Rabbi Leizer Levin ZT"L Past President in-1m rsInIn -Tv Rabbi Chaskel Grubner Mnhel Phone: (248) 398-1017 COUNCIL OF ORTHODOX RABBIS • MERKAZ October 25, 2004 Detroit Jewish News Mr. Arthur M. Horowitz, Publisher Mr. Robert A. Sklar, Editor 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 110 Southfield, MI 48034 Dear. Sirs, Since the time of Abraham, the Jewish people have always served as a "Light to the Nations". The impact that we have made and continue to make has been immense. In fact, to an extraordinary degree, the moral and ethical standards of the Torah were absorbed and adopted throughout the entire civilized world. It is, therefore, with great pain that we received the report that a publication that represents the spiritual and physical descendants of Abraham, should be at the forefront of promoting values antithetical to traditional Jewish life. As com- munity leaders, we remain sensitive to the difficult struggle many individuals face in dealing with the issue of homosexuality. Yet, while we counsel them in their struggle, we uphold the Torah value that the sanctity of marriage is found only in the union of man and woman. At a time when the Jewish community faces unparalleled challenges to its continuity, the Detroit Jewish News should be at the forefront of promoting true family and spiritual values, not at the vanguard leading to its destruction. itn ett,,, Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor students Jonathan Hamermesh and Morgan Burgard portray roles during the Rainbow Day celebration. We hope that you will responsibly take these matters to heart, consider the repercussions of your actions, and seriously reconsider your position. Let us work together for "Tikun Olam" (Rectification of the world) and the return of G-d's presence to earth. Ann Arbor Rainbow Sincerely, Rainbow Day is a Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan tradition at the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor. It is celebrated on the first day of the month when the story of Noah is read in synagogue. At school, the children celebrated col- ors of the rainbow by having each grade wear different colored T-shirts. They also brought new or nearly new stuffed ani- mals to place in a mock ark and then be donated to Ronald McDonald House, and also learned about leadership in honor of Noah, who was considered a leader in his generation. The students learned leadership appears in many arenas. Just as the country is picking its new president, the student body is choosing leaders for its student council. Third-graders put on a skit that com- pared leaders in books and movies to historical Jewish leaders. "Jews don't have to rely on the world of make-believe to learn about leader- ship," said third-grader Mollie Mintz of Ann Arbor, a narrator. "They can also learn from their own leaders." Third-grader Marley Beaver, another narrator, said, "You don't have to be famous to be a leader or to take respon- sibility." As an example of modern leadership, Arie Lipsky, conductor of the Ann Arbor Symphony, was invited to the school to speak to the children. Hebrew Day School's Klez Kid Band welcomed him with two folk melodies, and Lipsky then treated the students with Hebrew and classical tunes, played both on the cello and the flute. Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit Rabbi Chaim Bergstein Rabbi Michael Cohen Rabbi Asher Eisenberger Rabbi Leo Goldman Rabbi Aharon Y. Goldstein Rabbi Chaskel Grubner Rabbi Shmuel Irons Rabbi Eli Meyer Jundef Rabbi Joseph D. Krupnik Rabbi Boruch Levin Rabbi Yisroel Meir Levin — Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor ' Michigan 48075 • 248-559-5005 FAX 248-559-5202 Look for this.symbol (;) as your guarantee for Council Kashruth Supervision 904040 Budget Generators — Keri Guten Cohen, stag development editor their parents. Workshops for girls include careers, sexuality, peer pressure, finances, nutrition, bullying, relation- ships, making a difference, self-defense and diversity. The "Girls Matter Conference" runs from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in J Building at the Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, call OCC's Womencenter at (248) 522-3642. • 16947 W. 10 Mile • Southfield, 24 Hour Emergency Service Home & Commercial Generator Systems Putting Girls First Each year, the advertising industry spends at least $15 billion to bombard children and teens with commercial messages. Marketing is known to be a factor in childhood obesity, youth vio- lence, precocious and irresponsible sexu- ality, excessive materialism and family stress, yet kids continue to be targeted. Former Detroiter Susan Linn will address the topic in her keynote address, "Can't Buy Me Cool," at the fifth annu- al original "Girls Matter Conference" Nov. 6. - The event is for girls ages 11-14.and Rabbi Yechiel Morris Rabbi Adam Ribiat Rabbi Moshe Schwab Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg Rabbi Yoel Sperka Rabbi Reuven Spolter Rabbi Yossef Weingarden Rabbi Shea Werner Rabbi Eli Yelen Rabbi Shaiall Zachariash '3995 Mike Hovey 248-722-5090 Installed I Permits Additional *10 ft gas line 115 ft cable included 882390 verizopwireless Aurho, ,ed • Cellular Phones • Satellite TV • Send Global International Calling W11.1.1:NS C701,01 ,31,,ANONS David Rogovein Marty Rosen West Bloomfield • (248) 681 - 7200 Bloomfield Hills • (248) 335 - 3345 4276 Orchard Lake Rd. @ Lone Pine 43183 Woodward Ave @ Square Lake 10/29 2004 15