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could be a backlash," Rudin said.
"If Jesus doesn't come back, whom
can they blame?" Rudin asked.
"Historically, Jews have often been
blamed for not cooperating in this
Christian end-of-the-world plan."
Others are more concerned about
technology than theology. They say
that a failure of computer systems
worldwide to recognize the change of
the millennium could have disastrous
consequences for individuals, commu-
nities and the environment.
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of
the Shalom Center, which is a division
of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish
Renewal, says that the whole problem
stems from an overreliance on com-
puters, which he has dubbed "techno-
idolatry."
Technology
problems and a
right-wing
backlash?
His concerns range from the poten-
tial interruption of crucial supplies of
oil, food and medicines to what he
believes is the worst case scenario: "a
chemical plant or nuclear plant going
haywire, releasing massive amounts of
poisonous chemicals. Most nuclear
plants require electricity to shut down,
so not being able to do so could make
serious trouble," he said.
To prepare, he and his wife have
stockpiled two weeks' worth of sup-
plies for five people: bottled water,
cans of tuna, vegetables and fruit, as
well as flashlights and batteries, and a
radio powered by turning a crank.
They are keeping lots of books, espe-
cially a Bible, close by.
Waskow may be one of a small
number of Jewish voices calling for
other Jews to take such precautionary
measures, but he's not alone.
"I for one am not ready to give up
the batteries and bottled water in my
kitchen cabinet," said Pam. Schafler,
an ADL lay leader who introduced the
millennium symposium last month.
For his part, Richard Landes said
that even if the calendar changes over
from 1999 to 2000 without incident,
debate and fear will not end.
"I don't think it's intelligent to
assume that this will all decrease next
year," he said. E
.
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