Cautious Support Grand Rapids rabbis now join the campaign to protect religious expression. JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER D espite their initial opposi- tion, two Grand Rapids rabbis have decided to sign on to a campaign to protect religious expression in the pub- lic schools. Launched by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Jewish and Christian Values, the campaign — based in five target cities, in- cluding Grand Rapids — aims to educate the community about what forms of religious expres- sion are permissible in the pub- lic schools. Using guidelines that were drafted in 1995 and endorsed by a wide spectrum of religious and political organizations (including the American Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League), the Center for Jewish and Christian Values says it hopes to prevent abuses of reli- gious rights in the public schools. When first launched in February, the campaign also in- cluded a "prevention" plan en- couraging student prayer and use of religious texts in order to pre- vent teen drug and alcohol abuse. However, in response to objec- tions from the Jewish communi- ty, the Center for Jewish and Christian Values withdrew this component in April. The current focus, according to field director Jeff Taylor, is to ensure that school boards adopt and implement the 1995 guide- lines. The center will also spon- sor in-service training programs to familiarize teachers and ad- ministrators with the guidelines. A vocal opponent when it in- cluded the "prevention" compo- nent, AJCongress' Marc Stern supported the campaign once the controversial component was withdrawn. Mr. Stern wrote the Center for Jewish and Christian Values, stating that distribution of the guidelines under joint Jew- ish and Christian auspices "should do much to dispel the lingering mutual distrust that has arisen over the years on this topic." The center is using his letter to enhance their credibility among Jewish leaders, including Rabbi David Krishef of Congre- gation Ahavas Israel in Grand Rapids. With the green light from Mr. Stern, Rabbi Krishef— a former opponent of the campaign — says he's now ready to sign on. So is Rabbi Albert Lewis of Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids. To- gether with a Chabad house, these are the only three syna- gogues in the Grand Rapids com- munity, where Jews comprise less than 1 percent of the total population. "If Marc Stem thinks that the revised project is a worthy pro- ject, then it's worth thinking about again," said Rabbi Krishef. While he is still apprehensive about the Center for Jewish and Christian Values' motivations, he says it will be easier to moni- tor if he is directly involved. "If a proposal comes up in the future to reinstate the ["preven- tion"] curriculum in a way that would be unacceptable, we would find out right away rather than after the fact," he said. Now that the center has with- drawn the "prevention" compo- nent, Mr. Stern said he is not worried. "All they're doing is sending the joint statement which I wrote," he said. "I'm not opposed to it. ❑ 20% off everyday 20% off everyday 20% A Few Good Leaders BBYO seeks volunteers to lead eight of its BBG and AZA chapters. JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER s Todd sees it, there are eight prime positions available ble at B'nai B'rith AYouth Organization (BBYO) — and no one is taking advantage of the opportunity. "I don't understand why more people don't get involved with it," said the 25-year-old AZA adviser. Allison Buchman, assistant di- rector of BBYO, confirmed that eight of the 31 chapter advisory roles either have been vacated or will be in the coming months. One reason for the openings is a growth in the number of chap- ters, she said. But the nature of the advisory roles leaves a naturally high turnover rate. Most of the advis- ers are post-college-aged men and women whose careers are in flux; many of those advisers quit their posts either because of a move or because of increased job or school responsibility. "Right now," said Ms. Buch- man, "we are in a transition peri- od. School is ending, and in the summer there is a slowdown. There are more chapters to staff." Mr. Wolfe, 25, said he can't un- derstand why more people would not want to be advisers. He spent three years as a member of Rose AZA chapter before going on to college. After finishing his stud- ies, he volunteered to lead a BBYO group and was assigned to the Chalutzim chapter. "I wanted to give something back," he said. Mr. Wolfe has spent three years as a volunteer leader. His re- sponsibilities include organizing and staffing regular Sunday meet- ings and being a counselor at weekend camp outings twice a year. He doesn't draw a salary for his work, but the job has other ben- efits. "There is good camaraderie among the counselors. It is a lot of fun," he said. "I enjoy doing it." ❑ To volunteer as an adviser for BBYO, call Allison Buch- man at (248) 788-0700. "Because Plumbing Doesn't Have To Be Boring." GOOD NEWS FOR PEPE WHO CO TO THE BATHROOM. You won't get yelled at by people who take showers with the Delta@ Monitor.Tm The Monitor is a pressure balance valve with a high temperature limit stop, meeting or exceeding accessibility and anti-scald standards. 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