LETTERS We prefer letters that relate to articles in the Jewish News. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letters must contain the name, address and title of the writer, and a daytime telephone number. Original copies must be hand signed. Mail to the Jewish News at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; fax to (248) 539-3075; or e-mail to: rsklar@thejewishnews.com 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