CHAMEQHME
0 COMPANY

JEWELERS and ANTIQUARIANS

But the "compromise" proposal
now being considered says not a
word about the Chief Rabbinate
working with the Reform and Con-
servative movements. No mention is
made of the lenient spirit that was to
be adopted in conversion courts.
Mentioned is the one element of the
original recommendations that the
Chief Rabbinate was happy to
accept: affirmation of
its right to be the sole
authority to conduct
recognized conversions
in Israel.
True, there is refer-
ence to a Jewish studies
institute for prepara-
tion of conversion can-
didates in which repre-
sentatives of all streams
are to take part. But
since those with the
authority to convert
have refused to partici-
pate and reject the very concept of
cooperative preparation of candi-
dates, the institute is certain to be
empty of content and devoid of any
real meaning.
So no matter how often govern-
ment representatives say that they
support a "compromise" that carries
out what the Neeman Committee
proposed, leaders of the Reform
movement feel betrayed. They took
the extraordinary step of conceding
final control over conversions to the
Chief Rabbinate, in return for which
they were to enter into a historic

new covenant that was to grant them
recognition based upon cooperation
with Israel's religious establishment.
Six months later, all the benefits
have disappeared. All that remains is
the Chief Rabbinate's total authority
over the conversion process, now to
be written into law for the first time
in Israel's history.
The Reform movement is still pre-
pared for a true corn-
promise. This might
mean a return to the
original Neeman rec-
ommendations, a
technical solution, or
a new system that
would put conversion
into the hands of dif-
ferent religious
authorities prepared
to commit themselves
to a cooperative
approach. But Reform
Jews will never accept
the total surrender that is being
demanded of them.
The Reform leaders now visiting
Israel marvel at the chutzpah of those
who tell them that the "compromise"
proposal is a historic step forward
when it looks so much
like the old conversion bill in different
form; this proposal seems like, and is,
a cover for maintaining undisturbed
the Orthodox monopoly.
The government's plan may main-
tain the unity of the coalition, but it
will not maintain the unity of the
Jewish people. ❑

"anteadiaggia l

Leaders of
the Reform
movement
feel
betrayed.

COMMUNITY VIEWS

ARMY from page 28

were needed to ease the burden for the
young soldiers and reservists by har-
vesting crops and doing the non-mili-
tary jobs. Thus, volunteers con-
tributed to the country while not tak-
ing part in the actual war.
Since that time, over 45,000 volun-
teers from all 50 states as well as 20
other countries have taken part in the
program. We were told that at the
time we were in Israel there were
about 500 volunteers there. Americans
were only a small percentage of the
group. Most programs are about three
weeks long and the age range of par-
ticipants is 18 to 80.
I personally have enjoyed meeting
people from all over the country and
the world. This trip was so special. I
was in the State of Israel for the 50th

birthday, a country that was not sup-
posed to have survived two weeks. I
was able to share my love for the
country with a dear friend, who was
busy convincing me, as I her, that we
couldn't possibly be 60 as we giggled
and laughed like we did our freshman
year.
I was able to give something of
myself to a land that must be pre-
served and protected for the genera-
tions to come. My birthday celebra-
tion became so exciting as our group
was thanked for being there, in gener-
al, besides the economic benefits we
contributed.
How lucky I am to be celebrating
my 60th surrounded by my family
and friends and to have had the joy of
making this special trip. ❑

kpg44-- 1 05N0,k 1-,

ss

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS

ALE

ENTIRE STOCK

Up To

OFF

Jewelry • Diamonds
Estate Jewelry
Watches • Clocks
Porcelain
Antique Silver
Paintings &
Many other
Treasures

VALUES FROM $100 TO $100,000

CHAQTE210U8E 0 CO 1PANY

16835 KERCHEVAL • GROSSE POINTE

Near Cadieux in the Village, one block west of Jacobson's
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., MONDAY thru SATURDAY

VISA • MASTERCARD • AMERICAN EXPRESS HONORED

CITY OF GROSSE POINTE LICENSE # 98-1

