Letters

Wonderful 25th
It was a pleasure to open the IN and read
your very beautiful editorial ("This Little
Shul Could;' Feb. 21, page A25) about
our congregation, Shir Tikvah, and savor
Columnist Robin Schwartz's great story
and photos about our 25th anniversary
celebration ("Silver Celebration:' Feb. 21,
A22). What a wonderful anniversary gift,
to see such warm and positive coverage in
our community newspaper. Thank you!
As you said, Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg
is pure inspiration, and we do think that
our little shul provides a spiritual home
for many Jews who would otherwise feel
alienated from the Jewish community. It's
always nice when our efforts are noticed.

Erica Peresman

first vice president

Congregation Shir Tikvah

Troy

Joe's A Friend
I was disappointed to read in the IN
about the controversy surrounding a
political fundraising letter impugning
Congressman Joe Knollenberg's pro-Israel
credentials ("Knollenberg Defended;' Feb.
14, A25).
One may choose to disagree with
Congressman Knollenberg on any num-
ber of issues, but when it comes to the
congressman's pro-Israel bona fides, any-
one worth his salt in pro-Israel activism
knows that he is one of the great, albeit
quiet champions of the U.S.-Israel rela-
tionship in Congress.
His seniority on the foreign operations
subcommittee, the committee responsible
for foreign aid oversight, along with his
ability to work with members on both
sides of the aisle, a fact readily acknowl-
edged by both Republican and Democratic
members alike, have aided Israel's cause
immeasurably — not only in the sphere
of general foreign aid and security assis-
tance, but also and almost single handedly
with respect to aid to Israel for refugee
resettlement.
I suspect that the reason why there has
been such an outcry within our commu-
nity over this matter is that whether we
are Republican, Democrat or Independent,
we recognize that in order to have a friend,
we have to be a friend.
Given Congressman Knollenberg's long
history of support and very meaningful

results for the U.S.-Israel relationship,
no one should reasonably question Joe
Knollenberg's pro-Israel veracity and
efficacy in Congress and not expect to get
taken to task on it.

Marc Weinbaum

West Bloomfield

Maximize Allies
As a participant in the Jewish Community
Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit
and Fellowship of Israel and Black
America January trip to Israel ("Matter of
Education," Feb. 21, page Al2), and a JCRC
board member, I want to thank the JN for
its coverage.
I also wish to "second" Eugene Driker's
comments in the article about Israel
gaining non-Jewish friends. Whenever
non-Jewish friends of Israel travel to the
Jewish state, write letters to the editors
of local papers, visit their congressional
representatives and speak to fellow church
congregants about Israel, the effectiveness
of the message makes a strong impact.
Israel has new allies in Metro Detroit, and
the JCRC board members and professional
staff will work to maximize the benefits
and encourage ongoing dialogue.

Micki Grossman

Farmington Hills

No To Violence!
I want to thank the JN for the wonderful
coverage you gave our benefit performance
of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues"
("V-Day Replay;' Feb. 14, page B20).
The funds raised will benefit NCJW/
GDS's community service projects and
programs, including Safe Place, Teen
Dating Abuse Project, Teen Yellow Pages
and Luggage to Freedom. The 32 cast
members, V- Production Team and com-
munity volunteers all helped to raise
awareness about domestic violence and
the need to make this a human issue
rather than just a women's issue.
And thank you to the more than 650
people who attended and raised their col-
lective voices to say no to violence against
women and girls.

Sharon Lipton

president, National Council of Jewish Women/

Greater Detroit Section

Southfield

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-
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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.

Great Education
I enjoyed reading the cover story "Hot
Suburbs" (Feb. 7, A13). I am glad people
are making an effort to stay in this com-
munity. The article covers the evolving
and progressing suburban Jewish nursery
schools.
I agree and could not be more
impressed with Congregation Beth
Shalom's Gan Shalom in Oak Park. I made
a decision to keep Hebrew strong in the
house. I send my son Yoni to Gan Shalom
not only because of their excellent Hebrew
immersion program, but also because of
the warm, loving teaching environment,
amazing extras such as ComputerTots,
working parent flexibility and unbeatable
teacher-student ratio. It has been a tre-
mendous help for me as a Hebrew-teach-
ing parent. I can see the progress everyday.
A victim of the bad Michigan economy,
I am currently job seeking. I am making
an effort to stay in Michigan because of
another wonderful Detroit Jewish institu-
tion: Hillel Day School in Farmington
Hills. Just a year ago, when deciding on
a kindergarten for my daughter, I was
intensely skeptical of Hillel.
Ella is now in her sixth month in Hillel
kindergarten. I cannot believe what those
kids have been learning, from math to
reading, writing, the weather, seasons, the
planetary constellations, Jewish studies,
being a mentsh and Hebrew, of course. She
is even going to be the Hebrew narrator in
a play that her Hebrew enrichment class is
performing! The progress is tremendous,
and there a really is community of caring
for the whole child at Hillel.
While staying in Michigan is not elevat-
ing our bank account at the moment, we
are making the effort to survive these
tough times here in Michigan for what
we believe are great educations for our
children.

Erez Azaria

Birmingham

Hillel's Nearby

As a resident of Huntington Woods, I

enjoyed reading the cover story "Hot
Suburbs" (Feb. 7, page A13). It's nice to
know that young Jewish families are mov-
ing to this side of town.
My husband and I moved to the neigh-
borhood nine years ago and have enjoyed
the many benefits that this community

and the surrounding suburbs have to
offer.
Our three children, the youngest who is
still there, have all gone to Temple Emanu-
El preschool in Oak Park. They made close
friends and received an excellent founda-
tion for kindergarten and elementary
school.
Our oldest daughter went to Burton
Elementary School [in the Berkley School
District], just a couple of blocks from our
house, for kindergarten, and had an excel-
lent experience there as well.
However, as a Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit graduate, my priority
was, and still is, to provide my children
with a strong Jewish background, so our
older two children now go to Hillel.
Many of our neighbors live here because
there is a strong sense of community.
Hillel offers that as well, but even on a
more personal level. Our kids are greeted,
by name, every morning as they enter
the building. What a way to start the day!
Although Hillel has grown tremendously
since I was a student, there is still such a
smallness to it — a sense of comfort and
belonging.
Our family does take advantage of the
many nearby amenities and living so close
to 1-696, we consider Hillel one of those
amenities. We are actually getting the best
of both worlds: an incredible place to live
and a tremendous Jewish education.

Marla Jacobs

Huntington Woods

Important Spotlight
I am writing to express my apprecia-
tion for your Editor's Letter, "Housing
Hardship" (Feb. 21, page A5). Your words
were informative about the purpose of
Jewish Housing Assistance, LLC. But per-
haps of even more importance, your words
showed a caring and sensitivity for the
rapidly increasing numbers of individuals
and families that are in desperate need of
assistance.
I feel fortunate to reside in such a caring
community and to be part of an organiza-
tion that is playing a significant role in our
community effort.
Thanks for highlighting the issue.

Norm Keane, executive director

Jewish Family Service of

Metropolitan Detroit

West Bloomfield

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.
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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, Ietters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.

A6 February 28 • 2008

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