2 Friday, July 20, 1979 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Purely Commentary 'No-Confidence Panic' and the Injection of Prejudicial Elements in the World Energy Problem ... Romanian Jewry's Status and the Tragedy of Declining Jewish Communities The 'Crisis of Confidence': Sensationalized Prejudices as Links to Energy Chaos President Carter's campaign to introduce a new spirit of confidence by the people of this country into their nation and national interests should inspire the new spirit of faith that is so vital to the human peace of mind. The "crisis of confidence" deplored by the President was linked by him with the media, the indifference that has spread dangerously, the lack of faith. His program pleads for success as an eventual solution to the grave energy problem, and with equal anxiety it alludes to the spirit of the people. The media are cause for concern. Why should a news- paper in Saginaw, at this time, when the Arab power is threatening the entire world, raise a question that reads: "If Israel's supply of oil is cut off, the United States has agreed to keep that country's supply for up to 15 years. Are you prepared to make a personal sacrifice to keep the agreement?" There was a yes vote in favor of such an agreement, many affirming that "it is important to back up our friends." The 75 percent no vote asked Carter to "stop playing Santa Claus." Perhaps out of the dilemma involving the energy crisis and the need for patriotism and confidence may emerge an understanding that Israel's continuing economic solidity depends immensely on oil, and the assurance of oil for Israel has even more of an impact on the urgency for peace without which the world will remain on the brink of an- other world conflict. Perhaps the President's plea for a new sense of confi- dence by Americans in themselves and in America will have much to do with an attitude in the media that will inspire the craved-for peace. In any event, a crisis in confi- dence has the human element that needs elimination of prejudice. That's the aim to be cherished. Romania: Study in Decline .of a Major Jewish Community Tragedies of the disappearance of Jewish communities are multiple. Many of them have been destroyed during and since the last world conflict. This is true of Jewish groups in Moslem countries. The chief disaster was in Po- land where only about 7,000 aged survive from the thriving Polish Jewry of 3,500,000. Romania under Nicolae Ceausescu attests to another near-disaster. Only 10 percent of the nearly half-million survive at this time. While Romanian Chief Rabbi Moses Rosen comes to this country frequently with heartening reports, the total picture is one of gloom. There has been a large influx of Jews from Romania into Israel, yet this number also is declining. In the first five months of this year, only 251 were permitted to emi- grate as compared with 457 for the first five months of 1978. The current Romanian Jewish condition is analyzed in a background report by David Geller of the foreign affairs department of the American Jewish Committee: Romanian government representatives argue that the drop in departure is the result of objective factors, not Romanian policy or government obs- tacles. Many of the estimated 35-40,000 Jews in Romania today are elderly people who may have wanted to leave years ago but are not now ready to pick up and start life over again somewhere, they declared. Still others have decided to stay and complete studies, and others have assimi- lated into Romanian society. Virtually any one who really wants to emigrate now can do so in a reasonable period of time, is the official claim. Others with knowledge of the Romanian scene dispute this. Government emigration procedures, it is pointed out, are such as to discourage would-be emigrants, who must appear before a preliminary commission before even getting an emigration form. In some instances, the authorities have refused to accept applications from people wishing to go and it is said knowledge of the negative government attitude makes people chary to apply. Complicating the picture, are varying estimates as to how many Jews actually remain in Romania. The government authorities set the figure low, at about 25,000; which, of course, means a di- minished potential for departure. The Jewish community itself cites a figure in the neighbor- hood of 37,000. And others would put the number still higher, nearer 45,000. The range prob-ably reflects differences in hOw one considers the non-Jewish mate in intermarried families. What is not in dispute, though is that Roma- nian Jewry today comprises only about a tenth of the 425,000 who survived the war and pogroms of Romania's fascist-like Iron Guard. The over- whelming majority managed to make their way to Israel in post-war decades, with the Communist ;4 ‘ MOSES ROSEN NICOLAE CEAUSESCU authorities sometimes permitting emigration, sometimes blocking movement completely. The emigration allowed in the past several years, it was clear, was always less than the number who wished to go at any given-time. The same situation prevails today, it is felt, for even the casual visitor to Romania usually can meet some Jews who say they want to go. "Give us names," the Romanian authorities declare, but in most instances there is reluctance to do this. Nor should the Romanian government act on a case- by-case basis, it is argued, but on the more general humanitarian ground of family reunion. Romanian Jews today maintain a network of religious, cultural and welfare institutions, under the aegis of the Federation of Jewish Com- munities headed by Chief Rabbi Rosen. About half the Jews live in Bucharest, the rest being scattered through some 67 organized Jewish communities in the rest of the country. According to the Romanian Jewish Federation figures, there is full exercise of religion, with services being held in 120 synagogues and temples; Talmud Torah courses where Hebrew is taught in 24 towns and cities; and community choirs and orchestras. Cooperating with the federation in the welfare field is the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. A major new home for the aged is bekng opened in Bucharest this coming month. Romania; too, it must be noted, is the only Communist country to maintain diplomatic rela- tions with Israel, the others in the Soviet bloc