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Temple Shir Shalom

The Learning Cente
Preschool

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Est 1988

Enroll In
Preschool by
March 18th
to Receive
2012-13 Price

Shrinking Middle Class

Event focuses on dangers of
economic inequality.

Harry Kirsbaum
Contributing Writer

ing about the fiscal cliff and the debt
ceiling, but, on the other side, we have
50 million in poverty:' he said. "A
t was a night that longed for the
corrupted political system leaves us
1960s, when Jewish and black
unprotected:'
activists marched together to
Syme added that a shrinking middle
protest racial injustice and fight for
class is a great danger. "In every coun-
equality.
try where there are revolutions, there
Rabbi Daniel Syme of Bloomfield
are two classes, the ultra-rich and the
Hills-based Temple Beth
ultra-poor, with a tiny
El said, "In this world of
middle class:' he said.
ours, which is drenched
"What has enabled the
in the blood of Jews and
United States to remain
blacks in so many areas of
great has been the exis-
the globe, there is testimo-
tence of the middle class,
ny to the absolute neces-
the opportunity afforded
sity for all of us to interact
and the hope that derives
with one another." Syme
from knowing that you
spoke at an event spon-
can do better. We've got
sored by Quicken Loans
to rethink that process so
and Temple Beth El, held
that it can be re-instituted
at the Detroit Historical
in our time"
Rabbi Dani el Syme
Museum on Feb. 12.
Politics at its best
There is a need, the
protects and defends the
rabbi added, "to be
interest of the people,
involved, to not back off
said Jackson, and he used
— because we live in a
a Super Bowl metaphor to
time when it seems as if in
make a point about level-
the Congress of the United
ing the playing field.
States there's an attempt
Two teams, with black
to declare war on the real
and white players play a
enemies of America —
game. One team loses;
poor people"
one wins. The loser walks
Syme shared the stage
away a little down with
with one of the country's
no rancor, and the other
leading civil rights lead-
team celebrates, he said.
Rev. Jess e Jackson
ers, Rev. Jesse Jackson,
"What allows us to do
in an event billed as a
so well in these games?
conversation on the "Re-Education of
Whenever the playing field is level
America in the Age of Obama."
and the rules are public, and the goals
But the conversation went far
are clear, the referee is fair and the
beyond a singular topic. Jackson told
score is transparent, we can make it.
the crowd of 150 that even though a
But on education, the playing field
black man is in the White House, there ain't even:'
is still injustice and poverty because
Syme agreed that education is key.
opportunity for the poor is still hard
"Our Jewish ancestors understood that
to find.
even the poorest Jew must be literate,
Syme's father, the late Rabbi M.
and status was accorded in the Jewish
Robert Syme, marched against the
community to those with learning," he
church bombings in Birmingham,
said.
Ala., with the Rev. Martin Luther King
One answer to the problem could be
Jr. in 1963.
access to junior colleges, said Syme,
"We lived under police protection
"where they can train people who don't
for a couple of weeks; Syme recalled.
care about going to college and study-
ing French or Italian to get training in
"We have spent so much time fight-
ing voter suppression; now we've got to something that can result in getting a
spend that same energy encouraging
job in the America of today:'
voter expression of the dreams, plans
The proceeds of the Historical
and hopes of people of all colors:'
Society's event went to Detroit College
Jackson said that America's econom- Promise, which offers college scholar-
ic system is not working.
ships to Detroit Public School stu-
"The politicians are over here talk-
dents.

I

Don't forget
to sign up for

Camp Teva

June 24 —Aug 16
(8 wks)

Join Us For:

Ma'at Shabbat
Saturday March 2, 5:00 pm
Celebrate Havdalah with
our Rabbis and Cantor
Meet new friends
Meet our Staff
Dinner Included

Happy Hour (parents only)
Thursday March 7, 7:00 pm
Interested Parents join
our parents to learn about
The Learning Center
Non alchonolic beverages
served

For more information, or to register call Mar

Director of Temple Shir Shalom's Preschool:

The Learning Center, 2075 Walnut Lake Rd., W Blo

❑

248.406.4255 I www.shirs

1817770

14

February 21 • 2013