Opinion

OTHER VIEWS

Shocking
Simplification

F

or years now, my work with the
crisis? It is difficult to understand why
American Jewish Committee
they think the release of hundreds of
has included both Israel
Palestinian prisoners is a fair exchange
advocacy and the promotion of posi-
for the two kidnapped soldiers and that
tive intergroup relations with diverse
they don't consider the ramifications of
ethnic and interfaith groups in Metro
an Iranian-backed terrorist organiza-
Detroit, including members of the Arab
tion taking over the social structure of
American community. I've been in the
another country. They blame Israel for
trenches from the Presbyterian Church
the destruction and tragedy of Lebanon
USAs divestment issue to the stemming
and say nothing about Hezbollah's role
of anti-Zionist activities on our college
in using that same land as a base for
campuses. There have been numer-
military activity.
ous uncomfortable moments
Then, as I stood in front
throughout the years but noth-
of the podium, among the
ing as unsettling as the July 18
swarming masses holding
rally in Dearborn.
signs equating Israelis to
I was among the thousands
Nazis, I saw, at the micro-
who attended the Dearborn
phone, two Orthodox Jews
walk and rally and I never felt
from New York City. I wasn't
so alone in my life. I walked in
shocked to hear the mes-
a sea of Arab American bodies
sage. All you have to do is
to see and hear the speeches
Sharon a Shapiro read about the anti-Zionist
of their community leaders, to
Neturei Karta sect or walk
Corn munity
hear their protests of "Israeli
in parts of Jerusalem or
V iew
terrorism and U.S. injustice."
New York to see and hear
And as I walked, two streams
their rhetoric. What took me
of thoughts rushed through my mind.
aback was a singular thought: Why was
How young these people are! A whole
it important to the organizers of the rally
generation of Metro Detroiters — our
to invite these two Jews to come to Metro
future neighbors, schoolmates, cowork-
Detroit and to stand among the Arab
ers and leaders will remember this day
American clergy and leaders? What did
forever. These memories will shape their they hope to achieve?
future relationships with Jews here in
My walk back through the streets of
the Detroit area and their understand-
Dearborn to the car was much more
ing of America's foreign public policies,
subdued. The crowd had quickly dis-
Israel and the Middle East conflict.
sipated and all that remained were these
unsettled thoughts. The Jewish commu-
nity in Metro Detroit should be alarmed
about what the future will be like for
our children and their children in Metro
Detroit. The Arab Americans' youthful-
ness and sheer numbers must be noted.
Finally, even though this community
seems to be out of sync with what sig-
nificant leaders of the Arab world are
expressing, we must remember that
these Metro Detroiters feel the most
free. They are learning quickly about
political activism in America and they
have connections with activist groups
Secondly, I questioned with great dis-
throughout the world. We cannot afford
may: How could they simplify the con-
to ignore their anger and misguided
flict so easily? How could they diminish
voiced messages. We need to think long
the reasons behind the escalation of
and hard about future interactions. Our
the war to just Hezbollah's kidnapping
work is certainly cut out for us.
of two Israeli soldiers and why they
Sharona Shapiro is Michigan area direc-
couldn't see what is so obvious to me
tor of the American Jewish Committee's
and to Jews everywhere - that Israel's
Metropolitan Detroit chapter in Bloomfield
very existence is at stake. Why don't
Township.
they talk about the complexity of the

I was among the
thousands who
attended the
Dearborn walk and
rally and I never felt
so alone in my life.

32

July 27. 2006

SPEAK OUT FOR ISRAEL

The Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit urges community mem-
bers to speak out in support of Israel. Allan Gale, assistant director, has provided
contacts for elected officials and for local media outlets as well as tips on voicing
your support. For more information, call the JCCouncil at (248) 642-5393.

Elected Officials
President George W. Bush president@whitehouse.gov
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-1414

Sen. Carl Levin www.levin.senate.gov
Sen. Debbie Stabenow senator@stabenow.senate.gov
United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3121

Congressman Joe Knollenberg rep.knollenberg@mail.house.gov
Congressman Sander Levin slevin@mail.house.gov
Congressman Mike Rogers mike.rogers@mail.house.gov
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter thaddeus.mccotter@mail.house.gov
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 224-3121

Metro Detroit's Major Media

(Contact Public Editors to correct factual errors or talk about overall news coverage or placement.)

The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226
Bill McMillan, Public -Editor: (313) 223-4643, Fax (313) 222-2335
wmcmillan@detnews.com
Nolan Finley, editorial page: (313) 222-2064, Fax (313) 222-6417
letters@detnews. corn

The Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort Street, Detroit MI 48226
John X. Miller, Public Editor: (313) 222-2441 Fax (313) 222-5981
jxmiller@freepress.com
Ron Dzwonkowski, editorial page: (30) 222-6635, Fax (313) 222-6774
letters@freepress.com

The Oakland Press, P.O. Box 436009, Pontiac, MI 48343
John Cusumano, editorial page: (248) 745-4606, Fax (248) 332-8885
john.cusamano@oakpress.coln
Concerns about News Coverage: (248) 745-4619
Letters to the Editor: vop@oakpress.com

(TV and Radio: Contact the News Editor. If not available, leave a detailed voice-mail or write.)

WDIV-TV/NBC/4, 550 W Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, 48226, (313) 222-0444
WJBK-TV/FOX/2, P.O. Box 2000, Southfield, 48037-2000, (248) 557-2000
WXYZ-TV/ABC/7, P.O. Box 789, Southfield, 48037, (248) 827-7777
WWJ-AM (248) 455-7200 • WJR-AM (313) 875-4440
WDET-FM/NPR (313) 577-4146

Tips for Communicating to the Media and Elected Officials
1. Be quick. Respond while the issue is still fresh. Ideally, write or call within
24 hours.
2. Be clew'. If you cannot summarize your message in one or two sentences, it's
not clear enough in your mind. Pinpoint in stark, clear terms what you want
to communicate.
3. Be specific.
Media: Educate don't alienate. Why was it good or bad? Did it show a lack
of context or balance or omit key facts? Identify your goal; is it to convince
the reporter, inform the public or something else?
Elected Officials: Praise, question or request specific actions. If you can't
speak with the official, don't fret; staff is very important.
4. Be concise. It's better to fully explain one point than inadequately cover
five. Be direct and to the point. Let them respond. If they can't answer your
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