COMMUNITY VIEWS

Jews Take Stands
In Civil Rights

receives an answer is why such political
hat is wrong with this
activism
is good for some minorities —
picture?
in
fact
most,
if not all, other minorities
When blacks protest
—
except
Jews.
against discrimination,
Labor, gays, Hispanics, blacks,
racism or other forms of bigotry by
women — all have long understood
picketing, boycotting organizations or
accepted and endorsed that political
condemning the offenders in
activism is a valuable and
high-profile press conferences,
probably the only effective
they are called liberals.
means of fighting discrimi-
When gays, women and
nation.
Hispanics and minority
Jews resort to writing let-
groups engage in similar polit-
ters to the editor, "dialogues"
ical activism they are called
and let's not forget "building
liberals.
bridges of understanding."
When labor pickets and
When
is the last time Jews
recommends boycotts of corn-
participated
in a picket line
panies with whom they are
BERL
for
a
Jewish
cause,
held a
engaged in disagreements, the
FALBAUM
press
conference
to
condemn
unions are considered liberals,
anti-Semitism or conducted
Special to
fighting for liberal causes.
The Jewish News a boycott of an offending
When Jews, who have a
organization?
long and commendable
The
unfortunate
answer to that
record in civil rights and in the labor
question
is
one
reason
why
university
movement, join and support these
students,
when
faced
with
anti-Semi-
groups in their fights, they are called
tism on campuses, frequently complain
liberals.
in interviews, they don't know "whom
But when Jews engage in these
or where to turn to for help." Black
kinds of protests or even propose them
students have no such problems.
on behalf of Jewish causes, or to fight
Black leaders, organizing the civil
anti-Semitism, they are called conserva-
rights
movement in the 1950s and
tives.
1960s,
were criticized by members of
They are told by the very people
their
communities
for "causing trou-
who join the causes of other minorities
ble."
They
were
told
"things would get
that for Jews to boycott, picket and
worse"
if
boycotts
and/or
other forms
protest is "counterproductive" or "it
of public political activism were carried
will do more harm than good."
out.
However, the question that never
Fortunately, the black leaders had
Berl Falbaum is a public relations spe-
the vision and fortitude to reject the
cialist and a freelance writer.
arguments and over the last 40 years

W

created a psychology in the U.S. that
lets bigots know that if they practice
racism publicly, they will suffer conse-
quences.
None of the other minority groups
bothers with the traditional letters of
"outrage," or filing complaints with
offending institutions, organizations or
individuals. They act.
Consider one of the NAACP's latest
objectives, removing the word "nigger"
or, at least changing its definition in
Merriam-Webster dictionary. If its
demands are not met, the NAACP said
it would launch a boycott against the
dictionary.
The NAACP's arguments are valid
and there is no soul-searching, no hair
pulling about what it will do to achieve
its goal. It has made a very simple deci-
sion: It will ask schools and universities
not to purchase the dictionary. Is there
anyone who doubts that the NAACP
will not be successful?
Indeed, Jews should join the
NAACP and, simultaneously, request
in the change in the definition of
"kike," which, like the word "nigger,"
is defined as "usually" a derogatory
statement. Both words are always
inflammatory and discriminatory.
We still want to appease, to
befriend, to educate, to compromise,
to plead and, most tragically, in some
cases, to literally buy acceptance with
contributions to the very groups that
attack us most vehemently.
We will earn respect when we -
demand it. We will be successful in
gaining acceptance when we prove to

those who attack us that we value our
culture, our religion, our history, our
heritage and will stand up with forti-
tude in defending them.
Our enemies may not abandon their
anti-Semitism (just as racists have not
abandoned their hatred for blacks) but
they will not practice it publicly when
they know their self-interest is at stake.
The objective is not to eliminate
discrimination. That is an impossible
task. Blacks understood that. They did
not care whether segregationalists liked
them or not.
What they wanted were equal
opportunities in our society and when-
ever they don't receive it, they take
whatever responsible action is neces-
sary.
Organizations and individuals
respond to their special interests —
that's all they respond to.
Restaurant and bus boycotts in the
South were successful because they
affected the economy of the respective
communities — their well-being.
Boycotts and pickets work because,
again, they impact the financial securi-
ty of the targeted organizations.
When, if ever, will we learn that
responsible political activism is a time-
honored civil rights and labor tradition
— a liberal tradition — and is not
only effective, but it is just as liberal
when conducted for oneself than when
implemented for others?
We should carry on for others, but
also for ourselves the legacy of Dr.

RIGHTS on page 40

LETTERS

Unfortunately, due to technical
problems beyond our control and con-
sequently the inability to keep the
attention of the audience, including
athletes and adults, our performance
was basically ignored.
•
It is difficult to express the depth of
the disappointment that was felt by
every member of our team. In the spirit
of Maccabi, we were truly a team. Our
44 dancers, 26 singers, three choreogra-
phers, five musicians and our wonderful
musical director spent two-to-three
evenings a week and many Sundays
rehearsing for a period of three months
and countless additional hours prepar-
ing the songs and dances. Luckily,
although tedious at times, the time we
spent together was mostly fun and we
learned a great deal.
Our cast consisted of several sets of
siblings, mothers, daughters, aunts,

8/28
1998

36 Detroit Jewish News

uncles and cousins who otherwise may
not have had the opportunity to spend
quality time together. We had sea-
soned performers and others who have
never done anything like this before.
Our choir consisted of singers from
various synagogues and the Zamir
Chorale. It was a tremendous commu-
nity effort.
I would like to publicly thank
everyone involved. It was a pleasure
meeting and working with all of you.
Arlene Sorkin, chair

JCC Maccabi Games
opening ceremonies

Thank You
To Hosts

The 1998 North American Maccabi
Games have come to an end with

Bloomfield Hills host family members
Sam and Diane Orley check out the
monkeys at Detroit Zoo Night.

great success.
The Maccabi host families made
these games happen. You opened
your hearts and your homes to Mac-
cabi athletes from all over the world
with love and heartfelt welcome.
You are the link with other Jewish
Maccabi families, athletes and

their families in other cities and
countries.
We want to express our gratitude
for understanding the insurmountable
task of housing 3,000 athletes. Thank
you for your patience. For those fami-
lies who offered their homes and were
not assigned athletes, we thank you as
well. We knew you could always be
called on.
How fortunate we have been to
share in this unique experience. Our
community and our lives have been
enriched by our commitment to these
young Maccabi athletes. Thank you
for joining with us to make this great
event possible.
Carol Eisenshtadt
Maddee Adelson
Housing chairwomen

.

JCC Maccabi Games