LETTERS

LETTERS from page 5

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cion of the ideals and values of one
group at the expense of the rights of
another. It is sad to see the delegates at a
conference on racism so easily coerced
and so ready and willing to accept and
follow one group's vitriolic agenda of vil-
ification, hate and bellicosity The fact
that the brunt of this hatred is Israel,
Zionism and world Jewry is no surprise
to you or me.
This week's events in Durban have
surely undermined the value of the
U.N. conference for those who attend-
ed. The conference's loss of focus will
directly impact the world's inhabitants,
particularly those most affected by
racism and ethnic strife. In the end,
we have all lost ground on an arduous,
but necessary journey.

Steven P. Dunn
Southfield

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Thank you for running my story
about Volunteers for Israel in your
Travel section ("No-Star Hotel," Aug.
24, page 101).
For individuals interested in partici-
pating in this exciting program, the
Volunteers for Israel number is (212)

643-4848. The e-mail is

vol4israel@aol.com .

David Loeffler
West Bloomfield

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Outrage
Misplaced

I found Berl Falbaum's Community
Views perplexing ("Holocaust As
Entertainment - Where's The Outrage?",
Aug. 24, page 40).
There are some who enjoy legitimate
stage performances and/or motion pic-
tures, but cannot or do not wish to
attend a lecture, do research through
newspaper archives or on their comput-
ers, or read historical writings pertaining
to the Holocaust. For them, motion pic-
tures and stage shows can provide them
with information and insight into the
Holocaust, a time of excruciating pain,
suffering, death and horror that sur-
rounded its victims.
Lift Is Beautifill is the story of a devot-
ed father protecting his young son from
the horror of daily concentration camp
life by playing a game with him and
telling him that the game will be over
when the tanks come. By pretending, he
shields the boy from the reality that is
contained within the walls of the camp.

The movie's director did not seem to
wish to make light of the inmates'
plight. It was simply a method of one
father to save his son and preserve the
boy's psyche.
Also, the play within The Producers,
Springtime For Hitler, is a parody of
Hitler and only becomes the overnight
success it does because it is ludicrous.
Mr. Brook's intention seemed to be to
depict the mastermind of the Holocaust
as a fool and bumbler and he does this
brilliantly
He did not seem to make light of the
Holocaust, its horror or to deny its exis-
tence. Personally, I think humor is a
clever way to put bullies in their places
and make them the subject of the joke; I
believe that was Mr. Brooks' intention.
After all, the purpose of the men pro-
ducing Springtime For Hitler was to have
a failure and, thereby, make the produc-
ers wealthy.
I suggest that it is possible to convey
truthful facts to an unsuspecting audi-
ence and that creative methods must be
employed. Everyone must learn the hor-
rible facts about the Holocaust, as
unpleasant as they are; if humor and wit
can be used to spread valuable lessons,
then they should be used. They do not
minimize the event.

Pearl L. Manello
West Bloomfield

Emanu-El Offers
Infant Center, Too

I was delighted to see the extensive cover-
age you gave to the crucial issues facing
preschool education. However, I would
like to correct one point ("Preschool
Beyond Reach," Aug. 24, page 22).
The West Bloomfield Jewish
Community Center is not the only
Jewish facility offering an infant-tod-
dler center in this community. Temple
Emanu-El in Oak Park has operated
its infant-toddler program for more
than two years, offering full day care
to children age 6 weeks to 2 years.
This is in addition to its nursery
school and kindergarten.
We are tremendously proud of our
staff of 14 dedicated care givers, who
provide a nurturing environment for the
36 babies currently enrolled in this
Jewish facility.

Michaelyn Silverman,
director, kindergarten
and infant-toddler program
Temple Emanu-El
Oak Park