2 Friday, July 8, 1983 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Purely Commentary Acclaim for Max Fisher's Leadership . . . Tribute to, Gus Newman ... Support Is Vital for American Red Cross Emergency Fund . . . A Curfew Enigma By Philip Slomovitz Limelight on Max Fisher: A Birthday Party Embracing Two Nations MAX FISHER Limelight is not unusual for Max M. Fisher. It will have more rays than ever, fusing into a single universal beam, when the distinguished leader marks his 75th birth- day. This is the eminence of a man who rose to Jewish leadership from the ranks and became the top-ranked spokesman and emissary both for American and world Jewries and for the partners in Jewish affairs with Israel. With the same qualities for leadership, Max Fisher rose the highest ranks in civic affairs in Detroit and Michi- gan. Simultaneously, the Fisher image became significant on a national American scale when he was called to the White House by several Presidents, as a guide and adviser. In the important chapter of American Jewish history's turbulent 20th Century, the Fisher name will be among the predominant in leadership. He assumed responsibilities gradually. His philanthropy could be measured by the de- Gus Newman: He Was a Symbol for Communal Cordiality Until only a year ago, nonagegenarian Gus Newman was among the most sought-after, cheer-exuding persona- lities at the Jewish Welfare Federation and Allied Jewish Campaign functions. He had the quality of brightening and environment with a smile, a good word for every associate, always serving as an example for cheerfulness in the serv- ices he was rendering. At the Home for the Aged, his every visit was a signal for warmhearted acclaims as a never-forgotten ex- president who retained a role of leadership. He had been a marvelous volunteer solicitor for the causes that shared importance with the United Jewish Appeal and other national movements included in the Al- lied Jewish Campaigns. But much more vital than his ability to encourage philanthropy was the delight he created with his friendly mien, the welcoming smile, the comradely handshake that created loyalties and friend- ships. Such was the personality of the man who inspired fellow workers in great causes and who had an important role in an environment that benefited from the cheerful- ness of so warmhearted a celebrity whose passing invites multiple, deserved tributes. The Detroit Curfew .. . Declaration of a curfew for youth under 18 by Detroit's Mayor Coleman Young drew national attention. It also aroused protests from the American Civil Liberties Union. Mayor. Young's decisive action is regrettable because of the earlier experiences that caused it. As a preventive act it must be accepted as a necessity. The ACLU viewpoint is sheer sentiment and unrealistic. Hopefully, the summer will not be marred by violence. Hopefully, there will be a lessening of unemployment, thus reducing the tensions that compel preventive curfews. Hopefully, this will be a peaceful and law-abiding commu- nity for the elders as well as youth, and curfews will be temporary means of assuring crime prevention. Hopefully, Mayor Young's resort to an extreme act in behalf of this important American community will be proof of recognized sincerity that has the cooperation of a peaceful community. News Coverage From Israel: Limited Emphasis on Positive Factors Tests the Reporters Israel is never out of the limelight. That nation has certainly gained a place among the most newsworthy. Re- grettably, the emphasis is usually on the military or on conflicts with her neighbors. The creative elements in Israel are always volumin- ous. Scientific research is a compulsion in the several uni- versities and in the technical institutes. There is always something new in the creative efforts of the academic com- munity. Yet; none of the foreign correspondents who flood the newspapers with reports from Israel make the positive results subjects for headlines. If it isn't a confrontation in the settlements which have become means for disputes, and if it isn't the means for introducing challenges to the people's morality, the contributing elements toward social betterment are often ignored. David Shipler, certainly one of the ablest foreign corre- spondents, who covers the Israel scene for the New York Times, offers an example in testing the news coverage. He is thorough and he covers a lot of ground. He authored several reports about the Sephardi-Ashkenazi conflicts. But it was not until June 26 of this year that he found it necessary to report on Project Renewal. This activity has been in action for several years. But until a few days ago the subject was apparently considered unimportant. Now it emerges as a discovery. The headline on his article, "A New Focus for U.S. Jews: Israel's Slums," gives the impression that only at this late date have cades. When he started he was a $10 contributor. When means were urgently, needed, he came forth with a very sizable gift. This applies to the Jewish causes and to the civic as well. That's not the major point of glory about him. Most important is the fact that he retains a modesty that leads him to the most powerful in government and equally, as compassionately, to the masses. He is responsible and identifiable: that's the commenda- tion he earns. The record, to his credit, assures the anticipation that Max Fisher will be visible in Jewish ranks when he is needed on the national American scene. He will be with volunteer workers in many causes. He'll be searched for in the limelight in the Michigan community, and some gossip- ers may choose to sensationalize the name. When the total account of the life and work of this eminent personality is registered in the records of social-service-philanthropic- political achievements, the name Max M. Fisher will serve as a guide to a succession of leaders who will do well to emulate him. He has earned the glory that attaches to his name. the poverty-stricken in Israel begun to receive attention from American Jews. If this were true, it would be an indictment of Ameri- can Jews as well as Israelis. The fact is that Project Re- newal has for five years served as evidence that there is concern and definite