THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Emigration Up
Jewish Involvement in Politics
'Is Good for Democratic Process'
By MORRIS AMITAY
WASHINGTON — Writ-
ing only a little more than
10 years ago, author Steve
Isaacs in his book "Jews in
American Politics" stated:
"Despite the involvement of
Jews in politics in America,
few have actually been
elected to public office."
At the time he was pre-
paring his book, there were
only two Jewish Senators
and 11 Jewish Representa-
tives in the U.S. Congress.
Today there are eight
Jewish Senators and 30
Jewish house members. The
Senators are evenly divided
between Republicans (Bos-
chwitz of Minnesota, Spec-
ter of Pennsylvania, Rud-
man of New Hampshire and
Hecht of Nevada) and
Democrats (Metzenbaum of
Ohio, Levin of Michigan,
Zorinsky of Nebraska and
Lautenberg of New Jersey).
These growing numbers
disprove the theory that
American Jews are merely
content to work behind the
scenes and promote the
political careers of others.
This also represents a trib-
ute to the openness of our
society and the increasing
acceptance of Jews and
other minorities in all
areas.
A glance at the states
and the congressional
districts represented by
Jewish legislators show
that many are now being
elected from regions with
negligible Jewish popu-
lations. In addition to
those states listed above
(and obvious ones such
as New York, Florida and
California), Jews have in
recent years been elected
in Alabama (Ben Er-
dreich), Texas (Martin
Frost), Kansas (Dan
Glickman), Colorado
(Ken Kramer), Virginia
(Norm Sisisky), Oregon
(Ron Wyden) and Geor-
gia (Elliot Levitas).
But even more significant
than the relatively large
number of Jews holding
elective office is the in-
creased awareness among
the "other" 92 Senators and
408 Representatives of Is-
rael's importance to the
United States. As long as
the contention that a
strong, secure Israel serves
U.S. interests in the Middle
East is valid, involvement
in the political process by
American Jews is not only
Kibutz Pursues
Dairy Farming
NEW YORK — Kibutz
Hannaton, the Conserva-
tive movement's kibutz in
Israel, has added dairy
farming to its list of indus-
tries there.
Located in the lower
Galilee, the kibutz is open to
singles, couples and
families between ages 20
and 35. For information,
contact Garin Nitzan, cio
United Synagogue of
America, 155 Fifth Ave.,
New York 10010.
legitimate, but absolutely
necessary if the U.S. Con-
gress is to provide a proper
balance to U.S. foreign
policies in the Middle East.
It is no secret that the
foreign policy establish-
ment in this country — in
academia, the media, and in
government — has a strong
pro-Arab tilt on the whole.
Looking at the popula-
tion, resources, power and
wealth of the Arab and Mos-
lem worlds, Israel's relative
worth is denigrated in the
eyes of the "professionals."
Along with this attitude
there is scorn for "domestic"
influences on policy — i.e.
— the American Jewish
community.
What these elitists fail
to recognize is that
democracy does not stop
at the water's edge. Just
as American citizens are
free to speak out on eco-
nomic and social issues,
so are they free to express
themselves on foreign
policy issues.
Supporters of Israel in
this country have fre-
quently sought to present
their views to the White
House and the Congress.
Over the years, Congress
has proven to be consistent
and reliable in acknowledg-
ing Israel's moral and
strategic importance to the
United States. A combina-
tion of sound policy
arguments and focused
political activity has un-
doubtedly helped produce
this desired result.
With the Congress ap-
propriating some $2.6 bil-
lion in military and eco-
nomic aid to Israel last year
alone, it is apparent that
political contributions as
well as other assistance to
friends is essential in
demonstrating gratitude
and support. After all, there
is no community like our
own that is accustomed to
giving so much for so many
good causes.
This November there will
be many opportunities
(some might complain too
many) to help re-elect such
stalwarts as Senator Rudy
Boschwitz of Minnesota,
Bill Bradley of New Jersey,
Carl Levin of Michigan, Joe
Biden of Deleware and Max
Baucus of Montana, and on
the House side, Rep. Clar-
ence Long of Maryland.
Also, a number of can-
didates with fine records
are seeking Senate seats.
They are: Reps. Al Gore,
Jr. in Tennessee (open
seat), Norman D'Amours
in New Hampshire (ver-
sus Gordon Humphrey),
Paul Simon in Illinois
(versus Charles Percy),
and Governor Jim Hunt
in North Carolina (versus
Jesse Helms).
Involvement in these and
other races is both healthy
for American democracy
and essential for Israel's fu-
ture well-being. It is not
only in the finest traditions
of good citizenship and
Jewish commitment, but it
makes good sense.
Southfield Plaza
29758 Southfield
Sam Barnett
Big or small, we custom
the music to your needs.
968-2563
et SHORT-TERM CHILD CARE
OAK PARK (10
Mile Road and Greenfield)
Children 2 months - 6 years
• Supervised Play Activities
• Art
• Tender Loving Care
• Certified Teachers
• Music
For an appointment or further information phone Janice
Weisberg 967-4040. If no answer phone 967-4030 and
leave a message.
Jimmy Prentis Morris Branch, 15110 West 10 Mile Road
GET
SOMETHING
REAL
MAN
UNREAL
PRICE.
Get the lowest prices in town on the largest selection of
solid brass beds and accessories and
real leather couches, chairs and ottomans.
The Brass Bed
& Leather Gallery
Thursday and Friday until 9 P M. , Saturday until 5 P M.. Sunday, Noon until 5 PM.
22755 Greenfield at 9 Mile Road, Southfield, 557-0980, Visa and Master Charge accepted.
cir0
tolosterCord
•
elOeity
Intl. Jewelry Exchange #4
Southfield Mi. 48076
(313) 557-6625
A Large Selection of Chains,
Charms, Rings & Ear Rings
AT WHOLE SALE PRICES
ilOMM.M..•••■■■•6•110.1MIN••••■
Music by
JERUSALEM (ZINS) —
Emigration to Israel rose
from 13,700 in 1982 to
16,000 in 1983.
SPECIALIZING IN FINE WATCH REPAIR
(Raphael' s
Friday, February 24, 1984 27
$5.00 OFF
WATCH REPAIR OVER $ 1 5.
With Coupon
EXP. 4-30-84
FREE
Jewelry Cleaning
Cloth
With Coupon • While Supply Lasts
•■■■•■••■•
FREE
Jar of Jewelry Cleaner
With Purchase of '50.00
Or More
With Coupon
EXP. 4-30-84