Letters Proposal Makes Sense Keeping The Faith The letter "Facts on Gender Politics" contends that the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is "an extreme proposal" (May 4, page 6). The only thing extreme is support for policies that unjustly discriminate on the basis of race. More than 500,000 registered Michigan voters signed a petition that led to the ballot proposal. The letter declared that publicly funded programs such as "breast, prostate and cervical cancer screenings" would be eliminated or jeopardized if the MCRI passes. In 1996, voters in California passed Proposition 209, a law that mirrors the MCRI. In fact, residents in California have easy access to a multitude of programs offering free breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests, pelvic exams, prostate exams and PSA testing. The California Department of Health Services lists numerous programs that stand ready to assist those in need. (dhs.ca.govicancerdetection/ breastcancer/breastcancer.htm). The letter also stated that "domestic violence treatment and prevention programs" would be eliminated or imperiled if the MCRI passes. In fact, the Statewide California Coalition for Battered Women lists numerous organizations established to sup- port victims of domestic abuse (www.sccbw.org ). Honest debate about this issue is beneficial. Policies that promote preferential treatment based on race contradict the bedrock of the Civil Rights Movement. Racial discrimination is morally wrong whether the victims are black or white. Dr. Martin Luther King was absolutely correct when he stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' Your article "Grave Robbers" (May 11, page 26) highlights how unfortunate it is when people in charge of a cemetery breach their fiduciary duties and money dedicated to trust funds vanishes or is invested improperly. It is as if they were stealing from the deceased and their families, who believed their gravesites would be cared for in perpetuity. We at Clover Hill Park Cemetery of Congregation Shaarey Zedek hold these trusts sacred. When Clover Hill Park was opened in 1918, a separate board of trustees, apart from the synagogue, was established to insure that the cemetery was a totally independent unit and funds collected by the cemetery remained with the cemetery. The board of trustees of Clover Hill Park Cemetery is comprised of dedicated com- munity leaders, with Lawrence Jackier serving as chairman. The board oversees all expenditures and meets at regular intervals throughout the year to review and evaluate the fiscal perfor- mance of the cemetery with a quarterly investment review of the trust funds. As a traditional Jewish cemetery, we recognize the responsibility as the keeper of family memories. Clover Hill Park Cemetery has made a commitment to the community to provide a beautiful, fiscally strong facility that will last into perpetuity. Raymond Dubin Farmington Hills Ralph Zuckman executive director Clover Hill Park Cemetery Birmingham More Supporters Contributing Editor Elizabeth Applebaum wrote a beauti- ful article on an event held at Yeshiva Akiva on May 7 between the upper school students at Akiva and children from Kids Kicking Cancer ("Getting Their Kicks," May 11, page 46). To see all the kids together, laughing and having a great time, was truly inspiring. I think it's important to men- tion that another Akiva parent, Michal Korman of Southfield, was an important part of the team that organized this event. Also, parent and teacher Karyn Faber led the jewelry-making activity for the kids, along with teacher Jessica Gloveck. And lastly, Joe Cornell was instru- mental in the success of this event. They donated the time of a wonderful emcee, Rachel Lachover, and a disk jockey, Josh, that really got all of the kids "moving and grooving" together. It was an awesome day! Rallying For Darfur On April 29, our family traveled with the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit caravan to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Rally to Stop Genocide/Save Darfur dem- onstration ("Upholding 'Never Again:" May 4, page 20). The trip was particularly meaningful to us because we were celebrating our daughter Ariel's 13th birthday, and we marked her bat mitzvah on the bus. Through her b'nai mitzvah class at Congregation Kehillat Israel in East Lansing, Ariel had learned about the situation in Darfur and has spent the year organizing and educating her middle-school peers about the situation. We felt that participating in the D.C. rally would be a perfect way to mark her entrance into Jewish adulthood by honoring her own, very grown-up inter- est. We learned about the Jewish Community Council trip and asked if it was possible for us to —Goldfein 'W61. ldeS paAeld lie Japeay-alcinop e aweb }s-1l} aL14 ut s3uem mioA maN ay} 1131Aou.iy a!JJ0VJ pue uoploo pis tuluuea AJJeH luewpiaj AJJeH :Jamsuy May 18 • 2006 East Lansing What A Walk! Southfield New research shows that four Jewish baseball players once were in the lineup for a Major League game at the same time. Who and when? 6 Donna Rich Kaplowitz Jill Greenbaum IlLEMET 'cha Don't Know (Copyright 2006. Jewish Renalssance Media participate. Publicly and privately, people acknowledged Ariel's contribu- tions toward the Darfur cause and commended her on her commitment. We all felt as though the experience could not have been better in every way. The organi- zation was phenomenal. There was not ever a need that went unmet; as seasoned travelers, we all returned to Michigan feeling deeply impressed with the orga- nization of this trip. Thanks to everyone involved in making the Walk for Israel a significant statement of public support for Israel. The Detroit Jewish News was very gracious and kind in the articles covering the event ("Israel At 58," May 11, page 22). Without Andre Douville, exec- utive director of Temple Shir Shalom, providing the location for the West Bloomfield walk and the hosting of the lunch, there would not have been a walk. Without Art Fishman and his band of brothers and main- tenance staff, things would not have flowed so smoothly. To the sponsors (especially the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that signed on to an event that was done on the fly) I am very grateful. To the volunteers that helped set up and distribute lunch and handle parking, I am thank- ful. I appreciate Jewish Family Service providing a shuttle van, Yossi Adler from Zeman's Bakery in Oak Park providing cookies, Cantorial Soloist Penny Steyer of Shir Shalom singing the anthems and blowing the shofar and Uri Segal for the Israeli dancing. Also, thanks to Linda Stulberg (Stand With Us-Michigan) and Don Cohen (B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region-Enlighten America) for guidance and sug- gestions. I also want to thank Channels 4 and 7 for covering the event, the West Bloomfield Police for aiding in traffic cross- ing and to West Bloomfield Supervisor David Flaisher for enlisting their support. There are many others to thank but space limits their recognition in this venue. I must thank my lovely wife, Cathy, for putting up with my crazy ideas and keeping me grounded. My final thanks to the Almighty for blessing us with beautiful weather for the walk and with an abundance of ruach for Israel. Mark Segel Southfield An Inclusive Walk As an Israeli native who par- ticipates annually in the Martin Luther King Day United We Walk in West Bloomfield, it was a given that I would participate in the Walk for Israel on May 7 along a section of Walnut Lake Road that has became known as Synagogue Row, with Temple Shir Shalom, Keter Torah, Shaarey Zedek B'nai Israel Center, Temple Kol Ami and Temple Israel ("Israel At 58:' May 11,s page 22). The route of the Israel walk was from Shir Shalom to Kol Ami and back. Often following the United We Walk, I wrote in local newspapers, including the Jewish News, about the inclusive nature of the walk, which is inherent in its name. May the annual Salute to Israel Synagogue Row walk become as inclusive an event wheie the disparate inhabitants of West Bloomfield and its environs walk together in harmony. Rachel Kapen West Bloomfield How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. 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