SPECIAL COMMENTARY

The Dawning Of Our Adult Lives

ance, then you are surely the love and
s Akiva Hebrew Day School's
support that has held us aloft in the
largest graduating class since
world that we are still getting accus-
1977, we stand before you
tomed to. Your care and encourage-
today, as 19 individuals who
ment has fostered a strong sense of
together create a mosaic of united pur-
self-importance,
pose. We await the
which undoubted-
future with anticipa-
ly all individuals
tion and excitement,
require to func-
anticipating a world
tion. Without the
of opportunity and a
love and compas-
future filled with
sion provided by
great promise. We
these close person-
would be remiss if
al ties, none of
we did not thank
what we have
those who made it
achieved today
all possible.
AD INA NEWMAN
would be possible.
To our teachers:
AND DEANNA ZWICK
We hope you
Four years ago, you
Special to the Jewish News
feel pride in the
were given the
glorious and won-
immense task of
drous service that you have provided
developing an incoming class of youths
your graduating senior, and share in
into fully functional adults, and instill-
the honor we will today receive. We
ing knowledge of the world within us
would like especially to thank all of
along the way. Judging solely on the
our parents who, through their never-
character of our classmates, we congrat-
ending love and encouragement, have
ulate you on your success. As Ak-iva's
helped us enjoy our successes and
class of 1999, our class is second to
learn from our mistakes. When we
none. It was your diligent and nurturing
were difficult, you encouraged and
hand that has molded, guided and pre-
helped us deal with the problems in
pared us for the future ahead, and for
and out of school, and for that we
this dedication, we thank you.
thank you. We love you very much.
To the friends and family of the
And to our fellow graduates: Here
graduating class: If teachers are guid-
we stand at the dawning of our adult
lives and promising futures. As we go
Adina Newman and Deanna Zwick
our separate ways, we hope you never
are members of the Akiva Hebrew Day
forget your past at Akiva: the friends
School High school graduating class.
you have made and the everlasting
They delivered these remarks at com-
bonds that we will always share. In the
mencement on June 14.

A

/-1

tions that make up Southfield.
Numerous issues of great importance
to that community were addressed in
`–) that forum.
In short, the Council has been, and
continues to be, a catalyst for bringing
together the various elements of the
Jewish and non-Jewish communities
to discuss and take action on those
issues that directly affect each of us.
Robert I. Brown

West Bloomfield

Anti-Semitism
Ever Present

To say the anti-Semitism in Russia has
"reappeared," according to recent
activities there, is inaccurate. Anti-

Semitism has never disappeared.
In this decade, we saw hopeful
signs of reemergence of Jewish life in
post-communist Russia. The Russian
Jewish community now numbers
upwards of 1 million; and the opening
of synagogues, schools and communi-
ty centers has been a bright counter-
point to centuries of violence and
anti-Semitic laws against Russian Jews.
But inflamed by communist and
extremist/nationalist political groups,
the current economic difficulties in
the former Soviet Union are a fertile
breeding ground for virulent anti-
Semitic rhetoric and "scapegoating"
of the Jewish community. Recent
acts of physical violence and proper-
ty damage, including the bombings
outside of Moscow's two largest syna-
gogues, pose a substantial threat in

distant future, it will not be your activi-
ties or your grade point average that you
remember best. Rather, the many mem-
ories that we have formed are those that
we will most cherish in years to come.
In this week's parsha, we read of
Korach, one of history's first politicians.
Korach led a rebellion against Aaron and
Moses in order to alleviate his wounded
pride. The fact that his rebellion might
seriously endanger the future effective-
ness of any chosen leader, and thus lead
to anarchy and chaos, never crossed his
mind, nor gave him reason for pause. In
order to gain praise, Korach was pre-
pared to swallow others alive to achieve
his goals. As a result, the earth swal-
lowed him alive, a punishment befitting
the crime. Mida coneged mida — mea-
sure for measure.
Individuals have their own tasks
and capabilities, and jealousy will
achieve nothing. Instead of being jeal-
ous of the role given to Aaron, Korach
should have sought out the role God
had chosen for him. Peace requires
people to recognize their place and the
unique role they have to play while, at
the same time, recognizing the contri-
butions and worth of their fellow
man. We should each love and pursue
peace and avoid the conflicts of
Korach and his followers.
There is a famous story told of a
child who continually annoyed his
father by giving him no peace. In des-
peration, the father took a map of the
world, tore it into pieces and told his
son to put the jigsaw puzzle back

an already unstable situation.
We call upon President Yeltsin to
emphatically and publicly reject all
expressions of anti-Semitism and those
who espouse them. We urge him and
his government to take every opportu-
nity to make clear their commitment
to religious freedom.
In a fragile, post-communist Rus-
sia, the condition of the Jewish com-
munity is a useful barometer to mea-
sure the health of democracy and plu-
ralism. We must closely watch that
barometer and remain vigilant in
insisting that the Russian government
protect its citizens.

Frederick J. Frank
president,
American Jewish Committee/
Detroit Chapter

together. Hoping to enjoy the rest of
the evening, the father settled down
with a good book. No sooner had he
made himself comfortable, the son
returned with the task duly complet-
ed. In complete amazement, the father
asked how such a young person could
put the world together in such a short
time. The child's answer is a message
for all. He replied, "On the reverse
side of the map was a picture of a per-
son. I put the person together and the
world fell into place."
Each of us can indeed better our
world by putting together the pieces
of our tafgid, our role in life. By realiz-
ing that each and every one of us has a
very a special contribution to make to
klal Yisrael, the Jewish people, we
build not only ourselves, but also an
olom shalem, an entire world. Our
focus must never sway from our
responsibilities to our people, am Yis-
rael, to our land, eretz Yisrael, and to
our heritage, Torat Yisrael.
As we conclude our high school
career, the biggest test of our lives
begins, a test more important than any
exam we took in the last four years. As
we graduate, we loosen our ties with
those that have helped us through the
way, thank them, and start the life long
trial. Some might struggle more than
others, but we all will pass the test. Last-
ly, we would like to say that though it
took a long four years of hard work, we
are finally graduating. Congratulations
and good luck to the class of 1999.
Thank you! ❑

Recognition
Duly Deserved

On behalf of St. Joseph Mercy-Oak-
land Hospital, I would like to com-
mend the Jewish News for Bill Carroll's
excellent article ("Dr. Of Mercy," June
4) on Dr. Steven Bolton and Mercy
Place.
We at St. Joe's have, of course,
known for years what a treasure we
have in Dr. Bolton. It was also very
gratifying to see his years of dedication
and service acknowledged by his
receiving the Sengelaub Award. Now
with the publication of the Jewish
News piece, the work of this outstand-
ing physician can receive the recogni-
tion it richly deserves beyond our
walls.

6/2!
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