EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
LETTERS
Letters are posted
and archived on JN Online:
vv-ww.detroitjewishnews.com
Showing That We Care
IV e're Detroiters, but Israel is our homeland.
So we must keep it in our prayers. The tiny nation is that
important to us, although it's half a world away.
That is why 1,200 of us came together for a rally last Octo-
ber to say we stood with the land of our forebears, despite the
turmoil and tragedy in the Mideast. That is why 200 of us
came together in January for a mission to Israel, despite the
Palestinian-provoked dangers that confront travelers.
And that is why wevill come together on a march this Sun-
day at the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community
Campus in West Bloomfield to reaffirm our ties to a sliver of
land percolating with our heritage and history.
Whatever the turnout, the march, organized by the Jewish
ROBERT A.
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, is stare to resonate with the
SKLAR
spirit of a community united, unconditionally, behind Eretz
Editor
Yisrael, the Land of Israel.
I hope it does anyway'.
Overwhelming support for the march would aptly illustrate the resolve that
binds us as a people, despite our varied religious backgrounds.
I hope the march mirrors the October rally at Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield.
There, Jews of all ages, affiliations and political beliefs set aside differences in
deference to the Jewish state and all that it represents.
I also hope Sunday's activities somehow, in some small way, revive the pursuit of
a lasting peace in a biblical region of converging, clashing cultures. State Depart-
ment warnings about travel to Israel haven't helped, but when Israel's "partner" at
the bargaining
b
b table is a terrorist regime,
b
, we shouldn't let down our guard.
b
Makina
6 A Connection
Still, I wasn't about to deny my daughter, Elyse, the chance to join 34 other
teens in April on the March of the Living-Detroit Teen Unity Poland/Israel
Experience. She never felt scared traversing the Israeli countryside, thanks to all
the precautions. And she loved its Jewishness so much, she's eager to go back.
My son, Josh, is in Israel right now on a Birthright Israel-sponsored trip with
hundreds of other college students from around the country.
Many Jewish News readers have called to relate how their families were spiri-
tually uplifted without a hint of trouble on recent visits. One caller lamented
that so few newlyweds honeymoon in Israel.
Reeling and alone, Israelis need us more than ever. They need our money to
boost their sluggish economy, but they need to touch us, too, to feel the con-
nection with Jews from the diaspora.
More opportunities to connect should arise from Sunday's IsraelFest and Culture
Shuk — aptly named JerusaleMania since Yom Yerushalyim
(Jerusalem Day) is Monday. The passionate stories of recent visi-
tors to Israel are bound to ripple through the day's activities, and
convince some who are thinking about going to do so.
Franklin's Jane Sherman, an international advocate for
Israel through her years of Jewish communal service, is hon-
orary chair for the march. She can't recall Israel facing
tougher times in the last 40 years.
Sherman hopes the march boosts tourism. But she'll be
happy if it shows Israelis that "we're behind them in mind, if
not in body, no matter what happens."
Jane Sherman
Please consider marching at 12:30 p.m.; the route is three
miles. Otherwise, consider volunteering. At the very least,
come out for the Israeli-style, open-air market; the hours are 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Federation and other sponsors again provide an inspiring backdrop for
us, as a community, to reinforce our commitment to Israel.
But it's up to us to fall into step.
Let us do so, purposefully and safely.
Let Torah's rhythm guide us.
And let the energy of the moment seep into our souls — and keep the Land
of Israel uppermost in our thoughts.
Anti-Semitism
Allowed To Grow
Anti-Semitism, sometimes dubbed the
longest hatred, may be likened to a
deadly virus that can mutate as cir-
cumstances change. From this per-
spective, one may view the Nazi anti-
Semitic virus as a variant of Christian
anti-Semitism and the Islamic funda-
mentalist virus as yet another variant.
For the news media, Islamic-
inspired hatred for Jews, in fueling
the Mideast violence, is a non-issue. It
is also a non-issue for the Mitchell
Commission in proposing its recom-
mendations to curb the violence, as
discussed in Naomi Segal's article
("Unwelcome Linkage," May 11, page
31).
Whichever the form, the method
of transmission, from generation to
generation, remains the same: educa-
tion and indoctrination. When young
Palestinian children are conditioned
to hate Jews, there are consequences.
And these can include, in later life,
violence and murder.
How, one may ask, does the civi-
lized world react to this newer variant
of anti-Semitism? Largely, it is a reac-
tion characterized by indifference and
disbelief. For example, not once has
the United Nations organization
passed, or even considered, a resolu-
tion condemning the excesses of
Islamic fundamentalism directed at
Israel. On the other hand, it routinely
passes resolutions condemning Israeli
responses against Arab transgressions
as excessive. Over the years, one-sided
responses have helped shape an envi-
ronment that is illusion-friendly.
One persistent illusion is that Israel
is too strong to lose another war.
However, consider the following sce-
nario: Israel and the Palestinian
Authority sign a final peace accord
based on a "land for peace" deal.
Shortly after, Israel signs a peace
accord with Syria, giving up the
Golan Heights. Then, unexpectedly, a
Palestinian uprising occurs, triggered
by the return, or attempted return, of
refugees to Israel. The uprising, fueled
by a hatred of Jews, quickly spreads,
leading Egypt and Syria to simultane-
ously attack Israel.
Recall in 1973, the outcome of
the Yom Kippur war was in doubt
for the first 48 hours. In 1973,
Israel held the Sinai and the Golan
Heights, which served as buffer
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
248-538-6611
❑
Related coverage: page 65
LETTERS on page 6
30301 Northwestern Hwy.
Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
jarc@jarc.org • www.jarc.org
5/18
2001
5