III

•

•

was most definitely an issue.
It was not only the Jewish
Theological Seminary, how-
ever, which provided financial
support. The Federation of
Jewish Men's Clubs had been
a major backer of LTF for a
number of years. (It is strange
that no mention of their role
appears in Mr. Neusner's
article.)
In a letter to Conservative
rabbis and other LTF sup-
porters dated Nov. 5, 1981,
the late Gerson D. Cohen,
:then serving as Seminary
chancellor, announced that
the Men's Clubs and the
Seminary, along with the
United Synagogue had decid-
ed to shift their energies and
resources in this area toward
the college campus.
Coupled with the shifting of
financial resources was the
realization that LTF had long
ago outlived its usefulness. As
USY continued to grow and
develop, more and more of its
efforts were aimed at address-
ing the needs of the "elite"
within its own structure. This
was reflected in the creation
of the Abraham Joshua
Heschel Honor Society in the
late 1970s.
A special interest group
within the USY structure, the
Heschel Honor Society re-
quires members to observe a
specified standard of Torah
study, synagogue attendance
and community service. It
was also reflected in the
quality of the educational
publications and programs
produced by USY, which con-
tinue to experience broad use
and acceptance throughout
the Conservative movement
and beyond.
As Chancellor Cohen told
his colleagues ". . . there has
been the feeling that we were
duplicating each others' ef-
forts, and thus dissipating
precious energies." He was
absolutely correct. LTF ceas-
ed to exist in any significant
capacity long before its an-
nounced demise in 1981.
Many of the same needs,
however, were already being
met within the movement by
USY.
The "dream" has not been
deferred: it lives on in a much
healthier and more robust
fashion through the multi-
faceted activities of USY,
where our best kids have the
opportunity to be nurtured —
while nurturing others.

Jules A. Gutin
Acting Director,
United Synagogue Youth
New York

1 1 At

t:3

UNIVERSAL MORTGAGE
CORPORATHON

Universal Mortgage Corporation is
proud to announce that we are
celebrating our 25th year in business.

Now is the best time to purchase your
new home or refinance your present
home mortgage through Universal
Mortgage Corporation.

We invite you to help us celebrate our
25th Anniversary by accepting our
gift to you of a $150.00 reduction in
your closing costs on a conventional
mortgage.*

• Low, Low, Low rates and closing costs
• Outstanding Service
• Three offices to serve you

ROYAL OAK

(313) 399.7333

24901 Northwestern Highway
Suite 2140
Southfield, Michigan 48075

WARREN

(313) 755-1505

(313) 355-2200

*Through 11/30/91, conventional loans only. Equal Opportunity Lender.

The lowest point on the ear-
th's surface is the Dead Sea,
on Israel's eastern border,
1,296 feet below sea level.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

23