lftsWriftsW.Ifts4teliii4trIRAtfrifts4P**4141k: 41.4 0041- Judy duslancler, Las. interior designer Jewish life more meaningful." Natan Shcharansky's words, his message, and his very being here this week gave new meaning to the famous quotation from the Ethics of the Fathers: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when?" Alan Feiler contributed to this report. Am Religious In My Own Way' It is not often that Natan Shcharansky has either the time or the inclination to reflect on issues that are not directly related to his efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry. His commitment to his cause is total. But during an hour-long in- terview with The Jewish News this week, he discussed some personal views — al- though he emphasized at the conclusion that "the main point of your story should be that we must moblize for the demonstration [planned- for Washington on the eve of Gor- bachev's visit to the United States] and prove the skeptics wrong. "All the rest you can throw away," he said with a smile. This is Shcharansky's fifth or sixth visit to America (he is not sure which) since his dramatic release from the USSR 18 months ago, but he acknowledged that "I really don't know American Jewish life —this is the first time I have gotten to know people here. Until now I was too obsessed with my meetings with leaders and politicians. Part of what I have learned this visit has been a pleasant surprise and part has been a disappointment." He said he was pleased to learn that "Jewish life here is not just UJA and Solidarity Sunday." He was impressed to find bookshelves in people's homes lined with Jewish books, homes filled with Jewish art, and to realize that people live Jewish lives "deeply?' But after spending a Shabbat in the Orthodox environs of Brooklyn, he was disappointed to learn that for many Jews, "Israel does not play that central role that it does for me and many others." A serious concern of his is that American and Israeli Jews have "a gap between them that grows bigger, there are basic conceptual misunderstandings." For in- stance, Shcharansky says many American Jews con- tribute financially to UJA complete design services space planning - color coordination furnishings & accessories Specializing in Personalized Interiors First Consultation FREE 356 4282 1 - -ftsmtemslaromitratognimikftweiftsukotswftv.. / DESIGNS IN DECORATOR 1 . LAMINATES For High Quality Formica Always At A Great Discount SPECIALIZING IN • desks • wall units • bedroom groupings • dining rooms • credenzas ALSO SPECIALIZING • woods • glass • metals • lucites IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COST A FORTUNE ... ONLY LOOK LIKE IT! CALL LOIS HARON 851-6989 Jewish Community Center — presents - Ken Lawrence .C4 , 1 11 .• Host and Producer of "The World Adventure Series" at The Detroit Institute of Arts and on WTVS, Channel 56, weekly, and Host of "Travel Talk" Sundays on WXYT radio. Sunday, Sept. 20th 2:30 p.m hear Ken Lawrence on ''Australia = Land of High Contrast" — Cost: $3.00 per person — Jewish Community Center 6600 W. Maple Rd., W. Bloomfield . For further information on this most interesting program call: 661-1000, Ext. 342 Dr. Roland • Dr. Gottesman • Dr. Weishaus THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 13