a.
C01111111INIT4 VIEWS
Our New Americans:
Highlight On Involvement
fig
identity development seminar sponsored
or me, being a New
by the American Jewish Committee,
American Jew means
Detroit Chapter. The writers, all col-
struggling. I am learning
lege-age
students from the former Soviet
what it means to be a Jew.
Union,
have
lived in the United States
I need to find my place among non-
for
as
little
as
two years and as long as
Jews as well as try to become accepted
eight
years.
Each
young writer volun-
in the Jewish community ..."
teered
for
the
18-hour,
six-month-long
"Being Jewish means that I was born
seminar after being approached by Jew-
into a Jewish family, and, although my
ish Resettlement Service, by Metro
grandparents and parents never
Detroit Hillel, or by a fellow
really practiced Judaism, they
participant.
Already, there is
somehow transmitted that the
a
waiting
list
for the next
word 'Jew' was part of who we
seminar
scheduled
for the
were — who we are. The older
fall.
I get, the more curious I
Why this particular pro-
become about this mysterious
gram, and why is it spon-
identity. I feel that I am miss-
sored by the American Jew-
ing something in my life ..."
ish Committee, an organiza-
"The story of the prodigal
tion traditionally known for
son interpreted by Leo Tolstoy,
its intergroup relations work
tells of a son who strays from
SHARONA
and
civil rights agenda?
his father's farm. Upon his
SHAPIRO
In
1989, a collaboration
return, he steps on a rake. His
Special to
developed
between Jewish
father jokingly inquires, 'So,
The Jewish News Resettlement Service and the
have your senses been knocked
AJCommittee, co-hosting
back into you?' and the son's
intergroup
relations
seminars for our
reply is an affirmative ..."
community's
newest
Americans. As the
"Finding my Jewish identity is some-
Jews
from
the
Soviet
Union learned
what like this story. Only recently, after
about
apartments,
work
opportunities
some interesting classes, experiences on
and
educational
programs
for their chil-
campus, and serious discussions with
dren,
it
was
clear
that
the
new
immi-
friends, have I begun to appreciate the
grants
needed
to
be
exposed
to
informa-
beauty of Judaism."
tion about the diverse peoples living,
These written ideas, and others like
working and attending schools with
them, were recently submitted as an
them and their families.
assignment for a final paper in a Jewish
The immigrants had questions about
Sharona Shapiro is the Michigan area
how to interact, how to respond to con-
director of the American Jewish Com-
flicts, where to voice concerns and to
mittee.
learn their rights when disputes with
landlords or employers arose. It made
sense that if AJCommittee ran accultur-
ation seminars for non-Jewish groups, it
could also offer them for the Jewish
community.
AJCommittee leaders volunteered to
work with Resettlement Service on
shaping acculturation workshops. When
the AJCommittee began to explore how
to continue its involvement to support
these new members of the Jewish com-
munity, new programs evolved. The
AJCommittee board hosted a New
Americans shower. AJCommittee co-
hosted citizenship seminars, tutoring
aspiring American citizens on such
important topics as U.S. geography,
government, and history. Jewish social
studies teachers rounded up by the
AJCommittee worked in conjunction
with lawyers and judges to lead study
groups, classes and half-day seminars.
State officials David Honigman and
Maxine Berman agreed to speak at vot-
ers' registration programs co-hosted by
the AJCommittee, Resettlement Service
and the Jewish Community Center in
Oak Park.
Legislative advocacy efforts on behalf
of these Jews became an agency priority,
and an all-day conference with state
officials in Lansing was held last year. A
postcard blitz shared with Yad Ezra and
other community agencies relayed how
immigrant welfare services were threat-
ened in our state.
There was an absence of quality
comprehensive programming for the
vulnerable — the elderly, the young and
those in their middle years who worked
long hours and did not have connec-
tions with the established community.
For this last group, being Jewish was
only a term on their identity papers and
had little relevance to today's world.
The new Americans became targets
of Christian proselytizing efforts. In
response, coalition meetings were hastily
convened. AJCommittee leaders met
with the Michigan Board of Rabbis.
Rabbi David Nelson of Congregation
Beth Shalom agreed to accompany
AJCommittee leaders in the first of sev-
eral visits with the pastor of the Berkley
church sponsoring many of the out-
reach programs. The professionals from
Jewish Experience for Families, the Oak
Park branch of the JCC, Resettlement
Service and Federation met with me fre-
quently to report, to strategize and to
implement measures to combat these
efforts.
The wonderful synagogue/temple
Keruv program was born, and many
congregations hosted breakfasts, tours,
ESL classes, and conversations with the
rabbis. Members of the Orthodox Jew-
ish community intensified their out-
reach efforts, providing-camping, study
and companionship programs.
Congregation Beth Shalom went sev-
eral steps further and developed weekly
Shabbat kiddush discussions programs
following Saturday morning services.
They began looking into a latchkey
program for youngsters, opened up a
Russian gathering place room, offered
Russian language prayer books (as did
other congregations) and now offer a
INVOLVEMENT on page 34
LETTERS
ly's lead in constantly striving to be
forever worthy of Phil's love and val-
ues.
Les Goldstein
Midwest executive director, Bar-Ilan
University
The Legacy
Lives On
My deepest thanks to you for the
wonderful article about the Ecumeni-
cal Institute's Dove Dinner ("Dove
Dinner Keeps Rev. Lyons' Quest For
Peace On Front Burner" May 8).
You certainly caught the spirit of
the event, and my only regret is that
Jim isn't here to share in the remark-
able support from all our religious
communities. The young people,
whose essays you printed, are reassur-
5/15
1998
32
ing examples of Jim's legacy.
As a Christian who has been privi-
leged to visit Israel twice, I also appre-
ciated the Israel anniversary edition of
the paper. I'm sure you are aware of
Jim's passion for Israel. The institute
will continue to sponsor trips to Israel
that bring Christians and Jews togeth-
er to share their common heritage and
to learn more about each other.
Again, my personal thanks for your
support of the Ecumenical Institute.
Barbara Yuhas
Program director, Ecumenical Institute
Et Tu,
Carl Levin?
The Near East Report of April 20, pub-
lished by the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and an
article by Julie Edgar in The Jewish
provided Israel with adequate security
News ("Advice From The Hill" April
and Chairman Arafat has refused to
24) report on a letter signed by 81
conclude negotiations for the remain-
senators and written by
ing interim issues."
Sen. Connie Mack, R-
The letter concludes
Fla., and Sen. Joseph
by noting that "Ameri-
Lieberman, D-Conn.
can Middle East diplo-
The letter was written in
macy ... has always
response to obvious pres-
worked best when pur-
sure upon Israel by the
sued quietly and in
Clinton administration
concert with Israel."
and the U.S. State
The letter urges the
Department.
president to continue
The letter, in part,
our role as facilitator of
said, "It would be a seri-
a process "that can ulti-
Sen. Carl Levin
ous mistake for the
mately succeed only
United States to change from its tradi-
through the direct negotiations of the
tional role as facilitator of the peace
parties themselves."
process to using public pressure
For some arcane reason, Sen. Carl
against Israel." It notes that while
Levin of Michigan then proceeded to
Israel has complied with its Oslo com-
undermine the great strength and
mitments, the Palestinians "have not
impact of the original letter by pen-
.