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$2.00 JULY 3 -9, 2014 / 5-11 TAMMUZ 5774

theJEWISHNEWS.com

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» Meeting Israel's Leaders Jewish journalists from
Detroit and elsewhere convene in Jerusalem See page 15.

» Terrorist Visions Dashed British-born Muslim is
now a passionate Zionist. See page 16.

lummayminoiwoh.

» Melodic Method "Modified Music-ation" helps kids
with special needs learn. See page 20.

Jacob Levy helps Adam Beauchamp learn
the trombone.

metro

Outrage Over
Slain Teens

David Sachs I Senior Copy Editor

T

he Detroit Jewish community react-
ed strongly to the murder of three
kidnapped Israeli teenagers, whose
bodies were found on June 30.
"The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, along with the Jewish Federations
of North America and the worldwide Jewish
community, join with the State of Israel
today in grief and horror following the
announcement of the tragic deaths of Eyal
Yifrach, Naftali Fraenkel and Gilad Shaar,"
read a statement signed by Federation and
Foundation presidents Doug Bloom and Todd
Sachse and Federation CEO Scott Kaufman.
"There is no way to describe the depth of our
horror at such a senseless and truly horrendous
act. As Jewish Detroiters, we feel a tremendous
bond with our fellow Jews in Israel and every-
where around the world, and we share in the
overwhelming grief at the loss of these boys.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to their
families at this terrible time. May their mem-
ories be for a blessing.
"Today, the Detroit Jewish community
comes together to mourn the loss of these
boys and to reaffirm our unshakeable love
and support for Israel and our Jewish broth-
ers and sisters who live there"
Dr. Richard Krugel, president of the
Jewish Community Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit, said, "Their kidnapping
and murder is tragically emblematic of both
the barbarism of Arab and Muslim terrorist
groups and the ever-present and justified fear
Israelis feel that their families may be next:'
Israeli President Shimon Peres said, "For 18
days we hoped and prayed with one voice
that we would find the boys safe and well.

Mohelim

These six Detroiters talk
about performing the
mitzvah of brit milah.

Barbara Lewis I Contributing Writer

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

1942 - 2014

Covering and
Connecting
Jewish Detroit
Eve y Week

t's a boy!
Once you catch your breath and notify your fami-
lies, who ya gonna call? Probably
the mohel, the person responsible for Rabbi Avraham
Cohen gives an
conducting the ritual circumcision
infant a drop of wine
ceremony.
The brit milah (literally "covenant before performing
the brit.
of circumcision:' commonly called
"bris" by Ashkenazi Jews) is probably
the oldest custom in Judaism and the
most universally practiced.
In the Book of Genesis, God tells Abraham to circum-
cise himself, his sons and all the males in his household,
the first commandment given specifically to Jews.
Since then, Jewish baby boys have been circumcised at
the age of 8 days, health permitting, as a mark of the cov-
enant between God and the Jewish people.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8