he Perfect Location for: America eight years ago." Lapin said that having a Jew in charge of the Office of Faith-Based Action would help down- play any fears that such an office was intended to "Christianize" America. Stephen Goldsmith, the former Jewish mayor of Indianapolis who served as a key domestic adviser in the Bush cam- paign, is thought to be Bush's choice to head up the office. Orthodox Support By placing religious val- ues at the core of the incoming administra- tion, Bush will do a great deal to help unify the country, Lapin said at the meeting. Lapin, known for his involvement in many conservative projects, including a voter regis- tration project led earlier this year by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, said he believes that faith-based social programs have performed much better than their secular coun- terparts. But opponents of charitable choice say there is little evidence to show that. Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said strengthen- ing religious institutions is necessary, but church- es, synagogues and mosques should not be the "be-all and end-all solutions" to social ills. Foxman expressed dis- may at the Jewish repre- sentation at the meeting. The American Jewish community and its views were not repre- . sented, he said, adding that the ADL is writing to Bush to ask for a meeting on this issue. Orthodox Jewish groups say the whole con- cept of religious organiza- tions running social pro- grams is nothing new For example, the fer- vently Orthodox group Agudath Israel of America runs many housing, job training and drug counseling pro- grams through its affili- The action took place Dec. 21 after the High Court of Justice refused to give legislators any more extensions to work out a compromise on the con- troversial deferments. Athens Games Get Israel's Help Athens/JTA — An Israeli police offi- cial is among a team of international experts helping Athens prepare for the 2004 Olympic Games. The official, who serves as deputy chief of operations for the Israeli police, advised the Australian Olympic Committee on security issues before the Sydney Games. Jewish Leader Out Of Jail Moscow/JTA — A Spanish judge freed Russian Jewish leader Vladimir ate for community serv- ices and the affiliate is substantially subsidized by government funds. David Zwiebel, the group's executive vice president for govern- ment and public affairs, said the new federal office could lay down precise guidelines that will address the church- state issues. By running programs through a central office, Zwiebel said, "there will be greater care that the constitutional line is respected." Nathan Diament, director of the Orthodox Union's Institute for Public Affairs, said there are ways to allow faith- based groups to partner with the government and place protections against religious coer- cion and proselytization. Both Orthodox organ- izations said they antici- pated Bush would include representatives from the organized Jewish community in future discussions. ❑ Goussinsky on $5.5 million bail. Goussinsky, a media tycoon who has been the target of a Kremlin legal campaign since earlier this year, will remain under strict house arrest pend- ing a High Court decision on his extradition to Russia, where he is wanted on charges of fraud. U.N. Asked About Holy Sites New York/JTA — Six U.S. religious leaders called on the U.N. General Assembly to declare its support for protecting religious sites around the world. "If you really want to hurt a faith community," an attack on its holy sites "seems to be the most sensitive, most vulnerable focus," said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who led the delega- tion to the United Nations on behalf of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. • Bar & Bat Mitzvahs • Weddings • Corporate Meetings • Class Reunions For more information, contact the Troy Marriott Sales Office: 200 W. Big Beaver Road • (248) 680-9797 GET OUT OF THE LEASING GAME NO DOWN PAYMENT OUTBACK • FORESTER I 4.9% 24 months e , 6.9% 48 months 9 0stlen " 7.9% 60 months 2001 OUTBACK LL BEAN 6 cyi. In Stock IDWIF E R 248-624-0400 AND SONS SUBARU On Maple Rd., West of Haggerty - OPEN SATURDAY 1 0-4 WWW. dwyerandsons.com * * ** *STAIRWAY LIFTS* * * * * THE CAREFREE WAY TO CLIMB STAIRS When you're disabled, or just not able to move around as freely as you once could, stairs can be a real prob- lem. But there is a simple answer. The powered stairway lift. Easily installed to fit curved or straight stairs. They give you back the ability to move around your own home. Folds back-gets in nobody's way. CALL OR STOP BY FOR A FREE DEMONSTRATION ACTON RENTAL & SALES LARRY ARONOFF I love my Stairway Lift! It takes me up and down the stairs with the push of a but- ton. Call for details! (313) 891-6500 (248) 540-5550 %M 12/29 1 1 2000 27