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Know What Matters
I agree with the sentiment of the
editorial "Know Your Congressional
Candidates" (Oct. 2, page 62). However,
its list of "What Matters" when casting
our ballots is very disturbing.
The federal government's first and
foremost responsibility is to defend its
citizens from external threats. The U.S.
now faces at least three critical dangers:
ISIS, pledged to attack America; Iran's
march toward nuclear missiles, likely to
spur neighboring countries to acquire
their own atomic weapons; and the
Ebola epidemic that appears headed for
America. Yet, the Jewish News suggests
we ignore these really big problems
and, instead, concentrate on a host of
lesser issues.
Barack Obama, president for another
two years, has been very weak when
confronting major threats. Currently,
his strategy to defeat ISIS was criticized
by the Pentagon; he appears ready to let
Iran develop nuclear weapons; and he
won't use his authority to prevent non-
citizens from Ebola-stricken countries
from entering our country.
Electing candidates from the presi-
dent's party will only support his con-
tinuation of these weak policies. In
today's perilous times, it is crucial to
have a Congress that will challenge the
president to take actions that will pro-
tect Americans.
Yes, as the Jewish News says, "Vote
smart" But, more importantly, please
vote wisely. Support candidates who are
committed to making this country safer
for our children and grandchildren.
Kerry Greenhut
West Bloomfield
Hope For Beating Terrorism
Several articles have recently appeared
in the Jewish News documenting the
rise in anti-Semitism across the globe.
This has manifested in heightened
unfathomable acts of violence and hate
speech toward Jews living in Israel and
worldwide.
To help stem the tide of terrorism,
researchers such as John Horgan,
a psychologist at University of
Fundraiser Aids Nonprofit
Approximately 300 guests attended
the Oct. 2 open house at the new
Birmingham office of Woll & Woll P.C.
benefiting the Empowerment Plan.
More than $30,000 was raised for the
Detroit-based nonprofit. In addition
to food and drinks, the event featured
art from acclaimed Detroit graffiti
artist, Antonio "Shades" Agee, who
auctioned off a one-of-a-kind piece of
artwork to benefit the Empowerment
Massachusetts-Lowell, are studying
what motivates radicals to become ter-
rorists, and once having joined an orga-
nization such as Hamas, what causes
them to become so disillusioned they
quit the organization and rejoin society.
Their goal is to delegitimize and pre-
vent terrorism.
There are a myriad of depraved and
self-serving reasons radicals cite to justify
joining terrorist organizations. Ironically,
religion or faith doesn't necessarily
motivate radicals to morph into terror-
ists. Max Abrahms, a terrorism expert at
Northwestern University, notes that the
majority of youth joining Islamic State
(ISIS) aren't familiar with Islam.
Horgan believes it's more important
to understand why terrorists become
disaffected and abandon their organi-
zations. Disillusionment runs high in
terrorist groups and it can impact their
momentum and recruitment.
Researchers' findings suggest that
radicals will reject terrorism once their
fears of cultural destruction are allevi-
ated; they identify with man's common
humanity and realize that the celebrity
lifestyle they imagined as terrorists will
never materialize.
Based on this approach, a large ter-
rorist organization in Egypt, Al Gama'a
al-Islamiyya, renounced the use of
violence in 2003. However, Al Gama'a is
still considered a terrorist organization
by the United States and Israeli govern-
ments. The U.S. State Department pro-
vides local grant programs, managed by
U.S. embassies, in communities where
youth are most susceptible to terrorists.
These programs place a great emphasis
on engaging women, who are the best
positioned to counter radicalization in
their communities. There is hope.
Carolyn Wiener
Farmington Hills
Interfaith Respect
In a world plagued by conflict and
controversy, Covenant Baptist Church
in West Bloomfield, under Pastor Jon
Good, is a model of mutual respect
and goodwill between disparate faiths,
which should serve as a source of emu-
Plan. Other artwork was available from
Aimee Cameron and Jaime Sanchez.
Live entertainment was provided by DJ
and acoustic guitarist John Arnold and
percussionist Craig Huckabee.
Attendees also heard moving stories
from Empowerment Plan founder/CEO
Veronika Scott as well as three ladies
who work at the nonprofit that manu-
factures coats that double as sleeping
bags that are given free to people living
on the streets of Detroit.
❑
lation for others.
After the B'nai Israel of West
Bloomfield house of worship was sold
by Congregation Shaarey Zedek of
Southfield, which merged with us some
years before, we remained without
a place to worship. Temple Kol Ami,
a Reform congregation, came to our
Conservative congregation's aid by
suggesting we share their space. This
arrangement proved to be most suc-
cessful most of the year.
Alas, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur, the two holiest holidays in the
Jewish calendar, both congregations are
in need of the main sanctuary, leaving
B'nai Israel's congregation homeless
again. This problem came to the atten-
tion of Pastor Good, who, with willing
consent of the church's board and con-
gregants, graciously offered their abode
for these three days. For the last three
years, Covenant Baptist Church turns
into Congregation B'nai Israel of West
Bloomfield. And the most generous and
gracious Christian hosts go to great efforts
to make this transition easy and painless.
So as we say in my native Hebrew, Kol
HaKavod [Right On!] to the good people
of Covenant Baptist Church. As we usher
in the new Jewish year of 5775, may it be
a good one for both our congregations
and we hope to see you again in 5776.
Rachel Kapen
West Bloomfield
Correction
• In the article "Shabbat on the Spot"
(Oct. 9, p. 22), it should have said that
Daniel Kohn is with Quality Kosher
Catering.
• In the obituary
for Anna Schwalb
("Her Wide Smile
Brightened All
Around Her; Oct.
9, page 61), a cap-
tion under the
photo should have
read Anna Schwalb.
The JN respectfully
regrets the error.
Anna Schwalb
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October 16 • 2014
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