"Whatever the combination of forces that impel it, there is now, for the first time in postwar Austria, a serious com- mitment to fighting racism and anti- semitism," wrote Jewish scholar Robert Wistrich in a report last year on Austria and the legacy of the Holocaust. On the other hand, he continued, "if the establishment has become more lib- eral in the wake of the Waldheim fiasco, the reservoir of provincial conservatism and of radical-populist protest remains formidable." This negative trend coalesced around the Freedom Party and particularly around Haider himself He was elected leader of the party in 1986 when he was only 37 and radicalized it into a hotbed of national populism that appeals to "Austria for the AUstrians." The son of Nazi supporters, Haider is a charismatic politician who is skilled in switching his positions and rhetoric to suit his audiences. He became infamous for statements that praised aspects of the Third Reich. While promising law and order, fam- ily benefits, more jobs and a flat tax, his rhetoric plays on fears that Austria will be "swamped" by immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Third World. As such, he loudly has warned against the planned expansion of the European Union to include several former Communist states. Marta Halpert, director of the Vienna-based Europe office of the Anti- Defamation League, calls him a "strate- gic opportunist." "Haider brilliantly uses and therefore profits from his strategic opportunism," she told an audience last month. Andras Kovacs, a Budapest-based sociologist who closely tracks national- ism, xenophobia and antisemitism, pre- dicted that Haider would soon distance himself from antisemitism — at least on the surface — if his party entered the government "All this is not important for Haider, and he was actually not very radical in these sensitive questions," Kovacs said. "What he said was meant for a certain Austrian audience for electoral purpos- es. ), In her presentation, Halpert stressed that critics of Haider should also look beyond his own powerful demagogy. She said the two leading parties, the Social Democrats and the Conservatives, "do have their share of responsibility for Haider's electoral success." Vienna, she said, "ignored the gun- powder of daily cultural clashes, and that is exactly the playground where Haider could act out his nationalistic, xenophobic policy." ❑ Get Your Brain Out of Winter's pggF FRigx Enroll in an AJE Lifelong Learning Judaic Studies Course! Winter 2000 AN INTENSIVE TOUR THROUGH JEWISH HISTORY Instructor: Rabbi Steven Weil, Young Israel of Oak Park Philosophical, historical and political Issues that have faced the Jewish people. Mondays, 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m Beginning February 7, for 13 weeks Jewish Community Center, D. Dan and Betty Kahn Bldg., Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus, W. Bloomfield. WHO IS WISE? INSIGHTS FROM PIRI(EI AVOT Instructor: Rabbi Rod Glogower, B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation, University of Michigan A study of Mishnaic text for those at an envy level as well as those with some text study experience. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - noon Beginning February 9, for 14 weeks Agency for JewiSh Education 21550 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield. INSIDE THE RABBINIC MIND instructor: Rabbi Rod Glogower, B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation, University of Michigan gency or jewigi education An exploration of Talmud commentaries, codes, responsa and other genre of Rabbinic literature. Cgirrik f . Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Beginning February 9, for 14 weeks Agency for Jewish Education 21550 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield. AJE offers a variety of other adult education learning oppgitunities. To register fOr a Judaic Studies course or for a Lifelong Learning brochure, please call Haviva Jacobs at AJE, (248) 354-1050. Rabbi Steven Well Rabbi Rod Glogower The Agency for.Jewish Education is a constituent of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. 1 .1encis ani relatives will arrive or hours to see you in it 1 sn't it word a 20—minute 'Alvin's Bride is moving to St. Clair Shores. Our new location, a beautiful 9000 square-foot Victorian Mansion, is just a 20-minute drive from our former location in Birmingham. And worth every minute. Now we have more room to serve you even better. More room for more stunning designer gowns than ever before. More room for parking. Even a quiet place to just sit and relax with a cup of tea to ponder your important decision with family and friends. All with Alvin's 21-year reputation for unparalleled customer service and the finest custom alterations intact. You and your family will remember your wedding day for a lifetime. Take the time to make it perfect. Come to Alvin's Bride. For your wedding day to remember 810.498.7200 • www.alvinsbride.qpg.com 26717 Little Mack Avenue (just off 1-696, 11 Mile Rd. exit) • St. Clair Shores Jht 2/4 2000 27