frontlines >> letters

Obama's Misguided
Mideast Policy

Even though all Mideast experts

(including those who have been some
of Israel's harshest critics) agree that
the Obama administration's obsession
with Israeli "settlements" has dam-
aged the peace process, once again the
Obama administration is hammer-
ing Israel for building apartments in
Jerusalem.
Contrast the administration's
harsh rhetoric toward Israel with the
administration's tone towards Syria's
Assad, who has massacred over 2,000
unarmed protesters, detained over
30,000 civilians and tortured 13-year-
old children. The Obama team's initial
reaction to the Syrian massacres was
that President Assad was a reformer.
Eventually they dropped their incom-
prehensible praise for this murderer,
but for months failed to call for Assad
to step down or to harshly condemn
Assad. Finally, after a five-month
bloodbath and Saudi Arabia calling for
Assad to go, President Obama meekly
called for Assad to give up power.
We were promised that this president
would usher in an era of "smart" power
and diplomacy. I fail to see the intel-
ligence of bashing our friends (Israel)
and coddling our enemies (Syria and
Iran).

Josh Baker

Birmingham

We, too, know the soul-damaging
consequences of face-to-face harass-
ment and cyber-bullying. We have been
offering prevention strategies, raising
sensitivity and empowering through
the medium of theater.
As founders of IlluminArt
Productions, we have been work-
ing in the area of bully and violence
prevention in southeastern Michigan
for nine years. IlluminArt began
Illusion Theaters' Project TRUST
(Teaching Reaching Using Students
and Theater) and has trained hundreds
of peer educators at West Bloomfield,
North Farmington High School and
Bloomfield Lahser high schools.
The students volunteering for Project
TRUST, through vignettes, educate
teens about issues such as diversity,
substance abuse, eating disorders,
gender identity, cyber bullying, anger-
management, family violence, conflict
resolution and sexual abuse. The con-
tent of the plays is tailored to the needs
of the audience.
Our peer educators not only hone
their acting skills but also serve as
ambassadors and resources in their
schools to curb problems among stu-
dents, prevent problems from getting
worse, and develop as leaders and role
models.
IlluminArt and Defeat the Label are
complementary programs helping to
keep our schools and community safe.

Patty Ceresnie,

JSL Needs More
Open Communication

Producing Artistic Director

Arlene Sorkin,

Being a resident in Hechtman II apart-
ments since 1999, allow me to express
a heartfelt appreciation for your factual,
fair and balanced editorial in regards
to the JSL and its top leadership
("Challenges in Serving Our Precious
Seniors, Aug. 11, page 27).
Months ago, I raised my concerns
in a letter to the CEO and the board of
directors about the absence of commu-
nication and the apparent disinterest
for the leaders to get to know and listen
to the residents they serve.
My letter was not considered worthy
of a single response. It made me feel
as if I were no more than a file with a
number and without assurance that
anyone there cares.
Your contribution to this issue hope-
fully will make a difference.

Ella Baker

West Bloomfield

Peer Educators Work
To Prevent Bullying

We applaud Ronelle Grier's article,
"Defeat The Label': (Aug. 11, page 10)
describing the Friendship Circle of
Michigan's creative new campaign to
offer group discussions to students who
suffer the negative effects as bullies,
victims and bystanders.

Executive Producing Director

liluminArt Productions

West Bloomfield

Yiddish Speaker Saved
Fellow GIs During WWII

I read with interest the Mamaloshon
feature article for significant personal
reasons (Aug. 18, page 1).
Both my parents are native
Detroiters; Yiddish was spoken some-
what in our home, mostly so that my
brothers and I wouldn't understand.
However, in my father's experience as a
GI in World War II Yiddish was literally
a lifesaver.
My father, Alfred Goldstein, was cap-
tured in the Battle of the Bulge, spend-
ing 100 days is captivity. While not yet
aware of the horrors of the Holocaust,
he knew that as a Jew he was in seri-
ous danger. My father soon discovered,
however, that knowing Yiddish made
him the single soldier on either side
who could translate between them.
At personal risk, he badgered the
German captors to accept multiple GIs
into their primitive clinic, endangering
his life but saving tens of others, several
of whom remained personal friends
for decades. Fortunately, he and several
comrades made their escape back to

the Allied lines. While my father rarely
talked about his experience, it is some-
thing that has made our family proud.

Les Goldstein

West Bloomfield

Kosher Meals on Wheels
Available For Seniors

As many of us deal with aging parents
or our own special circumstances, this
is a reminder about a program that has
played an important role in our com-
munity since 1973.
Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW)
is a not-for-profit program which
provides two nutritious kosher meals
(lunch and dinner) five days a week
to those in our community who are
unable to provide for themselves or
who have no one to assist them with
meal preparation. Meals are prepared
and delivered from the kitchen of
Morrison Senior Living, located in the
Jewish Senior Life Prentis Apartments
in Oak Park. The kitchen is under the
supervision of the Vaad of Detroit.
KMOW is provided by the National
Council of Jewish Women, Greater
Detroit Section. Additional funding is
provided by Area Agency on Aging 1-B
through the Office of Services to the
Aging and through the Federal Older
Americans Act in compliance with Title
V of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The
Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman
Foundation also provides support.
Jewish Family Service provides the
intake and casework services.
I continue to be extremely impressed
with the commitment and enthusiasm
of KMOW volunteers who pack and
deliver the meals. Some have been
involved for more than 35 years.
Those needing more information
should contact Jewish Family Service at
(248) 592-2313.

Richard Emmer

L to R: Jonah Miller,
Gabe Pechter and Josh Miller

Nearly 150 young adults
and their families enjoyed
themselves at two mid-
summer Shabbat BBQs
held at JARC's Laker and
Pitt. Homes. Special thanks
to the Dembs, Raznick,
Miller and Gillman•Glickfeld
families who chaired
both events, and to all
the amazing guests who
made the occasions
so meaningful for the
people JARC serves.

Whether as a volunteer
or donor, your generous
support will benefit the
men, women and
children ARC serves.

Help JARC continue...

KMOW Coordinator

Roam The Hallowed Halls
Of Mumford This Sunday

Thank you for the fine article regard-
ing our Mumford Class of '61 Reunion
("Mumford Memories:' July 28, page 8).
Since the original Mumford High
School will be torn down, we would like
to extend an opportunity to "roam the
halls." From 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday,
Aug. 28, the school will be open to the
public. Secured parking is available on
the north side (Thatcher parking lot) and
enter only through that side entrance.

Bob Dovitz, chairman,

15ar ► ierc.

A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

OCTOBER 18 I FOX THEATRE

Mumford '61 Reunion Committee

Correction

• "Life Above All" (Aug. 18, page 47)
should have identified screenwriter
Dennis Foon's partner of 20 years as
Elizabeth Dancoes.

31 ANNUAL I I. INPI:A1 ■ 1

August 25 2011

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