JONATHAN BRATEMAN

SYLVIA

MYRON FRASIER

".1triTtIty

•

Active, concerned neighbor-

Qi hood associations could bring

Southfield's diverse ethnic commu-
nities together. The city should tar-
get more resources at activating and
supporting associations. It takes
constant involvement of city staff
(and volunteers) to keep neighbor-
hood associations thriving in a cul-
turally diverse Southfield. The city
council has become more culturally
diverse, and therefore, more repre-
sentative of the population of the
city I believe each council member
should take a more
active role in multi-
cultural relations, by
encouraging their
friends and acquain-
tances to participate
in the many programs

BELL ON PARE 21

We are blessed in Southfield
to have a very wonderful
observant community, truly sin-
cere people, dedicated to our her-
itage and faith. With caring,
knowledgeable rabbis and teach-
ers, I have grown spiritually and
have been supported with their
friendship. Everyone in this city,
whatever their background,
deserves the right to observe
his/her faith and live their lives.
No harassment, on any level,
should be tolerated whatsoever. In
running for city
council, I have met
my neighbors. My
giving respect to
others usually
results in mutual
respect. Unless very
BRAIEMAN on page 21

Q1 Over the years the city has

sponsored a series called
International Cafe to introduce the
community to the various food,
music and ethnic cultures repre-
sented in Southfield. These have
been very well attended and popu-
lar. These and other programs
should continue to be sponsored by
the city. However, I believe our reli-
gious leaders must also work
together and take an important
leadership role in the education of
their followers by sponsoring and
participating in
ecumenical pro-
grams to teach the
whole community
on the value of
diversity. Another
important way is
FRASIER on page 21

It is very unfortunate that
this has occurred. We
should all be free to worship our
God without harassment.
Cornmunication, understanding
and sensitivity are essential build-
ing blocks of bringing Southfield's
diverse communities together. We
are all responsible for this city. It is
important that each individual of
this city embrace its multicultural
diversity. In upholding the city's
diversity, the city must be aggres-
sive in preserving it as well The
city has hosted in
the past (and must
continue) various
multicultural
events, even more
specifically, the
International Cafe.
JoRDAN on page 21

Qi

A large number of observant Jews live in your city. In the past, some complaints have been lodged regarding harassment of Jews walk-
ing to synagogue on the Shabbat. What can be done, multiculturally, to help bring the city's diverse ethnic communities together?

Q2

What can the city do to partner with the school system, which has such a dramatic effect on housing values?

v

At the inception of the deck
park, I voiced concern about
security to protect the observant
Jews walking to synagogue. We
were promised that security would
be implemented. We were disap-
pointed. I will meet with the police
department and insist on security.
When I was president of the coun-
cil, I drafted a resolution for unity
to all ethnic groups and 10,000 res-
olutions were distributed. Feedback
was positive. I wrote a guest col-
umn, 'To build for
future, we must
break down barri-
ers today," on Dec.
18, 1997. I pro-
posed forums for
I people.
LAN i L on page 21

.

In light of the proliferation

Q1 of hate crimes, it is impor-

tant that the community extend the
hand of brotherhood to observant A,
Jews as well as people of all races
and religions. We all need to feel
welcome in the community where
we live. I propose we provide for
the development of a new urban
collaborative, such as the multicul-
tural/multiethnic racial council in
Farmington and Farmington Hills.
The newly created council would
hear complaints,
conduct public
forums and devel-
op programs to
heal the racial and
cultural divisiveness
in our city.
SMITH on page 21

I strongly believe that the
city can partner with the
school system to further improve
our educational process and hous-
ing values, by sponsoring more
mentoring, motivational and
activity- programs geared towards
bringing our young tog,ether as
whole. Let's face it, continual edu-
cation is the key to opening the
door to greater understanding and
respect for all ethnic differences.
This effort would only generate a
greater respect throughout our
city's diverse ethnic communities.
Last but not least, we must mimic
this educational practice in the
comfort of our homes as well.
WILLTAms on page 21

an
pain African
Americans feel
every day. We
increased our
WILLIS on page 21

10/29

1999

Detroit Jewish News

19