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May 28, 1982 - Image 16

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 1982-05-28

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

16 Friday, May 28, 1982

The Fight Against Anti-Semitism Moves to Florida Vacation Spot

By VICTOR BIENSTOCK

What happens when the
ugly facts of life push their
way into Paradise, when
distasteful elements like
racism and anti-Semitism
force themselves upon the
reluctant attention of a
community that would
rather not know such things
exist and doesn't want to
have to admit that they do?
Boca Raton, Fla., is by no
means a paradise, but for
more than a half-century,
ever since Addison Mizner
began to develop it as "a
watering place for society,"
it has been a comfortable
and pleasant winter retreat
for the wealthy and, in re-
cent years, a retirement
refuge for the middle class.
It has also, within the past

decade, become a city with a
substantial high technology
industry that has imported
thousands of young families
and is now a city with a sub-
stantial Jewish population.
However, the good people
of Boca Raton were recently
told there is anti-Semitism
and racism in their commu-
nity. The existence of these
twin evils in the town is cer-
tainly not a new or spon-
taneous development; they
have existed, largely ig-
nored or, rather, shoved
under the blanket, for
years. One ofthe town's first
Jewish settlers recalls that
a wealthy doctor let his
house burn to the ground
because the volunteer fire
brigade that responded to
the call included a Jewish

firefighter.
Anti-Semitism and ra-
cism in beautiful Boca
Raton both went public
within the span of a week.
Anti-Semitism was dis-
closed in a newspaper
report describing how
residents in the Century
Village development just
outside the city limits
populated mainly by
Jewish retirees, had felt
it necessary to undertake
a program to reduce ra-
cial hostility they per-
ceived in the Boca Raton
population, particularly
the youngsters of high
school age who shouted
anti-Jewish epithets
from the buses taking
them home from school.
Racism against blacks

Wok a more vicious form,
being manifested in letters,
one purportedly from the
Ku Klux Klan appar-
of students,
ently the work of
to a black high school
teacher who had been prom-
inent in organizing Black
Awareness Week.
The Boca Raton black
population (about two per-
cent of the city's 50,000
residents) live mostly in a
neglected enclave known as
Pearl City. There are large
black communities in Deer-
field Beach to the south and
Delray Beach to the north.
The anti-Semitic problem
was aired with the publica-
tion by the local daily of a
story optimistically headed:
"Anti-Semitism Fades
Through Understanding."

It's mazel toy and
free parking

It reported what the people ings probably are aimed at
of Century Village had done the development itself, not
to establish better relations the people who live there."
with their neighbors. A It added that "some resent-
three-man team had visited ment is bound to occur when
the leadership class at the an extremely large, high-
high school and asked the density community is built
students why they felt bias in an area that lacks the
towards the people of Cen- roads and services to ac-
commodate it."
tury Village.
"We didn't mince any
The Century Village ges-
words with the students,"
of friendship, it de-
said Reuben Saltzman, tures
clared,
"should make others
who organized the proj- re-examine
their feelings
ect. "We told them we
toward
the
Century
Village
were here to give to the
community
and
realize
that
community, not take. We
wanted to combat anti- many kind, compassiona'
people live there." It co
Semitism."
The three Century Vil- cluded that "prejudice al
lagers say they plan to keep ways is spread by ignor-
in close touch with the high ance" and Century Village
school and its students. "is fighting back with
"Our children and grand- weapons of knowledge and
children are thousands of understanding.
miles away." Saltzman said.
The events at Boca Raton
"We told the students we are certainly no signal of an
would like to consider them outburst of anti-Semitism.
as our adopted grand- They are small matters but
children."
they are indicative of the
An editorial in the Boca forces and tensions at work
Raton News conceded that in a society whose fabric is
"Century Village residents being torn and whose cus-
occasionally encounter hos- toms and traditions are
tility when they visit Boca being shattered by the
Raton" and noted that many worst economic situation
of the Century Village resi- this country has suffered in
dents attribute this to 50 years. Racial and reli-
anti-Semitism. "They may gious animosities are
be partly right," it said, "al- breaking through the ven-
though most negative feel- eer all over the country.

"

(Readers Forum)

Materials submitted to the Readers Forum must be brief.
The writer's name will be withheld from publication upon
request. No unsigned letters will be published. Materials will
not be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is
enclosed.

Kosher Meat Controversy

at a Westin
catered event.

Whether it's a Bar Mitzvah, a wedding
or a family reunion, it's bound to be
better at The Westin. That's because
we know how to make good things
happen...from the moment you and
your guests park free in designated
areas. We'll delight everyone '
with our elegant banquet
rooms, attentive service and
delicious food cooked to your

specifications. Our professional cater-
ing_staff will take care of everything.
So, the next time you really want to do
something special for your guests, hold
a catered event at The Westin. We'll
pay for the parking and treat them roy-
ally. Just call our Director of
Catering at 568-8400. You'll
be surprised at just how afford-
able a, perfect occasion can be!

THE WESTIN HOTEL

Renaissance Center Detroit

The word "authorized"
Editor, The Jewish News:
In response to a letter also requires some qualifi-
from Rabbi Norman Kahn cation. "Authorized" by
of Yeshivath Beth Yehudah whom? Finally, "in Michi-
and several others (The gan" is curious because
Jewish News, May 21), the even the Vaad claims no
commendable efforts of the jurisdicaiton outside of met-
Council of Orthodox Rabbis ropolitan Detroit.
are certainly not obliterated
The kashrut controversy
by their wrong-doings.
can be resolved, but only if
On the other hand, all the the parties concerned re-
good things they might strict themselves to true
have done can, in no way, statements, based upon
justify their sanctioning of documented evidence,
the sale of non-kosher meat without any attempts at
products in allegedly kosher subterfuge and deceit.
meat markets under their
Rabbi Jack Goldman
supervision for the last 40
years. For that, there is no
remedy and no excuse.
Concert Honors
Rabbi Kahn repeats the
Former
High
fatuous rationale, made by
Rabbi Chaim Bergstein last Court Justice
week, that the non-kosher

meats were intended for
WASHINGTON
sale to non-Jews. This is a Former Supreme Court Jus-
further public_confession of tice Abe Fortas was honored
wrong-doing, since such a with a musical memorial at
practice is forbidden by Kennedy Center Tuesd:
Jewish law, as well as by night.
federal and state laws.
The late Justice Fortas,
Rabbi Kahn further who spent much of his spare
states that the Council of time playing the violin,- re-
Orthodox Rabbis "pro- ceived posthumous tributes
vides the only authorized from virtuoso friends Isaac
non-porfit kosher super- Stern and Mstislav Ros-
vision service in Michi- tropovich. Eric Sevareid
gan." This statement is also addressed the gather-
startling comment, com- ing.
ing from Rabbi Kahn
The concert included an
who himself, until re-
cently, headed up a appearance by the three
letter-head "kosher surviving members of the
supervision service" neighborhood string quar-
called Midwest Kashruth tet in which Mr. Fortas
often performed.
Council.

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