PLATINUM

We Jews, who have suffered from cen-
sorship, should not be supporting it.
Moreover, I don't believe censorship is
efficacious. It renders the censored item
into forbidden fruit, making it more
appealing, not less so.
Here in Europe, as in many quarters
in the United States, this discussion has
been joined with the debate over the
Danish cartoons. Various Jewish organi-
zations have pointed out — and right-
fully so — that the Islamic world,
which is so vigorously protesting the
insult they perceive in these cartoons, is
ignoring its own double standard. It has
lived quite comfortably for many years
with a spate of anti-Semitic cartoons.
Some are well nigh pornographic and
worthy of what one might find in Der
Sturmer, the Nazi anti-Semitic newspa-
per.
While it is legitimate to argue that
there is a difference between cartoons
and the murder of millions of people, it
is hard to argue for laws against
Holocaust denial, but demand that the
Danish cartoonists' freedom of speech
be protected. It suggests a double stan-
dard.
More importantly, there is a far better
way to fight Holocaust denial than to
rely on the transitory force of law. When
David Irving forced me to go to court to
defend my freedom of expression, my
most important weapon was the histor-
ical truth. We have truth and history on
our side. From both an ideological and
strategic perspective, those are far more
powerful weapons than laws, especially
laws that seem to counter the ideal of
freedom of expression.
The best way to counter Holocaust
deniers is to teach as many people as
possible this history. That is why cours-
es on history of the Holocaust have
proven so popular and important.
Students who take those courses will
never fall prey to the David Irving-like
distortions.
Jewish tradition teaches that the
word emet, truth, composed as it is
from the first, middle and last letters of
the Hebrew alphabet, encompasses
everything. The truth of the Holocaust
is terrible and painful, but it is the truth
and that is the most potent weapon
anyone could want.

❑

Deborah Lipstadt teaches at Emory

University in Atlanta and is the author of

"History on Trial: My Day in Court with

David Irving" (Ecco, 2005], a winner of the

National Jewish Book Award.

Leaving An Imprint
On The Jewish State

Carley A. Sirlin

fatigues as my work clothes was some-
thing I was able to take a lot of pride
in. The bases that I was placed at were
outside the cities of Haifa and
hat? You are a college stu-
Ramalah. Our madrichot (literally
dent and came all on your
guides),
played a big role in ensuring
own? You paid for your
that
our
experience
on the volunteer
flight, just to help us? Kol Hakavod!
program
was
amazing.
Every night
These were the reactions that my .
after
dinner,
they
would
lead an
group and I came across during our
evening
activity,
which
would
include
volunteer army experience through the
things
such
as
singing
Hebrew
songs,
Volunteers for Israel program. Through
celebrating
Chanukah
or
learning
the program, I was able to work with
about Israel's history. The madrichot I
people from around the world, includ-
had, Talia, Ideet, Judith, Amalia and
ing America, Australia, France and
Jennifer, were the hardest workers I've
Austria.
seen. They jumped through hoops for
Working side by side with the sol-
diers and my new friends was the most us to make sure everything was organ-
ized and we were always comfortable.
rewarding and incredible experience. I
Throughout the program, during
was really able to get that warm and
meals,
free and work time, and specifi-
accomplished feeling in my heart after
cally
our
Chanukah celebrations, I real-
a day's work knowing that I made a
ly
felt
as
though
my madrichot, the
difference in helping Israel.
other
volunteers,
soldiers and I merged
Just within a few days of being on
as
one
big
family.
All of us ranged from
my base, I immediately felt like a citi-
18 to 80 years young. It was a
great feeling to have people
my grandparents' age treating
the younger volunteers as if
we were their own grandchil-
dren.
The program even organ-
ized a trip for all the volun-
teers from all the bases to go
---<;sr, to Jerusalem for a day to tour
the old city and see the Kotel
(Western Wall). There I was
able to have not only a spiritu-
al experience by being in the
holiest city in the world for
Jews, but also a bonding expe-
rience with the other volun-
teers and soldiers.
Carley Sirlin, 19, right, and her madricha,
I can highly recommend the
Talia, 21, in Jerusalerri
Volunteers for Israel program
for anyone who wants to make
a difference in helping Israel and mak-
zen of Israeli society and not a tourist
ing new friends from around•the
anymore by just spending money and
world. ❑
touring Israel. I felt very productive in
Carley Sirlin of West Bloomfield is a sopho-
helping Israel by doing alternative
more at Michigan State University in East
things instead of just boosting the
Lansing. Her major is linguistics.
economy. Our jobs consisted of paint-
ing, kitchen duty, packing emergency
equipment, etc.
To become a Volunteer for Israel
These jobs may seem tedious to
or to arrange a Volunteers for
some, but they turned out to be very
Israel program for your commu -
helpful to the soldiers, so they were
nal group, contact Ed Kohl, (248)
able to take care of more important
788-0551 or Michigan@vfi - usa.org
things that needed to be done on the
or check www.vfi-usa.org .
base.
Also, being able to wear the army

Community View

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Ripples of the Lakes

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4301 Orchard Lake Road

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32418 Northwestern HWY

Video Jack

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Wine Tasters Party Shoppes

1400 S. Cass Lake Road

Whole Foods

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March 2 2006

35