2 Friday, February 24, 1984 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Purely Commentary ADL Utilizes American Theme for Important Anniversary and Germany Provides Recordings Preservation of historic records is always the obliga- tion of nations and the scholars who engage in research in their behalf. It is the chronicling of available records that emerges as history, both in the literary sense as well as in retaining a knowledge about the peoples involved. It is an emphasis on the principle that without knowledge of the past there can be no proper recognition of the present or preparation for events to come. For the Michigan communities there is approaching a series of exhibitions, each of which will carry with it the craved-for historic message and a knowledge of an impor- tant period which retain relationships with the present. Three immense exhibitory productions are in anticipa- tion by the Michigan communities. The Czech Jewish legacies from Prague will yet have more than a year of preparation for presentation at the Detroit Institute of Arts, after the illuminating com- mencement at the Smithsonian in Washington. This one has an international significance and in addition to the initial views there will be much to see and to say about it. In the immediacy is the display of the documentaries on "German Jews Under Prussian Rule," including per- sonalities and events in the collection to be shown for the first time in this country. The exhibit, which opens next weekend at the Jewish Community Center, under the sponsorship of the Holocaust Memorial Center, has much of importance to commend it. It has the endorsement and cooperation of the German government. It received assis- tance from the German Consulate under the direction of Consul General Deutz. It portrays an important era in German Jewish history and perhaps it serves also as the resounding rebuke to anti-Semitism in its documentation of years when there was German-Jewish cooperation and fellowship. Another aspect attaches to a third exhibit, one to com- mence early in April as a tribute to the work of the Anti- Defamation League of Bnai Brith, on the occasion of ADL's 75th anniversary. On a national scale it is dedicated as a collection of historic records about the "Jews of America." This is, in itself, an attraction for all, as an American document. The local sponsors of the exhibit, to be displayed in the Detroit Historical Museum, are gathering material for an addendum of vast importance. It is to be an exhibit about the Jews of Michigan, with an important emphasis on Detroit Jewry. This has vast significance. Unless data is gathered, either about individuals or communities, both will vanish from the records. The current effort assists in preservation of such important data. An additional comment is in order here. Let it serve as an admonition. There is procrastination in plans in the offing for the publication of a history of Detroit Jewry. The longer the delay, the more difficult the task to fulfill such a community aim. Perhaps the "Jews of Michigan" aspect linked with the "Jews of America" exhibit will contribute toward the realization of the dream for a history of this Jewish community. What may be considered an encouraging beginning for Chronicling the Records and Portraying Historical Experiences Immense Communal Values in Approaching Exhibitions Emphasizing the Foreign and American Eras such a demanding project is the doctoral thesis and his subsequent essays on early Detroit history by former De- troiter Dr. Robert Rockaway, currently professor of history at Tel Aviv University. Rockaway's start has always been considered an inspiration for a continuing effort in gather- ing all available records about this community. By Philip Slomovitz , that quality of mind that has debased history and brought journalism so low in our time. 1 Lots said about NBC and John Chancellor? Enough. Never! As long as it is necessary to condemn bias in order to prevent its repetition. Gender Vacuum Bridged Shown during the Selma, Ala. civil rights mart h are, from left, Ralph Abernathy, Rev. Martin Luthe r King, Jr., Ralph Bunche and Rabbi Abraham Hes chel. From 'Jews of America' Exhibi t Reasoning Over the TV Prejudicial Views on Israel ERA did not attain a total victory. Yet, in practice, it k a triumph. No one dares treat subjects only in the mas-' culine designation. The National Conference of Christians and Jews pro- ves it this week. There is a tradition for the honorary chairman of whatl had been Goodwill Month of the NCCJ, the President of the, United States, to issue a statement proclaiming Broth . :-.1.-' hood Week. It began with emphasis on Goodwill Month, marking the Lincoln and Washington birthdays. Then if became Brotherhood Week, with emphasis on the truest forms of Americanism and humanism among all elements. in the population. Now it is no longer mere Brotherhood. It is Brotherhood and Sisterhood! No other eminent personality than President Ronald Reagan makes this possible, and the NCCJ is his insti u-' ment for bridging the gap. He is not such a keen supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, yet with hesitancy towarc: ERA President Reagan adds to its triumph with this state- ment just issued over his signature by the NCCJ: On this occasion, we mark the 50th anniver- sary of the celebration of Brotherhood- Sisterhood Week. For half a century this event., has played a major role in encouraging greater understanding and communication among con- flicting segments of society. Brotherhood-Sisterhood Week furthers our aware- ness of the universal na- ture of the human experi- ence. In promoting the spirit of brotherhood among the people of our nation, we strengthen our