1 105 S. Adams Birmingham, MI 48009 sure, more than a lot of other aged Jews have also. Unfortunately, she had no other family and thus she was put into a local nursing home which was over- crowded, with little attention to her needs other than what was necessary. According to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, there are more than 96,000 Jewish people in southeast Michigan. Certainly there is a great need for a Jewish nursing home. I realize that the arts are important to us and our city, but what of our own people? Are they less important? Lori Betson Southfield Historical Truths Fairly Shown? Ir 0 o-40 As 18th century images of "the Jews" line the Janice Charach Epstein Museum/Gallery, other images of Jews in the 1920s and '30s in Detroit fill the lobby of the Jewish Community Center. Steve Rosman's exhibition has become controversial and much publi- cized. Should he have included (or focused on) the Purple Gang? Do the two guns serve any function or enhance the main themes of the show? Beyond this difficulty, does the exhibi- tion have any thematic coherence and integrity? The Jewish News has boldly spon- sored the show in defiance of what it perceives as potential censorship after other sponsors withdrew their support for a variety of reasons. Most impor- tant among those reasons is the discus- sion of the Purples; along with the dis- cussion, some have argued that the pictures contribute to a misplaced attention; others are incensed that names would be prominently listed along with the photographs. As a professional historian, I would be critical of an exhibit that eliminat- ed this part of Detroit Jewish history. The gang appears in my own book (Harmony and Dissonanace: Voices of Jewish Identity in Detroit, 1914-1967) six times. The initial reference is part of the introduction to the chapter titled "The Roaring Twenties" and describes the gang and its significance to Detroit. Unlike some others in the commu- nity, I do not object to the inclusion of the Purples in the exhibition; I do not believe that Jewish history in Detroit ought to be presented as "glo- rious" or "inspirational." The question (248) 723-9838 for me, if not for Mr. Rosman, rests on the professional nature of the exhi- bition and issues like gratuitously including names, lack of substance and accuracy. Does the exhibit main- tain some integrity and grace? In my view, the exhibition is partly an accurate historical one that lacks discretion, grace and sensitivity. Most importantly, it lacks historical context and any reasonable sense of meaning- ful Here are only a few examples, beginning with the most controversial issue, the Purple Gang. There are 13 panels on the Purples, mostly of bor- ing mug shots, most of which contairi names; there are two more panels of Prohibition agents and two exhibition cases containing a machine gun_and a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver. In contrast, there are two panels on "Our Enemies," familiar photographs of Father Couhglin and Henry Ford; one half-panel on the Black Legion, whose raid terrorized Jews and Catholics in at least three states; one panel on "Our Radicals," which does not include the Workmen's Circle or the Chaim Greenberg Communist School; no panels (although a few photographs) on the landsmanshaftn, of which there were more than 40 which boasted upwards of 5,000 members at any given time. There are inaccuracies and dupli- cate photographs under the Sholem Aleichem shul — of the eight pictures, two are duplicates of two others and the dates are incorrect on at least two of the photos. There are no pictures of the Farband or its shul. Several of the synagogue photos already identify them as churches. I will stop here and point out that, despite the hysteria-with which some members of the Jewish community responded, the exhibit clearly points to the Purple Gang as its center. I believe that anyone is entitled to put together such a show and entitled to put it together in the most amateur- ish, trivial and inept ways. But the community failed in its responsibility to preview and evaluate the show. Mr. Rosman may be a poor, naive and unschooled historian; the leader- ship matched him by approving the initial offer of the exhibition. Sensationalism sells, but even that must be slick these days; and few peo- ple will come for a second look at this fiasco. Sidney Bolkosky Professor of history, U-M Dearborn I WE'VE MOVED! mile North to the corner of Lincoln & Adams patagania As you've heard by now, we're making news in design! Whether its planning your new home, remodeling your existing one, or furnishing a room-we invite you to explore the difference in interior design and . encourage you to interview one of our designers for your next protect. 32506 Northwestern Highway • Farmington Hills, MI • (248) 851-7540 PEN SALE KITCHEN-AID MIXERS NOW ONLY $179.96 CUISINART ON Food Processors SALE TV'S RCA SONY PARKER • WATERMAN • MONT BLANC PELIKAN • AURORA • LAMY • NAMIKI • DELTA BIG DISCOUNTS ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH AFTER BRAUN $44.98 HAIR DRYERS JUICE EXTRACTORS SONICARE $79.98 REBATE VACUUM CLEANERS SEIKO 40-50% OFF OSCAR BRAUN'S LINCOLN TOWERS SUITE 111 968-5858. - 15075 W. Lincoln (10'/2 MILE) Mon. thru Fri. 10-4 - • BRAUN NORELCO ELECTRIC SHAVERS 10/31 1997 37