This must be
the vase .. .
the United States. By mid-
December, more than 17,000
Jews had left the Soviet
Union, more than double
1987's total.
But, paradoxically, the
United States was ill pre-
pared to absorb the surge of
immigrants. In August, the
State,Department ran out of
money to process Soviet
emigres; a special appropria-
tion filled in the gap until the
start of the new fiscal year,
but money ran out again in
late November.
More troubling were indica-
tions that the State Depart-
ment is changing some basic
refugee policies, and especial-
ly its traditional classification
of all departing Soviet Jews
as refugees. These changes
will provide the focus for the
Soviet Jewry movement in
the months to come.
Soviet Jewry groups also
went into high gear to help
defeat the "McClure Amend-
ment," an amendment that
would have punished the
Soviets at a time when they
were making significant
strides in freeing captive
minorities.
Minutes" television segment
provided a dose of nationwide
bad publicity and internal
conflicts continued, resulting
in last week's forced depar-
ture of the group's premier
lobbyist.
At the same time, Arab-
American groups were show-
ing new muscle and new
sophistication.
The Arab American Anti-
Discrimination Committee
was the force behind U.S.
Trade Representative Clayton
Yeutter's decision to in-
vestigate Israel for alleged
labor abuses in the occupied
territories.
Although recent hearings
produced no evidence un-
favorable to Israel, the real
message of the event involved
the growing ability of the
Arab-American groups to find
important public platforms,
and to use them effectively.
Arab Americans played an
unprecedented role in the
elections, as well. James
Choose from an
outstanding
selection of
colorful silk
flowers and our
experts will
create an
arrangement
just for you!
Bring in your
own vase or
select one of
ours.
Visit Sherwood for
fine furniture and
accessories always
20% off
kerwcpd 8t11C1108
Pro-Israel Lobby
Struggling; New
Clout For
Arab-Americans
It has been a troubling year
for the pro-Israel lobby.
The pre-eminent player in
the pro-Israel community, the
American Israel Public Af-
fairs Committee (AIPAC), has
faced charges of a growing
Republican tilt — and a
growing emphasis on cozy
relations with the ad-
ministration, at the expense
of congressional lobbying.
And other Jewish groups,
increasingly excluded from
setting the pro-Israel agenda
in Washington, have rebelled.
"Multi-issue" Jewish groups
took exception to AIPAC's
stands on issues like a propos-
ed arms sale to Kuwait and
the effort to shut down the
PLO's New York offices.
Several months ago, it was
revealed that three groups —
the Anti-Defamation League
of the B'nai B'rith, the
American Jewish Congress
and the American Jewish
Committee — successfully
maneuvered to force AIPAC
to coordinate more with other
groups.
But as 1988 ended, AIPAC
seemed significantly weaken-
ed. A long-anticipated "Sixty
Tel-Twelve Mall • 12 Mile & Telegraph, Southfield
Daily 10 9 • Sunday 12 5 • 354 9060
-
-
"CREATE the possible
when you thought it was
impossible..."
Residential — Commercial
John Sununu: A greater role.
Zogby, the shrewd head of the
Arab American Institute, was
a major adviser to Jesse
Jackson; New Hampshire
John Sununu, a prominent
Arab American, played an
even greater role in the suc-
cessful campaign of George
Bush, and is about to move in-
to the White House chief of
staff position.
Early in the year, Zogby
predicted that the Arab
American community would
emulate the Jewish com-
munity by organizing
energetically_ at the state and
local levels. As 1988 came to
a close, there was evidence
that this new grass roots clout
might well become one of the
dominant stories of 1989.
Interior
Design
Ruth Schwartz, A.S.I.D., I.F.D.A.
• FURNISHINGS
• COLOR
COORDINATOR
• ACCESSORIES
• INSTALLATIONS
—SPECIALIZING IN
ONE-OF-A-KIND ART OBJECTS—
FOR CONSULTATION CALL
352-2264
-
Detroit Gallery of Contemporary Crafts
301 Fisher Bldg,
Fine
American Crafts
Detroit, Ml
48202
• CERAMICS • GLASS • WOOD
• WEARABLES • JEWELRY Mon Sat
11-5
873 7888
-
Visit the Garden Cafe, serving from 11 to 3.
• Bloom and Bloom •
• Registered Electrologists •
Come and let us remove your unwanted hair problem and improve your appearance.
Near 12 Mile Rd. bet. Evergreen & Southfield
559-1969
Appt. Only.
Ask For Shirlee or Debby
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
29