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. 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