This Week 1:MtC, ..,1Mt t011.VMWMArttN The New Jews Facing reality of in Germany, Zionist unit takes indirect approach. TOBY AXELROD Jewish Telegraphic Agency Berlin 1 -Vs '•\, VRMM:acZt..'NM=.k%'ak'a,,,7:,,MS,'. How low will interest rates drop? No-one knows for sure, but please be cautious. Most economists agree that now is the time to refinance...before rates go in the other direction. In addition to offering low rates, we'll give you responsive service, quick approval, and trouble free closing. How Does Your Mortgage Compare? Interest Rate* Loan Program Based on 5170.000 Loan Monthly Payment.* 3.875% $799.40 $1322.31 15 Yr. Fixed 30 Yr. Fixed 5.375% $951.95 is a bitter pill for some to swal- low: In 2002, more Jews from the former Soviet republics immigrat- ed to Germany than to Israel. But the Jewish Agency for Israel, which handles immigration and absorption in the Jewish state, appears to be partially swallowing that pill. The immigration numbers — about 19,000 to Germany versus 18,000 to Israel — resulted in a high-level Agency delega- tion to visit Jewish communities across Germany. The message is that the first priority, even ahead of aliyah, should be supporting Jewish life in Germany. While the ultimate goal remains con- vincing German Jews to move to Israel, the Jewish Agency Task Force on Germany reflects a new approach, offi- cials say. The argument is that stren ening Jewish identity in Germany will lead to increased Zionism, said Shai Hermesh, treasurer of the Jewish Agency and head of the task force. Some Jewish Agency officials are upset that Germany's attractive absorp- tion package — far beyond what Israel can afford — is luring Jews, particular- ly from the former Soviet Union. But the Jewish Agency is not about to try to convince Germany to stop accept- ing Jewish immigrants. Instead, the task force traveled through Germany last month, visiting seven Jewish communities. The new task force aims to work with existing com- munal structures to "encourage Jewish roots and Jewish Zionist education" among Jews in Germany, in order to "create the opportunity that at least the younger generation will believe that their place is in Israel, not in Germany." With that in mind, the agency is plan- ning to augment its current staff of one in Germany and to increase the empha- sis on Jewish education and religious life. Avi Pimor, vice president of Tel Aviv University who is a former Israeli ambas- sador to Germany, said, "I think the place for Jews is Israel, but I think we also have to live with the reality that there are Jews in Germany and Jews in America and England, not just Israel." He said the recent drop in immigra- tion to Israel has more to do with the Palestinian intifada (uprising) than any- thing else. Spurred by Soviet emigration, the Jewish community in Germany has grown threefold since 1990. But, there are fewer than 30 rabbis available to serve 83 Jewish communities. Jewish leaders say it is a major chal- lenge to meet the immigrants' needs. The newcomers need language and job skills in order to build new lives, and many have little or no knowledge about Judaism. ❑ Call our Mortgage Specialists at (888) 437-8243 today! Israel Ins THE ISSUE Michael Benet Lisa Rozmarniewicz Laurie Pilling Asmus 'Rates effective as of 6/10/03 and subject to change at any time. Rates based on a loan size of S170,000 with a 45 day lock & NO PODPCS. Annual percentage rate (APR) subject to change and will vary dependizonloan details like final down pwrnent. points, loan amount, loan to value, your credit., pro • type and market conditions. ARM rates and monthly payments may change due to market iges to the index. Monthly payments indicated are for principal and Interest only and do not Include property taxes. hazard or mortgage Insurance If applicable. :: _MAL MICHIGAN HERITAGE Let us lend a hand 8/ 8 2003 22 Novi 21211 Haggerty Rd. North of 8 Mile (888) 437-8243 Troy 1917 East Big Beaver At John R Rd. (248) 619-0264 Farmington Hills 28300 Orchard Lake RI Suite 101 (800) 914-3524 Violence returned to Israel this week in the form of a terrorist roadside shoot- ing that wounded members of a Jewish family near Bethlehem, precipitating the cancellation of a meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers. BETEIND THE ISSUE For the past three years, Israel's foreign ministry had been focused on explaining Israel's defensive actions in response to Palestinian terror. But on Aug. 3, in response to the "road map" peace process, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom wel- comed his counterpart, Palestinian External Affairs Minister Nabil Sha'ath, to a first-ever meeting at the Foreign Ministry compound in Jerusalem. Following the meeting, both men reported a fruitful dialogue, pledged to cre- ate joint working committees on several issues, promote tolerance and reconcili- ation within their communities and ask the foreign diplomatic corps to increase international support and involvement in the peace process. — Allan Gale, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit