This Week News Digest Bush Calls For More Faith-Based Funding 4460 Orchard f2ake Washington/JTA — President Bush called for an expansion of federal funding of faith-based initiatives. In his State of the Union address, Bush asked Congress to pass legisla- tion allowing religious organizations to receive federal funds to provide community services, such as drug rehabilitation and homeless shelters, and he proposed an increase in fund- ing for such services. Regarding the Middle East, Bush said, "We continue to seek peace between a- secure Israel and a demo- cratic Palestine." Bush also proposed $400 billion over 10 years to reform Medicare, and he called for legisla- tion against human cloning and par- tial-birth abortions. Wed cBloonifiad, 9a1i 4(5323 Continue Your LifeStyle Local Fine Arts and Dining Excursions Health and Beauty Salo n • Wellness Center With Aerobic Pool Card and Game Lounges Transportation Assisting Available YOUr Lifestyle Einergency Call Systems Licensed Nm'ses 24/7 Medications Management Population Results Coming This Year Memory Impairment Regent Plus Assisted Living Suites and Studio Accommodations \-\ --MAIREGENTSTREETOFWESTBLOOMFIELD.COM Do You have Something to SELL? FROM A SINGLE ITEM... ...TO EXCESS INVENTORY WE'LL TURN IT INTO CASH FOR YOU. No need to go on "e-bay" or other auction sites. Bring it to our office. If it's too big or there's too much of it we'll come to you. We are the #1 online sales and marketing specialist! INDIVIDUALS, RETAILERS & WHOLESALERS WELCOMED • GUARANTEED PAYMENT • BONDED & INSURED • HASSLE-FREE • SAFE & SECURE over3oo different categories includit q. antiques. watiftes. _furniture. sporting g oods, jewelry. pottery. stamps & coins. clothing . electronics, (Mk cooks, trailing cords... 01 1. 1.140, •-•■■•••■••• , - „12 it 2 3 I - 10 4 4 SGS Auctions 7035 Orchard Lake Road • Suite 150 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248.943.1169 '31 2003 J2 687130 We appreciate your business! New York/JTA — The controversial National Jewish Population Survey 2000-01, which was delayed last year when some data got lost, shoUld be released within several months. A report to the United Jewish Communities federation umbrella said that the NJPS — billed as the most comprehensive demographic portrait to date of U.S. Jewry — should be made public in "not more than several months" after an inter- nal probe found it was not necessary to "redo the research," UJC spokes- woman Gail Hyman said. The UJC blames Roper Audits & Surveys Worldwide, the firm that conducted the study, for "program- ming errors" that led to the missing data. A Roper spokeswoman said the firm is "working closely" with the UJC on its review of the delay. Barring the discovery of new prob- lems, the review should be wrapped up in six to eight weeks, Hyman said. Sand, Sharansky Resign Posts Jerusalem/JTA — Meretz Party leader Yossi Sarid and Yisrael Ba'Aliyah leader Natan Sharansky resigned following their parties' poor showings in Israeli elections. Sarid submitted a letter resigning as head of the left-wing Meretz Party. He still may stay on as a Knesset member. Meretz won six seats Tuesday, down from 10. Sharansky, whose party fell from four to two seats, said he was resigning from the Knesset but would remain on as his party's leader, working to expand its base of support. Where Is The Soup? New York/JTA — A subway conduc- tor won a matzah ball eating contest in New York. Eric Booker ate 21 matzah balls in five minutes and 25 seconds to win the sixth annual contest at Ben's Kosher Deli. "The matzah balls were a little fluffier than what I trained with," Booker said, adding that he felt great after winning the competi- tion. The event is a fund-raiser for the Interfaith Nutrition Network, which operates soup kitchens and homeless shelters on Long Island and in New York City. Turnout Lowest In Israel's History Jerusalem/JTA — Only 69 percent of Israel's eligible voters cast their bal- lots in the recent elections, the low- est percentage in Israel's history. Some 3.2 million of 4.7 eligible voters cast ballots, according to the Central Election Committee. Israeli Soldier Dies After Long Coma Jerusalem/JTA — An Israeli soldier died after being in a coma for almost 19 years. Sgt. Maj. Nadal Fero suf- fered massive injuries to his stomach in an April 1984 skirmish with Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli daily Ma'ariv. "The doctors didn't even think he would make it through one day, but he fought for almost 19 years, like a hero," his mothe'r told the paper after he died Sunday. U.S. Jews Lose Peace Hopes New York/JTA — American Jews have grown more pessimistic about