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JCRC Stands Up For
Religious Freedom
Last week's Jewish News included three
letters regarding JCRC's and ADL's
assertion of the right of a Muslim
organization to purchase Eagle School
at 14 Mile and Middlebelt in West
Bloomfield.
Two letters supported our position
as consistent with constitutional rights
and Jewish values. The third letter
writer vilified our organizations with
allegations that simply are not true.
At the June 14 Farmington Public
Schools board meeting, I declared with
confidence that JCRC, our community
and our Jewish values support the right
of all religious and ethnic communities
to locate schools and facilities wherever
consistent with the law and encouraged
the board to proceed with the sale if in
the best interests of the school district.
Contrary to the third letter, JCRC
does not cooperate with, nor embrace,
organizations that preach anti-Sem-
itism or call for the destruction of
Israel. We find such groups repugnant,
and JCRC policy explicitly prohibits
working with them.
Let there be no doubt: We find anti-
Israel mouthpieces such as Norman
Finkelstein despicable. JCRC has and
will continue to challenge such speak-
ers, even as we recognize their right
to be heard. But misguided attempts
to keep them out of our community
by blocking the sale of the school are
doomed to fail and cannot justify
abandoning our fundamental values.
Ironically, they also threaten to
undermine our ongoing Israel advo-
cacy efforts. Generating sympathy
and even support for Israel among
mainstream Christian denominations
would only be made more difficult if
the Jewish community was seen stand-
ing in the way of legitimate Muslim
efforts to strengthen their community.
Also, contrary to the third letter,
I did not say all those present who
opposed the sale are bigots. But several
people voiced undeniably anti-Muslim
sentiments, and it was those people
whom I described as bigoted.
Undoubtedly, some have a sincere
concern about how changing the use
of the school property would affect
traffic and the ambiance of their
neighborhood. But, across the country,
people who don't like Muslim facilities
in their neighborhood have hidden
their bias behind a smokescreen. That
tactic is straight out of the anti-Sem-
ite's playbook.
jarc
wwwjarc.org
With our commitment to welcome
the stranger and our centuries of being
on the receiving end of prejudice and
discrimination, for Jews not to stand
up for the rights of any religious orga-
nization would be a shandeh (shame).
Robert Cohen, Executive Director
Jewish Community Relations Council
of Metropolitan Detroit
Not So Fast On
Sale Of School
Something smells bad in
Farmington. In fact, it stinks!
I am Joel G. Bussell, adjunct faculty
at University of Phoenix, a resident of
West Bloomfield and a grandparent of
Farmington students and graduates.
I attended the June 14 school board
meeting. It should have been held in
a larger facility to accommodate the
attendees.
The board has abrogated its fidu-
ciary responsibilities in several areas:
need more than one appraisal; not
open to the public or community; no
for-sale signs; no communication of
plans other than demolishing build-
ing; no soliciting of other offers.
This board should have tabled the
issue until other offers could be solic-
ited and evaluated.
By proceeding under this cloud, the
board should be recalled. An injunc-
tion should be issued putting their
action on hold. The state attorney
general should investigate the lack of
procedure, secrecy and haste without
appropriate due diligence. The board's
legal representative should be termi-
nated. A legal representative should
also provide additional guidance
beyond the absolute letter of the law.
I have mixed feelings about the
Jewish/Muslim issue. As a Jew, I have
experienced intolerance for many
years and really appreciate the values
that our society offers such as freedom
of speech and freedom to improve and
buy property, etc.
As a highly visible supporter and
promoter of the U.S. Constitution and
all it stands for, I feel strongly that if
the Islamic Cultural Association is the
successful bidder after all proper pro-
cedures have been followed, OK! But
until then, this issue should be placed
on hold, this board enjoined on this
issue and recalled.
L to R: Rabbi Robert Gamer. Audrey
Yarrows. and Eileen Cohen affixing
the mezzuzah
On June 16, 2011, JARC
celebrated the re-dedication of
the Shirley T. Medow Home in
Huntington Woods. It marked the
culmination of the successful
"Raise the Roof" campaign which
enabled ARC to make the home
barrier-free. energy-efficient
and more comfortable for the
six women living there. Many
thanks to hundreds of generous
businesses, supporters, friends
and neighbors who made this
dream come true.
Whether as a volunteer
or donor, your generous
support will benefit the
men, women and children
JARC serves.
Help JARC continue .
f5arricrc.
RAIN®
A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
OCTOBER 18 I FOX THEATRE
Joel G. Bussell, J.D., P.E.
West Bloomfield
Helping Muslims Must
Letters on page 6
31 ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
N
June 30 = 2011
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