I Front Lines NOTEBOOK JNenline This Week The Iranian Problem www.JNonline.us 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! 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. E-Newsletter Desire notification when sto- ries that interest you in partic- ular are posted on JNonline? It's easy to designate the kinds of stories you like when you sign up for your personalized e-newsletter. Only 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. Only at JNonline.us. Just click on JBlog on the menu on the left. Latest From Israel Want the most current news from Israel? Check our stream- ing news from Ynetnews.com for continuous updates and longer news, opinion and fea- ture stories. And 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. This week's poll question: With 600 long-range missiles aimed at Israel, is Iran issuing an ultimatum it will carry out? Visit the JNonline.us homepage, below the left menu, to cast your vote.