COMMUNITY VIEWS

A New Generation
Assumes Its Role

N

271 West Maple
Downtown Birmingham
248.258.0212

ow, more than any time in
history, we stand on the
threshold of a new world, a
new way of being. With so
many lives being destroyed by hatred
and lack of respect for fellow humans,
our generation holds the key to an
uncertain future.
A mishnah in Pirkei Avot, the
Ethics of the Fathers, touches the key
issues:
Who is wise? The one who learns
from all people.
Today, we face the crisis of lack of
Jewish unity. It seems we have lost
sight that even though there are signif-
icant ideological differences
that separate us, there are
shared values that can unite
us. At our monthly Rosh
Chodesh breakfasts, promi-
Akiva Hebrew Day School, in Lathrup Village.
nent speakers from the broad
spectrum of the Jewish com-
Who is honorable? The
munity have addressed the
our Torah-true ideals, we cannot, we
one who honors others.
high school. While they did-
must not, lose sight of ahavat Israel
How do we become
n't share the same beliefs,
(love of Israel). At Akiva, we have
united? In the past, Jewish
they were unquestionably
learned that love and concern for the
unity was often forged
dedicated to klal Yisrael.
welfare of every Jew, no matter their
GEORGETTE
through external threats to
Dedication to the continuity
affiliation, must be total and uncon-
KLEIMAN
our survival. But must it
of our people is a value held
ditional. Unity can be achieved by
Special to
dear by every speaker. Each
focusing on that which truly unites
The Jewish News take a Holocaust to remind
us we are all one people? Is
one, in his or her own way,
us.
it only the threat of Arab
was sacrificing time, money and cause
Who is wealthy? The one who is
victories that can focus our vision
to ensure that both the Jewish people
happy with his lot.
clearly on the need for achdut,
and the Jewish state survive and flour-
How do you capture a generation
honor, in Israel?
ish. This we can learn from each other.
of American Jews with no memory
True honor can only be attained
of the Holocaust? A generation for
Georgette Kleiman gave this valedic-
by honoring others. We must learn
whom Israel is not a miracle but a
tory address at graduation exercises of
to clearly differentiate between ideol-
fact of life? This must be part of our
Akiva Hebrew Day School.
ogy and the person. While defending
mission. We, the graduates of Akiva,

LETTERS

The JNF has recently established
the Unity Forest as a gift to Israel in
celebration of Israel's 50th anniversary.
The main goal of the forest is to build
a symbol of the Jewish unity in the
face of the religious pluralism crisis in
Israel. These trees are not planted by
Reform, Conservative or Orthodox
Jews. The new forest is planted by all
of the Jewish people for the benefit of
every member of our diverse family.
The forest will represent the unity
between the people of Israel and the
Jewish community of the United
States. A grove of 1,000 trees will be
planted in the Negev by each partici-
pating synagogue at a cost of $5,000.
This grove will contribute to JNF's
ongoing afforestation efforts, thereby
creating a higher standard of living
and quality of life for the inhabitants
of the area. Additionally, it will help

6/26

1998

36

ip.attie

Seth El Selects

WC113,, Rabe,
E&calor
Has Ctaystees Panne, Mace Holocat. knerds?

develop an ecologically sound foun-
- dation for the management of desert
ecosystems.
Trees are not Reform, Conserva-
tive or Orthodox.
Rob ert Schwartz

..taate

President
Jewish National Fund/Michigan

Negativity
Unwarranted

Professor Zvi Gitelman's letter
("Baal Shem Tov is Documented"
June 19), ostensibly written in
response to an article about the holy
Baal Shem Tov, seems to be nothing
more than gratuitous negativity and
an attack on fellow Jews.
Professor Gitelman gave a myopic
description of Lubavitch love for his

fellow Jew, a love that changed the
face of European Judaism, infusing
impoverished and persecuted Jews

NEGATIVITY

on page 39