respect for the rich diver- sity of our country. By focusing on the impor- tance of the dignity of the individual, we acknowl- RONALD REAGAN edge the bonds of birth, hope and freedom that gave meaning to our way of life. In reaching out in brotherhood to our fellow citizens, we help stem the tide of historic chal- lenges to mankind's advancement — starvation, disease, poverty and war. Recognizing the pre- cariousness of man's life on this planet, we strive to undergird the work of men and women of goodwill to bring about a world built upon the true values of fellowship and mutual respect. Claim to 50th anniversary is a partial exaggeration. NCCJ is, indeed, observing its 50th anniversary, and so is Brotherwood Week on the occasion of Washington's Birth- day. Brotherhood and Sisterhood is the modernity of it all. It is the triumph for unachieved ERA as a totality. And the President of the United States lends Sisterhood a boost, thanks to NCCJ. So be it . . . because so it is. Cable TV last Sunday provided a full hour of documen tary revelations indicating NBC's biased presentation an d interpretation of the events that affected Israel's activitie in Lebanon. Entitled "NBC in Lebanon: A Study in Media Misrep resentation," guilt was primarily directed at John Chancel lor. The many quotations served to show how bias domi nated uring 600 hours of broadcasting, filled with charged distortions and exaggerations, all tending to give Israel an evil image. An interesting advance review of that one-hour ex- pose, facts for which were gathered by Americans for a Safe Israel, appeared in the Feb. 18 New York Times, by-lined John Corry. Special interest attached to the Corry review to his defense of the media. Corry stated: "NBC in Lebanon" says that Reuven Frank, the president of NBC News, declined to comment on its charges, but that RCA, the parent company of NBC, issued a statement. "Standards of accu- racy, fairness and balance are basic to NBC News," it said. "NBC personnel are required to adhere to them." This viewer sympathized with Mr. Frank; some of the criticism the documentary brings against NBC is too diffuse to rebut. Meanwhile, in constantly asking why NBC covered the Israeli invasion the way it did, the documentary suggests that NBC was consciously favoring the PLO, presumably for political reasons. It is possible, however, that the answers are simpler. Television journalism has a dynamic of its own; it can be a captive of its own images. The images of collapsed buildings, ruined streets and grieving civilians make a good story. Indeed, they become the whole truth of the story. Journalism, in general, suffers from a lack of memory, and television journalism suffers from it grievously. Thus the images are presented without perspective. NBC, along with CBS and ABC — JERUSALEM (JTA) — whose coverage, according to the documentary, U.S. Ambassador Samuel was only marginally better — compresses daily Lewis said here that he re- history into 22 minutes each night. Events have no gards Jerusalem as the cap- past. The PLO had no history of terrorism and ital of Israel and knows it is murder; Lebanon was not an ancient an "affront" to Israel to have battleground. Truth was born anew each night. the U.S. Embassy in Tel "NBC in Lebanon" is flawed; it is also disquieting Aviv rather than in for people who watch the evening news. Jerusalem. It should have Right or wrong, Corry calls attention to an important been moved there in the factor in journalism, with emphasis on television. It is the 1950s, Lewis said. sensational that is craved for and usually adhered to, and The U.S. envoy made his therefore crime is specifically sensationalized in pro- remarks to 70 American gramming. It stands to reason that in the instance of the Jewish leaders represent- Beirut massacre the brutal was given special attention, ing the Conference of and perhaps it is only fair to say that nearly all the media Presidents of Major Ameri- shared guilt with NBC. Yet Americans for a Safe Israel can Jewish Organizations prove in the documentary that NBC is guiltiest, and John at a dinner at the Jerusalem Chancellor will need a lot more than a mere "I am sorry" to Hilton last week. He ex- gain absolution from condemnations. plained that over the years In relation to John Chancellor, there is an additional it had become difficult for condemnation in a Feb. 19 Detroit News article by Dorothy the United States to trans- Rabinowitz, New York Post columnist, who commented on fer its embassy to Chancellor's defense of Walid Jumblatt as a moderate. Jerusalem because of the Commenting on two elements in the Chancellor treatment belief that the move would of the Druze leader, Rabinowitz stated: harm the U.S. ability to Chancellor's equation . . . like his comparison make peace in the Middle of the Israeli invasion with the fascist bombing of East. Madrid, is depressingly eloquent testimony to The Senate Foreign Rela- Lewis Pushes Jerusalem as Site for U.S. Embassy A synagogue clock from Pisek, Bohemia, circa 1870. From 'Jews of Germany' Exhibit tions Committee was scheduled to hold a hearing this week on a resolution by Sen. Daniel Moynihan (D- N.Y.) asking that the em- bassy be moved to Jerusalem. The situation could be resolved eventu- ally only through a peace agreement that invluded a section on Jerusalem, Lewis said. Lewis denied charges made to the visiting Americans by Deputy Premier David Levy that the U.S. failed to consult with Israel on its moves in Lebanon. "We don't always do it so well," he said referring to consul- tations. "We have done it well or better with Israel than with any of our other friends," he added. Lewis also said the U.S. does not favor the German plan to sell arms to Saudi Arabia.