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. Story About Struggles Of Families Important I just wanted to say thank you to Contributing Writer Ronelle Grier for writing "Now What?" (May 7, page 1) — a story that needed to be shared within our own community and with others who are not part of the mental health/developmental disabilities con- versation about the need and struggles for these families. Erika Jones Personal Philanthropy Manager Judson Center Royal Oak Volunteering In Israel: 'Rewarding, Enriching' A few years ago, I had the good for- tune of meeting Ed Kohl, the regional representative for the Great Lakes Region of Volunteers for Israel/Sar-El. Ed said Sar-El would give me the opportunity to give to Israel by vol- unteering two or three weeks on an Israeli army base for a cause I sup- Walk & Run For Israel On Sunday, May 17 The annual Walk and Run for Israel will be held Sunday, May 17, begin- ning at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. The Family Fun Run for Israel (5k) registration opens at 7 a.m., with the run starting at 8 a.m. The run is for all fitness levels. Walk for Israel programs begin at 11 a.m., with a free kosher lunch from Jerusalem Pizza at 12:30 p.m. The walk begins at 1:30 p.m. The mission for the Walk for Israel is to unite the Detroit community to celebrate the establishment of Israel and to support its right to live in peace and security. Major sponsors include Ford Motor Company Fund, Pay Anywhere, Joe Cornell Entertainment and Dynasty Media Network. For more details on the nonprofit event, go to www.walkforisrael.org . Aish Sets Ride2lsrael Bike A Thon At Kensington Aish Detroit's fundraising event this year will be its Ride2lsrael Bike A Thon at the East Boat Launch of Kensington Metropark in Milford at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 31. The Ride2Israel will support Aish programs such as challah baking, ported in my heart. For my "tour of duty" with Sar-El, I was stationed on a supply base in southern Israel. Our group consisted of 15 people representing eight differ- ent countries. Our ages ranged from 18-75. The night of our first meeting, it became glaringly obvious that the only thing we had in common was a deep love and strong desire to support the State of Israel and the IDF. Volunteering is also a great way to experience Israel as a tourist. I can't say enough about how rewarding, satisfying and enriching I found this experience. I met great people and made many new friends that will hopefully last a life- time. For some in my group, this was not their first Sar-El trip. I anxiously await my next Sar-El mission. The VFI/Sar-El Program offers a way to contribute to Israel in a very direct way. The program accepts volunteers between the ages of 17 through senior citizens. For information, call or email Ed Kohl at (248) 420-3729, michgan@ vfi-usa.org; Carol Kent at (248) 865- 8580, carolkent@aol.com; or visit the VFI-USA website www.vfi-usa.org . If you have any questions about my per- sonal experience, feel free to email me at Phil.SarEl@gmail.com . guest speakers, family and parenting discussions, "Whiskey & Wisdom," holiday preparatory classes, and Shabbat and Sunday school programs. The cost is $36 per rider or $75 per team. For information, visit www. ride2israel.com . To RSVP, visit https://www.event- brite.com/e/jbams-annual-dinner-and- reception-honoring-the-judiciary- tickets-16473573903 . For information, call JBAM President Rachel Loebl, (248) 733-5530. Jewish Bar Association To Host Judges On May 18 Join the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan as it recognizes federal and state judges recently elected or appointed at JBAM's Annual Dinner and Reception Honoring the Judiciary, 6-8 p.m. May 18. The event will be held at the Westin Hotel, 1500 Town Center, Southfield. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein will be the featured speaker. Bernstein was elect- ed the first blind jus- tice to the Michigan Justice Supreme Court in Richard November. He began Bernstein his eight-year term in January. The cost is $40 for the dinner; JBAM members pay $35. A kosher dinner can be requested in advance. Phil Ouellette Lasalle, Ontario, Canada Free Speech Under Attack With Cartoonists In Texas Free speech in Texas? I truly thought that we were Charlie Hebdo. How feeble the thread of free speech is becoming in our country. Mary Jane Larson Livonia Correction • The calendar item about the read- ing and book-signing of Beth Rogers, author of Freshman Fourteen, should have stated that she will appear 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, May 18, at the Oak Park Public Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd. For information, email beththewriter@ gmail.com or call (248)-971-0082. Walled Lake Event Slates Both Cars And Canines Kenny's Lakes Area Auto Experts will host a Classic Car Show and Dog Adoption event 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 16. On display will be 75 racecars, classic cars, muscle mod- ern cars and more. The repair shop is located at 490 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake. Detroit Dog Rescue will be pro- viding the dogs for adoption. Those interested in adopting can pick out their dog and fill out an application onsite. Within a week, a representa- tive will conduct a home visit, and the dog will be officially adopted that day. Bringing photographs of the home and yard to the event will expedite the process. The total cost to adopt is $200-$300. "Cars and dogs are arguably the two best things in the world so bring- ing them together in one event is just ideal," said Walters (aka Kenny the Car Guy), owner and technician. For information, call (248) 668-1200. oac SPRING ELATION 2015 Wed, May 20 • 6 - 9 PM AT THE DETROIT ZOO — rain or shine BUY TICKETS TODAY! ♦ Carousel Rides ♦ The Robot Garage • NEW! Rio: 4-D Movie ♦ Music by StarTrax ♦ Picnic Dinner by Quality Kosher Catering ♦ Tauber Family Railroad ♦ Great door prizes • Wild life exhibits ♦ Polar bear feeding ♦ Clue Hunt with prizes ♦ Fun activities, crafts and more! ORDER TICKETS: wwwjarc.org/2015SpringElation May 14 • 2015 5