JEWH RENAISSANCE Front Lines D DETROIT JEWISH NEWS EST theJEWISHNEWS.com 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 Supplying Israel's Soldiers F ormer Detroiter Avraham Yitzchak Lichtenstein has a request for the community where he lived as a young boy. Now age 19 and a soldier in the Israeli army, he is hoping Detroiters will help contribute toward the needs of his unit. "I have realized the myth that the Israeli army provides all necessary equipment and clothing to its soldiers is simply false," Lichtenstein wrote in a letter to family and friends. "There are soldiers on the border risking their lives without proper clothes and equipment. My Gdud [unit] 931 from Nachal is turning to you to help us prepare while we protect your country:' Lichtenstein lived in Southfield with his parents, Rachel and Moshe (Marc), and his siblings and attended Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, also in Southfield. He made aliyah with his family seven years ago. His grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins still live in the Detroit area. "My son was sent to the Gaza border:' said Rachel (Stebbins) Lichtenstein. "All donations will be forwarded to his com- mander who will purchase and get the equipment to his unit wherever they are Before leaving for Gaza, Lichtenstein wrote, "We have a huge shortage of equip- ment, like thermal shirts, hats, gloves and camel packs. We are appealing to anyone who can donate even a few dollars to help us be properly prepared for the upcoming winter." To help purchase clothing and supplies for Israeli soldiers, send a check made out to Young Israel of Oak Park, to YlOP, Fighting Hate Crimes U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., praised the Oct. 22 congressional passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He called the act "an important milestone in preventing violence against people based on their gender, sexual orientation or disability" The bill is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which President Obama signed last week. "The hate crimes legislation would, for the first time, give the Justice Department jurisdiction over crimes of violence that are committed not only because of a person's race, color, religion and national origin, which we already have on the books, but also based on gender, sexual orientation or disability," Levin said. He said the law belongs as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. "The values our men and women fight for include tolerance and freedom from hate- inspired violence against our citizens," he said. "Indeed, hate crimes represent a dangerous variety of domestic terrorism while our troops fight terrorism overseas." As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Levin worked through conference with the House to ensure the act remained in the final bill. The new legislation will prohibit hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person; provide support for the criminal inves- tigation and prosecution of hate crimes by state, local and tribal law enforcement officials; prohibit attacks on United States service members based on their military service; and ensure that state and local law enforcement will retain primary jurisdiction over investigations and pros- ecutions. Giving Thanks During these trying times, it is especially important to stop and remember the things in our lives that are cherished and meaningful. For an upcoming Jewish News article, please let us know what or whom you are thankful for — and why. Please respond by Monday, Nov. 9, to Senior Writer Shelli Dorfman by calling (248) 351-5141 or sending a paragraph or two in an e-mail message to sdorfman@thejewishnews.com . Business Offices Customer Service Asst.: Jan Shain Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner Collections Analyst: Hazel Bender Creative Services creative@thejewishnews.com Creative Director: Deborah Schultz Production By VERTIS INC. Site Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Jeffrey Meyer, Pam Sherevan, Michelle Sheridan Editorial Former Detroiter Avraham Yitzchak Lichtenstein with fellow Israeli soldier Aviv Elmashali. 15140 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237. Include a notation: "For Israeli soldiers." II — Shelli Liebman Dorfman, senior writer The act is named for two Americans murdered in 1998 as a result of hate crimes. Matthew Shepard died at age 21 in Wyoming after two men beat him severely because he was gay. James Byrd, Jr. was an African American lynched in Texas by three men; he was 49. At a White House reception Oct. 28 commemorating the signing of the bill earlier that day, President Obama said, "No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability." At the White House ceremony, Anti- Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman called the new law a monumental achievement and a great day for America" CC — Robert Sklar, editor Quotable "One of the oldest and most beloved fruits known to mankind, the red pomegranate, native to southwestern Asia around the Caspian Sea, has been grown in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia and Israel for more than 3,500 years. Biblically, it is significant as the first fruit of the season, but also because it appears often throughout texts as a symbol of abundance, knowledge, fertility and peace." — Joan Nathan in "The Pomegranate: A Rich and Holy History," Moment magazine, September/October 2009 Our JN Mission 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 advocat- ing positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innova- tion. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish com- munity publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth. 10 November 5 s 2009 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 dannyraskinOsbcglobaLnet Columnists: George Cantor, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein Copy Team: Senior Copy Editor: David Sachs dsachsOthejewishnews.com Copy Team Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@thejewishnews.com Platinum: Executive Editor: Gail Zimmerman gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Contributing Editor: Lynne Konstantin lkonstantin@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 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 $69 $129 $155 $96 $180 $152 Detroit Jewish News 29200 Northwestern Highway Suite 110 Southfield, MI 48034 ©copyright 2009 Detroit Jewish News