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 Coverage Page 14