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2005 CAIVIRY 2005 COROLLA LE
Freedom To Worship
Ann Arbor Council passes resolution
condemning house of worship protests.
in Israel."
he Ann Arbor City Council
"Ann Arbor is a Jewish community
on Oct. 18 passed a resolu-
focused
on justice," Levin said.
tion 8-0 affirming freedom to
Herskovitz
regularly attends council
worship without interference and
meetings
and
said he was surprised by
condemning the picketing of houses
the resolution, especially because
of worship.
The action was taken in response to some council members had never wit-
nessed the group's vigils.
the weekly Shabbat picketing of Beth
"I find it odd to condemn some-
Israel Congregation by a pro-
thing
you've never seen," he said.
Palestinian group that has maintained
Levin
says he finds it significant
its protest for more than a year.
that
"City
Council members, who are
Eight council members and Mayor
overwhelmingly not
John Hieftje sponsored the
Jewish, voted to con-
resolution. Three members
demn this as an
were absent during voting.
affront to religion."
The resolution does affirm
Council member
the right to freedom of
Joan
Lowenstein, for-
speech, but only "where it
mer
president
of the
does not infringe on others'
Jewish
Federation
of
constitutional rights."
Washtenaw County,
Further, it states that State
was a sponsor of the
of Michigan laws prohibit
resolution, but out of
interference with religious
town during the vote.
services.
"Beth Israel
As an example, the resolu-
sparked
the resolu-
tion states "in the City of
tion,"
she
said, "but
Ann Arbor, at least one
we
realized
this kind
house of worship has been
of despicable act
subjected to weekly picketers
could happen at any
who confront worshipers
house of worship,
and ask passersby to honk
including any church
their horns and cause a dis-
or at the mosque in
turbance to worship servic-
Ann
Arbor also.
es."
"What
the Council
"I think they will come
is
hoping
for is to
back," said Jeff Levin, execu-
encourage others in
tive director of the Jewish
the city to take a
Federation of Washentaw
stand. There is a let-
oan Lowenstein
County. "This isn't a law.
ter circulating among
No one told them to cease
clergy in Ann Arbor
and desist."
asking
them
to
condemn
picketing of
Henry Herskovitz of Jewish
any
house
of
worship,
and
we hope
Witnesses for Peace and Friends said,
the
resolution
will
encourage
them to
"The resolution won't stop me. I
sign it."
believe holding a silent vigil is a
Rabbi Robert Dobrusin of Beth
noble purpose.
Israel
said, "We are very pleased with
"This issue isn't a personal one," he
the
strong
support that our congrega-
said, "but is about the silence of the
tion
has
received
from the City
American Jewish community, which
Council
and
the
mayor
as well as
perpetuates an occupation that kills
from
clergy
and
many
others
both innocent Palestinians and
throughout our community. We hope
Israelis. Our tactic of holding vigils
that this continuing harassment will
on Shabbat is to break that silence in
end soon."
a completely non-violent arena."
Levin says the Ann Arbor Jewish
— Shelli Dorfman, staff writer, and
community is "anything but silent on
Keri Guten Cohen,
Israeli policy — from forums to lec-
story
development editor
tures to our own philanthropic work
T
$199/mo. $159/mo.
$1,899 due at signing
$2,399 due at signing
PAGE TOYOTA
248-352-8580
21262 Telegraph Road • Southfield, MI 48034
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