World Two mortgage payments behind, Just how long will it take to get ahead? DIGEST Clinton, Giuliani Lead Mrs. F. is not alone. Hebrew Free Loan Association reports a 48% increase for bridge loans between jobs or an illness/ disability, which include loans for rent/mortgage payments, and basic living expenses. Washington/JTA — U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Rudy Giuliani come in first and second in approval ratings in a poll of American Jews. Clinton, the front-runner among Democrats, scored 53 percent in this year's American Jewish Committee poll. Giuliani, the former New York mayor and a front-runner among Republicans, received a 41 percent favorable rating. Giuliani was ahead — albeit within the margin of error of 3 percentage points — of two other Democratic front-run- ners, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who tied at 38 per- cent. Such a staunch showing for a Republican is unusual in a com- munity that trends strongly Democratic. Respondents broke down into 58 percent Democrat, 26 percent independent and 15 per- cent Republican, diverging from the third-third-third breakdown that is the norm in general population polls. The phone survey of 1,000 Jewish Americans was conducted Nov. 6-25. Can there be anything more frightening than losing the roof over your head? Mrs. F., a widowed mother of three, suddenly found herself out of work with a mortgage she no longer could afford, and owing more on her home than she could possibly sell it for. Although a previous donor to Federation, Mrs. F. never imagined turning to Hebrew Free Loan Association for assistance. Fortunately, our community came through for her, providing a bridge loan until she found a new job in town. In ways you may never know or predict, your gift to the Jewish Federation adds strength and value to our endeavors, because it goes to support 19 local agencies, including Hebrew Free Loan Association, where miracles large and small happen every day. Bush, Jews Confer When you give, you give more than money. You give hope. Three ways you can give: Hotline: 248-205-2550 Online: jewishdetroit.org Mail: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit P.O. Box 2030 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030 IC Jewish Federation at io ;t of Metropolitan Detroit If you act before December 31, you may realize a tax advantage. 1331880 40 LINGERIE Here's a second chance to see December Platinum 1N LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30-6 Closed Sunday 265 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham 248-642-2555 A22 December 13 0 2007 Thai Kitchen Farmington Jet's Pizza West Bloomfield China Queen Walled Lake Ginopolis Farmington Hills Whole Foods West Bloomfield Star Bakery Southfield Blimpie Subs Farmington Hills Shangri-La West Bloomfield New York Foods West Bloomfield Papa Romano's Novi Dollar General Walled Lake Empire Szechuan Garden • Southfield Washington/JTA — President Bush met with Jewish leaders from throughout the world. The presi- dent customarily meets with Jewish leaders before the White House's annual Chanukah reception in the Roosevelt Room. At the meeting Monday, which was International Human Rights Day, many of the leaders were born outside the United States and came to America in search of religious freedom. The guests included Jack Abraham, president of what is believed to be the only Afghan syn- agogue in the United States, Anshei Shalom in New York; Dr. Mayer Ballas, the founding president of the Council to Rescue Syrian Jews; Yuli Edelstein, the former deputy speaker of the Knesset; and Ruth Pearl, the co-founder of the Daniel Pearl Foundation and the mother of the slain Wall Street Journal reporter. Bush said the group discussed "how America must remain engaged in helping people real- ize the great blessings of religious freedom."