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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.

Brain Drain Is Real
In his Editor's Letter "Slowing
Israel's Brain Drain" (Jan. 27, page
3), Robert Sklar correctly pinpoints
a worrying trend in Israel's scien-
tific and technological capabilities
because of the brain drain of young
and talented Ph.Ds., who leave for
universities and research institutes
abroad.
Their going is not only a conse-
quence of the nation's ever-present
security threat, but due as well to
the lack of employment opportuni-
ties for them in Israel. For the past
30 years, Israeli governments have
slashed university budgets. This has
resulted in shrinking departments, a
decline in faculty positions and less
money for research.
At one time, Israeli universities
ranked among the best in the world.
This is no longer the case. Recent
lists of the world's top 100 universi-
ties rarely include any from Israel.
The government's shortsighted poli-
cies have led to serious erosion in
Israel's scientific and technological
capability.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's pledges to rectify this
situation should be seen in the light
of his earlier declarations on the
same subject. Sadly, he has acquired
the reputation as someone who
habitually fails to make good on his
promises of action.
While we are waiting for the
promised changes and results
in Israel's governmental policies
to occur, Israel's universities will
continue to stagnate and promising
young Ph.Ds. will continue to leave.

Dr. Robert Rockaway, professor emeritus

Department of Jewish History

Tel Aviv University

Ramat-Aviv, Israel

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WSU-Israel Pact
We were pleased to read "Aiming
Higher: Wayne State's new provost
embraces Detroit" (Feb. 3, page 19)
about Wayne State Univeristy's sign-
ing agreements establishing student
exchange and research partnerships
with three Israeli universities.
The Jewish Community Relations
Council of Metropolitan Detroit is
proud to have been the catalyst that
led to those agreements, proposing
and then organizing three visits by
several Wayne State officials to six
Israeli universities beginning in
October 2009.

JCRC also has organized similar
trips for the University of Michigan-
Dearborn and is in the process
of doing so for Eastern Michigan
University. This effort benefits
Detroit's Jewish and general commu-
nities in several ways: building posi-
tive relationships between Israeli
and Michigan institutions of higher
learning, promoting Israeli business
investment in Michigan, and expos-
ing non-Jewish community influen-
tials and students to the realities of
contemporary Israeli life.

Richard Nodel, president

Jewish Community Relations Council

of Metropolitan Detroit

Bloomfield Township

In Story And Song
On a cold, winter Michigan day, the
sun came out early as if anticipating
this very special event celebrating
the life of the late Debbie Friedman
("Singing Unto God;' Jan. 13, page 58).
More than 300 people came to hear
reminiscences of Debbie and joined
their voices in singing her music. This
program came together quickly after
learning of Debbie's untimely death on
Jan. 9.
Thanks go to Rabbi Norm Roman,
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, Rabbi Dan
Syme, Tiffany Steyer Green, Cantor Kat
Hastings, Caitlin Klaper, Steve Klaper,
Judy Lewis, Cantor Darcie Sharlein,
Penny Steyer and Dan Nichols for
planning and participating in this very
special afternoon of song and celebra-
tion, honoring the legacy of this gifted
singer, songwriter, teacher and friend.
Debbie Friedman's music has
touched much of America's Jewish
population over the course of her
40-year career. It has been said
the music of Debbie Friedman has
changed the whole feel of Reform
Jewish worship and has indeed
impacted Conservative worship as
well.
It is of special note that the School
of Sacred Music at the Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute of Religion
was renamed in her honor, thanks to a
generous endowment by friends of the
College-Institute.
I like to think that it was Debbie
Friedman in the Yeshiva on High who
was sending the brilliant sunshine for
us that day.

Dave Henig, president

Metropolitan Detroit Federation

of Reform Synagogues

Oakland County