President Reagan
and the Tithe:
Ideal of
Maaser Giving
Defined
Traditionally

Exposing the
Threats:
Menace to Israel
Traced in
Language of
Propagators
of Genocide

THE JEWISH NEWS

A Weekly Review

Commentary, Page 2

of Jewish Events

Editorial, Page 4

Copyright © The Jewish News Publishing Co.

( 1\--

VOL. LXXX, No. 22

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January 29,.1982

Reform, Conservative Rabbis

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should be no worse off than these, the applicants argued.
NEW YORK (JTA) — Leaders of Reform and Conservative Judaism in
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew
America hailed the Israeli Supreme Court's challenge to the Orthodox rabbi-
Congregations (UAHC), the association of Reform synagogues, declared that
nate's exclusive right to officiate at marriages in Israel and expressed confi-
the court order was "a major step forward in the struggle for full and equal
dence last weekend that the court's action will result in the extension of equal
religious rights of the Reform movement in Israel." He added, "The Orthodox
rights to all branches of Judaism in the Jewish state.
monopoly in Israel must be broken for Judaism's sake and for Israel's."
The American rabbis and lay leaders were responding to a "show cause
Gerard Daniel, president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism,
order" issued by Supreme Court Justice Dov Levin in Jerusalem on Jan. 21
declared: "We are pleased with the result so far, and we are determined to press
giving the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Chief Rabbinate 45 days to
our efforts until our 13 Reform congregations in Israel and the Reform rabbis
explain why Reform rabbis should not be licensed to perform marriages.
who serve them are granted the same
The high court acted on a complaint
measure of support and the same legal
filed by the Israeli affiliate of the World
status as Orthodox rabbis and Orthodox
Union for Progressive Judaism after the
congregations."
Chief Rabbinate refused to register
Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn, president of
marriages performed by two Reform
the Association of Reform Zionists, also
rabbis in Israel — Moshe Zemer and
expressed gratification. "It has long
Moshe Rotem.
been
our contention that questions of
Their attorney argued that under
religious rights and liberties (in Israel)
Israeli law every sect can be mar-
are matters of judicial concern, not of
ried by spiritual leaders of its own
parliamentary politicking."
faith — and it is under this provision
Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz of
that Neturei Karta rabbis, who do
Washington, D.C., president of Mer-
not accept the authority of the state
caz, the Conservative Zionist
of Israel, receive state licenses to
perform marriages. Reform rabbis
(Continued on Page 5)
RABBI S CHINDLER
RABBI RABINOWITZ
RABBI GITTELSOHN

2 Arab Mayors Ask PLO Recognition
of Israel; Others Reject Their Stance

JERUSALEM (JTA) — One of the leaders of the moderate camp in the administered territories, Mayor -
Elias Freij of Bethlehem, issued an unprecedented statement over the weekend urging the Palestine
Liberation Organization to recognize Israel and thereby "challenge it and the United States for peace." He
was later joined by Mayor Rashad Shawa of Gaza, but other Arab mayors rejected his stance.
Freij urged his fellow mayors to exert their influence for a political dialogue between Israel, the Arab
states and the PLO. Most of the West Bank mayors are considered PLO sympathizers and have taken the
official PLO line which demands Israeli withdrawal prior to any political negotiations.
In a series of interviews with Haaretz, Freij repeated his long-held view that the current
stalemate is working in Israel's favor. He noted that as the stalemate continues "we see new
Israeli settlements" on the West Bank, and in 10 years "there will be nothing left for the
Palestinians to talk about" in terms of having a state on the, West Bank.
Freij said he was asking the PLO to pose to Israel a challenge of peace rather than war, to recognize
Israel and initiate direct negotiations between the two parties. "It is clear that there is no military solution
for the current crisis," he said, "and it is very unlikely that there will ever be. The only alternative is a
political dialogue, which holds the promise of
movement."
Freij said that a peace initiative by the
PLO would win over Western public opinion in
favor of the Palestinians. If his suggestion were
to be endorsed by other Arab mayors, it would
have a "tremendous effect on the Arab world in
general and on the PLO in particular," he said.
ROME (JTA) — Three neo-fascist youths, who
MaY-Or Shawa of Gaza, interviewed by Is-
rael Radio, said that "the PLO are not all Pales-
burst into the main Rome synagogue during Satur-
tinians" but the people of Israel must recognize
day morning services shouting "Seig Heil" and
the Palestinian people, which includes the PLO
"death to the Jews," were rescued by police after
and the PLO must also recognize Israel. Shawa
infuriated worshippers surrounded their getaway car
has been under limited arrest by the Israeli
at a traffic intersection.
The three, all aged. 20, were taken to police
authorities for the past several weeks and is
prohibited from leaving the town of Gaza.
headquarters where four members of the con-
gregation lodged an official complaint. They
However, other West Bank mayors re-
were then released.
jected Freij's urging. Mayor Bassam Shaka
The incident will be brought before the judicial
of Nablus, considered the leader of PLO
authorities who must decide whether to take further
supporters on the West Bank, said Freij
action. It is certain to renew demands by Jewish
was "surrendering to the pressures of Is-
institutions in Rome for more adequate police protec-
rael and the United States." He said Israel
tion.
and the U.S. should recognize the PLO
Such demands have been made repeatedly as
first. A similar view was expressed by the
anti-Semitic assaults have increased in recent years
mayors of Kalkiliya, Tulkarem and Ramal-
but the police response has been only sporadic.
lah.
(Continued on Page 5)
(Continued on Page 14)

Angry Italian Jews
Surround Fascists
Outside Synagogue

SHABBAT SHIRAH to YOM HA'ATZMAUT
FEBRUARY 6 - APRIL 28, 1982
Jewish Music Council, 15 E. 26th St.
New York, New York 10010 • (212) 532-4949