This section is sponsored by • Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County • Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit This Month In 1948 Speed Essential For Zion Solution The following editorial was in a January 1948 issue of the Detroit Jewish News. Statehood came to Israel that May. E nmeshed in a net of international politics, the situation affecting Palestine remains in a complicated state due to the failure of our State Department to act firmly in the matter because of pro- crastination in the ranks of United Nations officials and thanks to attempts by Bevin's British officials to sabotage the U.N. decision and to destroy the Jewish state even before it is set up. British machinations are responsible for the spread of rioting and the destruction of property. Instead of step- ping out of Palestine gracefully and with an effort to cement friendship with Arabs and Jews, British troops have confiscated Haganah arms, thus interfering with adequate defense efforts; they have antagonized Arabs AJC Celebrates Israel The American Jewish Committee is the lead sponsor for the Mylsrael Video Competition as part of its celebration of Israel's 60th birthday. Mylsrael asks individuals 18-26 to make a short video expressing the way that Israel has touched their lives or their thinking. In less than two minutes, participants are asked to share a perspective, thought, question or experi- ence that contributes to the continuing discussion about Israel's role in our lives, community, and world. Entries can be uploading to my.israel.org . The compe- tition will close Feb. 29 at midnight. Finalists receive a trip to AJC's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., where their films will be screened in front of hundreds of leaders from around the world. First place will win a trip to Israel. Co-sponsors for the competition include Hillel: The Center for Jewish Campus Life and the Israel on Campus Coalition. For information, see my.israel.org or contact the Detroit AJC office, (248) 646-7686. Na'amat Convention During the Na'amat USA convention, Nov. 4-15 in Israel, the Golda Meir Human Relations Award was presented to Yitzhak Navon, former president of the State of Israel. The award is named in honor of Golda Meir, the first female prime minister of Israel. Meir also served as head of Na'amat USA (then Pioneer Women). In accepting the award, Navon, Israel's fifth president, noted that Na'amat is addressing the problems that face Israeli women on a daily basis. "You are doing the real, necessary things," he said. "The state doesn't see the faces of individuals in their houses ... you do that." Navon also expressed concern about Jewish identity in the United States. "Jewish education is essential:' he said. "The Jewish population needs more Zionist education and a stronger link with the State of Israel." Two delegates from the Detroit area attended the convention: Judith Holtz of Bloomfield Hills and Linda Friedlaender of West Bloomfield. A22 January 17 • 2008 and Jews alike and have displayed a spirit of vengeance, which aggravates the situation. The trouble within the U.N. is due to the failure of the five nations chosen for the implementation commission to select their representatives. The delay occasioned by the half-hearted reactions of these nations is cause for concern. It is to be hoped that the appointment of the commission will be completed by Jan. 7 — the date set by U.N. Secretary General Trygve Lie for its organiza- tional meeting. Once the commission is announced, there is grounds for belief that inauguration of constructive efforts in Palestine will serve to eliminate tension and will introduce a period of construction. Our State Department's attitude certainly aggravates the situation. We depend in great measure upon the determination of the U. S. government to insist upon speedy implementation of the U.N. decision. The issue is certain to be handled by the Security Council, and it is of the utmost importance that the U.S. and the Soviet Union should continue to work in harmony in support of the plan for the establishment of a Jewish state in a par- titioned Palestine. Established policy of our government demands a firm stand against intrigues. We would like to retain faith that the policies that were pursued at Lake Success, N.Y., by Herschel V Johnson and Maj. Gen. John H. Hilldring will not be betrayed. The situation is tense but not hopeless. President Truman, the Russian leaders and our other friends in the U.N. can effect a speedy solution and immediate peace by acting to secure both. Those who have access to chancel- leries must do everything in their power to force prompt action for the implementation of the U.N. Palestine deci- sions. ❑ During the 12-day convention, delegates toured sev- eral Na'amat facilities, including the Ma'amat women's center in Beersheva, the Frieda Leemon Technological High School in Lod, the Beba Idelson Agricultural School-. (Kanot) in Gedera and the Elkin Day Care Center in Ramat-Gan. The delegates also attended a groundbreaking cer- emony for a new day care center in Dimona, funded by a $600,000 gift from Gertrude and Julius Green of Detroit. Other featured speakers at the convention included Israel President Shimon Peres, Knesset Members Yitzhak Herzog, Amira Dotan, Ophir Pines-Paz and Dr. Ephraim Sneh; Noa Rabin Rothman, granddaughter of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua. Na'amat (a Hebrew acronym for Working Women and Volunteers) works to advance the status of women in Israel through a network of social services that includes day care centers, technical high schools and community centers. Na'amat USA supports the work of Na'amat Israel through fund-raising, advocacy, and education. in diaspora Jewry. The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute was established by The Jewish Agency for Israel in 2002 as an independent, nonprofit organization. Israel At 60 At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, Israel's 60th year of state- hood will be honored at a silent and live auction fund- raiser to benefit a Children's Concert Series at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park. A light supper with dessert will be served. Call Elaine Schonberger, (248) 967-4030, for tickets ($30) or to donate an item or cash gift. Jewish Numbers Up Jerusalem/JTA — The world Jewish population in 2007 rose to 13.2 million, according to a Jerusalem-based think tank. The figure is 200,000 more than in 2006, said a report by the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute. In addition, the number of Jews living outside of Israel dropped by 100,000, and Israel's Jewish population grew by 300,000, making it home to 41 percent of world Jewry. The 92-page report, which can be found at www.jpppi. org.il/JPPPI/Templates/ShowPage.asp, also discusses world reaction to the Second Lebanon War and tiers - Compiled by Editorial Assistant Sy Maneilo Orthodox Institute Ordains Women New York/JTA — The Shalom Hartman Institute will begin ordaining Orthodox women as rabbis. It is the first Orthodox institution to do so. The Jerusalem-based institute, which runs Orthodox middle and high schools for boys, will begin accept- ing women and men of all denominations this fall for a four-year course leading to ordination, according to the Jerusalem Post. The candidates will receive ordination, or smichah, from the streams to which they belong. Rabbi Donniel Hartman, co-director of the institute and son of founder Rabbi David Hartman, told the Post that the institute was responding to a need for "master educators" in North American Jewish high schools. Answering Israel's Critics The Charge The international media last week described Israel's recent military actions in Gaza as "the heaviest in years" and a "harsh response' The Answer Israel's national security and the protection of civilians is the paramount concern of the government. If the Palestinian leadership does not act to reign in terror- ists and armed groups in Gaza that are attacking Israel every day, Israel's military will strike back to catch or kill the enemy wherever it is. - Allan Gale, Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit @copyright Jan. 17, 2008 Jewish Renaissance Media