Letters How to Send Letters Detroit our 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. generation Valued Partnership THIS IS EVERYONE'S STORY. PRODUCED BY EIGHT—TIME EMMY—WINNING PRODUCTION COMPANY VISIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS, THIS DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATES DE'T'ROIT AND MICHIGAN'S MEN AND WOMEN WHO HELPED WIN THE WAR, ON THE BATTLEFIELD AND IN THE FACTORIES. THEY MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR US. Now WE NEED TO MAKE A SMALL SACRIFICE FOR THEM. GO TO WWW.DETROITGREATESTGENERATION.COM AND SEE HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR WWII HEROES AND THE FILM. WWW.DETROITGREATESTGENERATION.COM tis erience Rosh Hashana at the Grand Hotel with Jewel Kosher Catering and. Phil Tavel a in conjunction with AISH HaTorah Detroit MACKINAC ISLAND MICHIGAN 49757 Reserve before August 17th, 2009 (4 days, 3 nights) for an unbelievable rate of $699 per person, based on double occupancy plus tax & gratuities $399 per child, age 3 - 15 as 3rd or 4th in room plus tax & gratuities • Gourmet Glatt Kosher Cuisine • Inspiring Davening & Shiurim Call for reservations and information 248-948-9908 ext. 1 Phil: 248-761-2702 152€,860 A6 Thank you for devoting your Editor's Letter of July 9 to a review and analy- sis of Partnership 2000 and the cur- rent efforts of the Michigan-Israel Steering Committee ("A Michigan- Israel Bridge," page A5) . Editor Robert Sklar's participation in the committee's June 11 meeting provided an opportunity for you to better understand the goals of the partnership and the efforts being undertaken to make it dynamic, rele- vant, exciting and meaningful in these challenging and turbulent times. While we would not characterize the partnership as "fragile," we do recog- nize that for it to continue to justify our community's resources in both time and money, meaningful relevance for all participants must be the bench- mark for the future success of this relationship. To that end, as you clearly pointed out, Detroit and Michigan are focused on the question of what do we want from the partnership, believ- ing that if we better understand the answer to that question, the more suc- cessful we will be. And we are beginning to answer that question. We want the partnership to provide us a special and unique place in Israel — a place that each of us considers our "home" in Israel. We want Detroiters to have the chance to spend time in Israel with Israelis from the partnership region by creat- ing unique opportunities to explore our homeland along with their chevre (friends) in Israel. In turn, the Israelis' are more excited and engaged by focusing on how they can help us through our mutual chal- lenges and needs, not just needs in Israel that are funded with Federation dollars. Interestingly, many Israelis are now exploring the issue of Jewish identity, realizing that living in Israel alone is not a guarantee of a lasting connec- tion to the global Jewish people. This quest is, in many ways, similar to the journey many in our own community are taking or would like to take; thus it can provide a dynamic living bridge of shared interests to both sides of the partnership. This examination is exemplified by the Community House move- ment that has recently blossomed in Israel and, more particularly, within our partnership region. To correct one item in your Editor's Letter, this popular movement in Israel has flourished with very little American involvement. It is Bob Heinrich, one of our many impassioned steering com- mittee members, who identified an opportunity to engage others within our community to participate in the community houses in the partnership region. He has taken it upon himself to structure and develop a program to connect members of our community with their counterparts in Israel.Bob is excited. His Israeli counterparts are excited. Our committee is excited. We hope that this will be the first of many new possibilities for members of the Detroit and Michigan community to develop a unique, lifelong and spe- cial connection to the Central Galilee and its people. Jeffrey Schlussel Michael Horowitz, co-chairs Partnership 2000 Michigan Steering Committee Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Bloomfield Township Lifting Detroit When thinking of a Detroit comeback in the forefront will be Linda Yellin ("Detroit Booster," July 9, page B4). She is beyond a Detroit booster; she is a welcome wagon, ambassador and just a ball of fire when it comes to our beleaguered, but beloved city. I met Linda through our connection to the JCC Jewish Book Fair in Metro Detroit. My job is to provide ground hospitality for the authors and our authors come from all over the world. They often ask to go to Detroit and Linda is usually their tour guide. When Linda takes someone on a tour, is it no wonder they love Detroit? In April, I helped Linda with a group of teens volunteering at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. As a part of this mitzvah event, the kids were taken on a Feet on the Street walking tour of downtown. Walking around with the kids, they were amazed about Detroit; Linda is not only informative, but also is funny and inspirational. If there is hope for our kids to become interested in staying in Michigan, we need to invest their hopes and dreams in our city; Linda is the No. 1 Detroit cheerleader. The next time your organization is looking for an activity or you have out-of-town guests, think about tak- ing them on a Feet on the Street tour. "If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem." Let's all try to follow Linda's example and be part of the solution. Cheryl Kirsch West Bloomfield