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Obama's Jerusalem
Policies Disputed
I have some questions for Stuart E.
Eizenstat ("Obama's Goal Is A Secure
Israel," Aug. 11, page 26).
If President Obama's goal is a secure
Israel, why is he still attacking Israel
over proposed construction in east
Jerusalem?
And if his support of Israel is so
strong, why does the White House
website no longer refer to "Jerusalem,
Israel," but only to Jerusalem? Does this
White House no longer accept Israel's
declared capital city as even being part
of Israel? (See a related story on page 30.)
Harry Onickel
Ferndale
Israel's 1967 Borders
No Longer Apply
When I was in elementary school in
the early 1980s, I really ruffled my
Jewish Studies teacher's feathers. She
had asked us to create a map of Israel
for homework. I dutifully fabricated
a three-dimensional relief map of
Israel, complete with dirt dug from my
mother's garden to represent the Negev
and Judean deserts. I couldn't under-
stand why my fourth-grade teacher was
so upset when I presented my project.
I had, after all, adhered to every detail
displayed on the map my Israeli mother
lent to me ... the one printed in 1965.
I empathized a bit with my teacher's
dismay when I glanced at Greenberg's
View two weeks ago (Aug. 4, page 26).
The last panel of his strip depicts the
State of Israel as it appeared prior to
1967.
Greenberg's Israel silhouette is with-
out Gaza, Judea and Samaria (aka the
West Bank) and the Golan Heights.
Was this an honest mistake (like
the one I made when I was 10), politi-
cal commentary related to President
Obama's remarks in May or simply
inexcusable ignorance?
Maccabee Avishur
Oak Park
Gary Weinstein Story
Was Truly Inspiring
Thank you for the article on Gary
Weinstein ("Finding Joy Amid Sorrow,"
Aug. 4, page 1).
I do not know him but often think
of him when driving by the spot of the
horrific accident that took his family. I
am so glad to read that he has put his
life back together and found love, too.
What an inspiring article and an
inspiring man.
Joyce Wiswell
Royal Oak
'Drunk Employee' Laws
Need to Be Amended
My heart broke as I read the story of the
Weinstein family. I vividly remember
when this tragedy occurred. A family
destroyed by a drunk driver.
I concur with attorney Barry LaKritz
that Michigan laws must be amended
to hold companies liable for allowing
their employees to leave work drunk or
doped up and drive. The police should
be called to intercept drunk or impaired
drivers.
Many employees fear retaliation by
coworkers and management if they
speak out. I saw many employees like
Thomas Wellinger. Employees came
to work totally inebriated. One guy
brought in a six-pack every day in his
lunch box. That did not include his
cocaine and marijuana use on the job.
He had a car accident while high and on
the clock.
I spoke up and experienced the full
wrath of the company and union. This
male co-worker, the supervisors and his
friends made my life a living nightmare
until I was forced to leave my job in fear
for my life. The justice system protected
the company.
Until we deal with our antiquated
laws, we will witness more tragedies like
this.
"Those who do not remember the
past are bound to repeat it:' I support
a change in laws to help prevent future
tragedies. I lived it, breathed it, endured
it, suffered through it and survived it.
Mr. Weinstein's family was destroyed
by it. My heart goes out to you, Mr.
Weinstein.
Camille F. McMillan
Bloomfield
Alex Graham Continues
To Inspire And Motivate
Rick Hyman's article "Riding with the
Wind" (Aug. 11, page 8) was so moving.
It is remarkable how one small decision
can make such a profound impact.
I had the pleasure of being on the
Team Alex ride not as a rider, but as
a supporter, and both Rick and Jared
turned this 300-mile ride into a magical
and miraculous weekend. Team Alex
riders, both Jews and non-Jews, helped
catapult this already extraordinary
event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
of Michigan to another level.
It is pretty clear to me that Alex's
wish continues to inspire and motivate
in light of the fact that it has been 13
years since her untimely death. The
Team certainly has a large hand in
repairing the world and Jared, along
with his hard work, was certainly a
recipient of that. Team Alex, along with
their supporters, should be commended
for all that they do.
Susie Graham
West Bloomfield
Stop Brain Drain
To Save Detroit
A review of the immigration articles
("Immigrant Welcome Mat: The Jewish
Imperative," July 28, page 38) demon-
strates that the Detroit and Jewish com-
munity in particular have lost sight of
the most important factor for a recovery
— retaining our young and energetic
children. There is a significant brain
drain; our 20s and 30s children are
leaving Michigan for jobs and greener
pastures elsewhere. Each one of us
knows young adults who have left or are
leaving for other states.
The Jewish community needs to put
its resources together to retain this
generation that still has a history of
heritage and love for this area.
We must have a plan for growth
and jobs that centers on keeping these
young adults and building a future. If
we do not address this critical issue
now, then our community will be
whittled down to retired Baby Boomers.
When we save our community, we are
saving Detroit and Michigan.
David C. Sloan
Huntington Woods
Young People Need
To Connect With Israel
I would like to thank Gary Rosenblatt
and the Jewish News for a very fine
article ("Disconnect Left:' July 28, page
28) — a very interesting and informa-
tive column on our youth and Judaism
today.
Young people in our community
are not as concerned with Israel as
they should be. The only young people
concerned with Israel seem to be from
Akiva, B'nai B'rith and the Lubavitchers,
three fine organizations. They are aware
and seem to know what is happening in
the world, particularly when it comes to
Judaism.
I was interested and enlightened by
Rosenblatt's story. I was, at the same
time, deeply saddened by the lack of
concern for Jews and Israel.
Writer/educator Daniel Gordis, who
was highlighted in the story, is working
hard to make us aware of the Jewish
problems here in America. I eagerly
await his writings.
Let us not isolate ourselves from
Israel, nor Israel from ourselves.
Leon Schoichet
Farmington Hills
Letters on page 6
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