Front Lines DETROIT JEWISH NEWS DIGEST Cemetery Coalition The idea of an umbrella network for Jewish cemeteries has become reality with an Oakland County cemetery administrator at the helm. Ralph Zuckman of Farmington Hills is board chairman of the new Jewish Cemetery Association of North America. He's the executive director of the Ralph Birmingham-based Clover Zuckman Hill Park Cemetery of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. The new organization aims to spotlight end-of-life issues and maintain Jewish burial practices. "Recognizing the ever changing land- scape of the Jewish communities around the country," Zuckman told the JN, "it became apparent that there was a need to provide an avenue for the exchange of information and ideas for those involved in operating Jewish cemeteries!' JCANA was born at the National Chevra Kadisha Convention last June in Edison, N.J. The 12 founding member cemeteries are now reaching out to the thousands of independent Jewish cemeteries in the U.S. and Canada. "Population shifts around the country have caused many Jewish cemeteries to be abandoned or be operated with minimal funding:' Zuckman said. "JCANA plans to offer professional cemetery management JNonline.us assistance to member cemeteries that require information to plan for the future' JCANAs first conference is set for June 7- 9 in Berkeley, Calif. Jewish cemetery manag- ers and administrators will discuss Jewish thought on cremation interments, interfaith cemeteries and other common issues. "Cemeteries throughout North America:' Zuckman said, "are faced with the same issues: managing trust funds, balancing halachic burial practices with current inter- pretations of Jewish laws, intermarriage, cre- mation and general cemetery operations!' Political Pow-Wow A contingent of Orthodox leaders from Metro Detroit met Feb. 17 with U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, at the Oak Park home of local community activ- ist Gary Torgow. The meeting included representatives of the New York-based Orthodox Union. Discussion topics included the U.S.-Israel relationship under the Obama administration, Carl Levin the Iranian nuclear threat, green and alternative energy projects for non-public schools, homeland security grants for vulnerable local nonprofits and the state's economic crisis. "It is important for us to know that we have an advocate in Washington that is willing to take the time to listen to our concerns and to get to know us:' said Rabbi Michael Cohen of Young Israel of Oak Park. Rabbi Yechiel Morris of Young Israel of Southfield, said: "Sen. Levin was receptive to our concerns and candid in his assess- ment of the current challenges facing the country. His commitment to proactively fol- low through on some of the issues that were discussed was genuine and well received!' Righteous Gentiles A new graduate of the University of Michigan heads the new Young Associates Division of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous. The New York city-based organization tells the story of people — Christians and Muslims — who reached out to save Jewish victims of Nazi persecution. The nonprofit is dedicated to identify- ing, honoring and supporting Righteous Gentiles who risked their lives to save Jews from death in Europe, especially Eastern Europe, during the Holocaust. A top goal of the organization is to teach young people about the Holocaust. Schulweis works in interactive market- ing and advertising in New York City. While attending the University of Michigan, he volunteered at Head Start in Detroit. He has put together a board of young- professional colleagues working in a variety of careers. "This program takes the lessons of the Holocaust and applies them in today's world:' he said. — All notes by Robert Sklar, editor Quotables "North American Conservative Judaism is wres- tling with demographic change (in other words, the graying of our movement) and several decades of intermarriage. We are challenged to re-examine our assumptions about intermar- riage while testing the limits of pluralism. Specifically, how shall we relate to the support- ive non-Jewish spouses in our communities and movement institutions?" — Rabbi Charles Simon, executive director of the Conservative Movement's New York-based Federation of Jewish Men's Cubs, in the spring issue of Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism Our JN Mission Scroll Of Support Mayor Ruvik Danilovich of Beer Sheva, Israel, (center) was presented Feb. 17 with a 12-foot scroll of supportive messages written by community members at the Jan. 8 Israel Solidarity Rally held at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Presenting the scroll to Danilovich are B'nai B'rith International President Moishe Smith and BBI Executive Vice-President Daniel Mariaschin. The presentation was coordinated by Alan Schneider, director of BBI's World Center in Jerusalem. Cards and letters gathered at the rally were distributed in Sderot by the Israel office of the Anti-Defamation League. Letters to soldiers were delivered by the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. A8 March 5 • 2009 The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advo- cating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu- ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi- tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth. Advertising Sales Publisher/President Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Sales Director: Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us Account Executives: Ann G. Abrams, Jan Haskell, Melissa Litvin, Heidi Martin, Rick Nessel, Dharlene Norris Senior Sales Assistant: Kim Metzger Business Offices Customer Service Assts.: Maya Brodsky, Jan Shain Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner Collections Analyst: Hazel Bender Creative Services creative@thejewishnews.com Creative Director: Deborah Schultz Contributing Graphic Designer: Lindsay Schwartz Production By VERTIS INC. Site Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Iris Dembeck, Beth Farley, Kathleen Kargula, Jeffrey Meyer, Pam Sherevan, Michelle Sheridan Photography Staff Photographers: Angie Baan, Armando Rios Editorial Editor: Robert A. Sklar rsklar@thejewishnews.com Associate Editor: Alan Hitsky ahitsky@thejewishnews.com Story Development Editor: Ken Guten Cohen kcohen@thejewishnews.com Arts Editor: Gail Zimmerman gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Senior Writer: Shell! Liebman Dorfman sdorfman@thejewishnews.com Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net Columnists: George Cantor, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein Copy Team: Senior Copy Editor: David Sachs dsachs@thejewishnews.com Copy Team Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@thejewishnews.com Platinum: Editor: Lynne Konstantin lkonstantingthejewishnews.com Executive Editor: Gail Zimmerman gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Young Adult Advisory Board Gayle Friedman Gold, Jordan Glass, Robin Schwartz, Brad "Bubba" Urdan Published by: Jewish Renaissance Media Chairman: Michael H. Steinhardt President/Publisher: Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Chief Operating Officer: F. Kevin Browett kbrowett@renmedia.us Controller: Craig R. Phipps Editorial Director: Robert A. Sklar IT & Circulation Director: Deanna Spivey Marketing Consultant: Kelli Baird Fulfillment circulationdesk@thejewishnews.com Customer Service Manager: Zena Davis Departments General Offices: 248-354-6060 Display Advertising: 248-354-6060 Fax: 248-304-0032 Circulation: 248-351-5174 Classified Advertising: 248-351-5100 Fax: 248-304-0049 Deadline: Monday, 4 p.m.: Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885 Deadline: All public and social announcements must be typewritten and received by noon Tuesday, nine days prior to desired date of publication. Subscriptions: 1 year 2 years 3 years 1 year out-of-state 2 years out-of-state Per year foreign $60 $114 $140 $79 $139 $142 Detroit Jewish News 29200 Northwestern Highway Suite 110 Southfield, MI 48034 ©copyright 2009 Detroit Jewish News