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This Week
The Iranian Problem
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G
oing to war with Iran isn't top of mind for Israel's U.S. con-
Out of those sanctions has come some Arab recognition of the
sul general to the Midwest, which includes Detroit. Barukh threat that Iran is because of its maniacal determination to control
Binah prefers to ramp up international sanctions, which
the Middle East through fear reinforced by one day having nuclear
he feels have begun to affect the terrorist regime's oil-driven
weapons and the willingness to use them. "Already, we've
economy. Iran, with nuclear capability to become a Middle
begun to see pressure building within Iran',' Binah said.
East super power, is Israel's biggest threat. But Israel doesn't
As an example, he cited an Iranian Web site interview
consider Iran just its concern.
with a leader of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Ali
"It's an international problem," said Binah, in the third year
Rashidi.
of his four-year assignment as Israel's Chicago-based consul
Translating, Binah said the Iranian business insider
general.
acknowledged that bankers and traders have found it
Defending Israel's Iranian strategy, Binah told the JN in
harder to do business in Iran. "Iranian importers must
an exclusive interview arranged by the Jewish Community
act through third parties and this is why they have to buy
Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit, "We've been able to Barukh Binah extra overhead of 20 to 30 percent. They also lose the war-
convince agencies, countries and the United Nations Security
ranty on everything that they buy this way."
Council that Iran is a danger."
Importers must import through countries like Dubai. And they
Binah cited two waves of sanctions, diplomatic and economic, and can't do anything on the international banking stage in U.S. dollars;
a third round coming.
they need to use the Euro, which is more expensive because of the
"We're talking about sanctions that got approval of all members
position of the dollar.
of the Security Council that have veto power, including China and
"The international sanctions on the Iranian banking system make
Russia:' said Binah on Sept. 7 over lunch at Yossi's Famous Falafal in
it more difficult for industrialists in Iran to get credit and to access
West Bloomfield. "That's not Israel's doing, but certainly we've helped credit lines," Binah quoted the chamber leader.
convince the world that Iran is a danger."
- Robert A. Sklar, editor
A Good Seal
Jews are under attack on multiple fronts – physically by
Islamist terrorists, spiritually by Jews for Jesus, emo-
tionally by anti-Zionists and secularly by the whims of
assimilation.
This is no time for weak hearts or empty Judaism.
The Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur enable us to ponder where we are as a people and
what we can do to improve our collective lot. They are
meant to stir us, challenge us and inspire us.
We move from Rosh Hashanah, a time to
reflect on our shortcomings as a commu-
nity and as individuals in months past, to
Yom Kippur, when we seek God's for-
giveness, when we seek atonement.
As we gather this Friday night
to observe Yom Kippur, one of the
holiest of days, let us reaffirm our
will to repel evil forces no matter
where they surface.
The haunting melody of "Kol Nidrei"
asks for release from vows or promises that cannot be
kept in accordance with Jewish law. The solemn strains
invite us to reassess what is truly important in our lives
– as Jews, as Americans and as human beings. Embrace
the invitation.
G'mar chatimah tovah. May you be sealed for a good
year.
And Shabbat shalom!
Robert A. Sklar, editor
Calling All Secrets
In conjunction with Frank Warren's PostSecret Project (www.postse-
cret.com), opening at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery on Oct.
25 at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, the pub-
lic is being asked to anonymously contribute a secret to the JCC
PostSecret Project.
Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen
kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, feeling, confession. Reveal
anything — as long as it is true and you have never shared it with
anyone before.
Write your complete secret and create an image on the blank side
of a postcard-sized index card. To share two or more secrets, please
use multiple postcards. Go to the Web site to get an idea of the cre-
ativity that can go into the postcards. Tips be brief, be legible and
be creative. Send them to JCC PostSecret Project, Janice Charach
Epstein Gallery, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322.
A selection of the postcards collected will be exhibited in con-
junction with main exhibition.
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
Yiddish Limerick: The Penitent
It's shoyn Yom Kipper* and er** is here
Er davnt*** hard and, oy, what fear!!
Er zogt**** "Al Chet"*****
And, now, I'll bet
Again he'll sin another year.
* shoyn Yom Kipper — already Yom Kippur
** er — he
*** davnt — prays
**** zogt — says
*****Al Chet — a prayer outlining sins
Rachel Kapen of West Bloomfield prepared this limerick in memory of the
late Mary Jo Fleischmann, longtime JN Yiddish limerick writer.
8
September 20 2007
Celebrations!
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With 600 long-range missiles
aimed at Israel, is Iran issuing
an ultimatum it will carry out?
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