Friday, July 17, 1981 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Laughter The Knesset Line-Up A Symbol of the Jewish People From Near East Report I I Number of Seats Number of Seats. 1977 Party Leadership Likud 48 43 Menachem Beam Labor 47 32 Shimun Peres Party By MARTY ODGERS Party Background • Caine to power in 1977 probably lead coalition again Its power bas ,, d on personal leadership of Prince Minister Begin Mos: of its strength comes from lower classes industrialists. and the upper middle class Led government horn 1948 to 1977 Largest opposi non party. Recouped many of its losses irom 1977 election but still looking to cut into Likud power base. Economic policy socialist-oriented with base Histadrut. (Israeli Labor Federation and coopera nye settlements). Strength lies also in middle class and intelligentsia Yosel Burg Reached peak of 12 seats in 1977 elections Lost half this time but will be the swing factor in any govern ment coalition. Party of every government since 1948. except for a short period in 1950s. National Religious Party 6 12 Agudat Israel 4 4 Avraham Shapiro Moderate in foreign affairs but very strict religious views. Extracted heavy price for its participation in last government and can be expected to do the same in this cabinet. Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Communists) 4 5 Meir Wilner Traditionally strong in Arab sector but Labor made heavy inroads. Will not be part of any coalition but could tacitly support future Labor government. Tech iya (Revival Party) 3 n.a. 3 Tami Telem n.a . Yuval Ne'eman Aharon Abu Hatzeira Shim), Split from Likud coalition in 1979 after peace treaty with Egypt. Ran on platform of stopping withdrawal from Sinai. - Renegade party - will probably stay out of government. Split off from NRP in month prior to elections be- cause of purported lack of representation of Sephar- dim in NRP list. First ethnic list to gain Knesset rep- resentation since 1951. Abu Hatzeira. Minister of Religion, recently acquitted of kickback and brib- ery charges. Finds support among population of Sephardic origin. 2 n.a. Moshe Dayan Party of Moshe Dayan. Focuses on future direction of autonomy talks. Calls for immediate autonomy in West Bank and Gaza. Possible coalition partner, but will extract high price to join. 2 n. a. Amnon Rubenstein Centrist party of Rubenstein, professor of law at Tel Aviv University. Would have been coalition partner had Labor won. Gets support from middle class, liberal intelligentsia. disgruntled Labor sup- porters. Shulamit Aloni Only party which concentrates major efforts on the consumer, women's rights and religious pluralism. Lost many voters to Labor because they wanted to prevent a Likud victory. (Movement for State Renewal) The Citizens' Rights Party Released Soviet Jew Appeals in U.S. on Behalf of His Peers Avigdor Eskin, who was an underground Hebrew teacher in the Soviet Union, publicized the plight of his co-religionists still in the USSR during a stop on his North American campaign in Detroit last week. Eskin, who resides in Is- rael, said that he had visited New York, Boston, Wash- ington, Baltimore, Phoenix, San Francisco and other cities and will visit several more American and Cana- dian communities to encourage help for the Soviet Jews. Eskin said he was the target of threats from the Soviet authorities. "They preferred me to leave the country." He taught himself Hebrew at age 16 and traveled through the USSR lecturing and teaching. He attended the Moscow Con- servatory and is a piano teacher. Eskin explained that when he visits com- munities, he speaks to Jews and non-Jews. His aim is to "influence Con- gressmen and Senators to put pressure on the Administration not to forget human interest is- sues." He said Western influ- ence kept him out of jail. He said his particular interest in publicizing the plight of Soviet Jews was to free Yosef Begun. Eskin said there is a chance to get him out if enough pressure is put on the Soviet govern- ment. Asked about the noshrim (dropouts), Eskin said they should not be brought to the U.S. "They demoralize the movement. They create political problems." Rather than "invite" noshrim, Eskin said that American Jews should adopt a family or send letters or materials (ex- cept Hebrew books since they are confiscated by the authorities). He hoped that he would be able to meet Secretary of State Alexander Haig so that he could ask him to in- clude the Soviet Jewry issue in'his negotiations with the USSR, especially where the grain deal is involved. "We need active measures to put pressure on the American Laughter hides the tears That stay within my heart. Laughter hides the Pain, Which of me, is such a part. Laughter hides the Deepness Within my soul Which few know. Laughter hides all That cannot be told. Seminary Grant Honors Bavli nary spanned a period of 40 years. NEW YORK — The Jewish Theological Semi- nary of America, has estab- lished the Hillel Bavli Memorial Scholarship. The fund of $25,000 was made possible by the efforts of Dr. Frances Krasnow Thau, a former president of the sem- inary's alumni association, and fellow members of the association. Bavli was a Hebrew poet, scholar, and teacher, whose association with the semi- Clemency is the brightest jewel in a monarch's crown. Experienced Vocalists From Russia familiar with Italian opera. BEL-CANTO SCHOOL is now admitting new stu- dents who wish to study opera and virtuoso singing. Natural voice is not required. Please call: 967-2391, Michael Kolesnikov or 961-3181, Bella Yilensky MOV IN G ? Priced Sale of Household Furnishings Professionally Conducted In Your Home Estate Liquidators EDMUND FRANK & Co. Appraisers Liquidators 368 - 4044 875-7650 CREATIVE TABLES, INC. LTD. — M.P. and T.W. in Near East Report n.a.: Not applicable, since party did not exist then. By HEIDI PRESS 21 government to stop trade with the USSR until the Jews are released," he said. He said his ultimate goal is to make the Soviet Jewry question an international issue. * * * (JTA) PARIS President Francois Mitter- rand promised to raise the issue of imprisoned Soviet Jewish activist Anatoly Shcharansky during one of his forthcoming meetings with Soviet leaders. Avital Shcharansky, Anatoly's wife, was received by Mitterrand and govern- ment spokesmen said it was part of the new administra- tion's policy to actively help imprisoned activists and dissidents. In a related development, exiled Soviet Jewish writer Lev Kopelev is working on what he calls a "book on Heinrich Heine for people who never read Heinrich Heine." The book is scheduled to be published in time for this year's Frankfurt Book Fair in Oc- tober, where Kopelev will be awarded the German Book Trade Peace Prize for 1981. Vicky Leebove 851 0789 - Choose From A Large selection of rings watches and other fine jewelry 14 and 18 K GOLD Diamonds and Fine Jewelry These services done on premises • Jewelry Repaii- • Watch Repair • Restringing No Job Too Small WEINTRAUC "Where the customer comes first" Quality jewelers for 3 generations UJA Appointee NEW YORK — Jerome J. Dick of Washington, D.C., has been appointed national vice chairman of the United Jewish Appeal. • custom made just-for you • laminates, glass, lucite, marble • tables, wall units, credenzas, etc. • delightfully fine work- manship • low prices. Mon.-Fri. 9 to 5Sat. 9 3 23077 Greenfield Advance Bldg. suite 389 Sfld. 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