'1 1 -C9PMFAT-C° LENDER FOR call (248) 644-8838 fax (248) 644-5760 cmlreloans@bloomfld.com 260 East Brown Street Suite 350 Birmingham, MI 48009 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Fixed and floating rate loans $1 million and up multifamily.light industrial.hotels.senior housing.self-storage.retail office buildings.manufactured home communities Bloomfield Acceptance Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bingham Financial Services EIBITO ALUMNI HOMECOMING All I 994- I 998 GRADUATES BBYO ALUMNI HOMECOMING '98 — )031ATOH INTAILI that calculus, but there are no indica- tions it is likely to happen. So where does this leave the Jews? Some pillars of Jewish strength are unchanged, but there are alarming signs of a weakening at the polls. Jews remain disproportionately involved in financing political cam- paigns; no other group has exploited the controversial campaign finance system as effectively. "Elections today are decided by money, and Jewish contributions — are especially to the Democrats substantial," said American University political scientist Amos Perlmutter. "That means Jewish influence will remain strong, particu- larly on the Democratic side." The Jewish community is also unusually effective in lobbying, and in working with state and local offi- cials who may someday run for Congress, a long-term strategy that is already paying big dividends. Other groups are playing catch up, but they have a long way to go. Although the community is increasingly divided over the Mideast peace process, Israel continues to offer a focus for activism that multi- plies Jewish power. Economic class and country of origin divide the emerging Hispanic bloc, by way of contrast. The numbers and involve- ment of Hispanics may be growing, but translating that into effective political action will be difficult with- out an overarching issue. And Jews continue to be dispro- portionately involved in politics as campaign consultants and workers, as parry officials and as congressional and administration staffers. But as intermarriage and assimila- tion continue to deplete the Jewish demographic presence, Jewish politi- cal power at the voting booth may stand on an increasingly narrow base. Most Jewish analysts say turnout, traditionally higher than among non- Jewish voters, is declining, although statistics are scarce. If that is true, the rise of other ethnic groups — the big will erode Jewish story in 1998 power. Apathy and indifference, the poi- sons of democratic political life, may be particularly toxic for Jews. Finding antidotes — including new ways to get Jews to the polls and new ways to educate them about the Jewish in ► ortance of political issues — is the major challenge facing the com- munity's political leaders in this new era of energized ethnic politics. 7 THE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1998 8:00 p.m. - I 1 :00 p.m. Refreshments, WhirlybalIand lots of fun!!! z Pal 1313Y0 ALUMNI HOMECOMING 0 27 '9287 Detroit Jewish News