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.