e Right

e spearheading programs aimed
entalism.

KIMBERLY UFTON STAFF WRITER

Richard Lobenthal sees
renewed threat.

o matter what it is called
Defamation League, has
— the religious right, radi-
been following reports of
cal fundamentalism, new
this movement, which soci-
right or Christian Coali-
ologists suggest began in
tion — the Anti-Defama-
the mid-1970s.
tion League's Dick
Only recently have
Lobenthal has trouble
members of the Detroit
finding just the right defi-
Jewish community come
nition.
together to try to put a
One thing he says for
halt to what is seen as a
sure is "you know it when
growing number of right-
you see it."
wing political extremists
What Mr. Lobenthal
who believe, among other
sees is this agenda: Prayer
things, that mandatory
belongs in public school;
Christian prayer be the
abortion is murder and
norm in public schools.
homosexuality is immoral.
Some Jewish groups
"These people exempt
suggest these views pose a
themselves from the tradi-
great danger to all reli-
tional political process,"
gious minorities. Others,
Mr. Lobenthal says. "They
like Rabbi Yitzhak Kagan
are implying something
of the Lubavitch Educa-
that is beyond the legiti-
tion Center, imply that
mate spectrum. They are
such views are no threat to
hoodwinking the American
Judaism.
public."
"It is not a danger,"
Next Tuesday, the
Rabbi Kagan says. "But I
Jewish community will get
don't share the liberal
a chance to learn about - agenda of the organized
"Exposing the New Right
Jewish community. I've
Agenda: What's
had no experi-
at Stake?" in a
ence at all
7:15 p.m. panel
working with
"Yo
u
know
it
discussion at
such groups
Adat Shalom
whe n you see nor would I.
Synagogue. It is
However,
it."
a cooperative
their goals, as
program of the
— Dick Lobenthal stated, cer-
National Council
tainly are not
of Jewish Wo-
the enemy of
men and the Jewish
Judaism.
Community Council.
"If they say they will pin
Panelists are Howard
crosses everywhere and on
Simon, executive director
everyone in this country,
for the American Civil
that is one thing. But they
Liberties Union; the Rev.
are not saying this," Rabbi
Harry T. Cook, rector of
Kagan says. "There is a
St. Andrew Episcopal
tremendous amount of
Church; state Rep. Maxine
paranoia and their impact
Berman, D-Southfield;
is grossly exaggerated."
Birmingham Schools Trus-
Rabbi Kagan is one of a
tee Pan Godchaux; Sharon
number of Jews who sup-
Howell, Oakland Univer-
port the concept of state-
sity professor of rhetoric;
funded vouchers for public
and J.B. Dixson, communi-
or private schools. Many
cations specialist.
observant Jews believe
For years, Mr. Loben-
abortion — in 85 percent
thal, Michigan's regional
of the cases — is murder.
director for the Anti-
According to the more

.11111.11111110110

'41.11101111MINOMMOIMPOP.-