LETTERS hall Letters are posted and archived on JN Online: www.detroitjewishnews.com paranoia, varAnx; poo depression, fealinfts of worthimisness, delusions, Tell President Bush What You Think . sleep distnrbances; erratic behavior, grandiose ideas, inability to concentrate, suicidal thonghts, feelings of hopelessness. It's a lot to nape with. It's even herder to cope with alone. Call Kadima to volunteer or find out how you can support people with mental Illness-so they are not alone. Pima eallitontard Silbermint Development Director, 248-559-8235. 18999 West 12 Mlle Road Southfield, Mr 48078 O N PARK: T 7.-747-*** Servicin New Nort Grand 0 t Terminal Special ligations I One Da $ c 38 1 C o 1 1 1 P1 01 N Southfield Phis 30% Airport SHORT $ ry 00 I 1 Tax $ 700/24 firs TERM: As One Coupon per Visit. No Other Discounts Apply. Airport 1 Exp. 12-31/2002 Employees not eligible. t. s encedl 8z Pe - • Continuous FREE 24 He Service to I I Exiting & Midfield Terminal • Door-to-Door Service • Minutes to all Terminals • Easy In/Out off 1-94 & 1-275 9601 Middlebelt Road JN 1 I 1-800-447-PARK 5/3 2002 6 www.us-park.com min Those of us who lived through World War II knew who the enemy was, how the entire country was mobilized to accomplish everything needed for victo- ry and how to ration products that were limited. In this way, necessities were made available in proper amounts. Today, there is total confusion. Israel, the tiniest country in the Middle East — the only existing democ- racy — is intensely needed by the USA as much as Israel needs America ("AIPAC Conference Invigorates," April 26, page 17). Israel provides the knowl- edge to America of the status of the Arab countries and of terrorist activities. This precious country is constantly under attack and negative propaganda, skillfully arranged by the Arab-Muslim countries that are financing the terrorist attacks. The oil from Saudi Arabia intimidates America. We don't need it! There is plen- ty of oil available from Canada, Russia, Mexico and sources within our shores. Before our American boys are sacri- ficed, before Israel is annihilated by American misjudgment, recognize the actual situation waged by the Arab- Muslim nations. It is now a contest between the humane, democratic coun- tries and the tyrannical, primitive nations that are skillfully scattering their dangerous destruction all over the world. This is war between Western and Eastern civilizations. President George W. Bush must recognize and acknowl- edge who the enemy is. We must wage the correct war to survive or the cruel, archaic victories of the Arab-Muslim countries will skillfully destroy the decency of democracy for all people liv- ing on earth. Write to President Bush. Ann Barnett I Speak Out On Israel's Behalf Unless you have been on the moon, you must know that Israel and world Jewry are in very serious trouble ("Digging Deep," April 26, page 18). All of the countries in the world (save our own glorious United States) are allied against Israel. The Jews in Europe are under anti- Semitic attack, and "human rights" organizations and the United Nations are condemning Israel for war crimes and atrocities. Are you doing anything to help Israel and world Jewry? Are you educating yourselves and your children? Are you calling and or writing the media and government officials to commend them on their positive articles and newscasts and positions toward Israel? Are you calling and writing media and govern- ment officials to criticize them on their negative articles and newscasts and posi- tions toward Israel? Are you volunteering to help yourslocal Jewish organizations do something — anything? Are you making excuses for not help- ing or doing your part? Here are some excuses I've heard lately: "The media are saturated, one more won't matter; I don't want to use my name because it might hurt me professionally; I don't have time; It's too complicated to figure out; I'll let someone else do it." Folks, none of these excuses are valid. An e-mail takes less than five minutes, a letter 10 minutes, a phone call 60 sec- onds. What are you afraid of? Doing the right thing? Ed Kohl West Bloomfield Expressing Thanks To Role Models Thanks and appreciation to our dear and wonderful friends in Detroit — role models and symbols for others all over the disapora ("Call For Support," April 26, page 14). We are most grateful to the Jackiers, the Krugels, the Rosenthals, the Stollmans and the Weinbergs. When we, the Fishers, lived in Michigan, we learned to know, to appre- ciate and to love the best American Jewish community in the United States, and to love our many friends Who have proven their true friendship in these try- ing times. These families took upon themselves, in addition to all their other responsibili- ties and tasks, to keep in touch with us — daily! Calling with words of encour- agement, care and friendship, or just to say, "Shalom," we are here; we are one. This is one of the most important acts you can do: to show a person you know that you care. We are happy to now be back at home, in Israel, with our children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. But, needless to say, our country is going through harsh and difficult times, with some of our children in the army and on the line. Many of our young friends are serving their country. The challenges are numerous, both for us and for you — we are mishpachah (family). In parshah Bamidbar, we are taught an important concept that "each man according to his flag, according to the insignias of his father's house — so shall they march, so shall they take their posi- tions, in the Camp of Israel." What this means is that each head of a tribe took an important position in leadership and all of his actions not only reflected on himself, but also on his entire home and family within his father's house. The Torah warns that a man is not an island unto himself One must be a per- son with individual dignity, integrity and responsibility. We each have a responsibility to carry the flag of our tribe high and proud. What we have in the census is not simply a call up for military service, but also the creative organizing of a community. This is our strength. We are all one, thus we need to focus on the common task so will ensure the future. We want to end this letter with a short poem "Forgetting Someone" by Yehuda Amichi: . Forgetting someone is like Forgetting to turn of the light in the back yard So it stays lit all the next day But then it the light that makes you remember. Ofra and Sam Fisher Herzliya, Israel Batya and Zeev Frenkel Herzliya Pituach, Israel Keep Spotlighting Our Young Leaders Thank you for the inspirational look at four young empowering leaders ("Meet The. Leaders!" April 26, page 92). I had the pleasure of working with Lauren Marcus when she, as an Americorp Promise fellow, staffed the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy at the Jewish Community Council. With 40 percent of fourth-graders in. U.S. public schools reading below grade level, Lauren organized and mobilized volunteer readers, tutors and book drive organizers. She well understood that illiteracy is one of the largest obstacles to economic self-suffi- ciency. Thank you for honoring Lauren and her colleagues. I hope to see more arti- cles like this one in the Jewish News. Ann Zousmer president, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit Bloomfield Township