Letters

I Was Misquoted

!' was shocked and dismayed by the quotes attributed to me in last week's story on infer-
of Hannah, turning to God as a source of strength, healing and comfort has been the
tility ("A Precious Goal," Nov. 17, page 19). As a woman rabbi, I was particularly dis-
primary Jewish response to infertility. I believe that prayer is a powerful tool for an
tressed at the ideas attributed to me on an issue of such sensitivity to Jewish couples.
infertile couple, not because it will necessarily result in a physical healing, but because it
I was misquoted as stating that "it is the secret belief of all infertile women that they
provides a link with Jewish tradition, Jewish community and the Divine source of loving
are somehow at fault." Not only did I not make this statement, but I disagree with it com-
mercy that helps all human beings deal with the struggles, challenges and pains of the
pletely. How could anyone claim to know the "secret belief"
human condition.
of "all infertile women?" The idea that infertility is some-
It was also important to me that readers know about new
how the woman's "fault," and that Torah supports this
Jewish resources for grappling with infertility. I was mis-
CORRECTION
claim, is preposterous. There is nothing in the Sarah-Hagar
quoted as stating that there are "no rituals for miscarriage or
story to indicate that Sarah is to blame for her infertility. I
even stillbirth." Again, these were not my words. Instead, I
In 'A Precious Goal" (Nov.17, page 19), a story
would argue, rather, that the prominent motif of barren-
suggested
sources like www.ritualwell.org
about infertility in the Jewish community, quotes
00
• or Nina Beth
ness in the Bible suggests that the process of procreation
Cardin's book, Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope, for Jewish
Were mistakenly attributed to Rabbi Lauren
carries for all human beings the potential for struggle, pain
poems, prayers and ceremonies to find comfort and healing.
l3erkun. These quotes do not represent ,s,That she
and loss.
I hope this clarifies my thoughts for couples and families
told us about this sensitive topic. She states her
Due to the delicate nature of this topic, it is important
-looking for Jewish support and encouragement during a
position in the accompanying letter. The IN deeply
that the record be set straight. In general, the "Jewish"
very difficult time.
regrets the mistake and misrepresentation.
response to infertility has always been prayer. Beginning
Rabbi Lauren Berkun
with all the infertile matriarchs and with the famous story
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Oakland County

Follow Example

When Imam Mohammad Ali
Elahi speaks and dismisses the
Iranian president's hate-filled
message as a "few angry words"
that would proceed under the
faulty premise that there can
ever be a proper context for a
call to genocide (Editor's
Notebook, "The Wrong
Context," Nov. 17, page 5).
A point by point refutation of
Ali Elahi's arguments seems
pointless. Suffice it to say,
although people may disagree
about various issues in the
Middle East, surely common
ground exists for the sentiment
that one member of the United
Nations should not advocate
the other's annihilation.
Moreover, to compare Iranian
President Ahmadinejad's "quip"
with the immortal words of the
Declaration of Independence is
so distasteful that it defies
description.
Thankfully, the vast majority
of American Muslims oppose
violence and condemn calls for

genocide. imam Elahi should
follow their example. As one of
the "political watchdog organi-
zations," the Anti-Defamation
League walks a fine line
between building bridges and
supporting security fences.

Betsy S. Kellman

Michigan Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League
Bloomfield Township

Extending Support

I applaud the efforts of
Federation to provide for
Jewish day schools ("All About
Education," Nov. 17, page 29).
But let's not forget the impor-
tance of supporting our agen-
cies that offer numerous and
vital informal Jewish education
opportunities. Organizations
such as the Hillels, B'nai B'rith
Youth Organization, the Jewish
Community Center, Tamarack
Camps and the Alliance for
Jewish Education serve many
more of our community mem-
bers than the day schools.

These agencies provide to a
wide range of ages, preschool to
senior citizen.
BBYO, for instance, offers
social, educational and leader-
ship development opportunities
to teenagers, but also reaches
those who may have families
that are unaffiliated with a syn-
agogue. This may be their only
opportunity to experience the
richness of Judaism.
The Hillels on our campuses
become a home away from
home for our college students.
They provide informal educa-
tion, social activities as well as
religious opportunities. They
often become advocates for
Israel as well as for individuals
experiencing anti-Semitism
The Hillels are often the last
chance to embrace our young
adults with Judaism before they
enter the working world.
The Alliance for Jewish
Education serves our commu-
nity with numerous and excel-
lent classes such as the Florence
Melton Adult Mini-School and
Seminars for Adult Jewish

Enrichment.
Support for the formal Jewish
education that the day schools
offer is a reasonable goal. But
our Federation needs to contin-
ue and increase its support to
the many well-run agencies
that strive everyday to offer
informal Jewish education to
their many appreciative partici-
pants.

Merle Schwartz

Farmington Hills

Iraqi Casualties

It was kind and proper for
members of the U.S. Senate to
observe a minute of silence
when the 2,000th U.S. soldier
was killed in Iraq.
Now the Pentagon has admit- °
ted for the first time that it is
keeping track of civilian casual-
ties in Iraq. Their report states
that nearly 26,000 Iraqis have
been killed or wounded in
attacks by insurgents, with an
estimated 26 casualties a day
between January and March of

last year, rising to 64 a day in
the run-up to the referendum
on the new constitution.
This contradicts the
Pentagon's assertion that the
security situation in Iraq is
improving and that appear-
ances to the contrary reflect the
media's focus on bombings in
and around Baghdad. (source:
2005 Independent News &
Media [UK] Ltd.)
Previously, the U.S. military
insisted it kept records of the
casualties among only its own
personnel, avoiding discussion
about civilian tolls. It also
refuses to release information
on the number of Iraqi civilians
killed or wounded by U.S.
forces.
I think it would be kind and
proper for the members of the
Senate to observe 13 minutes of
silence to honor and respect the
lives of the Iraqis who were
killed and are still being killed.
We should keep in mind who
invaded whom, shouldn't we?

Barbara R. Bell

Ann Arbor

Letters on page 8

•

Jewish.com

Christian Draw
With discovery of an ancient
church, Israel banks on Christian
tourism.
•
Read about it on Jewish.com .

6

dotCOM SURVEY

Last Week's Results

Do you go shopping on
"Black Friday:' the day after
Thanksgiving?

If you could vote in Israel's
Labor Party elections, would you
vote for Shimon Peres?

To vote, click on
JNOnline.com .

47% said yes
53% said no

How To Send Letters

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 24 2005

:tiaT