tion in the November general
election. Each synagogue and
temple will be asked to make
voter registration forms avail-
able to congregants. Rabbis will
be asked to incorporate a civic
responsibility and voting theme
in their sermons.
"The statistics on Jewish vot-
ing participation are staggering,"
said Jan Helper, a Jewish Com-
munity Council Get-Out-the-Vote
co-chair.
`The Jewish vote was not only
important, but it was sought af-
ter. High voter turnout height-
ened Jewish political power and
assured the continuity of a
strong U.S.-Israel relationship."
In response to the report of a
declining Jewish voting presence
and statistics indicating a lower
turnout among all women voters,
Hadassah instituted a national
drive called the Voter Challenge
1996. Now, Hadassah, the largest
women's organization and the
largest Jewish organization in
the country, is flexing its muscles

with a national voter registration
drive aimed at all women, re-
gardless of religion, and all Jews
who are eligible to vote.
Locally, Hadassah, with other
community organizations and
congregations, is participating in
various get-out-the-vote activi-
ties, including setting up voter
registration tables at synagogue
and temple events.
The National Council of Jew-
ish Women Greater Detroit Sec-
tion took a different approach.
The organization sent a ques-
tionnaire to each of the candi-
dates running in contested races
for the state House in Oakland
County and is making the re-
sults available to its members.
Judith Rosenberg, state pub-
lic affairs chair of NCJW, cited
voter apathy as the reason the
survey was conducted. Too of-
ten, she said, primary elections
are ignored by the electorate be-
cause voters lack information on
the candidates. NCJW questions
focused on the issues of concern

to the women's organization —
children, abortion and welfare
reform (See chart on page 10).
Other community-wide efforts
include two election forums,
scheduled for the fall. A Sept. 25
event at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek will focus on local and state
races. On Oct. 20, Temple Israel
will host a forum on the nation-
al issues and races.
"Historically, the Jewish com-
munity voted, and the candi-
dates paid attention to that,"
said Rabbi Marla Feldman of the
Jewish Community Council.
"Jews in Michigan won't swing
a national election, but we want
the Jewish vote to be signifi-
cant" D

(- /

U.S. citizens 18 and older are

feo li r gible
ms are
t° v a v°te
aiinRheigi
e th
strrug°h
n
several locations, including.,
the Oakland County Clerk's '<-
oiffic , city and township halls
ilialthe Jewish Community
Council.

Finding A Replacement

Residents of Southfield and Lathrup Village
look for new leadership in Lansing.

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T

o listen to the Democra-
tic candidates talk, the
upcoming retirement of
Maxine Berman creates
a hard act to follow in the
state House.
This explains why each of
the four candidates vying for
a victory in next month's pri-
mary entered the race only af-
ter Rep. Berman announced
this current term — after 14
years in Lansing — would be
her last.
"No one can fill Maxine's
seat," candidate Carol King
said. "She has been a giant in
the Legislature."
So far, Rep. Berman has yet
to endorse anyone,
saying she believes
Above:
the decision should be
Carol King,
up to the voters.
center, on the
Voters will have to
campaign trail
decide between attor- with Frieda Capp
and Betty Zaft.
ney Paul Condino,
County Commission-
er Nancy Quarles,
Right:
former Michigan
Milton
Dzodin:
Abortion and Repro-
Election No. 6.
ductive Rights Action
League Executive Di-
Far right:
rector Carol King and
Attorney Paul
businessman Milton
Condino.
Dzodin.
Mr. Condino practices law in
Southfield, where his children at-
tend public school. He served as
a parent leader in Citizens for
REPLACEMENT page 14

PHOTO BY GLENN TRIES T

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

c.e;

