This Week Something Extra Learn About Mission MacDowell Alumni Unite! mong the celebrated alumni of Detroit's MacDowell Elementary School are chil- dren's book author and illustrator David Small and Detroit Public Schools CEO Dr. Kenneth Burnley. The school, at 4201 W. Outer Drive in north- west Detroit, is also the alma mater of thousands of members of the Jewish community. And since a successful reunion last October, these alumni have banded together to provide tutoring and other assistance to current MacDowell students. "You do not need to have all H's [Honors] on your MacDowell report card or yellow sheets," said organizer Sherry Erman Stewart of Bloomfield Township. "You just need a desire to make a difference in a young person's education." This year, the alumni will be part of the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy, which trains and coordinates about 400 volunteers at 35 public schools in and around Detroit. For more information on the MacDowell alum- —Robert A. Sklar ni group, contact Stewart at (248) 642-5257 or by e mail at Hste157045@aol.com For more information about the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy, contact Phyllis Jarvis at the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan he attempt to negotiate a lasting peace has Detroit, (248) 642-5393. failed, so Israel has no choice but to unleash — Diana Lieberman its military might inside the Palestinian-con- trolled territories and root out terrorism at its core, the Editorial Page editor of the Detroit News said in his Sunday column. Any hope for a political solution to the violence in the Middle East vanished in the bus bombing Tuesday, which killed 20 and maimed scores of oth- ers, many of them children," Nolan Finley wrote in hose wrist bracelets many Temple Israel his column on Aug. 24. members are wearing these days pay tribute "Terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad compet- to Israeli victims of Palestinian terror. Each ed for credit," he continued. "There's only one way to bracelet contains the name and age of a victim and deal with those who find glory in slaughtering chil- the date of their murder. An accompanying sheet dren: Kill them. The bomber's wife said her husband tells about the person. died fulfilling his dream of martyr- The metal bracelets will be dom. The man had two kids of his worn at least-through the High own, and yet his life's dream was to Holidays in a show of respect and die killing other people's children. solidarity. "You can't negotiate with that level "In many ways, the problem we of ignorance, hatred and religious are using these bracelets to deal insanity." with has no solution," said Rabbi Finley is a consistent supporter of Joshua Bennett of Temple Israel in Israel's right to safe, secure borders West Bloomfield. and a popular speaker in the Jewish Bennett Finley "For those who have lost loved community. Last winter, he joined a ones to acts of terror, and who Jewish Community Council of will never see those loved ones Metropolitan Detroit trip to the Middle East. again," he said, "the bracelets help keep memories In his column, he lauded the Jewish state for offer- alive." ing "extraordinary concessions in the name of peace" Congregants paid $10 per bracelet. Proceeds for taking "good faith steps, including disman- and. will go to Israeli families victimized by terrorism ding settlements and pulling back troops." over the past 35 months. He rejected President Bush's road map because it "Jews who live in freedom in Israel, the United "started the Palestinians toward statehood without States and elsewhere around the globe," Rabbi forcing them to unstrap their bombs." Bennett said, "have an obligation and an opportu- To end the violence, he said, "Israel must strike nity to make a difference for those families who with terrible force. To be blunt, the Palestinians must have been affected by terror in our beloved land be brought to their knees, made to feel the pain of of Israel." allowing terrorists to act in their name." ro rospective participants on Federation's Michigan Miracle Mission 4 will have a chance to hear more about the sojourn at an informa- tional meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at the Max M. Fisher Federation Building, 6735 Telegraph, south of Maple, in Bloomfield Township. The Detroit Jewish News and the Michigan Board of Rabbis are cosponsors of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit-hosted mission, scheduled for April 18-28, 2004 (see related editorial: page 25). Mission co-chairs Peter Alter and Richard Krugel will lead the Sept. 8 discussion. Special itineraries and opportunities are being planned for first-time and return visitors. Free time and time to learn or grow will be woven into the schedule. Mission goers will tour in small groups, but will unite at mega events. A $100 discount on the $2,895 cost per person is available through Sept. 8. For an application, call Sally Krugel, mission director, at Federation, (248) 203 1485, or visit www.thisisfederation.org A - - The Way To Peace T Linked In Tribute T —Robert A. Sklar 8/29 2003 14 —Robert A. Sklar Kosher Seuss Chef he National Education Association is cele- brating "Read Across America" by encour- aging adults to read to children. Of course, Green Eggs and Ham is one of the most popular books by children's author Dr. Seuss. But, here's the dilemma. How can Jewish kids celebrate with green eggs and HAM? So, in honor of (and with apologies to the estate of Dr. Seuss), here's a new ending for the story that's been circulating on the Internet: T Will you never see? They are not KOSHER, So let me be! I will not eat green eggs and ham. I will not eat them, Sam-I-am But I'll eat green eggs with a biscuit! Or I will try them with some brisket. I'll eat green eggs in a box. If you serve them with some lox. And those green eggs are worth a try Scrambled up in matzah brei! And in a boat upon the river, I'll eat green eggs with chopped liver! So if you're a Jewish Dr. Seuss fan, But troubled by green eggs and ham, Let your friends in on the scoop: Green eggs taste best with chicken soup! — Keri Guten Cohen Long Distance Writing, spiring journalists looking to study at an Israeli school now have the opportunity to enroll in a six-session online correspondence writing course — without ever leaving Michigan. The Jewish Writing Institute (JWI), an Israeli non- profit organization headquartered in the North Galilee city of Safed, offers English-language online courses in fiction, memoir and grant writing, interviewing, poetry and publishing — all taught by experienced teachers using their own original material. An editing and cri- tique service is also offered, with all courses geared toward those looking to write for Jewish audiences. Students work one-on-one with instructors who provide individuallized feedback via e-mail. JWI is directed by Esther Susan Heller, an editor, writer and writing instructor who received her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. For information on the Jewish Writing Institute, e-mail Esther Susan Heller at: jwriting@kinneret.co.il or access the Jewish Writing Institute Web site at: wvvw.jewishwriting.com A Correction In "It's Good To Be King" (Aug. 22, page 62), the religious backgrounds of the parents of actor Victor Talmadge were reversed. His late father, a therapist, was brought up in a New York Orthodox family; his mother, also a therapist, was born in Poland, where her father was a Jewish socialist leader. Talmadge is the lead actor in the Stratford Festival of Canada's production of The King and I.