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FJA Should Respect All Jewish Viewpoints
As one whose estate is set to give a substantial sum of money
to the Frankel Jewish Academy, I was most distressed by the
tilt toward Orthodoxy ("School Standoff" June 27, page 1).
There is only one Bible, but there are different practices.
Jewish education should be such that students are intro-
duced to Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Humanistic and
Reconstruction theologies. Students would then have a famil-
iarity, in greater or lesser degree, with all aspects of Judaism.
It is the responsibility of the school to introduce differing
intellectual thought to growing children and families.
Jews have been confronted with enemies throughout histo-
ry. Our Jewish community at Frankel needs to be welcoming
to all rabbis. The study of Bible should not be limited to the
Orthodox approach, nor should the board be so constructed
that only the Orthodox viewpoint is the dominant viewpoint.
Helen Kerwin
Southfield
All Jews Should Remain United
I just read the article about the Frankel Academy ("School
Standoff" June 27, page 1), and the disagreement about which
Jew is the better Jew to teach our children about being Jewish.
We should respect and care for all Jews — everywhere. If
we won't, who will?
Are there not enough anti-Semites in this world? Did Hitler
care whether you were an Orthodox, Conservative or Reform
Jew? Do the Muslim jihadists care? No, they just want to anni-
hilate our race.
Wake up, my fellow Jews, before it is too late for all of us.
Barbara Schwartz
West Bloomfield
Skeptical Parents Learn
To Love Day School
I am writing in response to the Day School Dad who wrote
to the "Dear Debra" column in the IN's Red Thread magazine
(May 30, page 32, and June 27, page 36).
I want to applaud the father for bringing more Jewish tradi-
tions into his home and tell him that it is very common for
parents to feel differently about a day school education before
further investigation.
At Hillel, our parent body consists of numerous spouses who
were once opposed to a day school education. It is the parents who
were not proponents who are today Hillel's biggest advocates.
I agree with Debra that there may be many factors influ-
encing your wife's opinion; however, the absolute best way
to learn more about a day school is to visit. In that regard, I
would welcome the opportunity to provide you and your wife
a personal tour of Hillel Day School.
Here you will see how we seamlessly incorporate ethics
and values into the lives of our students, provide cutting-edge
technology to give them every advantage for future success,
provide them with a sound cultural foundation with our dual
curriculum and thereby wire their brains to accelerate learn-
ing in all academic subjects, and how our students benefit
from small classes and a team approach to great teaching.
Your kindergartner would thrive at Hillel. Feel free to con-
tact me to learn more. I'm around all summer!
Amy Schlussel
Director of Admission
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit
Farmington Hills
Yiddish Limerick
Mort Collins and son
Andy prepare to affix the
mezuzah at the Marilynn and
Morton Collins Home
I
...b1;700 k 77‘..t!
The remaining Western Wall of the Second Temple
At its 44th Annual
We lost Bais HaMikdash,* nisht ein ober tzvay**
So Yidn are sad, Lamentations we say.
Our Temple no more
So yetzt yeder yohr,***
Mir gedeinken**** our Temple on Tisha b'Av day.
* Bais HaMikdash — the Temple
** Nisht ein ober tzvay — not one, but two
*** yetzt yeder yohr — now every year
**** Mir gedeinken — we remember
Meeting on June 25,
2013, JARC elected
its new Board
of Directors and
formally dedicated
it
the Marilynn and
Morton Collins
Home in West
— Rachel Kapen
Bloomfield. Rabbi
For more on Tisha bAv, see pages 35 and 40.
Orthodox Union View On
Gay Marriage Clarified
"Historic Rulings" (July 4, page 1) cites the statement of the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU)
that "Our beliefs in this regard [that marriage is a relation-
ship between a man and a woman] is unalterable. At the same
time, we note that Judaism teaches respect for others and we
condemn discrimination against individuals"
The article interprets this to mean that the OU "affirmed its
opposition to same-sex marriage while emphasizing the need
to respect all views:' (Italics are mine.) This interpretation is
absolutely incorrect.
In fact, the OU's statement is simply that the mitzvah of
Ahavat Yisrael, loving one's fellow Jew, extends to all Jews
regardless of their observance of Torah or lack thereof. One
must love and respect another Jew, and one may not discrimi-
nate against him (or for that matter against any person), even
if he violates the Shabbat, eats on Yom Kippur, is married to a
non-Jew — or is in a same-sex relationship.
It does not mean that we respect the views that such actions
are acceptable, or that we sanction such behavior. We respect
every individual, while we most certainly reject those actions
which oppose the Divinely ordained teachings of our Torah.
Rabbi Elimelech Silberberq
Sarah and Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center
West Bloomfield
Daniel Syme from
Temple Beth El
officiated as the
mezuzah was
affixed, and nearly
100 guests joined
in the festivities.
•
See more grea
t
JARC stories at
www.jarc.org
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July 11 • 2013
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