sks
Building On The City's
Recent Good Fortunes
OK, we're jumping on the bandwagon. But so
many times this space is about the heavy and
the difficult, issues of international and local
concern.
Sunday, along East
Jefferson in Detroit,
there was something
remarkably differ-
ent going on. The
city was having
a huge replica of
Lord Stanley's Cup
placed on the City
County Building.
Drivers with those Red
Wing flags were waving
and honking to one another.
The day was just gorgeous. People fished on
the banks of the river; others just enjoyed
the warm weather on Belle Isle or at Hart
Plaza.
The night before, we know what the Red
Wings did. And that, of course, made national
headlines. What didn't make for much sensa-
tionalism is what didn't happen. There were no
fires, no looting, no arrests. Nobody's life was
placed in danger. Detroiters — black,
white and from every economic
class — celebrat-
ed together,
peacefully.
And it was
nice.
It was a reason
for pride and a rea-
son for hope. There is a
buzz going on. It was felt with
the empowerment zones, the casino
legislation and the new stadiums.
Now, we have a team that is truly made up
of world champions.
And it looks like we have a city that is de-
serving of that team and that title.
That is something we should build on.
T H E
PROMISED LAND
THE CONTINUING STORY Of JEWISH LIFE IN THE DIASPORA
by Jordan B. Gorfinkel
DETRO IT J EWI SH N EW S
LL
28
YAEL
the
Perplexed
LOUIS ZAY DS BUGS
tie
the
the
Rebel Traitionaist Bubby
MY MOMMY SAYS THAI' THE
CATERER'5 Too ISPENSIe
MY DADDY SAYS - THAT BONDS
5TiNK -- BUY MUTUAL- run&
HEY, DONNIE -7!
HOW ARE YOUR BROTHER'5
13M -M/77P11/ PREPARATIONS
COMING ALONG?
A
55
Getting The Peace Process
Back On Track
Embryonic as it might be, we are happy to learn meeting with Allon, Jordan's King Hussein re-
Israeli Prime Minister Biriyamin Netanyahu jected the offer.
Netanyahu's solution, still loosely formulat-
has finally laid out his view of a final status
agreement with the Palestinians. Since taking ed, differs somewhat from Allon's. Unlike in
office one year ago, the telegenic politician has 1967, some 140,000 Israelis live in the West
often seemed more intent on pleasing segments Bank. Among them are some of Israel's most
of the electorate at that moment than focusing uncompromising citizens. And they have strong
on a specific, long-range goal. By rejecting the backing from key Netanyahu coalition partners
difficult path, Mr. Netanyahu's government be- and Likud ministers.
As such, Mr. Netanyahu is call-
came aimless on the peace process,
ing for Israel to retain 50 to 60 per-
the key issue in Israeli life.
cent of the West Bank and
Regardless of the predictable
Netanyahu
establish "settlement blocks." The
Palestinian rejection of the pro-
latter point infers that the resi-
posal, Israelis can at long last wants Israel to
dents of small, outlying Jewish
debate something concrete and
retain 50 to 60 towns
must choose between living
understand the direction their
under
Palestinian Authority con-
country's leaders would like to
percent of the
trol or relocating to more Jewish-
take.
West Bank.
ly populated areas under Israeli
We are heartened that, even in
control.
name, what's being dubbed as "Al-
This ostensible relinquishing of
lon Plus" gives Israelis a chance to
reach across their tumultuous political chasm. some settlements is no small concession for Mr.
Shortly after the 1967 Six-Day War, Yigal Al- Netanyahu. Further, Israel would keep most
lon, a popular Labor Party leader, saw the ter- strategic sites and resources — including the
•ritorial gains as a coveted bargaining chip to precious water sources. Newly elected opposi-
lure truculent Arab neighbors into long-desire-1 tion leader Ehud Barak has in the past favored
similar proposals.
peace negotiations.
The Allon Plus plan will now be fiercely de-
In exchange for peace, Allon envisioned giv-
ing most of the West Bank to Jordan, which oc- bated in the Cabinet and among Israelis in the
cupied the territory from 1948 to 1967. The streets. It is a welcome and concrete starting
Jewish state, however, would control a string point. And if Palestinian leaders show some in-
of strategic hilltops stretching outward from sight, they will at least see this as a legitimate
Jerusalem; the capital itself would remain unit- place to start, and the peace process might fi-
ed under Israeli control. But in a then-secret nally get back on track.
at
BECCA BETH BERNIE
Ole
the
the
111.1
Sceptic Idealist
55
Letters
way whatsoever.
For a mature woman to an-
nounce that she will celebrate her
becoming a bat mitzvah is the
same as declaring at her present
age that she will become Sweet
16 because she never had it ac-
knowledged when she was in
truth 16 years old.
If these same women (and the
same applies to men becoming
bar mitzvah) have completed a
course of study and wish to mark
this occasion, then kol hakavod.
But let them name this ceremo-
ny with a word which is applic-
able to the occasion.
New name for an old ceremony?
Bat Mitzvah
A Misnomer
I am both irritated and amused
when I read of adult women cel-
ebrating a bat mitzvah. If they do
not already know it, they should
be informed that each and every
one of them became a bat mitz-
vah at the age of 12. This, re-
gardless of whether they had a
party or entered a synagogue or
acknowledged the occasion in any
Claire Arm
Southfield
Camp Recalls
Fond Memories
I moved from Detroit to New
York about 10 years ago but still
enjoy reading The Jewish News.
I especially like reading about
things that were part of my life
in Detroit.
When I read your article about
Camp Tamarack, I knew I had to
CAMP page 30