6 August 15 • 2019 jn RAMAN SINGH, STANCY ADAMS & ROBERT BRUTELL INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT P osters expressing anti-Semi- tism found recently in Royal Oak and Birmingham reflect the growing expression of religious and cultural hatred in our society. The posters are attributed to the Atomwaffen Division, labeled as a terrorist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of 148 hate groups in the United States, many of which are linked to white nationalist ideology. It is especially disheartening that the president of the United States has chosen to be a cheerleader for racism, anti-Semitism and nativism. Democracy and pluralism are not just quaint American notions but rather they are the core of what America is and what makes it great. To entertain and encourage divisiveness, racism and nativism risks breaking the bonds of affection that sustain America as a nation, internally strong and worthy of respect internationally. We who commit to improving the social fabric through healthy interfaith engagement and education fear that the growing expression of religious hate and racism is a grave threat to the survival of American culture. It is built on embracing the cultural and religious differences that have enhanced this nation since its inception and promise to continue to do so, if not stifled by this dangerous trend in our society. The InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit has demon- strated that educating young people through our Religious Diversity Journeys and adults through Exploring Religious Landscapes leads to understanding, acceptance and engagement with religions that other- wise may seem strange. But these are people willing to consider different beliefs and customs. What do we do with the brash ignorance of those who want to rid American society of its religious and social diversity, and revert back to the hatred of the anti-Semitic and racist past? We who may be from other coun- tries or people of color or religions unfamiliar to Americans fear the underlying passion of the crowd’ s chant “Send her back.” When will they call for us? When will they post threats to everyone other than their definition of religion? We, of good faith and humane intent, should reflect on the poetic interpretation of German Lutheran pastor, Martin Neimoller, featured in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Rev. Neimoller criticized German society for not resisting the rise of Nazi power in German. It is as relevant today as then: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade union- ists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me. ” ■ Raman Singh is president, Rev. Stancy Adams is chairperson and Robert Bruttell is past chair- person of the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. statement “And Then They Came for Me...” The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that’ s useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to refl ect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfi ed advertisers, contented employees and profi table growth. To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034. OUR JN MISSION 1942 - 2019 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week jn Hosting Maccabi Athletes I enjoyed reading Jessie Cohen’ s arti- cle regarding the young Maccabi ath- letes who we are hosting (Aug. 1, page 12). Being a host family in previous years, I have very pleasant memories, like when I found out the daughter of a friend of mine, a native Israeli from New Jersey, whom I met when we both attended a seminar for Ulpan teachers in New York, was coming to compete. Naturally, I asked that she be assigned to me. Or hosting two lovely girls from the former Soviet Union who lived in Brooklyn. The beautiful cloth hand-embroidered napkins which one of them gave me are still in my living room, too pretty to use. Or the lovely girl who told us she lost her watch and was very upset about it, so my husband went to get her a new watch. However, there was also another not-so-happy experience when a girl who was assigned to me and seemed quite happy actually placed a call from her closed room to the person in charge of hospitality saying that she was miserable because she wanted to be with a friend of hers. Well, I received a surprise call from that per- son, did understand and the tragedy ended. Hosting these young athletes, all in views Arthur M. Horwitz Executive Editor/Publisher ahorwitz@renmedia.us F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial Associate Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Story Development Editor: Keri Guten Cohen kcohen@renmedia.us Digital Editor: Allison Jacobs ajacobs@renmedia.us Multimedia Reporter: Corrie Colf ccolf@renmedia.us Social Media Coordinator: Chelsie Dzbanski cdzbanski@renmedia.us Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin2132@gmail.com Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Editor: David Sachs Contributing Arts Editor: Gail Zimmerman gzimmerman@renmedia.us Contributing Writers: Ruthan Brodsky, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Don Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Julie Edgar, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Adam Finkel, Stacy Gittleman, Stacy Goldberg, Judy Greenwald, Ronelle Grier, Lauren Hoffman, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Allison Jacobs, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Daniel Rosenbaum, Karen Schwartz, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein, Joyce Wiswell | Advertising Sales Vice President of Sales: Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us Account Executives: Kelsey Cocke, Annette Kizy, Ryan Griffin, Michael McDonald Sales Support: Ashlee Szabo | Business Offices Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner | Production By FARAGO & ASSOCIATES Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Jessica Joannides, Kelly Kosek, Michelle Sheridan, Susan Walker | Detroit Jewish News Partner: Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Partner: F. Kevin Browett kbrowett@renmedia.us Partner: Michael H. Steinhardt Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho agusho@renmedia.us | Departments General Offi ces: 248-354-6060 Advertising: 248-351-5107 Advertising Fax: 248-304-0049 Circulation: subscriptions@renmedia.us Classifi ed Ads: 248-351-5116 Advertising Deadline: Friday, 12 p.m. Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885 Deadline: All public and social announcements must be typewritten and received by noon Tuesday, nine days prior to desired date of publication. Subscriptions: 1 year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85 2 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$153 3 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$204 1 year out-of-state . . . . . . . . . . .$125 2 years out-of-state . . . . . . . . . .$225 Per year foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300 Detroit Jewish News 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110 Southfi eld, MI 48034 ©copyright 2019 Detroit Jewish News letters continued on page 12