Front Lines
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iNenline
This Week
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www.JNOnline.us
Robert A. Sklar
Israel and the need for checkpoints in order to prevent ter-
rorists from getting access. I think it's important for this
group to know that Israel has not imposed these restric-
he top professional of Detroit Jewry's public affairs
tions arbitrarily. There have been numerous well-docu-
voice blasted anti-Israel propaganda by the leader
mented incidents when PRCS ambulances have been used
of the Palestinian "humanitarian" organization
to transport weapons and terrorists, and PRCS ambulances
known as the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
and a hospital have been used to attack Israelis."
The vitriol came in a Jan. 28 conference call hosted by
Cohen went on to say that Israel places a great priority
the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red
on providing humanitarian aid to all people. "These are
Robert Cohen
Cross for local community leaders. The intention was to
instructions that are drilled down to the individual soldier
introduce them to PRCS President Younis Al-Khatib.
in the field, and it's consistent with not only international
"The invitation said Mr. Al-Khatib would talk about how the Red
law but also with Jewish values: That aid workers have to be able to
Cross, PRCS and Magen David Adorn work together to provide medi-
deliver their assistance without impediments, and that aid workers,
cal assistance to those in need:' said Executive Director Robert Cohen
their logos and symbols should not be used in order to cover support
of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit in of terrorists:'
an Insider's View e-mail message posted a day after the meeting.
Magen David Adorn and the PRSC share a blood bank and share
Al-Khatib participated by conference call because his flight to
training facilities. And Israel provides ambulances that are pre-cleared
Detroit had been canceled. "His prepared remarks, which lasted about so they can go through checkpoints into the Palestinian territories,
15 minutes, began as advertised but quickly degenerated into a litany
Cohen noted.
of complaints about the problems created for PRCS by Israel's check-
Dr. Adnan Hammad, director of Community Health & Research
points and 'wall:" Cohen related.
Center for Dearborn-based ACCESS (Arab Community Center for
When comments were invited, Cohen said he thought the meeting
Economic and Social Services) then acknowledged that Israel is coop-
would focus on ways the PRCS and MDA have cooperated and where
erative getting drugs and medical supplies to the Palestinian territories.
they have shared concerns about the importance of protecting inter-
"The international relations and policy director for the American
national and emergency medical respondents. He said he was dumb-
Red Cross, who was also on the call, related that MDA has evacuated
struck by the anti-Israel drumbeat.
numerous patients from Gaza and cooperates with the Red Crescent
"We all are aware of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian ter-
on blood supplies and research even as Arab missiles continue to fall
ritories," Cohen said. "We are aware of the concern over security by
on Israel," Cohen said. I
Editor
T
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Celebrations!
Heartfelt Golfing
Lisa and Adam Ziff of Bloomfield Hills understand firsthand the
benefits of support received by families of children with congenital
heart defects (CHD). The Ziffs — whose 31/2-year-old daughter, Shay,
received a new heart in May 2004 — have become
active with Hearts of Hope of Southeast Michigan.
The group matches families whose children who
have the same or similar congenital heart defects so
they can share stories, experiences and draw support.
Hearts of Hope also holds events for children and
their families and provides resources and informa-
I tion on local activities.
Last year, it established an annual fundraising
Shay Ziff
golf outing, the Hearts of Hope Classic. This year's
event will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 10, at Heather Hills Golf Club,
3100 McKail Road, Romeo.
Lisa Ziff is deeply involved in Hearts of Hope, which she says was
founded by "my fellow 'heart moms.' Adam, a physician, is also a
member and part of the group's medical advisory panel.
"Our passion is to create awareness and spread hope to the many
affected CHDs in our area:' Lisa Ziff said.
Cost for attending the event, which includes a driving range, four-
person scramble, lunch, premium bar, dinner, silent auction and
awards reception, is $400/foursome; $125/individual golfer; dinner
reception without golf/$40.
For information or to register, access the Web site at www.ryder-
golfevents.com/Hearts_of Hope_Classic/or call Mike Teats at (248)
515-0629.
For information or to donate to Hearts of Hope, access the Web site
at www.heartsofhopemi.org .
it's A Wrap
Marking the 40th anniversary of Chabad's Tefillin Campaign, emissar-
ies worldwide continue to teach and encourage the wearing of tefillin.
Also known as phylacteries, the pair of small leather boxes containing
parchment scrolls are worn
strapped to the non-domi-
nant arm and to the head
above the hairline during
morning weekday prayer.
The program was found-
ed by Rabbe Menachem
Mendel Schneerson in the
spring of 1967 during the
troubled times in Israel,
just days before the Six-
Rabbi Schneor Greenberg of the
Day War began.
Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce
"The Rebbe launched
in Commerce Township helps Omer
the campaign calling to
Oppenheim, 13, of West Bloomfield put
Jewish men all over the
on tefillin.
world to strengthen their
fulfillment of the mitzvah
of tefillin," said Mendel Shemtov, a 22-year-old student from Uruguay,
now studying at Yeshivas Lubavitch in Oak Park.
"The Rebbe explained that according to the Talmud, this special
mitzvah has the power to put fear upon the enemies of Israel. 'When
a Jew in America puts on tefillin; said the Rebbe, 'he is supporting his
brother, the soldier, on the frceit lines in Israel."
Since the start of the campaign, it is estimated that Chabad emis-
saries have helped countless Jewish men worldwide put on tefillin,
including more than 400,000 at the Kotel in Jerusalem.
- Shell! Liebman Dorfman, senior writer
- Shelli Liebman Dorfman, senior writer
Find weekly listings of births,
b'nai mitzvah, engagements,
weddings and anniversaries
online as well as past sim-
chahs all online. They are all
bundled under each week's
publication date.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on Lifecycles on the left.
Results from last
week's poll:
Are calls to boycott Israel by
British labor unions and aca-
demics movitvated primarily
by anti-Semitism (rather than
the desire for fairness and
peace)?
Yes 94%
No 6°/o
This week's poll question:
Do you agree with Israel's
recent offer to release 250
Palestinian prisoners?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage to cast your vote.
July 12 • 2007
9