Now they have a whole other reason to visit. LETTERS DETROIT JEWISH NEWS tiPTEWE R Inside: The Year 5757 In Review — Locally, internationally. Neighborhood Shifts To Improvement Loans. amount of land to be handed over to the PA is Israel's decision to make and is to be made on the basis of a reci- procity agreement that validates steps taken to change Arab attitudes vis-a- vis the destruction of Israel. It is no secret that these so-called "Palestinian Arabs" support the ruthless dictator of Iraq and give every indication of con- tinued support for the destruction of Israel. Is the administration forgetting what World War II taught us — that appease- ment only leads to conflagration? The Middle East sorely needs the presence of a strong and viable state — a state which places great emphasis on the doctrine of man's responsibility to his fellow man. The PA already has about 98 percent of the Arab popula- tion in the territories under their con- trol and seems to be creating just another dictatorship in the area. We must stop placating the PA and use our energies to ensure the security of the Jewish people all over the world by supporting a secure and safe haven for our brethren in Israel. Honey & Apples For A Sweet New Year Rosh Hashanah 5158 Lillian Rosenberg Hurwitz Franklin Religious Freedom Or Coercion? Please send all payments with this coupon to: The Jewish News P.O. Box 2267 Southfield, MI 48037-2267 or fax us at (248) 354-1210 You're a grandparent. Now your children will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa all the time. And when they aren't, you'll either be babysitting or visiting them. Knowing your children are so busy, why not make their lives easier by giving them their own subscription to the Detroit Jewish News. After all, they have a whole new reason to visit! INTRODUCTION GIFT SUBSCRIPTION CARD El YES! I'd like to send a 52 week gift subscription to the Jewish News plus five issues of Style Magazine for only S46. ($63 out-of-state). ❑ Please Bill Me. ❑ Payment Enclosed. Charge my: ❑ VISA ❑ Send Exp. Date Name Signature (required) Address My Name City My Address Phone City the gift subscription to: ❑ MasterCard State Zip Phone 3/20 1998 30 Gift Card Message L Allow 2 3 weeks for delivery. - New subscribers and new gift subscribers only. State Zip The House Judiciary Committee approved the so-called "Religious Free- dom" amendment to the U.S. Consti- tution proposed by Congressman Ernest Istook, R-Okla. This pending legislation, which has appeared in vari- ous forms over the past few years, has taken a disturbing and unnecessary step on the road to consideration by the full House. The "Religious Freedom" amend- ment tampers with the First Amend- ment and threatens to undo essential constitutional protections against gov- ernment endorsement of religion and would form a basis for religious coer- cion. And it is unnecessary because the First Amendment already protects private religious expression in public schools and in the public square, with- out government intervention. If the amendment were to become law, it would permit — or even require — the government to fund religious activities on the same terms that it funds secular activities. This religious freedom amendment could conceivably open the door to organized, coercive public school prayer as well as to government- endorsed religion. This is a blatant violation of our fundamental constitutional principle that taxpayers shall not be forced to support religious institutions. We oppose it, as should anyone who truly seeks to protect religious liberty in our country. Sharona Shapiro Michigan area director, American Jewish Committee Religious Confusion: Who Is A Jew? The reaction of American Jewry to the issue of religion in Israel is certainly understandable. Our entire heritage is directed toward freedom of religious expression. Anything less sounds like some sort of medieval persecution. These are predictable American emo- tions and those that are frequently encouraged by denominations with their own religious axe to grind. But what are the facts of life in Israel? The Orthodox comprise approximately 20 percent of the popu- lation. Eighty percent of Israelis are secular; but, when polled, the far greater proportion of these identifies with Orthodoxy. Other religious groups do not make a ripple on the horizon, let alone have enough members to form a political party. How then does American Jewry have a right to dictate to Israel as to their religious practice — just because we give them money or have some political influence in this country? And what about the demand by some American religious denomina- tions that part of United Jewish Appeal and Federation charitable con- tributions be redirected toward financ- ing their political battle over religion rather than the badly needed social projects for which the money was donated? Unfortunately, some charitable organizations have already made this re-appropriation; is this not some sort of sacrilege in itself? What is totally bothersome is the fact that this awful example of sense- less internecine warfare is endangering the very existence of the State of Israel. It is weakening the ability of Israel to negotiate with the Arabs and its ability to take a firmer position against the pressure of the current American administration. Is this the time to have a family quarrel? I don't think so. Dr. Jerome S. Kaufman Bloomfield Hills