PURELY COMMENTARY for openers
A Busy Body
A
goal for us all is to remain as active as possible. Doing so has many positive physical and mental ramifications. If, however, you find your mind is willing, in this instance, but the flesh is weak, you may Sy Manello want to hone Editorial your language Assistant skills to include as much of your body as you can. Lend me your ear. Do not keep your head in the clouds; that is not practical either literally or figuratively. Doing so may find you in over your head in situations. To have a really good time,
you may be requested to let your hair down. (These days, I wish I could!) Caution: Try not to get in someone’s hair. Off the top of my head, that is the best advice I could come up with. Being a sight for sore eyes means you are bringing joy to someone; good way to go. If they let you in on a secret, be sure to keep your lips sealed. It is not usually a sound idea to stick your neck out for a cause or person. In return, you may get the cold shoulder, especially if money is involved. Then you may have to cry your heart out just to get it off your chest. Finding a shoulder to cry on may be a difficult task if folks are not
sympathetic and that may eat your heart out. Someone really bothering you? Ask him to get off your back. Don’t get involved in anything that will cost you an arm and a leg. When
confronted, say your hands are tied. Making a promise of financial aid can sometimes have you put your foot in your mouth. Always remember to play it by ear.
are often not recognized for the vital contribution they provide to our students and, in turn, the culture at large. As a retired teacher in the arts field, the return on my efforts came in light of the transformation of the middle school student from day one through graduation. This alone was often a sufficient personal reward. It is apparent that there are many educators in the Jewish community that are commended for their skills. Thank you for reporting on this usually invisible effort! What a great resource! What encouragement!
Bill Cohodas’ Legacy
letters
The Scourge of Hate
I am a 72-year-old Jewish woman whose heart is broken for Sofia Bat Sarah (“Detroit’s Youngest Tichel-Maker,” May 19, page 38). I am very sad that that she was attacked by antisemitic people and took her site down. What is happening to our country and world? It is such a scary place. Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, our family lived in northwest Detroit. My schools were very integrated. We Blacks and Jews stuck together. I still have many of my Black and Jewish friends from my early years. I grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust, which frightened me along with the lynchings down South. I personally experienced hateful people when I was out of my
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realm. Sofia, who sounds like a wonderful young woman, I am so sorry that you had to experience hate. All this hate in our country and world is horrifying. This is not how I grew up. We are going backwards, and it is terrifying. The white supremacists march at night like the nazis did and look how that turned out. I refuse to capitalize their names. It’s an assault on humankind. Some people will never learn, and I say never again. — Gaye Tischler Via the web
Our Teachers Deserve Respect
As you mention in your introduction (“Educators of the Year,” May 19, page 22), teachers
— Laura Gumina Via the web
As daughters of Willard and Lois Cohodas, we were particularly grateful to see your recent article about our father, Bill, in the William Davidson Digital Archive column (“‘The UP’s Jewish Soul’,” May 19, page 118). How proud my dad would be to read of your appreciation of his dedication and efforts! Our mother, who is 104, was deeply touched by this article. We both agree that Dad would have been thrilled with the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education that was passed a mere four months after his death. Thank you for continuing my father’s sterling legacy. — Lynn Cohodas Stahl Nancy Cohodas Oberman
