LETTERS
If you could find
the perfect
high school...
EWISH
ACADEMY
,
- of Metropolitan Detroit
How about small classes with expert teachers who truly care
about students? Learning that goes beyond the classroom into the
real world?
If you could, would you set all that into a Jewish context? Share
the history of thousands of years? Give the next generation a real
understanding of the values most important to your family?
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The Jewish Academy has room for you!
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for that
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We Offer a Wide Variety of Quality Antiques & Collectibles,
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5/11
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248.545.4663
people have been released from death
row in the last 30 years. In the real
world, the death penalty does not
work, and, unlike any other punish-
ment, it is irreversible.
Even if only one innocent person
were ever executed, it would outweigh
whatever value capital punishment
might have. Therefore, state-spon-
sored execution is immoral, irrespec-
tive of the guilt of the offender.
Judaism recognizes the tension
inherent in the death penalty. In theo-
ry, the Torah ordains the death penal-
ty. In the real 1,vorld, the rabbis placed
such severe restrictions on its use that,
by the second century C.E., we find
the following statement in the Mish-
nah: "The Sanhedrin that puts to
death one person in seven years is
termed tyrannical. Rabbi Eleazar ben
Azariah says, 'One person in 70 years.'
And Rabbis Akiva and Tarfon go so
far as to say, If we had been in the
Sanhedrin, no one would have ever
been put to death.'" (Mishnah Makkot
1:10)
By executing a mass-murderer, we
do not lessen the level of violence in
society; in fact, we contribute to it.
On May 16, take a moment of
silence to mourn, if not Timothy
McVeigh's individual death, the fact
that we, as a nation, are back in the
executing business.
Rabbi Marc D. Israel
director of congregational relations
Religious Action Center
of Reform Judaism
New York City
You'd probably start with a strong college prep curriculum. AP
options in math, science and history. Foreign language choices.
Not to mention extracurriculars: media, drawing & painting,
student government, choir, sports, theatre, the works.
Looking
LETTERS from page 5
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