frontlines >> letters How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer email. Bedbug Article Unfair To Jewish Senior Life I was disappointed and frustrated after reading your recent article "Bedbugs Hit The 'Burbs" (Sept. 22, page 12), which unfairly portrayed the Jewish Federation, its agencies and Jewish Senior Life (JSL). As the owner of more than 14,000 apartment units across the United States, I can assure you that if your reporter would have taken the time to compare JSL's protocol to any professional stan- dard nationwide, he would have found that JSL's program is exemplary. Using the term "infestation" was a gross exaggeration, as there were only six units out of 800 that were affected at the time of publishing. Quoting an anonymous resident was irresponsible. Giving the impression that JSL doesn't inform or doesn't care could not be fur- ther from the truth. I have always thought that Federation and the Jewish News have the same goal: to strengthen the Jewish community. Irresponsible journalism, in this case, cre- ated unnecessary confusion and concern. With this letter comes a pledge from me as a vice president of the Federation to work with the leadership at the Jewish News to bridge any differences and to strengthen the bond between our organizations. Matthew B. Lester Bloomfield Hills Jewish Senior Life Apartments Clean, Safe I am extremely disappointed and dis- turbed after reading the 1 3/4-page article on bedbugs and Jewish Senior Life. There are many day-to-day problems that occur in the senior living homes of our senior residents at JSL. The pro- fessional staff addresses the problems every day. The bedbug issue is being taken care of and the living quarters at JSL are kept clean and safe every day. The mission of the IN states very clearly that it "communicates news and opinions that's useful, engaging, enjoy- able and unique." I fail to see how the article on bedbugs fulfills any of these statements. I hope the JN thinks about the consequences a negative article has on the Jewish community, its residents and the future of JSL. Pearlena Bodzin Southfield Patinkin Slammed For Boycott Of Ariel Venue Mandy Patinkin appeared at the West Bloomfield JCC Festival of the Arts on Sept. 22., but he is one of the American actors who has refused to perform at Israel's concert hall in Ariel, Israel. The Jewish people, and the people of the Detroit community, do not need to endorse other Jews who work to the det- riment of Israel and the Jewish people. I asked Mark Lit, the JCC's executive director to rescind Patinkin's invita- tion. He declined stating: "Mr. Patinkin simply supported most of Israel's leading artists. He had made clear on several occasions that he loves Israel, just disagrees with the current govern- ment. Before signing him we conferred with the JCRC and leading members of the community. He [was] invited to perform, not to do politics, although his politics are supported by a great num- ber of Israelis and American Jews." Why the JCRC and "leading members of the community" would endorse any- one that states, "It is now the artists who are standing up and saying, we refuse to play in a new theater that you have built in an illegal settlement, and we are ask- ing the world to pay attention" is bewil- dering, and they certainly are not my "leading members of the community." Patinkin also told the Toronto Theatre Company (they unfortunately endorsed him as well in spite of people there ask- ing he not perform), "I signed the peti- tion to support a group of Israeli artists who were taking a stand to defend what they thought was best for Israel and best for humanity." Patinkin, who has made his living off of being Jewish and playing Jewish roles, threw in his Jewish credentials with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement to delegitimize the State of Israel when he joined "Hollywood, Broadway Stars Israeli Cultural Boycott." Ed Kohl West Bloomfield Praise For Frankel Academy's Policy And Leadership I am not surprised the long-standing pol- icy requiring Judaic Studies Department teachers at Frankel Jewish Academy to be shomer Shabbat is being contested by members of the Reform movement ("Frankel Academy Can't Let Spiritual Discontent Linger:' Sept. 1, page 33). I am surprised, however, that as the letters and editorials continue to criti- cize the school, no parents or communi- ty leaders have come forth with support for the school (kudos to the one student who did have the courage to do so). I am not an FJA parent, but I do support the role the school plays in offering a Jewish education to children who would otherwise not receive one. My understanding is that the shomer Shabbat standard has been in place since the school was founded, and I commend the school's professional and lay leadership for maintaining this standard as a way of educating their students as to the importance of adher- ing to our laws and traditions. The statements that "their money comes from the Reform community" and "FJA readily enrolls Reform stu- dents and accepts their tuition pay- ments" are poor arguments that the school therefore needs to abandon the principles it has previously established. Where is it written that if an organi- zation is welcoming and inclusive, then it also needs to compromise its values when those values are not shared by some who choose to join? I am even more disturbed by the accusations that school representa- tives have treated people with a lack of respect or in a derogatory manner, and have made some feel "ostracized." I know [head of school] Rabbi Grossman and President Goss person- ally, and I can assure you they would never treat anyone that way nor would they tolerate that from any of their employees. You can disagree with and debate their policies, but there is no room to question their character. Joseph Greenbaum Southfield Chai Flyers Deliver Holiday Gifts To Needy Children It is important to know that every December, about two weeks before Christmas, the Chai Flyers (Sept. 15, page 12) join other flying clubs and deliver gifts to needy children throughout the state. This is known as Operation Good Cheer. No fanfare, no publicity, just some pilots who want to make sure these kids have a happy holiday! Bobbie Blitz West Bloomfield Ask Financial Crisis Attorney Ken Gross about... Your Financial Problems So what should I do? Take a deep breath. It is the New Year and you need to keep life in perspective. Your health and family are more important than finance. Beyond that - your future well-being should be the focus of your finances. If you continue to pay for a house way underwater and significant credit card debt that is carrying 19% to 32% interest - you will never save any money. If you have tax issues - you need to resolve them now - and they are often easily addressed with payment plans and sometimes the taxes can even be discharged in a bankruptcy, Many of us have good income, but make the mistake of just treading water rather than making smart moves that have tremendous positive impact over time. Think - if you can ditch the $150,000 you are underwater and the $50,000 of credit card debt - that money can be $450,000 in the bank in 20 years. Make this New Year, the one that works for you. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year! THAV GROSS has been solving its client's business, tax and financial problems for 30 years. Call today for a free consultation. 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