EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK Sage Encounters education is the keystone to Jewish identity and survival. It's the 1 31 ewish gateway to our heritage and history — and to what unites us. Notably, adults who make the commitment to learn don't just enrich their knowledge. Their children, and those of others, also benefit. Children mimic adults, who serve as role models whether we like it or not. So if we invite them to learn about Judaism, but spurn doing so ourselves, what kind of message is that? It's a hypocritical one, at best. Children need to see us experience the joy of learning. They want us to have such joy so they can, too, without feeling self- conscious. Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel put it this way: "I believe that children automatically discount anything that ROBERT A. their parents do for them, but they are profoundly affected by anything that their parents do for themselves. Schlepping to SKLAR Sunday school, while self-sacrificing and important, will have Editor one fraction of the effect on your children that walking into the shul to study on your own will have." Enter SAJE. It's one, but hardly the only, example of the Detroit Jewish com- munity's adult study opportunities. Now in its third year, the Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment program allows us to gather as a'community to informally learn, itself a reward. A fragile experiment shaped from an Atlanta Jewry model, SAJE is a stun- ningly successful effort of the five local sponsors — all dedicated to helping us transmit Jewish values and teachings from one generation to the next. The Jew- ish Community Center, the Jewish News, the Jewish Federation and the Agency. for Jewish Education have teamed with Cis Maisel Kellman, who provides gen- erous support funding. The instructors — clergy, professional and lay — gener- ously donate their time. Diversity Reigns Each of the past two winters, SAJE drew more than 500 participants and 1,300 course registrations. So the thirst for learning is huge. The student mix has been as diverse as our community as a whole — secular, observant, converts, unaffiliated, under- affiliated, intermarried, thirtysomethings, retirees. Some have talked about growing spiritually. Others have grown culturally and communally. Many have reveled in the discussion and camaraderie. For some, it's SAJE, but nothing more. And that's okay. SAJE isn't about learning through force, fear or guilt. • Still, the hope is that the vast majority of participants turn to a lifetime of Jewish studies. SAJE organizers face the significant hurdle of sustaining Rabbi Paul Yedwab the momentum of the past two winters. Which is why they aren't standing pat. This year's teaching corps features familiar faces, new faces and a ton of wisdom representing different backgrounds and beliefs. Some courses are updates and others are new The 50-course lineup includes a lunch-and-learn series, a young adult series and an online course. You shouldn't be disappointed, whatever your interest. Each seminar is geared to helping learn about what it means to be Jewish. Ultimately, we must light the way of learning for our children, tomorrow's flag bearers for Jewish continuity and leadership. "If you want your children to be good, knowledgeable, faithful and believing Jews, you must become one yourself," says Rabbi Yedwab, who has taught two pop- - ular SAJE classes. "Adult learning is the beginning of that process," he added. "SAJE is a wonderful and enjoyable way to dip your toes into the sea of Torah." And he's right. Why should we expect our children to want to strengthen their under- standing of, and appreciation for, who we are as a people if we don't care to do so ourselves? El SAJE brochure inside this issue LETTERS Letters are posted and archived on JN Online: wwvv.detroitjewishnews.com Jonathan Pollard A Symbol For Us America has a case of civil disobedi- ence — a courageous defiance in the face of wrongdoing. There is a man rotting in an Amer- ican jail because he defied orders and gave Israel urgent warning of prepara- tions of poison gas attacks on the country that could have murdered hundreds of thousands. That man is Jonathan Pollard, an American intelli- gence officer ["No Pardon For Pol- lard," Jan. 26, page 25]. Pollard did what any decent person would do. He defied orders that, if obeyed, could have led to mass slaughter of Israelis. Pollard learned Syria and Iraq were stockpiling mis- siles armed with poison gas warheads. That was no secret, of course, to Syria and Iraq, not to the European coun- tries that designed and built those poison gas plants, nor to the Soviets that supplied those missiles. It was an American "secret" that Pollard was ordered to keep only from Israelis. As a result of Pollard's warning, Israel acquired gas masks and anti- poison medicine kits that it distrib- uted to protect its people during the Gulf War. Jonathan Pollard is a hero who did the decent and right thing in disobey- ing orders that were corrupt and evil. Pollard in jail says the United States does not mean Israel and the Jewish people well. Hymie Cutler director, Michigan Committee for a Safe Israel Detroit `Just Jewish' Story Was Intriguing Warmest congratulations for provid- ing us with the fascinating and absorbing article on cultural Jewish life ["Just Jewish," Jan. 19, page 6] by Sharon Luckerman. The article exposes readers to a variety of organizations that possibly may be of interest to those seeking the appropriate kind of affiliation. I have had the good fortune of being an affiliated Jew for most of my life. All of us who are affiliated have family and friends who are not. My own dear daughter, Diane Kreger, is quoted and pictured in the article. You mention in your introduction that at least half of the Jews in Ameri- ca don't belong to a synagogue. While WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE Donate Your Car (Truck, Motorcycle or Motorhome) to JARC • Description: Almost any condition (harmed or dangerous) • Convenient towing available (or drop off at JARC office) . REWARD: Your donation will enrich the lives of men, women and children with disabilities For More Information, call JARC 248-3524 27 2 twi 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, MI 48034 Fax: 248-352-5279 E-mail: jarc @jarc.org