THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Boris Smolar's `Between You • • . and Me' Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, JTA (Copyright 1981, JTA, Inc.) MEET YOUR LEADER: Martin E. Citrin is the new president of the Council of Jewish Federations. Citrin is an unusual kind of a leader. He is bright, intellectual, sensitive, articulate in a quiet way, has a wide view on life, a good analytical mind, is not partial and nothing is too much for him to do for others. He has the ability to get to the heart of an issue, focus on the essence, Id bring a rare wisdom of judgment. The son of a Jewish immig- rant from Russia himself in- volved in Jewish activities, •he was brought up in an at- mosphere of Jewish ethical, cultural and spiritual values. This set the stage for him to make Jewish interests a priority in his life. The Holocaust and the establish- ment of Israel added new di- mensions to his Jewish feel- ings and obligations. He is a product of the young leadership of the Jewish Wel- fare Federation of Detroit where he resides, and where he served as president of the MARTIN CITRIN Federation. He also served in other leading positions in the Detroit Jewish community, taking at the same time a deep interest in national Jewish activities. He considers himself an American Jew with a capital "A" and a capital "J". This does not diminish his dedication to the interests of the state of Israel. He has four children and all of them have gone more than once to Israel. He plays a major role in the governance of the Jewish Agency for Israel as a member of its Board of Governors and a co- chairman of its Commission on Jewish Education. He is also a member of the Agency's Immigration and Absorption Committee and of the Comptroller Committee. On the American Jewish national scene he serves on the board of the United Jewish Appeal, on the executive committee of the Joint Distribution Committee, on the board of the United Israel Appeal, and participates in other national organizations. Prior to his election as president of the Council of Jewish Federations he was a CJF vice chairman. He also served as chairman of various CJF committees, being a member of the CJF board and of the executive committee. VIEWS ON JEWISH OBLIGATIONS: Citrin con- siders his election to the CJF presidency as a milestone in his life. His philosophy is that the American Jewish commu- nity — the most affluent and influential Jewish community in history, and the freest — has a responsibility to serve the Jewish community not only in this country and in Israel, but everywhere; also, that the CJF, as a unique instrument of the Jewish federations, is big enough to care about all of Jewish life in this country. To him, the CJF reflects the single-minded discipline of the federations that all the things they do are founded on the bedrock of Jewish tradi- tions and ethical values. Strengthening Jewish identity and Jewish education are to him major obligations of the organized American Jewish communities, as the Federations are. He advocates higher priority for Jewish education in the federation allo- cations. He considers Jewish education the best bulwark against assimilation. He is also strongly against diluting standards of communal services. As to Israel, he considers the Jewish state as the • Jewish spiritual fountainhead and a central focus in Jewish life. At the same time, he believes that Israel needs the Diaspora. He is of the opinion that it is in the interests of Israel that Jewish communities in the world should con- dlikinually be strengthened. Hanuka Greeting From Reagans JERUSALEM (JTA) — President and Mrs. Reagan sent Hanuka greetings to Premier and Mrs. Begin. The message, which Cabinet secretary Arye Naor released to the press, said: "Nancy and I wish you and Mrs. Begin a Hanuka full of joy and happiness. The light of the Hanuka candles symbolizes the con- tinuity of the Jewish people and its culture, its decision to be free and its constant quest for peace. The United States will always be Israel's partner in its efforts to bring the bless- ing of peace to all the na- tions of the Middle East. "We hope for full recovery from your injury." The lat- ter referred to Begin's broken hip for which he was hospitalized earlier this month. Reconstructiomsts to Issue New Prayer Book NEW YORK — A new comprehensive prayerbook designed "to meet the changing needs of the Jewish people" is being pre- pared by the Jewish Recon- structionist Foundation. The prayerbook will re- flect contemporary Jewish thought and feelings in keeping with the funda- mental tenet of Reconstruc- tionism. The use of exclu- sively masculine terminol- ogy will be eliminated in order to reflect the Recon- structionist commitment to the full equality of women in Jewish life. mu am us as am w wi w in all NI MO INS •• NM NM •••••• Friday, December 25, 1981 ••• ■ ••=01. w ww w. ww 1 1 50% 1 Off I , 1 On ALL Drycleaning 22185 Coolidge at 9 Mile Oak Park INN IN Plant Trees for all Occasions Shevat 5742 January 25 to February 23, 1982 I= NO MO 23043 Beech - at 9 Mile Southfield Coupon must be presented with order — Expires Jan. 8 — — — — — — - wwwwwwwwwwwww w I JN I OM NM INN MB 11•1 114 ewish atonal and month JNF SABBATH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Tu B'SHEVAT, New Year of Trees, FEBRUARY 8 TASKS DURING JNF'S 81st YEAR To avow full solidarity -with the State of Israel in its period of stress. To focus attention on 80 years of Jewish National Fund activities in developing the Land of Israel and securing the future of the State of Israel. To stress the fact that JNF is a major contributor in improving and maintaining the quality of Israel's.environment. JNF fights desolation, decay -, waste and wilderness. To reclaim more land for outposts in the most vulnerable areas. To insure a Jewish stronghold in the Galilee, an area vital to the future security and economic self-sufficiency of the State. The Galilee has only a 30% Jewish population. - To help transform the Negev desert into vital Jewish communities so that 10,000 Israeli inhabitants in the Sinai settlements may be relocated, and their lives rebuilt, along the new borders with Egypt. To encourage inscriptions in the Honor Roll of the Jewish People — the Golden Book in Jerusalem. To place another thousand JNF Blue Boxes, the symbol of a nation reborn. in Greater Detroit and Michigan Jewish homes. To plant more trees in Israel. Israel needs more trees. Trees represent the rekindled strength and lifeblood of the land. To remind Jews to remember JNF in their Wills, thus not only linking their names forever with the land of Israel, but their legacy helps ALL of Israel. • We have before us a colossal task. The JNF isnow called upon to strengthen existing positions and to prepare a new wave of land settlements in Negev and in the Galilee so vital for the future of Israel. A JNF Box in every Jewish home We also ask you, your children and grandchildren to share in a unique and truly meaningful and especially significant project — a gift from you to Israel through JNF as it enters its 81st year. JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 27308 Southfield Rd • Southfield, MI 48076 • 557-6644 KEREN KAYEME T H LEISRAEL • 13 All contributions to JNF are tax deductible