LETTERS We prefer letters that relate to articles in the Jewish News. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letter writers generally are limited to one letter per 4-6 week period, space permitting. 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 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax to (248) 304-8885; or e-mail to: rsklar@thejewishnews.com Women's Effort Worthy Endeavor Your story on Zeitouna: Arab & Jewish Women Working for Peace & Justice is wonderful ("Refusing To Be Enemies," July 11, page 49). It is remarkable that a group of women can get together and discuss very difficult and emotional issues openly. Do you suppose men could ever do the same? It may be possible after this group has shown the way. I congratulate the group for being willing to publicize its existence and to describe the discussions. As some of the women said in the article, there must be pressures from individuals in both ethnic communities. I'm sure that the communities are applauding this wonderful effort. Julius Dorfman global warming at the lowest cost. As individuals, we can take steps to reduce energy waste in our homes, cars, workplaces and even our places of worship. The more energy we conserve, the less fuel we burn. The less fuel we burn, the less pollution released into the air and the less money sent overseas to hos- tile forces. For more tips on how you can stop "doing things that contribute to the waste of energy," or to read Mr. Podesta's speech in its entirety, visit www. m i-c o ej I . o rg Rabbi Tziona Szajman Congregation Beth Shalom, MI-COEJL co-chair Oak Park Sara Bernstein MI-COEJL program manager Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor Work To Cut Energy Waste Special Writer Don Cohen's article on former Clinton administration Chief of Staff John Podesta's speech at Temple Beth El ("Energy's Impact," July 4, page 13) captured the essence of Mr. Podesta's message: Protecting the environment is both an ethical and moral imperative and in the enlightened self-interest of everyone who cares about peace in the Middle East and the security of the United States. As partners in God's creation, we are to "till and to tend" ( Genesis 2:15) and to safeguard the lives of neighbors and friends. Since it is the mission of MI-COEJL to educate and mobilize the Jewish community in awareness of our traditional envi- ronmental responsibilities and the current dangers we face, we were thrilled at the over-capacity crowd. What can we do to address the waste of energy? We can ask business leaders to invest in promising technologies such as hybrid engines and cellu- lose-derived ethanol. We can press our elected representatives to require that replacement tires be as fuel-effi- cient as new-car tires and to imple- ment policies such as the carbon- trading program proposed by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., which would enlist the magic of the marketplace to improve fuel economy and reduce 8/ 1 2003 6 Reality Check Welcome Effort Thank you to Editor Robert Sklar for the excellent reporting and analysis that he has prepared in the July 18 and July 25 editions. His July 18 Editor's Notebook "A Song of Hate" (page 5) covered brilliantly, with intel- lect, depth and detail, an issue that has been of great concern to me for a long time: What good are "negotia- tions," Oslo, Camp David, the road map and similar such plans, when young Arab children are being reared to crave violence and engage in bitter personal hatred against a group of people solely because of their chosen religion? We as Americans and Jews want to believe that "everyone's heart is in a good place, let's just give them a chance," but the reality is that many Palestinians are rearing their children to revile Jews and work to destroy us. This hate is supported with Palestinian Authority imprimatur and United States aid. Mr. Sklar also performs a communi- ty service by reminding us that, despite President George W. Bush's optimism regarding the intentions of the Palestinian Authority's Mahmoud Abbas, it is that entity's own Ministry of Education that is helping to perpet- uate the hatred and incitement against Jews and Israelis. In the July 25 issue, Editor Sklar continues the mission with "From Joy to Despair," (page 5), which shows us courage, determination and valor in the face of brutal, unmitigated terror. It is important, both for the victims and in order to keep ourselves steely strong as proud, determined Jews and Zionists, that we never allow ourselves or our children to forget, or become confused about, what is happening to our fellow Jews. Mr. Sklar's work helps to make sure that we all remain focused on the real- ity that our enemies seek more than land; they seek to destroy us both as a people, and as individuals. Eric J. Rosenberg Farmington Hills Details Help Clarify Reality My compliments to the chef, as they say, for an excellent Editor's Notebook ("A Song Of Hate," July 18, page 5). Too often misguided liberals and individuals who don't pay attention to what's going on overlook or excuse Arab intransigence. Thank you for describing in detail the realities on the ground. Dan Greenberg making of ice cream and began their venture in a remodeled gas station in Vermont. The ice cream, aptly named Ben & Jerry, gained a local following and soon began its expansion into the waistlines of connoisseurs throughout New England. The company had a policy of contributing at least 10 per- cent of its profits to charitable causes. Today, the company is owned by Unilever (the same company that owns Breyers and Good Humor), but it remains an advocate of social causes. David Mintz was a kosher caterer who developed a parve sour cream made of soy. He eventually experi- mented with a whole range of soy- based foods and created Tofutti brands. Today, he still runs the com- pany and oversees the production of ice cream, blintzes, sour cream, pizza, cream cheese and a myriad of other products — all kosher and all parve. I am fortunate to have known these ice cream pioneers. My company introduced these products into Michigan, and we distribute them to ice cream lovers throughout the state. Seymour Greenstein Southfield Farmington Hills Here's More Of The Scoop Take Pride In Kadima's Role According to your AppleTree section The Detroit News and WDIV-TV ("Here's The Scoop," July 18, page have recently provided the public with 71), the Jewish connection to ice a comprehensive and informative cream only mentioned the Dove Bar. series of articles about the crisis in In fact, some of the greatest ice creams mental health care in Michigan. that tempt our palates were created by . Our Jewish. community should take great pride that Kadima exists for Jews. Reuben Mattus, who grew up in the those with psychiatric disabilities. Bronx, marketed Haagen-Dazs ice Those of us who are privileged cream in 1960 as an antidote to the enough to know, socialize and work with those with psychiatric disabilities anemic-tasting alternatives that were based on price rather than quality. He applaud the efforts of the media to created a high-butterfat ice cream with bring this emergency to the forefront. It is a crisis when this very vulnera- virtually no air whipped in and charged $1.05 a pint. Ice cream by ble population is at the mercy of a law may contain up to 50 percent air bureaucracy that appears to care little for their well being, indeed their very and must have at least 10 percent but- terfat. Haagen-Dazs was formulated lives. Despair, homelessness, prison with 15 percent butterfat, only a min- and even death are an everyday occur- imal amount of air to prevent ice crys- rence for this defenseless population. tals and was made without any artifi- What Nvas unfortunately not men- cial ingredients, stabilizers or colors. tioned in the media coverage is that for the majority of this group, life was In 1983, he sold Haagen-Dazs to normal before their mental illness Pillsbury, and today it is owned by struck. Many of these people led pro- Nestle. It is still made rich and dense without any chemical additives. His ductive lives with family, friends, uni- widow, Rose Mattus, is involved in versities and occupations before they were struck down by their devastating many Jewish philanthropic causes. In the late 1970s, two school bud- disease. Now instead of contributing dies, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, to society, they are dependent on it for took a correspondence course in the their existence.