Letters DIA Apologizes I deeply regret the offense that has been caused by the Detroit Institute of Arts holding a members-only preview of the Annie Leibovitz exhibition on Rosh Hashanah (Editor's Letter, "Sharpening The Focus," Sept. 14, page 5). It is undoubtedly an insuf- ficient excuse, but balancing the complexities of our construction and exhibition schedules led us to the wrong decision. We have scheduled three additional dates on which the exhibition curator will give her presentation. I apol- ogize again and have taken steps to ensure that this never recurs. director The Arab American Political Action Committee is an invalu- able institution that helps integrate Arab Americans into the larger society. A well- respected mainstream group, AAPAC suggests candidates that Arab Americans should consider when voting as well as gives sup- port to candidates that hold posi- tions in the best interest of the community and the country. Your call to isolate AAPAC can only be seen as an attempt to remove whatever Arab American influence exists in the political process. This is especially trou- bling since Jewish Americans deserve much of the credit for laws that made this country what it is: open, tolerant and inclusive. Detroit Institute of Arts Oman Alkhatib Detroit president Graham W. J. Beal American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee A Political Siege I am writing to express my dis- may at Robert Sklar's Editor's Letter "Don't Mainstream Extremists" (Aug. 31, page 5). This opinion column is particularly troubling since it comes from the voice of Jewish Americans in the Detroit area. The truth is that it is not pos- sible to improve the relations between the descendants of the children of Abraham when statements, in context or out of context, made by two leaders of the Arab American community are used as a pretext to produce a political isolation of perhaps the only Arab American PAC in the Detroit area. I can assure you that even those who disagree with Osama Siblani and Abed Hammoud view your advocacy as an attempt to impose a politi- cal siege on Arab Americans in the Detroit area. Your call for isolation will not help bridge the divide between Jews and Arabs in the Detroit area. Detroit Principl.e First We salute Michigan gubernato- rial candidate Dick DeVos for putting principle above politi- cal expediency in declining to appear before the Arab American Political Action Committee ("New Awareness," Sept. 14, page 14). When presented with fuller disclosure about the hate-inciting pronouncements of its leader- ship, DeVos did the right thing and canceled his engagement. Kudos to DeVos for refusing to confer legitimacy and main- stream acceptability upon dan- gerous groups seeking to exploit political seals of approval and pass themselves off as moderates when their leadership records reveal they are anything but. DeVos has established a bench- mark against which all our state's elected officials and their chal- lengers should be judged. Our community also owes a debt of gratitude to Jewish News Editor Robert Sklar for using the power of his pen to expose the radical agenda of the leadership of AAPAC and the Congress of Arab American Organizations and to demand accountability on the part of public officials on both sides of the aisle. We, too, as a constituency have to own up to our responsibilities. Just as no self-respecting black community would let a public official speak before a Ku Klux Klan meeting, no self-respecting Jewish community should give a pass to politicians who speak for individuals or organizations demonizing Jews or Israel. Whether it be a candidate, the city of Detroit, the president of Malaysia or the U.N., we must put all on notice that we will hot-fold-ate anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist intolerance nor will we remain passively mute when professors, politicians, journalists and institutions pander to pur- veyors of hate and violence. It's time we wake up and rec- ognize that we are a minority under global assault, and if we don't step up to vigorously assert our rights we will have only ourselves to blame for the conse- quences. Linda Stulberq, director Ed Kohl, communications coordinator StandWithUs-Michigan Oakland County Great Campaign The article on the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's allocation of more than $11,383,000 to local agen- cies misses the mark ("Slight Increase," Sept. 14, page 20). The title of the article sets the wrong tone and the article itself fails to acknowledge one of the greatest campaigns and fundrais- ing efforts the Detroit Federation has ever seen. Indeed, the dollar MERU Icha Don't Know There are two names that Israelis cannot adopt, except by marriage. What are they? —Goldfein wAuone ue paiap!suo3) zlem JO asapd) uatio3 •(„}sand snoalq6p„ JO „4apazl uatio4„ gum *bat bue3 spas! 'aounot!s snoifmai aAey saweu ay} asnepag Liamsuy saweu 0Copyrkeit 2006, Jewish Renaissance Media 8 September 21 • 2006 iN increase in allocations to local agencies for fiscal year 2007 was more than half a million dollars, one of the greatest dollar increas- es at any time in recent memory. This dollar amount represented an increase of approximately 5 percent. This contrasts with much smaller increases in the several years prior thereto and a decrease in at least one earlier year. All in all, the Federation is proud of the immensely suc- cessful fundraising efforts and the accomplishments that were achieved through the support of almost 11,000 donors in our community. Peter M. Alter president Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Bloomfield Township Critical Mission I would like to thank Robert Sklar for his Editor's Letter, "The Power of Docents" about the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills (Sept. 7, page 5). As a Holocaust docent, I always feel transformed and enriched after conducting a tour. To wit- ness the change of expression on students' faces as they "connect the dots" between hateful speech and actions and the murder of 6 million people is humbling and powerful. As a mother of three school- age children, I feel it is my responsibility to teach the lessons and consequences of hatred and intolerance. I thank Robert Sklar for highlighting our mission that, unfortunately, isiii2OW more important than ever. Gail Fisher Precious Jewel How wonderful to see the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills receive the respect it deserves in the Editor's Letter by Robert Sklar, "The Power Of Docents" (Sept. 7, page 5). I am one of those "age 50-plus" docents who has been at the cen- ter for nearly 20 years. As a "pro- fessional" volunteer, I have found that this is the most rewarding and meaningful volunteer expe- rience for me. Everyone at the center, from the architects and craftsmen who worked on the building to the professional and volunteer staff, all feel a commitment and dedication that transcend politics and turf. The Holocaust Memorial Center is a precious jewel in the secular, and especially the Jewish, com- munity. The center and the les- sons it teaches deserve the moral and financial support of all. West Bloomfield Thank You r Joel Thank you for publishing "Feeding The World" by Staff Writer Shelli Dorfman (Sept. 14, page 38). Although not a close friend, I have known Joel Jacob for 20 years. While Joel is reserved and modest, his accomplishments are breathtaking. Before his death, Robert F. Kennedy would often say in every corner of the planet, "One person can make a difference." Joel best exemplifies this and is a role model and hero for us all. Imagine a world where every- one contributed to society as Joel Jacob does. Harvey S. Bronstein Southfield Donna R. Sklar Farmington Hills Letters on page 11 How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or 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, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.