LETTERS
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Stand With Israel
In response to Mike Odetalla's letter
and contrary to his suggested actions
in his anti-Israel diatribe ("What
Chutzpah!" March 17, page 5), I am
standing up and shouting "Yes" in
our Jewish name.
I will stand for a strong Israel that
must protect itself from terrorists
who would slaughter every Jew if
they could. And yes, I support JN
Editor Robert Sklar with his editori-
alizing on the "peace" process.
Michael Kahan
which, at the same time, does pro-
tect fundamental rights of its minor-
ity. The answer is not a simple one.
By the same token, the simplistic
notion that "majority rules" can lead
to a minority simply ousting (demo-
cratically — i.e., by majority vote)
the majority when it outnumbers the
former majority by population
growth. This is one of the dilemmas
that Israel faces.
No western democracy would
allow itself to be destroyed through
such a "democratic" process. Rather,
it would ensure that it maintains a
healthy majority of its native popu-
lation while still guaranteeing funda-
mental rights to minorities. Neither
"democracy" nor Judaism mandate
the national suicide that your sim-
plistic editorial notion would inex-
orably lead to.
David Arm
to start out their lives together,
Israeli retirement communities might
be a good bet for some American
Jews interested in finding some digs
in the Jewish state.
Zev Davis
Nazareth Illit, Israel
(in Detroit Jewry's
Partnerhsip 2000 region)
Thanks, Dr. Cohen
My family and I have the privilege to
know Dr. Helene Cohen and to have
seen her at work ("Washington
Bloomfield Hills
Bound," March 17, page 22). In fact,
about 10 years ago, we were contem-
plating where our oldest daughter
was going to get her education.
Defend Jewish Rights
Hillel Day School was one of our
options and we looked at it seriously.
In response to the Editor's Notebook
A number of people played a role
on March 3, our family sends major
in our ultimate decision, including
kudos ("Tempered Hope," page 5)
West Bloomfield my employer at the time, who was
The section on "The Campus
sending his children there, as well as
Shame" was extremely well described.
the school administration, which
There is a tremendous need to take a
included Dr. Cohen.
good look at what is happening on
She instilled a sense of confidence
college campuses in regard to anti-
The Housing Spiral
Israel propaganda.
in the quality of education our
daughter would receive that made
As a community with leadership,
The piece on the rush to build flats
the decision just that much easier.
we have a stronger need than ever to - in Israel ("Digging Israel," March
Since then, our two other daughters
equip our youth with continued edu-
17, page 26) is encouraging. It's a
are now at Hillel.
cation and tools to deal with what is
Jewish way to purchase your retire-
Even though Dr. Cohen had many
going on, Only with stronger sup-
ment apartment in Israel, rather
children to be concerned with along
port from our Jewish community and than investing in the American
with increasing responsibility at the
its organizations will our students
South or Southwest. It makes sense
quickly expanding Hillel, she worked
feel safe and smart enough to speak
for a religious Jews as well as other
closely with Sarah whenever the need
out and exhort against Jew bashing.
Jews with Zionist connections.
arose. We were very disappointed
Our college students should have
What benefits the spiritual life for
when
Dr. Cohen left Hillel.
the courage and confidence to know
North American Jews may cause
When
high school became a ques-
the organized Jewish community will
economic stress for Israelis who seek
tion,
Sarah
was very interested in the
speak up and help defend their rights
housing in the center of the country.
Jewish Academy of Metropolitan
as Jews. Hats off to Editor Robert
The influx of dollars from the out-
Sklar for an excellent article.
side creates artificial demand for lux- Detroit in very large part because she
Andrea Gonik ury housing, pushing up the price of would again have the chance to work
with Dr. Cohen. As happens with
West Bloomfield all housing units.
many incoming freshman, there were
Young people in Israel have a hard
some
difficult transition issues with
enough time finding affordable
the
pressures
of high school. It took a
housing. Instead of improving the
National Suicide Recipe?
great deal of work for Sarah, her
quality of existing units, the real
teachers and primarily Dr. Cohen to
estate market forces Israelis whose
Your editorial "A Just And Jewish
get
this all worked out. With her
incomes
are
already
depressed
to
State" (March 17, page 33) conflates
usual patience and perseverance, Dr.
seek flats beyond their income levels.
Judaism with 21st century political
Cohen has Sarah's confidence re-
After 50 years, Israeli boomers
liberalism. The two are not synony-
instilled
and she is excelling academi-
have been around the world and suc-
mous.
cally
as
well
as socially.
ceeded in business and the public
Although Torah consists of ele-
I
am
happy
that such a caring and
life
of
the
nation.
Many
of
them
ments speaking to equality, it has
deserving
person
is getting the
speak
English
and
even
have
chil-
many elements that are irreconcilable
chance
to
move
on
to something new
dren
who
live
in
the
U.S.
with such a concept. Indeed, to
and exciting. However, I can't help
Many Israelis whose children have-
speak of a "Jewish, democratic" state
feeling a little disappointed that she
left sell their house and go, like
is oxymoronic. Most Jews would
is leaving us and that my other
some Americans, to retirement com-
chafe if the U.S. were described as a
daughters will not get the benefit of
munities. Rather than general Israeli
"Christian, democratic" state.
her
unassuming manner of helping
housing,
with
the
possibility
of
inad-
Thq. difficulty Mien is in maintain-
to
educate
our children. She will
vertently
creating
difficulties
for
ing a44cionathoineland that inheres
always
have
our best wishes and great
Israeli
couples
looking
for
housing
with Ilittrgish majority, but
3/24
2005
6
thanks. Remember, it takes a village
to help raise a good child, or at least
a good village leader.
Berton May
West Bloomfield
Great Work, JN
Within weeks, readers have been
treated to exceptional examples of
the true mettle and character of the
Jewish News. Your innovative writers
have been able to inspire us with two
diverse yet inspirational front-page
articles.
First, you examined the difficulties
of the homeless through Special
Writer Diana Lieberman's article on
Bruce Stearn ("A Life Not
Forgotten," Feb. 17, page 15).
Diana's words have generated an out-
pouring of concern and Temple Beth
El has received countless contribu-
tions that will be forwarded to
COTS in Bruce's memory.
Then your staff wrote a masterful
and in-depth portrayal of the life of
Max Fisher ("For The Ages," March
10). This portrayal has been the talk
of the town and - should be con.Sid--
ered a "must" on the reading list for
anyone who has even volunteered to
help make our world a better place.
Your descriptions of these two
unique, gentle giants show us that
while life can be extremely different
for all of us, we should always use
our personal strengths for tikkun
olam (repair of the world).
As always, the Jewish News staff lis-
tens to the hearts of its readers. I am
proud to be a subscriber.
Otto B. Dube
Ira Kaufman Chapel
Southfield
Thanks, Mr. Fisher
I would like to thank Mr. Max M.
Fisher for his generous donations to
help the Jewish Federation.of
Metropolitan- Detroit ("For The
Ages," March 10).
Also, I would like to thank Mr.
Fisher for supporting all of the
Jewish organizations that he helped
out with, not only financially, but
spiritually and emotionally, too.
To Mr. Fisher's family, I am very
sorry for your loss.
Corey S. Rosen
Farmington Hills