News ike a loving and caring parent, Judaism provides guidance and support during times of need. We draw strength from our friends and family. THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL has been committed to the Detroit Jewish community for over 50 years, as a trusted member of your extended family. THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL Bringing Together Family, Faith & Community THE KAUFMAN COMMUNITY CORNER Be A Part of the Volunteer Extravaganza Thurs., Dec. 25, 1997 On Thursday, December 25, 1997, help serve food to the hungry, comfort the elderly, fix up a shelter and perform other tasks as part of the annual Volunteer Extravaganza, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. This event is open to all interested individuals and families, including chil- dren and grandparents, but space is limited. The registration deadline is December 8. For an invitation, call Joanie Berger at Federation (248) 203-1470 18325 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 • Telephone. 248.569.0020 • Toll Free: 800.325.7105 Please visit us at our new web site: www.irakaufman.com I AM YOUR NIECE. I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND'S CHILD. I AM YOUR GREAT- GRANDDAUGHTER. I AM JARC'S FUTURE. Disability can touch any family. Now or in the future. Over the years, you have helped provide Jewish homes and programs for people with developmental disabilities. Your generous support enables us to take care of today's pressing needs. Diminishing public funds seriously threaten our ability to care for the 250 people waiting for JARC services. We must act now. Please join the JARC Endowment Campaign, Caring for a Lifetime. Because every day a baby is born who will someday need JARC. Call 248-352-5272. 11/21 1997 174 Barbara and Irving Nusbaum, Campaign Chairs claims to represent, still has some way to go in opening up the way it operates, critics say. In particular, moves towards systemic changes of any kind have yet to see light. But Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, who has been one of the conference's most prominent critics, said, "I think the new chairman is try- ing to introduce some new processes for dialogue and interaction. There certain- ly is a changed atmosphere he's trying to infuse." By common agreement, the chair- man of the Presidents Conference — whose mandate is to articulate the con- sensus views of American Jewry to the administration, Israeli officials and other foreign leaders — has one of the toughest jobs around. Salberg, a former ADL presiderit elected to head the 53-member umbrella group last June, presides over an organi- zation still deeply split over Israel's 1993 peace agreement with the Palestinians. But in his first trip to Washington as head of a Presidents Conference delegation, Salberg showed a striking readi- ness to encourage administration activism to get Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. In a three-hour working dinner at the White House with Clinton, Vice President Albert Gore, Israeli President Ezer Weizman and nine other Jewish leaders invited by the White House, Salberg told Clinton, "A very large majority — perhaps 85 percent — sup- port the peace process. We stand behind you to create an environment that will allow the parties to make peace." Still, Salberg warned, the administra- tion should avoid the "heavy hand" of the Bush administration. The next day, Salberg concluded a meeting with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with what several participants described as an unqualified endorsement of administration Mideast peacemaking efforts — just after one member had questioned Albright criti- cally about several public statements she has made taking issue with Israeli poli- cies such as West Bank settlement expansion now Asked about the response he received after Friedman's column characterizing these exchanges, Salberg said, "I've got- ten support — and some criticism." Given the huge range of groups within the conference, there is hardly any view Salberg could voice that would not elicit something similar. But when it comes to how the conference itself operates, Salberg is hearing some who are often at odds in rare agreement. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the leader of the Reform Judaism's Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and Dr. Mandell Ganchrow, president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, for example, both came out recently in opposition to the large but anonymous role played by wealthy outside contributors to the conference budget. Their donations comprise about half the group's budget, raising fears about their influence over the con- ference. During one of Salberg's recent meet- ings with smaller groups of conference members, Foxman and Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, both joined Ganchrow in assailing the increasing role they said was being played by for- mer conference chairmen who are no longer accountable to anyone. Foxman and Klein have also often been at odds. During several of these functions, participants have been struck by the considerably more muted role played by Malcolm Hoenlein, the group's long- time executive vice president, whose profile has loomed large in recent years. But Hoenlein said, "I don't see any change in my role. But I adjust to the chairman. Each chairman has stren gths and brings 'qualities to the job that are unique to him." And Salberg said, "Is his style differ- ent than mine? Well, my wife's style is also different than mine. There's a mutuality of respect. We have no prob- lems." In an interview, Salberg said that despite the calls by some for donor dis- closure, "We would want to follow the dictates of the donor [when he or she requests anonymity]." "Having gone through the list," Salberg said, "I can testify that all of them are reputable ... These are people you wouldn't hesitate to invite for din- ner." As for concerns about what they are getting for their money, he said, "Except kavod [honor] and invitations to certain meetings, there are no other perks I'm aware of." ❑ Conference yields spirited debate.