As many of you know, my family experienced a horrific tragedy this past November,- we lost my precious daughter, Miya. In her honor and memory, I am offering a special portrait session for new and expectant mothers. Mira adored babies, and we adored her. Mothers and baby special is offered for the month of March. Open to new and expectant mothers and babies up to one year old. Portrait session is $125, ($325 value). Call to reserve your date 248.867.4884 Vt1 14110-NaturallyMorvitiAcorn. Your Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Specialists Ronald S. Lederman, M.D., P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Mark Kwartowitz to the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy. Doctors Lederman and Mark Kwartowitz, D.O. Kwartowitz focus on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of problems that affect patients of all ages - from children's fractures to sports injuries to chronic arthritic conditions including shoulder, knee and hip replacements. Plus, Doctors Lederman and Kwartowitz offer same day or next day urgent care appointments at their new office in the Lakes Medical Center in West Bloomfield. Ronald S Lederman, M.D. CENTER FOR ORTHOPAEDIC Letters How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non -electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e- mail. Debt Of Gratitude It is easy to feel buffeted by the riptide of world events such that we retreat and forget our responsibility to con- front evil. Thank goodness there are individuals of conscience like North Farmington High School Principal Rick Jones to remind us of the power of one to inspire us to speak out against hatred (Editor's Notebook, "Silence Not Golden:' Jan. 24, page 5). After learning of the swastika graf- fiti defacing the schools iconic rock, I contacted Jones to express my revul- sion. He was sympathetic to my con- cerns and entreaties that this despi- cable act of hatred not go unanswered. Frankly, I expected nothing less. A much-admired educator, Jones recommits daily to exemplifying what it is to be a true leader. His quest is to graduate young adults with principle and passion to make this world a bet- ter place. This is, after all, the same principal who last year oversaw the school's interdisciplinary study of genocide, who brought in Holocaust survivors to speak to the students and who arranged for Hotel Rwanda proprietor Paul Rusesabagina to come to Farmington Hills to share his heroic tale of courage and sacrifice in the face of wanton violence and massacre. And this is the same principal soon to depart on a repeat medical mission to bring help and hope to the people of Mali, Africa. After I shared reports of alarm- ing neo-Nazi and Klan resurgence, of widespread swastika and noose displays and of statistics documenting the disturbing increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes, Jones assured me the district would serve notice that hatred and bigotry will never find a haven in the halls of NFHS or any other school. Working with Superintendent Sue Zurvalic, the district broadcasted an in-house TV10 segment condemning the swastika vandalism in forceful and unambiguous terms. In so doing, Jones and Zurvalic created the transcendent teachable moment, standing down intolerance and bigotry with conviction and resolve. They fulfilled their responsi- bility to our nation's civil rights laws in assuring that students are protected from actions that could engender a hostile learning environment. And they are to be lauded as much for their moral leadership in denouncing anti- Semitic racism — a hatred as abhor- rent as any other. We owe a debt of gratitude to Jones and Zurvalic for excising hate at the margin and setting a critical precedent for all schools and institutions. The least we can do is contact them to convey our appreciation [NFHS, (248) 785-2005]. Let us learn from them that there is never a good excuse for remaining mute or apathetic. The only resource that is necessary to speak out is conscience and heaven forbid if we ever have a shortage of that! Linda Stulberq Oakland County Great BBYO Support On behalf of the Michigan Region BBYO, I would like to thank the Jewish News for the wonderful cover story "Eternal Teen" (Jan. 10, page A13). It is a well-deserved tribute to our longtime director, Arnie Weiner, who has devoted his career to helping teens in our community find their Jewish identities and develop leadership skills and community service values. Arnie Weiner, through BBYO, is an important link in the constant effort to maintain Jewish continuity. The IN recognizes that in this prominent article. We thank the JN for its continuing generous coverage of BBYO, both in the past and into the future. We have always appreciated N's recognition of the importance of our program. Barbara Horowitz, chair Michigan BBYO Commission West Bloomfield Insight Into Hoffa Glad to see Jimmy Hoffa was a friend and admirer of Israel ("Teamster Connection:' Jan. 24, A19). Anyone wishing to dispel negativity surround- ing Jimmy Hoffa, Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Jimmy in the movie Hoffa was great and so was the movie. Richard Wolk West Bloomfield SURGERY, SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY A Call 24S-669-2000 today for an appointment. srj9Fiti. PROVIDENCE A PASSION AWL A6 Our JN Mission 2300 Haggerty Road, Suite 1110 West Bloomfield, MI 48323 January 31 . 2008 f o r HEALING 4111it 1354040 The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoy- able work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. 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