Letters

DIGEST

An Important Play
The current play at the Jewish Ensemble
Theatre, Women's Minyan ("A Search
for Justice March 13, page C11), was
most moving and revealing. The plight
of abused women and their children
in Israel is an ongoing and devastating
problem. Based on a true story, the play
tells of a woman who flees her abusive
husband and then must fight for the right
to see her 12 children.
For those who have been fortunate
enough to see the play or will see it in
the future (it runs at the JET through
April 13) and anyone interested in help-
ing women and children in dire straits
in Israel and worldwide, please con-
sider contacting Na'amat USA (formerly
Pioneer Women).
The leading women's movement in
Israel, Na'amat works to advocate the
status of women through a network of
services including day care, multi-pur-
pose centers (which provide day care and
counseling for at-risk children, including
those traumatized by terrorism), alterna-
tive high schools and legal aid. Its activi-
ties include: creating Mehad, the support
program for single-parent families; estab-
lishing five centers for the treatment and
prevention of violence in the family, and
building the Glickman Center, a shelter
for battered women in conjunction with
the Tel Aviv municipality.
Today, Na'amat USA is part of the
world movement of Na'amat, and with
chapters in 11 countries, it is the largest
Jewish women's organization in the world.

Carol Rosalind Wiseman

lifetime member, Na'amat USA

West Bloomfield

Na'amat USA's local office is at 25900
Greenfield Road, Suite 205D, Oak Park.
Call (248) 967-4750.

and to bond. We in the Cook family have
experienced this personally. We represent-
ed five generations, from my generation
(I'm 88) to my great-great-great-niece,
age 5 weeks.
The older generation and the younger
generations — each and all can learn and
benefit. Particularly in these troubled, dif-
ficult times it is important to encourage
continuity and solidarity in a warm and
loving atmosphere.

Jeanette Cook

Farmington Hills

Adventurous
ATID
I would like to
compliment the
IN and especially
Conservateens
Senior Staff Writer
Shelli Dorfman
for the article on
ATID, the new
Conservative high
school ("Conservateens," March 27, page
A41).
We at Congregation Shaarey Zedek
are proud to be a part of this wonderful
adventure. It is our belief that the more
Conservative teens we can get together,
the better the future for the Conservative
movement will be in the Detroit area.
Even though Congregation Shaarey
Zedek has the largest supplemental high
school among the Conservative congre-
gations, we believe that it is important
to be a part of the greater community
and show our support for this exciting
endeavor. We welcome all teens interested
in acquiring a Conservative education to
join us at ATID.

Janet Pont
executive director

Congregation Shaarey Zedek

Oakland County

What A Reunion!
Thank you for the beautiful coverage of
our Cook Family Centennial celebration
("Cooking Up A Reunion:' March 20,
page C3). I have received many calls from
family and friends who have seen the
write-up. I certainly urge other families
to celebrate their families together. Try it;
you'll love the interactions!
Family reunions encourage the younger
generation to appreciate their family

Obama:
Opportunist
In 2004, Barack Obama
entered the U.S. Senate
from Illinois.
At last, the
Democrats had an
Afro-American that
could be a great role model, like the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. was so many

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.

A6

April 3 • 2008

years ago. A man that would replace
the self-serving pattern of the Jackson-
Sharpton types who were a perfect fit for
the Prophet Isaiah's quotation, "Beware,
beware of the opportunistic politician
and the shallow patriot."
I was thankful we now had Sen. Barack
Obama, a new shining light that would
once more make me proud of being a
member of the Democrat Party.
In fall 2007, Obama's preacher entered
the scene ("The Wright Way," March 20,
A28). I paid little attention until I was
made aware of Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.'s
great admiration for Rev. Louis Farrakhan
and the fact that he spearheaded a drive
in his church to bestow upon him a spe-
cial award for his actions and beliefs. I
was stunned.
My basic abhorrence of the Rev.
Wright turned into horror when I saw
the obscene tirades that this preacher of
hatred used to incite his flock.
Obama crossed the line as he sat on
his hands when his preacher, now his
"adopted uncle gave his full support to
America's Hitler and then spewed his
hatred against America and Israel. My
hopes dissipated; I no longer trusted him
nor could any Jew in the world.
There can be no valid excuse for his
action. How could he claim that, as a
20-year member of the Rev. Wright's con-
gregation, he was totally unaware of his
strong hatreds?
The senator obviously lacked the basic
morality that should have instinctively
ignited a fiery response.
Let's put it very bluntly: Obama is an
opportunist, afraid that he might jeop-
ardize the support of the Afro-American
block by diverting their anger into more
positive actions. How can I, a lifelong
liberal Democrat, support a man that
adoringly speaks of his bigoted preach-
er as an adopted uncle, a trusted confi-
dant and adviser? Never!!

Benno Levi

Oak Park

Correction
• In "Conservateens" (March 27, page
A41) Mikole Levran was listed as a
member of Adat Shalom Synagogue,
Farmington Hills. Mikole is a third-gen-
eration member of Congregation Beth
Ahm in West Bloomfield and a student in
the religious school at Adat Shalom.

Karen

Susan

Lovinger

Graham

JTS Slates Tribute Dinner
This year's Jewish Theological Seminary
of America dinner, chaired by Susan
Graham and Karen Lovinger, is sched-
uled for Monday, May 5, at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek Southfield.
The event will revolve around a
Sephardic theme centered on the JTS
library exhibit, "The Prato Haggadah: A
Medieval Illuminated Manuscript in the
Making:' on display at Shaarey Zedek
through the end of May.
The Shin Award, bestowed upon
individuals for their dedication to
Conservative Judaism and service to the
Jewish people, will be awarded to Rob
and Rhona Fidler of Congregation Beth
Ahm in West Bloomfield, Sam and Janis
Holcman of Adat Shalom Synagogue in
Farmington Hills, Richard and Eileen
Polk of Congregation Beth Shalom
in Oak Park, Joel and Ruth Shayne of
Congregation B'nai Moshe in West
Bloomfield and Lester Satovsky and
Neil Satovsky of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek.
For reservations or information, call
the JTS office, (248) 258-0055.

Defense Ethics
Examined
Professor Amos
Guiora will speak on
"Israel and the Ethics
of Self Defense" at a
breakfast program
at Congregation
Amos Guiora
Shaarey Zedek West
Bloomfield B'nai Israel
Center at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 13.
He is being co-sponsored by the
Shaarey Zedek Men's Club, B'nai B'rith
International-Great Lakes Region
and the Israeli Consul General to the
Midwest. (248) 357-5544.

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.

