12 Friday, January 2, 1981 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Reform Without Fanfare, Levinsky's Key to Agency's Success By DAVID LANDAU JERUSALEM (JTA) — Finance Minister Yigal Hurwitz was wrestling with his colleagues in the FACIAL HAIR PERMANENTLY REMOVED E NO(' LOU , Recommended by Physicians FREE CONSULTATION SHIRLEY PERSIN 1 Registered Electrologist ADVANCE BUILDING 23077 GREENFifL0 R(4, , n Nolv11.1110 0 11 0', 0 , 1 1 PHONE 557-1108 Ow.' 20 at,oriont I' FREE ESTIMATE & DECORATING ADVICE ON LARGE RESID. & COMMER. JOBS up to Cabinet over the size of next year's budget while report- ers gathered outside to hear what it would all mean for the pocketbook and shop- ping bag of the ordinary man and woman. Akiva Levinsky, quiet- spoken and businesslike at his office in the Jewish Agency building, half a mile away could scarcely fail to make the comparison. Levinsky's reforms — still in the process of evolu- tion — have been sweeping indeed. It is in character with the man that they have been undertaken without fanfare — without the pub- licity and public recogni- 45% off our way of fighting inflation VERTICALS-DRAPES-BLINDS CALL 559-8209 YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH HURTIG WINDOW INTERIORS "WE PUT THE ACCENT ON WINDOWS" eon—a—Mak& and let our professionally trained help give you that extra day you've been looking for. • ALL TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED FULLY BONDED & INSURED MONDAY — SATURDAY REASONABLE RATES • „. cake-a-M[. 557-2008 - •%-'7 CALL 24 HRS. tion, in Israel and in the Jewish Diaspora, that they perhaps should have. Levinsky is keenly aware of the Jewish Despite the limitations imposed by this political reality, Levinsky's achievements in his two years at the treasury have been impressive. Last year alone, agency manpower costs were reduced by 15. percent and the actual number of agency em- ployees was cut by 11.5 per- cent. (Not all manpower posts were filled in the past.) He introduced a system of "three-year plans" as part of his overall planning-ori- ented approach. (Levinsky, a scion of the Labor move- ment and long-time member of Kibutz Maayan Zvi, came to the agency from a top slot in the bank Hapoalim commercial em- pire.) Agency's "image" prob- lems, and spends a good deal of time thinking about them. "But in the final analysis," he says, image is shaped by what is actually done. No amount of "packag- ing" can sell a commodity that is faulty, and similarly no amount of negative pre- conceptions can prevent the Jewish Agency's public image improving if the work of the departments and of the agency as a whole is genuinely meritorious. Apropos of "image," Levinsky points to a conun- drum which, he says, con- The original "three-year tinues to baffle him. While plan" will be updated this the Jewish Agency as such suffers, especially in the Is- year according to changing Another raeli media:from an unde- conditions. "evaluation niable "image problem: . the novelty: teams," comprising agency individual departments that together comprise the officials and outside ex- agency each separately perts, are commissioned to have a good and often very review and supervise major agency projects. good "image." "Take the Budget calculations — settlement department, for example," he says, "or youth perhaps traditionally the key function of the trea- aliya." He says the root-cause of surer — have also under- the Jewish Agency's "image gone a thorough over- problem" — and of much of haul. the inefficiency and laxity Vaccine Sent that still bedevils some de- partments — is the political to Quake Victims party system on which the NEW YORK (JTA) — A agency is based. shipment of 20,000 doses of "If you ask me," he typhoid vaccine is on its way says, "an executive of five to Italy, donated to the members is enough." But earthquake victims by it is the will of the public Montefiore Hospital and — in Israel and in the Medical Center of New Diaspora — that wants York. (as expressed in the elec- Dr. Isadore Levine, the tions to the Zionist con- hospital's deupty director gresses) a proliferation of for professional affairs, con- parties. Each of these tacted the Jewish Commu- parties and movements nity Relations Council demands a slice of the (JCRC) to offer to send a power and influence. team of doctors to Italy at Thus, in practice, a Montefiore's expense. wholesale reduction of JCRC representatives the executive portfolios is discussed the matter with "impossible." Italian Consul General Al- lesandro Cortese-de Bosis, who, though "deeply gratified by this generous offer,"- noted that doctors from neighboring cowntries as well as those from north- ern Italy were on the scene in sufficient numbers to handle the situation. The consul general indi- cated, however, that there was an urgent need for typhoid vaccine. - HERE'S WHERE TO FIND A BETTER DEAL THAN WE HAVE FOR YOU AT DEXTER CHEVROLET Aguda Backs Tuition Bill DEXTER CHEVROLET NEW CHEVYS-USED CARS-COMPLETE AUTO LEASING 20811 W. 8 MILE BETWEEN SOUTHFIELD & TELEGRAPH RD. ADJOINING THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD 534-1400 NEW YORK — A new ef- fort to pass the Moynihan- Packwood Tuition Tax Cre- dit Bill in the upcoming 97th Congress was launched last month by the commission on legislation and civic action of Agudath Israel of America. A task force of Ag-udath Israel officials under Rabbi Menahem Lubinsky, direc- tor of government and pub- lic affairs, has developed a network of state committees and coordinators in 30 states to be part of the na- tional drive. Levinsky also insists on sponsibility is in setting a "full disclosure" of all back- ceiling on the agency's ground data to the board of borrowing. governors and its relevant Another noteworthy ad- committees. vance in the agency in He insists that for him the which Levisky has had im- concept of"full partnership" portant input: the decision that underlays the "recon- to publish the agency com- stitution" of the Jewish ptroller's annual report. Agency is meaningful and This year, part was pub- imperative, not mere lished (for the first time) rhetoric. "I want the board and part held back (some of to be genuine partners in it sensitive material deal- decision making— in decid- ing with communities and ing on the concepts and distress or delicate fund principles governing the raising work). In the future. work of the agency — and Levinsky pledges, "th( hence shaping its budget," Itrend will be towards fuller Levinsky asserts. and fuller publication. Obviously, he says, the overseas members and especially the United Jewish Appeal and United THE DETROIT AREA'S Israel Appeal members, are a key factor in drawing up NEWEST GROUP the income side of the FOR YOU (All Ages) budget. They have their fingers on the pulses of cash-flow, income assessments, likely influ- ences on fund raising in the year ahead. But Levinsky HAS WHAT YOU WANT! involves them equally in • PARTIES • DANCES the expenditure side. • PERSONALIZED INTRODUCTIONS Another vital area of • ETC. budget making in which CALL FOR MORE INFO all the board of gover- nors and executive mem- bers must share the re- SINGLE? METRO SINGLES 552.0323 BIRTHDAY? ANNIVERSARY? Gold. It can set off a chain reaction. Wait till you see the gleam in her eye when you give her chains of real gold. She'll say "I love it!" as sure as the chains say "I love you." And who knows where that could lead? So look for the Karat mark on every piece of "Why Not Jewelry." And then, look out! WE SELL ALL OUR GOLD CHAINS BY WEIGHT WHY NOT JEWELRY, LTD. Advance Building, Suite 312 Corner of Greenfield and 9 Mile Road 23077 GREENFIELD SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48077 313 - 569-3070 We Accept .