Opinion

I

Spotlight

Speak Out from page 41

speak out.
We must differentiate
between extreme theology
and ideology in Islam, and
condemn it and challenge it,
while, at the same time, define
and separate it from the non-
extremist ideology and theol-
ogy.

Standing Firm
We must condemn the brand
of Islam that venerates violence
and intolerance, and welcome
into the modern world the rest
of Islam that rejects violence
and intolerance.
We must speak out when
there are threats to burn the
Muslim holy book, the Koran.
ADL condemned the threat
to burn the Koran on "Burn a
Koran Day" in Gainesville, Fla.,
and spearheaded a coalition of
interfaith leaders to speak out
with the message of "we will
not remain silent in the face of
religious Intolerance."
We must speak out when
Muslims face opposition to
the legal building, expansion
or relocation of their houses
of worship — their mosques,
which is why we established
an interfaith task force. We
must speak out when Muslims
are denied religious accom-
modation.
We believe you fight hatred
— be it because of one's reli-
gion, race, ethnicity — with
legitimate action and civil
discourse.
By standing up, speaking
out, saying no to religious
bigotry, gaining understanding
and respect through educa-
tion and working together,
we can — to borrow an ADL
catchphrase — make a world
of difference and, at the same
time, strengthen the fabric of
our democratic and diverse
society.
We can do no less. We can
help restore respect and civil-
ity. ❑

Taking Care Of Hunger

At annual dinner, Yad Ezra celebrates 20 years
of feeding the Jewish hungry.

Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor

Currently, Yad Ezra provides nutritious
kosher food each month for more than
1,600 impoverished families, which rep-
ore than 400 people came to
resents about 3,600 individuals. This is a
support Yad Ezra, the Berkley-
35 percent increase from two years ago.
based kosher food pantry,
In 2009, the food pantry distributed 850
and pay tribute to honorees Margot
pounds of free groceries. Since its incep-
and Jerry Halperin of Birmingham at
tion 20 years ago, Yad Ezra has provided
the organization's annual dinner Oct.
a staggering 12 million pounds of food
11 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
— and this includes foods appropriate for
Southfield.
every Jewish holiday.
In such tough economic times, it was
All this is accomplished while respect-
heart-warming to hear about the tremen-
ing the dignity of clients. A core base of
dous work of this independent, grassroots, 150 volunteers keeps the operation run-
life-saving agency.
ning smoothly.
Each year, a dedi-
cated volunteer is
honored with the
Diane and Emery
Klein Volunteer
Award. This year's
recipient was
Irene Fox of West
Bloomfield, who
earned the award
for the second time.
Her speech was a
humble thank you.
Jerry and
Margot
Halperin of
Honorees Jerry and Margot Halperin of Birmingham

M

John and Missy Halperin listen as Dr. Andrew Halperin
speaks about his parents.

Birmingham also were honored for their
longtime involvement with Yad Ezra as
well as countless boards and committees
in the Jewish community here and in
California, where they spend the winters
with their children and grandchildren.
Margot has been a major force in worn-
en's philanthropy, fundraising and grant
making. She is the founding chair and
lifetime trustee of the Jewish Women's
Foundation as well as a member of the
Yad Ezra board.
Jerry is a lifetime board member of
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit and earned its Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2003. He is an
active advisory board member of Hebrew
Free Loan.
"Jewish values and history tell us that
we are obliged to provide food for the
hungry in our community" the Halperins
said. "We must be involved by practicing
charity, showing compassion and sharing
our resources!'
Dinner chairs were Beverly and Arthur
Liss, Penny and Harold Blumenstein and
Jane and Larry Sherman. ❑

To volunteer or donate to Yad Ezra, call (248)
548-3663 or e-mail lea@yadezra.org.

Dinner co-chair Beverly Liss of Bloomfield Hills, Yad Ezra

President Ken Benard and dinner co-chair Penny Blumenstein
of Bloomfield Hills

Abraham H. Foxman is national
director of the Anti-Defamation
League. This commentary was
adapted from a speech he

delivered to ADL's annual meeting
in Boston on Oct. 7.

Phyllis Meer of Oak Park, Judith Goodman of Bloomfield Hills
and Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods

42

October 21 • 2010

Irene Fox of West Bloomfield, recipient of the Diane and
Emery Klein Volunteer Award, with the Kleins