Letters LETTERS from page 6 Stop War Of Words It was nice that Editor Robert Sklar attended former Jewish Community Council Executive Director David Gad-Harf's farewell party However, immediately after Gad-Harf's depar- ture for New York, Sklar began criticiz- ing him and the Jewish Community Council. The timing seems at the least unfair. (Please note that I am a council board member; no one on the board or staff has seen this letter.) Sklar is upset that a reporter couldn't attend a recent council board meeting and suggests that community members should be able to speak at meetings ("Hear The People," Sept. 15, page 5). Council members are articulate and talkative and we barely manage to cover necessary business in two hours; if we opened it up to the entire com- munity, meetings would last until mid- night. I don't believe that other non- profit Jewish organizations have open board meetings. Community input is provided by 200 organizational mem- bers of the Council as well as others within the Jewish and general commu- nities that submit information or issues for discussion. Sklar also questions whether the Jewish Community Council should take a stand on an issue when not everyone in the community may agree with it. For controversial issues, we attempt to craft a statement or resolu- tion based on core elements and values that we share, avoiding extreme posi- tions. Diverse viewpoints are consid- ered, democratic procedures are fol- lowed and a majority rules. By partici- pating in coalitions and taking stands on public issues, we gain credibility in the larger community, influence public policy and establish relationships that help us advocate more effectively for the Jewish community. It is important that we are heard. The Jewish community here and abroad faces many serious issues, as does our state and the nation. Isn't it time to stop this war of words among ourselves? Shari Cohen Bloomfield Township surfaced are being addressed. Following its agency review, it was the view of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit that the Council should remain an independent though nearly fully funded agency. I am sure the issue of potential cost saving through using a different model for the provision of the CRC function of Metro Detroit was part of that assess- ment. Nationally, there exist both inde- pendent agencies and federations where the CRC is one of the functions of the Federation. In most large cities, howev- er, as in Detroit, CRC agencies exist as an independent entity. With its broad community represen- tation, it is difficult for me to reconcile that additional outside voices are required during the monthly meetings of the Council with the requirement that policy formation and debate as well as governance requires deliberative dis- cussion. The need for the development of a single community voice from the 54 member of the board is sufficient challenge. The addition of other advo- cates at such meetings would seem to me to be at the least disruptive and at worst destructive to the development to consensus positions. I agree, however, that open forums should continue to inform both the Council and community leadership to issues of concern. To fimction efficient- ly, however, the Council board alone needs the ability to determine its policy and governance. The Jewish Community Council is in a period of transition. The departure of David Gad-Harf coupled with the installation of a new president, Wendy Wagenheim, creates an opportunity for the organization to examine its role and method of operation. Its record of serv- ice over 68 years and the status of our community relations suggest that it has the ability to continue to serve our community well to assess the manner in which it functions and to do this in a timely fashion. - This time of transition requires patience from the community. Conrad L. Giles, M..D. vice chair Jewish Council For Policy Affairs Bloomfield Hills Council: On Course The concerns you have aired in your Editor's Notebook regarding the form and substance of the functioning of our community's Community Relations Council (CRC), the Jewish Community Council, are certainly legitimate ("Hear The People," Sept.15, page 5). It is my understanding that issues that you have 9/22 2005 8 Courageous Comments My congratulations and thanks go to Editor Robert Sklar for his courage in two areas recently: His most recent is exposing the Jewish Community Council flaws in his "Hear The People" Editor's Notebook column (Sept. 15, page 5). As a board member, I appreciate his heads-up to the community with some details that require corrective action in a very important community body that speaks for the Detroit Jewish community. I hope the recent debates in the press, by individuals in the community and in the boardroom will improve the Council process and make the board more representative of the community. In another area, Mr. Sklar, in his excellent Editor's Notebook "Snubbing Detroit Jewry" (Sept. 1, page 5), rightly blasted Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the City Council for "bestowing a Spirit of Detroit Award and a key to the city on Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who ridicules the "Nazi-like State of Israel' and blames America's ills on Jewish-con- trolled halls of government, business, finance, entertainment and the press" ). Mr. Ceeon Quiett's pitiful response this past edition from the Mayor's Office completely ignored Mr. Sklar's point. He stated Mr. Sklar criticized the Million Man March, which he never did. Mr. Sklar criticized Rev. Farrakhan and his co-conspirator Malik Shabazz with a long list of their anti-Semitic and anti-Israel preachings. The mayor's actions lauding Rev. Farrakhan were a despicable act and he should apologize, not make excuses. Ed Kohl West Bloomfield An Unfulfilled Charter World leaders gathering in New York to mark the 60th anniversary of the United Nations [see page 38J and dis- cuss its future must also acknowledge that the world body, with their endorsement, has failed to live up to basic principles enshrined in its char- ter. The U.N. Charter states that all member nations, regardless of size, will be treated equally. However, in prac- tice, Israel is treated distinctively dif- ferently that the other 190 U.N. members. Israel is continually singled out for relentless, obsessive, micro- scopic scrutiny. Notably, the General Assembly adopts each year some blatantly anti- Israel resolutions that hinder rather than advance the cause of peace. The Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights dedicates disproportionate time and attention to Israel while ignoring massive violations of human rights in other parts of the world. Indeed, a separate agenda item at the commis- sion is devoted to Israel while other 190 member states are all considered together under one agenda item. Other U.N. entities, including the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians and the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian. People, daily expend precious resources to promote the Palestinian cause to the detriment of Israel's fair treatment and any possible progress toward a negotiated two-state solution. The American Jewish Committee applauds the current efforts of the United States, the U.N. Secretary- General and others to reform the U.N. system, but we firmly believe that there can be no real reform unless it rectifies the pervasive and corrosive institutional bias against the State of Israel. We urge an end to the U.N.'s long-standing discrimination against Israel. Andrew S. Doctoroff . president Metropotztan Detroit Chapter American Jewish Committee Bloo eld Townshi How To Send Letters: We prefer letters relating to JNarticles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letter writers are limited in fre- quency of publication. Letters must be received by 9 a.m. Monday for consideration that week. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@thejewishnevvs.com. We prefer e-mail. Corrections • The correct Web site address for information on the grief guidebooks Grief Wellness: A Guide to Dealing with Loss and Grief Tributes: A Guide to Lift Celebrations by Lynn Isenberg and David M. Techner is www.TheFuneralPlannerInc.com . Lights Out Enterprises can be contacted via the Web sites: www.TheFuneralPlannerInc.com or www.LightsOutEnterprises.com . Lights Out Enterprises provides customized funeral experiences and life story videos written, directed and produced by A-list Hollywood talent for pre-need clients.