EDITORIAL
Act Now To Vote
The Jewish community has long prided itself on its voting record
in national and local elections, consistently turning out in dispropor-
tionately high numbers on election day. But according to a study
by the Synagogue Council of America, as many as a million eligi-
ble Jews are not registered to vote in the upcoming presidential elec-
tions. The weakest groupings are in the 18-25 and 60-or-older age
categories.
Needless to say, a reduction of Jewish voter strength could be
a serious blow to the community and its interests, including influence
in Congress and the White House.
A Jewish Voter Registration Drive is being mobilized national-
ly. The cutoff date for registration for the November elections is Oct.
11, but the time to act is now. Absentee ballots should be secured
for young people who will be away at college.
Remember, only by registering to vote can we take advantage
of our rights as citizens in this democracy.
ment) to be given international stature and diplomatic recognition
at the U.N.
If there is a lesson here for the Jewish community it is in pick-
ing its fights where it has a chance of winning and making its
strongest case. The effort to close the PLO office in Washington was
successful, but the UN mission was different because of America's
UN Headquarters Agreement.
The next test of politics, legality and morals is just around the
corner. PLO chairman Yassir Arafat intends to address the U.N.
General Assembly in the fall. To do so he must receive a visa from
the Administration — a move that certainly will be opposed by many
members of Congress and pro-Israel organizations. In such a case
it is important to let Arafat, and the world, know that Americans
do not want a terrorist who stands apart from American values to
enter this country. Kurt Waldheim is not welcome here. Neither is
Arafat, unless and until he decries violence and recognizes the State
of Israel that he has sought for so long to destroy.
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The White House decided this week, with some reluctance, not
to contest a Federal District Court ruling allowing the Palestine
Liberation Organization to maintain its observer mission to the
United Nations. The PLO will now be able to maintain its influence
on the UN agenda and retain ties there with many nations.
Justice Department officials had wanted to appeal the court rul-
ing; State Department officials had argued against an appeal. The
State Department's concern was legal and political. There was a fear
that U.S. peace efforts in the Mideast would be damaged if
Washington persisted in trying to close the PLO mission. And it was
believed that the World Court would have ruled that the U.S., as
the host country to the United Nations, cannot impede access to the
UN by foreign diplomats.
Why then did some Jewish organizations, led by the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), push so hard to close the
PLO's UN mission when it seemed like a lost cause? No doubt in
part because of the emotional aspects of the case, which alllows for
the PLO (recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. govern-
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LETTERS I
Anti-Semitism
Is Defined
Philip Slomovitz, editor
emeritus, wonders whether
George Bernard Shaw was
anti-Semitic (Aug. 12). It
prompts the question: Who is
anti-Semitic? In respose to
that question, Dr. I.S. Kulscar,
the psychiatrist who examin-
ed Adolph Eichmann, said,
"Anyone who hates Jews
more than is necessary."
Ralph Slovenko
Professor of Law and Psychiatry
Wayne State University
Hunger Drive
Makes Progress
I would like to thank you for
providing space for Mazon in
your newspaper. It brings our
work directly into the homes
of Jewish families in the com-
munity, which is the first step
toward facing the terrible
reality of hunger. Clearly, our
6
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1988
ability to heighten the Jewish
community's awareness of
this issue is greatly enhanc-
ed when we have the support
of the Jewish press.
Because your assistance is
an integral part of educating
people about Mazon I want to
give you an update on our
success. In its first 28 months
of operation, Mazon has
granted almost $750,000 to
hunger relief agencies in this
country and abroad. That
sum is increasing dramatical-
ly at each semi-annual grant
period.
Ann Schwartz
Associate Director, Mazon
Los Angeles
Shaliach Mitzvah
Is Continued
On Sunday, Aug. 1, while
flying to Israel, I was going
through The Jewish News.
It was delicious irony that I
Philip
reading
was
Slomovitz's article about
shaliach mitzvah and it men-
tioned my grandfather, all the
while I was carrying money
in my pocket for the very
same purpose.
While in Jerusalem at the
Kotel, I found a suitable
pushke . . .
Gilbert Borman
Detroit
Dr. Rockaway
Clarifies Views
In your Aug. 5 Purely Corn-
mentary you printed part of a
letter I wrote to a prominent
Jewish Detroiter. Because of
the ensuing reaction, I feel
obligated to clarify a number
of points. Firstly, this was a
letter and was not written nor
intended for publication.
Secondly, I was not asked to
edit what I wrote. Conse-
quently, the letter appears
verbatim.
Your readers should know
that I am not a newcomer to
Israel who is voicing these
sentiments from the comfort
of a beachfront hotel. I have
lived in Israel for over 17
years and served in its army.
The views I expressed are not
unique but are part and
parcel of our public debate as
we seek to build a just,
democratic and Jewish
nation.
Dr. Robert Rockaway
Herzlia Pituah, Israel
Feel The Pain
Of 'Last Temptation'
I am one of those protesting
at the showing of The Last
Temptation of Christ .. .
The article by Aviva Kamp-
ner (Aug. 19 — Jewish News)
shocked me for attacking
those who opposed the film
with being anti-Semitic,
while, in fact, her article was
anti-Christian. She states
that, " . . . the issue of censor-
ship and blatant anti-
Semitism should be of
frightening concern for the
Jewish community." The fact
is, the issue of uncensored,
blatant anti-Christianism
should be of frightening con-
cern for the Christian and
Jewish community .. .
The point I wish to make is,
based upon this article, as
well as your editorial,
"Yielding To Temptation," I
would expect that you would
support the classic propagan-
da movie of all time, Leni
Riefenstahl's Triumph of the
Will, which has never been
shown here in theaters or on
television, other than clips on
Channels 56 and 9, plus a
short video.
The reason Triumph of the
Will should not be shown is
that it is a paralyzingly
powerful and frightening
movie for anyone who
Continued on Page 12