V Bring in up to three pieces of jewelry for a free appraisal when you visit our newest location in the Novi Town Center. the Member for Houghton was campaigning for prison reform. If Helen Suzman has never been afraid of offending the pro- apartheid Right, she has also not shrunk from treading on the designer toes of the anti-apartheid Left (see box). Her liberal credentials are unimpeachable, but the Suz- man brand of liberalism is as much cerebral as it is cardiac; p. 01° Helen Suzman is symbolic of an era of passionately committed Jewish activists who threw themselves into the anti- apartheid struggle to the exclusion of almost everything else. a liberalism that is informed by the head as much as by the heart. She has, for example, won few friends among the New Left for her trenchant opposi- tion to disinvestment and economic boycotts against South Africa — for the simple reason that blacks would be devastated by such action. Heaped with honors and awards by governments and organizations throughout the world, Helen Suzman now sits in her daughter's comfor- table London apartment (a se- cond daughter lives in Boston) and contemplates a future that could involve writing her memoirs and liv- ing a quiet life out of the public spotlight. No one, however, doubts that her first, overriding priority — indeed, the over- riding priority of her disap- pearing breed of old-style liberals — will be to continue helping those in distress. It would be wrong, however, to imagine that Helen Suz- man is about to assume the mantle of a Sister Theresa. Notwithstanding the passion with which she battles for the underprivileged and the gilded cage which has sur- rounded and protected her, she has a sharp eye and an earthy, self-deprecating humor tinged with an un- mistakable edge. During her long political career she invested much time and energy in preparing speeches, so she was justifi- ably miffed when, not more than a few minutes into a speech during one election campaign in Johannesburg, she noticed a man in the front row who was apparently sound asleep. "Actually, he was dead — a coronary," she says, a note of mock irritation in her voice. "Now that wasn't fair — he didn't even give me a chance." The body was removed and, undaunted, the consummate politician continued her crusade. Helen Suzman is symbolic of an era of passionately com- mitted Jewish activists who threw themselves into the anti-apartheid struggle to the exclusion of almost everything else. Her departure from the political scene is a reflexion of a wider retreat by Jewish liberals from the anti- apartheid cause. In many cases, the old liberals have be- ing eclipsed by the New Jews — the particularists who have withdrawn into their own spiritual and communal con- cerns and those who frankly do not feel uncomfortable in apartheid's ideological camp. Helen Suzman laments the fact that there are now two Jewish Members of Parlia- ment representing the Na- tional Party. She is also troubled by the fact that it is by no means uncommon for Jews to vote for the government. Jews are, to be sure, still ac- tive in the struggle against apartheid, and South Africa's 120,000 strong Jewish com- munity continues to provide much of the support for the Helen Suzman's old party (which, after its most recent transformation, is now known as the Democratic Party). But the community as a whole is more ambivalent. Growing numbers of South African Jews, like Helen Suz- man's own daughters, have turned their backs on the country and emigrated. Still others are dismayed by the growing anti-Israel, anti- Semitic sentiment among blacks, particularly on university campuses, where Islamic fundamentalism is_a growing phenomenon. Helen Suzman, for so long a passionate voice of cons- cience, has done more than anyone — or anything — else to keep alive the flame of humanity and hope in a deep- ly troubled land. She will surely be counted as a woman of valor. Meet our knowledgeable and helpful staff, including our award-winning designers and certified gemologist. Visit our new store in the Novi Town Center today and take advantage of our free jewelry appraisal. Offer good through June. David Wachter & ins Winner of the National 1989 "DIAMONDS TODAY COMPETITION" SINCE 1922 Downtown Birmingham 540-4622 Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 10 am-8:30 p.m. (~ Novi Town Center 347-1600 Renaissance Center Detroit 259-6922 Mon.-Wed., & Sat. - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. & Fri. - 10:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sun. 12 noon-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Certified Gemologist • Member American Gem Society MAILBOXES FOR THAT SPECIAL DAY PROM OR WEDDING SHOULD LOOK AS GOOD AS THE HOUSES THEY'RE IN FRONT OF $9950 COMPLETELY INSTALLED • FACIAL • MASSAGE • PEDICURE • MANICURE • MAKE-UP APPLICATION INCLUDES: • 4"x4" Wood Post • Sturdy Lap Joint Construction • Standard Size Mailbox with House Number • Post Cemented Into Ground CEDAR POST mAy_sKin cRRe Group Rates & Oversized Boxes Available Call for Prices Mon. thin Sat. 9 to 5 Sline Co. 855-4557 TRENDS Applegate Square SPRING A S SPRUNG Men's & Boys' 52-42444 We are winning. 41, NIAERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 6672 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD \ WEST BLOOMFIELD PLAZA CelITCR 626 5511 HOURS: 9 5:30 WEDNESDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY: 9 8 30 TUESDAY & THURSDAY , - , Feeling Depressed? 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