4 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2022

for openers
The Shape of Things
W

e are surrounded
daily with
many shapes.
The square of a house; the
roundness of the Earth. (I
have recently
been forced to
face the fact
that the Earth is
actually round!
Wow!)
Our awareness
often translates
into expressions
in our conversations.
Consider angles and arcs,
for instance, as they are
hidden in our vocabulary.
A beautiful bracelet, for
example, a bangle, may have
charms that make it jangle as
it dangles from your wrist.

(What did you have to do
to wangle that from your
spouse?)
Technologically advanced?
Not I! I am greatly
intimidated by newfangled
things. At times I’d like to
strangle inventors.
Have you known folks who
mangle the language? Ugh!
They need to wrangle some
lessons.
Have you tried to
disentangle a child’s hair?
That is a challenge.
Many university buildings
were built around a
quadrangle to give a unity
to the structures. That
plan is often supported by
archaeology. (Do you see
that clever segue?!) Multiple

shapes are abundant in
architecture.
When tracing your family
tree, you may encounter
the prominence in the
hierarchy of a matriarchy or
patriarchy or even find that
you a related to an archduke
or even a monarch. Maybe
you need to employ an
archivist to aid you.
If you are into exploring,
try visiting the arctic
or some of the many
archipelagoes on our

globe. Perhaps you may
wish to draw some of your
observations; try charcoal.
There is a demarcation
of proper behavior; be
observant. Do not let social
climbing become a narcotic.
For inspiration, remember
“The Star Spangled Banner;”
no, I am not being sarcastic.
If your conversational
ability is getting rusty, you
need to shape up, line up
topics and structure some
interesting talk.

Sy Manello
Editorial
Assistant

PURELY COMMENTARY

statement

JCRC/AJC Endorses
Ballot Proposals 2 and 3
T

he JCRC/AJC board
voted to endorse Ballot
Proposals 2 and 3 in
the Nov. 8 election.
Proposal 2 seeks to amend
the state constitution to add
provisions regarding elections.
Proposal 3 seeks to amend
the state constitution to
establish new individual right
to reproductive freedom.
Board president Phil
Neuman noted that JCRC/AJC
was proud to support the 2018
ballot proposals that expanded

absentee voting and that this
cycle’s Proposal 2 expands on
that progress.
“We believe that it is entirely
consistent with Jewish values
to make sure that everyone
who is legally entitled to vote
has the opportunity to do so,
and that their vote is counted,”
Neuman said.
Proposal 3 would reverse
Michigan’s 1931 law that
prohibits abortions while not
providing any exception for
rape or incest.

“We believe the decision
whether to terminate a
pregnancy should best
be made by a woman in
consultation with her medical
and spiritual advisers, and
not by the government,”
Neuman said. “Jewish law
fully supports the concept that
the life of the mother takes
precedence over the fetus, and
we believe that other religions
that may view the matter
differently should not foist
their beliefs on us.”

JCRC/AJC continues to
work with other Jewish and
interfaith groups to ensure
a woman’s right to choose
remains intact in Michigan.

JCRC/AJC’s mission is to represent the

Metropolitan Detroit Jewish commu-

nity, Israel and Jews throughout the

world to the general community, and

to establish collaborative relationships

with other ethnic, racial, civic and

religious groups. JCRC/AJC educates

and advocates on important issues,

seeking consensus with a commitment

to Jewish values.

JCRC/AJC