I. EDITOR'S WATCH
Tension Between Federation And Press
Invigorates The Working Relationship
At the same time, he said Federa-
he natural tension between
tion must become more relevant and
Federation and the press is
responsive to public demands if it's
healthy, a high-ranking
going to help sustain Jewish continu-
Federation representative
ity into the next century.
told a group of Jewish journalists last
Kraar believes Federation
week.
and the press share a passion
"I'm a fan of your right to
for unfettered discussion.
write it. I'll defend that till
"I'm a strong advocate of
the end of the day," said
public debate," he said, "not
Martin Kraar, executive vice
private negotiation."
president of the Council of
To foster such debate in
Jewish Federations, umbrella
my view, Federation must
agency for local Federations
maintain direct lines of
nationwide. "A controlled
communication with the
press is worse than no press."
press and the public, no
Kraar, executive vice presi-
ROBE RT A.
matter what the issue.
dent of the Jewish Federation
S KLAR
Kraar said CJF recently
of Metropolitan Detroit from
Ed itor
hosted an on-line chat and
1986 to 1989, was a keynot-
heard from 60 to 70 people.
er at the annual conference
"For 90 minutes," he said, "we heard
of the American Jewish Press Associa-
directly how people are influenced, or
tion (AJPA) in Cleveland.
not influenced, by their local Federa-
He told his audience he hoped they
tion."
would become more compelling
From my perspective, on-line inter-
sources of information about signifi-
activity is something Federation also
cant Jewish issues, especially relating
could introduce locally as part of its
to U.S. policy toward Israel.
community out-reach.
"Frankly, outside of the top 5,000
But more importantly, Federation
people in Jewish life today, there aren't
must assure it isn't overly sensitive to
a lot of people out there who under-
talking openly about itself — about
stand what you're writing .about
fund-raising, allocations or adminis-
because you haven't taken enough
trative policy. Open lines of commu-
time to explain the issues," said Kraar,
nication give Federation free rein to
eager to coax a reaction from the jour-
explaining how it collects and man-
nalists.
ages hard-earned donor dollars. The
He challenged the press to join
likely response to such openness — to
Federation in addressing the question
spreading more sunshine on internal
of how to build "a strong, cohesive,
operations — is enhanced support for
dedicated Jewish community."
Federation's cause, not less.
and our years of experience. Often-
times, there is good reason to share
information with the media. Some-
times, not. We reserve the right to
make the call.
Michael P. Horowitz, President
Donald H. Cohen, Director
Anti-Defamation League/Michigan
Region
All Interests
Must Balance
I am a member of Adat Shalom Syna-
gogue and personally saw the graffiti
at issue ("The Silence Is Dismaying"
June 19). (A likely suspect would seem
to be a graduate student in political
science or philosophy with too much
time on his hands.) Your editorial
makes much of a peripheral issue and
unfairly criticizes the synagogue's exec-
utive director, who was acting in the
institution's best interests.
Whether to talk to the press is
properly the victim's decision, not
yours. In a case like this, a synagogue
has several different interests at stake,
all of which must be balanced. These
include: how and when to inform its
members; avoiding undue notoriety or
publicizing the vandals; what might
assist the police. Your reporter, on the
other hand, is interested only in get-
ting the story.
In addition, I was startled and dis-
mayed to see you say: "I try not to
read evil into the actions of those who
vent their rage by defacing Jewish
institutions." What do you mean to
suggest? Could this be a childish
prank, an inarticulate cry for sympa-
thy, legitimate political protest or, per-
In terms of the
Allied Jewish Cam-
paign, Federation
should maintain a
posture of actively
inviting, and quickly
responding to,
requests about how
contributions are
allocated — thereby
reinforcing its open-
ness with the public.
Donors have a right
to know how much
of their gift is staying
home, going to Israel
and headed else-
where.
-- In conclusion,
Kraar acknowledged
the press has the last
word. "All I have," he
said, "is an appeal to
help frame what this
Martin Kraar, Council of Jewish Federations executive vice
world is all about."
president.
More than any-
thing, Federation and
I concur wholeheartedly with Kraar
the press must be honest with each
that it's easier to hear the truth if
other. If all is rosy, something's wrong.
you're used to telling the truth.
Either the press is forsaking its respon-
There's no advantage to Federa-
sibility by not querying Federation
tion or the press ignoring reality
about seeming red flags, or Federation
and covering up what the relentless
is overstepping its bounds by not
winds of time are sure to uncover
detailing circumstances the public
anyway. ❑
should know about.
So as Federation and the press con-
T o leave a voice t ad messa e. for
verge, it's important to remember the
Robert Sklar, please rail (248)
prevailing tension represents a breed-
-6060, ext. 258.
ing ground for mutual respect and a
mutually acceptable result.
haps, a form of folk art? No, this was
a calculated and deliberately targeted
act. Your unwillingness to form a
moral judgments to the perpetrators
even as you criticize the victim is
unfortunate and disturbing.
Roger H. Leemis
Southfield
Response Is Not
Representative
I am writing to you in response to the
quote by Mr. Yehiel Leket, new world
co-chairman of Karen Kayemeth Leis-
rael (parent organization of the Jewish
National Fund) that was published in
your newspaper (Quotables June 12).
Mr. Leket's statements were his own
and not those of the Jewish National
Fund. Mr. Leket was answering a
direct question as to what was hap-
pening in Israel with regard to the
issue of pluralism. He said he was
speaking for himself and repeating the
opinion of the "man in the street."
The Jewish National Fund is the
American fund-raising arm of its sole
agent in Israel, Keren Kayemeth Leis-
rael Inc., which is the official environ-
mental agency in Israel. Through its
fund-raising and awareness efforts,
JNF of America and its sister organi-
zations around the world support
KKL in the reclamation of land for
planting and forestry; environmental
concerns; water conservation; recre-
ation and agriculture; employment of
new immigrants; tourism; research
and development. Jewish National
Fund is a non-political, non-religious
organization. We don't "dabble" in
politics.
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