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.
JN Story Was Biased,
Teen Center Is Safe
My name is Sam Orley, also known as DJ SKOre to a large
portion of the Jewish Community in the area. I am a rising
11th-grader at Cranbrook Kingswood High School as well as
a member of the JCC Teen Center student board.
After reading the article wrote by "Staff Reporters" titled
"Do You Know What Your Teens Are Up To?:' (June 7, page 1)
I was utterly shocked, embarrassed and overall disappointed.
As a big contributor to planning these events, I and many
others have spent hours on end trying to create an atmo-
sphere that will draw teens to enjoy themselves in a safe, fun
and welcoming environment.
In addition, we are raising funds, in most cases more than
$5,000, for our beloved Teen Center, the JCC, and many other
organizations and charities. As the disc jockey, planner and
attender of more than eight of these parties these past two
years, I was embarrassed to be on the other end of such bias,
one-sided and harsh remarks.
Since the article was printed, I have heard nothing but
positive things about the teen center events and how it was
ridiculous this "news" made the cover.
Sam "DJ SKOre" Orley
Bloomfield Hills
Anti-Semitic Symbols
At Roger Waters Concert
We recently attended the concert "Roger Waters, the Wall" a _ t
Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Having heard much about this unique concert (a recent 60
Minutes segment) and the long history of it, we were excited
to see this unusual musical rock opera/visual sensation. We
understand the politics of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters and
the overarching emphasis of the Wall is the removal of the
Berlin Wall and the elimination of communism.
There is much anti-government sentiment and statements
against capitalism, big oil, war, etc. What we found terribly
disturbing was the inclusion of the Star of David in various
visual presentations, and, most disturbing, was the giant
floating pig that was in the arena overhead during one of the
songs. This pig had a number of logos and statements of a
political nature, but what was most disturbing was a large
prominent Jewish star. There was no cross or any other reli-
gious symbolism.
This was rather shocking and disturbing, and it definitely
left us cold and uncomfortable given the overwhelming
unique visuals, techno graphics and fireworks integrated into
the show. We went home and Googled "Roger Waters, anti-
Semite" to find a host of articles and stories. He claims not to
be but, if not, why the Star of David — why not just remove
it?
I urge others to read up on this ... and to share the informa-
tion with others who may attend this show elsewhere as it
tours the country. It could've been nostalgic, entertaining, fas-
cinating, magnificent. It was all of that, but this blatant anti-
Semitism was very unsettling ... and playing to large young
audiences throughout the world.
A new coalition, formed by the Jewish Community Relations
Council, the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah
and several synagogue social action committees — the 14th
Congressional District Civic Engagement Coalition (CEC) —
will present a candidates forum next month to give commu-
nity members the opportunity to meet the candidates and find
out more about their positions on the issues.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, July 1, at 3:30 p.m. at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Admission is free,
and the event will be open to the public.
Judy Rosenberg, chairperson
Rena Yechieli, age 5,
from Southfield
14th Congressional District
Civic Engagement Coalition
Bloomfield Township
The Immense Value Of
Student Trips To Israel
Atara Krakoff's most passionate and highly perceptive article
"A Trip of a Lifetime" (May 31, page 50) is a prime example of
how effective and beneficial the graduation trip to Israel can
be, as undertaken by Hebrew day schools such as Hillel or the
Frankel Jewish Academy.
These end-of-year trips to Israel are meant to bring the
graduating students face-to-face with the State of Israel, its
people, its language and its culture of which they studied dur-
ing the eight or four years of their day-school education. The
same can be said of the program for college-age young adults
called Taglit (meaning discovery in Hebrew) or Birthright in
its English version.
There is a Hebrew adage that goes: Zeh hakatan gadol
yihye, which translates to: this little one will be big. And as
we all know, the little ones grow to be big people before you
know, and they will be the future leaders of the American
Jewish community and its grassroots.
In the last years, perhaps even decades, a great deal has
been said and written of a sharp decrease in American
Jewry's connection to Israel, which is nothing short of dev-
astating to the Jewish State, and these getting-to know-you
programs are invaluable in making sure this doesn't happen.
Israel should remain the center of Jewish life in America.
Similarly, of the highest importance is also the getting-to-
know-you of Israeli youth with their American counterparts.
My great-niece Gal spent a few summers ago as a camper
at Tamarack with a group of Israeli Tzofim (scouts), and she
told me how unforgettable and defining this was in her own
life. So, these two-way exchanges should be viewed as equally
important for the future of an Israeli-American Jewry contin-
ued relationship, and everything should be done to support it.
C orrection:
A caption for a photo with
"C antor's Cantata" (page
8 , May 31) should have
re ad: Davida Robinson,
m ember of Congregation
Michael Seltzer
Sh aarey Zedek's. Girl Scout
Franklin Village
Tr oop No. 47, gave Eleanor
Ro osevelt flowers at the
A Real Opportunity To
asonic Temple during
'Meet The Candidates'
th e Women's League for
Last week's article on the 14th congressional district race
Co nservative Judaism's con-
("Meet The Candidates," page 1) provided a good overview of ve ntion in 1941. Robinson,
the individuals who are running to be the first to represent
no w Davida Gale, is still a
the district.
Sh aarey Zedek member.
The weather was
ideal on S ON
June 10th as 10
volunteers of all
ages gathere€ =at
12 homes for the
annual Flower-
A-Thon. With
gorgeous blooms
supplied by Great
Lakes Landscape
Design, the teams
of gardners planted
nearly 100 flats of
annuals. Thanks
to everyone who
took part in this
fun project!
Rachel Kapen
West Bloomfield
1111 11t
jarc
Sarrirc.
248.538.6611 • jarc.org
June 14 • 2012
5