EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK LETTERS Letters are posted and archived on JN Online: www.detroitjewishnews.com In The Spirit Of Purim S he risked her life by entering the king's inner court without being asked, then summoned the courage to beg for mercy on behalf of Per- sia's Jews, already in exile and their Temple in ruins. Never forgetting her Jewish roots, Queen Esther got King Aha- suerus to reverse his decision to sign off on Haman's plan to kill all Jews in the empire. The message of this brave woman — who changed the course of Jewish his- tory with her cousin Mordechai, part of the king's court — is simple: be bold, even daring, in pursuing a cause in which you believe deeply. The story of Purim is one of lots and loyalty as well as fasting and feasting. It's a story of caring and concern, too. There's no direct mention of God in this triumphant tale of genocidal ambition and palace intrigue, but there's a Divine twist to the storyline. The risk-taking of Queen Esther and Mordechai returned Persia's Jews to the study of Torah and the acting on ROBERT A. mitzvot. SKLAR While we savor the spirit of this festival through masquerade, revelry, Megillat Esther readings, gifts to friends and alms to the Editor poor, I suggest that each of us appeal in a special way to a senior adult. Done with gusto as a community, we could help make our small part of the world a better place — much like Queen Esther did in a Persian palace on the 14th of Adar 2,400 years ago. Our seniors are generally well treated, thanks to loving relatives and friends and to Detroit Jewry's array of social services. Even most who live on fixed incomes do so with dignity. But making them feel valued community members is something more; its something we don't do enough of. _ Local communal and secular agencies deserve plaudits for the mitzvot they do day in and day out on behalf of our seniors. But how nice it would be if each of us, over the three-day festival of Purim, did one mitzvah to lift the self-worth of a less-fortunate senior. You could accompany a senior to synagogue, a community event or to a loved one's gravesite, or tap into a senior's wisdom. The gesture, a compassionate response to human vulnerability, just might lead to a new friendship. Being Mindful Sadly, many seniors have lost their zip and focus; some are even senile. But others remain indepen- dent thinkers and community shakers long past age 70; their spunk is inspiring. In our obsessive search for youth, what a trav- esty it is to take seniors for granted, especially because so many contributed to the quality of life most of us enjoy. On Purim, let us remember and help those seniors who we, collectively, may have forgotten for a while. They may be disadvantaged, in dan- ger, hungry or just lonely. In that spirit, Purim is a good time to volun- teer. "We need volunteers to do grocery shopping, to do friendly visiting at homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, to help with pro- Linda Blumberg gramming at different sites, to answer our infor- mation lines, to assist with Meals on Wheels and to help process applications for free prescription drugs," says Linda Blumberg, director of the Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services (COJES), a partnership between the Jewish Federa- tion of Metropolitan Detroit and its constituent agencies. You also can tailor a volunteer opportunity to your specific interest. To vol- unteer, call Michelle Greenstein at Jewish Family Service, (248) 559-1500. As a group, seniors are extraordinary people, but we tend to look upon as them ordinary. We'd be wiser to etch their teachings in our hearts. D Scout Ideals Within Reach Us All I applaud the courage of the rabbis of the Reform movement, who were willing to take a stand against the Boy Scouts of America for their prohibi- tion against gay Scout leaders ("Scouting: Not For Everyone," Feb. 2, page 16). As a psychologist, I like to think that all of us have the capacity to be all those things. As a former Scout, those were words we said at every meeting they were ideals to strive for — high ideals, but possible. But those were ideals for everyone, be they child, parent or citizen. In his letter (Letters, "Reform Challenged On Gay Scoutmasters," Feb. 23, page 5), Douglas H. Ruben of Okemos suggests the underlying moral principles of the Scouts are proof that homosexual Scout leaders cannot be "trustworthy, loyal, help- ful . . . and that they pose "emo- tional hazards." When I was a Scout in the '70s, my scoutmasters' sexual orientation was never a rea- son I respected or emulated them — nor was it a topic of conversation. Some of those ideals were easy — "Clean," "Cheerful," "Courteous, "Helpful" and "Kind." We all wanted to be "Loyal" friends, "Friendly" to the people we cared about and to new people, "Obedient" to our parents and scoutmasters. "Thrifty," well .. . that called for money. "Trustworthy," to be worthy of another's trust, was like a work in progress, where every day you had to do your best so as to keep earning that honor. What job is more worthy of trust than to be a parent? That's a job where a child trusts you before they even know the meaning of the word — to take care of them until they can do it for themselves, to teach them about the world, and to teach them right from wrong. And to teach them reverence — for God and for each other. But to be "Brave," you have to stand up, challenge your complacen- cy or your fears and do the hard thing. For the Reform rabbis to be brave, the hard thing was taking a stand on homosexuality and Scout- ing, where no other religious branch of any organized religion had done so. Ross Grossman Oak Park Looking for 6ononR 6pReial? Make a friend to last a lifetime Become a Person-to-Person Volunteer for JARC Share the gifts of your time and friendship with a man or woman with a developmental disability. • Visit at his or her home • Go to the movies • Run an errand • Just hang out and chat Whatever you do, building a friendship a few hours each month can make a tremendous difference in someone's life. And it will do wonders for your JARC friend, too. Call (248) 538-6610 ext. 349 today. Because doing something good for someone will do a world of good for you. Helping people with disabilities lead full, dignified lives 30301 Northwestern Hwy. Farmington Hills, MI 48334 jarc@jarc.org • www.jarc.org 3/2 2001 5