Ismel Insiat El Al security official about how the airline is forced to profile its passen- • gers for security reasons. Others say the Jewish community ought to sup- port the administration as much as possible because of the effect of the war on terrorism on Israel. Jack Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress, said Jews should rally at Bush's side and not say, We like what you say on Israel and terrorism, but can't support your anti-terrorism agenda. While we do have some concerns with military tribunals and unmitigated detention of suspects, we could deal with those and make the necessary adjustments without forgetting that our country is in crisis mode and that we need the support for Israel right now," he said. But Bohm of the St. Louis JCRC said that protecting civil liberties is paramount. He worries about a will- ingness to accept restrictions because the enemy is Arab or Muslim. "When you weaken the protections of civil liberties of any group, there is a dan- ger," Bohm said. "Eventually, it could come back to haunt the Jewish Com- munity." The cold-blooded murders of Miri and Yael Ohana in their home, in a Jordan Valley settlement, raised extra sensitivity for many Israelis, who recall the Arab attacks against Jewish homes in Hebron in 1929, and the 19th century pogroms against Jewish towns and villages of Eastern Europe. The landing of a Kassam-2 rocket in Israel, fired from Gaza, was seen as a new threat, and also recalled bitter memories --- those of the Iraqi Scud attacks during the 1991 Gillf War. Following these attacks, it is expected that the Israeli government will take even firmer and more determined actions against Palestinian terrorism. Allan Gale, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit On the local level, federations could face a long-term ripple effect on their future leadership. Short-term, howev- er, the effects of Israel's crisis situation are confusing. Financial support for Israel seems firm, despite the absence of specific initiatives and the fact that no end appears to be in sight to the intifada, participants said. Similarities between the domestic sit- uations in Israel and the United States should be emphasized, some said. Money is being diverted from social services to defense in both countries, said Cara Levinson of Philadelphia, and just as American Jewish communal needs are high, Israelis are hurting and need help. "That's the message we have to get out," she said. The U.S.-Israel relationship is still strong, participants agreed, it just needs some adjustment. The charged title of one session — "Do We Still Need Israel and Does Israel Need Us?" — got the reaction organizers were likely looking for, as panelists called the question "ridicu- lous." But the session was a chance to highlight the effects of "disengage- ment" and how the divide is growing between American Jews' financial and emotional support for Israel. Carol Smokier, president of UJC's National Women's Constituency, said American Jews feel the intifada is mak- ing Israel dependent on the United States once again. "We must find a way to raise funds but not be patronizing," she said. We need to meet each other to know each other." American Jews can- not just have a relationship with the mythic land of Israel," she added. Darrel Friedman, president of the Baltimore Jewish federation, warned against "the turning inward of the American Jewish community," and urged people to keep Israel at the cen- ter of their agendas. Participants at a session on Partnership 2000, which links Israeli and diaspora communities, also expressed the need for better communi- cation between the two peoples. However, when Americans talked of helping it was to reach out to Israeli businesses, and when Israelis said they wanted help they talked about how they value personal contact, not just money. It is time to develop relationships between young leaders that will last beyond crises, according to Avraham Infeld, the counsel for Jewish affairs at Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. "What we Jews are is a family," he said. "You cannot be part of a relationship unless you are part of this family." THE ISSUE Terrorist attacks against Israelis con- tinue, heating up to a level of almost daily occurrence. But two attacks ear- her this month in the Jordan Valley and inside Israel near the Gaza Strip received special attention from the Israeli authorities and public. BEHIND THE ISSUE Jewish Women's Foundation 2002 Grant Cycle Do you have a plan to make the world a better place? The Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit is now seeking initial proposals for projects to benefit Jewish women and girls in the Detroit area. Maximum grants are $10,000. Initial proposals are due no later than noon on Friday, March 1, 2002. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations with IRS 501(c) (3) tax designations or have such an organization as a fiscal agent for the project. For more information, please call Helen Katz, (248) 203-1483. J E H WOMEN'S FOUNDATION Of METROPOLITAN DETROIT WORKING TO G ETH ER _ &M. We have confidence that The Jewish News will enjoy continued success. Tradition! Tradition! 20' Off Everything in Our Store! • Fashion Jewelry • Handbags & More • Come see our home accessory line ewef Tune (248)-851-9180 6706 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfiel Advertise in our Arts & Entertainment Section! Call The Sales Department JNArts & Entertainment (248) 3547123 Ext. 209 3111WIEEMEMI JIT 2/15 2002 27