C42NItIMPHARY succeed in drawing a signifi- cant percentage of the Jew- ish population of the former Soviet Union to Israel, he maintained, noting that the Israeli government has to develop a plan to encourage more people to come. The plan, he said, should focus on their specific con- cerns about jobs and schools and should recognize the unprecedented nature of this aliyah. "After all, why are they making aliyah? Because of their children. "But our leadership is not even thinking in these terms," he said. Instead, "the government (absolved) itself (of) the responsibility to think about how to solve the problem (in the belief) that it would take care of itself. " 'We will give them some money and they will take The plan should focus specifically on jobs and schools. change of all of the Jewish world." There is no doubt that the Jews from the former Soviet Union have to change, and they are changing, said Mr. Sharansky. But, he said, Israeli socie- ty, whether it wants to or not, is also changing, and of- ficials are resisting that change. "That's why (officials) say, `In the '50s it was like this, why should it be different now?' " he said. But this aliyah is different, according to Mr. Sharansky, who said that it is not Zionist in nature. Olim from the former Soviet Union are profes- sionally strong and very ambitious, and Israelis, whether working in univer- sities, hospitals, hotels or gas stations, feel the com- petition, he said. "So the aliyah becomes threatening and is hard for (Israeli) society to accept," he said. Sometimes "it is difficult not to despair," he said. "But I hope that Am Yisrael, the Jews of the world, have much more inner power than their leaders (believe) they do." $ 279 Pompeii 5x8 Value $375 to 50% off 40% all contemporary rugs Right Now, during Hagopian World Of Rugs Contemporary Rug Sale you'll find a brand-new world of style and color. And sale prices of 40% to 50% off. All our rugs are Hazel Bergama 4x6 Value $975 backed by our Low Price Guarantee. Our complete selection of contemporary rugs is designed to provide a unique, and versatile look for any room. ❑ care of themselves,' " is how he described the official at- titude of the Israeli govern- ment to the situation. Mr. Sharansky said he was told by top officials as early as 1988 not to be concerned because the immigrants would be absorbed the way they were absorbed in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. But the old models do not apply, he said. At the heart of the matter, he stated, is the challenge to the "orthodox, fundamental concept of the Jewish state" that this aliyah poses. "After all," he said, "the idea with which the Jewish state was (founded) is that it was like a melting pot where a new type of Jew is born" after shedding his characteristics and identity from the Diaspora. It meant that those who came here had to become Israelis as quickly as possi- ble. While this may have been appropriate at the beginning of statehood, said Mr. Sharansky, it no longer ap- plies. "Thank God, we already exist and we are a nation which justifies its existence correctly as a continuation of the Jewish people," he said. He noted that there is no longer "an absorption of Diaspora Jews by Israel, but a kind of synthesis, a mutual Israeli Arabs Bound For Syria Jerusalem (JTA) — A group of 50 Israeli Arabs embarked on an unprecedented trip to Syria to pay condolences to Syrian President Hafez Assad. Mr. Assad's son, Bassel, was killed in a car accident in January. The delegation included Knesset Member Abdul Wahab Darawshe, head of the Arab Democratic Party. The trip had been schedul- ed for last week, but was postponed after the Feb. 25 murders of more than 40 Pa- lestinians at a mosque in Hebron. The trip is reported to be the first time Mr. Assad has given permission for a group of Israeli citizens to visit Syria. The trip was complicated, however, by Syrian demands that the delegation not cross into Syria from the Golan Heights and that they not use Israeli passports. Prior to the Hebron murders, Mr. Darawshe had said he would not be convey- ing any messages from the Israeli government to Assad. But, he added at the, time, he hoped the visit would add to an "atmosphere of good will in the region." ❑ Mod. Geometric 6x9 Value 5 1950 Avant Garde 4x6 Value $375 The Original Since 1939 HAGOPIAN WORLD OF RUGS® Manufacturers and Direct Importers BIRMINGHAM SHOWROOM: 850 S. Woodward at Hunter • (810) 646-RUGS SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon., Thurs. 10-9, Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5 ANN ARBOR SHOWROOM: 3410 Washtenaw Ave. • West of Arborland • (313) 973-RUGS SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon., Thurs. & Fri. 10-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5, Closed Tues. & Wed. Handmade items are one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Rug sizes are approximate. IlluStrations may very slightly from actual design. ©1994 Hagopian World of Rugs.