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Action Needed On Iran
W
hen it comes to the threat from Iran, "the mes-
first ones to reject a war:' he said. "We don't want it. It
sage to the Jewish community is one of urgen-
will be bad for everyone. Those who support this stance
cy,' says Deputy Israeli Consul General Andy
should be the first to support other options."
David of the Midwest Consulate in Chicago. In town last
Making it clear that containing Iran is not simply a
week to speak to community groups and local media for
Jewish or Israeli issue, he nonetheless bristles at the idea
the Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan
that Jews should be careful not to be too vocal in case
Detroit, he said Iran could start producing nuclear weap-
others try to paint them as the cause of tension.
ons within a year or two. He called for increased economic
"Isn't it important enough to act?" he asks. "It's urgent,
pressure on the regime to strengthen responsible elements
it's a matter of life and death. What more can we be
within Iran.
afraid of What good is your image if you don't act in a
"In Iraq, just one person made all the decisions, but in
crisis?
Iran, you have a council with different ministers and inter- Andy David
"Just listen to what the Iranians are saying as well as
ests," David says, suggesting that ending foreign investment
their actions. They are trying to export the Islamic revo-
in oil sectors and refusing to sell Iran conventional weapons will be
lution with money, training, guidance and religious guidance."
"too high a price to pay" for some in government.
He listed Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
"They need to hear a message that will not be interpreted as they
Turkey as "terrified about Iran."
can just wait a bit [for a new American administration]," he said. "It
"Let's not expect that all these countries are working in Israel's
needs to be put in place now so delay will not be an option:'
interest;' he said.
He says Iran is hurting, having begun to ration oil in late May.
David also expressed admiration for the Iranian people, their aca-
Proposed national and state legislation divesting from companies
demic institutions, their knowledge about the world and their desire
doing business in Iran, like Michigan House Bill 4903 introduced
for freedom.
last week, is not simply a "moral call, but a good economic decision:'
"It is a powerful country not only from a military point of view but
David said. He called for Jewish organizations and individuals to
because of the intellect that exists there he says. "The will of the peo-
review their own portfolios. "We shouldn't wait just for a top-down
ple will eventually take them the right way. But how long will it take,
approach but also implement a bottom-up approach."
and what will the international community do to cripple their ability
David sees the choice as between strong economic and diplomatic
to threaten others until then?"
pressure now, and possible military action in the future. "We are the
- Don Cohen, special writer
Bolstering Our Schools
The JECEI-Covenant Fellows Program will feature two sum-
Three Detroiters are among 18 young leader activists tapped
mer institutes, frequent seminars on leadership development,
for training and mentorship under a new fellows program
dialogue-based Judaic learning, online discussion and one-
intended to help secure the future of Jewish early childhood
on-one mentoring. The third year of the fellowship includes a
education in North America. The program responds to stud-
trip to Israel.
ies showing that 79 percent of Jewish early childhood educa-
Ann Arbor's Harlene Appelman is executive director of the
tion directors will reach retirement age within 5-10 years.
Covenant Foundation, which celebrates and supports innova-
The select group of 18 between the ages of 25 and 40
tive approaches in Jewish education. She says that this type of
Harlene
includes Julie Eisman of Waterford, associate director of
mid-career mentorship and training is integral to the future
Appelma n
education at Temple Israel-Tyner Religious School, West
of Jewish education.
Bloomfield; Beth Raz of Oak Park, early childhood direc-
"We are investing in a cadre of leaders who will have
tor at Yeshivat Akiva, Southfield; and Jordana Weiss of Southfield,
what they need to work together:' says Appelman, who formerly led
director of the Adat Shalom Synagogue nursery and kindergarten,
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's Alliance for Jewish
Farmington Hills.
Education. "Through intensive training, regular meetings and travel,
Program sponsors are the Jewish Early Childhood Education
the cohort will create a group of colleagues on which they can depend
Initiative, Harvard University, the Bank Street College of Education
and turn to for advice."
and the Covenant Foundation.
- Robert A. Sklar, editor
Beanie Babies Sought
The Kulanu group of the Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah is collecting gently
loved Beanie Babies now through June 30. Kulanu Hadassah will donate them to the
Michigan Department of Human Services in Oakland County. Their Tender Loving
Care Program is designed to provide every child in Oakland County, who is removed
from their home due to abuse or neglect, with a bag filled with essential and comfort
items. Drop your Beanies off at Hadassah House, 5030 Orchard Lake Road, West
Bloomfield, or call (248) 683-5030 for more information.
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Rachel Kapen reflects on her
first glimpse of Jerusalem.
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Celebrations!
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Results from
last week's poll:
Should Israel ever consider
redividing Jerusalem as part
of a peace settlement?
Yes 16%
No 84%
This week's poll
question:
Should America and the West
take Iran's inciteful rhetoric as
an immediate threat?
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage to cast your vote.
June 14 * 2007
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