French Connection from page 24
2010 showed no part of the French
Jewish community being spared:
schools, synagogues, cemeteries, pla-
zas, kosher shops, a subway station, a
Holocaust memorial, rabbis walking
down the street — even a home for the
elderly!
Young Muslims often have been the
assailants in anti-Jewish acts because
of their indoctrination against Zionism
and Israeli leaders — indoctrination
exacerbated by Israel's 2009 defensive
incursion into the Gaza Strip.
To be fair, some French Muslims have
pro-actively integrated into society and
reject anti-Semitism. But many seem to
have made Jews a scapegoat for national
ills, including a jobless rate of 9.7 per-
cent. These separatists are loyal to the
radical sect of Islam and condemn
Israel for the Palestinian plight. Notably,
there's a class of French Muslims who
aren't openly anti-Semitic, but who still
embrace extremist ideology against
Israel. They also emotionally connect
with other extremist groups, extending
the range of their political reach.
Fighting Back
What can the French people do about
a delusional president and a country
steeped in stereotyping? They can decry
impinging democratic rights. They can
demand that judges hand down exem-
plary sentences against hatred, and that
teachers stress diversity and equality.
School kids must be taught about fanati-
cism, exclusion, cowardice and abdica-
tion in the wake of extremism. And they
must be imbued with the capacity to live
harmoniously and with respect toward
one another.
French Jews can help the good fight
by not stereotyping fellow Muslims
citizens — saving outrage for the terror-
ists among them. For their part, French
Muslims, most importantly the imams,
must denounce Jew hating — period. By
allowing forces within their community
that breed almost unconditional hostil-
ity toward Jews and Israel, they cheapen
their cause.
Wake up, President Sarkozy. By doing
so, maybe you'll also positively influence
Germany, England and other European
lands clueless about what multicultural-
ism means.
Guest Columnists
Opening The Door So People
With Disabilities Can Thrive
L
ast month, Jewish com-
munities across the country
recognized Jewish Disability
Awareness Month, which served as
a critical reminder of the need to
welcome and empower the more
than 50 million Americans with
disabilities ranging from autism to
physical challenges.
It's now time to reflect on the
achievements of the month in our
community and think ahead to what
we can continue to do all year long.
People living with disabilities con-
tribute significantly not only to the Jewish community, but
also to the American society as a whole. The month serves
as an opportunity to help shine a light on their gifts and
raise awareness about what support they need to succeed.
Along with all of our partners across the country, we are
committed to strengthening the inclusion of people with
disabilities within the Jewish community by taking steps to
ensure it is open and accessible to them. It's an effort and
commitment that endures beyond the month of February
and one that must be a priority for all of us.
That's why we are proud to be involved in the growing
movement to come together and support individuals and
families that are affected by disabilities. In addition to
working to mobilize efforts for these individuals and fami-
lies in communities, the Jewish federations co-hosted an
important educational event on Capitol Hill.
Clarification
• "New Hope" (Feb. 24, page 40)
mentioned a neurological condition
called Lewy Body Dementia. In
practice, the diagnosis of this
condition involves more factors
than could be included in the story.
Rolling Up Our Sleeves
Twenty years after the passage of
the Americans with Disabilities Act,
much work remains to be done. Here in
Washington, we are committed to giving
people with disabilities a voice as policy
decisions are made on Capitol Hill. And
speaking up is particularly important this
year, as Congress turns its attention to
the deficit and faces difficult decisions
about which programs and efforts to fund.
Experts on the education, civil rights
and employment of disabled Americans
came together and presented their per-
spective on the issue to the Hill staffers and congressional
members who will be voting on these issues this year.
Despite the partisan political climate in Washington,
the need to support people with disabilities is one priority
that both Republicans and Democrats unquestionably hold
high on their lists. And the national movement for disabled
Jewish citizens extends beyond Washington. Agencies,
coalitions and synagogues – among a myriad of other orga-
nizations across the country – are working hard every day
to support people with disabilities and to bring them into
the fold of the community.
Local Support
In our own Detroit community, we are fortunate to have a
number of agencies that are at the forefront of providing ser-
vices to individuals with disabilities. During February, National
Jewish Disability Awareness Month, Federation's Alliance for
Jewish Education-sponsored Opening the Doors Program pro-
vided a variety of educational workshops and community pro-
grams to highlight approaches to empower and include people
with disabilities and their families in our Jewish schools and
community. Opening the Doors' recent inspirational com-
munity program, featuring Elaine Hall and the screening of
Autism: The Musical, raised awareness of children with autism
and other disabilities. The Opening the Doors Program pro-
vides educational support to 926 children with diverse needs,
enabling them to receive a Jewish education.
We should be proud that our Detroit Jewish community
and its agencies – which include Jewish Family Service,
Friendship Circle, JARC, Kadima, JVS, Tamarack Camps,
the Jewish Community Center, Opening the Doors – have
a long history of collaborating and partnering on various
programs to provide valuable services and opportunities to
individuals with disabilities and their families.
Our community has made great strides; and we are hope-
ful for where we can go next. We must let people with dis-
abilities know how much we value them. Not just during
Jewish Disability Awareness Month, but all year long. It must
be a commitment we prioritize in our community year-round
as we take real steps to listen to and engage these inspiring
individuals. I 1
Scott Kaufman is chief executive officer of the Bloomfield Township-
based Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
William Daroff is vice president for public policy and director of the
DryBonesBlog.com
Washington office of the Jewish Federations of North America.
March 17 a 2011
25