Are you a special needs individual who needs a job? Call KC Rehabilitation Consultants ...we can help. My Journey from page 40 Seeing Israel and the West Bank through Palestinian eyes dramatically altered my views of the story being played out by the country I love. I saw poor, water-starved West Bank Arab villages looking up at hilltop settle- ments with gleaming white homes and swimming pools. I was herded through narrow, fenced checkpoint corridors, questioned by young Israeli soldiers swinging their Uzis close to my body. I traveled along the high, ugly separation wall and its barbed wire extensions, isolating my east Jerusalem friends from their relatives living close by. I walked through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and up Al Saladin Street, realizing that the idea of a truly uni- fied Jerusalem was a fantasy and a mythical hope. I drove through newly constructed Jewish neighborhoods gradually encircling Jerusalem and separating it from formerly contigu- ous Arab villages. It now became crystal clear to me that the status quo couldn't exist much longer. In the absence of a two- state resolution to the conflict, Israel will soon face the unbearable choice between remaining a democracy or a non-democratic homeland for the Jewish people. It was astounding to me that the Israeli government was acting in a way seemingly ignorant of these facts and that our own govern- ment was not playing an active role moving Israel and the Palestinians toward the only realistic way to resolve their differences. Even more frustrating was hearing the presumed organizational voice of American Jewry supporting virtually every action of the Israeli govern- ment and branding any Jew voicing conflicting views a traitor to Israel. I learned about J Street and was delighted to find that its views were consistent with my own. I joined its Ann Arbor group and found myself working with other Jews whose love of Israel was as strong as mine, and who were working to orient American Israel policy to the real- ity of achieving a pro-peace, pro- Israel solution of the conflict. I discovered that while the "establishment" Jewish organiza- tions claimed to represent the voice of American Jewry, the J Street voice was consistent with the opinions of almost all Jews with whom I associated. They and I support a two-state solution to the conflict, cessa- tion of settlement growth and removal of most of the settle- ments through land swaps, resolution of the right of return through means other than return to Israel, sharing of Jerusalem and effective security guarantees. Just as my father and brother were working through Detroit Jewish organizations for the survival of Israel back in the '50s and '60s, I now find myself working for the sur- vival of Israel through J Street Ann Arbor, while J Street Detroit is being formed and starts to grow. The Jewish community of Southeastern Michigan has come a long way from shopping on 12th Street to its current prominence and geographic spread. The survival of Israel is still at stake, and once again . American Jews need to raise their voices to assure its survival. For me and for most Jews with whom I come into contact, J Street provides a pow- erful and growing movement through which our voices can be effectively heard. ❑ KC REHABILITATION CONSULTANTS Ph: 248.661.6688 • Fx: 248.661.4748 ctobias@kcrehabilitation.com www.kcrehabilitation.com „ead Sat 46** 1 Dine With Us For $9,79,44.44 "1., 140414:444 , i,. $5•9; Valentine's Day - k ith o 4 imger) .ff Es toilti 4 fall t I r 11 11 1/2 OFF 15% OFF Total Bill entree with purchase of another entree of equal or II greater value. (Excludes tax &tip) With coupon. Expires 2/14/12 Dine-in only With coupon. Expires 2/14/12 Dine in only Ma we. 111 IRE Leon's Family Dining Moe's on Ten 39455 West 10 Mile, Novi 29710 Wixom Road • Wixom 248.926.5880 248.478.9742 www.leonsofwixom.com www.moeson10.com open for breakfast - Ranch - dinner Toby Citrin, J.D. is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at University of Michigan, a director of the Center for Public Health and Community Genomics and co-direc- Ma Min 111111 - Wit tor of the University of Michigan Life Sciences and Society Program. MM MM MM MM - MM - 1111 MM MM - - catee fArmatee, Petzdat I I Valentine's Day Coupons Special Offers Limited Time Only! Botox $190 * Radiesse 30% Off* I Chemical Peel for $10* I Using the Virtually Pain Free UghtSheer DUET Laser Hair Removal Packages 30% OFF * standing guard ..• ... For Israel And Our Jewish Community 60 Minute Massage $ * Gift Certificat I 16 Med Spa Weight Loss Program $400 OFF* *Expires 2/25/12. Not valid with any other offers Facials and Permanent Makeup Weight Loss Program- Lose 30 lbs. in 30 days! Board Certified Physician ON SITE Tel 248.855.0900130000 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills I Medicalandspa.com mm =m inn Michigan's Republican presidential primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Friends of Israel who plan to participate might wish to review all of the candidates' Middle East position papers prior to voting by visiting their websites or contacting local campaign offices. If you are not wearing it... sell it!... or BORROW on it! Prepared by Allan Gale, Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit A Service to Private Owners, Ranks & Estates © Feb. 9, 2012, Jewish Renaissance Media a6444 Aw You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash. We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins. -- Contact Larry Allan 33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Lincoln S ir 248-644-8565 IN February 9 • 2012 41