Hot Topic
Other Voices
War against Iraq sparks varied opinions among area teens.
DON COHEN
Special to the Jewish News
I
violating them right and left. Even if
we can't replace it with a perfect
democracy, it's still bette [without
Saddam]."
t didn't take long for the high
school juniors gathered at Adat
Shalom Synagogue in
Discussions At School
Farmington Hills to warm to
All
of the students spoke about how
the topic of the war with Iraq.
the
war has been dealt with in their
Gathered for their Monday evening
schools.
Students said policies at
religious school class with teacher
North Farmington and Groves only
Miriam Starkman, many were eager
to share their opinions in a class pret- allow discussion if it fits in with the
curriculum. North Farmington
ty evenly divided between support
Assistant Principal Dr. Ronald Jones
and opposition to the war.
said some classes have discussed the
Sam Langberg, a student at
war
but the administration is con-
Birmingham Groves High School,
cerned
about sensitivity "to what's
doesn't support going to war, but also
going on in the Middle East and sen-
doesn't have a lot of confidence in
other students who are anti-war.
"It's trendy to be anti-war," he
says, "but many students don't
know what is going on and what
it is about — which is obnox-
•
ious."
At the same time, he feels it's
Michael Adam
Steve
difficult to be anti-war.
• Sam
Lieberman Vider
Baum
1 hard because it's our sol-
Langberg
"It's
diers halfway around the world
going out and getting killed. We
sitivity not to offend other people."
have to support therm, if we don't
North Farmington student Michael
support them, who will?"
Lieberman said, "Here we are in the
Nonetheless, he hopes for a quick
middle of a major current event and
and decisive American victory.
we don't talk about it. I think they
"There is obviously an interest in
don't want teachers to influence the
Iraq with oil and the use of weapons
opinions of the students. I under-
of mass destruction, and Saddam is
obviously crazy," he says. "But I think stand they want everything to run
normally, but I don't think it is
it's starting a lot more trouble than
good."
it's going to fix. What little respect
Lieberman also points out an
[the Iraqis] have for Americans will
inconsistency. "The TVs are on in the
get worse. We need to get it to
lunchroom [at North Farmington],
democracy quick or there will be a
big power vacuum for more and more and tuned to war coverage. You
would think they'd want to have it
wars. "
Steve Baum of Berkley High School addressed in a ), more structured way in
the classroom.
is certain this war is justified and
Adam Vider and Emily Jaffe also
needed. "We can't just sit and wait
attend
North Farmington, and they
because we want other countries to
have
addressed
the war in informal
like us," Baum says with conviction.
settings.
"Just because nobody is standing up
"We have a large Chaldean and
for their rights doesn't mean we
Arab population at North," Vider
shouldn't do it. We are a superpower
says. "They have an image of being
and have a role in the world. I can
compare it to World War II, when we all hard and tough, so we don't see or
didn't do things when we should have hear any emotion. From what I hear,
they are supporting the U.S."
and we saw what happened."
It's been more personal for Jaffe. "I
For Baum, the goal is clear. "We are
have a good friend on the softball
trying to take out a murderous
team who has a lot of family in Iraq;
tyrant. There are rules to war and he's
3/28
2003
14
her whole family is from there. It gets
emotional when I talk with her, but
with my other friends it hasn't gotten
emotional."
Things are different at the Jewish
Academy of Metropolitan Detroit
and Berkley High School, where
classroom discussion about the war is
encouraged.
"At the Jewish Academy, we hear all
different viewpoints," Sarah Sallen says.
"We're being informed about what is
going on, and talk about it a lot."
She also notes that they are taking
more safety precautions. "Many were
in place before, but now they are
taken more seriously."
Sara Abrin says at Berkley "there is
Sara
Abrin
Sarah
Sallen
lots of discussion. The teachers want
to hear what you want to say. I'm
concerned that the American action is
unprecedented and that it is dividing
the United Nations and NATO."
The open discussion at Berkley has
put Steve Baum in the position of -
defending Israel. "In school, some say
this is all over Israel because the U.S.
babies them," he says. "I have to stick
up for Israel." ❑
gLIMIZMN SM SW iZe3,13
1
.W,
CAP
RECRUIT
The Jewish News will honor
Michigan's brightest Jewish high
school seniors in our "Cap & Gown"
supplement May 16. Deadline for
nominations is April 25.
Area high schools have been asked
to distribute our nominating form to
all Jewish seniors with a 3.60 or
higher grade point average
(unweighted, on a 4.00 scale).
If you feel you qualify but have not
been contacted, check with your high
school counselor or download fro our
Web site: vvww.detroitjewishnews.corn
"It is preposterous to
think that the United
States has sent 300,000
members of its armed
forces, may suffer many
casualties and is spend-
ing tens of billions of
dollars for Israel's sake.
"The fact that Israel and the
United States share the goal of
defeating terrorism does not mean
that our country is acting on Israel's
behalf. In fact, this charge borders
on the classic anti-Semitic accusation
that the Jewish community is con-
spiring to manipulate the world."
— David Gad-Hof, executive
director, Jewish Community Council
of Metropolitan Detroit
"Our support of our
troops is based on our
understanding that
young soldiers — men
and women on our
side and on theirs —
will be among those to Simons
lose their lives. Our
wish is to see those troops brought
home before they end up on a wall
like the Vietnam memorial ...
"I think we are fighting [the Iraq
War] on behalf of what I would not
be afraid to term a 'cabal' in
Washington who wishes to see this
happen and who has wished to see
this happen for 12 years."
— Rudy Simons of Southfield, who
traveled to Iraq in January Sept. 11
Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
"Israel is a democracy
and does not speak in
one voice. Before the
war started, 62 percent
of Israelis supported,
and 38 percent were
Roet
against a war.
"The feeling in Israel
before the war began was optimism.
There was a belief that this time we
will not be attacked, but also people
are very worried.
"The Israeli government is
preparing for every scenario. The
threat is still imminent.
"The Israeli people are standing by
the American forces that are in
harm's way and they are praying for
a quick end to the conflict and a
quick return home."
— David Roet, deputy consul
general of Israel to the Midwest
OTHER VOICES on page 17