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Transformations from page 3
E.U., U.S. And U.N.
Rap Gilo Housing
and digital versions of the Jewish
News and edgy features (with a
gaggle of tongue-in-cheek blog-
gers) in our Detroit-centric Red
Thread product. In this cholent of
interconnected information, we
must remain true to our mission
of presenting information that
is relevant, unique and engaging
while continuing to tie segments
of our Jewish community to each
other, to Detroit and Southeastern
Michigan.
So, here's what you can expect
from us in the coming months:
• Ongoing efforts to integrate
our content and engage you with
it, regardless of the platform of
media you use.
• Local content that is more
probing and seeks to shed light
on communal decision making
and processes that require greater
transparency.
• Development and expansion of
collaborations with other ethnic
and niche communities, including
the Chaldean, African-American,
Latino, Arab-American and
Korean communities, who all have
a stake in a revitalized Detroit and
Southeastern Michigan.
• Proactive engagement with
business- and job-creating enti-
ties throughout Southeastern
Michigan, including Ann Arbor
SPARK, universities, community
colleges, health systems and eco-
nomic development authorities
to make sure that our Jewish
community is leaving no stone
unturned in identifying employ-
ment opportunities, across the age
spectrum.
• Support for community-build-
ing events and activities, such as
the May 15 Israel Independence
Day Celebration and Walk for
Israel and the Jewish Forum's
plan to create and host a series
of grassroots town hall meetings
about our community's future.
So, stay tuned as we continue to
reshape and re-imagine the role
of the Jewish News as your source
of credible, timely, frequent and
distinctive information through
the integration of digital and tra-
ditional media platforms. Visit us
at www.thejewishnews.com and
www.redthreadmagazine.com .
Follow us on Facebook. We appre-
ciate your continuing feedback,
thoughts and participation in the
transformation and revitalization
of our Jewish and general com-
munities. n
in Washington to discuss, among
other issues, ways to restart stalled
peace talks. The Obama adminis-
JERUSALEM (JTA) — European
tration has objected to Israeli set-
Union Foreign Policy Chief
tlement building in the West Bank.
Catherine Ashton joined the United
The White House also criticized
States and the United Nations in
the construction approval.
condemning a Jerusalem commit-
"The United States is deeply
tee's approval of new housing in Gilo.
concerned by continuing Israeli
Ashton said
actions with respect to settlement
she was "deeply
construction," said White House
disappointed"
National Security Staff spokesman
in the initial
Tommy Vietor.
approval April 4
"Not only are continued Israeli
by the Jerusalem
settlements illegitimate, Israel's
Planning
actions run counter to efforts to
and Building
resume direct negotiations:' he
Committee
of
Catherine
said. "As we have said, we believe
the
construction
Ashton
that through good-faith negotia-
of 942 housing
tions, the parties should mutually
units in Gilo, a residential district
agree on an outcome that realizes
in mostly Arab eastern Jerusalem.
the aspirations of both sides for
Other committees already had
Jerusalem and safeguards its sta-
approved the plan.
tus for people around the world.
The units would be built on
The United Nations also con-
privately owned land as well as
demned
the approval.
land owned by the Jewish National
"We
reiterate
that Israeli settle-
Fund, Haaretz reported.
ment
activity
anywhere
in occu-
"These plans may further
pied
territory,
including
in east
damage an already fragile politi-
Jerusalem,
is
illegal
and
contrary
cal environment," Ashton said. "I
reiterate that the EU considers that to the road map," Richard Miron,
spokesman for the U.N. special
settlement activities in the West
coordinator for the Middle East
Bank, including east Jerusalem,
peace
process, Robert Serry, said
are illegal under international law,
in
a
statement.
"We call on the
undermine trust between the par-
Israeli
government
to halt further
ties and constitute an obstacle to
planning
for
new
settlement
units,
peace."
which
undermines
efforts
to
bring
The planning and building com-
about
resumed
Israeli-Palestinian
mittee's backing came the day
negotiations and prejudices final
before Israeli President Shimon
status discussions:'
Peres met with President Obama
Jewish Groups Rap
House's Budget Plan
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Jewish
groups and a key Jewish lawmaker
condemned the U.S. House of
Representative's budget proposal
for 2012, saying it will hurt the
Americans most in need.
The Jewish
Council for
Public Affairs
said that the
Republican-
backed budget
proposal, which
slashes nearly
$6 trillion from
Steve Gutow
federal spending
over the next 10
years, "relies on cuts which will
be harmful to many of those in
America who are most in need."
"We are concerned that a sin-
gular focus on deficit reduction
means our families, those looking
for work and others who are held
up by our national social safety
net will be neglected',' said JCPA
President Rabbi Steve Gutow.
B'nai B'rith International said
that the organization is "deeply
troubled" by the budget proposal,
saying it would damage Medicaid
and Medicare.
"The proposed budget does not
control health costs or encourage
efficiencies in the broader health
care system; it simply relies on
dramatic cuts, with a staggering
impact on the elderly,' the group
said. "By making Medicaid a block
grant while creating a decreasingly
valuable Medicare voucher, this bill
would deal a devastating double-
blow to older adults as well as the
disabled."
Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.),
the ranking Democrat on the
House Foreign Affairs Committee,
said the proposal, which would
slash the international affairs
budget by 40 percent, sets "a new
standard for recklessness and irre-
sponsibility."
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April 14 g 2011
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