The Iranian Outrage: The Reactions of the Civilized Society Commentary, Page 2 VOL. LXXVI, No. 11 THE JEWISH NEWS A Weekly Review of Jewish Events 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield Mich. 48075 424-8833 $15.00 Per Year: This Issue 35c Priorities for Youth ACtivities and the Bnai Brith Programming Pragmatism ir. Decisions on World Issues Editorials, Page 4 Nov. 16, 1979 ADL's Report Cites Upsurge in Ku Klux Klan Memberships Support for Noshrim Major Issue at CJF By Jewish News Special Correspondent MONTREAL — The more than 2,500 delegates from some 200 Jewish communities throughout the United States and Canada attending the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations, now in session here, are confronted with the most divisive issue ever to challenge decisions from this most representative Jewish body in the Americas. The issue is over support to be accorded emigres from Russia who have secured visas to go to Israel and become defectors, "dropouts," upon reaching Vienna, insisting upon being taken for settlement in the United States or other Western countries. Protests are mounting against the extensive aid provided the "dropouts" by HIAS and there are pro- posals that American Jewish communities should limit their assistance to the defectors. Withb. handful of cities already reportedly abandoning the position of aid for Russian newcomers, representatives from some communities are here with resolutions propos- ing either curtailment or abandonment of such assistance. Dr. Andrew Sklover, a member of the board of the United Jewish Community of Bergen County, N.J., has begun a "grass roots" campaign to end the pro-Russian policies calling them emonumental, tragic mistake in the course of modern Jewish history." ' The rejection of Israel by Russian Jews seeking "aliya to the United States" is assailed by Dr. Sklover whose views are documented by statements from Israeli leaders, includ- ing members of the Knesset. His proposal is met by strenuous opposition from some quarters, especially the Workmen's Circle, whose national executive board took issue with the projected proposals on the grounds that 'Soviet Jews should have the freedom to choose where they want to (Continued on Page 5) NEWYORK (JTA) — The Ku Klux Klan has become more violent and confrontational, is back in its native habitat, and is at its greatest strength in more than a decade, according to a comprehensive study made public by the Anti-Defamation League of Bnai Brith. The study, which updates the last ADL report on the Klan in March 1978, points out that with a total membership of some 10,000, the KKK still speaks for only a small segment of the American population but G "that segment is growing proportionately larger and more vocal." "Even more significant and disturbing than its numbers," said Justin Finger, director of ADL's civil rights division, is the Klan's change in stance and tactics — from KKK leader David Duke's 1977-1978 public relations attempts to project an image of respectability, to its current blatantly overt lawlessness." He cited the Klan-Communist Workers Party confrontation in Greensboro, N.C., as the latest incident of such lawlessness. Finger said that "in addition to the Klan's new aggressive stance, its exploitation of such controversial issues as busing and affirmative action has evoked a responsive chord among some blue collar and lower middle class sectors of the "public." He went on to say that "anxieties over such things as crime, inflation, the energy crisis and a seemingly permissive society have also contributed to a climate which enables the Klan to grow." The ADL study disclosed: • An increase in Klan membership from some 8,000 in March 1978, to approximately 10,000 today, a gain of roughly 25 percent. • An increase in the number of Klan sympathizers, reflecting the KKK's shift back to the South, "a friendlier environment." • The rise to prominence of the most violent of all the Klan groups, Bill Wilkinson's Invisible Empire, Knights of the KKK, headquartered in Louisiana. • Special Klan recruiting campaigns aimed at school-age children. • Continuing attempts to infiltrate the armed forces. • Mimicry of the KKK "in the form of do-it- yourself cross burnings around the country by WASHINGTON (JTA) — Placards attacking assorted troublemakers harboring racist griev- "Zionism" were among those carried by Iranian students ances." who paraded in front of the State Department last Friday The report points out that the growth of demanding that the United States return the Shah of Iran. the KKK in the North noted in ADL's 1978 In large green and red letters the signs' read report has been reversed. The Klan's major "Zionism-Racism, Hypocrisy, Expansionism," and "Jews Our Brothers, Down With Zionism."" gains over the past year have been in the At different times during the course of their demon- old Confederate states of Alabama, Arkan- stration, the close to 1,000 demonstrators also shouted sas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and "Down with Zionism" and "Long live the Soviet revolu- Texas where, the ADL says, ."the KKK has tion." Iranians Hit Zionism (Continued on Page 6) International Crises Affecting Israel, World Jewry Marked by Increased Generosity at Campaign Opener Stirred by developing situations that challenge Israel's security and cause increased anti-Semitic trends, and moved by the need for increased local and national services to ;Ai this community is committed, participants in the introductory meeting of the =lied Jewish Campaign responded with new increases in giving and added marks of generosity. It was at the traditional Campaign opener, Monday evening, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Honigman, at which less than 100 contributors who last year gave $5,593,000, gave $6,043,000. They also increased the Project Renewal supplementary gifts to $4,792,000. Emphasizing that the one dependable friend Israel has is the Jewish people, Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Yehuda Blum depicted the atmosphere of hatred in which he now seeks justice for Israel and warned of the spreading new anti-Semitism that is cloaked in accusations against Israel and Zionism. Welcoming the gathered guests in behalf of himself and his wife Susan, Honigman recalled the genesis of similar meetings, which began in the Sucher home 28 years ago, and described the continuity of these philanthropic efforts as a dedication to the defense and support of Israel and the assurance of undeterred action for the support of Jewry's educational and social services. Honigman pointed out that_the Monday evening gathering was the eighth in his home and they were preceded by meetings at the homes of C. William Sucher, Samuel ,Hamburger and Paul Randleman. In his introductory address as co-chairman of the Campaign with Irving Seligman, David Handleman gave an analysis of the Jewish obligations in this critical period as they were outlined at the mission to Israel he attended two weeks ago with a group of national Jewish leaders. It was a comprehensive account of current Jewish needs on the global scale. George Zeltzer, as president of the Jewish Welfare Federation, gave emphasis to the local and national needs which also have prior consideration in Jewish communal services. Ambassador Blum's analysis of the confrontations at the United Nations was gloomy in the extfeme. He reported on the vicious attacks, such as from Fidel Castro, and he especially deplored that there were no refutations of Castro's venom from the member UN nations who are classified as civilized. Ambassador Blum advised that the emigration and settlement of Russian (Continued on Pa e 11) Shown at Monday's meeting for the Allied Jewish Campaign are, from left, David Mondry, David Handleman, hosts Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Honigman, Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Blum, George Zeltzer, Irving Seligman and I. William Sherr.