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. To Our Readers 0 ver the past two weeks, we have received several letters to the editor in response to the JN's story about bedbugs in certain Jewish Senior Living facilities ("Bedbugs Hit The 'Burbs," Sept. 22, page 12). Some letters have expressed disappointment with the perceived tenor or handling of the story. Others have sin- cerely praised the administration and operation of JSL based on personal experience of having loved ones who live there. We printed two letters last week and have included excerpts from others on this page today. We always wel- come the perspectives, insights and suggestions of our knowledgeable readers and community members. > JSL Leadership Goes 'Above And Beyond' Thanks to your in-depth article about bedbugs, ("Bedbugs Hit The 'Burbs," Sept. 22, page 12), readers of the Jewish News now know a lot about these "bou- doir phlebotomists" and their resur- gence in the U.S. According to the article, Congress' response to the problem was the draft- ing of the "Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite Act:' which had no impact (according to the article, the bill 'died' in committee). Fortunately, for our community, and specifically, my father who lives in Meer Apartments, I am confident that JSL's leadership, under the direction of CEO Rochelle Upfal, is going above and beyond to address this issue. From personal experience, I know that JSL's staff listens to the concerns of the residents, often going out of their way to ensure that our seniors receive the highest quality of care in a warm, comfortable and secure environment. Lea Luger, daughter of Meer resident Irving Stollman JSL Is The Epitome Of Housing Standards While your article correctly depicts a nationwide epidemic of bedbugs and identifies the prompt, remedial action taken by Jewish Senior Life, I take vis- ceral objection to the allegations by an unnamed resident that JSL intentionally suppresses communication with resi- dents and families. As a geriatric psychiatrist for over 15 years who visits residents daily in numerous facilities throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area, I have witnessed each facility's means and methods to protect its residents from a As journalists, we strive to be fair, accurate and unbi- ased in our reporting of Jewish Detroit. Many times, we report on the positive events and accomplishments of our community. Sometimes, we must report on its problems. If we choose not to write a story because "it doesn't look good" or places an esteemed Jewish nonprofit organization on the spot, then our role as a community watchdog gets reduced to that of publicist — selectively disseminating what looks best at the expense of what the public has the right to know. Thank you for your letters and suggestions. We take all views to heart and will continue to strive to accurately report the significant events of our community. I I multitude of threats. Without question, JSL is the epitome of best practices facilities in the Detroit area and, I am confident, across the country. I have witnessed prompt, efficient, compassionate and effective response to every incident that could cause harm to any JSL resident. While bedbugs remain a national issue ranging from family homes to five-star hotels, the public should not feel threatened in any JSL facility. JSL continues to utilize measures beyond industry standards. I have entrusted JSL to care for my family members in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Theodore J. Ruza, D.O. Farmington Hills JSL Care, Concern Much Appreciated When have bedbugs become a Jewish problem? Bedbugs are a universal issue! Have you ever checked out other senior citizens residences in the metropolitan area and across the country? Shame on the JN for reporting this non-news, inappropriate account and illustrating the "bug" larger than the picture of the CEO. Our experience with Jewish Senior Life and the eradication of bedbugs was one of complete thoroughness. Our brother was to move from an Oak Park apartment to Coville Assisted Living. His prior apartment was infested with bedbugs. Before he was able to move into Coville, all of his furniture and belongings had to be fumigated and heat-treated in a sealed container, at our great expense. We know and appreciate that this was done in order to prevent the spread of this nuisance throughout the residence. Jewish Senior Life has always been very effective in communicating rel- evant issues to us. We are confident that if bedbugs were infesting the Oak Park senior residences, we would have been notified immediately. Donna and Allan Pearlman Huntington Woods Jewish Senior Living A Well-Managed Jewel Your article's liberal use of the word "infestation" leaves a negative feel- ing to the readers. Out of 870 units at Jewish Senior Life apartments only nine units were affected. That's not an infestation but an isolated few units. Most of the article gave good gen- eral information on the rising bedbug problem for all apartment com- munities. If you would have called other apartment community owners like me, you would have found that most, if not all, have had bedbugs. You should have made his article more generic and lauded JSL's quick eradication of the bedbugs. Singling out Jewish Senior Life, an exemplary award-winning, nationally recognized organization is not being fair to its wonderful staff. My dad lived at Meer apartments for four years. All the employees treated him with respect and warmth and were openly communicative with him and his family. There were no secrets. Any and all information that residents needed was communicated to my dad and our family. Jewish Senior Life apartments is a well-managed jewel in the community and a wonderful place for our seniors to live with a quality of life. Photo L to R: Ryan Rosenberg, Brittany Danzig, Jordan Rosenberg, Sydney Steinberg, Adam Janke and Marla Jablonowski Thank you to over 200 young adults who came out to support JARC's second annual Bowling Night - "Made in Detroit." Kudos to the dedicated event committee, generous sponsors and amazing chairs, Amanda Fisher and Jodi Fox, who made the evening spectacular. Upcoming is the Young Adult Pre-Glow "Magical Mystery Lounge" at the Fox Theatre on October 18th! Whether as a volunteer or donor, your generous support will benefit the men, women and children JARC serves. Help JARC continue... BUY TICKETS ONLINE! www.jarc.org A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES Neil Satovsky West Bloomfield 31' ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ( October 6 • 2011 5