The Lithuanian government has
returned this abandoned synagogue in
Kaunas (Kovno) to the Jewish commu-
nity.
Holocaust survivor, but whose knowl-
edge of every aspect of the destruction
of Kovno's Jewish community and of
the locale of its memorial sites is flaw-
less.
Before the Nazi onslaught, the Jews
of Kovno worshipped in 36 synagogues;
today, only one synagogue, built in
1871, bears testimony to the thorough-
ness of the devastation.
The last stop on our itinerary was
Mariampole. The city once had a popu-
lation of 10,000, of which one-third
were Jews. On June 2, 1941, the city
was firebombed by the Germans and on
June 23 the city fell to the Nazis.
On Sept. 1, 1941, the Jews were
herded into the town's main street and
ordered to walk "the last mile." Along
the banks of the town's Sheshupe River,
men, women and children were forced
to lie naked in previously dug ditches
and were shot to death with automatic
weapons. In all, 8,000 Jews from Mari-
ampole and the surrounding towns met
their death on that day.
The city that I left some 60 years ago
was not the town I retained in my
memory. All the sites associated with the
once flourishing Jewish community
have been obliterated.
We sought, in vain, the tombstone of
my older brother, Judah, who died at
age 18, just prior to his graduation from
the Hebrew Gimnasia. The cemetery
was now a potato field, the tombstones
having been used to undergird the city's
highways.
Jews, especially in Israel, customarily
add the words "may God avenge his
death" after the name of a Holocaust
victim or the victim of Arab terror. Jew-
ish retribution of Nazi and Lithuanian
atrocities is, obviously, not a realistic
option. However, Lithuania and other
Baltic states are being groomed for
membership in NATO with the bless-
ings of the U.S. government.
American Jews should, I believe,
actively oppose the Baltic states' inclu-
sion in NATO unless their leaders admit
their complicity in the Holocaust and
make restitution for their misdeeds. ❑
Life has been good to Dr. George and
Joyce Blum.
Nov they're giving something back-
providing scholarships to Fresh Air
Society camps — so that every Jewish
child can experience the joys of summer
camp. Sometimes, it's a child's only con-
tact with the Jewish community. For the
Blums, it's an investment in the future of
their extended family.
You can make a contribution, too.
With an endowment or a testamentary
gift through your will or trust, you can
ensure a Jewish future for our people
here and around the world.
It's a lesson about tzedakah the
Blums share in the Book of Life, a
collection of the thoughts of Detroit's
charitable families.
Everyone who creates a fund through •-
the Federated Endowment Fund is eligible
to contribute a page to this beautiful
leather-bound book. Besides having the
opportunity to help write our community's
history, donors will receive a replica page
for framing.
As long as we're family, let's get to
know each other a little better. Tell us your
thoughts about tzedakah, about your fami-
ly and your history in our community.
For information, call Helen Katz in
the Federated Endowment Fund office,
(248) 642-4260.
Located in beautiful Southfield, THE FOUNTAINS AT
FRANKLIN offers the best in rental retirement living in a
relaxing campus setting. A $6.2 million renovation is
now underway, transforming this community into
something extraordinary. With
gracious retirement living and
the addition of assisted living
and Alzheimer's care, it's no
wonder so many people are crafting their own future at
THE FOUNTAINS. Please call, write or visit us today.
THE FOUNTAINS
AT FRANKLIN
We're building a new neighborhood, one neighbor
at a time. Come home to The Fountains.
(248) 353-2810
28301 Franklin Road • Southfield, Michigan 48034
MTJNO31398
6/12
1998
37