LETTERS
Don't Overlook Seniors
On May 20, Handelman Hall of the
Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield was the site of a most
wonderful celebration: In recogni-
tion of Older Americans Month,
Elderlink conducted a search to
identify the oldest Jews in Metro
Detroit. More than 38 people over
age 95 were honored at a luncheon
along with their friends and rela-
tives. I commend Elderlink and the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit for sponsoring this project.
This luncheon to honor our most
esteemed citizens was awe inspiring
and most memorable. However, I
was very disappointed that this com-
munity-wide event was overlooked-
by the Jewish News. Each honoree
was recognized; their stories were as
unique as they are. Imagine being 97
and still able to volunteer or being
98 and accepting that it is time to
stop daily swims!
When news coverage is so focused
on tragedy and conflict, it is heart-
warming to know our community is
able to take the time to celebrate the
wisdom that comes with age, to
honor those who have witnessed
more than 90 years of our history.
When the honorees were questioned,
despite minor diminished capacities,
so many declared their delight at still
being alive.
The secret to longevity may be
good genes — and luck. However, I
learned that attitude plays a signifi-
cant role! How heartwarming and
touching to hear many express the
highlight of their long lives as being
the birth of their children and the
love of a spouse!
Carol Weintraub Fogel
West Bloomfield
Meddling Is Wrong
TIN
6/ 2
2005
8
The idea of the fascist left is to de-
legitimize Israel at every level possi-
ble. This is how it works: If Israeli
forces killed 100 Arab civilians in
war 57 years ago it was terrible. If
10,000 Africans are killed daily in
Darfur, it is unimportant.
If there is dispute about a thesis in
Israel, it centers on academic free-
dom, especially as it relates to the
opinion of the elite race, the so-
called academicians. Academic free-
dom in Iran, Syria, China or North
Korea is irrelevant. If an Israeli aca-
demician gets money from a Zionist
organization, it is very bad, but if a
left-wing Israeli academician receives
financial support from Palestinian
propaganda machine, it's OK.
And so on, because the idea
behind all of this is not to advance
peace, but de-legitimize Israel.
Israel may not be the best democ-
racy in the world, but it is elected
by a vote of the people. God knows
how much freedom people have in
Israel -- and they do express their
opinion. For outsiders to impose
their will on the Israeli public is
wrong. Would you agree that
Chinese citizens should make deci-
sions for your security in Oregon?
I have plenty of Arab American
friends who often disagree with me.
But we agree on one issue:
Meddling in Israeli-Palestinian
affairs by outsiders is ruining the
chances for a lasting Mideast peace.
Isaac Barr, M.D
Southfield
Israel's Attraction
I wanted to comment how inspired
I felt from reading your Editor's
Notebook
("Israel's Push
And Pull," (May
26, page 5)
about a young
woman's draw to
Israel. I went to
Israel in
November for
the first time in
my 34 years and
must tell you
that I find the
idea of making
Leah Stern
aliyah very
appealing. Being
an American citizen and having all
the comforts here makes the deci-
sion very difficult, though.
After reading your article on
native Detroiter Leah Stern, my
decision is becoming more apparent
that Israel is truly the land where all
Jews feel free. I would like to read
more about new immigrants and
their life in Israel.
Alan Najman
Aventura, Fla.
Uncertainty Resonates
I saw your Editor's Notebook on
native Detroiter Leah Stern and
found it very touching ("Israel's
Push And Pull," May 26, page 5).
Maybe it was because I am experi-
encing the same dilemma —
whether to live in Israel or
Farmington.
I recently returned from what was
this time a three-week stay in Israel.
this time, they have always been
I went alone and found the trip
Jews; they have kept their traditions
exciting and successful. Among other and they have kept their language.
things, I attended the Jacob's Ladder
Why all of a sudden do Jews feel
Folk Festival near Tiberias and was
that they need to live in one particu-
asked to join and perform with a
lar part of the world in order to be a
Dixieland band (I am a rather
credit to their race? History has
accomplished ragtime banjo player
proved we can be good Jews any-
and had a banjo with me). I also
where!
attended a concert of barbershop
music in Ra'anana.
Nicholas Kalikow
In Tel Aviv, I got to know the
Los Angeles
director of a school for modern
music. In the basement of the school
— called the Hed College of Music
— is a nightclub featuring a fantas-
tic band consisting of former
Russians who play big band music
• In "No One Left Behind," (May
of the 1940s in the style of Glenn
19,
page 28), the West Bloomfield
Miller and Tommy Dorsey. The
golf
outing and dinnet in support of
quality is very high. They let me
the
Gary
Burnstein Community
play a short set of ragtime music
Health
Clinic
took place on May 24,
during their break. It was quite
not
May
25.
successful.
During my last visit, I spent five
• In "Power Of Women Lauded"
days a week at Ulpan Gordon in Tel
(May
26, page 28), Beverly Liss
Aviv. I was placed in a rather
should
have been identified as chair
advanced class. It quickly became
of
the
Jewish
Women's Foundation.
apparent that my weakness is
The
"Women
Lighting the Way"
the verb — especially the
event
chairs
are
Sharon Hart and
future tense. So I am starting
Janice
Steinhardt.
to take private lessons.
Actually, I have been studying
• The girl in the photo from the
Hebrew off and on all my life
Congregation
Beth Ahm story on
because I have always felt that
the
Contents
page
(May 26, page 3)
the language — rather than
identified
as
Emma
Salesin, 7, of
religion — is, for me, a more
Bloomfield
Hills
should
have been
meaningful and honest way to
identified
as
Rachel
Kahan,
8, of
identify with the Jewish peo-
Bloomfield Hills. Here are the cor-
ple.
rect identities:
Either way, I would under-
stand Leah's decision about
aliyah. I believe that ambiva-
lence is to be commended. I
think it's in Fiddler on the Roof that
Tevye says "You're also right," after
being told that both sides in an
argument can't both be right.
Corrections
Avram "Skip" Rosenthal
Farmington
Emma
Rachel
Diaspora's Strength
An Israeli friend of mine sent me an
online link to your Editor's
Notebook about native Detroiter
Leah Stern making aliyah ("Israel's
Push And Pull," May 26, page 5).
My friend currently lives in Los
Angeles, but he's always going back
to Israel for long periods out of a
guilt similar to Ms. Stern's.
Personally, I think this guilt is
unwarranted.
Throughout history, Jews have
constantly been on the move,
migrating from one part of the
world to another looking for reli-
gious and economic freedom. All
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