Letters How to Send Letters 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. Guarantors Of Torah As the central resource for educa- tional services in the Metropolitan Detroit Jewish community, the Jewish Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education (AJE) promotes advocates, develops and supports Jewish educa- tion at all age levels. In addition to the professional development day provided earlier in the month for all teachers in Jewish day, congregational and supplemen- tary schools throughout the state of Michigan, the AJE, with support from the Hermelin Davidson Center for Congregation Excellence Millennium Fund, sponsored a learning retreat recently for early childhood directors from Jewish schools in the Metro Detroit area as well as the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor. Conceived by Dale Rubin, associ- ate director of the Alliance for Jewish Education, the directors attended learning sessions and Torah study. Some of the topics addressed were "Legal Issues Affecting Religious Pre-Schools," "Staff Appreciation" and "Communicating the Value of Jewish Preschools." With an increasing awareness that tuition is an obstacle to many, we need to remember that educating young Jewish children in Jewish insti- tutions that teach and model Jewish values, Jewish customs and rituals is a necessity — not a luxury. Our children are the guarantors of Torah. We are grateful for the oppor- tunities the Federation's Alliance has given our children and families. It is our sincere hope that the our early childhood centers can continue to offer programming that allows our young Jewish children the opportuni- ties to learn Jewish values and build a foundation to Jewish life and Jewish continuity. Community financial support is a necessity to achieve this goal. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 1 "4/404 FLOORS HARDWOOD 4.111 4/11644.1 %.10111`4111Pb- - -41/11 4101 bNaft% ■ 011 %4Pft- and REFINISHING INTERIORS LAMINATE VINYL 3021 3021 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD KEEGO HARBOR, MICHIGAN 48320 248.681.6460 WWW.HARBORFLOORS.COM HOURS: M-F 8 AM - 6 PM, SAT. 9 AM - 5 PM OR CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT December 17 • 2009 Aimee Ergas, director on behalf of the officers and board Jewish Historical Society of Michigan West Bloomfield Shaarey Zedek, Southfield and West Bloomfield Iffy Shemtov, program director Susan Gartenberg The Shul, West Bloomfield Beth Shalom, Oak Park Noreen DeYoung, Peretz Herschbein CARPET JCC, Ann Arbor CERAMIC Bryna Leib Temple Israel, West Bloomfield CORK Lisa Parshan Yeshivat Akiva, Southfield AREA RUGS Fredelle Schneider JCC, West Bloomfield COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL 1488600 6 Arnie Collens, president More Benefactors Regarding the article "A Lego Menorah" (Dec. 10, page 58): The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch also would like to acknowledge the generous sup- port of our Chanukah program by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's Alliance for Jewish Education of the and the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation. With this support, The Shul was able to participate in Federation's Artist in the School program. We were fortunate to have Shawn Stearn, our artist-in- residence, work with Hebrew school students to create the Lego Menorah. Rena Cohen, Rena Weintraub MARBLE/GRANITE Historical Society's Role Thank you for the detailed coverage about the new documentary airing on DPTV Detroit Remember When: The Jewish Community ("Close Up And Personal:' Dec. 3, page 16). Because we feel this film by Sue Marx and Allyson Rockwell is an important contribution to document- ing and disseminating the history of our community, the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan is proud to be a major sponsor of the film on public television. Several of our members are presented on screen as historical con- sultants. The film will be rebroadcast 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, on Channel 56. This film is a vehicle that will increase interest in our history and encourage people to document, pre- serve and pass on that history to future generations. To meet our mission, the Jewish Historical Society will continue to collect and safeguard our history for families and our community. As we celebrate our 50th anniver- sary, we proudly look at our journey and thank those who have helped us along the way by sharing and teaching the history that makes all of us part of a vibrant community in Michigan. Correction "Uniting With Music" (Dec. 3, page 32) should have included Hannah Waterstone as the pianist of the Young Israel of Oak Park Women's Choral Society, which performed Nov. 17 at the eighth annual Tri-Synagogue Women's Night Out.