LETTERS
LETTERS from page 6
U-M President's
Support Welcomed
ing them and hearing them in their spir-
ited defense of the State of Israel.
Professor Raymond Tanter, the
keynote speaker and Israel supporter,
lOoked great in the "We Stand With
Israel" T-shirt as he learned some
Hebrew phrases so he could talk to us a
bit in Israel's own language. This was to
my delight as well as that of Rabbi Lee
Buckman and his 100 Jewish Academy
of Metropolitan Detroit students, who
stood next to us with their homemade
posters in support of Israel.
The JAMD students stood and
cheered in defiant opposition to the
contemptible conference, motivated by
hate, which was to convene within the
walls of this great university, of which
our sons and daughters are proud stu-
dents or alumni, including my own son.
As enraging as this conference was, it
was worthwhile to see this outpouring
of love and support by our wonderful
youth. As an Israeli, this was priceless.
Rachel Kapen
West Bloomfield
who volunteered and made the day
support and love that my husband
such a success [Editor's note: See
and the other patients needed and
"Enthusiasm Wins," page 42 of this
deserved.
issue.]
Gladys Barr
As has been reported, the Jewish
The Fame Games were record
West Bloomfield
Federation and Jewish Community
breaking this year as 200 athletes and
Council leaders, joined by the Ann
almost 250 volunteers came together
Arbor Federation and Hillel leaders, met
as a community to enjoy a day of ath-
Oct. 4 with University of Michigan
letic events and in the process, got to
President Mary Sue Coleman to share
know each other as friends.
Women's Action for New Directions
our deep concerns about the pro-
The Jewish community should be
(WAND), a national bi-partisan
Palestinian conference to be held Oct.
very proud of how inclusive and
organization
to empower women to
12-14 at the University of Michigan.
welcoming we are and that was very
act politically to reduce militarism
President Coleman and other top uni-
evident on Oct. 13.
and violence and redirect excessive
versity administrators were very forth-
I am aware that many of you who
military resources to human and
coming and responsive to the issues we
attended the Fame Games found
environmental needs, urges
raised.
them touching and uplifting because
President Bush not to succumb to
We commend President Coleman for
of the wonderful athletes involved.
political considerations and to
disassociating the university from the
Much of my satisfaction and joy
oppose military action against Iraq.
conference, explicitly opposing divest-
came from working with all of you
Recent documents published in
ment, promising to carry that opposi-
who made the day possible.
the
Atlanta Journal Constitution and
tion to her fellow university presidents,
Nancie Furgang
Harper's
magazine outline the politi-
providing significant security during the
special needs director,
cal
ambitions
of the Bush adminis-
conference and requiring conference
Jewish Community Center of
tration for world dominance. This
organizers to comply with all university
Metropolitan Detroit
policy has produced disastrous eco-
policies, including those that prohibit
West Bloomfield nomic consequences.
incitement and hate speech.
The United States boasted a $5.6
In addition, we commend President
trillion,
10-year surplus in January
Coleman for providing all students on
2001. The president's $1.35 trillion,
campus, including Jewish students, a
10-year tax cut, huge increases in
campus atmosphere that is comfortable
military
spending and recession have
and non-intimidating.
almost
completely
drained this sur-
Finally, we Would also like to thank
Supporters of Proposal K claim that it
From December 2001 until his
plus.
The
policy
of
world domina-
President Irwin D. Reid of Wayne State
will help kids. But the tax money will go death in October 2002, my hus-
tion
will
further
drain
our resources
University and President M. Peter
primarily to highbrow institutions, such
band, Dr. Julius Barr, was a patient
while actually decreasing security
McPherson of Michigan State
as the opera and the symphony. How
in the Arcadia (Alzheimer's) unit of
and lead to an increase in world mil-
University for their continued stand
many children like to go to operas and
the Marvin and Betty Danto Family
itary buildup.
against divestment.
symphonies?
Health Care Facility in West
Excessive U.S. military spending
Lawrence Jackier
Why should persons who like rock-
Bloomfield.
has
already consumed funds allocat-
president, Jewish Federation of and-roll, country-and-western or jazz be
During that time, he received the
ed to Social Security, Medicare,
Metropolitan Detroit forced to pay taxes to subsidize operas
- best care imaginable. I want to pub-
Head Start and other programs. The
Ann Zousmer and symphonies?
licly express my gratitude to the staff deficit has grown to more than $165
president, Jewish Community Council of
Why should working class and lower-
and administrators who touched our
billion this year, following four years
Metropolitan Detroit middle class persons be forced to pay
lives during that difficult time.
of surplus.
Bloomfield Township taxes to subsidize institutions enjoyed
The nurse technicians who provid-
Lawmakers took an oath to
primarily by the upper-middle class and
ed the daily care and comfort were
uphold the Constitution. Article 1:8
the wealthy?
remarkable. They did their jobs with does not permit the nation to go to
The tax will be imposed only on
professionalism and love, treating
war without congressional consent.
property in Wayne and Oakland coun-
each patient with respect.
Congress has given up this right.
It was gratifying to see the wide coverage ties. Is it fair that people from other
The social workers and rabbis pro-
The Bush administration has not
the Jewish News gave the two rallies that
counties who patronize those institu-
vided essential support to the fami-
shown adequate evidence that Iraq
took place in opposition to the infa-
tions will benefit without paying the
lies as well as to the patients. The
presents a clear and present threat to
tax?
mous divestment conference held at the
activities director and, during the
this country. War disproportionately
Please vote NO on Proposal K.
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
final weeks, the hospice staff, per-
affects women and children, domes-
("Rallying For Israel," Oct. 18, page 20).
Leonard Schwartz formed their duties with skill and
tically and abroad.
As part of the Hadassah group that
Oak Park sensitivity.
We urge the United States to
came to support the wonderful Hillel
Patients were up and dressed every reject the Bush administration's poli-
students who planned and executed the
day and participating at their own
cy to attack Iraq and seek a regime
Oct. 10 rally, I came back with the
levels. The Arcadia unit was always
change. This act is contrary to our
uplifting feeling that our great young
clean and odor free. The food was
obligations under international law
generation can be relied upon to contin-
good and appropriate for each
and sets a disastrous precedent for
ue our people's struggle as well as our
patient's dietary needs.
our country.
On behalf of the athletes of the 16th
precious legacy.
Because of the skill and concern of
Fern Katz
annual West Bloomfield Community
They thanked us, the old-timers, the
the staff, from administration to
acting
president,
WAND
Metro
Detroit
Fame Games, I would like to extend
parents and grandparents for coming to
maintenance, the Arcadia unit was a
secretarj
WAND
Inc.
national
board
my deepest gratitude to all the won-
help, but it was all our nachat (joy) see-
special place that provided the care,
West
Bloomfield
derful members of our community
Vote No On
Proposal K
Student Vigor
Stirred Joy
Community United
Behind Fame Games
10/25
2002
10
WAND Opposes
Attack On Iraq
Danto Serves
Family Well