t
•
Knocked Off Track
is
ost of the Jewish
world focused its
attention this week
on the summit meeting between
Ehud Barak, Yasser Arafat and
Bill Clinton at Camp David.
But half a world away, another
Jewish drama is being played
out — in Russia.
JONATHAN
After the collapse of commu-
FRIENDLY
National Editor nism, Jewish life there has
begun to revive, with shuls
opening and an array of social services providing a
supportive community; particularly for the elderly.
Despite the emigration to Israel and the United
States of one-million Russian Jews who were finally
free to leave, an almost equal number remain.
But two recent developments are raising fears
that the flower could be nipped in the bud. The
election campaign that elevated Vladimir Putin to
the presidency included recurring incidents of anti-
semitism. Last month, the nation's most visible
Jew, billionaire media magnate Vladimir
Goussinsky, was jailed for three days on vague
charges of shady dealing. As an added complica-
tion, the community itself appeared divided after
the Chabad movement named a rival for the title
of chief rabbi of Russia.
Our cover story this week, which begins on page
6, takes a close look at the major figures and issues
for the world's third-largest Jewish community.
A Michigan Press Association
Newspaper of the Year
Editorials
37 Why We Should Worry
Without U.S. concern, Russian Jews
July 14, 2000
Tammuz 11, 5760
Vol. CXVII, No. 22
DEPARTMENTS
Community
43 Making A Difference
La Difference expands menu, plans
carryout to grow customer base.
Spirituality
63 Coming Out
A gay rabbi grapples
with Torah's "gray areas."
a tertainment
rts
80 History Lesson
TNT miniseries chronicles
the Nuremberg trials.
Living Well
DMC breaks ground on
cancer-treatment center.
Broken Trust?
o art of our mission is to mirror the heritage, lifestyle, interests and needs of the Detroit Jewish commu-
nity. We do that by presenting news, information and insight that educates, informs, entertains,
inspires, rouses and provokes.
Often, the toughest decision newsroom editors have to make is how tpresent a story that may be con-
strued as negative toward an individual or a group. It often boils down to the public's right to know versus the
impact on the individual or group. In our decision making, we weigh what's fact and what's rumor, as well as
newsworthiness and the repercussions.
ROBERT A.
As journalists, it's our responsibility to report news, not ignore it. We strive to respect what readers expect
SKLAR
to see in the pages of the Jewish News, but there are limits to what we'll print.
Editor
A New York _Times media reporter piqued my interest last Friday. She said she was writing about the New
York Jewish Week's recent detailed account of abuse allegations facing the National Conference of Synagogue
Youth's director of regions. The day after the story broke on June 22, the Orthodox Union, which oversees the NCSY, accepted
Rabbi Baruch Lanner's resignation. Staff Writer Shelli Liebman Dorfman, under Story Development Editor Keri Guten Cohen,
reports on local reaction to his resignation, and the circumstances surrounding it, beginning on page 14.
There is much that is good and uplifting in our community, and we relish reporting such stories. But as a responsible, respon-
sive community member working to strengthen Jewish unity and continuity, we're also entrusted to delve into trouble spots that
have a pervasive influence on our community.
Amid that backdrop, it's our intent to always frame tension and conflict with sensitivity and balance, in hopes of allowing the
community to learn from the controversy, grow and move forward.
Shabbat Shalom!
JN
www.d.etroitjewishnews.com
face return to sad chapter of history.
97 Cancer Fighter
p
DETROIT
JEWISH NEWS
Alefbet'clia ..... 5
Anniversaries .... 60
AppleTree
105
Births
57
Calendar . ..... . . 55
Carla Schwartz 104
Community ..... 43
Crossword 79
... Answer ..... 129
Cyber Spot 83
Dannyltaskin .... 90
Editorials .'
37
Engagements
59
Finance
70
For Openers ..... 5
Health
97
Insight
35
Marketplace ..... 108
Obituaries ...... 136
Out & About ..... 74
Spirituality 63
Sports ......... 102
Staff Notebook . . . . 20
The Scene 102
Torah Portion .... 68
Weddings'. • . . • • . . 60
Candlelighting
Friday, July 14
8:51 p.m.
Shabbat ends
Saturday, July 15
10:00 p.m.
Cover:
AP Photo of Vladimir
Goussinsky
Page design, Debbie Schultz
©COPYRIGHT 2000
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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7/14
2000