WOMEN'S

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN

DESIGNER

In Search Of Peace
My fellow shlichim (emissaries) from
Jewish communities throughout North
America are in the midst of major
efforts to generate support for Israel,
including battling public opinion in
the local news media and helping
organize solidarity rallies.
Although I feel frustrated by not
being in Israel, I consider myself lucky
to be part of a community that is in no
need of reminders or motivational rein-
forcements to support Israel. I have the
utmost confidence that our great Jewish
community of Detroit will come togeth-
er once again in solidarity and prayers
for Israel, even with our minds occupied
by growing economic concerns.
Israel is yet again called to engage in
a heroic struggle forced upon it. Every
minute of every day, our soldiers are
putting their lives on the line, ensuring
the safety of more than a third of our
country's population whose lives are
constantly and intolerably threatened
by missile attacks.
Yet daily newspapers from all over
Europe feature headlines of criticism
against Israel, including countries we
are normally on good terms with, such
as England, Spain, Switzerland and
Belgium.
What fills me with anger is how
quickly these countries are to judge
us without even attempting to see
the world through Israel's eyes, or
attempting to perceive the reasons for
which we were coerced to undertake
this defensive military action.
Any country faced with a similar
situation would react in the same way
without hesitation.
This global criticism also makes
us in Israel truly appreciate our deep
friendship with our Jewish and non-
Jewish supporters in North America
who are not blinded by anti-Israel,
pro-Palestinian news media, and who
appreciate our goal to simply live a nor-
mal and secure life in our own country.
No better example of this support
can be found in Detroit. At a time in
which Israel is at war, our Federation's
Family Mission toured the land, staying
positive and setting an extraordinary
example of Jewish values and devotion.
In closing, please let your voices be

heard. We are fighting for the future
of our country and the safety of our
people. We are fighting to achieve what
everyone who lives in a normal envi-
ronment already has: security, quiet,
and most importantly, peace.

Yoav Raban, community shaliach

Israel and Overseas Department

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ACCESSORI E

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Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Bloomfield Township

Cousin And Colleague

SHOES

Our grandparents' home in Detroit
was filled with loud, tumultuous polit-
ical conversation usually followed by a
bowl of borscht and homemade rugu-
lach. My cousin, Kary Moss ("Miracle
Worker," Jan. 15, page A18), epitomizes
every day, the teachings of my grand-
parents, that everyone's rights, regard-
less of their station in life, gender or
race are sacred and worthy of protec-
tion in our society.
Our grandfather, Charles
Starkman, was an organizer for the
Needleworkers Union in Toronto. He
strove for justice in the workplace for
ordinary men and women who had no
voice in the garment plants.
While I am legal counsel for orga-
nized labor, my cousin and colleague
Kary has carried the torch for the
ACLU. She is a woman of great dedica-
tion, grace, intellect and courage. She
is the embodiment of what the Book
of Deuteronomy implores of all of us,
"Justice, Justice shalt thou pursue."
I am eminently proud of all of her
accomplishments. But I am more proud
of her steadfast and unwavering pursuit
of all of our Constitutionally protected
rights. The world is a better place
because of the unparalleled work of
Kary Moss.
Yasher Koach!

Robert Starkman

Southfield

Correction

"Miracle Worker" (Jan 22, page A19)
should have stated that Michigan
ACLU Executive Director Kary Moss'
husband, Douglas W. Baker, works for
the State Appellate Defender Office.

TE NDER

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