Front Lines
The Jewish Rant
Uriel Heilman
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
New York
E
xpressions of anti-Semitism by
public figures generally follow
a certain script.
The politician/actor/public figure
says something construed as offensive/
hostile/insensitive to Jews. Abraham
Foxman, the national director of the
Anti-Defamation League, issues a con-
demnatory statement demanding pen-
ance. The offender expresses regret. If he
deems it sufficient, Foxman issues his
kosher certification absolving the sinner.
The recent incidents involving
Christian Dior designer John Galliano
and actor Charlie Sheen didn't quite
follow the script.
In Galliano's case,
it was Israeli-born
actress Natalie
Portman, a Jewish
darling and Miss Dior
model, who took the
lead in responding to
a video of Galliano's
drunken rant in a
Natalie
Portman
Paris cafe extolling
Hitler and disparag-
ing Jews.
"I am deeply shocked and disgusted
by the video of John Galliano's corn-
ments that surfaced today:' Portman
said. "In light of this video, and as an
individual who is proud to be Jewish, I
will not be associated with Mr. Galliano
in any way."
Galliano was peremptorily fired, and
French authorities opened an investiga-
tion into whether he violated France's
anti-racism laws.
Then there was the
Sheen drama. The
actor, a notorious
loose cannon and
habitual drug user,
unleashed a vitriolic
tirade against Chuck
Lorre, the creator
Charlie Sheen
of his hit CBS com-
edy "Two and a Half
Men:' referring to Lorre by his original,
Jewish name: Chaim Levine.
Foxman, apparently undecided
about whether this was anti-Semitism
or merely a personal spat, issued a
statement declaring it "borderline anti-
Semitism."
Sheen then went off the rails, giving
increasingly bizarre interviews, calling
on Foxman to apologize and, after days
of nonstop media coverage, announc-
ing that he couldn't be anti-Semitic
because he is himself Jewish.
The coup de grace came when
CBS fired Sheen and the actor then
appeared on a Beverly Hills rooftop
CONTENTS
iN
March
17-23, 2011 I 11-17 Adar II 5771
heJEWISHNEWS
vol. CXXXIX, No. 6
12
37
48
34
20
52
49
8
58
24
5
Spirituality
Sports
Staff Box/Phone List
Synagogue List
To Do/Calendar
Torah Portion
World/Israel
`l1!
28
27
6
30
45
32
14
Shabbat: Friday, March 18, 7:24 p.m. EDT
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, March 19, 8:26 p.m. EDT*
Purim: Sunday, March 20
Shabbat: Friday, March 18, 7:24 p.m. EDT
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, March 19, 8:26 p.m. EDT*
* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
calendar. Havdalah practices may vary.
Consult your rabbi.
nisf
Danny Raskin
Robert Sklar
44
24
Our J14 Mission
Hebrew Free Loan gives interest-
free loans to members of our
community for a variety of
personaa and small business
needs. HFL loans are funded
entirely through community
donations which continually
recycle to others, generating
many times the original value
to help maintain the lives of
local Jews.
www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184
HEBREW
FREE LOAN
On The Cover:
hfldetroit.org
Page design, Deborah Schultz
The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.
Arthur Liss is a well-respected attorney
whose practice helping those with
catastrophic injury claims complements
his work with Hebrew Free Loan. The
former HFL president says, "Some of
the stories HFL clients relate make us
think of how many blessings we
have." Liss feels being involved with
HFL is one of his great privileges. "It's
a unique organization where we sit
down with people in their time of
need, and give them the opportunity
to change their circumstances."
Mr. Liss emphasizes HFL still performs
much as it did at its founding 116
years ago. "With our current economic
crisis, HFL's deeply committed staff
and Board members play an even
more active role. The respect, care
and concern for our clients have
never changed. Many times, people
tell us they would never be in a better
place without HFL."
"We now attract people who have
never been in a position of need before,
who were previously contributors to the
agency, " Mr. Liss says. "The donations
they made then still help others now.
Giving to HFL at any level makes you
feel good. I'm so proud of what we
do. There is only one way to look at it
— it enriches your soul."
The Power of Recycling
Shabbat Lights / Holidays
Cover Story on page 37
Ann Arbor
Arts/Entertainment
Family Focus
Home
Israel Travel
Marketplace
Mazel Tovl
Metro
Obituaries
Points Of View
Roundup
waving a machete and declaring him-
self "Free at last?'
Coupling the Sheen and Galliano
remarks together with Louis Farra-
khan's recent speech blaming the Jews
for Jesus' death and Muammar Gadhafi's
accusation that Israel is behind the
rebellion in Libya, Foxman said the
incidents are "a symptom of what we
have been warning about for some time
— that the inhibitions and shame about
displaying anti-Semitism are eroding."
The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
added into the mix Fox News host
Glenn Beck's recent remarks comparing
Reform rabbis to radical Islam — an
incident that followed the usual script
of callous remark, ADL condemnation,
apology, ADL acceptance — declaring
them incidents of stupidity rather than
anti-Semitism.
To confuse matters further, Galliano
reportedly told a "member of his inner
circle" that he has Sephardic Jewish
roots. That would give his anti-Semitic
rant a Bobby Fischer-esque character
— except that Galliano, unlike the late,
self-hating Jewish chess champion,
issued an apology by week's end.
"Anti-Semitism and racism have no
part in our society',' Galliano said. "I
unreservedly apologize for my behavior
in causing any offense."
The ADL promptly declared Galliano
forgiven.
The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275 520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.
-
We Provide Loans.
We Promise Dignity.
Ike' Hebrew free Lo.ott Detroit
(I II
Jewish
Federation
of Metropolitan DetrOlt
WE'RE PART OF THE TEAM
1644920
March 17 2011
3