Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/708282
July 28 • 2016 5 viewpoints » S e n d l e t t e r s t o : l e t t e r s @ t h e j e w i s h n e w s . c o m for openers I See You! S ome of you may recall a children's author named Munro Leaf. He is remembered, if at all, for a series of Watch Bird books that were attempts to keep children on the straight and narrow. "Here is a watch bird watching a stingy boy. Here is a watch bird watch- ing you." More mature readers may recall the aspect of Big Brother watching us as introduced in George Orwell's 1984. Large screens were hanging over every part of the people's lives, constantly seeing what was going on with watch- ers ready to call out offenders. Years ago, there were close neigh- borhoods; parents disciplined their own kids and watched out for their neighbors'. Children always knew that someone was watching. It usually proved to be a helpful deterrent to bad behavior. These days, we seem to have more capability not only to watch what is going on but to capture actions in photos or moving pictures. Yet, there seems to be even more bad behavior, even crime. Perpetrators often go unidentified and/or unpunished. Hmmm! Security camera use is widespread in our com- munities. The cameras have been used to record delivery people mishan- dling merchandise at our mailboxes, caregivers mistreat- ing those in their care (be they children or the elderly), crimi- nals holding up convenience stores and gas stations. In the first two instances, the cul- prits are often easily identifiable; the situations are more narrow in scope. However, those "pictures" of criminals in the act are so grainy or the people so hard to identify (in ski masks and hats with their backs turned) that it is laughable to have any request to iden- tify them taken seriously. The idea of questionable photos (sexting) is a problem area involving students in school and politicians in office. It is alarming in both of those instances that (1) young people do not know how they are literally exposing themselves to widespread embarrass- ment and (2) the politicians are so immature to be on the same level as "innocent" schoolchildren. Are we amazed or appalled when videos are shown of folks in their cars deliberately snapping pictures right in the path of a hurricane? We have, as usual, gone too far with wanting to watch. Privacy barriers are nonexistent, so LOOK out! * letters Sy Manello Editorial Assistant A Compromise On The Diamond I read with interest your article on rabbis participating in the InterCongregational Men's Club Softball League ("Rabbis and Ribbies," July 7, page 39). It's interesting to note that starting this year women are allowed to par- ticipate in the league. I was told by our team's coach that, as a compromise, the women do not participate in games against the Orthodox synagogue teams. I think that it is great when all of the branches of Judaism can come together. And I can certainly understand why the Orthodox would not choose to par- ticipate if women were on an opposing team. However, when I read someone saying that, "There are no labels like Orthodox, Conservative, Reform on the softball field," it is one more situation where the labels don't apply, but only if you're a man. Fred Shuback West Bloomfield Dry Bones Cartoon Was Offensive I would appreciate an explanation of the "Dry Bones" cartoon on page 8 of the July 14, Jewish News. If that was an attempt at "humor," I can't imagine any Jewish people laugh- ing. It is denigration of a group no differ- ent from what we Jews have experienced for centuries. How disappointing and embarrassing that your editors would "miss" seeing the ugliness of that comic strip. Janet Halper West Bloomfield Editor's Note: The Dry Bones cartoon in question referred to "Islamist" organi- zations — the anti-Western and anti- Israel terrorist movement exemplified by groups like Al Qaida and ISIS who espouse violent political Islamism. It did not refer to the religion of Islam or Islamic organizations at all. CORRECTIONS • "Jewish Ferndale" (July 14, page 12) should have listed the phone number for Rabbi Herschel Finman as (248) 798- 5082. • The photographs from the Jewish Historical Society's Nosh Gen event at Belle Isle Aquarium ("Around Town," July 21, page 20) were taken by Elayne Gross Photography. Letters to the Editor: We prefer letters that relate to articles in the Jewish News. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letters published will include the name and city of resi- dence of the writer. Letters submitted must contain the name, address, title of the writer (if applicable) and a daytime phone number. We prefer emailed letters. Please email to letters@thejewishnews. com. (Letters sent by U.S. Postal Service must be hand-signed and mailed to the Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034.) Contact Barb At: By Barbara Beznos, RD/LD/N Integrated Nutrition, LLC Integrated Nutrition, L.L.C. 31731 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 105 E Farmington Hills, Mi 48334 Phone: (248) 538-8050 E-Mail: rds@integratednutrition.com Web: www.integratednutrition.com 2097240 DEAR BARB, Nutritionally Speaking I would like to become a Vegan or begin a new phase as a Vegetarian. Can you explain how I can slowly move into this area of eating and list the specialties about it? Andrea Dear Andrea, This is my pleasure to begin raving about it. As years move on, more and more people decide to go vegetarian. Questions that I get asked is there enough protein, vitamins, minerals in my diet? Let's begin with a pure vegetarian who eats only plant- derived products and also embraces concerns and respect for this life. It has been told that we are affected by the things we eat, through our body and mind, and that is why many raise all their own vegetable and fruit plants and shop for fresh fruits and vegetables that you can't grow well in Michigan. It is great now that many stores have also a high regard for the quality they sell. Actually I follow this. It is fun to enjoy farmers markets and stands along the road. It takes some work to transform from a meat-dairy diet to a pure vegetarian one. There are so many vegetarian dishes designed from around the world. They is so much love and respect for vegetables and truly, each country is a bit different how it is done. Everyone wants to try something new. There is a need for balancing our choices. Even vegetarians for health reasons may introduce a couple times a week an animal SURGXFWOLNHÀVKHWF6RPHSHRSOHQHHG more protein than others. Life is about enjoying and living in the moment and eating falls into this category. A vegetarian is not a new age fad. It should be healthy and it should help with weight problems, health issues, and even religious reasons. Many go dairy free, meatless, gluten free. Food should be delicious but healthful. It should not be a responsibility but it should be made and eaten with love, fun and satiety. Listen to your body!!