Detroit Jewish News

January 5 • 2017 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 continued on page 6 for openers H appy New Year! As I've noted before, for Jews, the secular New Year is our most wonderful time of the year. We get a second shot at fulfilling our resolutions made on Rosh Hashanah. It's our "do over." But there's even better news for Jews seeking resolution redemption; but it's restricted to a rare segment of the world's Jewish population — Chinese Jews. Hear me out: Some of what you're about to read is based in fact. On Saturday, Jan. 28, China will ring in its new year — the Year of the Chicken, according to my placemat at Golden Phoenix. Whether it's a kosher Year of the Chicken depends upon how observant of a Chinese Jew you are. What do Chinese citizens, Jewish or oth- erwise, do while counting down the final seconds on New Year's Eve? My guess is they don't watch a ball drop … they watch an "Egg Drop." (Sorry.) OK, lest you think I'm hopelessly politically incorrect, there's actually serious history to back up the Chinese-Jewish connection. For centuries, China has provided a safe haven for Jews. China welcomed Jewish refugees during the Russian Revolution of 1917 and provided sanctuary for European Jews in the years leading up to WWII. You can even go as far back as the Middle Ages and uncover a Jewish-Chinese affiliation. Jewish silk traders were among the first Jews to settle in China. The Chinese Jewish community of Kaifeng built its first synagogue in 1163. (Look it up.) The congregation enjoyed rapid growth. So much so that within a year they added on a reception hall, thanks to a generous dona- tion by Dr. and Mrs. Leo Wongstein. (Do not look that up.) You don't need to be a Chinese Jew to understand the historical bond between our people and China. This was never more prevalent than the June 2010 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. Under questioning by Sen. Lindsey Graham, Kagan was asked what she did on Christmas. Without missing a beat Kagan replied, "Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant." So, based on the aforementioned histori- cal perspective, I think you'd agree that Jews have multiple opportunities to fulfill New Year's resolutions. But we don't need some scientific study to convince us that people, in general, don't stay committed to their resolutions; it's common knowledge … but a study was done anyway. Just this past December, the Statistic Brain Research Institute (SBRI), which claims to be a "trusted research provider" to such folks as Forbes, CNN and Oxford University Press, showed that only 8 percent of Americans succeed at fulfilling their resolutions. Now, you would think the older and wiser you get, the more committed you would be to resolutions like losing weight or cutting back reliance on your smart phone to 23 hours a day. Well, think again. The SBRI study showed that 39 percent of peo- ple in their 20s achieved their resolutions, while people over age 50 were successful only a measly 14 percent of the time. So, what's a person to do? I say — just give up. No, I'm kidding. Forget waiting for a New Year to make good on your resolu- tions. Try again on a new day, a new month; whatever it takes to improve your life. And if you're a Chinese Jew, it's even easi- er because once you make your resolutions, you know you're going to feel like making them again an hour later anyway. Either way, may 2017 be your best year ever! * Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting talent, speaker, emcee and a regular guest host on the Mitch Albom Show on WJR AM 760. Visit his website at laughwithbigal.com and "Like" Al on Facebook. commentary Make Oral Chemotherapies Affordable N ew oral chemothera- pies are increasingly available in Michigan to ensure surviving cancer, but only for those who can afford it. While the IV therapies, with their frequently debilitating side effects, are still often the first choice for many cancers, oral medications have attained increasing importance. For some cancers, the oral medica- tions are the only effective treatment and, in many situations, recurring disease has rendered past remedies no longer effective, requiring the newer medications. Being active in the Cancer Thrivers Network for Jewish Women, a part of the wellness program of Jewish Family Service, I am keenly aware of the impact of these treatments. In May 2016, Sen. Geoff Hansen sponsored a bill in the state Senate to amend the 1956 insurance statute to classify oral cancer therapies as medical, not pharmaceutical, and to require that the cost of orally admin- istered anti-cancer medications does not exceed $100 for a 30-day supply. The bill was passed in the Senate and referred to the House Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Leonard, who will be Speaker of the House for the 2017-2018 session. Leonard has kept the bill from being brought to the floor for a vote, even though it received strong support from agencies in the medi- cal community, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Barbara Ann Karamanos Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society Action Network, Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology, and the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance. There has been no evidence in other states to support Leonard's assumption that the revised law would raise insurance costs. (It should be noted that Leonard's political campaigns were supported by generous donations from insurance compa- nies, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.) When the state legislature closed its 2016 session last month, it also closed the oppor- tunity for the House of Representatives to vote on Bill 625, which would have put remuneration for oral chemotherapy drugs on par with intravenous drugs. Michigan is one of only seven states that does not require equal insurance coverage for both types of cancer treatment and the only one in the Midwest. With the current classification of oral cancer therapies as pharmaceuticals, Sharon Rocklin Alan Muskovitz A s part of #GivingTuesday, the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit recently collected more than 170 toys to be donated to children at local hospitals during the holidays. The initiative was presented with the support of the Bottomless Toy Chest, a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young cancer patients as they undergo treatment. JCC members, guests and staff donated the new toys, which included dolls, books, electronic games, stuffed animals, coloring books and board games. Staff then wrapped the gifts, topping each with bright blue- and-pink ribbons. "We were excited to once again be part of the #GivingTuesday movement," said Brian D. Siegel, CEO of the JCC. "This was our second year of participating, and we plan to make it an annual tradition. Supporting the community in which we work, live and play is a cornerstone of the JCC's mission." #GivingTuesday, held throughout the world in late November, harnesses the col- lective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthro- py and celebrate generosity. * Some of the gifts collected for #GivingTuesday JCC staff wrap gifts to be donated to children in local hospitals. Filling Up The Toy Chest JCC volunteers brighten the holidays for sick kids. Chinese Jews Get Three Shots At New Year's Resolutions

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