frontlines >> letters }low 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. Should FJA Board Decide Who Is Jewish Enough? We read, with sadness, the poi- gnant article by Lauren Blazofsky ("Compromise Needed At Jewish Academy:' July 25, page 43). She distilled the ongoing (and embar- rassing) dispute at the Frankel Jewish Academy down to its basics: a school dedicated to the non-denominational teaching of Jewish studies has adopted a policy that prevents Reform and many Conservative rabbis — regardless of knowledge, dedication and teaching skill — from teaching Jewish studies courses at the school. This is because the current insular academy board has decided to take it upon itself to determine who is, and who is not, Jewish enough. It really is beyond comprehension that this extraordinary jewel of a Jewish school is now being tarnished by a majority on the FJA board because of their doctrinaire stance that even well- respected, learned scholars and rabbis — who are Reform or Conservative but who are not also shomer Shabbas — are somehow not Jewish enough to teach Jewish studies. If the board cannot see the highly negative message they are sending to a large number of Jews in this community — including wonderful and dedicated students like Ms. Blazofsky — then maybe it is time for them to consider the necessary Jewish qualities required to continue to be a board member for all (not just some) of the students at the Academy. The board's stance is doing damage to our Jewish community by sowing divi- sion and by arrogating to themselves the determination of who is Jewish enough. Please end this policy. Phillip and Mimi Seltzer West Bloomfield Meningitis Vaccination Should Be A Family Affair Thank you for the article regarding the risk of bacterial meningitis for col- lege students ("Spreading Awareness" by Ruthan Brodsky, July 25, page 68). After I was interviewed for this article, I was invited to Atlanta by the National Meningitis Association to become trained as a parent advocate, where I learned more about this disease. NMA Moms on a Mission (M.O.M.$) are dedicated to educating about meningitis symptoms and prevention. It is important to know that the cur- rent CDC recommendations for menin- gococcal prevention are focused on vaccinating adolescents at age 11, with a booster dose at age 16. These ages were chosen to provide our teenagers the greatest amount of immunity during their most vulnerable years. Interestingly, on Aug. 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the indication for Menveo, a meningococ- cal conjugate vaccine, for use in infants beginning at 2 months of age. It is important to note, anyone can contract meningococcal disease. I tell the people I care about that they should consider vaccinating their entire family. Whether or not you or your loved ones have been vaccinated, it is important to know the symptoms of bacterial menin- gitis. Meningococcal disease comes on quickly and can lead to death or disabil- ity within hours. While the current vaccination protects against most strains, it does not protect against every strain. Sadly, when my sweet Emily contracted this dreaded disease, she contracted the one strain that is not cov- ered with this current vaccine. However, I am glad Emily was vaccinated. It is impor- tant to me to know that I did everything in my power to provide her with all the protection available at that time. Since then, I and all my loved ones have been vaccinated. Have you and yours? Alicia Lewis Stillman West Bloomfield Jewish Fund Supports Prescription Program The Jewish Fund, established in 1997 with proceeds from the sale of Sinai Hospital, just renewed its com- mitment to support the Affordable Prescriptions Program administered by World Medical Relief, a Detroit charity, with a grant of $50,000. Low-income, uninsured people in Metro Detroit have called on World Medical Relief for prescrip- tion assistance since 1966 when the agency launched its local Prescription Assistance Program for Seniors. In 2007, the program expanded its service to accept clients 18 years and older under the new name Affordable Prescriptions Program. Since its start in1966, more than 1.3 million pre- scriptions have been dispensed. In 2012 alone, the value of the prescrip- tions dispensed exceeded $4.2 million. Enrollment in the program is solely based on income and the absence of insurance coverage for prescriptions. Jewish Historical Society Celebrates N.W. Detroit The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan (JHSM) thanks the Jewish News for sharing the story of our recent bus tour of Historic Jewish Windsor. Your Aug. 1 story and pho- tos (pages 10-12) captured so well the enthusiasm and camaraderie of that event. The bridge that links our two communities is clearly strong; people are already asking when we will repeat the tour. Our next tour, the Sunday, Aug.18, JCycle bicycle tour of Northwest Detroit, is intended not only to share and celebrate that area's proud Jewish history, but also to show how Jews are helping Detroiters there today. In August 2011 and 2012, our partnership with the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, the Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit and Hillel of Metro Detroit produced highly praised bicycle tours in Downtown Detroit. This month, the four sponsoring organizations are confident we'll do it again, with up to 200 cyclists seeing the former Meyers/Curtis JCC, former synagogues, Mumford and beautiful residential streets and gardens. Because Northwest Detroit evokes fond memories for so many Jews, JHSM will also conduct a bus tour of Northwest Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 22. That tour will include a walk through part of Palmer Woods, visits inside sev- eral buildings important to our com- munity history and a bus route beyond where cyclists will travel. Details on these two tours are on our website, www.michjewishhistory.org . Jerry Cook, president Jewish Historical Society of Michigan Farmington Hills Correction • In "Garden Geeks" (July 25, page 8), the name of Marc Rothenberg was mis- spelled. Ask Marc : 33rd Annual Fall Fundraiser Satte tfie, %Data MESCRS MU 11 02N BRUM Cteatedoy, Steven Van Zandt and Marc Brickman Thursday 1/04teMaelti j4 7:30 PM Fox Theatre The show will be an uplifting inspiration for the fans that have been waiting all these years, praying for a Rascals comeback, and those who are younger will get a real taste of the '60's they missed the first time around. — STEVEN VAN ZANDT FOR A PREVIEW OF THE SHOW GO TO http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=batlxFtVnVA CORPORATE PRESWING SPONSORS Quickentoans Engineered to Amaze TITLE 9SOURCE° People that qualify do not receive Medicaid. The application process is simple and quick. For an enrollment form, call World Medical Relief at (313) 866-5333. ❑ G LBERT F LMS GARY GILBERT -IENENSTOCK NATIONWIDE COURT REPORTING k VIDEO August 8 • 2013 5