OPINION CONTENTS 14 FRONTLIN ES A Simple Test ROBYN KLEEREKOPER Tay-Sachs screenings are planned for Detroit to combat a baby killer. CLOSE-UP Addictive Culture? 24 HAROLD SCHULWEIS Hedonism and Judaism are not synonymous in modern life. 48 EDUCATION Mainstreaming HEIDI PRESS Israelis hold papers announcing U.N. partition plans: From underdog to regional superpower. U.N.: Fantasy Or Necessity? MAURICE WATERS W hen in 1939 Europe entered the third great destructive war in more than a century — devastating war had occurred every two generations since the Napoleonic period — it was apparent that national security could no longer be assured to any citizen of any nation by any government. Some argued for a world government as a solution to this frightening development, the view being that enforced world law would reduce the incidence of war. Others preferred a smaller step forward — an in- ternational organization that would main- tain a system of sovereign states, but deal with the threats of war through enhanced diplomatic efforts and, when necessary, col- lective support for victims of aggression. Thus the United Nations was born. The founders determined it was to be a multipurpose organization, with three major emphases: The peaceful settlement, if possible, of all disputes with no right to use military force except in self defense; The need to provide guidance and assistance to those governments whose societies suffered from severe economic and social problems they alone could not solve; The establishment of a body of human rights principles which all nations were urged to honor. The means to achieve these ends were expected to be developed over time and became the subject of much debate. Despite the at times heated disagreements and the inability to achieve the goals hoped for with regard to the first and third objectives, the U.N. economic and social programs multiplied and achieved significant success. They helped many of the world's poorer nations reduce the level Maurice Waters is professor of political science at Wayne State University. of misery in the social and health fields un- til this decade, when the focus shifted among many of the member governments from social security to military security, lit- tle recognizing that national security re- quires an appreciation of both. The other major area of loss resulted from adopting a more restrictive approach regarding the broad goals of the U.N. Too many governments and their citizens look- ed at the U.N. from a perspective of "what's in it for us?" While a healthy political and social en- vironment does not require a level of altruism attributed to angels, an approach that would test each debate and program by adopting a narrow interest regarding the benefits one would likely achieve is surely missing the forest for the trees, focusing heavily on the national good, while forgetting the common good. The oneness of this planet and the in- terrelatedness of its inhabitants is something of which is all too often lost sight. Those understandably concerned about Israel's relations with the larger world and Israelis' physical and social well- being must constantly remind themselves of this need. An analysis of the current U.N. scene reveals the following major successes and continuing problems. 1) The Security Council and secretary- general of the United Nations have had notable success in bringing about a cease- fire between Iran and Iraq and getting both to agree to settle their differences by peaceful means. This achievement has come about to a large extent through behind-the-scenes quiet diplomacy. 2) The same method has also been employed by Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar to get the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. 3) For its noble work helping nations Continued on Page 12 P'TACH helps learning disabled students in the classroom. 50 SPORTS Numbers Game MIKE ROSENBAUM Are there enough women coaches for girls' athletic teams? 55 HOLIDAYS Dreidel Mania A photographic look at Sunday's popular Chanukah Happening. Jeff Metz as Judah Maccabee. 104 BACKGROUND Who Is A Jew? GARY ROSENBLATT The political and religious history behind Judaism's burning question. DEPARTMENTS 14 30 32 44 51 59 75 Frontlines Inside Washington Synagogues Life In Israel Business Community Entertainment 94 For Women 98 Youth 108 For Seniors 110 Engagements 116 Births 118 Single Life 142 Obituaries CANDLELIGHTING December 9, 1988 4:42 p.m. Sabbath ends Dec. 10 5:46 p.m. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 7