Letters Shop Local! Kudos for your Publisher's Notebook "Our Economic Challenge" wherein you outlined the need and effectiveness of shopping locally (Feb. 7, page A5). For years, we have encouraged everyone who will listen — our children, friends and relatives — to shop locally and support our local merchants. The independent office suppliers, book- stores, drugstores and others have all van- ished, in part, because of the category-killer retail chains. Although it takes little effort to shop locally, it does take a raised collective consciousness to put our money to work in our community instead of shopping at the latest mega store. By explaining the interdependence between local advertising and Jewish News editorial content, we can all see how it affects our Jewish cominunity. Thank you for spearheading the clarion call to redirect a small part of our purchas- ing power back to our neighbors and friends here locally! Kathy Wilson Fink Bloomfield Hills An Awakening Your Publisher's Notebook struck home with me so seriously ("Our Economic Challenge Feb. 7, page A5). I keep saying in my advertising and phi- losophy,"Why are we going to these chain businesses?" In reference to eye care, eye- glasses and contact lenses, so many of us are straying away and hurting our own econo- my. We have so many local optical shops that are local families. Why spend money at Pearle, Lenscrafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical, Sunglass Hut? They are owned by an Italian company. Where do you think the profits are going? Back to Italy. Also, there are chains like Americas Best, owned by a New York company. How about 800 Contacts? None of the profits stay here; and they are not that much cheaper, usually about the same that you would pay at your local optical shop. We need to all wake up and help each other. Keep our money here, not Italy, New York or some other country or state. Do your homework before you spend. Thanks for the awakening. Dennis Chaiken Direct Optical Farmington Hills Stand With Community Kudos on a wonderful Publisher's Notebook ("Our Economic Challenge,' Feb. 7, page A5). In these desperate economic times, your words couldn't be more poignant. We at the Shirt Box have been a part of this commu- nity now for more than 26 years. By way of history, we were born and raised in the area and together with our families have been intricately involved in many communal and charitable affairs and causes. Supporting your local businesses is an excellent way to keep families here, to per- petuate community involvement and to keep local dollars local. We stand with the Jewish community and look forward to your stand- ing with us so that we may celebrate many more successful years in business. Ron Elkus and Rod Brown The Shirt Box Farmington Hillis Jews And Food Addiction Thank you for your article regarding Jews in recovery from alcohol and drugs ("Jewish Denial, Recovery,' Jan. 31, page A27). This article opens the door to talk about other addictions, such as compulsive over- eating, in the Jewish community. I was disappointed to find that food addiction and compulsive overeating were not included in your article along with information on the Overeaters Anonymous meeting held at the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House on the Shul-Chabad Lubavitch campus in West Bloomfield. Overeaters Anonymous is a 12-step pro- gram that offers recovery. It is patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous using the word "food" in place of alcohol and "abstinence" in place of sobriety. There is an Overeaters Anonymous meeting on Monday nights 7-8 p.m. at the Friendship House. In addition, Overeaters Anonymous has day and evening meetings throughout the tri-county area (www.region5oa.orgicletroit/index). The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively (or undereating). It is important to know that our anonymity code means that "who you see here, what you hear here, stays here" This is a safe environment in which to recover. This is a killer disease that is not dis- cussed openly. Hopefully, the Jewish commu- nity will come out of denial with your help (the IN) — and help those afflicted with love and support. Susan Yesenko West Bloomfield 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 14 • 2008 Unlock Our Secrets Mazel tov to the IN for allowing Special Writer Judith Doner Berne's insightful and informative article out of the Jewish closet ("Jewish Denial, Recovery" Jan. 31, A27). Dr. Jay Kutinsky makes an important point about the many interesting paral- lels that exist in the Torah, furthered by Rabbi Abraham Twerski's work in relation to surrendering to a higher power, soul searching, speaking our truths and taking regular inventory so that we can promptly attend to areas that need to be healed. As Jews, we often miss this connection in our prayers and meditation. There are plenty of individuals in this community who suffer in silence or are ambivalent about accessing help for their own chil- dren due to their own denial. If the Jewish community continues to remain in denial when it comes to alcohol, drug, food or any other related addictions, then we are as sick as our secrets. Beverly Price, RD, MA, RYT registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist Huntington Woods Miracle Of Tradition Yaakov Spielman (son of Doran and Sarah Spielman of Maaleh Adumim, Israel) is 3 and it is time for his first haircut. Mysteriously, it will take place at the tomb of one of Jewry's greatest sages, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who plumbed the depths of the Torah to lay the groundwork for the Zohar, the book of the Kabbalah. It is out of respect for him that Yaakov will now forfeit his curls at the rabbi's gravesite in Meron near Sfat. We enter the old stone structure amidst intense praying and fervent singing. Twenty- five family and friends crowd into an empty corner and Yaakov, dressed for the occasion in a sport jacket, awaits the scissors. Each of us will cut a precious curl and Yaakov will then say one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. He will then lick honey from a picture of the letter. This custom repeats for all 25 letters and portends that all of the worlds of the Torah will be sweet in his mouth. I am struck by the aura of this 400-year- old tradition and how my son and his wife, both from the diaspora, have been absorbed into the Holy Land. As Yaakov passes from babyhood to boyhood, he is instructed as to his responsibilities to Torah. His gifts are tzitzit, a yarmulke, a tzedakah box and a book about the Baal Shem Tov of whom he is an 1 lth- generation descendant. As the ceremony ends, he is lifted onto his father's shoulders and they join a dancing circle with other fathers and sons. As I listen to their voices, I envision the miracle of the cycle of our people regenerating our ancient traditions. Geraldine Spilman Orchard Lake Oak Park, Too As a proud resident and city council mem- ber in Oak Park, I found the "Hot Suburbs" cover story (Feb. 7, page A13) article's omis- sion of the Oak Park community insulting, narrow-minded and inaccurate. Oak Park continues to be an attractive location and destination for Jewish sin- gles, couples and families. Oak Park offers excellent city services, homes that hold their value and optimum convenience for commuting throughout the metro area. Additionally, Oak Park is the hub of the Jewish community for all of the areas mentioned in your article. It should be undisputable that people not only frequent the many and varied Jewish institutions here; people come to Oak Park to live. And, regardless of its exclusion from among its neighboring cities in the "Hot Suburbs" article, Oak Park is a vibrant community for the future. Beyond the fond nostalgic memories many people have of Oak Park in its past, those who live here know that the Oak Park of the present is a great place that is creating tomorrow's nostalgic memories. Many Jews recognize that Oak Park is a great place to live as they continue to choose to live in the center of it all. We continue to welcome in a diverse and con- fident population of Jewish residents into comfortable neighborhoods with all of the conveniences, advantages and desirability of metro suburban life. Paul Levine council member Oak Park Correction In "Hot Suburbs" (Feb. 7), the photo cap- tion on page 14 should have identified the preschool pictured as the Early Childhood Community at Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. Congregation Beth Shalom, also in Oak Park, has its own preschool, Gan Shalom. 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-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.