COMMUNITY VIEWS

A Casualty Of Peace

see, Wednesday night at 8 is
ur country has been in a vir-
the scheduled time for bowl-
tual state of "peace" for
ing by the Jewish War Veter-
many years. For those who
ans of the United States of
have fought throughout the
America's Metro Detroit
generations, this state of peace was
bowling league.
their distant dream. It was a
This league has
dream that was worth sacri-
been passed down
ficing for — even of life
for three genera-
itself. But sometimes, there
tions. My father
are casualties that stem from
brought me into
peace .. .
the league and I
I have looked forward to
will be proud to
Wednesday nights for the
introduce my sons
past 25 years. I look forward
into it as well.
to the friendship, competi-
We have a very
tion and camaraderie that
ALAN KRAUSE unique bowling
this special night has afforded
league. There have The Jewish War Veterans Metro Detroit Bowling League, 1964-65.
Special to
me for half my life. The ritu-
not been many
the Jewish News
al is always the same. I rush
I will miss competing with these
wars of late, which
An Eclectic Group
home to have dinner with
long-time
friends. I will miss cheering
means that many of the
We have lawyers, salespeople, interior
my family, after which I go into the
for
this
special
group of 180-plus-aver-
members of my league are 70-plus
decorators, bus drivers, business own-
bedroom and change into my "luc
age
bowlers.
I
will
miss cheering for
years of age. Certainly there are "baby
ers, teachers and accountants who all
shirt. I than grab my bag, jump into
my
teammate
while
he finds his new
boomers," such as myself, in the
get together to form the Jewish War
the car, and play beat the clock. You
delivery
after
having
to change it due
league, but for the most part, I am a
Veterans Bowling League.
see, it would not be a good start to the
to a recent stroke.
member of a very mature group of
But lately, I have felt a sad
evening if I came late to this very spe-
I will miss competing, as I always
inevitability taking hold of this very
bowlers.
cial event.
seem
to be, for that important last-
Just as in any group that has been
special group. It is the inevitability
Once reaching my destination, I
place
spot. I will miss being with this
,
together for 40-plus years, there is a
brought on by the passage of time.
jump out of the car, enter the building
family
of friends that know me (even
list of bowling stories that would take
Our group is getting smaller. Each
and make my way down a long, carpet-
if
only
as "Moe's son) and accept me
a lifetime to tell or even remember.
year, there are fewer members corning
ed aisle. All the while I'm shaking hands
for
what
I am.
There was the time when one of my
back for this Wednesday ritual. And
and giving hugs, high-fives and smiles to
I
will
miss
introducing my sons and
teammates forgot to pick up his ball
what is even sadder is that there are no
a very special group of people.
very special Wednes-
their
sons
to
this
when it was his turn to bowl. To date,
new additions to our group.
day night ritual. And I will miss grow-
I do not know what he was thinking
Many younger Jewish adults are
A Generational Thing
ing old with these people who have
as he positioned himself on the
put off by the average age of this
You might ask, "What could possibly
known me for most of the Wednes-
approach with no ball in hand. Or the
special group of men. It is hard for a
be so exciting on a Wednesday night?
days of my life. El
intolerance to smokers that each of
20-something to feel at ease with a
Where could there be such a friendly
these one-time chain smokers voices
team made up of 55- to 72-year-
and secure place?" Well, the answer to
olds. So our league is becoming a
on a weekly basis.
these questions can be found at
It is interesting how even after 25
casualty of peace. With no new wars
For information on joining the
Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington. You
years in the league, I am still known as
to generate new recruits for this
Jewish War Veterans bowlers, call
"Moe's son." My father has been in
group, I fear that my Wednesday
Alan Krause, (248) 539-3616.
Florida
and
not
bowled
in
this
league
evenings soon will become just a
Alan Krause is a West Bloomfield resi-
for more than 10 years.
memory.
dent.

LETTERS

Vouchers Hurt
Public Schools

It could easily be argued that our
nation is among the strongest world-
wide because our system of public
education has provided a solid founda-
tion and competitive advantage
(Point/Counterpoint, Sept. 8, page
37).
A "no" vote on the school voucher
proposal on Nov. 7 will show support
for Michigan public schools. If the
voucher proposal passes, public school
funding would be cut drastically, thus

9/22
2000

38

increasing the likelihood of an increase
in local and state taxes in order to pro-
vide the current level of support to
our public schools.
In addition, private schools will
retain their selectivity in accepting stu-
dents. Is it right to use public dollars
to promote separation or superiority
based on factors such as ethnicity, lan-
guage, religion or race? I think not.
A "no" vote will save Michigan
public schools and send a message that
all children are valued in our state.

David L. Solomon

West Bloomfield

Residents Need
More Visitors

In reference to your cover story ("A
Helping Hand," Sept. 1, page 6), it is
heartwarming to know that groups
and individuals are making an effort
to brighten the lives of nursing home
residents.
However, the article overlooks the
plight of many who are seldom, if
ever, visited, nor receive a warm touch
or a brief bit of conversation.
As a regular visitor at Menorah
House in Southfield for more than

three years, this is particularly evident
to me. There is loneliness, despair and
a feeling of abandonment.
At times, these people are not
pleasant to be around because of phys-
ical, medical or mental problems, but
they are well-attended for personal
hygiene as well as environmental sur-
roundings.
Hopefully, this concern will be
addressed in follow-up articles in your
fine publication.

Mike Weingarden

Southfield

