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iNenline

It Shall Come To Pass

E

very so many years, someone discovers the predictions of
Nostradamus and begins a reinterpretation of events, past
and future.
There is something compelling about considering the world of
inventions to see where we have come from
and where we may be heading in attempts
to make our lives more care free, more time
efficient.
In Jules Verne's day, his writing about air
conditioning and moving sidewalks was clas-
sified as science fiction; it then moved to the
realm of fiction; today, these items are taken
for granted.
The 1960s cartoon favorite The Jetsons
had us all dreaming of flying cars and vari-
ous robotic aids. Actually, it was in 1939 at
the World's Fair that Westinghouse exhibited
the "first ever" robot, Electro, with claims that
it would be reaching households in the "near
future." Though we have not yet reached that day, robots are becoming
increasingly more common in our lives.
Behind-the-scenes robots are in use by companies to replace

This Week

humans in dangerous, difficult or highly repetitive tasks (handling
radioactive materials and can assembly, for example). There are some
robotic-assisted surgery products that allow surgeons to perform
minimally invasive surgery with remote-controlled cameras and
instruments.
I know of several households that swear by the cleaning capabilities
of a robot room vacuum. And there are some who have employed a
robot mower to keep yards maintained.
In the works now are robots that can read and process handwrit-
ing, make cellular calls, judge nutritional value of food, iron clothes.
Stanford University recently won $2 million for a robotic car that won
the U.S. military-sponsored DARPA Grand challenge, an artificial-
intelligence driven automobile competition.
All of us are using automatic aids when we use our computers to
spell check and find (and delete) unwanted e-mail.
If you are machine leery, as I am, you may want to really scare your-
self by seeing the movie I, Robot or read a poem by Steven Vincent
Benet titled "Nightmare No. 3." I am all for progress, but I cannot
shake this nagging feeling that we are surrendering our lives to the
machines.
Wait; why is the cord from my mouse snaking in my direction?
AAAAGH!

❑

Michigan Jewish History

Let Freedom Shine

Want to read about the history of Hinels at the University of Michigan
and Michigan State University. Or the history of Detroit Jewish women
in sports. Or the exhibit on South Haven at the Temple Israel in West
Bloomfield?
It's all in the 46th edition Michigan Jewish History, the Jewish
Historical Society of Michigan's annual publication, the longest con-
tinuously published journal of local Jewish history in North America.
The 85-page journal includes a story about Uriah Levy, a
Michigander, who preserved Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello,
when it was falling into disrepair in the 1800s, and an obituary of
Cantor Stephen Dubov of Congregation Chaye Olam in Bloomfield
Township, who died in 2006.
Story archives are available online a www.michjewishhistory.org
Being a JHS member for $36 a year will get you a free copy; oth-
erwise, it's $10 a copy, said Aimee Ergas, executive administrator. To
become a member call (248) 432-5517 or e-mail JHSofMichigan@
msn.corn.

"Each year, the glow of the menorah is a reminder of the blessings of a
just and loving God and the sacrifices made over the centuries for faith
and freedom',' said President Bush in a press statement issued by the
White House in celebration of Chanukah, the Festival
of lights, which ended Dec. 23.
During Chanukah, he said, "Jewish people every-
where honor the liberation of Jerusalem and the
great miracle witnessed in the Holy Temple more
than 2,000 years ago."
The president added: 'After Jerusalem was con-
quered
by an oppressive king and the Jews lost their
President Bush
right to worship in freedom, Judah Maccabee and his
followers courageously set out to reclaim Jerusalem from foreign rule.
Though their numbers were small, the Maccabees' dedication to their
faith was strong; and they emerged victorious.
"When they returned to their Holy Temple for its rededication, the
Maccabees discovered enough oil to burn for only one day. Yet the oil lit
the Holy Temple for eight days, and the light of hope still shines bright
in Jewish homes and synagogues throughout the world."

- Harry Kirsbaum, staff writer

- Robert A. Sklar, editor

Senate Stalwart

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, the new chairman of the Senate
Armed Services Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations, is seeking re-election in 2008 to another six-year term.
He was first elected to the Senate in 1978.
"The excitement about the first Democratic
Congress in more than a decade is palpable,"
Levin said. "We will begin moving our country
in new directions in Iraq and also here at home
by working to reduce the deficit, increase access
to health care for all Americans, restore cuts in
federal support for education and create jobs,
including good-paying manufacturing jobs."

Sen. Levin

- Robert A. Sklar, editor

Neo-Nazi Sweep

A group of neo-Nazis based in Port Huron is passing out fliers in
Macomb County touting the "sacred swastika" and the mantra of white
supremacy in hopes of boosting membership in the separatist, anti-
minority, anti-Semitic organization.
The fliers have surfaced in Warren, Sterling Heights and Warren. They
take aim at integrated schools, minority agitators and the "Jewish war."
The distribution is the work of the Michigan branch of the National
Socialist Movement, a Hitler-inspired coalition and the largest Nazi
Party operating in America. "We are the political party for every patri-
otic American',' according to its Web site.
"We cooperate and work with many like-minded white nationalist
groups such as the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), Aryan Skinheads, the Racial
Nationalist Party of America and many others which are either neo-nazi
or at least, racially aware of our Aryan heritage."

News And Views

Mitzvah Day in the Detroit
area drew more than 800
Jewish volunteers on
Christmas Day. For an over-
view of the annual event and
a first-time volunteer's per-
spective, go to
JNonline.us . Just click on
News on the left.

JBlog

Jeff Klein offers his
Perspectives on everything
from dating to friendship.
Always thoughtful; often
provocative. Or perhaps
you'd rather read about
the adventures of Laurie
Freeman's China Punim, 4-
year-old Amanda? Only at
JNonline.us. Just click on
JBlog on the menu on the
left.

Latest From Israel

Want the most current
news from Israel? Check
our streaming news from
Ynetnews.com for con-
tinuous updates and longer
news, opinion and feature
stories.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on a scrolling story on
the left.

Last week's poll results:
Will you eat Chinese food on
Christmas?

Yes 71%
No 29%

This week's poll question:
Do you believe the Middle
East will be a more danger-
ous place in 2007?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage to cast your
vote.

- Robert A. Sklar, editor

December 28 a 2006

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