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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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Recalling Jerusalem Under Siege
Tuesday, the 10th of Tevet on the Hebrew calendar, was observed
as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance in memory of what
happened that day in year 3336 (425 BCE). The armies of the
Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.
Thirty months later — on 9 Tammuz 3338 —the city walls
were breached. On the ninth of Av that year, the Holy Temple was
destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
The 10th of Tevet is a short fast day, daybreak to nightfall. Special
prayers are said. In recent times, the day also marks a Kaddish day
for the victims of the Holocaust, according to chabad.org.
—Robert Sklar
On The Move
More than 16,500 new immigrants will have moved to Israel in
2008 — 3,150 from North America, reports the Jewish Agency for
Israel.
The number of immigrants reflects a drop from 2007, when
19,700 people made aliyah. The main reason for the drop-off was
the slowing in the immigration from Ethiopia and France.
The number of immigrants from North America was up 176
people; 2,750 of these immigrants came from the United States and
400 from Canada.
Immigrants to Israel from South Africa — 300 — nearly dou-
bled last year's figure. South African Jews have expressed increased
interest in aliyah, in part a result of growing political instability and
rising levels of violence and crime in the country.
Immigrants also have arrived from Moscow and the United
Kingdom.
Aliyah Department Director Eli Cohen believes immigration will
rise in 2009, especially from the West.
The Jewish Agency will work with the Ministry of Absorption
as well as partner organizations to develop new employment and
absorption initiatives to bring more olim [immigrants] from North
America and Western Europe.
—Robert Sklar
Pray For Soldiers
In response to increased fighting between Israel and Hamas, the
New York-based Orthodox Union has renewed its campaign to sell
tefillah, or prayer cards, which include a photo of soldiers at the
Western Wall in Jerusalem on one side and the Prayer for the Israel
Defense Forces on the other.
The intention is for individuals or groups to recite the prayer
every day with the well being of the soldiers in mind, according to
Tefillah L'Chayalei Tzahal cam-
paign literature.
"As Israel takes action to stop
the bombardment of its citizens
by Hamas terrorists, we all recog-
nize the danger facing the young
men and women who risk their
lives on the front lines of battle,"
said OU President Stephen
Savitsky.
The cards are available in Hebrew and English versions. Credit
card-sized cards cost $1 apiece; larger cards cost $5. Already,
$100,000 from synagogues, schools and individuals is being dis-
tributed by the OU, through the offices of the chief military chap-
lain of the Israel Defense Forces, to soldiers from poor families.
To order, contact Marissa Hanfling at shopou@ou.org or (212)
613-8385.
—Robert Sklar
Al2
January 8 • 2009
Business Offices
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Game Face
Babycakes the Clown entertained more than 350 mothers, fathers
and little ones as Shalom Street celebrated its fifth birthday at the
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield on Dec 14.
Children sang Chanukah songs and played in the exhibits, includ-
ing "Around the World in 80 Games." More than 200 toys were col-
lected, which were donated to families in the Healthy Start Program
at Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit.
Donations For Slain Officer
The murder of Oak Park Public Safety Officer Mason Samborski
last week has affected residents and staffers at the Taubman Jewish
Community Campus.
Residents at both the Prentis and Teitel Federation Apartments
and staff at the JCC and area synagogues have been raising funds
for the officer's family.
A letter was sent to organizations affiliated with the Campus
Committee by Jennifer Epstein Rube, a geriatric social worker at
Teitelit said, in part:
"Officer Samborski was a frequent responder to [the campus] for
medical and police emergencies ... Our thoughts and prayers go
out to the Samborski family as well as to all of the members of the
Oak Park Public Safety Department. Their service to our building
and residents will be valued forever. A memorial leaf for the Teitel
Tree of Life will be ordered in memory of Officer Samborski."
Members of the Campus Committee, which also includes Temple
Emanu-El, Congregations Beth Shalom and Young Israel of Oak
Park, considered holding a memorial service for Samborski, but
decided against it as an added commitment for the officer's family
and the Oak Park Department of Public Safety.
Funds collected for the family will be turned over to Mason
Samborski Fund on Friday. Donations continue to be accepted by the
public safety department at 13600 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237.
— Alan Hitsky
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Editorial
Editor: Robert A. Sklar
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Fulfillment
Corrections
• In the photograph with the story "Renal Advance" (Dec. 25, page
B6), the patient shown with Dr. Scott Gruber is not HIV positive.
• "A Holy Gift" (Jan. 1, page A5) should have stated that Germany is
in Central Europe and is not an Eastern European country although
the old East Germany was considered part of the former Soviet
Union's Eastern bloc of nations.
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