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School Supplies Optional

Trying Times
I wish to thank the Detroit Jewish
community for the outpouring of
support following the violent attack
on Tel Aviv's gay center, which led
to the death of two innocent teens.
Statements, public and on the record,
by local Jewish leaders have been a
powerful assertion of progressive
values and a commitment to inclusion
that I hope will continue to be in the
forefront of this community.
As a gay Israeli-American, I feel
more connected to my identity there
than anywhere else. In fact, Tel Aviv is
arguably one of the most progressive
and open cities in the world. Despite
continued subjugation by the current
government and the religious cultural
and political establishment, the gay
rights movement in Israel is alive and
well. But in order to be effective, we
need the continued support of pro-
gressive Jewish communities in the
United States and around the world.
The immediate response of main-
stream Tel Avivi and Israelis at large
indicates to me that, despite this tragic
setback, the future continues to look
bright for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual
Transgender communities in Israel,
the United States and, slowly but
surely, around the world.
The Jewish community in Detroit
should take inspiration from the words
of Kadima party chairwoman Tzipi
Livni, who said the day after this hor-
rible tragedy that it is time for Israel to
become proud of its gay community.

Matan Eyal Farris

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6

August 27 2009

West Bloomfield

Keep School Open
Scholarship, opportunity and integrity
are core values of the historically prom-
inent Bloomfield Hills School District.
Oakland County Circuit Judge
Michael Warren recently ruled that by
closing Pine Lake School and leasing
it to Waterford schools, the district
violated a historic trust created in 1955
when Mae Callow donated land from
her family farm to the district to build a
new Pine Lake School for area children.
The deed stated that the land is "subject
to the restriction that these premises
shall be used for School purposes only."
One year ago, before the school con-
solidation process debate began, I dis-
covered and informed the district of
the deed restriction. At countless pub-
lic meetings, I argued that the restric-
tion places a cloud of legal uncertainty
on the district's ability to sell the land
— or even lease the land (because the
word "School" is capitalized). My wife

and I located Mrs. Callow's grand-
children who confirmed she wanted a
school for Pine Lake area youngsters.
We want our children to learn about
keeping promises. Unfortunately, as
a role model, the board is breaching
these very principles.
In light of Judge Warren's decision,
the board has a second chance to right
a wrong. As stewards of the public trust,
it must reopen Pine Lake School. This
will honor Mrs. Callow's wishes, satisfy
the court's decision, and provide all stu-
dents on the district's west side with an
excellent elementary school facility.
Will the board restore integrity to
itself and the district? I certainly hope so.

Thomas L. Shaevsky

West Bloomfield

Showing Jewish Life
We'd like to thank the Jewish News
for the excellent coverage provided
for the Detroit Historical Museum's
current exhibit, From Haven to Home:
Jewish Life in America. We also want
to express special thanks to our part-
ners at the Jewish Historical Society
of Michigan; they helped make the
exhibit a great success here in Detroit.
We are extremely honored to be the
only museum in the Midwest to host
From Haven to Home.
Thousands of visitors from across
Metro Detroit and beyond have expe-
rienced this enlightening and moving
exhibit. Visitors to the museum have
also enjoyed other popular attrac-
tions, including the Streets of Old
Detroit and The Motor City as well as
the stories of prominent local Jewish
figures like Soupy Sales, 19th-century
shop owner Abba Keidan, pre-eminent
Detroit architect Albert Kahn and civil
rights attorney Ernie Goodman.
Thanks to the Jewish News' excellent
coverage of From Haven to Home, which
ends its run at the museum on Aug.30,
we have been able to welcome many new
visitors and reconnect with many others
who haven't visited in the recent past.
We look forward to welcoming more
of your readers.

Robert A. Bury, executive director and CEO

Detroit Historical Society

Correction

•"A Lawyer's Lawyer" (Aug. 13, page
21) should have stated that William
Ellmann was the first Jewish president
of the Michigan Bar Association. He
served a full elected term as president
in 1966-67.
• In "Remembering Victims" (Aug. 20,
page 36), Beth Greenapple's name was
listed incorrectly.

