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Standing Against Hate

Jewish organizations’ messages rejecting hate
are brought to the Muslim community.

A

s a longtime peace and
from our Muslim neighbors and
interfaith activist, the ques- what our Muslim neighbors need
tion I hear most often from to hear from us, as Jews, seldom, if
both the Jewish community
ever, reaches the other.
and Muslim community is:
It is possible to close the
“Is there really a partner on
gap. It only takes one person
the other side?”
to open hundreds of hearts
My answer to both com-
and minds. Eide Alawan, my
munities: YES!
longtime friend and fellow
Unfortunately, positives
peace builder, not only cre-
words and actions are rarely
ated a poster of the email
heard or broadcast.
I sent him of the 10 state-
Brenda Naomi
On Dec. 21, I was asked
ments, but put the poster on
Rosenberg
to speak at a press confer-
display in the main hallway
ence and rally of commu-
just outside the prayer room
nity leaders speaking out
at the Islamic Center of
against Islamophobia at the
America in Dearborn.
Charles Wright Museum of
We have the power to cre-
African American History
ate change. We must come
in Detroit. I said I would
together, stand together
share the remarks from 10
and, most importantly, take
of our premier Jewish orga-
action together! I am so
nizations.
grateful to Eide for helping
The morning of the news Eide Alawan
to close the communication
conference, I asked the
gap.
group who had seen any of
the statements. No hand was raised. Brenda Rosenberg is a peace and interfaith
activist in Metro Detroit.
We have a severe communication
gap. What we need to hear as Jews

*

Text of the poster meant to close the com-
munication gap between Jews and Muslims

Jewish Organizations Speak Out

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan
Greenblatt: “A plan that singles out Muslims and
denies them entry to the U.S. based on their reli-
gion is deeply offensive and runs contrary to our
nation’s deepest values.”
American Jewish Committee Associate
Executive Director for Policy Jason Isaacson:
“We are deeply disturbed by the nativist racism
inherent in the candidate’s [Donald Trump’s] lat-
est remarks.”
B’nai B’rith International: “Singling out
an entire religious community for diminished
rights amounts to bigotry, and it should not be
accepted.”
Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the public
affairs arm of the organized Jewish community:
“There is no place in America, a nation founded
on religious freedom, for discrimination on the
basis of religion — or any other immutable char-
acteristic, for that matter … Recent statements
are misleading to voters because they imply that
sacrificing our values will advance our security,
which is a fallacy.”
Orthodox Union Executive Vice President
Allen Fagin: “We call on all Americans to reaffirm
that discrimination of any group solely upon
religion is wrong and an anathema to the great
traditions of religious and personal freedoms
upon which this country was founded.”
Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox)
President Rabbi Shalom Baum: “The complex
issues that face us in ensuring the safety and
security from terror of innocents and free societ-
ies throughout the world need to be addressed,
but need to be done in sober and responsible
ways. We call upon all Americans and the United
States government to recognize the threats
posed by radical Islamists while preserving and

protecting the rights of all people who seek
peace, no matter how they worship God.”
Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative): “We
recognize the need to be vigilant in providing
security and protection from those who seek to
do our country harm, but discriminating against
an entire religion is wrong and dangerous.”
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner: “While we
take no position on Mr. Trump’s candidacy for
president, we condemn in the strongest terms
his comments calling for barring the entry of
Muslims into the United States. As Jews who too
often suffered persecution because of our faith,
we cannot abide religious bigotry.”
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association:
“We call on all Jews and all Americans to
denounce hate speech and fearmongering
against Muslims in politics and the media, and
to reach out in support of Muslim Americans in
every way that we can.”
J Street, the “pro-Israel, pro-peace” lobbying
group that has positioned itself as a left-wing
alternative to AIPAC: “Donald Trump’s statement
today calling for a ‘total and complete shutdown’
of Muslim immigration to the United States is
repugnant and unacceptable. This statement
is the latest in a string of deeply bigoted and
Islamophobic remarks by Mr. Trump and others
seeking to stoke and take political advantage of
rank hatred.”
National Jewish Democratic Council: “It is
long past time for leading Republicans, espe-
cially Jewish Republicans, to strongly speak out
against the bigotry coming from its leading can-
didate. No single religion is our enemy — terror-
ists and all those who seek to destroy us are our
enemies.”

