Farrakhan Blast Leaves Jewish Leaders Cold What does Louis Far- rakhan want, and where do the Jews fit into his impenetrable scheme? Those were the questions cir- culating in Washington last week in the wake of a long interview in the Washington Post, part of a major media blitz by Nation of Islam offi- cials. But in the interview, Far- rakhan blasted an alleged Jewish cabal in the media and in Hollywood, and at- tacked Israel for "using God Louis Farrakhan: `Dirty religion.' and religion as a cover for what I said was lying, steal- ing, murder, using God's name as a shield for your , dirty religion, meaning you're preaching one thing, but you are practicing an- other." Jewish leaders here were not impressed. "There is clearly an inter- est in polishing their image," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, regional director for the American Jewish Com- mittee. "They seem eager to capitalize on the recent positive attention they've received because of their drug programs. But is this a genuine effort to begin a dialog? If this interview is all we have, it clearly is not." There was widespread speculation in political circles that Farrakhan hopes to play a renewed role in any Jesse Jackson presidential bid, and in the political debate over the drug crisis. But for that to happen, Far- rakhan would have to blunt charges that he is a virulent anti- Semite — something that he apparently failed to do in his two- page Post interview. In a curious sidelight to the issue, Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen wrote a column the next day lambasting his paper. Cohen argued that the Post, in running the long interview, was giving Far- rakhan a forum despite the overt bigotry of his views; the paper, he suggested, would not have run a similar interview with a white bigot. Bracelets are an indispensible part of a wardrobe... over a tight fitting sleeve or a glove... always a sophisticated touch.... . They're affordable„. unbelievable as it seems all bracelets featured are under $100 k LfluRET JEWELERS Cohen denied that there was anything unusual about publicly challenging his own newspaper. "I don't make a habit of it," he said. "But this is an issue I cared about; I disagreed profoundly with what I read in the paper." ICRT d OlfTS IN ROBIN'S NEST ♦ WEST BLOOMFIELD ♦ 7421 ORCHARD LAKE RD. 737-2333 ♦ CORNER OF ORCHARD LAKE RD. & NORTHWESTERN HWY. G.I.A. CERTIFIED DIAMONDTOLOGIST & REPAIRS ON PREMISES MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ♦ FREE GIFT WRAPPING ♦ CASH REFUNDS Child Care Issue Sets Agudah Apart Agudath Israel of America's Washington representative, Abba Cohen, was one of 15 activists in- vited for a meeting with President George Bush to discuss the child care issue recently. And the fact that Agudah was the only Jewish group at the meeting was no accident; the Orthodox group has gone against the Jewish main- stream in Washington on critical church-state lang- uage in the bitter child care debate. "We've been pushing several issues," said Abba Cohen. "We've been espe- cially interested in the use of certificates that could be used in religiously affiliated institutions; we believe it is constitutionally permitted. Also, in regard to hiring and administration, religiously affiliated child care institu- tions should be able to adopt policies in conformity with their religious tenets." In practical terms, this means Agudath Israel wants Jewish day care centers to have the right to show pre- ference for people. .. ON A SHOESTRING FIGHT THE BIG "F"... FURNITURE FADING STOPS ULTRA VIOLET up to • Mtn VISA' 99 0/0 Seymour Zate 537.7900 Solar Sales, Inc — Since 1969 — SOMERSET CLEANERS Same Day Service Monday thru Saturday No Extra Charge FREE 1 PAIR OF PANTS CLEANED AND PRESSED with any incoming dry cleaning order of $6.95 or more. May not be combined with any other coupon. Expires 4.9-90 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 35