Letters A Different Take Staying Abreast Special Writer Don Cohen's article about the incorrect Middle Eastern maps in Migun stores, "Women Spur Action" (Nov. 3, page 29), contains statements regarding the Anti-Defamation League's involvement that require some clarification. The article states that the Anti- Defamation League contacted the Migun stores "without any con- crete results." In fact, the ADL fol- lowed up with Migun and heard back that the maps without Israel were in the process of being reprinted and revised. We also received an e-mail from Migun with a revised map without the reference to Palestine. We prompt- ly alerted local resident Beverly Apel of this welcome news. The article appears to cast doubt on ADL's version of events by quoting a Migun official who says that he has "no record of any communication with ADL." In fact, ADL spoke with two Migun executives, including the direct supervisor of the official whom the column quotes. We at ADL have spent over 90 years fighting anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry, and take pride in our ability to rapidly respond to community complaints. We are not in the practice of writing let- ters to the editor to claim credit for our actions. Local residents Beverly Apel and Andrea Gonik deserve praise for their tireless efforts in this situation. Your article ("Women Spur Action',' Nov. 3, page 29) regarding Migun was on target. Local resident Andrea Gonik's approach was the force that got the action. I believe that the more times misleading and incorrect information is disseminated, pub- lic opinion is formed and public opinion shapes government poli- cy. Therefore, I feel it is our respon- sibility, as Jewish people, to keep the facts straight in textbooks, newspapers, television news and other forms of public communica- tion, including maps on business walls and in business handout information. The information from the Anti- Defamation League civil rights attorney in Chicago stated that Migun, a private corporation, has the prerogative as to what it puts in its publications. This might be legal, but in cases of misinforma- tion it is very troublesome. According to Migun, a commu- nication was sent to affiliates on Oct.11 to remove the mislabeled maps and literature with the word Palestine in the location of Israel. Migun says it is sending out new maps with only dots, no country names, showing locations world- wide. Sharone R. Senk Assistant director Anti-Defamation League- Michigan Region Bloomfield Townshi 6 The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institutes Gynecologic Oncology Group, in collaboration with the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service, has an ovarian cancer prevention study underway that includes Ashkenazi Jewish women who are considered high risk for developing ovarian cancer. The study will follow women for five years to help develop early detection and prevention prac- tices. Two study options will be available to participants. Women should call [1 (800) 527-6266] if they meet any of the following cri- teria: • She or a close blood relative has been identified as having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene muta- . tion • At least two ovarian and/or breast cancers present in the participant and/or close blood relatives • She is an Ashkenazi Jew with one close blood relative with breast and/or ovarian cancer • She is an Ashkenazi Jew who has a personal history of pre- menopausal breast cancer At the Institute, we're searching for a cure, testing innovative thera- pies and saving lives. Talk Backfires." (Nov. 3, page 8) Here, one needs to ask what such trash talk reveals about Iran's intentions once it becomes a nuclear power. To some, the answer is clear, given the actions of its proxies, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. Thus far, the best hope to pre- vent a horrific outcome depends on the United States winning the war on terrorism in Iraq and ensuring that democracy takes root in Iraq. The hope then is that both efforts succeed concurrently, enabling democracy to spread to Iran, making it possible for a peaceful and prosperous Middle East to begin to emerge. For President Bush's strategy to succeed, as his critics seek to undermine it, the United States must win the war on terrorism in Iraq so that democracy can be exported to Iran before it can become a nuclear power. Irving Warshawsky West Bloomfield Julie Grant Meyer New Orleans Don't Forget Us Dr. Bernard Lublin's article dis- cussing the BRCA gene mutations that can occur in Ashkenazi Jews, increasing their chances for both breast and ovarian cancer ("Jewish Genetics:' Oct. 27, page 21), shows how important it is for people who are at risk to be informed of criti- cal health information. During the 1930s, the outrageous, hate-filled rhetoric of Hitler was not taken seriously until it was too late to prevent a horrific outcome. Today, the newly elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, borrowing from Hitler's elimina- tionist rhetoric, informs the world that "Israel must be wiped off the map:' Its significance is thought- fully discussed by Harry Kirsbaum in his article "Trash I walked through the doors of Congregation Chaye Olam in Bloomfield Township as a tem- porarily homeless, traumatized stranger; tired, frightened, shaken. They opened their hearts to me and gave me a home away from home. They had no warning, and yet were ready to act, welcoming me into their family for the one- and-a-half months that I was in Michigan. We are back in New Orleans. Four hundred Reform Jews gath- ered at Gates of Prayer, a syna- gogue in Metairie, La., for Yom Kippur day. They looked tired and shell-shocked. Many had lost their Last Week's Results How To Send Letters Patricia Milner Sachs director, community partnerships Karmanos Cancer Institute Detroit Beverly W. Apel West Bloomfield Cancer Studies Long-Term Effect Jewish.com dotCOM SURVEY Counting American Jews Research offers a glimpse behind the numbers. If you could vote in Israel's Labor Party elections, would you vote for Shimon Peres? Statistics say more Jews partici- pate in elections than other eth- nic groups. Did you vote Nov. 8? Read about it on Jewish.com. To vote, click on JNOnline.com. 63% said yes 37% said no homes and for some, their busi- nesses, too. The synagogue had flooded; and the carpet, the pews, and 3-4 feet of the drywall had been cut away. We sat on folding chairs. Worship began many min- utes late, because many old friends were hugging each other, crying, seeing each other for the first time since the storm. Across the street stands the Metairie Community Jewish Campus. The offices of the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Children's Regional Service, the Jewish Community Center and the New Orleans Jewish Day School are all housed there. Because the day school has young children, it is housed on the ground floor and it was washed away. For us who live here, survival is on our minds everyday. Things improve hour by hour, but with complete destruction, it isn't fast enough. We need you to remem- ber us, and give us strength. . What Yiddishkeit! On Oct. 30, the Workmen's Circle- Arbiter Ring presented the most remarkable Yiddish class and con- cert that this Jewish community has ever had the privilege to par- ticipate in. I simply felt like shouting from the rooftop with joy and enthusi- asm over the two fabulous presen- ters, Nikolai Borodulin and Susan Leviton, and over the wonderful day of Yiddishkeit that the Workmen's Circle endowed upon this city at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. Ann Barnett Southfield We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. 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@thejewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail. November 17 , 2005 *IX