r THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS A Response to Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg By EZEKIEL LEIKIN (Editor's note: Severe criticisms of Israel Prime Minister Menahem Begin are refuted here by Ezekiel Leikin, who is currently a lecturer on Zionist history for the De- troit District of the Zionist Organization of Detroit.) Arthur Hertzberg is de- eply troubled about Menahem Begin's percep- tion of Zionism. In an article in the New York Review of Books (Feb. 18) the eminent historian and author The Zionist Idea" poses searching questions with regard to Begin's "defini- tion" of Israel. He concludes it is anathema to "most Ameri- can Jews," whose commit- ment to Israel was molded by the "progressivism" of Louis Brandeis and Hen- rietta Szold and the "liberal dreams" of Weizmann and Ben-Gurion. COMPLETE ALTERATIONS Reasonable Prices HERBERT Cleaners & Tailors Expert Cleaning Lowest Prices Also Suede, Leather & Drapes 24709 Coolidge at 10 Mile Across from Dexter Davison 399-0336 SPECIALTY PRINTING The "liberalism" of Ar- thur Hertzberg is affronted by Begin's "confron- tationist" posture vis-a-vis "world opinion" and "within world Jewry," which "frightens" the majority of American Jews," who "can no longer choose to be si- lent." It was almost inevita- ble that the former head of the American Jewish Congress should follow in the footsteps of Philip Klutznik, Nahum Goldmann and a few others in the Jewish community in attacking the policies of the Likud governments. Thus, in May 1975, he warned American Jews "not to over-react" to the Ad- ministration's "reassess- ment" of U.S. Mideast pol- icy following the collapse of Kissinger's step-by-step diplomacy, which most friends of Israel viewed as a political bludgeon designed to bring the then Rabin gov- ernment "to its senses." Hertzberg's warning in- cluded an admonition to American Jews to refrain from "hard-line" politics which may precipitate a confrontation with the Soviet Union and the Arabs. Strangely enough, the eminent rabbi was equally emphatic in counseling American Jews to avoid "meddling in Israel's inter- nal affairs." However, that was in 1975, when a Labor government much more in tune with Hertzberg's "pro- CARD 'n GIFT 23067 Coolidge at 9 Mile Oak Plaza Plaza 541-0022 20 % OFF EVERYTHING IN STORE! (Except lottery tickets & film processing) • Invitations • Stationery • Greeting Cards • Etc. • Etc. • Etc. , HOUSE of SHUTTERS EZEKIEL LEIKIN AmeN SINCE 1959 Call Now For Free Home Estimates RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL CUSTOM WINDOW SHADES 50% OFF CUSTOM WOVEN WOODS by Joanna, Delmar, Graber 40% OFF CUSTOM SHUTTERS Horizontal & Vertical By Joanna, Mastercraft FREE INSTALLATION 50%OFF HORIZONTAL 1" blinds many decorator colors by LEVOLOR HOUSE of SHUTTERS 50% OFF VERTICAL BLINDS aluminum decorator • cloths & suedes, P.V.C. macrame, wood excluding previous orders 559-4668 25511 SOUTHFIELD RD., SOUTHFIELD RABBI HERTZBERG gressivism" was at the con- trols in Israel. Prof. Benjamin Akzin, writing in Israel's Yediot Ahronot, perceives "no basic difference between the Likud and the mainstream thinking of the (Labor) Alignment. The Likud has refrained from annexing Judea, Samaria and Gaza. The Alignment objects to re- treating to the pre-1967 lines. Both parties realize that the final outcome will be decided by negotiations, and not by an Israeli formula, and that they can merely state Israeli preferences." Hertzberg's assertion that Begin "will not allow autonomy to apply to the territory of the West Bank" is sheer nonsense. It was Begin who projected the concept of autonomy in the first place; thus the infer- ence that the Prime Minis- ter, known as a man of great integrity and high sense of honor, is trying to "wiggle out" from his commitment to the Camp David accords is totally unwarranted. Hertzberg offers no evi- dence to substantiate his contention that the major- ity of American Jews are either "frightened" or turned off by Begin's policies. The fact is, media characterizations not- withstanding, Begin's popu- larity in the U.S. seems to be rising rather than declin- ing. The logic of Mr. Begin's policy-line seems irrefuta- ble. If Israel is an ally and friend of the United States, if it represents a strategic American asset, U.S. Mideast policy must reflect that friendship in word as well as in deed. No one is naive enough to suggest that Israel should have exclusive monopoly on U.S. friend- ship in the area; however, so long as Israel's volatile neighbors refuse to Infant Mortality Low in Israel JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel is among the 10 Western nations where in- fant mortality is at a minimum, according to Prof. Baruch Modan, direc- tor general of the Health Ministry. When Israel was estab- lished in 1948, there were 50 deaths for every 1,000 births. Presently, there are only 10 deaths per 1,000 births. Friday, February 26, 1982 13 TM. I2 negotiate with her "se- cure and recognized" borders pursuant to reso- lutions 242 and 338, which are the twin legal pillars of the Camp David process, the U.S. is duty- bound to insure Israel's qualitative edge in the balance of forces in the Middle East. If American Jews, as Hertzberg postulates, were drawn to Zionism by the vision of a "benign" society that could be "a light unto the nations," Begin's politi- cal and military strategy is designed to insure that the "light" should not be extin- guished by the irrational in- transigence of Israel's Arab neighbors. TEL-TWELVE SHOE REPAIR 28708 Telegraph Road Southfield, Mich. 48076 355-2467 Open Mon. thru Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. 12-5 p.m. SHOES REBUILT LIKE NEW! Don't Throw Them Away. Service While You Shop • GOLF SHOES • SKATES SHARPENED ZIPPERS FOR SHOES AND HANDBAGS All Surs We Specialize in Orthopedic Work • EXPERT REPAIR ON LADIES' HANDBAGS LEATHER JACKETS 8 COATS REPAIRED WE REPAIR SADDLES FOR HORSES RESERVE THIS EVENING Wednesday Evening June 16, 1982 HARRY and SARAH LAKER will be the guests of honor at the Jewish National Fund Annual Dinner at Congregation Shaarey Zedek 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, Michigan For Information Call JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 11 111 11 KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL 27308 Southfield Rd. Southfield, M148076 Phone (313) 557-6644