---- Saabh Oxyriit oron inflicted injuries; 14 children are lost to gun violence every day in this country. American children are more than 12 times as likely to•die from gun violence as are the children of any other developed nation. If trends con- tinue, 2003 will see gun violence over- take automobile accidents as the lead- ing cause of fatalities in the United States. The effort to call Jews to arms in self-defense could have significant, and troubling, effects on our society. Arming ourselves to the teeth in a quest to protect our community would be questionably effective in accomplishing its goals, but it would undoubtedly lead to a greater balka- nization within the United States. We would alienate ourselves from the larger society, and we would be seen (correctly in this case) as arm- ing ourselves in direct opposition to those with whom we share this country. Just as most of us would be dis- mayed to see the African-American community or the gay and lesbian community self-segregate and stock- pile weapons, so would the rest of America view Jews who did the same with suspicion and fear. The inadver- tent but inescapable effect would be heightened incidents of prejudice, vandalism and hate-fueled violence. Our tradition calls for each of us to participate in tikkun olam, repair of the world. For us to insist that Ameri- ca's culture of gun violence — and the epidemic of killing that it has wrought — is important to us only as it affects our fellow Jews is to turn our backs on the rest of America. Admittedly, addressing society's problems is an overwhelming and per- haps unattainable goal, but our tradi- tion demands no less. It is not up to us to complete the cask, but neither are we free to desist from it. We face a critical time: a period of unprecedented technology, of won- drous prosperity, and yet of great fear. We can choose to turn inward as a community, to protect only ourselves and our narrow interests, or we can look beyond our community into our nation and the world, seeking com- mon solutions and working for the general welfare. The latter is the much harder path. But I believe that it is the one that will provide our children with a better world, the one to which we as Jews are committed, and the one to which we should all rededicate ourselves. Let that commitment be our resolution for the new year. Can a performance car be safe? Can a safe car be fun to drive? Saab doesn't believe in making a distinction between a "safe car" arid a "performance car" Our turbo engines have as much to do with safety as with driving pleasure. High torque at low rpm gives you quick acceleration in any situation. Other Saab innovations include the world's first Active Head Restraint System," designed to help prevent whiplash injuries. Performance and safety can coexist. In a Saab. Lease a 1999 Saab 9-3 Convertible* $399 Per mo./36 mos. Amount due at lease inception- $ 3,292.75 (includes down pmt., sec. dep., acq. fee & first mo. pmt.) Lease a 1999 Saab 9-5 SE** $399 Per ma/36 mos. Amount due at lease inception- $ 3,292.48 401001 INIIIIIIIIIIINNII111111111111111111111111‘. (includes down pmt., sec. dep., acq. fee & first mo. pmt.) Lease a 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon*** $389 Per mo./36 mos. Amount due at lease inception- $ 3,282.60 (includes down pmt., sec. dep., acq. fee & first mo. pmt.) *36 months, 36,000 miles. 15c a mile over contract. Plus tax, title. and plates. Subject to credit approval. Delivery must he taken out of inventory by 9/30/99. GLASSMAN SAAB -800=354-5558 ON TELEGRAPH RD. AT THE TEL-12 MALL People who test drive a Saab, usually buy a Saab. =mom 11•11111 ■ I I I ■ I I I I I /Mb, 411.11 ■ 11111_1111 1110 11111 M NIF9111 ALAI MI 4111 MI A/ IN in m— Tia mix/ ■ NMI EFFECTIVE AND DEPENDABLE PROTECTION SINCE 1931 Featuring "PERIMETER PLUS" Program Exterior Non-Intrusive. On-Call Pest Prevention. TM of Dow AGRO Sciences Enjoy your deck and the rest of the outdoors this Summer with one or more of Eradico's programs MOSQUITO CONTROL • EXTERIOR TREATMENTS FOUR SEASONS PEST PREVENTION We accept VISA & MasterCard. Members of Michigan & National Pest Colitrol Assoc. ERADICO PEST CONTROL CALL TOLL FREE 248-354-6060 ext. 209 888-479-5900 9/24 1999 Detroit Jewish News 39