10 June 6 • 2019
jn

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so small that they fell within the 
study’
s overall 3 percent margin of 
error. Detroit lacked an abundance 
of well-paying jobs and a vibrant 
urban core.
That’
s what Gilbert spawned.
Today, Gilbert’
s Detroit com-
panies have 17,000 employees. 
Thousands of other jobs have been 
created in and around the city’
s 
core. And while there are still an 
overabundance of surface parking 
lots, Gilbert and others have been 
creating the work/live/play density 
that resonates with young, col-
lege-educated professionals.

The byproducts of Gilbert’
s 
efforts include the success of 
Federation’
s NEXTGen engage-
ment initiative, a revitalized Isaac 
Agree Downtown Synagogue and 
an annual Detroit Homecoming 
that has been particularly success-
ful in connecting former Jewish 
Detroiters to each other and oppor-
tunities for investments in the city. 
While Gilbert’
s companies have 
deep leadership benches, his auda-
cious vision — articulated in 2010 
— remains the guiding light that 
ties all 
the pieces together. We pray 
for his full recovery. ■

views

a rise in anti-Semitic, racist and nation-
alistic attacks on minorities. Those 
groups who are the targets of these 
attacks need to work together once again 
to defend their common interest. Rep. 
Lawrence is to be applauded for forging 
the Black Jewish caucus in Congress. 
Just as we moved past the period of 
neo-Nazi attacks in past decades, it is 
actions like those of Rep. Lawrence 
that will enable us to move past the 
current wave of anti-minority hate.

Toby Citrin

Ann Arbor

Time for Civility in Politics 
I appreciated Mike Jacobs’
 guest col-
umn (“Batten Down the Hatches,
” 
page 8) in the May 16 issue of the JN. 
He made a persuasive case for toning 
down the political rhetoric among us 
Jews, especially with respect to the 
2020 election. He argues none of us is 
always right and that even when we 
strongly disagree, we should take time 
to consider that the other side’
s argu-
ments might contain a tiny bit of truth. 
I say Amen to that and I would like 
to see all people ponder and adopt 
Mr. Jacob’
s ideas — not just Jews. His 
thoughts are too important to have 

them limited only to us!

Peter Wolf

Lake Orion

Thoughts from a Survivor
I, Wolf Gruca, a 99-year-old Holocaust 
survivor, would like to say a few words 
about the events that happened at the 
Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh 
and Chabad of Poway in California.
The killing of Jews is not surprising 
news. We Jews living in the world have 
seen a lot of killing through the gener-
ations. I went through the Holocaust. 
My eyes are still wet from crying day 
and night from losing my whole family 
because they were Jews.
Now 73 years after the Holocaust, we 
have the killing of Jews in American 
synagogues because somebody didn’
t 
like them. I would like to tell the killers 
and their friends that the Jews have 
been here longer than they have, and 
we will continue to be here after they 
are gone.
My heart is bleeding and my eyes 
crying for the people who were killed 
in the houses of worship because they 
were Jews.

Wolf Gruca

Southfield

efit. Israelis are not sympathetic to 
the Haredi positions, and Netanyahu 
making it crystal clear he was siding 
with them. Going to elections again is 
also going to give Israelis a new sense 
of Netanyahu fatigue, and it may also 
create a measure of resentment over a 
perception that Israel is broken in an 
unprecedented way. I also expect some 
of the cracks in Likud to become fis-

sures as Netanyahu’
s aura of invincibil-
ity has been pierced. But between now 
and September, enjoy another four 
surprise months of Israeli campaign 
season. ■

Dr. Michael J. Koplow is Israel 
Policy Forum’
s Policy Director, based in 
Washington, D. 
C.

