WE Go THE FoR Yo ' EXTRA MILE BREAK (Of THROUGH 2005 Cadillac CTS GM Employees Non GM Employees 36 Month Smart/ease We have just returned from a very suc- cessful luncheon given by the Labor Zionist Alliance Education Fund honor- ing Evelyn Noveck. Before we had removed our coats, we were surrounded by guests who had read Laurie Rappeport's letter regarding the books we have sent to Safed over the years CA Kind Gesture," March 31, page 6). The letter was read, and after 63 years of the Jewish News (I was there almost at the beginning), it is good to know that you continue to serve the Detroit Jewish community. Dena and Irving Greenberg Southfield Concerns About Papacy At the risk of seeming out of step with the contemporary mood of adulation that has overtaken the globe on the passing of Pope John Paul II, it may be of value for Jews to remember that: • While John Paul was "good for the Jews," most of his 264 predecessors were not — by far. Yes, he did more than many others (perhaps all others) who resided at the Vatican to develop amica- ble relations with Jews and a positive attitude toward Judaism, but it will take many years of the same to overcome nearly two millennia of hostility, anti- Semitism and the death and destruction that it caused. • Let no one be seduced by the pageantry of the Vatican. It was this tableau of pomp and symbolism that provided for countless inquisitions and autos-da-fi that doomed generations of Jews. • Contemporary Jewish communities have learned not to rely on the benefi- cence of individuals, be they popes or kings. Only the clearly defined and meticulously enforced rule of democrat- ic law can guarantee the freedom that Jews and other peoples need to prosper. Rather than proclamations of faith (President Bush: "I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord Christ was sent by the Almighty. No doubt in my mind about that."), we prefer leaders who emulate the Almighty by governing with the wisdom that promotes kindness and justice — and leave their theological musings private. Isaac Lakritz West Bloomfield Our Father's Passing From a Jew in a Warsaw awash in red and white flags hosting a black cord, the word is one. It's very moving here, a silent black city whose traffic-clogged streets are empty and restaurants and theaters are closed. The city goes home to mourn. All around us the depth of the black night is punctuated by mil- lions of candles. Some sidewalks are cov- ered in wax! The length of ulica Jana Pawla lined by candles one meter apart, brought by individuals but spaced so perfectly on both sides of this wide boulevard for several kilometers, makes it appear to have been planned and not sponta- neous. Silence. And mourning. And every- one knows we are mourning for our- selves. Little bits of goodness come out of each person; the city is filled with a God-like presence. We say in Hebrew the Shechinah. It is amazing: The pass- ing of the leader of the Catholic Church. The passing of the leader of the Western world and democracy. The passing of the father of Poland. This night we are one family, mourning the loss of our father. All the city of Warsaw. All the Republic of Poland. All the peo- ple of Central Europe. All Israel. All the planet. People of many religions, but one faith. One humankind. In Poland, which lived in fear for 60 years, you can feel that this nation fears it has lost its shepherd. The reason that simple candles do not blow out in the breeze is that all the country holds its breath, waiting to learn how to live in a world without the people's papa. Michael Traison Detroit, writingfrom Warsaw $2,968 Due at signing. $8,338" $8,951" 2005 Cadillac STS GM Employees Non GM Employees 36 Month Smardease 52,978 Due at signing. 36 Month Smartiease $2,998 Due at signing. One Time Lease Payment One Time Lease Payment 1O,294°° $11,688°° Payments based an 36 month GMAC Smartlease, One time payments based on 24 months, plus tax, title and registration, 12,000 miles per year. 20 cents per mile over. Subject to approved credit. See dealer for details. Visit our web site: www.rinkecadillaccom for all of our specials I r Expect More. We Deliver! 1-696 & VAN DYKE • (586)758-1800 If traveling west on t-696, exit Hoover. fallow Service Drive to Rinke Cadillac. if traveling east on 1-696, exit Van Dyke: take the second bridge past Van Dyke over expressway to Rinke Cadillac. Showroom Hours: Mon & Thurs 8:30am-9:00pm; rues, Wed & Fri 8:30am-6:00pm CUSTOM TABLES * PLASMA TV ARMOIRES * CUSTOM FINISHING IN 10 DAYS O 1— U- co 0 0 z z ce 0 z f it to Ui WATCHHILLHOME.COM SRI 0 SALE EXTENDED THRU APRIL 16 25% OFF ALL ACCESSORIES 20% OFF HOME FURNISHINGS 20% OFF TABLES AND CHAIRS C) ce LU cL 0 LU 50% OFF OIL PAINTINGS 50% OFF MIRRORS OPEN 10 - 6 MON - SAT 645 S. ETON Jamie N. Schey Student, George Mason University School of Law Washington, D. C. formerly from Detroit One Time Lease Payment Stock #168015 Revisiting Schiavo Case In his Special Commentary column, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach ("The Case For Choosing Life," March 31, page 21) describes Michael Schiavo's decision to remove his wife from life support as "putting [her] to death." Contrary to the rabbi's contentions, the law does not define Mr. Schiavo's acts as such. Rather, the removal of a feeding tube is viewed as a lawful withdrawal of future medical treatment. Michael Schiavo enabled his wife's wishes to be fulfilled. If the law should point fingers at anyone in this situation, it should be at Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature. Their attempt to circumvent the judiciary represents a far more oppressive form of activism than any court has ever displayed. 52,968 Due at signing. One Time Lease Payment omeI*1111.1M Thanks, JN 36 Month Sinanfease BIRMINGHAM * 248-644-7445 1-- C/) Cr) * RECLAIMED WOOD TABLES * CHERRY TABLES * CUSTOM FURNITURE * 4/14 2005 7