I NEWS

Olim Settle
North Israel

Tel Aviv (JTA) — Nearly a
third of the immigrants who
have come to Israel since
1989 have settled in the nor-
thern part of the country,
reversing a demographic
trend that had troubled
Israelis for years.
According to a report in
the Israeli daily Ha'aretz,
108,500 olim, mostly from
the Soviet Union, were ab-
sorbed in the northern re-
gion. They represent 31.2
percent of the 347,500 who
arrived since mass aliyah
from the Soviet Union began
three years ago.
For many years, the North
tended to be underpopulated
by Jews and Israeli Arabs
seemed likely to become the
majority in Galilee.
Now, the North accounts
for 22 percent of Israel's
total population, Uri Gor-
don, head of the Jewish
Agency's Immigration and
Absorption Department,
said last week.
Among Israel's three
largest cities, Haifa, the
major seaport and gateway
to Galilee, absorbed 26,981
olim in the last three years,
followed by Tel Aviv with
21,198 and Jerusalem with
17,961.
Olim account for 9.8 per-
cent of Haifa's total popula-
tion, 5.2 percent of Tel
Aviv's and 3.06 percent of
Jerusalem's.

Belgium Bids
For Conference

Brussels (JTA) — Belgium
has bid to be the site of the
Middle East peace con-
ference which the United
States and Soviet Union
have agreed to co-sponsor. It
is tentatively set to open in
October.
The Foreign Ministry an-
nounced last week that dip-
lomatic approaches with
that end in view have al-
ready been made in Wash-
ington and Moscow. Belgian
Foreign Minister Mark
Eyskens has raised the
matter with the Soviet am-
bassador to Brussels,
Nikolai Afanassievski.
According to diplomatic
sources, Belgium also
sounded out Israel on the
idea, through the Israeli
Embassy in Brussels.
The sources said Israel was
non-committal, replying
politely that the question of
venue has not yet been
discussed by the parties to
the conference. Israel is
believed to favor Washing-
ton as the conference site.

12 things
to think out
before _you choose
a rremple.

1
2
3

Am I going to fit in?
At Temple Beth El we draw from a rich
0 diversity of backgrounds and we strive to
make everyone feel welcome. You'll find very quickly
you fit right in.

Is it easy to get to?
Temple Beth El is right in the geographical
O center of the Jewish community — a
comforting thought for car poolers.

Who are the Rabbis?
_ Daniel F. Polish is Temple Beth El's Senior
O Rabbi. He's widely recognized as a national
leader in the Reform movement.
Joining him are Rabbi Julian I. Cook and Rabbi
Emeritus Richard Hertz.
Rabbi Cook works extensively with youth, adult
and family education programs as well as in social
action movements.
Rabbi Hertz has served Beth El for over 30 years.
He continues to play an active role in Temple life.

4
5

Who is the Cantor?
Our Cantor, Gail Hirschenfang, is
O recognized for her exquisite voice and her
outstanding cantorial credentials. There are few
Cantors like her.

What's the educational program like?
In a word, exciting.
O Rabbi Barry Diamond, our new
Educational Director, is filled with ideas to make
Judaism come alive for our children — from pre-
schoolers through high school.

6

What are services like?
At Beth El they're warm and uplifting.
I Exhilarating wouldn't be too strong a word.

7

Will I feel comfortable practicing my
Judaism?
I Yes.
At Temple Beth El we believe Reform Judaism
offers a range of choices. We invite you to explore
these options. And then the choice of the Jewish life
you want to practice, is yours.

What about Bar and Bat Mitzvah Training?
Our program is extensive... Hebrew
I instruction; musical training by the Cantor;
study groups with the Rabbis for both children and
parents and the honor of performing a Mitzvah to
benefit those less fortunate.
It isn't easy. But that's what becoming a man or
woman is all about.

8

Are there social and cultural programs for
my family and me?
0 Temple Beth El has so many activities, it
would take another ad to list them all. If you want
involvement, we'll keep you busy.

9

1

What will it cost?
With all we offer, joining Temple Beth
O El is one of the best investments you
can make. Our dues structure is flexible to
accommodate you — whatever your age or family
situation.

Have I forgotten anything?
Call our Executive Director, Thomas
• Jablonski, at 851-1100. He can answer
some questions you may not have thought of.

i

12

•

Is Temple Beth El for me?
The way to find out is to visit us. You'll
know the answer.

Temple Beth El

7400 Telegraph Road • Birmingham, Michigan 48010 • (313) 851-1100

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

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