0% APR on Selected 2004 Vehicles up to 60 months* 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 *Payments based on 36 mo. lease and 12,000 miles/yr. with approved credit. 0% finance & special lease programs end November 1, 2004. OW 0 .\ \ Greatly reduces stress on muscles & joints, increasing endurance while increasing comfort & control Any Purchase Over $50 Exp. 12/15/04 Offer good only at West Bloomfield location 6263 HAGGERTY RD WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 FOOT %. N. of Maple Rd. S. of Pontiac Trail SOLUTIIINS w„dmtte.6tft Awe, we,fit feet 248-960-0939 899940 What Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Means to You! • 115-Point Quality Check • 6 Year/75,000 Mile Power Train Limited Warranty 1 QualityChecked • Certified Pre-owned 4411* 24 Hour Roadside Assistance • Vehicle History Report valCertified Of Southfield for over 40 years with approved credit 10/22 WWW.AVISFORD.COM 2004 21