JOIN US AT THE FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE for the best cycle of your life! Mothers Cry In Lebanon Six months after a tragic helicopter crash, Israeli moms are clamoring where politicians fear to tread. FREDA tSIDENCE AVI MACHLIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS W. MAPLE REt. 0 0 Three Kosher Meals Daily Daily 5habbat & Holiday Services in our Synagogue Medication Assistance Daytime and Evening Activities Transportation, Laundry & Housekeeping Registered Nurse & Personal Care Assistance Health Clinic Around the Clock Security Respite & Guest Rooms Available Nosh Nook, Gift Shop, Beauty/Barber Shop For More Information, please Contact: CAROL ROSENDERG PHOTO BY AP/YARON ADMINISTRATOR FLEISCHMAN KESIDENCE/I3LUMBERG PLAZA 6710 W. MAPLE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD, (810) 661-2999 (LOCATED ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPUS) FREE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SEMINAR JUNE 27 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM Southfield Double Tree Guest Suites In this seminar you will learn how to: BOOKS Bought and Sold LIBRARY BOOKSTORE 545-4300 Open 7 Days Books Bought ry, Your Home Develop an Electronic Storefront Market Effectively on the Internet Generate Higher Profits HURRY...SPACE IS LIMITED! For more information or to register: visuaLNiF:Ir Call: 313.989.0638 E-Mail: seminar@visualnet.net Web: www.visualnet.net • M. SeinPliner ORIENTAL RUGS • Miri Sela, a leader of the moth- ers, group, and a former peace ac- tivist, says the campaign is apolitical, supported by left- and right-wingers alike. After the re- cent petition, the group plans to lobby in the Knesset, appear in the media, meet with military of- ficers — and find themselves an answer. Casualties of the helicopter tragedy were added to a lengthy list of soldiers killed since the in- vasion 15 years ago in an attempt to oust the Palestine Liberation Organization and end the shellings of Israel's northern set- tlements. According to the Israeli army, 655 soldiers were killed and 3,883 wounded from the start of the war in June 1982 to Israel's with- drawal to the 6.2-mile-wide se- curity zone in June 1985. The army says another 175 were killed between 1986 and 1996, in- cluding an average of 24 per year since 1993. However, Is- rael has had only 2 minimal success in achieving polit- ical goals on the Lebanese battle- field. Operation "Peace for Galilee," as the Lebanon war was known, did suc- ceed in ousting the PLO from its stranglehold on Israeli soldiers carry the coffin of one of their fallen Lebanon and comrades killed in south Lebanon. stopped its shelling of the set- The protest was timed to coin- tlements. The grander plan of that mis- cide with the 15th anniversary of Israel's invasion of Lebanon, in sion was never achieved, howev- what many Israelis regard as the er. Yassir Arafat's influence over Palestinians in the West Bank country's most unnecessary war. Since then, hundreds of Israeli and Gaza may have waned tem- soldiers have died in the porarily but was never crushed as Israel had hoped. Lebanese quagmire. In addition, Israel's image in But it was very recent histo- ry that drove the mothers, backed the world suffered greatly as by concerned fathers as well, to thousands of civilians were killed take to the streets. The crash of in the invasion. Instead, a new enemy rose up two military helicopters en route to Lebanon last January, which against Israel from the smolder- left 73 soldiers dead, sparked a ing ashes of the Lebanon War: public debate over the Israeli Hezbollah. The Iranian-backed presence there even before the fundamentalist guerrilla group end of the seven-day mourning has pledged to oust Israel from the security zone and to liberate period. The reaction highlighted grow- Jerusalem. The guerrillas periodically ing Israeli desperation. "It's like a game of Russian roulette up rocket northern Israel. "We cannot tell the army and there," said Tody Warshaysky, 53, whose son is serving in South the government what to do," said Lebanon. "Every four months a one Israeli mother. "But it must new unit positions itself in be on the agenda every day. We Lebanon, spins the revolver bar- don't want to walk behind coffins anymore." ❑ rel and hopes for the best." hosh Saban has lost many nights of sleep worrying about her son, an Israeli soldier stationed in South Lebanon, helplessly wondering whether he will return home for his next weekend leave. Recently, Ms. Saban decided to take matters into her own hands. Along with the mothers of soldiers at 32 sites across the state, she helped collect thou- sands of signatures from con- cerned parents of soldiers and sympathizers. The goal was to press Israel's government to with- draw the men from what Israelis increasingly see as a futile pres- ence in its self-declared security zone. "I have right-wing views, but I support any government that will get us out of Lebanon," said Ms. Saban. "The idea is to bring about a conceptual change about what we are doing in Lebanon. After 15 years, it's about time." We buy them, sell them, appraise them, clean them repair them and love them! In-Home & Office Carpet Cleaning (810) 399-2323 OAK PARK OUTLET • (810) 546-RUGS • (810) 646-RUGS BIRMINGHAM • (313) 973-RUGS ANN ARBOR