THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, November 16, 1919 21 Boris Smolar's `Between You . . . and Me' Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, JTA ,. (Copyright 1979, JTA, Inc.) • ,? .41 • THE CJF ASSEMBLY: The Council of Jewish Fed- erations is holding its General Assembly in Montreal through Sunday. Attended by more than 2,000 community eaders and executives from all over the U.S. and Canada, he CJF Assembly could be likened toa Jewish Parliament. It determines annually the policies and programs for the affiliated communities. Its delegates are chosen by member community organizations in proportion to their Jewish population. The CJF helps Federations to raise close to $500 mil- lion a year for local, national and overseas Jewish needs. Recognized in Washington as the representative and coor- dinating body of Jewish communities in this country, the CJF is receiving and administrating government grants to help Jewish communities in the U.S. absorb immigrants from the Soviet Union. This year it received $24 million for this purpose; it anticipates it will receive $34 million in 1980. THE "DROP-OUT" ISSUE: The "hot" issue at the assembly is the issue of the "drop-outs' — the growing ' number of Soviet Jewish emigrants who refuse to proceed to Israel, the country of their destination, and remain in Rome in the thousands where they apply for visas to the United States. The Jewish Agency is alarmed over the fact that with every transport from the Soviet Union the prop- ortion of the drop-outs is increasing; it has now reached 70 percent. The agency has been trying — so far unsuc- cessfully — to pressure American Jewish leaders to deny aid in transportation to the U.S. and in resettlenient in the U.S. to those who refuse to continue the trip to Israel. Preliminary to the CJF assembly, leaders of about 30 Jewish federations which finance in their communities the absorption of about 80 percent of all the Jewish newcomers from the Soviet Union met at a special conference in Chicago on this subject. They issued no statement and adopted no specific decisions. From the sentiments ex- pressed during the discussions at the conference — which were within a week conveyed to the Jewish -Agency by top American Jewish community leaders who flew specially to Jerusalem — a picture emerged showing that: • The American Jewish community is opposed to de- nying transit and resettlement to Soviet Jews who proceed to the United States instead of Israel. This stand is based on moral and humanitarian grounds and on the age-old Jewish tradition of "Pidyon Shvuim" — redeeming Jewish captives. • A speed-up system of absorbing the resettled new- comers is needed in the U.S. so that they could become self-supporting within two months rather than within the present average of four months during which they are sup- ported by the communities. The CJF has already under- taken a number of actions in this direction and developed guidelines on policies of making loans to the newcomers_ instead of grants for some services, thus reducing the cost of resettlement for communities. -• "Drop-outs" who have relatives in the United States should approach the relatives for aid, especially in small communities with limited resources. Federations in these communities will continue to assist in the resettlement, but relatives must also participate. DISCUSSION IN ISRAEL: These and other facts were brought to the attention of the Jewish Agency by the federation leaders. Some of these leaders demanded that the Jewish Agency take a good look at its bureaucratic methods of absorbing Soviet Jews in Israel — methods which provoke disappointment among some of the newcomers and result writing uncomplimentary letters to friends in the Soviet nion, discouraging them from coming to Israel when they can be admitted to the United States. The critics, known for their dedication to Israel, urged a drastic shake-up in the offices conducting the absorption and resettlement in. Is- rael. They also urged a change in the Jewish Agency set-up in Vienna where Jews coming out of the Soviet Union make their first stop in the free world. air Technion Gains Medical Building HAIFA — The Technion- Institute of Technology re- cently dedicated the B. Rappaport Family Medical Sciences Building on its Bat Galim campus. Philanthropist Bruce Rappaport, a major bene- factor of the Israeli univer- sity, was awarded an hon- orary doctorate degree and 64 graduates of Technion's medical school received their medical degrees. A library at the medical school was dedicated in memory of Alfred Goldschmidt, father of Mrs. Ruth Rappaport. AT LAST. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PUT AWAY YOUR GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES. Orthokeratology: A programmed method to reduce, modify or eliminate refractive anomalies - of the eye. The normal eye The myopic eye Reshape the cornea Improved sight Light rays are focused on the retina Light rays do not reach retina in true focus -- Special contact lens modifies cornea shape The eye can see properly after the lens is removed A new ocular science,- providing corrective eye care through the therapeutic and programmed use of special- ly designed contact lenses. IN THE PAST, structural irregularities (anomalies) ) of the eye were considered permanent and no therapy existed to cor- rect them. ORTHOKERATOLOGY. GLASSES or contact lenses were nor- mally prescribed to compensate for these abnormalities which cause nearsightedness (myopia), far sightedness (hyperopia ), or astigmatism. SOMEWHAT AS IN DENTISTRY, where braces straighten teeth, orthokeratology uses spe- cially designed contact lenses to normalize the structural irregularities of the eye, thereby reducing or eliminating refractive errors. The specially designed contact lenses are later used as required only as a "re- tainer." EYE TODAY, there is a way to improve your vision without the constant use of eye glasses or contact lenses. 117h ilc space does not permit a complete explanation of orthokeratology, here are answers to sonic of the most asked questions: Can this method correct all vision problems? Much depends on the extent of the change required. Theoretically, most irregularities can be corrected. However, each patient is evaluated individually and advised if cor- rection is impractical. Who can benefit most from orthokeratology? Those who can and wish to live without glasses. Police and fire fighters, factory workers and sports lovers, swimmers and motorcyclists, and all those who can and wish to enjoy clear, comfortable vision without the constant encumbrance of glasses or contact lenses. Is there any danger to the eye? Long range studies are being made at major universities to determine the effect on eye tissue. Final results will not be known for years, however, preliminary reports from some private practitioners indicate the method is harmless when performed and thoroughly supervised by properly trained doctors. Undoubtedly, there are other questions you want to ask, and we invite you to make an appointment with our orthokeratology department for a complete evaluation. Simply ask about ORTHO-K. BELMONT VISION CENTER Dr. Myron Spalter, Dr. Ron Hernesko Optometrists Belmont Shopping Center 20512 Dequindre at 8 Mile Rd. • 891-6200 A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance and to turn around three times before lying down. —Robert Benchley !1 .` 1, t 21 *t