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Reduce Fire, Burn Risk
A
This Week
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new Jewish organization is heightening the role of fire safety
and prevention among Jews, given the many Judaic rituals
involving open flame.
Maccabe Aish Inc. created www.jewishfireprevention.org especially
for Shabbat- and holiday-observant Jews. A CD version of the Web site
also is available.
The Web site offers teaching materials, home safety information,
activities for kids, a fire risk assessment, a fire safety video and details
about ritual-observance fire disasters. The site also offers materials
for schools, synagogues, camps and communal groups that want to
play up fire safety and prevention at programs or fairs.
"Many Jewish observances, such as Sabbath candles, Chanukah
menorah lighting and burning of chometz before Passover, include the
use of fire," said Eli Matt Goldstein, founder of Maccabee Aish. "While
60-70 percent of Jews report participating in some type of personal
religious observance, those who participate in observances regularly
are exposed to an elevated risk."
Maccabee Aish Inc., 1498 Reisterstown Road, Suite 236, Pikesville, MD 21208.
Call: (877) 585-1226. E-mail: info@jewishfireprevention.org.
Dearborn Rally Urges Peace
Chants for Hezbollah and pictures of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah,
were absent at the Aug. 14 "peace rally" held at the same Dearborn
park as last summer's raucus protest during the war between
Hezbollah and Israel. This year's family-oriented rally, replete with
picnicking and music, featured calls for an end to war in Iraq,
Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
The event organizer was the Congress of Arab American
Organizations, the umbrella organization of more than a dozen Arab
American groups. CAAO also organized last year's march and rally.
The 2007 event was more of a celebration than a demonstration. It
took place the same day that Hezbollah held a victory celebration in
Lebanon to mark what Nasrallah called a "divine victory" over Israel
and its supporters.
"We love peace Osama Siblani, CAAO leader and publisher of the
Dearborn-based Arab American News told the crowd of more than
1,000.
Though neither Hezbollah nor Israel was explicitly mentioned,
Siblani told the crowd, "our families...were killed by thugs and mur-
derers" without clarification but with apparent reference to the Israeli
army. No such condemnations of Hezbollah were made. While the
American presence in Iraq was criticized, American officials weren't
called out by name and ridiculed as they were last year.
The portion of Hemlock Park where the rally was held was adorned
with large banners saying, "Midwest Wants Peace in the Middle East"
and "Make Peace" as well as one with pictures of children each with a
flag — Iraqi, Palestinian, Lebanese and American — painted on their
face. Just like last year, many in the crowd carried Lebanese flags.
Earthquake Relief
Several American Jewish organizations are collecting funds to help
victims of last week's earthquake in Peru that killed at least 500 and
injured about 1,500. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their
homes, and casualty reports still are coming in.
B'nai B'rith International disaster relief fund is designed to help
the community at large, regardless of religion. BBI partners with
local relief agencies to get help to where it's most needed. In Peru,
BBI is teaming up with Brother's Brother Foundation to distribute
medicines. The B'nai B'rith leadership team on the ground in Peru
will coordinate the relief efforts. The BBI-Brother's Brother partner-
ship has provided assistance to hospitals and clinics throughout Latin
America for disasters in the past.
"Our heart goes out to the victims of this disaster:' said BBI
Executive Vice President Daniel Mariaschin.
Donations can be made to: B'nai B'rith International Disaster Relief
Fund, 2020 K St. NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006. Or donate
online at www.bnaibrith.org/peru . In the comment section of the
donation page, fill in "Peru."
Similarly, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
has opened an emergency mailbox to collect funds for relief efforts
for Peruvian earthquake victims.
"Our hearts and our hands go out to victims who are suffering. As
always, the JDC will mobilize all our efforts to help those in need:' said
Steve Schwager, JDC executive vice president.
To make a contribution, go online to www.jdc.org ; call (212) 687-
6200; or send a check payable to Peru Earthquake Relief to P.O. Box
530, 132 E. 43rd St., New York, NY, 10017.
Goldstein lives in Maryland where he is a fire department paramed-
ic, a physician assistant in emergency medicine, a Hatzalah member
and a hospital health and wellness director. He earned a doctorate in
health sciences.
Traditional fire safety and prevention programs suggest avoiding
leaving candles and cooking appliances unattended, and extinguishing
candles and turning off stoves before going to sleep. These suggested
interventions are not always possible for ritually observant Jews.
The prevalence of observant Jewish families in burn centers is
higher than that of other religious groups, Goldstein said.
"Unfortunately, it has become all too common to hear of fire-relat-
ed tragedies in the Jewish community;' he said.
Celebrations!
Find weekly listings of births,
b'nai mitzvah, engagements,
weddings and anniversaries
online as well as past simchahs
all online. They are bundled
under each publication date.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on Lifecycles on the left.
- Robert A. Sklar, editor
E-Newsletter
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- Don Cohen, special writer
It's easy to designate the kinds
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At JNonline.us. Just click on
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JBlog
Arnie Goldman shares his
thoughts about the Iraq war,
little mitzvahs and more.
Jeff Klein offers his Metro
Perspectives on everything
from dating to friendship.
At JNonline.us . Just click on
JBlog on the menu on the left.
Latest From Israel
Want current news from Israel?
Check our streaming news from
Ynetnews.com for updates and
longer news, opinion and fea-
ture stories. Look at the center
of our Homepage for an Israel
story that changes twice daily.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on a scrolling story on
the left.
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
Last week's poll results:
JCRC Sponsors Israel Trip
The Jewish Community Relations Council and
the Fellowship of Israel and Black America
(FIBA) is co-sponsoring a tour of Israel in
January open to the community. Christian Zionist
Pastor Glenn Plummer of Plymouth and JCRC
President Todd Mendel will lead the January trip,
which will culminate with Israel's first Martin
Glenn
Luther King Jr. Awards ceremony presented by
Plummer
Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Knesset.
African Americans and Jews will see the Holy Land together
through both Jewish and Christian eyes. Trip highlights include a
reception for tour participants hosted by the U.S. ambassador at his
8
August 23 • 2007
Todd
Mendel
official residence, visits to religious sites of deep mean-
ing to Christians and Jews, political and security brief-
ings by senior Israeli government officials, an optional
solidarity visit to Sderot and site visits to Partnership
2000 projects.
The trip leaves Detroit on Jan. 8, returns on Jan. 17,
and costs $2,639 double occupancy (single supple-
ment $425) including airfare from Detroit, five-star
hotels, breakfast and dinner each day, excursions and
transfers. For more information, call the Council office,
(248) 642-5393.
- Ken Guten Cohen, story development editor
Will America leave Iraq before
the 2008 election?
Yes 23%
No 77%
This week's poll question:
Does Labor Day have any
meaning to you besides a legal
holiday from work?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage, below the left
menu, to cast your vote.