Letters
Failed Appreciation
A number of years ago, Hillel Day School
of Metropolitan Detroit implemented
a long-range plan that resulted in the
recruitment of two outstanding educa-
tors — Rabbi Scott Bolton and Dr. Mitch
Parker. A few years later, the founders
of the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan
Detroit (now the Frankel Jewish Academy)
recruited another outstanding educator to
the community, Rabbi Lee Buckman.
For a short period, the community was
fortunate to have all three educators in
the community, not only performing their
school tasks, but also providing education-
al services and spiritual guidance outside
of the academic institutions.
Within a few years, Hillel Day School
experienced financial difficulties and
terminated both Rabbi Bolton and Dr.
Parker. Rabbi Bolton briefly worked at
the Jewish Academy, but then found bet-
ter employment in New Jersey. Dr. Parker
worked with the Florence Melton Adult
Mini-School program, but has recently
taken a position with a school in Toronto.
And Rabbi Buckman? After building
the Jewish Academy to a position of admi-
ration and envy among the day schools
throughout the nation, he has been uncer-
emoniously put on administrative leave
from the Academy and will be "pursuing
other interests." ("Mid-Year Shake-Up,"
Jan. 31, page A13)
When all of the surveys we read indicate
that education is the key to a vibrant and
surviving Jewish community, it is a pity
that our community fails to appreciate the
phenomenal talent that it has and fails to
take constructive steps to ensure that we
retain such exceptional individuals.
Fred Shuback
West Bloomfield
Promote Inclusion
I am still wondering how to tell our
daughter that her father and I are really
not married even though our marriage
license and ketubah of almost 23 years
differ with this.
According to Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov, in
his book Dear Rabbi, Why Can't I Marry
Her?, the marriage between a person who
is Jewish and one who is not is non-exis-
tent ("Intermarriage?" Dec. 13, page C4).
I understand the fear and concern of
the Jewish population decreasing and the
need to preserve the identity of the Jewish
people, especially with the younger gen-
eration. However, it is contraindicated to
ask young people to continue embracing
the Jewish faith that they have grown up
with, when reading or listening to what
I consider to be exclusionary statements
made by people such as Rabbi Avraham
Jacobovitz and Rabbi Shemtov in their
new books on intermarriage.
Instead of dispelling harmful gener-
alizations about intermarriage and off-
spring, it makes sense to figure out ways
to reach out to young people, affiliated or
not, to bring Judaism into their lives.
Kudos to the organizations, includ-
ing synagogues, that create a welcoming
environment for intermarried families.
Religion, spirituality, love, respect and
strong ethical beliefs are integral in my
marriage and part of my children's heri-
tage.
Rather than telling me that I "don't
know what it means to be a Jew:' help me
to continue strengthening my Jewish iden-
tity so I may reach out to others.
Susan H. Rogers
Birmingham
jcc maccabi
CA VI •
www.2008tietroiLoriA
Maccabi Tzedekah
Kudos to the Detroit Jewish News for high-
lighting the important and worldwide
efforts to fight hunger and food insecurity
("Land Of Milk And Plenty," Jan. 17, page
A13). I would like to add an additional
component to this drive, which is a project
undertaken by the JCC Maccabi Games in
Detroit.
The goals of the JCC Maccabi Games
define the program as a Jewish event for
Jewish teenagers to foster long-lasting
memories and identification with the
organized Jewish community and Israel.
Some 3,000 young people from all over the
world will gather here in August to com-
pete athletically and do so much more.
One of the activities of the games
involves doing tzedekah projects and we
have two projects this year. The athletes
and our community will be collecting
used sports equipment and sports T-shirts
Our JN Mission
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 con-
tinuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativ-
ity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.
A6
February 7 2008
to be donated to kids in Third World
countries and Israel.
The other tzedekah project will involve
Yad Ezra in Berkley, the Gleaners Food
Bank of Southeastern Michigan and Leket,
the Israeli National Food Bank. We are
asking athletes and our community to
donate non-perishable food items.
There will be receptacles at both Jewish
Community Center buildings and at many
synagogues and day schools. All kosher
food items will be donated to Yad Ezra.
We are donating to Gleaners all the non-
kosher items.
An anonymous donation based on col-
lected food will be forwarded to Leket in
Israel.
We thank our community leaders Joel
Jacob and Augie Fernandes, Yad Ezra and
Gleaners for being behind this effort and
for making this possible.
We are proud of our community and
our athletes for responding locally and
globally to those in need.
Sallyjo Levine
West Bloomfield
Obama's Challenge
I've read many of the circulating e-mails
regarding presidential candidate Barak
Obama; separating the facts from fiction
is not hard if you check the Web sites that
deal with exposing urban legends.
The protests ("Smear Campaign," Jan.
31, page A25) have focused mainly on the
slanders based on his religious history, but
this controversy has obscured other issues
that matter to me.
Articles posted on line by reputable
journalists, such as Ed Lasky, point out
that Obama's closest advisers are dispro-
portionately anti-Israel, such as Robert
Malley, whose comments distort historical
facts.
We know that anti-Zionism is a popular
facade for anti-Semites to hide behind.
Notorious anti-Israel lobbyists and mon-
eymen, like George Soros, have been flock-
ing to Obama.
Do they know something we don't, or is
it wishful thinking on their part? Obama
says the right things, but there are the
old clichés saying: "Actions speak louder
than words" and "Birds of a feather flock
together."
Obama's associations belie his words.
Is he a wolf in sheep's clothing? I cannot
tell. What I can tell is that he is more like
an "old school" politician in his playing
both sides of the street by telling us what
we want to hear while taking money and
support from Israel's most aggressive
critics, and as a Christian, he should note
that Jesus said, "You cannot serve two
masters."
The prospect of a Robert Malley advis-
ing in the Oval Office would make an
Obama nation and abomination to me. I
cannot be comfortable with his candidacy
until I see some actions to support his
words, such as ending his Faustian rela-
tionship with the anti-Israel crowd.
Dennis L. Green
Farmington Hills
Addiction, Education
Thank you for your timely and informa-
tive article about Jewish people who also
suffer from the disease of addiction and
who also can benefit from recovery groups
such as AA, NA and other 12-step or simi-
lar programs ("Jewish Denial, Recovery,"
Jan. 31, page A27).
As a Jew and the son of an alcoholic,
I found my way into addictive shoplift-
ing and stealing as my "drug of choice!'
I founded the local support group
CASA (Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters
Anonymous) in 1992. We have four weekly
Metro Detroit groups (Warren, Brighton,
Southfield and Lincoln Park). See www.
shopliftersanonymous.com .
I also have a brother who has struggled
with alcohol and a younger brother who is
celebrating four years of recovery through
Gamblers Anonymous. Our family is no
stranger to addiction.
The Jewish people are a proud people
and often we don't wish to admit our
struggles or seek help.
I've found that stealing, especially, is one
of the more misunderstood behaviors and
one of the most stigmatizing. I am grateful
for my recovery and for our CASA support
groups.
Over the last 19 years, my recovery has
given me an opportunity to heal, grow and
learn much about myself and the human
condition.
Your article certainly is another step
toward education and hope in the battle
with addiction.
Terrence Shulman, founder/director
Shulman Center for Compulsive
Theft & Spending
Southfield
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 trimmng. 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-elec-
tronic 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.