L etters I'm Running , Too I would like to commend the Detroit Jewish News for publishing the fine cover story "Like No Other Vote in the World" (Jan. 5, page 27) regarding the approaching 35th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. The congress is an opportunity for every adult Jew around the world to walk in the footsteps of Theodor Herzl by hav- ing a voice in the Zionist agenda for the next four years through his or her vote for a slate of delegates to the congress. The United States will be send- ing 145 of the total of 500 dele- gates to the congress with full vot- ing rights. Eight years ago, more than 100,000 American Jews par- ticipated in the election. As your article points out, that number was down to under 90,000 four years ago. And this year, registration appears to be running behind four years ago although online registra- tion doesn't end until Feb. 15 and the election continues until Feb. 28. Although the 12 slates on the ballot, along with the American Zionist Movement, have attempted to publicize the election, your arti- cle will do far more in bringing this election to the attention of local eligible voters. Hopefully, your article will stimulate an increase in registrants. It takes $7 and roughly seven minutes to reg- ister for the election online at www.azm.org. It was refreshing to note the number of local Jews who are run- ning on a slate in the election. I enjoyed the write up on each indi- vidual. Unfortunately, you missed one — me. I want to take this opportunity to correct the omis- sion, inadvertent I am sure, and let your readers know that ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, which won over 42 per- cent of the American vote four Jewish.com years ago, does indeed have a Detroiter on its slate. As president of the Northeast Lakes Council of the Union For Reform Judaism and as national secretary of ARZA, I am proud to be that delegate. Allan H. Tushman West Bloomfield Healthy Debate Bravo to Jason Pesick, editor-in- chief of the Michigan Daily, for presenting us with the facts in last week's letters regarding the healthy and positive situation of the Jewish students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor ("The Right Tilt;' Jan. 5, page 6). In this and other political mat- ters, we have been harangued for too long by the writings of the "super-Zionists" who have mount- ed what appears to be a coordinat- ed campaign to dominate your let- ters column. Their neo-conservative, Bush- fawning, pro-Iraq-war stances are repetitious and completely out-of- step with the views of a majority of our population, who have come to realize the quagmire into which our government's disinformation and policies have led us. Eric Billes West Bloomfield He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He settled in Michigan as a young man and eventually married my mother-in- law and later reveled in the births of four bright and beautiful chil- dren. I married their only son, who, like his father, is a loving and caring man, a hard worker and a wonderful provider. Perhaps now more than ever, I see the likenesses of father and son in the presence of each. Regardless of shared or differing ideologies, until faced with the loss of something we truly love, we seem nearly helpless to remember that each of us does what he or she feels is best for those we care most about. Leaders make decisions that they feel encouraged are in the best interest of their own con- stituency: countrymen, neighbors, families. That is, in great part, what makes them leaders and not followers. Very early in 2006, may we unite in prayer for a man who has done everything that can be expected of a human being in service to his people. From Jews, and all freedom loving people, Mr. Sharon deserves no less than the hopeful, healing prayers of all who have ever looked to any leader for guidance and pathway. American children to be one in 2,500. Today, the CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion] places the rate at one in 166, or one in 80 boys. Additionally, 1- in-6 children is now diagnosed with a related neurological disor- der." Your list of resources will be invaluable for families struggling with this challenging condition. I would like to make you aware of one additional resource: JVS offers the Transition to Employment pro- gram to help Oakland County stu- dents with autism make the change from school to work. JVS has been serving people with autism for more than 20 years. In the last four years, a focused partnership was formed between JVS, Michigan Depart- ment of Labor and Economic Growth-Rehabilitation Services and Oakland County Schools whereby JVS provides community- based assessment and support to prepare students with autism to transition from school to work. Not only does this unique pro- gram empower the student to leave school with work experi- ences and a realistic transition plan, but also educates employers about the benefits of hiring an individual with autism. Karen Melaas Leah Rosenbaum Oxford executive vice president dotCOM SURVEY Southfield Autism Aid Let me compliment you on "The Power Of Love your poignant and informative story about Zev Loeffler and his family's struggles with his autism (Dec. 15, page 16). It is important that people become aware of this growing disability. A July 1, 2005, Boston Globe arti- cle indicated: "A decade ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics estimated the autism rate among Last Week's Results The North American International Auto Show opens this week in Detroit. Will you buy/lease a new car this year? Should Israel prevent Palestinians in Jerusalem from voting in the Jan. 25 Palestinian elections? Read about it on Jewish.com . To vote, click on JNOnline.com/Opinion 41% said yes 59% said no January 12 • 2006 Southfield Stay Informed I read your Editor's Letter "The Threat Is Real" (Dec. 29, page 5) and the sentence: "Ironically, revi- sionist thinking floods France and Germany ..." I also read in a French paper that an extreme right revisionist got six months in prison and had to pay about $10,000 thanks to a law. We'll never have that law here in the United States. We have to be informed and inform. I appreciate your articles! Eva Lande Bloomfield Township JVS Miami's New Face Foreign-born Jews are flooding Miami-Dade County, even as the county's overall Jewish pop- ulation continues to shrink. 6 Ann and Leonard Baruch chief operating officer Power Of Prayer There is a tremendous polariza- tion of attitudes about so very many issues in our world that it seems most of us frequently forget our own humanity. The recent and very serious stroke suffered by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has followed by mere days a similar stroke in my father-in-law, an 87-year-old farmer turned tool and die worker. Dad was raised in North Dakota, a Christian. We remember with appreciation her dear husband, Dr. John Mames, as he began to develop this important organization. Untold thousands of Israelis have directly benefited from the assistance offered by the ambu- lances provided by Magen David Adorn. Our own young grand- daughter, Dana Feldman, has served as an intern in providing emergency ambulance service in Israel. Our admiration and our thanks to Eva Mames. May she be given the strength to continue her work on behalf of the Jewish people. Cheers For Eva Who else but Eva Mames deserves recognition for outstanding humanitarian endeavors (Doer Profile, Jan. 5, page 14). Single handedly, she has main- tained the entire Magen David for Israel organization in the Detroit area. • In "Mission Moments" (Dec. 29, page 35) the photo caption gave the wrong age for Robert Goldstein of West Bloomfield, who is 8. • In the Platinum cover story (Jan. 5) on Jewish auto dealers, Jay Feldman was inadvertently omitted. Feldman owns Jay Chevrolet in Highland Township and Liberty Chevrolet in Lyon Township. 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 frequency of publication. 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@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.