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Filling Up
The Toy Chest
Chinese Jews Get Three Shots
At New Year’s Resolutions
H
appy New Year! As I’ve
Jews in the years leading up to
noted before, for Jews,
WWII. You can even go as far back
the secular New Year
as the Middle Ages and uncover a
is our most wonderful time of
Jewish-Chinese affiliation.
the year. We get a second shot at
Jewish silk traders were among
fulfilling our resolutions made
the first Jews to settle in China.
on Rosh Hashanah. It’s our “do
The Chinese Jewish community of
over.” But there’s even better
Kaifeng built its first synagogue in
news for Jews seeking resolution Alan Muskovitz 1163. (Look it up.) The congregation
redemption; but it’s restricted
enjoyed rapid growth. So much so
to a rare segment of the world’s
that within a year they added on a
Jewish population — Chinese Jews. Hear
reception hall, thanks to a generous dona-
me out: Some of what you’re about to read
tion by Dr. and Mrs. Leo Wongstein. (Do
is based in fact.
not look that up.)
On Saturday, Jan. 28, China will ring in
You don’t need to be a Chinese Jew to
its new year — the Year of the Chicken,
understand the historical bond between
according to my placemat at Golden
our people and China. This was never more
Phoenix. Whether it’s a kosher Year of the
prevalent than the June 2010 confirmation
Chicken depends upon how observant of a
hearings for Supreme Court Justice Elena
Chinese Jew you are.
Kagan. Under questioning by Sen. Lindsey
What do Chinese citizens, Jewish or oth-
Graham, Kagan was asked what she did on
erwise, do while counting down the final
Christmas. Without missing a beat Kagan
seconds on New Year’s Eve? My guess is
replied, “Like all Jews, I was probably at a
they don’t watch a ball drop … they watch
Chinese restaurant.”
an “Egg Drop.” (Sorry.) OK, lest you think
So, based on the aforementioned histori-
I’m hopelessly politically incorrect, there’s
cal perspective, I think you’d agree that Jews
actually serious history to back up the
have multiple opportunities to fulfill New
Chinese-Jewish connection.
Year’s resolutions. But we don’t need some
For centuries, China has provided a safe
scientific study to convince us that people,
haven for Jews. China welcomed Jewish
in general, don’t stay committed to their
refugees during the Russian Revolution of
resolutions; it’s common knowledge … but
1917 and provided sanctuary for European
a study was done anyway.
JCC volunteers brighten the
holidays for sick kids.
Just this past December, the Statistic
Brain Research Institute (SBRI), which
claims to be a “trusted research provider”
to such folks as Forbes, CNN and Oxford
University Press, showed that only 8 percent
of Americans succeed at fulfilling their
resolutions.
Now, you would think the older and
wiser you get, the more committed you
would be to resolutions like losing weight or
cutting back reliance on your smart phone
to 23 hours a day. Well, think again. The
SBRI study showed that 39 percent of peo-
ple in their 20s achieved their resolutions,
while people over age 50 were successful
only a measly 14 percent of the time.
So, what’s a person to do? I say — just
give up. No, I’m kidding. Forget waiting for
a New Year to make good on your resolu-
tions. Try again on a new day, a new month;
whatever it takes to improve your life.
And if you’re a Chinese Jew, it’s even easi-
er because once you make your resolutions,
you know you’re going to feel like making
them again an hour later anyway. Either
way, may 2017 be your best year ever!
*
Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting talent,
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.
commentary
Make Oral Chemotherapies Affordable
N
ew oral chemothera-
In May 2016, Sen. Geoff Hansen
pies are increasingly
sponsored a bill in the state Senate
available in Michigan
to amend the 1956 insurance statute
to ensure surviving cancer, but
to classify oral cancer therapies as
only for those who can afford it.
medical, not pharmaceutical, and to
While the IV therapies, with
require that the cost of orally admin-
their frequently debilitating
istered anti-cancer medications does
side effects, are still often the
not exceed $100 for a 30-day supply.
first choice for many cancers,
The bill was passed in the Senate
Sharon Rocklin
oral medications have attained
and referred to the House Insurance
increasing importance. For
Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom
some cancers, the oral medica-
Leonard, who will be Speaker of the
tions are the only effective treatment and,
House for the 2017-2018 session. Leonard
in many situations, recurring disease has
has kept the bill from being brought to the
rendered past remedies no longer effective,
floor for a vote, even though it received
requiring the newer medications.
strong support from agencies in the medi-
Being active in the Cancer Thrivers
cal community, including the American
Network for Jewish Women, a part of the
Society of Clinical Oncology, Barbara Ann
wellness program of Jewish Family Service,
Karamanos Cancer Institute, American
I am keenly aware of the impact of these
Cancer Society Action Network, Michigan
treatments.
Society of Hematology and Oncology, and
the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
There has been no evidence in other
states to support Leonard’s assumption
that the revised law would raise insurance
costs. (It should be noted that Leonard’s
political campaigns were supported by
generous donations from insurance compa-
nies, according to the Michigan Campaign
Finance Network.)
When the state legislature closed its 2016
session last month, it also closed the oppor-
tunity for the House of Representatives
to vote on Bill 625, which would have put
remuneration for oral chemotherapy drugs
on par with intravenous drugs. Michigan
is one of only seven states that does not
require equal insurance coverage for both
types of cancer treatment and the only one
in the Midwest.
With the current classification of oral
cancer therapies as pharmaceuticals,
Some of the gifts collected for
#GivingTuesday
A
s part of #GivingTuesday, the
Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit recently
collected more than 170 toys to be donated
to children at local hospitals during the
holidays. The initiative was presented with
the support of the Bottomless Toy Chest, a
Birmingham-based nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping young cancer patients
as they undergo treatment.
JCC members, guests and staff donated
the new toys, which included dolls, books,
electronic games, stuffed animals, coloring
books and board games. Staff then wrapped
the gifts, topping each with bright blue-
and-pink ribbons.
“We were excited to once again be part of
the #GivingTuesday movement,” said Brian
D. Siegel, CEO of the JCC. “This was our
second year of participating, and we plan to
make it an annual tradition. Supporting the
community in which we work, live and play
is a cornerstone of the JCC’s mission.”
#GivingTuesday, held throughout the
world in late November, harnesses the col-
lective power of individuals, communities
and organizations to encourage philanthro-
py and celebrate generosity.
*
JCC staff wrap gifts to be donated to
children in local hospitals.
continued on page 6
January 5 • 2017
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