rid

Israelis
Still Favor Bibi

Everyone's talking about new elections,
but the opposition leader
isn't showing that he up to the challenge.

editor of the English-language edition
of Ha'aretz, dismissed the current con-
troversy over pluralism as an artificial
one foisted on Israelis by the self-serving
diaspora leaders of Reform and
Conservative Judaism.
On the other hand, there were
staunch proponents of pluralism, the
most extreme of whom was Hebrew
University Professor Nachman Ben-
Yehuda, a bitter adversary of what he
calls "the Orthodox occupation of
Israel."

Lubotzky believes that a solution to the
problems of conversion and marriage
can be found by accepting the
Orthodox approach to Halachah and,
ith the Netanyahu gov-
at the same time, granting official
ernment on the verge of
recognition to Reform and
falling apart and new
Conservative rabbis. However, his
elections a distinct possi-
attempt to square the circle was rejected
bility, it is worthy of note that Bibi
by another speaker, Conservative Rabbi
remains a much more effective speaker
Einat Ramon, who sees no reason why
than his main rival and would-be suc-
she and her movement should accept
cessor, Labor Party Chairman Ehud
the authority of the Orthodox on ques-
Ow Barak.
tions of Jewish law.
This was evident at the end of the
Another session at which there
Dec. 7 International Conference of
„ were sharp differences of opinion
the-Jewish Media, where the two
was devoted to the peace process. As
appeared, one after the other, at a
/, might be expected, Faisal Husseini
morning session in Jerusalem's
of the Palestinian Authority claimed
Crown P127n Hotel. Even though a
that Netanyahu and company were
majority of the 120 Jewish journalists
responsible for the failure to reach a
from 32 countries in the room prob-
e. settlement, a view with which for-
ably sympathized with Barak, few
mer Labor Prime Minister Shimon
failed to be impressed by the ease
Peres largely agreed.
with which the prime minister han-
Likudnik Dr. Uzi Landau, chair-
dled even the most difficult quan-
man of the Knesset's Security and
daries.
Foreign Affairs Committee, was of
This contrasted with the stiff,
the opposite opinion. He declared
almost wooden manner of the Labor
that Israel had already conceded too
party chief, which made it difficult
much to the Palestinians, and
for him to sell his message. While
received nothing but worthless'
generally speaking in Hebrew, Barak
promises in return.
os did switch to English in response to a
In some cases lectures were sup-
question from a CNN reporter, who
plemented by field trips, as hap-
asked him whether the current hold-
pened in regard to the absorption of
up in the peace process was the result
Ethiopian immigrants. At a hand-
of Netanyahu's procrastination.
some new Ethiopian cultural center
Obviously bewildered, Barak
and synagogue in Beersheba, confer-
mumbled "pro, pro" and then "cras,
ence participants heard encouraging
cras." Finally he asked: "What does
reports about what is being done for
that word mean?" When he found
out, his reply came quickly. But that Ehud Barak is the main rival and would-be suc- the newcomers, but also were
informed that many Ethiopian
was too late to save him from embar- cessor to Netanyahu.
youngsters are alienated from their
rassment.
.
parents and Israeli society alike, that
Since the two spoke separately,
The panelist who tried hardest to
over a thousand of them are on the
there wasn't the same stormy confronta-
build a bridge of understanding was
verge of delinquency.
tion as occurred during an earlier panel
Alex Lubotzky, a Knesset member and
Thus the overseas Jewish journalists
discussion on religious pluralism in this
noted Hebrew University mathemati-
went back home with a realistic picture
country. On the one hand, David
cian. While Orthodox himself,
of Israel, warts and all. 0
Landau, JTA bureau chief in Israel and

NECHEMIA MEYERS
Special to The Jewish News

W

•

Hiller Encourages

Study Of Torah

New York (JTA) — A new educa-
tional initiative launched by Flillel
aims to encourage college students
to study the Torah's text directly.
Thanks to a recent $5 million
grant, the Joseph Meyerhoff
Center for Jewish Learning will
emphasize informal study of
Jewish texts. Sessions may take
place in dormitories, dining halls
and student unions.
The center is based at the
Washington headquarters of
Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish
Campus Life.
While individual campuses
have had text-based learning pro-
grams for years, the Meyerhoff
Center hopes to make this stan-
dard programming on a national
and international basis.

Fires Are Set
At Two LA Shuls

Los Angeles (JTA) — A task force
of federal and local officials is
investigating fixes, apparently set
by arsonists, at two neighboring
Orthodox synagogues here.
Although authorities have not
ruled out the possibility of hate
crimes, the absence of the usual
anti-Semitic graffiti has led them
to believe that the fires were set by
one or more transients.
The two Sunday evening fires
blackened and damaged the build-
ings of Congregation Kehillas
Yaakov and Congregation Shaarei
Tefila.h, located in the city's, tradi-
tionally Jewish, Fairfax district.
A student arriving for a 9 p.m.
Talmud class Sunday discovered
the fire at Kehillas Yaakov, a con-
gregation of 100 families.
Damage to carpets, linoleum
and ceilings is estimated at $7,000
to $10,000.
Aftereffects of the fire at
Shaarei Tefilah, which apparently
burned only briefly, were discov-
ered Monday morning. Damage
to the congregation of 271 fami-
lies was put at several thousand
dollars.
Despite the limited damages,
authorities are taking the incidents
seriously.

1/16
1998

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