child care provisions with "block grants." Child care programs funded in this way would lack the strict church- state limitations that most Jewish groups see as critical. The American Jewish Com- mittee and the National Council of Jewish Women — aided by several major labor unions — have used the August recess to advocate strongly their support for an unamended HR-3. MI LAN INTRODUCES 1989 ITS COLLECTION Torture Convention Is State Dept. Priority 0 The Senate has scheduled hearings for later this month on ratification legislation for the Thrture Convention — a high priority item for the State Department, as well as a number of Jewish groups. The convention is an inter- national agreement designed to officially prohibit the use of torture by governments. The State Department has listed the treaty as a top priority for this session, although they have also of- fered a list of "reservations and declarations" that in- clude concerns about whether the agreement would be en- forceable domestically. Although the international agreement would not have an immediate practical effect on governments that currently employ torture for political ends, participation by the world community in this kind of international agreement has an- important cumulative impact, according to Craig Baab, director of governmen- tal liaison for the American Bar Association and a key player in the Thrture Conven- tion debate. "As an example," Baab said, "look at how we've been able to use the Helsinki accords to hammer away at the Soviets on the issue of human rights. This has had an important practical impact on Soviet Jews." The problem, Baab said, is ignorance about the issue and a degree of "lethargy." Not at all lethargic in sup- porting ratification are B'nai B'rith's International Council and the American Jewish Committee, in coalition with groups like Amnesty Interna- tional, the Armenian Assembly and the American Bar Association. Jews Wary . Of Jackson As Mayor, President These are dog days indeed for Mayor Marion Barry of Washington, days of oppor- tunity for Jesse Jackson and days of perplexity for those Jewish Democrats whose worst nightmare is another Jackson run for the White House. Recently, Jackson establish- ed official residence in Washington just in time to qualify for the mayoral race. But Jackson indicated that he would never challenge Barry, a longtime ally who has been under pressure to step aside because of a succes- sion of scandals. Recently, Barry filed for his fourth term, an action that apparently foiled Jackson's plans. But maybe not; some Jackson confidants here have been suggesting that Barry's problems, which intensified last week with new allega- tions that the mayor had smoked crack cocaine, may provide Jackson with an opening. Officially, Jewish Democratic leaders are stay- ing clear of the fray. But privately, there is intense speculation about what all FURS & LEATHERS OF this means for presidential politics. FOR MEN & WOMEN LAKESIDE MALL STERLING HEIGHTS 271 W. MAPLE BIRMINGHAM TWELVE OAKS MALL NOVI CROSSWINDS MALL WEST BLOOMFIELD FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER DEARBORN WE CAN'T RUN ON EMPTY. designs udio otne or office GIVE BLOOD 851.8880 American Red Cross Jesse Jackson: Which is worse? A successful mayoral bid could keep Jackson out of the 1992 presidential sweepstakes, according to most observers. Strangely enough, some top Jewish Democrats have privately ex- pressed disappointment about this possibility. "Unless things change dramatically, 1992 looks like Crosswinds Mall Corner of Lone Pine & Orchard Lake LOIS ROSS West Bloomfield, MI 48033 ASID FOREIGN 50% OFF MADE TO MEASURE DRAPERI ES , YOU NIEASURE, HANG 8. SASE NOW OPEN IN MADISON HEIGHTS MADISON PLACE - 589-3032 also ORCHARD PLACE 855-0122 DOMESTIC Maxie Collision, Inc. 32581 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills, MI 48018 (313) 737-7122 JIM FLEISCHER THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 29