I CONTENTS The Rainbow, Flood, Nuclear Destruction ARTHUR WASKOW 0 n Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., and on Wednesday night in New York City, Jews will be gathering in the midst of rainbows, arks and doves, painted by children. They will be hearing a new poem by the noted novelist and poet Marge Piercy, written especially for the occasion — "The Ark of Consequence." In New York, there will be the taste of salt in the air and the great arc of the Brooklyn Bridge outside, at the river's edge on the tip of Manhattan Island. What will all this mean? It is focused- around Yom HaKeshet — "Rainbow Day" — the 27th of Iyar. On that A new flood endangers all of the earth, the flood of nuclear fire. day the Torah says the great flood was finally over, Noah's family came out of the Ark, and the rainbow appeared as a promise of renewed and con- tinuing life for the human race and all the other species of the Earth. And in these gatherings, Jews will be addressing to- day's danger that a new flood might destroy all life on earth — the flood of nuclear fire, the danger of a nuclear holocaust. In Washington, the gather- ing will focus on action. Spokespersons for the Religious Action Center, the lobbying arm of Reform Judaism, and for the Shalom Center, the national center for Jewish thought and action to prevent nuclear holocaust, will speak on the next political and educational steps to end the nuclear arms race. Jews from a broad range of the Washington Jewish community will be taking part. They will be examining how the United States should res- pond when important uni- lateral steps in reducing arms have been taken by the Soviet Union, and when both peace and human rights for Soviet citizens — Jews and others — may hang in the balance. In New York, the focus will be on celebration and honor. Arthur Waskow is director of the Shalom Center in Philadelphia. Two courageous and creative leaders of the Jewish com- munity and one remarkable group of local activists will be receiving from the Shalom Center awards for the work they have done. Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congrega- tions, and an activist commit- tee from Rochester, N.Y., call- ed "Jewish Action for Nuclear Responsibility," will be receiv- ing the Brit HaDorot/Cove- nant of the Generations Awards. Ira Silverman, executive vice president of the American Jewish committee, will receive the Noah Award for helping to found the Shalom Center and heading the New Jersey Campaign.for Nuclear Disarmament. Why draw on the story of the Flood to deal with this issue? When Jews live through earthquakes, good or bad, we turn the anniversaries into moments of re-experiencing the earthquake and its deeper meaning — as with Pesach, Yom HaShoah, Chanukah. Now Jews, along with all other human beings, are liv- ing in the .midst of another earthquake. Simultaneously we experience the oneness of the earth, and face the danger of a world-wide Flood of nuclear fire — that could con- sume all life. On the 27th of Iyar long ago, Noah and his family stood on Mt. Ararat, looking down at the destruction that had consumed the world they knew. And then they looked up from the disaster to see in the heavens a rainbow — a curve of light made up of many colors. That curve reflected the great fertile cres- cent of the Middle East. The many colors echoed many cultures. Many — and one. The one human race in all its differences. With the rainbow came a covenant: the covenant that the cycles of life and the spiral of the generations would con- tinue if human beings chose to act on behalf of life. How can a 3,000-year-old story help us face our un- precedented danger? First, the command comes to Noah to save — not himself alone, nor just his own family, nor even the human race — but all the species of life on earth. We know today that the only Continued on Page 20 24 CLOSE-UP The Collectors WENDY ROLLIN Matchstrikers to miniature shoes are a passion for these Detroiters. 34 BACKGROUND Liberal Legend 1 HELEN DAVIS Apartheid foe Helen Suzman turned privilege into power. BEHIND THE HEADLINES 39 Unwelcome Guests DAN HARRIE Utah and Idaho are fighting an image created by the racist Aryan Nations. 41 LIFE IN ISRAEL 24 A Different Sound DAVID HOLZEL Israel has changed a former Detroiter's music, broadcast and national identities. 57 ENTERTAINMENT Head Of The Class ILENE LEHRMAN Dr. Frischman's television role has earned him tons of mail. PARTY GUIDE 41 center Our annual look at what's new and exciting at party time. 75 KIDS En Masse SUSAN SALTER A bar mitzvah at Workmen's Circle is a whole group experience. LIFESTYLES Extraordinary Student 80 CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ Michael Weiss is leaving a strong record at West Bloomfield High. DEPARTMENTS 30 45 46 52 54 67 82 85 89 92 Inside Washington Community Synagogues Education Sports Fine Arts Engagements Births Single Life Classified ads CANDLELIGHTING 75 May 26, 1989 8:39 p.m. Sabbath ends May 27 9:45 p.m. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 7_ r - ij B 0 M NO M I OPINION