Something Extra Quality Over Quantity The survival of Judaism is more adversely affected by people who remain single than by intermar- riage, an authority on the evolution of American Jewish life said at the kickoff lecture for Detroit Jewry's major midwinter adult education program. At least Jews who intermarry have children who may be raised Jewish even if their non-Jewish par- ent doesn't convert: But the chance of that parent seeking to convert is higher than ever, said Rabbi Reuven Kimelman, keynoter at the annual Shiffman Family Lecture at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. The Jan. 13 talk before 300 people kicked off the 2004 Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment (SAJE), a joint effort of the JCC and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. In the 1950s, Jews were more apt to convert to Christianity than vice versa. Today, the gap has narrowed, said Rabbi Kimelman, a Brandeis University professor. "When it comes to Christian and Jewish choices," he said, "couples, insofar as they choose, are choosing Judaism as much as they choose Christianity." Rabbi Kimelman He said many con- verts are more committed to Judaism than spouses who are lifelong Jews. "It's an amazing phenome- non," he said. The National Jewish Population Survey 2000- 2001 pegs the intermarriage rate at 47 percent. Examining The Religious Right About 75 community members came to the Birmingham Temple on Jan. 26 for the second in the tem- ple's Voice of Reason lecture series. "The Religious Right and the Michigan Legislature" program fea- tured State Sen. Gilda Jacobs, D- Huntington Woods, and State Rep. Marc Shulman, R-West Bloomfield. Sen. Jacobs believes President Bush's mention in his State of the Union address of limiting the rights of gay Americans legitimized the issue. Locally, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson had been successful in keeping the County Commission from voting on the issue of gay marriage, but the president's words will most likely bring the topic back to the table, she said. Another flash point for the reli- gious right is the issue of charter schools, she said, "because so many ties ,. . - - ill0,-.,(-Ez77cha Don't Know© Sen. Jacobs 2004 There is only one major biblical character whose date of death is identified in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yet, despite Jewish reverence for graves and yahrtzeits, Jews hold no commemoration on that date. Who is that person? — Goldfein • Av Jo 1/30 2004 12 1ST 341 charter schools are religion- based." Rep. Shulman made his main point repeatedly: "Religion is not the enemy of politics." "We don't believe for a moment that this country is sec- ular," he said. "But, when you see politicians who use [their religious beliefs] in the name of being good Americans — well, we in this country don't have to toler- ate that kind of pandering." Audience member Russ Bellant of Detroit said, "The issue is compelling, and there needs to be a lot more discus- sion on it. The kind of discus- sion we had tonight shows there's a lot of perplexity on these issues. I think it's insane you would use government funds for proselytization." —Diana Lieberman, staff writer Rabbi Elimelech Cancer. Children with Goldberg, founder cancer typically of Kids Kicking feel a tremendous Cancer, will be the featured speaker loss of autonomy and a decline in March 26 as Norup self-confidence School in Oak Park holds a week of and personal identity, Rabbi activities to raise Goldberg said. money for organi- Kids Kicking zations that fight Rabbi Goldberg Cancer trains cancer in children. The week of March 23-26 young cancer patients in the has been designated March martial arts, helping them to view themselves as strong Madness week at the school, and capable, rather than as which is part of the Berkley helpless victims. School District. Norup is To volunteer your time or seeking individuals and busi- financial support for the nesses to help sponsor the Norup School project, call week's activities, including a Gail Katz at the school, basketball tournament and (248) 837-8359, or Michelle March Madness T-shirts. All Nunally, (248) 546-0653. funds will go to the — Diana Lieberman, Leukemia and Lymphoma staff writer Society and Kids Kicking Yiddish Limericks -. sdaquinN) uo pall) ottm