DETROIT

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11th Congressional Race
Remains Up For Grabs

50 YEARS AGO...

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KIMBERLY LIFTON

Staff Writer

This column will be a week-
ly feature during The Jewish
News' anniversaiy year, look-
ing at The Jewish News of to-
day's date 50 years ago.

SY MANELLO

Special to The Jewish News

R

ecognizing the increas-
ing needs for assistance
at home and abroad,
the Detroit Allied Jewish
Campaign in 1942 decided
against a separate drive and
chose to participate in the War
Chest of Metropolitan Detroit.
The goal set was for
$5,800,000 and included all 80
agencies of the Detroit Corn-
mlinity Fund.
Meanwhile the news from
the Nazi-occupied countries
continued to report devasta-
tion for the Jews of Europe.
All Jews in Nazi-held Poland
between the ages of 18 - 65
were scheduled for deporta-
tion; 4,000 Jews were deport-
ed from Germany and sent to
Therezin; 10 prominent Jews,
including the chief rabbi of
Oslo, were arrested.
There were, however, many
"good news" items reported
about events in the Detroit
area. Of special prominence
in this issue was the recogni-
tion of the 50th birthday of
Nate S. Shapero; his extensive
list of affiliations made it easy
for readers to appreciate this
Jewish leader's tributes from
national, state and local offi-
cials.
Morris Shaver, as president
of the Arlazaroff Branch of the
Jewish National Workers' Al-
liance, was helping to put fin-
ishing touches on a party to
honor members or sons of
members who were in the ser-
vice. Nathan Vizonsky, con-
cert artist, was set to lead a
dance seminar at the Jewish
Community Center.
It was the wish of many to
be able to get a firsthand look
at Palestine in the process of
redemption.
Mrs. William Klafer was
able to do this through her
brother, Corp. Sol Collins, who
wrote that he was "somewhere
in Palestine" with the Amer-

ican troops. On another front,
Corp. Jack Rouman wrote
from England with some
poignant observations on the
meaning of freedom.
The holiday of Sukkot was
being welcomed by the com-
munity. The traditional
sukkah had been erected at
the Jewish Community Cen-
ter on Woodward and Hol-
brook by the members of the
Woodward Mothers Club.
The B'nai David Sisterhood
was planning a sukkah par-
ty to follow services. Rabbi
Moses Fisher and Rabbi Ja-
cob Nathan were planning
sermons to be delivered on al-
ternate days at B'nai Moshe.
The local community was
increased by the births of
Suzanne Sugar, Barry Lee
Springel and Lana Joan
Schlussel. The community
also mourned the loss of Max
Prussian, who was active
with Detroit Mizrachi.
While we are looking back,
the issue 50 years ago looked
back 20 years and reported
the following. In Warsaw, the
Polish government had set
elections for deputies on the
second day of Rosh Ha-
shanah; President Harding
signed a joint resolution ex-
pressing American approval
of Palestine as a Jewish Na-
tional Homeland; the Ameri-
can Jewish Joint Distribution
Committee was credited with
checking the famine in the
Ukraine.
Clearly an example of deja
vu is the ad for the production
of Mirele Efros at Littman's
Peoples Theatre — the film
was just reported in a 1992
edition as being shown at a
Yiddish Club offering at the
JCC.
Obviously, there was not
the concern then about en-
dangered species; therefore,
the advertisement from
Russeks for $8.95 suede spec-
tators with genuine alligator
trim was looked upon as a
bargain. Speaking of bar-
gains, using today's prices,
Robinson Furniture's offer of
all mahogany tables for only
$11.95 was truly a good
deal. ❑

