DIMON
JEWISH NEWS

A Michigan Press Association
Newspaper of the Year

411 N

www.detroitjevvishnews.com

June 9, 2000

Sivan 6, 5760

Vol. CXVII, No. 17

The Voucher Debate

I

s it a mitzvah to reach
. out to failing school dis-
tricts and offer their stu-
dents a better classroom
opportunity in a private or
•
're '1• igious
school via a school
voucher or tuition tax credit?
Or should we as Jews focus
on helping elevate the overall
ROBERT A.
quality of our public schools
SKLAR
while continuing to strength-
Editor
en Jewish day, congregational
and supplemental schools?
We explore these and other questions in
today's cover story, The Voucher Debate, which
starts on page 6. In it, Staff Writer Diana
Lieberman, under Story Development Editor
Keri Guten Cohen's direction, takes a close-up
look at Michigan's school voucher proposal,
which voters will consider on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Our early thoughts on the proposal appear on
page 39.
The burden of being an educator is heavy —
there's no mistaking that. As Rabbi Elazar ben
Shamua sagely put it in Pirkei Avot ("Ethics of
Our Fathers"): "The dignity of your student
should be as precious to you as your own."
Whatever your position on the school vouch-
er proposal, please vote. You must register by
Oct. 7.
Meanwhile, local school districts will hold
their annual elections next Monday, on June 12.
Remember: Voting isn't just a privilege. It's a
responsibility in a representative democracy.

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

This 12 Intergenerational
Week Gift

Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
Jewish Future secures $50 million.

Editorials
39 A National Birthright

Whatever the result of state voucher vote,
public schools play a key societal role.

Community

43 Sex, Celebrity And Shmuley

Can a hungry-for-fame rabbi
bring Judaism to the masses?

Business
57 Utoporia!

From a dingy corner of Detroit
comes the best pickle around.

Mazel
Toy!
61 JCC-8

From mother-toddler to high
school, eight moms have shared.

Spirituality
72 Lifelong Learning

Hechtman residents create atmosphere
of Friday-night learning, culture.

its
ertainment

84 Wild Side'

"Godfather of Punk" Lou Reed
remains a creative force.

Living
Well
103 Special Friend

Southfield man, West Bloomfield
boy have a JFS relationship.

DEPARTMENTS

Alelbet'cha .......5
Anniversaries
71
AppleTree
111
Bar/Bat Mitzvah 63
Births ..........63
Business 57
Calendar •••••••• 55
Community .••••••43
Crossword . • • • • 96
• . • Answer • • . • • 121
Cyber Spot ••••••• 97
Danny Raskin .. 98
Editorials .. • . . 39
Engagements ... .. 67
For Openers .... ... 5
Insight .... . . 36
Marketplace .... .120
Maze! Toy!
.. 61
Obituaries
.
Out & &bout
80
Spirituality
72
Sports ........ .108
The Scene 106
Torah Portion .. .. 77
Weddings ...... .. 70

Candlelighting
Friday, June 9
8:51 p.m.

Shabbat ends
Saturday, June 10
10:03 p.m.

Cover:
Cover illustration,
Dave Whamond.
Page design,
Jeffrey Torok.

©COPYRIGHT 2000
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS
275-520) is published every
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ments in January, March, May
August, November and
December at 27676 Franklin
Road, Southfield, Michigan.
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