action. Shipler's report lists that the United Jewish Appeal raised $52.6 million for this purpose, that new areas are being developed as aid to the underprivileged. His report also accounts for a $200,000,000 grant for this purpose by the Israel government. Indeed, there is proof here that neither Diaspora nor Israel ignore this urgent need. Yet, after years of its func- tioning, Project Renewal has just been discovered by Ship- ler. This is only . one item in proof of the positive being ignored. At the Technion, Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, Weizmann Institute, Ben-Gurion University, Haifa University and also in the ORT machine shops, there are always new discoveries, major scientific advances, contributions in the fields of health and technology. Little attention is paid to these positive factors by the foreign correspondents. If only they could treat the creative, technical and health research projects with as much concern as they do the military. Goodwill would be strengthened thereby, and perhaps they would thus contribute toward better Arab- Jewish-Israeli relations. Diaster Funds Drained: Urgent Help for Red Cross So many crises have struck this nation, so much help was needed on a world scale, that Red Cross emergency funds are wiped out. The needs never vanish, and the humane appeal is unlimited. Hopefully, the campaign just launched for emergency funds will meet with success. Southeastern Michigan Red Cross Chapter, 100 Mack Avenue, Detroit 48232, is the recipient of the urgently needed contributions in these un- ending critical periods that are marked by a multitude of demands for human services. Yasir Arafat as a Puzzle in the Speculative Realm Yasir Arafat is portrayed as a haunted victim in a struggle for power. Many commentators have fallen into a trap with impressions that the fomentor of terror is on the road to collapse. Meanwhile, he monopolizes the headlines, and prophesies that his career has ended and that he will be gone soon may be false assumptions. Not to be ignored and forgotten whenever there are conflicts in Arab ranks is that hatred for Israel unites them. Therefore, it is unrealistic to believe that the person who symbolized that hatred will be eliminated by those who have used him as the inspirer of the venom that has symbolized the anti-Jewish terrorism. The New York Times had an editorial comment on the 'latest Arafat episode: The issue becomes how to wrest control of the PLO fighters from Mr. Arafat. Hence the Syrian- sponsored "revolt" inside the PLO, which oc- curred only after Syria rejected the American plan for coordinated Israeli and Syrian with- drawals from Lebanon. The Syrians have opted for the indefinite par- tition of Lebanon into Israeli- and Syrian-held zones. It promises to be an untidy but cozy ar- rangement, provided only that no PLO firebrands are allowed to upset the co-occupation. The Israelis will not attack if spared the daily casualties among their • occupation troops. The Russians will go on supplying the Syrians and retain a veto over arrangements in Lebanon if Mr. Assad avoids a major war. And if the Palestinians now refuse to cooperate, well, there's always the wilderness. Not to be 'ignored is the fact that Arafat found welcome in several countries after being ostracized by Syria. It was as a welcome as well as a partial refuge when he went to Czechoslovakia from Syria. A lengthy Newsweek article questioning whether he can survive concluded: The question is, who can control the radicals? The Saudis wield some influence over Assad, but they can do little but counsel moderation while financing him, argues Prince Talal, a member of the royal family. "Saudi Arabia cannot ignore Syria," he says. "It is the heart of the Arab world. If we cut out aid to the Syrians, then what is going to happen? They are going to go farther to the other superpower." The Reagan Administration sent special envoy Philip Habib and his assistant Morris Draper back to the Middle East to resume their flagging peace shuttle, but Assad has said he will not receive Habib to discuss a Syrian troop with- drawal from Lebanon. The Administration is sounding out Britain, France and Italy about ex- panding the multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon — a strategy that envisions prolonged tensions in the divided country. Arafat will be very much on his own. For years he has cultivated his skills as the Middle East's best illusionist." He fled King Hussein's Jordan dressed as a woman in 1970, but these days he flies into Amman for embraces and high- level diplomacy. As a strategist he has managed to alienate his more impatient PLO gunmen while simultaneously remaining a most-wanted ter- rorist in Israel. Even after his latest flight to safety, he is fully capable of showing up for a standing ovation in the United Nations or even, as he did in May, posing with Assad for an improba- ble portrait in Damascus. As a stateless head of state, Yasir Arafat is used to living with adversity. Now with his Syrian problems and the revolt within his own ranks, the most persuasive argument that he will survive is a little bleak: that, so far, he has always survived. Perhaps the most telling element in the speculative developments is the Russian role. Arafat was and perhaps remains the darling of the Kremlin. Yet Russia, if political analysts are correct, now hesitates to adopt an extreme position and is acting with reserve in attempting to avert a war between Syria and Israel, out of concern that her mili- tary advice could end in a calamity for the USSR. Therefore Russia continues to provide arms for Syria while hoping to prevent a full-scale war. . In the long run, there is little to dominate the Middle East situation as an optimistic occurrence for Israel's bene- fit and in the interest of peace. There is still the continuing united enmity toward Israel in the Arab world and that remains a tragic factor in world affairs. Fisher Addresses Jewish Agency Tor Artacm ma ma MI* s:4 te0.W. Max Fisher is shown delivering the opening ad- dress at the Jewish Agency Assembly in Israel. It was his last address as chairman of the agency. Among those sitting are Teddy Kollek, Chaim Herzog, Leon Dulzin and Bernice Tannenbaum.