I Letters Israel Advocacy The Jewish Community Council wholeheartedly agrees that the Jewish community needs to respond, support and defend Israel ("Urging A Communal Response," Dec.15, page 52). To assist the community in doing that, Council provides news, information and suggestions for individual advocacy through our Israel Advocacy Network (IAN). Armed with information and a computer, Jewish community members can quickly and effec- tively respond by communicating pro-Israel views to members of Congress, request fair and bal- anced coverage of Israel from the media and share pro-Israel views with neighbors, friends and co- workers. We encourage everyone to subscribe to this weekly Israel e-mail by sending your name and e-mail address to council@jfmd.org . Wendy Wagenheim, president Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit Bloomfield Township Act Against Bias The plea of two Jewish students ("We Need Community Support," Dec.-1, page 56) and Linda Stulberg's Community Perspective article ("Urging a Communal Response," Dec.15, page 52) have made me aware that strong anti- Israel bias on the University of Michigan campus is even more prevalent than it was 16 years ago when my daughter was a U-M student. Back then, she had just returned from a semester at Hebrew University in Jerusalem; U-M had a study abroad program in Israel at that time. She had enrolled in a political science class taught, unbeknown to her, by a virulently anti-Israel professor. Based on her own experiences and knowledge of Israeli history, she stood up in class and chal- lenged the veracity of his state- ments regarding Israel, after which he called her a "Judeo-Nazi:' In response, a petition that I wrote deploring this incident was signed by many local U-M alumni and sent to the political science department, the U-M president and the board of regents. The inci- dent was publicized in the student newspaper. Fortunately, the pro- fessor left for another position not long after this controversy. Now it is time for Michigan alumni to once again join to peti- tion for more objectivity and truth in and out of the classroom. Those who are interested in taking action, please e-mail me at hmgardner@aol.com . Resources are available to empower our Jewish students to stand up to anti-Israel and anti- Semitic bias on campus. Let us be part of those resources. Margot Gardner Bloomfield Hills A Wake-Up Call Linda Stulberg's guest editorial ("Urging A Communal Response,' Dec. 15, page 52) was very good, but I would like to state things a little differently. Today reminds me of the 1930s, with the anti-Semites preaching their hatred loudly and often, with no embarrassment and with the support of Europe. Their cry is unequivocal, to wipe us out. What surprises me is the reac- tion of the majority of Jews. Just like the ill-fated British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, they want a peace treaty with the anti-Semites. But wait: There is a difference. From out of nowhere, the head of the free world lands troops in Babylon right in the middle of the Arab world, topples the statue with its finger pointing to Jerusalem and perseveres against the enemy and our allies and half of our citizens. What is the Jewish reaction? Opposition? How can that be? The Holocaust chorus is still crying "Never Again:' but is blind to the reality. The leadership is stuck in the sixties: "All you need is love ..." The Jew on the street just wants to be a good liberal. Which of the children of Abraham really has the death wish? Wake up, Jews! Joel K. Letyin Mentors Lauded The Mentor Connection Advisory Board and staff would like to wish all of our program partici- pants, community partners and donors a happy Chanukah. We would like to thank all of our mentors for giving so unselfishly by befriending a child in need of additional adult support.You are truly making a positive impact in the lives of the children you mentor. We would also like to thank our community partners and donors for supporting Mentor Connection. Our program depends on our community's schools, youth serving agencies, religious groups, local businesses and individual donors for suc- cess. We are grateful to you for your support and collaborative efforts in serving our communi- ty's youth through mentoring. We especially would like to thank the Jewish News for doing a wonderful cover story about dotCOM SURVEY Do you see the U.S. economy improving in 2006? Last Week's Results Will Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke affect the Israeli elections and the peace process? Read about it on Jewish.com. To vote, click on TNOnline.com/Ovinion 50% said yes 50% said no December 29 - 2005 Richard Cherkasky and Susie Leemaster West Bloomfield Jewish.com A new Jewish baseball set of 55 cards contains cards for six Jews who have broken into the big leagues recently, six old- time Jewish ballplayers recently unearthed and four women who played in the wartime girls' baseball league. 6 our program in June. The article continues to bring in new men- tors and youth, literally to this day! Mentor Connection continues to grow in our community and four school programs. The need for mentors in Oakland County is great. We are thankful to those of you who have already stepped up to the plate by becoming a mentor and to our partners and donors who have joined in our mission. We hope many others will join with you this year. Wishing good things to you and your families in 2006! advisory board co-chairs Mentor Connection Jewish Family Service West Bloomfield Autism Aid Contributing Editor Elizabeth Applebaum's cover story on Zev Loeffler ("The Power of Love," Dec. 15, page 16) was another fine example of the Jewish News' commitment to highlighting achievements of people in our community, including those with disabilities and their families. Having a child with a disabili- ty changes a family profoundly and forever. The Loefflers are a wonderful example of the growth and change that can evolve in a child with autism, even when such accomplishments seem impossible at times. I would like to add JARC to the list of autism resources that accompanied the article. JARC serves people on the full autism spectrum in our Frankel and Shetzer residential service divi- sions in both group and individ- ual settings. In our Harris Children and Family Division, we provide respite care, grants for therapy and equipment, inclusive day school and recreation services as well as a wide range of infor- mation and advocacy for children with autism and their families. No family should feel alone. JARC is proud to be part of a community that works to ensure that all its members are part of that community throughout their lives.,Any family with a child with autism, or any disability or special need, can receive assis- tance by calling (248) 538-6610, ext. 332. Joyce Keller executive director JARC Farmington Hills Must Reading I would like to take this opportu- nity to express my condolences to the families of Jarett Ross Ettinger ("A Terrible Tragedy," page 107) and Jason Marc Heller ("People Saw His Sweetness," page 106), whose obituaries were in the Jewish News on Dec. 15. I commend the dignity and bravery of these families in shar- ing some of the intimate details of the struggles of their sons. I am the parent of two teenagers and a member of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth. Drug preven- tion is important for our entire community. I hope that everyone will take a moment to honor the memory of these boys by requir- ing their teenagers to read their obituary notices. Please consider making a tax- deductible donation to the GWB Coalition for Youth, which pro- motes programming for a drug- and alcohol-free community. See the Web site at www.gwbcoali- tion.org for information. . Cindy Goldman West Bloomfield How to Send Letters We prefer letters realting 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 frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain to name, address and title of the writer qand 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@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.