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. Volunteer, 77, Assists At IDF Medical Supply Base I'll never forget the fleeting feeling of surprise as the bus taking us to the air- port is pulled over by the Israel Defense Forces base commander. Climbing onto the bus, a battle-hardened man in uniform sweeps the bus with his experi- enced eyes. His tone is soft and warm for our valuable contribution to the IDF during the two weeks we served with Su-El on a med- ical military sup- ply base. He gra- Stan Levine on an ciously thanks IDF base. us over and over because our time spent working in southern Israel alleviates the military's need to send active-duty soldiers to fulfill this vital job. It may even potentially have saved many IDF soldiers' lives. Why would I, a 77-year-old man, decide to embark on such an adventure? I heard through friends and articles how Volunteers for Israel/Sar-El's mis- sion was so critical to the survival of the IDF and was looking for something to give back to the State of Israel. Instead, I found that this experience gave me back so much more than I ever could have imagined. Working side-by-side with people from all over the world, many of whom were not Jewish, was a life-altering expe- rience. It was the third or fourth time of service for some of the people I met, and their dedication and profound sense of duty was inspiring. Although the conditions were rather spartan, the camaraderie of all the vol- unteers connected by a mission made up for any inconveniences. The friendships I made will long be cherished. Every evening after dinner we would sit in a conference room with our IDF liaisons and learn about their important work. But the best memory that is etched in my mind is the morning ritual of rais- ing the Israeli flag, and the soldiers and volunteers saluting it. Just knowing that in a small way I may have helped to raise the flag another day will inspire me for the rest of my life! Volunteers typically spend two or three weeks living and working along- side Israelis at an army base, warehouse or service base. The program offers a way to contribute to Israel in a very direct way. For information, call or email Ed Kohl at (248) 420-3729, michgan@ vfi-usa.org; Paul Matlin at (248) 557- 0004, prm371@yahoo.com ; or visit the VFI-USA website, www.vfi-usa.org . Gerrilli schilfelaxing by the lake at the Labes Horn Stan Levine West Bloomfield 'Jewish' Ballplayers And The Pew Report In last week's corrections on page 5, "Oakland As manager Bob Melvin is also Jewish. Both men (Brad Ausmus) have Jewish mothers. Both managers were catchers for the Tigers:" Melvin was raised as a Christian while Ausmus was not raised in any religion. Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, acquired for Prince Fielder, has a Jewish father, and like new manager Brad Ausmus, has a Catholic wife. While their Jewishness is nothing to cheer about, we should root for them because they are nice guys and wear the uniform of our home team. There were 15 players in the major leagues last season who had at least one Jewish parent. Only one, however, of the married players had a Jewish spouse. We're all familiar with the Pew Report that claimed more than 70 percent of non-Orthodox Jews choose to marry non-Jews. Well, in Major League Baseball, the rate is well more than 90 percent. Irwin Cohen Oak Park Kosher Meals On Wheels Aids Elderly And Infirm Over the last month, there has been much written about the closing of two food markets in the community and the impact those closings might have on peo- ple who adhere to the laws of kashrut. To those who might be impacted, I want to remind you about a program that has played an important role in our community for the past 40 years. National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section, Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) is a not-for-profit program that provides two nutritious kosher meals (lunch and dinner) five days a week to those in our community who are unable to provide for them- selves or who have no one to assist them with meal preparation. Meals are prepared and delivered from the kitchen of Sodexo Senior Living, located in the Jewish Senior Life Prentis Apartments in Oak Park. The kitchen is under the supervision of the Vaad Harabbonim of Greater Detroit. Funding is provided by Area Agency on Aging 1-B through the Office of Services to the Aging and through the Yiddish Limerick The men from the Blumberg Thanksgivukah Home spent a few days up Dos is Thanksgivukah, oy vey!** Ich been farmisht,*** what can I say? Der hindik,**** latkes, so much to eat, And on der fentzter***** di meno rah is lit. Ich vill****** back Chanukah and Thanksgiving Day. * Dos is — This is ** Oy vey — (needs no translation) *** Ich been farmisht — I am confused **** Der hindik — the turkey ***** der fentzter — the window ****** Ich vill — I want north enjoying the beautiful autumn colors t JARC's newly- renovated Elle abes Vacation Home Gladwin. The found that quie relaxation and — Rachel Kapen warm friendship can definitely Federal Older Americans Act in com- pliance with Title V of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The DeRoy Testamentary Foundation also provides support as do donors from the community at large. Jewish Family Service provides the intake and casework services. So, if you or someone you know is • temporarily unable to prepare meals following a hospital stay • disabled and unable to provide meals for themselves • homebound without someone to help with meal preparation • elderly needing assistance in main- taining independence in their home, then Kosher Meals on Wheels is the answer. Those needing more information about receiving meals should contact Jewish Family Service at (248) 592-2313. rejuvenate the spirit. Special thanks to Laura and Jim Sherman and Ellen and Jim Labes for giving JARC a wonderful "home away from home"! Richard Emmer KMOW Program Coordinator NCJW/Greater Detroit Correction The name of the third- place winner in the ages 10-12 category of the JN's Chanukah Art Contest (Nov. 21, page 10) was misspelled. His name is Spenser Keys. arc : o t JARC Today Make your gi at jarc.or r 248.538.661 THIRD PLACE: Spenser Keys, 11, Huntington Woods IN November 28 • 2013 5