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grandmother."
If the Detroit Free Press chooses not to
provide a balanced picture of the many
meaningful ways in which Jews cele-
brate our lifecycle events, it is up to us
to fill in the blanks. L'chaim!
Patti Aaron
West Bloomfield
As you correctly pointed out in your
editorial ("Excess To The Max," May 9,
page 33) the Detroit Free Press did a great
disservice to Detroit Jewry with its
unbalanced story on
high-end bar and bat
mitzvah parties.
As you noted, the Free
Press failed to report any
of the creative and sym-
bolically meanin
ways in which area fam-
ilies choose to celebrate
this important Jewish
life-cycle event.
In response, I thought
you might be interested
in one such meaningful
gathering, which recent-
ly took place. Amanda
Jordan Aaron, daughter
Amanda Aaron, center, is flanked by friend Amy
of Burt Aaron and
Muskovitz and cousin Ericka Wolfe.
myself, became a bat
mitzvah on May 2 at
Temple Israel. That night was also Rosh
Chodesh (the first night of the Hebrew
month of Iyar); Amanda's mother,
grandmother, aunts and cousins chose to
I read with great interest your article
gather together after services to welcome
"Unrecognized Tragedy" (May 9, page
Amanda in a very special way into our
24).
wonderful "web of women."
I have been a docent at the Holocaust
The goals were to celebrate Rosh
Memorial Center in West Bloomfield
ChOdesh as a woman's holiday; to share
since 1984. Through the years, when we
stories of Amanda's connection to
reach the hall where the picture of Franz
women who had come before her,
Werfel
appears, I have always told my
women who live among her and women
groups that he wrote The 40 Days of
who will come after her (dorl'dor); and
Musa Dagh [a 1933 historical novel that
to create a lasting, tangible gift for
portrays Armenian resistance to the
Amanda to treasure.
Turks] in which he describes the slaugh-
Lisa Soble Seigmann, director of
ter of the Armenians by the Turks in
Jewish Experience for Families (part of
1915.
Federation's Alliance for Jewish
I recall that several years ago a young
Education), facilitated the gathering and
Armenian college student asked me why
guided us through the experience with
more people did not know about these
meditation, beautiful songs (accompa-
events. I really had no answer for him.
nied on guitar), poetry and the sharing
However, I suggested that he discuss this
of words of wisdom and advice for
Amanda. Candlelight and comfort foods matter with members of the Armenian
community and to urge them to publi-
added to the ambiance.
Each of us then took part in creating a cize the Armenian genocide.
Miriam F. Foxman
weaving of colored ribbons, on which
Keego Harbor
we had written our names and a special
strength or hope to pass on to Amanda.
By weaving the various ribbons together,
we not only created a lasting present for
the bat mitzvah celebrant, we shared our
appreciation for each other and our
Jewish heritage.
President Bush missed a great opportu-
Amanda's cousin Robyn Jacobson
nity this past week to demonstrate that
said, "I loved the family and female
he is finally, truly ready to become "per-
bonding. It reinforced the commonality
sonally engaged" in seeking peace
and strength that we all share as descen-
between Israel and the Palestinians.
dents of Fannie Koss (Amanda's great-
Instead of passively allowing Israeli
Genocide Deserves
Wider Publicity
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5/23
2003
6
Canceled Visit:
Bush's Failure
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to "post-
pone indefinitely" his trip to Washing-
ton, the president could and should have
passed the word that the latest spate of
suicide bombings across Israel would not
be permitted to derail the peace process
and that the road map talks with Sharon
would go on as planned.
What a stunning impact this would
have had, demonstrating to people
around the world that the United States,
after more than two years of counter-
productive inattention and disengage-
ment, was prepared to make a sustained,
serious effort to bring the parties togeth-
er and "pursue peace" (in the words of
Pirkei Avot [Ethics of Our Fathers]).
Instead, the president once more has
ceded the initiative to people on both
sides of the conflict who have repeatedly
demonstrated an unwillingness and/or
inability to think in new ways and break
with the mutually destructive patterns of
the past.
Does,President Bush really believe in
the road map, or is it just another empty
show of words and an excuse for contin-
uing to do nothing substantive, at least
until (he hopes) he is safely re-elected in
2004? Meanwhile, the toll of dead and
injured continues to mount on both
sides. This is not leadership. It is feckless
and irresponsible dereliction of duty.
Nancy E. Kaplan
West Bloomfield
Allow Israelis To
Decide Course
Hannan Lis' May 9 letter ("Israelis
Must Decide Fate," page 6) struck
precisely to the point: the Israeli pop-
ulation must decide if and when to
trade land for peace, etc. We can com-
ment and help, but the final decision
must be made by those who live and
risk their children's lives.
I am, and have been, wary of U.S.
Secretary of State Colin Powell's
imposition of a "path" or a "plan,"
however well meaning. I had
expressed myself accordingly last year.
The time may be propitious, but an
imposed "fence" cannot work for
either side.
The news media try to make this a
religious issue. I believe economical
conditions may be more important. I
do believe we have to continue to
work at removing religious discrepan-
cies by face-to-face exposure, but in
Israel, as here, a decent livelihood is
usually the solution to most social
inequities.
Arnold Michlin
Waterford