Front Lines

DIGEST

Diplomacy With Iran

New York/JTA — The U.S. ambassador to the United
Nations said the new administration would engage
in "direct diplomacy" with Iran. Susan Rice, who was
appointed to the U.N. post by President Obama, made the
comment Monday after presenting her credentials to U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"We look forward to engaging in vigorous diplomacy
that includes direct diplomacy with Iran:' said Rice,
according to the Associated Press.
Rice also said that diplomacy "must go hand in hand
with a very firm message from the United States and the
international community that Iran needs to meet its obli-
gations as defined by the Security Council."
She added that the United States would look for ways
that are necessary and appropriate to ratchet up the pres-
sure on Iran, with a goal of ending its nuclear program.

Obama's Mitchell Goals

Washington/JTA — President Obama said his Middle
East envoy will focus on consolidating the Gaza Strip
cease-fire, maintaining Israel's security and promoting
Palestinian development. Obama spoke at a news confer-
ence Monday before he met with George Mitchell, his
special envoy to Israeli-Palestinian talks, and Secretary of
State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Mitchell, who was leaving the same evening for his first

tour of the region in his new capacity, will tour Israel and
the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
His weeklong trip will "solidify the cease-fire, ensure
Israel's security, ensure that Palestinians in Gaza are able
to get the necessities they need and that they can see a
long-term pathway to getting the development they need:'
Obama said.
The president cast Mitchell's visit as part of his com-
mitment to maintaining a vigorous U.S. presence in the
peace talks and as part of his outreach to Muslims. "It is
important to Arabs and Jews, it is important to Christians
and Muslims and Jews all over the world:' Obama said.

Rabbinic Violation?

Washington/JTA — In the face of criticism from the
main Modern Orthodox rabbinical union, a prominent
Manhattan rabbi is defending his decision to participate
in the National Prayer Service.
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of Congregation Kehilath
Jeshurun in New York City sent a mass e-mail to his col-
leagues explaining his decision to participate in the Jan.
21 service at the National Cathedral. Lookstein, who read
part of a nondenominational responsive prayer, was one
of three Jewish clergymen to participate in the service on
the morning after Barack Obama's inauguration.
The Rabbinical Council of America told JTA that
Lookstein was breaking the organization's rules by par-

ticipating in the service.
"The longstanding policy of the Rabbinical Council of
America, in accordance with Jewish law, is that participa-
tion in a prayer service held in the sanctuary of a church
is prohibited:' the RCA said in a statement sent to JTA.
In a mass e-mail to his colleagues, Lookstein said that
he had "never participated in such an event:' but felt that
in this case it was "proper for someone in the responsible
Orthodox rabbinate and, indeed, necessary, to partici-
pate
He cited several rabbis and religious authorities who
had allowed for a rabbinic role in these sorts of scenarios.
"Of course, such events are few and far between, and, in
most situations, I and other RCA members would never
participate in such events;' Lookstein wrote. "But I feel
that Orthodox participation in this important national
event, and the opportunity to say a few words directly to
the president of the United States and begin to develop a
relationship with the most powerful man in the world, is
a chance that our community can ill afford to miss."
Lookstein said he urged Obama to maintain his sup-
port for Israel and its right to respond to Palestinian
rocket fire against civilian areas.
"The president responded with a clear assent:'
Lookstein said. "Maybe this will save a life or two in the
future and maybe it will not; but I felt this was not an
assignment I could — or should — turn down."

In Celebration of Older Americans Month

To be included in our list of honorees, you may:

Let's Honor Them

• Call Pat Mayer at (248) 203-1519

If you have a friend or relative who is 95 or older,
(or if you are) please join us for the

Bessie Spector
Oldest Jewish Americans Brunch
Friday, May 8, 2009

Jewish Community Center • D. Dan and Betty Kahn Building
Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
6600 W. Maple Road • West Bloomfield, Michigan

Sponsored by Elderlink with a generous gift from the Bessie Spector family

Attendees from prior years are encouraged to join us.

• E-mail mayer@jfmd.org

• Download a printable honoree form at
jewishdetroit.org/elderlink

• Submit form electronically from the website

Honoree forms must be received by March 23, 2009.
Invitation will follow.

Complimentary brunch is provided for honoree and
one guest. Additional reservations are available at
$20 per person.

The Agencies of the Jewish Federation

1-) ELDE • LIN

Connecting People & Services

ElderLink's network of agencies:

qp

Jewish

2- -' 1 Federation

of Metropolitan Detroit

jewishdetroit.org

Jewish Apartments & Services • Jewish Community Center
Jewish Family Service • Jewish Home & Aging Services • JVS

1473220

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January 29 • 2009