Something Different At U-M
Could Be Model For Nation
In the coming weeks, Jewish students in Ann
Arbor will be given an opportunity to participate
in what will be a unique program.
As in biblical days, when a half-shekel was re-
quired of each Jew to be counted, each Jewish
student is being asked to donate at least $1 to
the United Jewish Appeal.
This is much more than a chance to give mon-
ey, to offer tzedakah. It is very much about be-
ing counted, about coming together as a Jewish
community. At the University of Michigan, there
are about 6,000 Jewish students, including 4,000
undergraduates.
Participating students will receive a maize
and blue badge. The program organizers have
a goal of contacting each and every Jew on cam-
pus. Followup will include Shabbat cover-dish
dinners, Purim get-togethers and even Passover
seders.
Organized by Hillel students and officials, the
Half-Shekel program is something different than
the phone calling and solicitations with which
most of us are familiar. What makes this great
is that it is one of the first original ways of en-
couraging Jewish group participation that has
happened in years.
UJA isn't going to benefit with huge sums of
money in the short term. However, the numbers
of people who can get turned on by being part of
a community called Judaism is worth more than
dollar value. It is a connection that will be intact
long after the students leave the University of
Michigan.
To think that it all started with a button.
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"4
Introducing A New 'Scene'
For Our Younger Readers
Lynne Cohn returned to the scene called
Detroit several weeks ago after writing for
publications in New York and
Washington, D.C., and author-
ing Driving Off the Horizon, a
book of poetry.
A native of this area and a
graduate of North Farmington
High School and the University
of Michigan, Ms. Cohn not only
is returning to the scene of her
life, but she's also helping cre-
ate a new "Scene" for The Jew-
ish News.
This week is the debut edition
of the weekly "Scene," a window
of connection between this 55-
year-old publication and its
readers in their 20s and 30s,
both single and married, as well
as singles beyond twenty- and thirtysomething.
Of course, we'll continue to validate the im-
portant news of Israel, the remembrances of the
Holocaust and other news critical to all ages of
our community.
However, we also realize
that there are thousands of area
Jews who weren't born when Is-
rael was declared a state, and
who are asking themselves how
they'll be able to fit in as young
adults into our diverse commu-
nity.
"The Scene" is a place in
this publication for these read-
ers. When Lynne is out and
about in our community, yes,
she'll be the "writer from The
Jewish News," but she'll also be
known as the person "making
`The Scene.'"
To reach Lynne with story
ideas, comments or suggestions for "The Scene,"
call (810) 354-6060, Ext. 244.
6355360 @MCIMAIL . COM .
lis
30
O
what
Do You
f Think?"
Is it the Jewish community's
responsibility to keep a kosher
restaurant in business?
To respond: "So, What Do You Think?"
27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034
I l4 f
•
Letters
Jews Have
A Responsibility
Anger Turned
To Sadness
In response to the letter to the ed-
itor ("Hatred for Role, Not for Per-
son," Jan. 24):
Although you have distinctly
and directly made your feelings
known, let's step back a moment.
Whether we are Reform, Or-
thodox or Conservative, we are
Jews. God has bestowed us with
the responsibility to help our fel-
low man in this world. There are
so many different people in the
world, and we have to respect
each life in it.
However, this is sometimes dif-
ficult when we see the resurging
interest in all forms of white su-
premacy and discrimination (any
discrimination), knowing that we
as a people, a race, a culture are
the subject of ignorant, angry
paranoia. How can we hurt a fel-
low Jew? How can we serve the
world or help if we hurt or belit-
tle each other? What about our
children? Are they less?
Is anger the answer or re-
sponse to someone, who, when it
comes down to it, really had his
feelings hurt?
Regarding the letter in the Jan
24 Jewish News ("Hatred For
Role Not For Person"). At first,
I was infuriated by the bigotry
toward, not only this particular
rabbi, but toward the entireJew.
ish people. My anger has, how
ever, turned to sadness.
To vilify and condemn entire
movements in Judaism is obvim
ously a result of great ignorance
on the writer's part. I cannot, in
such a small space, seek to edu.
cate her. Nor do I need to remind
her that our enemies over the
ages have never asked our peo-
ple in what manner they observe
Judaism before they tortured
I
and murdered them. Nor do
need to remind her that over*
centuries Jewish law and ob.
.
servance have been interpret
ed by many rabbis.
If I thought she would listen,
would show her how every move;
ment in Judaism has "reformed
its observances. No Jew today
could possibly practice Judaism
as was done in the times of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs. The
world changes; people change.
Keirsten Schwartz
Birmingham SADNESS page 32