having broken ties after the 1967 war. While cal- ling on Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza, and recognizing the PLO, Romania has refrained from the kind of attacks on Israel and Zionism made by Soviet Union and other Com- munist lands. Indeed, Romania's President Ceausescu is credited with having played an im- portant role in helping set • up negotiations be- tween President Sadat and Premier Begin, lead- ing to Sadat's trip to Jerusalem. There are several other ethnic and religious minorities in Romania. The desire to see that others of these groups, such as the ethnic Ger- mans, stay put, is believed to be one of the causes of the more restrictive Romanian emigration policies that also affect Jews. There is no doubt about Romania's more human ap- proach to the tragedy that is Jewry. Yet it is apparent that hers is another of the declining communities. Its survival is in doubt. It is another of the evidences of a Holocaust whose effects have been filled with horror for all in Eastern Europe. The chapter in history thus being recorded is one of horror. The dismay affects all Jews. Georgie •eyer's Role as Arabs' Spokesperson Against Israel Georgie Anne Geyer, under protection of the Los Angeles Times imprimatur, in articles widely syndicated, including a Detroit newspaper patron, has a long record of anti-Israelism in her credentials. She,idoesn't conceal her role. She digs for every incident to be utilized against the Jewish state. She did it in another article recently in which Chris- tian denominations were used as cloaks for attacks on Is- rael. She has been given munitions in the settlements con- troversy. Who is this front-liner for the Arab enemies of Israel? In the Near East Report, recently, Leonard J. Davis gave this account of the Geyer record and her activities: Whether interviewing Yasir Arafat, explaining Muammar Qaddafi's proclamations, or defending Saudi discrimination against Rosalynn Carter, columnist Georgie Anne Geyer is consistent, She is perhaps one of the most active advocates for the Arab world in American journalism .. . The benefits are by no means one way, however. By Philip Slomovitz According to records filed with the U.S. Depart- ment of Justice, Geyer received $2,000 from a Li- byan foreign agent on Sept. 30, 1978. The money was an "honorarium" for a speech she was to give in Tripoli, Libya, two weeks later. The money was given to Geyer by the "Arab- American Dialogue Committee," a group funded by the Libyan government and Joseph Baroody, a past president of the National Association of Arab-Americans. The group's goals were "to bring Arabs and Americans closer together through an objective and informed discussion of the points of convergence and divergence in the increasingly important relationship between the United States and Arab World." Knowing Geyer may not correct the sad situation of vicious anti-Israel propaganda, yet it is well to know 6. source of the propaganda. If more people will become quainted with it, theyM be better able to pass judgment ()L. it. Josef Fraenkel: Impressive Record With the World Jewish Congress Josef Fraenkel has retired from the staff of the World Jewish Congress in London after 43 years of notable achievements. The honors accorded him for his many achievements as historian, researcher, chronicler, 'ar- chivist, also invite comments on behalf of this newspaper. For at least two decades, Mr. Fraenkel also has con- tributed many important articles to these columns on Zionist history, the work of many notables, memoranda on significant events in Jewish history. He is with- out doubt one of the best- informed men on Zionist history, and his several books, his essays on Herzl, Jabotinsky, Sokolow and other leaders; as well as his books on Czechoslovak and Polish Jewry, have enriched Jewish litei-d-ry journals JOSEF FRAENKEL and bookshelves. In an expression of gratitude for his labors, with wishes for good years ahead, Dr. S.J. Roth, executive director of the European branch, in a statement in behalf of the World Jewish Congress, said in part: Josef Fraenkel ... has edited, indeed created, the Press Survey from its beginning and it would be difficult to replace his exceptional knowledge of Jewish affairs and linguistic abilities, not to speak of his passionate devotion to the press. The Press Survey has covered siinie 100 Jewish and non-Jewish newspapers and periodicals from many parts of the world. Its aim was to in- form the leaders and friends of teh WJC of what the papers wrote about matters of immediate concern - to them. The Press Survey did not take sides or express opinions of its own; it tried to be an unbiased mirror of the press. It has therefore sometimes reprinted also items critical of the World Jewish Congress or its leaders, and that provoked occasional questions. The editor felt that it was his duty to include such items as well, not only to remain true to the objectives and ob- jectivity of the Press Survey, but primarily be- cause he assumed that the leaders of the WJC would want to know what the press wrote about our organization. The recipients of this letter, who are mostly per- sonal friends of Josef Fraenkel, will be delighted to learn that he will conknue, in his retirement, to assist the WJC in such matters as new editions of "The Jewish PresS of the World," "Jewish Lib- raries of the World" and in Yiddish cultural ac- tivities. They will also, I am sure, want to join me in expressing gratitude to him for 43 years of de- votion and service and best wishes for long life and good health in his retirement. Much more can be said in gratitude for important con- tributions to Jewish literature and for dedicated services to Israel, world Jewry and the task of elevating the standards ofJewish-journalism. Josef Fraenkel, as one of the founders of the Jewish State Party, was among the earliest associ- ates of the late Vladimir Zeev Jabotinsky and later of Menahem Begin. He merits the title of historian of Jewish journalists in appreciation of his collected data about the Jewish press everywhere. He has retired from the World Jewish Congress but not from Jewish activities and will continue sharing his knowledge with a reading public in communities through- out the world. Best wishes for success in these efforts go with this expression of thanks for a lifetime of creative labors.