EDITOR'S LETTER

Hanging Out in the Briar Patch of Marriage

t was suggested by a colleague
on the other side of the office
that Red Thread consider offering
a "bridal" book for February as it
was one of our predecessor's most
popular issues.
While my personal interest in
that subject ended several years
ago — (on Feb. 9, 2003, to be exact
... happy anniversary, Choney) —
people are always getting married.
And, lest we forget, February is
traditionally known as the month
of love (homage to Cupid). So, after
some collective brainstorming, we
thought of various bridal-related
stories that only Red Thread could
present.
First, we asked Julie Edgar to spend some time in mar-
riage's briar patch, that thorny place where reality meets
the conclusion of the "honeymoon phase."
And, since we're already knee-deep in thorns, we asked
Robin Schwartz to shine a light on a dander-raising issue:
gay marriage. (OK, settle down, we didn't just yell "fire" in
a crowded theater — it is the 21st century.)
Finally, for those in the midst of planning nuptials,
Lynne Konstantin swooped in to help — and suggests
you scrap the whole "marriage on the beach"thing be-
cause getting "Married in Motown" is pretty hot, too.

I

DAY SCHOOLS

AND

While markedly different, they both are
Hebrew day schools with a similar mission:
provide the best religious and secular education
possible. A tertiary objective for each is to impart
religious conviction, and this is where their
distinctions become better defined.
Both are excellent institutions that have my
shared allegiance; I am proud to represent each
in different capacities. And therein lies the prob-
lem. While I make little distinction to "turf," not all
parents — or members of the community — feel
the same way.
I was castigated by a few parents for mention-
ing an event for one school but not a similar
program for the other. Regrettably, I wasn't
aware of the second event until the criticism
started rolling in — otherwise I certainly would
have mentioned both.
And, frankly, the premise of their argument (supporting
one school over the other) is unreasonable. I clearly have
vested interests in both — if not all — day schools suc-
ceeding and increasing their enrollment numbers.

TURF WARS

I've spilled a lot of ink espousing the virtues of a
unified effort when confronting the obstacles waiting for
us — demography and opportunity, specifically — but,
digging deeper, the underbelly of our community also
needs some attention: religious stratification.
In addition to my"day job," I am active in lay organiza-
tions at my kids' schools. At my oldest daughter's school,
I am the president of the Parent Teacher Association
(yes, I broke through that glass ceiling); and at my
younger kids' school, I sit on an advisory committee
for the director of admissions.

If a rising tide carries all ships, then should one school (or
shul, or sect) be more"worthy" of attention? I don't agree
with the supposition that helping one requires not helping
the other — certainly not in the realm of education — but
generally across the board. We are one community.
That my integrity was called into question because I
demonstrated support for a "competing"school is absurd. I
hope Akiva, Darchei Torah, Hillel, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, et
al., each have banner years ahead.
We hope the secular humanist and the haredi (ultra-
Orthodox) alike demonstrate support for Jewish educa-
tional opportunities in Detroit. It's for all of our benefit.
Good day schools make good neighborhoods — and it's
attractive to those who are considering moving here.
And, to quote history's most famous Jewish carpenter,
"Any house divided against itself will not stand."

FINALLY, AT LAST AND HALLELUJAH

At 12:01 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, it became
official: redthreadmagazine.com went live. Like most
anything in the media-sphere, its launch crept a little too
close to deadline. But, like a well-crafted Hollywood script,
it appeared on my computer screen — when it was
supposed to — and on time.
Because we took some time to think about how to best
present ourselves online, and what it means to interface
with the world of social media, we also launched our
revamped Facebook page. Go online (and to Facebook) to
see if it was worth the wait.
And, tell your childhood friends who moved away to
visit us — and "like us" on Facebook — so they can
stay connected; and possibly join us back home one day.

Bryan S. Gottlieb
bgottlieb@redthreadmagazine.com

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