Letters 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-electronic 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. " DAB' E ' F-; BAN K" HAS AIOVEI) We are proud to announce that "Dave's Bank" has moved. While our growth has allowed us to double our staff, it has also caused us to outgrow our banking offices. In order to better serve our clients, we've moved to the Somerset Place Building at 2301 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy. First Michigan Bank is dedicated to providing its clients with service north of the highest level. Our new, convenient, banking offices will allow CEO and Executive Managing Director, Dave Provost and his Private Bankers, to once again exclusively and personally cater to their client's diverse banking needs. So, while we know the location is different, and the name a bit unfamiliar, the superior personal banking service remains the same. And, just like the old days, you can call us "Dave's Bank." Everyone still does. Stop by anytime, or call (248) 649-2301 SERVICE No OR OF THE frEGITEST LEVEE PROUD RECIPEENT OF YESHIVA BETH YEHUDAH'S 2007 OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD 2301 West Big Beaver Road Suite 525 I Troy, Michigan 48084 Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender Seeking Sovereignty "We wish for no victories, but those of peace; for no territory except our own; for no sovereignty, except the sover- eignty over ourselves:' These were the words delivered in 1906 by Elihu Root, secretary of state to President Theodore Roosevelt in a rebuke of Cuba and all of Latin America (Theodore Rex, by Edmond Morris, Modern Library, New York). How relevant are these important words, extended to the welfare of Israel, which has stated on countless occasions that as a condition of peace, it demands that Hamas cease the fir- ing of rockets at civilians dwelling in southern Israel. Instead, recent rocket attacks of longer range and greater power have been fired, indicating that Hamas has been arming itself in recent months. That adds urgency to Israel's efforts to protect its citizen in southern Israel. Clearly, this unbearable situation prompted the initial incursion and subsequent movement of Israeli troops and tanks, protected by heavy air, sea and artillery fire, through the center of Gaza, taking control of rocket launching areas and surrounding the main city, as Israel and Hamas rebuff present diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Jerome P. Horwitz, professor emeritus Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit Obama And Israel The weather is unpredictable. Your monthly expenses don't have to be. We know rising prices and an uncertain economy are stretching your fixed income. That's why now is the best time to come live at an Erickson community. Our predictable and consistent monthly service package covers all of your needs, including heating costs, household maintenance, and snow clearing this winter. Call us today, and get the financial peace of mind you deserve. Call 1-800-981-9319 to learn more about Fox Run in Novi. A6 January 15 . 2009 Nearly a year ago in spring, you stated in your Editor's Letter, as fact rather than your opinion, that Barack Obama and John McCain both were pro-Israel, and that their bona fides, therefore, were not in question. Segue to October, where the news- paper gave an endorsement to, Obama, while stating that if Israel is the only or main issue, then the voter should vote for McCain. Move forward again to your post-election column (Editor's Letter, "Obama's Challenge Nov. 13, page A5) in which you couldn't stop levelling in the joy of Obama's election, even going so far as to tell us as read- ers that you needed to read his victory speech twice. Forgive the lack of pleasantries and fluff, but how all of that comports with your recent column stating essentially that George W. Bush did not do enough to protect Israel defies credulity. I, in part, agree on the latter, feeling that while he had an outstand- ing vice president and first secretary of defense, neither of his secretaries of state has been a friend of Israel. His current secretary of defense is a friend only to himself, Bob Gates. He is in the middle on Israel. My incredulity comes because you spent a year helping build Jewish consensus that Obama was perfectly good for the Jews and, all of a sud- den, Israel matters again. There is no question that either George W. Bush or John McCain has a lifetime history of stalwart support for Israel and that Obama, at this juncture, cannot even begin to think about putting a down payment on the matter. Israel is in a fight for its life. There is much fear in Israel because of Obama's predilections on Israel versus McCain's. The Jewish News helped spread the story that Obama was solid, with a long history on Israel when, in fact, the latter part of that sentence certainly is not the case. I don't think all of that downloading of the whole Obama victory speech (remember, you said just hearing it once was not enough), and the reading and studying of it that you did does a thing to protect the Jewish people. We are stuck in a terrible war with an incoming president who cannot find his voice to defend Israel even in the honeymoon period of his pre-presi- dency. If this seems like an unusually tough tone, it is. I cannot help feel- ing that if John McCain had been elected, Hamas would not have been emboldened to act up recently — and I could sleep more Sen. McCain peacefully not wor- rying about my sister who lives in Israel. Alas, as your newspaper wrote, we Jews have other issues besides Israel and military security — and now we are reaping those "other issues." Forgive my bitter sarcasm, but is there something in tikkun olam [repair of the world] that says that everyone should be helped, except the Jews? Eric Rosenberg Farmington Hills