8 July 11 • 2019
jn
views
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Michigan State University, where I
studied for two years and lived on $10
a week spending money. I had a diffi-
cult time adjusting to all the changes
and knew that MSU was expensive. I
transferred to Wayne State, moved into
my parent’
s home and found a job. I
know what it’
s like to go through tough
times, and I hold very dear the Jewish
value placed on education.
My next “aha” moment came in
2007 when my husband, Bob, and I
were attending a Friends of the IDF
dinner and my friend Shari Kaufman
stood up at the podium. She spoke
from her heart as she described FIDF’
s
Impact Scholarship Program for IDF
soldiers. As she continued to talk, I
observed people stand up and say, “I
want to help educate these young men
and women who have put themselves
in harm’
s way protecting Israel.
” That
night I learned that after completing
their IDF service, many of these young
soldiers cannot afford to attend college
and further their education. From my
own experience, this felt personal and
meaningful, and I knew how critical it
was for me and Bob to stand up and be
counted. I am happy to say in the last
12 years, Bob and I have helped more
than 20 students, former IDF soldiers,
receive their college degrees. It’
s the
most wonderful feeling.
Bob and I, along with our children,
know the value of a college degree, and
we also know the importance of sup-
porting our family in Israel. ■
Joan Chernoff Epstein was recently honored
for her commitment to FIDF and supporting
the IDF’
s soldiers at the 2019 FIDF Women
of Valor luncheon. She lives in Bloomfield Hills
and attends Adat Shalom Synagogue. For
more information about Impact Scholarships,
contact Paula Lebowitz, FIDF Director Michigan
Chapter, (248) 926-4110 or paula.lebowitz@
fidf.org
Readers responded to the op-ed “Why Holocaust Analogies are Dangerous” by
Edna Friedberg, Ph.D., of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (June 27, page 6).
Steven Seiler: I’
ve said for years that calling people such names begins to
trivialize a sick, horrific, sad uprising that left death and scars for so many! A
trip to [the Holocaust Memorial Center] Orchard Lake Road would make many
rethink their position on the name calling!
Catherine Meza: Packing Hispanic/indigenous kids into a windowless metal
warehouse, leaving the older ones to take care of the younger ones without
soap, toothbrush or diapers, eating ramen and rice, and with disease rampant is
a concentration camp. Not a death camp. Nothing to do with the Holocaust. But
nothing to do with what America should be.
The JN welcomes comments online at thejewishnews.com or on its Facebook
page. Letters can be sent to letters@renmedia.us.
online comments