obituaries »

JOYCE ELLEN CANTOR, 66, of West
Bloomfield, died Jan. 11, 2016.
She is survived by her beloved husband,
Michael Cantor; son, Joshua Cantor; daugh-
ter, Amy Cantor; sister, Laurel Sherman;
mother-in-law, Evelyn Cantor.
Mrs. Cantor was the sister-in-law of the
late Mitchell Sherman; the daughter-in-
law of the late Harold Cantor; the devoted
daughter of the late Carl and the late Inez
Sweet.
Contributions may be made to Yad
Ezra, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
or to a charity of one’s choice. Interment
took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in
Birmingham. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.

Chernikov

BETH CHERNIKOV, 95,
of Sterling Heights, died
Jan. 14, 2016.
She is survived by her
daughter and son-in-law,
Faye and Robert Levine;
son, Leslie Chernikov;
grandchildren, Aviva and
Moses Fridman, Rachel
and Steven Marcotte;

great-grandchildren, Elianna, Hannah and
Shoshanna Fridman; sister-in-law, Ruth
Boles; many loving nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Chernikov was the beloved wife of
the late Abraham Chernikov; the loving
sister of the late Nancy Klein Helm and the
late Albert Boles.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W.
Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.
jewishhospice.org; or a charity of one’s
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

LILLIAN GLASSMAN, 94, of Commerce,
died Jan. 15, 2016.
She is survived by her sons and daugh-
ters-in-law, Paul and Judy Glassman, Dr.
Richard and Lynn Glassman; daughter,
Carol A. Glassman and Mary Langlois; sis-
ter-in-law, Annette Gurian; grandchildren;
Jesse (Linsy) Glassman, Michael Glassman,
Ashley Glassman; great-grandchild, Austyn;
many loving nieces, nephews, other family
members and friends.
Mrs. Glassman was the beloved wife of
the late Louis Glassman; the sister of the

late Emma (the late Morris) Katanick and
the late Fred Gurian.
Interment was held at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia.
Contributions may be made to a charity of
one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.

DR. ARNOLD L.
GOLNICK, 75, of West
Bloomfield, died Jan. 13,
2016.
He is survived by
his beloved wife, Linda
Golnick; son and daugh-
ter-in-law, Jason and
Golnick
Marla Golnick of West
Bloomfield; daughter, Lisa
Golnick of Scottsdale,
Ariz.; grandchildren, Ariel and Rayna; niece,
Laurie Guzzinati (Michele); many other lov-
ing family members, friends and a world of
devoted colleagues and patients.
Contributions may be made to Hillel Day
School of Metropolitan Detroit. Interment
took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park
Cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.

Molly Ehrlichman
Hoptman Kaplansky,
89, of Moshav Yodfat,
Israel, formerly of West
Bloomfield, died peace-
fully Jan. 1, 2016.
Molly lived a long
and
full life, including
Kaplansky
making aliyah in 2005,
after her husband, Israel
Kaplansky, passed away.
Mrs. Kaplansky is survived by Eileen Lev,
daughter; Neal Hoptman, son; stepchil-
dren, Amy and John Kaplansky, and Ron
Kaplansky; grandchildren, Daphna, Gideon,
Naomi, Aviyah, Shanee, Daniel; stepgrand-
children, Beth, Adam, Haley and Joshua;
great-grandchildren, Ambar, Or-Yam,
Zahara, Shirye, Ofir, Noam; stepgreat-
grandchildren, Alexander, Jacob and Noah.
She was the devoted daughter of the late
Rose and the late Hymie Ehrlichman; sister
of the late Howard Ehrlichman.
Contributions may be made to Hadassah.
Internment was held in Israel at Yodfat.

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