L-4=1- FR GREAT ITALIAN FOOD AND SERVICE SB: I grew up in a mostly Jewish neighborhood and most people I knew were secular, as most American Jews are. In many respects I had a com- pletely typical American childhood. I attended Hebrew school and was bar mitzvahed. At the same time, everyone I knew had a Jewish identification, a sense of values, and it was not something peo- ple just wore on their sleeve. It was very much part of the fabric of the community I grew up in. JN:You were recently in Israel? SB: I just came back from Israel, and it was a profound, mesmerizing and won- derful experience being there, wonderful to be with my friends there and to be engaged with the kind of life that goes on there. But it was also depressing. JN: What are your thoughts on the Middle East situation? SB: Although I was in the White House, I was not a Middle East expert. My feeling is that the basis for any two- state agreement has to be what President Clinton negotiated with [for- mer Israeli Prime Minster Ehud] Barak. I don't believe that Arafat has any commitment to a Palestinian state. He's responsible for destroying what would have established a Palestinian state and he ultimately acknowledged that the Clinton proposal was the best possible agreement. But his own com- mitment to his survival as he under- stands it, and the corruption and ter- rorism that surrounds him, makes Arafat an obstacle to any final status agreement. And that's where we are. The poten- tial for tragedy becomes greater over time and the triumph of shortsighted polices does not necessarily lead to a long-term security or fulfillment in the Madam Secretary: A Memoir. Author Madeleine Albright, secretary of state under Bill Clinton, recounts how she came to the United States as a refugee from eastern Europe and grew up to be one of the most powerful women in Washington, while discussing her per- sonal joys as a daughter, wife and mother and struggles as the lone woman at many a negotiating table. Albright is Book Fair's closing speaker, 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the JCC in West Bloomfield; $10. larger goals that Israel, above all, repre- sents. It's worrisome to say the least. JN: How does the television show The West Wing compare to the real thing? SB: I've only seen a few episodes, but I like the early parts of The West Wing because it depicts public service as something positive, which it is. The offices on the television show are much nicer than those in the White House. (Blumenthal's office, he writes in his book, was once the White House barbershop.) Larco's restaurants Family owned for over 50 years COME TASTE THE DIFFERENCE! ITALIAN CHOPHOUSE ITALIAN GRILL 645 E. Big Beaver • Troy 6480 Orchard Lake Rd, •West Bloomfield West of Rochester Road NW corner of Maple and Orchard Lake 248-680-0066 248-626-6969 Reservations Always Welcome. MI MIN MI 1=1 MIS MIR Mil NM 111111• MI =I MIMI 10 GIFT CERTIFICATE L.-F=1-FR SINCE 1920 THE TRADITION CONTINUES JN: In your book, you talk about your bout with colon cancer, which you successfully beat. SB: "I studied policy on it and, as a result, President Clinton picked up this cause and the rules were changed so that everybody can be screened for this form of cancer under Medicare today." JN: Anything else you want to add about your White House experience? SB: It was the most important expe- rience in my life. I was able to con- tribute to the country in a way that very few people are able to do. It's an immense responsibility. You see first- hand how much presidents do mat- ter. It really does matter who's in the White House and what they do. What happens depends in great measure on the intelligence and the action of the president. ❑ s 1 This certificate entitles bearer to: 0 on with minimum purchase of 54000 (Excluding tax, tip & alcoholic beverages) Redeemable at both Larco's locations Maximum discount $10.00. Offer not valid on Holidays and subject to Rules of Use. Tipping should be 15% to 20% of the total bill before discount. Valid anytime. JN 770350 "Pure perfection."' —Kate Lawson, Detroit News "Exceptional —Keely Wy o Observer & (248) 888-4888 24369 Halsted (just North of Grand River) (S.E. corner of 14 & Middlebelt) • Sidney Blumenthal opens the Jewish Book Fair 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield; $5. (248) 432-5577. -1 0,4 "' • '''''"? get the Jewish News at school because it lets me know what's going on here and at home. MADA M S ECRETARY M ADELEINE ALBRIGHT - Stephanie, Ann Arbor I get it, you should too. subscribe and save! call 248.351.5174 or visit www.jewish.com 10/24 2003 •71