HE JEWISH NEWS
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SERVING DETROIT'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
NOVEMBER 8, 1991 / 1 KISLEV 5752
Activism Vs. Spirituality?
NOAM M.M. NEUSNER
Staff Writer
B
y all accounts, the
University of Mich-
igan's Jewish corn-
munity reacted swiftly when
an anti-Semitic advertise-
ment appeared in the Oct. 24
issue of the student news-
paper.
Within 24 hours, a rally
attracted 300 students to
condemn the ad, which de-
nied that the Nazi Holocaust
ever took place.
In addition to the hun-
dreds who showed up in the
rain for the hastily organiz-
ed rally, many students and
faculty wrote letters to the
Michigan Daily to register
their disapproval.
Last week, a campus ap-
pearance by the Rev. Al
Sharpton, a New York-based
political activist, elicited an
angry response from a small
group of Jewish students.
Earlier this year, U-M
Jewish students held three
rallies to show solidarity
with Israel, which was then
under attack by Iraqi Scud
missiles.
All of this activism, say
some observers, is an indica-
tion that this generation of
Continued on Page 22
CLOSE-UP
Meir Goldberg holds the Havdalah candle as three stars come out.
See story, Page 14.
Campaign Bets
On One Meeting
S 64 1clier's
A Plymouth auctioneer
makes an extraordinary
find: the remains of
Holocaust victims,
Page 26
ALSO INSIDE:
ISRAEL TRAVEL SECTION
Unique opportunities to visit
the fast-growing land of milk and honey.
Page 41
NOAM M.M. NEUSNER
Staff Writer
T
wo months into its an-
nual Allied Jewish
Campaign, the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit is hoping that a
streamlined effort will bring
in needed dollars, despite
the worsening economy.
The Campaign will not
host, as it has in the past,
several events based on fi-
nancial tiers of giving. In-
stead, there will be one
event — a dessert meeting to
be held Dec. 9 and featuring
former Minnesota Senator
Rudy Boschwitz — for
$2,500-and-over givers.
"We are putting all our
eggs in one basket," said
Robert Aronson, the Federa-
tion's executive vice presi-
dent.
So far, the Campaign has
had a strong showing com-
pared to last year. Those
who have sent in their
pledge cards — 1,270 in all
by Nov. 5 —pledged close to
$12 million. That is an in-
crease of 100 pledges and
about $1.8 million from last
year's Campaign.
This news is encouraging,
especially since a substan-
tial part of the total Cam-
paign dollars is raised in its
first four months.
Lawrence Jackier, the
Campaign's co-chair, said
the economy has not dra-
matically affected the level
of giving to the Campaign.
But, he said, the Dec. 9
Boschwitz meeting will pro-
ve decisive.
"When we get that one
done, then you'll have a
better compairson," Mr.
Jackier said.
However, Mr. Aronson
noted that changing demo-
graphics and the recession
are making fund-raising a
difficult enterprise.
The Campaign, coming on
the heels of Operation Ex-
odus, may stall, at least un-
til givers can fight off this
year's economic blues.
That could spell trouble for
the Federation, which is ex-
pecting a shortfall in the
1991 Campaign, although no
one is sure just how much.
While the economy does not
seem to be affecting givers,
it has increased those on the
receiving end of agency as-
sistance.
"If we end up with another
big loss, we'll be in real big
trouble," said Mr. Aronson.
The Federation is studying
ways to protect against
economic downturns, he
added.
"We're very conscious of
every nickel that's being
spent," said Mr. Jackier,
who noted that speaker
Rudy Boschwitz would not
receive an honorarium. ❑
Election
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