Front Lines NOTEBOOK Alenline Reduce Fire, Burn Risk A This Week www.JNOnline.us 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 To order the CD, send a check or money order for $2.50 payable to: - Don Cohen, special writer It's easy to designate the kinds of stories you like when you sign up for your personalized e-newsletter. At JNonline.us. Just click on Newsletter on the menu near the top of the page. 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.