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National Council of Jewish Women

Greater Detroit Section

for openers

Winter Is Coming

Terry Hollander

O

n Nov. 18, our temperature
shows no sign of snow
reached 70 degrees. Twenty-
because it melted over
four hours later it was 37. And the last three commer-
what did I say to anyone who would
cial breaks.
listen? “Can you believe it! OMG, one
I mean no disre-
day it’s summer and the next day it’s
spect to my media
winter!”
colleagues.
I’ve experienced nearly 62
Covering our
winters. Yet there’s just some-
first snow-
thing about that flick of a switch
fall, no matter how little, is in
seasonal transition that compels
the public interest. But I can’t
me to have the same dumfound-
help but be amused when they
ed reaction every year. For a lack
remind us that now would be
of a better way to say it, I just
a good time to start dressing
can’t handle going through “the Alan Muskovitz our kids warmly, replenish our
change.” (On second thought,
windshield washer fluid and
maybe I should have thought of
keep our gas tanks full. Really?
a better way of saying it.)
Come on, this isn’t our first winter
Meanwhile, nowhere is the reaction
rodeo!
to our “sudden” arrival of winter more
Actually, I’m going to walk back
entertaining than when our local televi- that windshield washer comment. I’ve
sion stations report with breaking news
pushed that washer button when the tap
urgency our first ¼-inch snowfall. A
is dry, having ignored the dashboard
reporter, positioned strategically on an
warning for days. I’ve lived through that
expressway overpass with wind-blown
vibrating, fingernails on a chalkboard
hair and flakes swirling like in a snow
noise dry wipers make. But I am proud
globe, describes the snowy arrival with
of the fact I’ve learned how to drive
a “flurry” of excitement and awe. But
safely while looking through 50 curved
exhilaration departs as quickly as it
streaks of mud deposited on my wind-
arrived.
shield from the car in front of me.
News follows that will shake us to our
So, will this winter be as Shakespeare
core. We are warned that this ¼-inch
penned in Richard III the “winter of our
of snow, so pretty and mesmerizing,
discontent?” (Weather bulletin: I just
may … make … our … roads … slip-
quoted Shakespeare so “you know what”
pery! Wait, what? Are you serious? The
is about to freeze over.) Yes, every win-
camera immediately cuts to a dramatic
ter I feel discontent. Without fail, I get
shot of the wet pavement below that …
those skin-splitting cracks on the tips of

my fingers. It never ceases to amaze me
how painful they are.
And the same cold, dry air that
wreaks havoc on my fingers is also to
blame for the return of … the whistling
nose. Many nights my shnoz breaks out
in a symphony at decibels high enough
to attract neighborhood dogs. Luckily,
my snoring eventually drowns out the
whistling.
But there is actually something worth
looking forward to this winter. For
only the fifth time in the last 111 years,
Chanukah will overlap Christmas. Such
a rare occurrence, it makes Chanukah
the Chicago Cubs of Jewish holidays.
But, after this last election season, I
think it’s only fitting that we can unite
and together share in the joy of our
respective holiday seasons. So come on,
everybody, sing along!
“Deck the halls with a bissel of latkes,
fa la la la la la la, la, la.” … Oy, I could
plotz from all that oil.

*

Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting tal-
ent, speaker, emcee and a regular guest host on the
Mitch Albom Show on WJR AM 760. Visit his website
at laughwithbigal.com and “Like” Al on Facebook.

letters

DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE
NOMINEE ANTISEMITIC?
The post-election coverage in the JN was
as expected. Two columns, the “Guest
Column” and “Commentary,” trashed
Donald Trump with half-truths, false-
hoods and innuendos. No alternative
views were presented.
In addition, the “What’s Next?” piece
included interviews with a number of
young people (some rabbis) bemoaning
the election by holding pseudo-shivahs
and actually attempting to draw a com-
parison to the catastrophe of 9-11. This
level of immaturity speaks volumes
about the education that our young
Jewish students are given.
What the JN disappointingly failed to dis-
cuss is the nomination of Rep. Keith Ellison

(D-Minn.) to be head of the Democrat
National Committee, surprisingly endorsed
by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Ellison
is a Catholic convert to Islam. He has been
a strong supporter of the Nation of Islam’s
anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan, who called
Judaism a “gutter religion.” Ellison had also
claimed that the Jews benefitted from 9-11
(bit.ly/2geOQVG).
Ellison is associated with many anti-
Israel groups. Through his association
with CAIR, he has links to the Muslim
Brotherhood and Hamas. Where is the
JN on this? The JN has more and more
become a dedicated Democrat pipeline
to the Detroit Jewish community.

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How can you not smile when a child
hugs you while picking out new school
clothes at our Back 2 School Store? This
is the event that drew me into NCJW. I
have been a Jewish communal volunteer
for several years and it was this project
that resonated with me. Although I do
work full time as a CPA, I knew I could
¿QGWKHWLPHWR³MXVW´YROXQWHHUIRURQH
project; but before I knew it, I was the
fundraising chair of this remarkable
event! Nothing has touched me so deeply
as being able to provide new clothes and
school supplies to children who are less
fortunate. NCJW makes a difference
in the lives of women, children, and
families, and we need your support now
more than ever. Give us a try and you
will be as hooked as I am.

Randie Levin

,¿UVWEHFDPHDFTXDLQWHGZLWK1&-:
when my late husband Gerald was the
longtime CEO of Orchards Children’s
Services started by the Greater Detroit
Section in 1962. As a social worker, and
working in the Jewish community for
many years, I was particularly impressed
with NCJW’s commitment to issues
facing all women, especially its advocacy
on behalf of reproductive rights. NCJW is
such a wonderful organization, providing
much needed services to so many
different populations, from children to
older adults. I am amazed at the energy
and hard work of our volunteers and
the impact they make. Our advocacy
for women, children, and families is
so crucial and I am proud that we are
represented in so many important areas.

MISSION:The National Council of
Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots
organization of volunteers and advocates
who turn progressive ideals into action.
Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives
for social justice by improving the
quality of life for women, children and
families and by safeguarding individual
rights and freedoms.

Correction

In “Tour of Duty” (Nov. 24, page 26), Jack
Backalar’s name was misspelled.

Sylvia C. Fleshman,
Farmington Hills

See a related story on page 8.

2109110

December 1 • 2016

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