NOW

After paring away comments that
"A quote can make you change
were repetitive and didn't seem as
your mind about something or think
good on second thought, the two
in a different way," she says. "There
came up with their final quotes.
are many people in the book that I
"We're both voracious readers and
don't agree with, such as Rabbi Meir
had a great time doing this," explains
Kahane, but I felt it was important to
Brawarsky, whose attorney co-editor is
include them.
director of public policy at the
"Jews are people with many opin-
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in
ions, and I think we've captured the
New York City and Washington, D.C.
friendly contentiousness — the love
"Every book is somehow autobio-
of conversation. I think the book
graphical, and this book reflects our
enables people to enter conversation.
interests. When we thought something
The title is something we came up
was missing, we looked for quotes in
with early on, and I feel it very
specific areas.
much expresses the tone of the
Both authors were very careful in
book." Li J
noting sources of quotes so
that readers could get more
information.-
"I've interviewed quite a
few of the people quoted in
The Detroit presence in Two Jews, Three
the book," says Brawarsky,
Opinions includes current and former
who has traveled to Detroit
members of the community. Here are
with authors whose texts were
some examples:
published by her former
employer. "I write mostly
"To have a soulmate, you have to have a
about books and writers, and
soul."
I rend to interview the writers
— Rabbi Shmuel Irons, head of the Kollel
whose work I love. I think
Institute in Oak Park, quoted in "The
that knowing the people
Detroit Jewish News," May 23, 1997
behind the quotes makes it
easier to find the great quotes
"I've worked hard for you and I've never
sometimes from their writings
asked anything for myself. But I'm asking
and sometimes from hearing
you now. Please send the Israelis what
them speak."
they need. You can't let them be
Authors Isaac Bashevis
destroyed."
Singer, Elie Wiesel and Tillie
— Max M Fisher, business executive and
Olsen are among the many
philanthropist, from a letter to President
who fall into this category.
Nixon, Oct. 9, 1973, during the first days
Brawarsky also included
of the Yom Kippur War,quoted in "Quiet
comments from people she
Diplomat: A Biography of Max M Fisher"
knew and respected but had
by Peter Golden (1992)
not become famous. A mem-
ber of a Conservative syna-
"We always ask ourselves, when we evalu-
gogue, she went through the
ate a play, are the Jews going to come and
archives of her late rabbi,
are the gays going to come. Because with-
Marshall Meyer, so she could
out them we won't have a show."
relate his observations.
— Jeffrey Seller, former
This is Brawarsky's third
Oak Parker and producer
of the musical "Rent"
book.
"How to Meet Men As
"Cancer is the most unfunny thing in the
Smart As You is an offbeat
world, but I'm a comedienne, and even
hook about dating," explains
cancer couldn't stop me from seeing
the single New York author,
humor in what I went through."
who has discussed her match-
— Gilda Radner, comedian
making manual on the Oprah
who died of cancer in 1989
Winfrey show. "I introduced
seven couples who got mar-
"Another Nelson Mandela? A modern-day
-;:ied, and the book grew out
Nathan
Hale? No, it's Jonathan Jay Pol-
of my success. Talking About
lard,
the
poster boy for American Jews
Genesis was a guide to the Bill
who
feel
there is an anti-Semite lurking in
Moyers 'Genesis' TV series."
every shadow. "
Brawarsky would like quo-
— Arthur Horwitz, publisher, "The Detroit
tation readers to find ideas
Jewish News,"
that speak to them and new
Jan. 20, 1997
ideas they can ponder.

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1999

Detroit Jewish News

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