Something Extra

Holocaust Claims Deadline

Light From The Past

nother deadline draws near for survivors who
want to collect claims on Holocaust-era life
insurance policies held by their ancestors.
Sept. 30, 2003, is the latest in a number of dead-
lines posted in the three years since the
International Commission on Holocaust Era
Insurance Claims was been set up, said Rachel
Yoskowitz, director of citizenship and immigration
services at the Jewish Family Service in Oak Park.
After checking an ever-growing list of names of
unclaimed insurance policies on the Web site
www.icheic.org people must fill out a lengthy
application detailing information about the insured
and the beneficiaries, Yoskowitz said. An "extremely
tedious" international review process verifies the
information to make sure the proceeds are paid to
the legal heirs.
"When [policy holders] bought an insurance poli-
cy, they had to list a power of attorney," she said.
"Maybe that's standard during war, but now people
have to check that the power of attorney didn't
claim the policies."
The commission was established "to equitably
determine how to compensate people whose
deceased relatives had unclaimed insurance policies
from the World War II era," she said. "At that time,
people didn't just have life insur-
ance, they took out education
insurance for their chil-
dren and dowry insur-
ance for their daugh-
ters."
For more informa-
tion or help, contact
the Help Center for
Holocaust Survivors at
(248) 559-1500.

hen he's on vacation, Alan Gelfond can fre-
he first U.S.-Arab Economic Forum will
quently be found scouring flea markets for
attract representatives of more than 12
countries to Detroit's Renaissance Center
collectibles and chatchkes.
But perhaps the most valuable antique of all
Sept. 28-30.
dropped into his lap while he was at work at the
The event, whose theme is "One World. Two
Cultures. Endless Possibilities," will include ses-
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
Gelfond, Federation's senior financial resources
sions on energy relations, Iraq reconstruction,
trade liberal-
development director, was contacted by Annex
Electric Supply Co. It seems that, while work-
ization,
women's
ing at Detroit's New St. Peter's Baptist
empower-
Church, one of their employees was shown a
crystal chandelier whose central spoke includ-
ment, youth
develop-
ed a large Jewish star. Did anyone in the
ment,
Jewish community want it?
healthcare
After some investigation, Gelfond discov-
reform, tech-
ered that the Detroit church, at 1600 Pingree
nology and
and Woodrow Wilson, was originally one of
related
the several incarnations of Congregation Beth
issues.
Yehuda. Popularly known as "the Pingree
f ,
Among the
Shul," it served the Orthodox community
Sander Levin
Prince Saud AlTaisal
confirmed
from 1932-44.
speakers is
Federation has purchased the chandelier for
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak.
an undisclosed amount. It's now in storage, waiting
"As the ranking Democrat on the Trade
for an appropriate use.
Subcommittee of Ways and Means, I have been
If anyone can shed light on the chandelier's histo-
working to ensure that U.S. trade policy is active-
ry or origins, contact Gelfond at (248) 203-1452.
ly shaped through rules and
— Diana Lieberman
agreements that maximize
benefits for U.S. work-
ers and businesses and
minimize potential
downsides," Levin
ast week's Jewish.com survey question asked: Can Israel trust President
said.
Bush as talks with the Palestinian prime minister intensify?
"The conference is
Of 260 respondents, 158 (61%) said no and 102 (39%) said yes.
,
an
opportunity to
This week s question is Would you send your teenage child on a
explore
ways to foster
mission to Israel this summer? To vote, click on jevvish.com
and
shape
trade and
Illana Greenberg
economic policies that
promote economic growth
and reforms in the Middle
East, contributing to real security within a frame-
work of viable peace in the Middle East."
Other confirmed speakers include Prince Saud
Al'Faisal, foreign minister of Saudi Arabia; Shaikh
he annual Israel Scout Caravan is making
Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, crown prince of
its annual stop to our area Sunday, Aug.
Bahrain; King Abdullah of Jordan; Qassam
10, and Monday, Aug. 11. Come and catch
Sultan, director general of Dubai; Youssef Boutros
their ruach (spirit) and show your support for
Ghali, Egypt's minister of foreign trade; U.S.
Israel.
Secretary of State Colin Powell and Cornell
The talented young singers and dancers will
University President Jeff Lehman.
play at 2 p.m. Sunday for members only at the
The roster of Michigan-based speakers lists G.
pool at Jewish Community Center in West
Richard Wagoner, president of General Motors;
Bloomfield. Enter through the pool entrance. A
Irvin D. Reid, president of Wayne State
community show will be held at 7:30 p.m.
University; Marianne Williamson, co-founder of
Sunday at Charlotte Rothstein Park behind the
Global Renaissance Alliance; U.S. Sen. Debbie
JCC in Oak Park. The concert is free.
Stabenow, D-Mich.; U.S. Reps. John Dingell, D-
At 7 p.m. Monday at the JCC of Washtenaw
Dearborn, and Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield
County, 2835 Birch Hollow Drive in Ann Arbor,
Hills; and numerous others.
the Scouts will perform at 7 p.m. following a
Hosts of the event are the Detroit Regional
kosher barbecue dinner at 6 p.m. The concert is
Chamber of Commerce and the American Arab
free; the dinner is $4 per person or $14 per fami-
Chamber of Commerce, with co-sponsorship by the
ly. For dinner reservations, call (734) 971-0990.
U.S. departments of State and Commerce and
All Girl or Boy Scouts who show up in uniform
numerous business and community organizations.
will receive an Israel Scout patch.

A

— Harry Kirsbaum

Adat Shalom Mission

group of Adat Shalom Synagogue members
began a 10-day mission to Israel with a visit
in the Central Galilee, Detroit's Partnership
2000 region.
At a luncheon held July 25 in a private home in
Tzipori, the Adat Shalom contingent received an
extensive briefing by professionals and lay leaders of
the latest cooperative ventures between the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and its Central
Galilee partnership community.
The group stayed in the Galilee over Shabbat and
Sunday.
"Whether rafting down the Jordan River or study-
ing Bible with the cosh yeshiva (dean) of the
Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, the group agreed
that the 10 days in Israel were highlights of their
lives," said Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz, who led the
group of five others from his Farmington Hills syna-
gogue. "While at home in the United States, they
had come home to Israel, too."

A

— Keri Guten Cohen

8/ 8

2003

12

Global Partners

T

TRUST PRESIDENT BUSH?

Singing Scouts

T

— Ken Guten Cohen

— Diana Lieberman