Letters To A Jewish Future We were pleased to read your cover story about the Israeli camper program, a partnership between the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Fresh Air Society are helping create a Jewish future for our kids. Jonah Geller executive director Brian Kepes president Staff photo by Armando Rios Fresh Air Society & Tamarack Camps Ortonville A Rich Story Israeli Scouts Adi Har-Tzvi and Daya Yeffet, both 14, talk to Andrea Goldstein, 11, of West Bloomfield. Tamarack Camps ("Camper Connection," July 6, page 33). It is programs like this that make Tamarack the premier place for Jewish campers. Not only do campers experience their Jewishness in the many activi- ties at camp, but they also get to become friends with some of their peers from Israel. Helping children strengthen their Jewish identity is a prime goal of Tamarack Camps and the Israeli camper program does that for Israelis and Americans alike. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Fresh Air Society continue to show forward thinking in providing for this program as well as for the several hundred Detroit-area youngsters who attend Tamarack on scholarship. Those who support Federation's annual campaign as well as the Israeli Camper program through Federation and the Send a Kid to Tamarack campaign through t4k MENET A little personal experience with Larry Rich, administrator of Emek Medical Center in Israel high- lighted in the JN (Odyssey Of The Soul," June 15, page 26): A year of my time in Israel was spent fulfilling my military obligation. Here I am, 26 years old, a good Jewish boy raised in Oak Park, just drafted, in the middle of nowhere, leaving my new bride alone in Ramat Gan, trying to get used to three hours of sleep night- ly and the "joys" of basic training, and it turns out that the guy in the next cot is from — Oak Park! This "guy" was Larry Rich. There's only one privilege in the Israel Defense Forces' basic train- ing — the privilege of leader- ship; and Larry was the natural leader of our group from the first day. Our officers and non-corn- missions weren't shy in their demands, but any shirker's great- est fear wasn't them, but Larry. Larry finished his service with distinction, saw many difficult days in the reserves and as a civilian became a genuine asset and credit to Israel. Throughout his professional career, Larry has demonstrated quality leadership by example so difficult to find and so dearly valuable. We have maintained our personal contact for 30 years, and I remain inspired by him. Les Goldstein West Bloomfield A Purposeful Academy In response to recent articles, announcements and letters in the JN about the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit ("Gifts Of Learning," July 6, page 26), we want to acknowledge how blessed we feel. The Jean and Samuel Frankel family and the larger Jewish community have enabled our school to build a new and expanded home. We continue to attract students from a wide variety of Jewish backgrounds. Enrollment has reached new heights. We could never have accom- plished so much in so little time if it were not for the generos- ity and support of the larger community. We are deeply grateful that the wide spectrum of Jews in Detroit has put their trust in us. The mission of the Jewish Academy is to develop students with strong intellectual and lead- ership skills, and who contribute to the world around them and are knowledgeable about and com- mitted to leading a meaningful Jewish life. In this way, we hope to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Furthermore, as a nonde- nominational Jewish day high school, we want to make sure that students understand their own movement and that of others. Admittedly, this is a challenge, but one that we embrace with enthu- siasm. At the core of our program, we strive to imbue among our students a love for Jews regardless of denominational affiliation or educational background. We take pride in JAMD's respectful educa- tional environment that enables us to accomplish these goals and thereby empower our students to become builders of a vibrant Where is the oldest continuous Jewish community in the world? —Goldfein • S-InA 000'Z UPLI4 3.10W Joi A4!unwwoD gs!mar paidniialu!un ue peg seq Je!s!uni. lo 1SeOD aqI IIo s! go!qm 'egiara Io puels! aqi :Jamsuv 6 July 13 • 2006 Rabbi Lee Buckman head of school Dr. Marc Borovoy president Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit West Bloomfield The Frankel Gifts Thank you for the wonderful editorial "Gifts Of Learning" (July 6, page 26). The Jewish Academy, under the direction of Rabbi Lee Buckman and his staff, has creat- ed an outstanding and successful Jewish high school. As an active board member of the United Jewish Foundation, I have watched the academy grow and deliver. The gift from Jean and Sam Frankel to the Academy, along with the establishment of the Frankel Judaic Studies and the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan, the Frankel School in Jerusalem and all of the other projects sponsored by Jean and Sam — they are breathtaking. We have been extremely fortunate to have the Frankels in our com- munity. I, along with countless others, have had the privilege of being mentored by Sam Frankel for many years. He has taught us well. Harvey Bronstein Particularly in difficult econom- ic times, funding for the arts often falls low on priority scale. This is particularly true when there are so many important causes in need of support. The commitment of Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County and of these fam- ilies to presenting this important piece of music in a fitting setting was a tremendous gift to all of us. These families, along with many other generous patrons, recog- nized the importance of bringing this piece to the community at large. The musical and social importance of Liberation was highlighted by the venue. It was a delight to sit at Orchestra Hall (endowed a by great Jewish phi- lanthropist) to hear Jewish music played by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, sung by a 150-voice choir, crooned by a jazz-blues trio, harmonized by world-class can- tors, narrated by a multicultural group of religious leaders and conducted by an eminent Jewish conductor. The concert was a triumph in many ways. This we would not have been able to enjoy without the generous primary under- writing of Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg and the Laker families. I applaud and appreciate their sponsorship and the example they and all the other sponsors set for others. Southfield liana Ben-Ze'ev Huntington Woods Wonderful Concert I would like to publicly thank Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg and the Laker families for pro- viding substantial funding for the recent production of Cantor Meir Finkelstein's cantata, Liberation ("Freedom Sings," June 22, page 37). Correction The Community View piece "Where Is OPEC's Palestinian Aid?" (July 6, page 28) mis- spelled the Straits of Tiran at the Gulf of Aqaba. How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or 'cha Don't Know T/Copyriot 2005, Jewish Renaissance Med:a Jewish future for all of K'lal Yisrael (People of Israel). 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 cop- ies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, lettersOthe jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.