THE JEWISH NEWS SERVING DETROIT'S JEWISH COMMUNITY SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS OCTOBER 4, 1991 / 26 TISHREI 5752 Rev. Al Sharpton Invited To Debate At Michigan NOAM M.M. NEUSNER Staff Writer T ALSO INSIDE: Guaranteed Did Israel lead U.S. Jews down the primrose path? Page 31 he Rev. Al Sharpton, a self-proclaimed "premier civil rights leader," is scheduled to speak in Ann Arbor later this month. The New York-based preacher most recently stag- ed a rally in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn to protest a "cover-up" in the investigation of the acciden- tal death of Gavin Cato, a 7- year old black boy who was hit by a car driven by a Chasidic Jew. The incident touched off a week of anti- Jewish rioting in Crown Heights. The Rev. Sharpton has a long history of antagonizing whites over what he perceives as ingrained social racism. For this, he has often been quoted in the media — "No justice, no peace" is one of his rejoinders. U-M's University Ac- tivities Center (UAC), a student-run group, invited the Rev. Sharpton to their Viewpoint speaker series. The series encourages debate over social issues and does not shy away from con- troversial topics. Last year, a debate on abortion rights between Sarah Weddington and Phyllis- Schlafly packed Rackham Auditorium. The Rev. Sharpton will be paid $2,500 for his ap- pearance out of the univer- sity-funded UAC budget. He will be joined by Moses Stewart, father of Yusaf Hawkins, a black who was killed by a group of white youths in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Ben- sonhurst. Mark Bernstein, a U-M ju- nior who runs the Viewpoint series, said the Rev. Sharp- ton was chosen because he is capable of raising important issues. "This kind of program stimulates thought and discussion," said Mr. Berns- tein. "That is the most healthy process you can pur- sue on a university campus." But Mr. Bernstein's perspective is not shared by all. Although no opposition to the speech has been voiced by any student organization, some students have grumbled. Some black student groups have reportedly held inter- nal debates over whether to support the Sharpton speech, since there is criticism that he does not represent all blacks. In a May 1990 Daily News/WABC poll, black New Yorkers were asked which figure or institution most hurt race relations. Some 73 percent answered the Rev. Sharpton. The U-M event promises not only a speech, but a chance for audience mem- bers to "talk back." The Rev. Sharpton will be given one hour to speak, and the au- dience will have two hours to ask questions or make statements. "This is a unique oppor- tunity for anyone who has contrasting views with this man," said Mr. Bernstein. Extending an invitation to Continued on Page 30 Federation Study Of JHA Expected KIMBERLY LIFTON Staff Writer T he Jewish Home For Aged's board of direc- tors this week will find out how the Jewish Federation hopes to enhance its financial standing. For years, the Home has been operating on a deficit, and Federation officials have said they expect Home administrators to balance its budget. Accordingly, the Federa- tion stepped into the Home's budget arena in July after questions arose over sup- plemental allocations totall- ing $4 million in the past five years. The Federation wanted to know how the JHA put the money to use. Federation appointed Jerome Halperin of the ac- counting firm of Coopers and Lybrand to chair a com- mittee to study day-to-day operations and financial management at the Home. Mr. Halperin was schedul- ed to present findings and recommendations for im- provement at the Home's board meeting last night. Federation President Mark Schlussel and Home President Jack Schon said they have not reviewed the report. Mr. Halperin was out of the country and could not be reached for comment. "The report will evidence there are significant oppor- tunities for cost savings at the Home for Aged while enhancing the quality of pa- tient care," Mr. Schlussel said. "We have been able to come up with some answers in assisting the Home in ob- taining these objectives, which is the first and foremost concern of the Home as well as the Federa- tion." Meanwhile, the Home has appointed board member Marvin Fleischman to lead a search committee to replace outgoing administrator Alan Funk. Mr. Funk resigned last month, but has said he will remain in his position through the end of October. When Mr. Funk leaves, operations will be handled during the interim by a team of assistant administrators: Arnold Budin, who is devel- opment director; Jack Ellias, who is Mr. Funk's deputy di- rector; and Gary Anderson, director of finance. Home President Jack Schon will oversee the team. Meanwhile, the Home is still proceeding with plans to move to a new facility on the campus of the Maple-Drake Jewish Community Center, Mr. Budin said. "We are proceeding up to a point," Mr. Budin said. "We will give a status report on the move to the Federation in October." Home officials have ac- knowledged financial prob- lems, citing as reasons a shortage of nurses and the ballooning costs of medical care. ❑