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Jewish Values Can Help
Combat School Bullying
I read with interest your editorial, "Anti-
Bullying Law Is Only A Start." (Dec.
15, page 52). As head of a Jewish day
school, I find it fascinating that public
schools required a state law in order to
respond to bullying in schools.
As a Jewish day school (answerable
to a higher authority), not only have we
had a policy for years based on Jewish
values and derech eretz (how we treat
each other) at school; our policy also
extends beyond the school building to
include cyber-bullying. The state law fell
short by not including cyber-bullying,
which in some cases can be even more
destructive.
The debate about what should be
included and not included in the bill
is also puzzling. Whatever happened
to adults, responsible for children,
making the right and ethical deci-
sions for the safety and welfare of our
children? It is the responsibility of the
school and its professionals to create
safe environments, and when bullying
does occur, to deal with it firmly and
quickly. It is a sad commentary when
laws are required to force schools to do
what they should be doing in the first
place.
Parents also need to recognize that
while bullying must be dealt with firm-
ly, children, especially younger children,
need to learn how to do the right thing
and how to treat others respectfully,
regardless of whether or not they are
friends. Learning appropriate behavior
is a journey, requiring the support of
the home and the school. Most children
will encounter teasing or bullying as
they go through childhood, since doing
the right thing does not come naturally;
it must be taught and reinforced.
At Hillel, we do not claim that the
school is completely free from teasing
or bullying. No school is. We are con-
fident that the incidences at Hillel are
fewer and decrease over time, as chil-
dren get older (whereas in many other
school settings incidents of bullying
increase).
We also are proactive: through Jewish
values, the school's core values and
Jewish education, we make learning
how to treat others respectfully a top
priority. When interpersonal issues
arise, including teasing or bullying, the
school is quick to respond and works
closely with families until the issues are
resolved.
Changing behavior is a process. We
believe that children can learn to do
the right thing, and that the home
and school are places to learn how to
do so without needing a state law to
tell us!
Steve Freedman
L to R: YFTI teen, Emily Neff and
Robert Sipher, who lives at JARC's
Epstein Home in West Bloomfield
The Youth Federation
of Temple Israel (YFTI)
hosted their annual
JARC Hanukkah Party
on December 5th . The
Head of School
Ed Kohl
celebration included
Hillel Day School
West Bloomfield
making holiday greeting
StandWithUs Marks
Its 10th Anniversary
On Sunday, Dec. 18, at Adat Shalom
Synagogue, 130 StandWithUs-Michigan
advocates joined together to celebrate
the 10th anniversary of StandWithUs at
the Festival of Lights Gala.
StandWithUs, an Israel educational
and advocacy organization, honored Dr.
Isaac and Miriam Barr for their stead-
fast support of Israel and the Jewish
people.
We heard the keynote speaker Jeff
Jacoby, columnist for the Boston Globe
speak on the "the peace process, and
other Middle East delusions."
Mr. Jacoby explained in detail the fact
that the more Israel has made conces-
sions, the more violence has occurred;
the difference between peace and the
Where's Your Friendship Circle Magnet
Stuck? Take A Photo And Win An iPad.
You've seen the purple Friendship Circle magnets
around town on cars, trucks and minivans.
Now you can use these catchy magnets in
a creative, fun competition that will raise
awareness about children with special needs
around Metro Detroit.
Enter Friendship Circle's Magnet Madness
social media competition. To enter, you'll need to
take a photo of your magnet in the most creative,
unusual place you can think of. Photos must be submit-
ted no later than 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at magnet@
friendshipcircle.org . For more info, see the Magnet Madness
tab at Facebook.com/FCMichigan.
peace process; and how the Palestinian
Arabs have rejected opportunities for a
two-state solution because their goal is
to create a single Palestinian Arab state
in place of a Jewish state.
He made a compelling case against
a "peace process," which makes genu-
ine peace more illusive as Palestinian
Arabs publicly and repeatedly reject any
Jewish state, no matter what the borders
are.
Following dinner we heard Peggy
Shapiro, the StandWithUs Chicago
community coordinator, speak on "the
dangers of silence how silence aided
and abetted Nazism, how it continues to
support racism, anti-Semitism, intoler-
ance and terrorism today.
I congratulate StandWithUs-
Michigan President Barbara Moretsky
and Vice President Margo Gardner for
their leadership and coordinating this
wonderful event.
r
Holocaust Center Docent
Praises Professor Bolkosky
Your article about Professor Sidney
Bolkosky ("Taking It Easier:' Dec. 15,
page 8) merits my reply.
In 1984, I was in the first training
class at the Holocaust Memorial Center,
then in West Bloomfield. The professor
was our instructor.
As a World War II veteran, I thought
I knew it all, but under his tutorage, I
realized how much I did not know out-
side of my two-and-a-half years in the
Army.
He was one of the most
knowledgeable instructors I have ever
had. Whatever success I had at the
Holocaust center, I owe to him.
Leonard H. Trunsky
cards for soldiers overseas
as well as dinner, dancing
and a photo booth. The
joyous smiles on the faces
of the teens and people
served by JARC captured
the spirit of the evening!
Whether as a volunteer
or donor, your generous
support will benefit the
men, women and
children JARC serves.
Help JARC continue...
West Bloomfield
Once your Magnet Madness photo is submitted, your
friends, family and the general public can vote for your
picture and share your entry with their friends.
Voting goes from Jan. 8 through midnight Jan.
12. All photos will be posted on the Friendship
Circle Magnet Madness tab on Facebook.
The picture with the most votes will win an
Apple iPad 2. The runner-up will win a Detroit
Red Wings autographed Steve Yzerman Jersey
or an autographed Joe Jonas Defeat the Label
sweatshirt. Friendship Circle staff will choose a spe-
cial Director's Choice winner, who will receive a $200 Visa
gift card.
To get a magnet, check at your area Starbucks or go to
FriendshipCircle.org to request one.
E-racin5. 13arrirc.
DONATE
TODAY
atjarc.orgicionate
or call
248.538.6611
December 29 • 2011 5