LETTERS We prefer letters that relate to articles in the Jewish News. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letter writers generally are limited to one letter per 4-6 week period, space permitting. Letters must contain the name, address and title of the writer, and a daytime telephone number. Original copies must be hand signed. Mail to the Jewish News at 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; . fax to (248) 304-8885; or e-mail to: rsklarediejewishnews.com Exposing The Truth When discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many individuals and nations around the world like to stress Israel's wrongdoings. By using words like "apartheid," 'occupation" and even "ter- ror," these pro-Arab groups establish a dialogue that blames the violence in the Middle East entirely on Israel. If we as Jews want to hold on to our homeland and our rights, we must change the course of this dialogue. It's tough to deny a visual image, espe- cially a graphic one. The Israeli govern- ment has a duty to expose the truth about Palestinian violence, and visual images may be one of the only ways to do that. And for disbelievers of Palestinian culpability, graphic images may be the only ones that work. By showing a clip of the destruction and death wrought by a suicide bomber — no matter how graphic and disturb- ing — the Israeli government empha- sizes the role terror tactics from the Arab nations has played in this dispute ("The Shock, The Gore," Feb. 13, page 5). This clip shows the world that terror tactics do nothing but cause loss, fear and pain. Is this suicide-bombing clip disturb- ing? Of course. Is it horrible, graphic and difficult to watch? Absolutely. But should the Israeli government stop showing it for these reasons? No way. The government must do everything in its power to show the world that the Jewish people are not responsible for the violence occurring in the Middle East. And this film may very well be on of the most powerful tools at its disposal. Susan Horowitz site knowledge to be a school board member? It was clear to me during board interviews of candidates that many other candidates had a much more intimate knowledge of the issues the district is facing, as well as ongoing involvement in the district. Also, where was Mr. Wallach when one of our outspoken community mem- bers, who questioned the board's actions, was verbally attacked by several of these school board members. To this very date, there has been no comment from Mr. Wallach. Finally, Mr. Wallach has claimed to have reviewed the International Affairs course and monitoring plan. If indeed he did, how could he have approved the recent evaluation survey, which asked students to identify their religious affilia- tion (optional) as well as ethnic back- ground and race (mandatory)? Surely, in his role as board member, if not in his role as the head of:the ADL, these deplorable survey questions can never be allowed. Susan Burstein Kahn Farmington Hills Mood Hard To Pinpoint Unfortunately, there is no evidence that "most" Palestinians want peace ("Most Palestinians Do Want Peace,-" Feb. 13, page 6). No good statistics are available to support the true trends within the Palestinian society. Logic begets that peace and its dividends are better than war and its suffering. Yet common sense does not work in the Holy Land; there have been no denunciation of homicide bombing as a crime against humanity. On the contrary, there is acceptance Ann Arbor and support of killing of Jews even if they are innocent civilians, mothers, babies and children. There was one School Action Questioned open protest signed by 50 Palestinian intellectuals and was published in the The appointment of Howard Wallach newspaper Al Kuds. to the recently vacated Farmington There are a number of reasons why school board seat ("On Board: ADL the Palestinian majority is so silent: chair joins Farmington school board," There is total anarchy in the Palestinian Feb. 13, page 21) appears to be a politi- Authority and people are murdered by cally motivated move that stuffs the extremists or criminals. Expressing criti- board with yet another of the "good old cism is a death sentence without trial. boys and girls," [board member] Jack Usually, the accusation against Inch excepted. Palestinian dissidents is "collaboration While no one can contest, fairly, Mr. with Israel." Robberies, beatings are Wallach's experience in many areas, I - common, yet not advertised. find no evidence of his attending multi- Between 2,000 3,000 Palestinians ple board meetings, serving on commit- have been killed by Palestinians in their tees, or at minimum, being involved in latest uprising, more than the number the parent information network at the killed by Israel. Palestinians will want high school his children attend. peace when they denounce openly and Does holding a voluntary leadership demonstrate against homicide bombing. position in an organization (Anti- If they will take the step, despite all the Defamation League) give one the requi- - - 3/ 5 . 2004 6 make ends meet if, God forbid, some- thing happened to the other. Did you know that we cannot collect Southfield each other's Social Security benefits? Did you know that most children of gay Local Support Funded Speaker couples cannot collect one parent's Social Security benefits? Thank you for publishing Staff Writer Did you know that a constitutional Harry Kirsbaum's article concerning the amendment against gay marriage would Michigan visit of Israeli Professor take away already existing domestic Reuven Hazan ("Budget Cuts And partner benefits for gay couples that Politics," Feb. 27, page 12). Your readers provide medical insurance for their part- should know that the Max M. Fisher ners through willing employers and Jewish Community Foundation and the insurance companies? Did you know Irwin and Bethea Green College Life that the legally unrecognized parent of a Fund provided the funding for Professor child in a gay family cannot provide Hxznn's two appearances on the medical insurance coverage for that Michigan State University campus. child, even if it is the better or the only Allan Gale coverage available? associate director Homosexual couples are no less likely Jewish Community Council of than their straight counterparts to work Metropolitan Detroit in every vocation and profession, pay Bloomfield Township taxes, contribute to charity, volunteer, raise (healthy, well-adjusted) children, participate in religious life, and support Gay Marriage Natural our economy as producers and con- sumers. There is no reason to deny civil In your Point-Counterpoint feature benefits to them and their families. Jews ("Unholy Matrimony," Feb. 13, page need to become activists in support of 26), David Benkof conflates the ques- civil marriage for gays and lesbians. tions of religious and civil marriage Beth S. Greenapple between committed same-sex partners. Southfield The question he was ostensibly answer- • ing was, "Should same-sex marriage be No Place To Discriminate - recognized in America?" "Certainly," he says, "hospital-visita- If special commentator David Benkof tion and inheritance laws should afford wants to not act on his gay impulses for dignity and respect to people who chose religious reasons, more power to him to live their lives with a member of the ("Unholy Matrimony," Feb. 13, page same sex." 26). However, his zeal blinds him to a. He is - referring to but two of the more critical point. As Jews, we don't want than 100 civil rights accorded to hetero- other religious groups governing our sexuals who marry in this country, so I'll lives through their ability as a majority take him to mean that those of us who to manipulate secular law. If we don't make this "choice" should also benefit want this done to us, we shouldn't do it from the rest of the rights enjoyed by to other groups. American heterosexual married couples Secular law should not be used to and their beneficiaries. However, Mr. enforce religious perspective. Once you Benkof proceeds to give an anxious- take the alleged religious impediment sounding Jewish argument against gay away from the issue, there is no reason marriage. He bases his argument on the that the law should treat same-gender premise that Judaism's purpose is to hal- adult couples differently than opposite- low the mundane, or what he refers to gender couples. as "natural." Society denies gay couples a way to I would argue that heterosexual and legally legitimize their relationships, and homosexual coupling are both natural in then because they can't legitimize their most species. Judaism sanctifies coupling relationship denies them a host of legal through commitment, requiring com- protections married people take for munal witnesses and implying the granted. Jews used to experience this mutual responsibility of community and kind of discrimination a lot in the couple to maintaining the relationship, first half of the previous century, until for the good of the society. our legal system was fixed to prevent Our country supports married people discrimination based on religion. It is with civil rights that protect them and shameful to ask the legal system to their families in myriad ways most het- discriminate against another minority erosexual couples take for granted. As a because we're safe for now gay working parent with a working part- Gary Rimar ner, I worry about how one of us would Birmingham difficulties of doing so, peace will be around the corner. Isaac Barr, M.D.