750 DETROIT THE JEWISH NEWS 13 TAMMUZ 5753/JULY 2, 1993 Dine Supported Locally Amid controversy, Tom Dine resigned this week from the leadership of AIPAC. But his accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. KIMBERLY LIFTON STAFF WRITER embers of Detroit's Jewish com- munity have been quick to praise Thomas Dine, who resigned this week from the helm of AIPAC in the midst of a controversy aris- ing from comments he made about Orthodox stereotypes four years ago. "He was an outstanding exec- utive director," said Steven Victor, who with his son, David Victor, serve as co-chairs for the Michigan chapter of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. "But AIPAC will con- tinue." "I was shocked," David Victor said. "The fact that he can step down while AIPAC will carry on strong is a tribute to Thomas Dine. The pro-Israel community could not have asked for better." Mr. Dine, 53, whose resignation was effective on Wednesday, served the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as executive Israeli reporter who was re- searching a book on Jewish fun- damentalism and asked a question about American Jewish stereo- types of Orthodox Jews. "In no way did I mean those words to be interpreted as my be- liefs," Mr. Dine wrote. "On the con- trary, my entire personal and professional life has been devoted to the interest of all the Jewish people without distinction." The remarks in question appear in a book by Jewish Telegraphic director for 13 years. During his tenure, the organization grew from a small, 8,000-member outfit with one office and an annual $1.4 mil- lion budget to a 55,000-member organization with a $15 million budget and 14 of- fices, including one in Jerusalem. Many have de- scribed Mr. Dine as the most pow- erful lobbyist in Washington. In his resigna- tion letter to the Words from four years ago forced the resignation of AIPAC presi- Thomas Dine from AIPAC. dent, Steven Grossman, Mr. Dine Agency Israel Bureau Chief David alluded to an unfortunate contro- Landau, released this month, Piety versy "which, because of its mis- and Power: The World of Jewish leading nature, is a source of deep Fundamentalism. pain for me." "I don't think mainstream Jews Mr. Dine said that four years ago, he gave an interview to an TOM DINE page 24 nside In The Spirit Christians, Jews and business help inner city kids succeed. Page 28 POUT! No Shows The rabbi played to an empty Senate. Page 35 Bump And Run A local driver found the bumps at Grand Prix. Page 41 OWN WORDS Judaism Is Colorblind In the deepest, darkest depths of Michiga there lurk creatures who haven't seen daylight in 65 million years. They live in a place called Prehistoric Forest. where day and night these fearsome fiberglass dinosaurs roar and growl (thanks to an audio chip) at innocent passersby. "Ugggh," a recent visitor moaned as her train approached a Prehistoric Forest display of one dinosaur downing his comrade. So much for the pantywaist parents. They can sit home and watch "Lawrence Welk" reruns. Ifs children for whom the Forest is run. and children love it. The owners of this dinosaur delight are Marvin and Bruce Sapiro, who also created the Krazy Maze and Jungle Rapids and run the very bizarre Mystery Hill. Story on page 79 Rose Garden They Came From The Irish 1111 Aaron Rose loves the plants outside Shaarey Zedek. Page 53 Contents on page 3 t t ,.• • Ai. • . ...4t tt• 1/. •