he final lap of the race
to fill retiring U.S.
Rep. Bill Broomfield's
seat seems slow for
observers of such a competi-
tion.
Yet for those fighting it
out for the prize — a seat
representing the newly
drawn 11th Congressional
District — the next few
weeks bring a speedy pace.
Attention has shifted away
from the race since the
heated primary, when
Republican candidates Joe
Knollenberg, Judge Alice
Gilbert and state Sen. David
Honigman fought it out in a
vicious campaign for the
GOP nomination.
But for the primary
winners, Mr. Knollenberg,
former Oakland County
GOP chairman, and his
Democratic rival, Walter
Briggs, who lost to Mr.
Broomfield in 1990, this race
is not one to take for
granted. It could be
anybody's victory. And both
candidates know that.
The former 18th Congres-
sional District voting pat-
terns clearly were more
Republican than Democrat-
ic. Yet results for the newly
created 11th District are
unknown. The Republicans
are sure they will win this
one. The Democrats are tell-
ing another story.
"This district is marginal
and it is up for grabs," Mr.
Briggs said.
"I don't take anything for
granted," Mr. Knollenberg
said.
The population of the 11th
District is nearly 600,000. It
includes Bloomfield Hills,
West Bloomfield, Keego
Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Birm-
ingham, Farmington, Farm-
ington Hills, Milford, most of
Southfield, Livonia, Redford,
Novi, Northville, White
Lake, South Lyon and
Highland.
The 11th Congressional
District also is home to most
of Oakland County's Jewish
community. Huntington
Woods, Oak Park and a
small section of Southfield
are located in the new 12th
District.
Almost 400,000 residents
in the 11th District are
registered voters.
When Michigan lost two
Congressional seats to
redistricting, the 11th
District lost the GOP

Joe Knollenberg

strongholds of Troy and
Rochester Hills and gained
Democratic voters from
Southfield and Redford.
Fifty-seven percent of the
old 18th District, considered
a sure bet for the GOP in
past years, still remains in
the district. It is likely that
this area is filled with ticket-
splitters.
Despite the 36 years in
which Rep. Broomfield won
each re-election bid, Sen.
Carl Levin, Secretary of
State Richard Austin and
Attorney General Frank
Kelley, all Democrats, won
this district in 1990.
Gov. John Engler also won
this district in 1990, but
former Gov. James Blan-

"This district is up
for grabs."

Walter Briggs

chard, a Democrat, secured
48 percent of the district's
vote.
Mr. Briggs, 35, a CPA in
Birmingham, is banking on
the district's Democrats, pro-
choice Republicans, those
dissatisfied with President
George Bush and the swing
voter. He is the only pro-
choice candidate.
Mr. Knollenberg, 58, an
insurance executive from
Birmingham, is fundamen-
tally opposed to abortion —
including in cases of rape or
incest. This position is
stronger than that of Mr.
Broomfield, who opposed
abortion but voted to support
the procedure in cases of
rape or incest.
Mr. Briggs has been cam-
paigning heavily, holding
press conferences, making
public appearances. He talks

Walter Briggs

about reinvesting in
America through job
retraining, taking the lead
in education and health care
reform.
He also speaks about his
passion for Israel's survival.
He does not support foreign
aid to Arab nations, and he
opposed President Bush's re-
cent move to send weapons
to Saudi Arabia.
He supports making
Jerusalem the capital of
Israel. Mr. Briggs and his
wife, Andrea, who is Jewish,
are raising their two sons as
Jews.
Mr. Knollenberg is en-
dorsed by Michigan Right To
Life. He expects to unveil a
health-care proposal and
economic blueprint in the
coming weeks.
The insurance company
owner will kick off a com-
plete campaign this
weekend — filled with vol-
unteers, door-to-door cam-
paigning and a press con-
ference to discuss his issues.
Mr. Knollenberg said he is
drafting a position paper on
Israel, although his posture
hasn't changed since the
primary. Israel must exist,
he said, adding the United
States must continue to sup-
port "the only pure democ-
racy in the Middle East."
He supports the Bush ad-
ministration, including the
recent arms sale to Saudi
Arabia. "This does not
mean the U.S. wants to
weaken Israel's security. It
does not. And I do not."
Mr. Knollenberg would not
say whether Jerusalem
should be Israel's capital.
That, he said, should be
decided in peace talks bet-
ween the Arabs and Israelis
without U.S. intervention.

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