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Encourage All To
Vote On Tuesday
Rep. Knollenberg Is
Israel's Best Friend
With only a few days to go, I wanted
to encourage members of the Jewish
community to get out and vote on
Tuesday, Nov. 5. It is not only an
important duty and right as an
American, but it is also very important
for the Jewish community.
As most of our grandparents and
parents struggled to come over to this
country for the freedom it would
guarantee, we must honor their effort
by going to vote. In so many places
around the world, people are not
given the chance to voice an opinion
on their leaders by deciding whether
or not to return them to office. Here
we have that privilege.
Especially this year, with so many of
our domestic concerns at stake — pro-
tecting Social Security, making pre-
scription drugs more affordable, pre-
serving a \Aroman's right to choose and
the separation of religion and state —
Jews must make their voices heard.
It is not enough for you alone to
vote. Call your children, parents,
friends, neighbors, even the machetu-
nim [in-laws]. The strength of the
Jewish community in America rests in
part on our high participation in the
political process.
Get out. Go vote.
Larry Salba
For many years now, Joe Knollenberg
has been my Congressman.
Unlike most of the Michigan
Congressional delegation, Joe had the
guts to vote for the use of force resolu-
tion against Iraq. He actually thinks
Saddam Hussein might be too danger-
ous to leave in power. He is Israel's
best friend in the U.S. Congress.
In the most important vote of his
career, he voted for a better world. He
voted for freedom for Iraq, at the risk
of American lives and his own re-elec-
tion (the price he would pay if things
go badly) rather than sticking his head
in the ground and hoping the threat
will go away.
This is no surprise to me. A few
years ago, I watched Elie Wiesel speak
to our community, from the podium,
he singled out_ Congressman
Knollenberg in the crowd and told
him, begged him, to never forget the
lessons of the Holocaust. After that, I
saw Joe Knollenberg actually go up to
thank Mr. Wiesel for that reminder.
He promised never to forget.
Since his voting record on Israel was
perfect before this incident, it is
impossible to determine how Mr.
Wiesel's words might have changed
things, but the man has never wavered
and that certainly makes him perfect
for the times in which we now live.
There is a world war going on. The
Jewish people are under attack by
bombs in Israel and "divestment con-
ferences" in Ann Arbor. We are target
number one.
I cannot think of a single bad thing
about Mr. Knollenberg's opponent,
but he is NOT Joe Knollenberg. But
Joe Knollenberg is Joe Knollenberg.
He has my vote.
Gilbert Borman
Farmington Hills
Fink Won't Mix
Religion, State
With many in Washington advancing
a right-wing religious agenda, it is
vitally important that we elect people
to Congress who will fight to maintain
the fundamentally American principle
of the separation of church (religion)
and state.
In Oakland County's 9th District,
David Fink is the only candidate who
would work to keep government out •
of religion and religion out of govern-
ment. He would oppose government-
sponsored school prayer and efforts to
take money out of public education in
order to sponsor private religious
schools.
Marcia Friedman
Farmington Hills
2002
6
Republicans and Democrats. In addi-
tion to his support of Israel, Joe
Knollenberg has been a strong sup-
porter of our local Jewish community
as well.
Congressman Knollenberg has been
an advocate to JARC in the U.S. .
Congress. He has visited JARC homes
and supported federal funds for the
Michigan Jewish Institute, Jewish
Eldercare Services and Kids Kicking
Cancer. His fundamental decency and
humanity is evident in his desire to
help our Jewish community.
As we cast our vote on Tuesday,
Nov. 5, we as a community must vote
to keep Joe Knollenberg as our mem-
ber of Congress. Such a dependable
ally and friend deserves our strongest
support and vote.
Joel E. Jacob
West Bloomfield
Granholm Tops
For Governor
Israel. The "conference" included par-
ticipants, lecturers and financial sup-
porters who were well known as anti-
Semitic, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist.
Some of the funding for the "confer-
ence" came from the Arab
Community Center for Economics
and Social Services (ACCESS). This
nonprofit organization is headed by
Ismael Ahmed, running for regent
under the Democratic ticket.
When the [U-M] regents were
approached by those opposed to
divestment, Regent Andrea Fischer
Newman, R-Ann Arbor, was particu-
larly active in opposing divestment
and the legitimacy of the "conference."
We strongly support Fischer
Newman as your choice in voting for
the regents- in the Tuesday, Nov. 5,
election. If you are a Democrat, you
might consider splitting your ticket to
support her instead of Ismael Ahmed.
Joseph F. Savin
president, Zionist Organization of
America, Michigan Region
Birmingham
Thank you for the beautiful editorial
endorsement of Jennifer Granholm
("Granholm For Michigan," Oct: 18,
page 41). The article captures all of
Jennifer's outstanding qualities.
I support West Bloomfield Trustee
During the past 22 years, I have
Stuart Brickner for state representative
worked for and contributed to more
in West Bloomfield and Commerce
candidates for office than I can count.
Townships.
Yet, I have never worked as hard,
As former chairman of the West
spent more time, contributed more
=_Bloomfield Township Woodlands
money or raised more money than I
Review Board and current chairman of
have for Ms. Granholm.
the West Bloomfield Township
I have donated nearly every spare
Planning Commission, I have a long-
moment over 19 months — all of this
time working relationship with Mr.
because I feel that she is the perfect
Brickner. He is respectful of his col-
candidate for the position of governor
leagues as well as those who come
for the state of Michigan.
before the boards and commissions.
I have found Jennifer to be a friend
More importantly, Mr. Brickner is able
and a great listener with enormous
to balance the various competing
passion and compassion.
interests in the community.
It is critical that we elect a better
Three years ago, Mr. Brickner met
Southfield candidate. This election will have a
with township residents and Detroit
profound effect on all our lives.
Edison officials to help negotiate for
Harvey Bronstein an electrical substation, which had
Southfield been long planned for their neighbor-
hood and which was needed for reli-
able electrical service for the town-
It is interesting and rather ironic that
ship's 65,000 residents.
our family and many others who usu-
To address concerns of the neigh-
ally support Democratic candidates for
bors, Mr. Brickner required Edison to
office are going to vote for a
make many design modifications to
Republican: U.S. Rep. Joe
lessen the impact on the neighbor-
A few weeks ago, I had the opportuni-
Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills.
hood. Mr. Brickner is a proponent of
ty to speak before the University of
The reason for our support is his
controlling urban sprawl and protect-
Michigan Board of Regents. At issue
friendship and loyalty to Israel and its
ing environmental interests.
was the divestment of U-I\4 financial
need for security, but this is not the
During his tenure as a township
dealings from Israel.
only reason nor should it be.
A "conference" of pro-Palestinians,
In Congress, Joe Knollenberg is held using the auspices of U-M, had gath-
in the highest regard from both
LETTERS on page 10
ered to promote divestment with
For State House,
Stuart Brickner
Knollenberg Best
For Congress
Fischer Newman
For U-M Regent