My mom is special
because...

opposition accused the government of
surrendering to Orthodox censorship,
and the government accused the
opposition of whipping up anti-reli-
gious sentiment for political gain.
The ugliest incident came when
right-wing Kach members taped a
photomontage depicting a nude
Yitzhak Rabin to the walls of the
/- 'Jerusalem office of Peace Generation,
which is led by Rabin's son, Yuval. "If
the left harms what is holy to Israel,
like Batsheva is doing, then the
activists of Kach will harm what is
holy to the left," read Kach's
announcement.
With the public, a consensus
formed around two opinions: The reli-
\- gious politicians had again abused
their power; and/or the show's orga-
nizers should not have included the
scene in the first place.
After all, it really was offensive to
most religious viewers, and an
Independence Day show was not the
venue to offend people in the name of
artistic freedom. This point was made
by a number of consistently liberal,
H anti-Orthodox commentators.
On the other hand, "Anaphase" was
one of the most popular Israeli dances
in recent years, seen by over 100,000
Israelis. Batsheva, the country's leading
dance company, performed it at
Israel's 50th anniversary celebration in
Washington, D.C., and gets consider-
able government funding, which
increased under the previous religious
minister.
Politicians from the secular parties
such as the right-wing Tsomet, and
left-wing Meretz and Labor said this
was the time to capitalize on public
sentiment and introduce laws to sepa-
rate religion and state.
But Tel Aviv Mayor Roni Milo
seized the political moment. At a con-
cert of the Israel Philharmonic in Tel
Aviv the night after the Jubilee Bells
show, Milo declared that the 100,000-
plus audience was in fact "a demon-
stration in support of artistic freedom
and against religious coercion."
A couple of days later he
announced he was quitting the Likud,
quitting his race for re-election in
November (which he was expected to
win easily), and running for prime
minister as head of a new political
party dedicated to pluralism and free-
dom. The Batsheva controversy, Milo
said, was the "turning point" that led
to his decision — although most corn-
mentators believed Milo had just been
waiting for the right moment to make
his move. ❑

Now isy our chance to tell everyone just how
special your Mother truly is!

In 100 words, or less, explain why your mother deserves
to win beautiful jewelry from Tapper's.
(Open to kids 14 and under, pre-schoolers can send a drawing)
Win one of many great prizes for your mom!

Bring in, or mail, your essay or picture to Tapper's.
Include mother's name, child's name, address and phone number.
All entries must be received by Saturday, May 9th. Winner will be drawn
by random selection. Winning entries will be displayed in our store.

r_ OTH E R' S

DAY OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

CHILD'S FIRST NAME

LAST

MOTHER'S FIRST NAME

LAST

AGE

ADDRESS

ZIP

CITY

PHONE

L

MINIM MEM 11=111 =MI =MI MEI

Diamonds

Fine *lewdly

6337 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield 48322

248-932-7700 • 1-800-337-GIFT

5/8
1998

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