2002 QX4 LETTERS
Letters are posted
and archived on JN Online:
www.detroitjewishnews.com
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12,000 miles per year
$3,379 Due at Signing
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Arafat Is Still A
Hurdle For Peace
We, as Zionists, somehow seem to be
back to ground zero in our efforts to
bring peace to Israel.
Just when it seems it was universally
accepted that Palestinian Authority
leader Yasser Arafat is an unmitigated
terrorist in the war against Israel, the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency indicates
that there are those who want to take
us back to the old days ("Questioning
Strategy," Feb. 1, page 23).
The recent tactical slaying of Raed
Karmi, a murderous terrorist ring-
leader, was described as having "led to
a renewed wave of suicide bombing
and shooting attacks that killed more
Israelis." It is only a fantasy to believe
after all these years of terror that if
only the targeted killings by Israel had
not slain Karmi, Israeli lives might
have been saved from revenge attacks
by the Palestinians. We must remem-
ber who are, and who are not, the ter-
rorists. Israel only responds by defend-
ing itself. The so-called circle of vio-
lence stops with the Palestinians.
To leave the terrorists in place only
defers the hope for peace. At this junc-
ture, the choice is to attempt negotia-
tions while this terrorism continues, a
road that, for the last eight years, has
led nowhere, or apply heavier pressure
than ever on the Palestinian Authority.
The second course is not necessarily
a great risk. Greater pressure will ulti-
mately result in reducing the terrorists
from waging their war as their aid and
installations are reduced.
Even the departure of Arafat from
the scene would be helpful. It would
allow those below to step in and take
control. That they would be an
improvement is questionable, but with
continued pressure, there will eventu-
ally be those who would pursue peace.
Joseph Savin
Birmingham
Altalena's Sinking
Proved A Disaster
The Altalena is a ship that Yitzhak
Rabin sank in the Tel Aviv harbor after
Israel proclaimed its independence on
May 14, 1948 ("Charting Different
Courses," Jan. 11, page 19).
The Altalena was a surplus U.S.
Navy vessel, an LST, purchased by the
Irgun, an Israeli right-wing group that
many Israeli leftists detested. The ves-
sel was loaded with volunteers to fight
for Israel's survival, plus great stores of
weapons and ammunition supplied by
the French government, enough for six
battalions.
The Atalena was off the beach of
Frishman Street in the heart of Tel
Aviv. There. were 50 left on board
when a group of Israeli soldiers, led by
Rabin, started strafing the boat.
Several men in the artillery unit
refused to follow orders. New gunners
were told by Rabin, "You are firing on
people who rebelled against the state."
The ship gave a sign of surrender, but
5
Readers Reflect OnJN s Role
The community is often remiss in not
taking the time to recognize how impor-
tant the Jewish News is to the Jewish
community and the community at
large, not just as another newspaper or
business, but as a vital member of the
community.
Howard Zoller
Huntington Woods
Birmingham Temple
Farmington Hills
director, Michigan Committee
for a Safe Israel
Detroit
B'nai Mitzvah Affairs
Should Be Kosher
The Editor's Notebook by Robert A.
Sklar ("Teachings To Party By," Jan.
11, page 5) on the Michigan Board of
Rabbis' b'nai mitzvah celebration
statement ("Focused Celebrations,"
Jan. 11, page 12) was very much need-
ed.
My thoughts are that the statement
by the rabbis did not go far enough. It
should have contained the need to
enforce kashrut (kosher meals). If one
is having a Jewish affair, I feel it
should be a kosher affair.
Elaine Fertel
West Bloomfield
A sampling of feedback following the
Jan. 27 fire at the Jewish News.
Your entire staff at the Jewish News have
been in our thoughts and prayers all
week. Thank God no one was hurt. You
have such a strong team that rebuilding
will be a challenge that will inevitably
make the JN even stronger.
Chazak v'amatz, be strong and
resolute.
Jason and Elissa Miller
North Caldwell, N J.
On behalf of the Birmingham Temple,
we are aware of the tragic fire at the
Jewish News and extend our sympathy
to all of the staff.
Our thoughts are with you during
this difficult time of rebuilding. We
wish you stren
Rabbi Sherwin Wine
Rabbi Tamara Kolton
Rabbi Adam Chalom
the firing continued. The ship sank.
Sixteen died.
The Irgun was mainly responsible
for defending Jerusalem, but they ran
out of ammunition and surrendered.
In Jerusalem, 1,490 Jews were killed
by the Arabs. The mayor of Ramat
Gan, Abraham Krinitzi, who wit-
nessed the sinking, said later, "With
the arms of the Atalena in the hands
of those courageous men, the borders
of our state would have been different;
and Jerusalem, one behind the walls,
would not be ruined, lost."
The sinking of the Atalena was a ter-
rible disaster to the Jewish people.
Hymie Cutler
I was elated to see the Jewish News in
our mailbox and read, with empathy,
the sad story of the fire.
Thank God no one was in the build-
ing at the time and no precious life was
lost; everything else can, and will, be
rebuilt and replaced.
Rachel Kapen
West Bloomfield
Kudos to the entire staff of the Jewish
News for your commitment to our com-
munity and the newspaper.
The dedication of everyone associated
with the Jewish News serves as a model
for all of us to emulate. Thank you for
your untiring efforts on behalf of our
community.
Andrew Zack
President, Yad Ezra
Lea Luger
Development director
Elaine Ryke
Human services director
Oak Park
I strongly believe that the Jewish News
is critical to our community. I hope
that the readers will appreciate each
edition more than before.
Harvey Bronstein
Southfield