In Katrina's Wake from page 31 Public Forum Scheduled they had gone through the same thing. "Many people were so used to giv- ing to others that they were embar- rassed about accepting aid. I would tell them that the sooner they were made whole, the sooner they could be back to their traditional role of help- ing others:' The traditional counseling role of JFS has changed as well. With many families now living with several gen- erations while their homes are being repaired, more clients are coming in for family counseling. In Baton Rouge, which received many older evacuees, JFS plans social events that bring iso- lated older adults together; the JCC in New Orleans puts on similar activities. The agency's suicide prevention and education program, Teen Life Counts, is needed more than ever. One volun- teer reported that pre-Katrina, when she would ask high-schoolers what they thought of teens who committed suicide, they would characterize them as selfish and foolish. This past year, the responses were much more sympathetic. She heard students say, for example, that peers who committed suicide "must be real sad because their parents were crying all the time." Yet, even against the backdrop of government incompetence and uncer- tain levees, many residents are buoyed by optimism. Two Sundays ago, community mem- bers gathered for a chanukkat habayit, a home dedication ceremony in which a mezuzah is hung, for Georgette Somjen, a physician moving to town. Later, a brit milah (circumcision) was celebrated for the son of Gary and Susan Lazarus, who are committed to remaining in New Orleans. Dan Alexander, a fourth-generation New Orleanian, and his wife, Lazelle, also a native, attended both celebra- tions. Katrina destroyed their home and surrounding neighborhood, where they had lived for 43 years. The house was bulldozed a few weeks ago. An 81-year-old retired public schoolteacher, Dan Alexander said, "When you lose your home, it is like losing a relative." Buying and moving into a new house was "the farthest thing from my mind': he said. "But what's the alterna- tive? You have to move on and estab- lish a whole new type of existence!' For more on Katrina, go to www.JNonline.us Gerald Greenwald, former vice chairman of Chrysler Corp. and former chairman and chief executive officer of United Airlines, will speak about the "War on Science" at a free, public forum at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Birmingham Temple. Greenwald will discuss how religious conservatives and fundamentalists are waging a war on science and its potentially negative implications for the American economy and people. His address will be followed by remarks from State Rep. Andy Meisner, who recently introduced legislation to liberalize Michigan's restrictions on the use of stem cells in medical research. The forum will be the opening rally for a new advocacy organization,"Scientists and Citizens United." There is no charge for this event. A second forum in the series "Confronting the Religious Right;' will be presented by Rabbi Sherwin Wine, the Birmingham Temple's founding rabbi, at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11. Rabbi Wine will discuss the growing power of conserva- tive and fundamentalist religions, their attacks on Darwinian evolution and the implications for science and human welfare. There is an $8 charge for this forum for individuals who are not temple members. For information about the Forum series, call (248) 477-1410 or a www.bir- minghamtemple.org. SUNDAY es Poppelreiter Distinguished Walker List 2006 Chief, West Bloomfield Ronald D. Cronin Police Chief, West Bloomfield The American media downplays Palestinian suffering, and takes Israel's side in the Middle East con- flict. The Answer: Recent examples of Arab manipula- tion of the media — inflated death counts in Qana, Lebanon; a doctored photo by Reuters; and the kidnap- ping of Fox News Channel's Steve Centanni — reveal that accurate media coverage from the Arab side is difficult, if not impossible. Complete freedom of the press and freedom of movement encourages fair cover- age while reporters are on Israeli soil; however press restrictions and intimidation are the rule in Israel's neighboring countries. - Allan Gale, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit Honorable Susan Moiseev Honorable Edward Sosnick Rich Luterman WJBK FOX 2 Mindy Markowitz 104.3 FM - Murray Feldman WJBK FOX 2 Murray Gukt WJR "Big Al" Muskovits 104.3 FM JOIN OUR 2006 PI ■ ESTIGIOI'S SPONSORS Diamond . The U.J. 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RCN SiC ► l •Ord Health Systems. hest Bloomfield Sale 9:30 am-2:00 p VIC o.dether -tote .kkiva HILLEL DAY SCHOOL The Mo..-ivs of the jewis.li ederation U ELDE LIN Connecting People & Services 6710 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus 248-661-2969 • www.jhas.org JN 1143580 August 31 0 2006 35