want to get involved."