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. Kudos To Israel Activists In Defeating U-M BDS Ploy On Tuesday, March 25, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) move- ment against Israel experienced a defeat when the Central Student Government at the University of Michigan strongly rejected a resolution that would have supported the divestment from certain companies doing business with Israel. The proceedings were telecast, enabling one to hear and see speakers for and against the resolution. Credit for the positive outcome must be given to all the pro-Israel organiza- tions —AIPAC, CAMERA, StandWithUs and others — who had student repre- sentatives on campus, trained by these organizations to be ready to advocate for Israel in just such situations. These student representatives had also been prepared to lead other pro- Israel students to act together in hostile situations. Credit must also be given to Tilly Shames, the director of U-M Hillel, who brought the student leaders together to create a unified plan of action. Congratulations to all on a job well done. Unfortunately, this is probably not the last we will see of such resolutions and other hostile anti-Israel events; but the Jewish students and their sup- porters on campus and in the com- munity will be much better prepared to respond effectively. Margot Gardner Bloomfield Hills Reports Of Intimidation At U-M Must Be Addressed Watching the proceedings of the U-M Central Student Government (CSG) on March 25, it became clear that the envi- ronment on this campus should be of concern for our Jewish community. At a previous meeting, SAFE (Students Allied for Freedom and Equality), a pro-Palestinian group, pre- sented a BDS resolution. The CSG voted to table the resolution. At Tuesday's meeting, several CSG members spoke about the intimidating atmosphere they subsequently faced because of that vote. One student said he had not gone to class because of the intimidating environment, which included a sit-in at the Student Union after the vote to table. According to the Washington Free Beacon, Jewish stu- dents were called "kike" and "dirty Jew" and some students even received death threats (bit.ly/QwgsI8). Whether the Free Beacon's reporting is accurate or not, I do not know, but the students on the CSG clearly vocal- ized their fears. Their decision to vote by secret ballot — they voted 25-9 to reject the resolution — is likely an indi- cation of the intimidating atmosphere. The university's response to this intim- idation and its tepid action regarding the phony eviction notices recently sent to students seem to indicate that the uni- versity's administration has an "I-don't- much-care" attitude in this matter. Cap8,Cown 2014 Cap & Gown Comin In May T he Jewish News will honor all Jewish students who are graduating this spring from Michigan high schools in our new Cap & Gown Yearbook 2014. The Yearbook will be published in the May 22 JN. For free, we will include a photo and up to 40 words listing the student's name, school and accomplishments. We also encourage families to honor their students or out-of-state graduates with a congratulatory ad. It is easier than ever for students and their families to submit their information for the Cap & Gown issue - it's all online. Log on to www. thejewishnews.com/contact/cap-and-gown/free-listing . Follow the prompts, upload your photo and hit "Submit." Family members can submit paid congratulatory ads at the link as well. All free listings must be submitted by May 3. Any questions? Call Jackie Headapohl, (248) 351-5110 or jheadapohl@ renmedia.us . ❑ I hope that our Federation and Jewish Community Relations Council will take leadership in asking the university to speak out and take firm action against those who threatened the students. Unfortunately, it appears though that "shah, still" (Yiddish for "don't say anything") is the operating norm as it has been for most of Jewish history. I think we all deserve better from our leadership. Sylvia C. Fleshman Farmington Hills Haters Of Israel Promote Lies And Hostility At U-M I commend members of U-M's Jewish community and their allies in their defeat of the divestment resolution at U-M. While Tilly Shames, Hillel executive director, calls for "respectful dialogue and meaningful unifying work:' it's important to understand that none of that can be expected from any of the campus BDS promoters. As Eugene Greenstein recounted in his review of Ali Abunimah's visit to U-M (March 27, page 5), the Israel haters are deter- mined to create a hostile atmosphere toward Israel and toward Jews. They will continue to promote lies. They will continue to bully and intimidate pro- Israel students as long as they can get away with it. Rather than react to the hatred and demonization, Jewish groups need to get the truth out. Hold rallies. Bring pro-Israel speakers to U-M. Don't let the Israel haters constantly take the offensive. Harry Onickel Ferndale See a story about U-M on page 1 and an editorial and op-ed pieces on pages 28-29. Women's Book Club Celebrates 30th Year Thank you for your recognition of local book groups in the cover-page article "Read a Good Book Lately?" (March 20). Unfortunately, the Oakland Community College Womencenter Book Group was overlooked. I am privileged to be a member of this group of women that meets twice monthly and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in the fall. We are unique in that we read both fiction and non- fiction exclusively written by women. The group is organized and facilitated by Arlene Frank, OCC Womencenter Program Coordinator. Cindy Turkish Huntington Woods Announcing SellerNation, the real estate company backed by award-winning, auction-style technology that gets you top dollar on the day you want to sell. • No commission • 34-day listings • 5% to charity 29623 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 1C Southfield MI 48034 Licensed Michigan Real Estate Broker CB Cr April 3 • 2014 5