December 2003 A 10-foot bronze statue commemorat- ing writer Franz Kafka is unveiled in Prague. The monument, close to the city's Spanish Synagogue, features a small man sitting on the shoulder of a giant, empty suit. Israeli and Palestinian political activists and former cabinet ministers launch the "Geneva Accord," an unoffi- cial peace proposal. The Israeli govern- ment rejects the document, saying the activists have no authority to propose concessions in Israel's name, but the initiative receives wide support across Europe. An American Jewish jurist is elected to the United Nations' Committee Against Torture. Claudio Grossman, dean of American University Washington College of Law, receives 87 of the 120 votes cast by countries that have ratified the Convention Against Torture. Most French Jewish leaders back a presidential commission's recommenda- tion to ban visible religious insignia in French state schools. Roger Cukierman, president of CRIF, an umbrella organi- zation of French Jews, says the recom- mendation represents "a body blow to Islamic fanaticism." President Bush signs into law a bill imposing sanctions on Syria unless it cracks down on terrorism. The Syria Accountability Act imposes trade sanc- tions on Syria and offers the president a range of other possible punitive meas- ures if Syria doesn't meet certain condi- tions. The E.U. Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia commissions but then suppresses a report that shows the majority of anti-Semitic attacks are committed by young Muslims of North African origin. Under pressure from Jewish groups, the center ultimately releases the report, but says it considers the report flawed. Law professor Irwin Coder, a staunch defender of Israel, is named justice minister in Canada. In a landmark speech, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says Israel will have to leave its Gaza Strip settlements in a process of unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians. Thirteen reservists from Israel's elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit refuse to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The judge presiding over the investi- gation of the 1994 bombing of Argentina's main Jewish community center is dismissed for bribing a wit- ness. YEAR IN REVIEW on page 60 How to choose a senior community. Start with choices. It's been over 20 years since Sunrise Senior Living started giving seniors more choices about the way they want to live. Today, Sunrise offers a variety of living arrangements, amenities and services, meal plans, social activities, transporta- tion options, and personalized assistance and care. Our resident-centered approach to senior living puts the senior first, giving them options to meet their individual needs and wishes. Visit or call a Sunrise Senior Living community, and choose the life that's right for you. We offer Assisted Living and Alzheimer's Care. Call today for a personal tour. _16dt SuNRBE. SENIOR LIVING www.sunriseseniorlivingcom Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Clarkston Farmington Hills Grosse Pointe Woods Northville Northville Rochester Troy West Bloomfield BRIAL110t5016 OPPOR111110 734-327-1350 734-741-9500 248-625-0500 Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 2190 Ann Arbor-Saline Road Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 1901 Plymouth Road Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 5700 Water Tower Place A Partnership between Genesys Health System and POH Medical Center. Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 29681 Middlebelt Road 248-538-9200 Sunrise at North Farmington Hills Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 21260 Mack Avenue 313-343-0600 Sunrise of Grosse Pointe Woods Currently taking reservations for Sunrise of Grosse Pointe Woods opening in 2005. Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 734-420-4000 16100 Haggerty Road Sunrise of Northville Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 15870 Ha erty Road 734-420-7917 Brighton Gardens of Northville Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 500 East University Drive 248-601-9000 Sunrise of Rochester Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 248-293-1200 6870 Crooks Road Sunrise of Troy Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care 7005 Pontiac Trail 248-738-8101 Sunrise of West Bloomfield Located at Pontiac Trail and Green Lake Road. Optional Jewish menu and supportive programs. 885610 Sunrise of Ann Arbor Sunrise at North Ann Arbor Sunrise of Clarkston ■ ■■ •••••• ■ •••• ■•••■ • L'shanah Tovah WiAing ail of owl Cu/34mm a Meath.* and Nam New Yea% (Awn sita s and David .13tatt cC Ctsoaciateis More Better... Easier... The Full Service Mortgage Lender PerfeCt or Less than perfect Credit Purchases • Refinancing • Construction • Renovation • Conventional • FHA • Jumbo • Bill Consolidation • Investment • 2nd Homes • Zero Down Puchases • Reverse Mortgages FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE &Aiew& G)mproved 32100 Telegraph Rd. • Suite 205 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 -877-FIRST-YES (347-7893) Cr www.firstalliance.com ■ 880960 9/10 2004 59