IMPLIMPRArt, ' -quppw •Igew,M1.11pIr WOMEN'S EUROPEAN & AMERICAN DESIGNER Thanks, Reuther Thank you for the story "Back in Time" (Nov. 27, page A20) about the exhibit "Bricks, Mortar and More which provides the background of the 14 Jewish benefactors whose names grace buildings on the Wayne State University campus in Detroit. For many years, bricks, mortar and more have linked the Jewish commu- nity with Wayne State. Co-sponsored by the Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives and the Walter Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs, the exhibit is for lovers of local Jewish history, alumni and friends of this great urban university. The Jewish Community Archives thanks the Reuther for hosting this entertaining and informative exhibit, and for our strong partnership that dates back to the founding of the archives in 1991. We take pride in the Reuther's international reputation and are grateful for the great care its staff has taken to preserve the history of our Jewish community. Robert Kaplow, president Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives Wayne State University Detroit Respect Fellow Jews How wonderful it is that we as Jews associate and share with our "cousins," be they Christian or Muslim, without judgment of their practices. If only we could do the same among our Jewish brothers and sisters. The account of the pre- Thanksgiving weekend with a local congregation and the American Muslim Center ("Twinning Weekend," Dec. 4, page A29) provided an account of the experience at the Muslim prayer service, citing with respect that they pray five times daily, that men and women are separate, and that shoes are removed and heard scarves are worn out of respect for God and prayer. How many times do we criticize our Jewish brothers and sisters for the way we practice our religion, including separation of the sexes or family seat- ing, prayer three times daily, observing Shabbat and holy days, kashrut and learning Torah? Whether someone is wearing a black hat with tzittzits hanging out or is davening in street clothes, the point is that we should have as much respect and even awe for Jews who observe Judaism as we do for practitioners of other religions, rather than disparag- ing each other publicly and in our hearts. Tish B'Av (9 of Av) is a day we remember because of how we mis- treated each other 2,000 years ago. At times, it seems as if we Jews prefer to celebrate it rather than learn its les- sons. CLOTHING COLLECTIONS ACCESSORIES HANDBAGS Nathaniel Warshay Oak Park SHOES When Light Emerges I, the not-so-typical Catholic girl, was asked to attend a Jewish memorial and solidarity gathering for the victims of Mumbai massacre ("From Darkness To Light," Dec. 4, page A13). Being asked to go made me feel special and sad at the same time. Jews all around are struck by the cold-blooded murder of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who left behind all the comforts of their life in the West to go and help other Jews as Chabad House emissaries in Mumbai. Four other Jews also were shot inside the Chabad House. Another 170-plus people were murdered and more than 240 wounded in the terrorist attack on the Indian port city. Looking around me, as I listened and prayed, made me realize that Chaldeans and Jews are so close, from the looks, to the language, to the mor- als and values instilled in us. It didn't matter whether I was a Jew or not. I wish more people could have the inter- ests I have in different cultures, people and religion — for we are all one. After seeing the pictures of the innocent people killed and hearing all the cries of all the people gathered around me, I walked away with a sense of peace; a sense of peace knowing that no matter what happens in life we cannot give up. We must all stand together as one. I hope that everyone who reads this can find peace within himself. As for me, I will pray not only for the people attacked in India, but also for all the people in the world to find peace. I used to always wonder about the men with the long hair and beards that walk the streets on Fridays, but now I know their purpose in life. I give them a lot of credit to dedicate their life to God and to education of the Jewish people. Dina Misho West Bloomfield TH TENDER 271 WEST MAPLE DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM 248.258.0212 SUNDAY 12-5 MON DAY-SATURDAY 10-6 THURSDAY til 8 1429670 December 11 • 2008 A7