Letters
Digest
Irrevocable Loss
The American Jewish Committee mourns
the passing of Coretta Scott King ("Jews
Remember King," Feb. 2, page 36). The civil
rights movement has lost a devoted activist,
the country has lost a champion for justice
and the Jewish community has lost a loyal
friend.
Her commitment and passion in carry,
ing on, after the assassination of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., a life dedicated to human
rights and justice is her everlasting legacy.
The American Jewish Committee will
long remember Mrs. King's selfless solidari-
ty with the Jewish community, especially in
joining in the fight for the freedom of
Soviet Jews, and in supporting the State of
Israel in her quest for peace and security.
AJC joins with countless people who were
touched by Mrs. King's kindness and
inspired by her determination to continue
the struggle for a better America. We all feel
a deep sense of pain and irretrievable loss.
Andrew S. Doctoroff
chapter president
Sharona Shapiro
Michigan area director
American Jewish Committee
Bloomfield To wnship
Holocaust Education
I have a response to Berl Falbaum's
Community Perspective why Elie Wiesel
would consent to discussing his book
Night on Oprah ("Elie/Oprah: Bad
Pairing:' Feb. 2, page 38). If Mr. Falbaum
knew the context in which Wiesel's book is
being discussed, perhaps there would be
praise instead of doubt and disrespect.
Oprah announced that a national high
school essay contest would be based on
Night. High school students are being
given the opportunity to respond in 1,000
words or less "Why Elie Wiesel's book
Night is relevant today"
The official entry-permission slip
requires student information and the
name of a parent or legal guardian who, if
a winner,-will accompany them on the trip
to the Oprah show.
Jewish.com
The symbol of Turin, the host
city of the 2006 Winter
Olympics, was. originally con-
ceived as a synagogue. Turin's
Jewish community is grabbing
the Olympic opportunity to
show off its rich history.
Read about it on Jewisii.com.
6
February 9 • 2006
Not only is Oprah inviting young read-
ers, she is challenging them to think about
the Holocaust, personally react to the sub-
ject matter and share their inner thoughts
with a family member. What a fabulous
avenue to effectively reach so many! If that
isn't dayenu [enough], Oprah plans to visit
Eastern Europe with Elie Wiesel in the
future.
°I am thrilled that this contest will
encourage young thinkers and their fami-
lies to engage in such sensitive and emo-
tional matters about the Holocaust in their
homes. There are lessons to be learned
from holocausts both past and present.
Karen Keidan Myerson
Bloomfield Hills
Memory Club
I had been concerned about my short-term
memory until I heard about a program
called Memory Club that was starting at
JVS in Southfield.
I joined that program in September 2004
and have been going ever since. It meets
every Tuesday [Ronnie Berman, (248) 233-
4247], and we work on memory techniques
and do all kinds of puzzles and brain-
teasers to exercise our minds. We have
stimulating conversations and have a
chance to socialize.
Every Other week, we meet with a social
worker to discuss any issues that are on our
minds. We also take periodic field trips to
art galleries, the book fair, Holocaust
Memorial Center, etc.
Beatrice Eder
Oak Park
Correction
The story "Perfect Score" (Feb. 2, page 48)
should have indicated that it was written
by special writer Suzanne Chessler.
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Women's Grant Cycle
The Jewish Women's Foundation of
Metropolitan Detroit is into its sixth grant
cycle and is seeking proposals from non-
profit organizations desiring financial sup-
port. Proposals must complement the foun-
dation's mission to advocate and support
the health, welfare and cultural needs of
local Jewish women and girls. •
Proposals must be submitted by organi-
zations with IRS 501(c)(3) tax designation
to: Jewish Women's Foundation, do Helen
Katz, 6735 Telegraph Road, P.O. Box 2030,
Bloomfield Hills 48301 by noon Tuesday,
Feb. 21. Forletails, go to
thisisfederation.orgljwf. In 2005, the foun-
dation awarded more than $76,000 to nine
programs in Metro Detroit and Israel.
The foundation's next educational forum,
"Preventing Affluenza," will be held 6:30
p.m: Tuesday, March 2, at the Max M. Fisher
Federation Building in Bloomfield
Township. Experts will discuss raising chil-
dren with grounded values in an environ-
ment of affluence and privilege. Cost is $18.
For reservations, call the Jewish Women's
Foundation, (248) 642-4260, ext. 141..
Bereavement Support
The National Council of Jewish Women
Greater Detroit Section-SPACE for Changing
Families and Congregation Shaarey Zedek
will offer an eight-week bereavement sup-
port group for adults grieving the death of a
spouse or partner. The group will meet once
a week on Tuesdays through March 8 from
7-9 p.m. at the synagogue in Southfield. A
trained facilitator will lead the group.
This is not a drop-in group; one must
attend all sessions. There is no charge, but
donations are appreciated. Pre-registration
is required. Call (248) 355-9936.
Focus On Security
The security of Israel is topic of a lunch
and learn at Congregation Beth Shalom at
12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Dr. Wilbert Simkovitz, an expert on
national security management, will provide
insights into the current situation and in the
future of Israel, as well as comment on the
Last Week's Results
Should the U.S. and Europe halt
aid to the Palestinians until
Hamas renounces terrorism?
90 percent said yes
10 percent said no
impact of politics on security measures. He
is a licensed professional engineer and
practicing attorney with knowledge of
national security matters, having chaired a
NATO Agreement Working Group and led
U.S. Army R & D teams visiting Israel.
The charge is $10 per person. For infor-
mation or reservations, call Bobbie Lewis,
(248) 546-4255, or Gretchen Weiner, (734)
261-6468, by Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Concert Aids Children
Temple Israel will host "The Music of the
Night:' the congregation's annual fund-rais-
er, on Saturday, Febrary 11, with procee&
toward Jewish education for children.
The event, chaired by Cindy and Barry
Howard and Hilary and Edan King, will
begin at 6:30 p.m. with appetizers, a
strolling dinner and wine. Then there will
be .a silent auction and a Broadway concert,
featuring Temple Israel's Cantor Michael -
Smolash, cantorial soloist Neil Michaels and
conductor Cynthia Kortman Westphal from
the Lion King on Broadway.
Following the concert, guests are invited
to a dessert reception or a patron afterglow.
A special reception will be held for young
adults, ages 21-35, sponsored by Temple
Israel's IMAGINE group.
Tickets are available at various levels of
patronage. Call Elaine at (248) 661-5700.
Adoption Options
Jewish Family Service will host a free
informational meeting about international
adoption 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the
JFS Orley Family Building, 6555 W. Maple,
West Bloomfield. Elaine Billis, from
Adoption Consultants Inc., of Farmington
Hills, will discuss the general atmosphere in
specific countries with adoption programs.
Diane St. Peter, director of Jewish Family
Service's Alliance for Adoption, will present
"Options For Adoption."
Attendees will meet a local family who
has just returned from an international
adoption experience.
Advance registration is required. Contact
Anna Donovan, (248) 592-2343 or adono-
van@jfsdetroit.org.
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