EDITORIAL

The 46th Annual Jewish Book Fair
would like to express our thanks and
appreciation to the following:

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Keep in mind what this week's cri-
sis is about: suspected caches of chem-
ical and biological weapons and Scud
missiles to deliver them, most likely,
to Saddam's target of choice — Israel.
Other rogue nations, with Iran and
Syria heading the list, are not far
behind in the quest for nightmare
arsenals.
OP
Progress in Israeli-Palestinian talks
will not neutralize Saddam Hussein or
defang the ayatollahs in Teheran, but
it will dampen an overheated regional
atmosphere that has allowed these
dangerous despots to thrive, despite
the misery they inflict on their own
people and the threat they pose to
their neighbors.
• The Iraqi menace also casts a differ-
ent light on internal Jewish divisions.
Jews in this country have focused
tremendous attention on the latest
"Who is a Jew?" battles in Israel.
There's no avoiding the fact that these
are significant issues for many Jews
who have supported Israel with pas-
sion over the years, and now feel dis-
enfranchised by a government that
accedes to the demands of a narrow
Orthodox minority.

But Saddam, with his canisters of
anthrax and botulism, reminds us that
there are genuine survival issues at
play, and that American Jews have a -
duty to support Israel in this perilous
time, even as they express their unhap-
piness over specific policies of the cur-
rent government.
Jews here also need to actively sup-
port an American administration that
is desperately trying to maintain inter-
national pressure against the Iraqis,
despite a long list of so-called allies
who would trade with Satan himself if
there was a franc or ruble to be made.
Israeli leaders need to sit up and
take notice as well. This week, the
Hebrew press has headlined the sordid
story of infighting in the Likud party,
not the explosive confrontation with
Iraq.
This latest showdown with Iraq,
which demonstrates anew the menace
posed by a devious and well-armed
Saddam Hussein, should be a wake-up
call to bickering Israeli politicians.
Israel needs to use its robust democra-
cy to craft visions for a new and very
dangerous ra, not for petty political
squabbling. ❑

EDITORS NOTEBOOK

WORLD

from page 23

What concerns me is that there are
people who want to just wave their
hands and shake their heads, in that
judgmental way that people often do.
No, we can't do that. Two months
ago, we had a panel on pluralism at
the Jewish Community Center.
Speaking that evening were rabbis
from all denominations. Each gave a
presentation about his denomination.
pThey spoke briefly on the issue of plu-
ralism, and then answered questions.
It was good, for a start.
We need to continue the dialogue.
This newspaper, the JCC, Federation
and other organizations need to now
bring the many Mrs. Stollmans of our
neighborhoods together. We've heard
from the rabbis, and that's great. But
the people now need to be given a
wforum to discuss what's going on.
I remember an amazing two days in
Oak Park from a few years ago. We
were building a playground at the
JPM JCC. It was made out of wood
and tires. And construction took place
over the July 4 holiday. When most
people were up north or somewhere

else on vacation, hundreds of Jews
came together to build this biblical
playpark. Did I mention that some of
these Jews wore shirts and T-shirts?
Did I tell you that some had kippot
on? Some wore long skirts and long
sleeves in the hot summer heat. Who
was a Jew? We all were Jews.
The goal was the children. It didn't
matter where you prayed or even if
you prayed. We were Jews working
together. If you were there, you know
well that it wasn't easy work.
Too simplistic for you? Too much
pap? It's hard not to make a friend
when a person is using a saw and ask-
ing you to hold a piece of wood.
The dialogue has to start. It's way
too late in a way. But let's not wait for
someone else to get us organized. The
call should go out now to facilitate
meetings such as this. It takes guts, it
takes courage.
But if we can meet in the spirit of
cooperation, without judgement, I
think at least locally we can talk this
out productively.
Your suggestions please. ❑

MONT 0
BLANC

9.?

A tradition of trust.

THE ART OF WRITING

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11 /21
1997

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