NEWS I Babies Don't Thrive in Smoke-filled Wombs Reform Judaism Claim Is Disputed By Others New Orleans (JTA) — A report supporting Reform Judaism's claim that it has become the largest Jewish denomination in the United States was presented to the more than 4,000 delegates at the movement's recent con- vention here, but was disputed by Conservative and Orthodox Jews. Allan Goldman of Los Angeles, chairman of the board of trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, reported that by the latest count, the movement has a member- ship of 284,360 dues-paying families and 822 affiliated synagogues — both record numbers. The figures represent an increase of nearly 10 percent in the number of Reform synagogues in the last decade and a more than 20 percent increase in member- ship over that time period, Goldman's report says. The new numbers appear to make Reform the largest branch of Judaism in North America, according to Goldman. But officials of the Conser- vative and Orthodox move- ment in New York are not so sure. Lois Goldrich, spokeswoman for the United Synagogue of America, said that the Conservative movement counts its membership at approx- imately 2 million, and the number of affiliated synagogues fluctuates bet- ween 820 and 850. Rabbi Jerome Epstein, senior vice president of the United Synagogue, caution- ed that Reform temples, unlike Conservative or Or- thodox synagogues, allow non-Jewish spouses of members to join, and that could effect their count. William Rapfogel, director of the Institute for Public Af- fairs of the Union of Or- thodox Jewish Congrega- tions of America, said that "to compare Reform and Or- thodox is like comparing apples and oranges." He pointed out that while all Reform temples affiliate with the UAHC, there is no single official address for Or- thodox Judaism for which their numbers can be com- piled. The New Orleans dele- gates also received a sum- mary of a study of synagogue affiliation, published by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University and the UAHC's Committee on the Jewish Family. The study, which examin- ed synagogue affiliation in seven middle-sized Jewish communities, found that Jews who identify as Reform are the majority in five of those regions. But the study also found that while more Jews iden- tify with Reform than any other branch of Judaism, the movement itself has the lowest rate of synagogue af- filiation. Orthodox Jews, the smallest group in terms of numbers, have the greatest proportion of synagogue af- filiation, followed by those who identify as Conser- vative. Goldman said the large number of unaffiliated Jews is "a matter of grave con- cern." He attributed the numbers in part to the many young men and women who are postponing marriage and children, and thereby their entry into Jewish communal life. "What this means," Goldman said, "is that our membership efforts must es- pecially target young single people. We cannot wait for them to come to us. We must reach out to them and bring them into the synagogue." Begin Thinner, But Is Alert Jerusalem (JTA) — Former Prime Minister Menachem Begin made one of his rare appearances in public late last month. It was his annual outing to say Kaddish at the grave of his wife, Aliza, whose death seven years ago is believed to have prompted him to leave public office. Wearing a blue suit and a blue hat, Begin, 76, arrived at the graveside, supported by his daughters, Hasia and Leah. He and his son, Binyamin, recited the memorial prayer. The once fiery leader of the Likud bloc, who made peace with Egypt and shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the late Egyptian President An- war Sadat, seemed a shadow of his former self. He looked thinner than ever and physically weak. There was a frozen smile on his face as his family escorted him through crowds. I•NAITSRAEL Re Cadeird TRANQUILITY, BEAUTY AND DIGNITY ENHANCED BY PERPETUAL CARE 42400 12 MILE ROAD ACROSS FROM THE NOVI, MICHIGAN 48050 TWELVE OAKS MALL $39500 Per Space Exclusively Serving Our Jewish Community and Featuring The Gardens of When You're Pregnant, Don't Smoke! THE TREE OF LIFE and THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL FOR COMPLETE DETAILS CONTACT (AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1989, PRICE PER SPACE WILL BE S445.00) WHILE THE CEMETERY DEVELOPS, PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE! AMENITIES INCLUDE: (1) Membership of notional lot exchange (2) Free credit life. for those 65 years of oge or younger (3) Free children's protection until 18 years of age (4) Free perpetual core (5) Payment plans, of course Accepted by representatives of the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform communities 851-4803 THIS SPACE CONTRIBUTED BY THE PUBLISHER r111111 ■ 11 ■ 111111•111111111111Mill=11111 ■ 111111P INC 11 P A Thoughtful Expression... With a Cookie or Candy Tray 4 010W ftSr, - e 737-2450 Cemetery Our chapel is available for all Jewish services WE DELIVER! [- 21701 Woodward Avenue • Ferndale 542-1146 TRES SWEET Business Office Candy & Nut Rays A Gift' of Caring, In the last 40 years, the death rate from heart attack has dropped 34% the death rate from con- genital heart defects is down 41% and the death rate from stroke is down 60%. The American Heart Association of Michigan is 40 years old. FREE LOCAL DELIVERY (313) 626-3435 Heartfelt wishes sent with delicious gift baskets from .. . A TISKET A TASKET American Heart Association (313) 661.4789 Packaged and Delivered 7 Days a Week of Michigan A United Way Agency 0011-E FAMILY We Will Always Be There When You Need Us For A Beautiful Shiva Tray SUGGESTS THAT MEMORIAL CONTRBUTIONS BE MADE TO THE AMERICAN CANCER fsociEry66 Grounds Sunday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday 8 am-4:00 pm STAR DELI OPEN 7 DAYS 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. \ ..24555 W. 12 MILE ta Just west of Telegraph DELIVER 352-73771 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 149