Andrei Markovits AIL Steven Bayme Shulamit Volkov dropped at dinner parties? Yes, that's happening in Western Europe." Dr. Susannah Heschel of Dartmouth College found it very disturbing that Europeans abdicated their moral and political responsibility by allowing anti-Semitic images, language and myths when discussing the Middle East con- flict. She points to a recent cartoon by a British journalist that shows Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon eating a Palestinian baby as coming from the same poisoned well of anti-Semitism. "It's destructive of Jews and undermines our respect and dignity." On the other hand, she said, the conference didn't dis- cuss the role of racism on the Jewish. side toward the Palestinians. "One exacerbates the other," she said. New Anti-Zionism Dr. David Myers of University of California-Los Angeles Anita Shapira discussed anti-Zionism within the Jewish community. "There's a history of principled anti-Zionism," Dr. Myers said. Some Jews believed that Jews didn't constitute a nation and shouldn't settle in Israel, that it would cause great problems for the Jews. Others, who were part of the Bund, the organization of Jewish workers in Russia, believed that Zionism was a distraction from the workers' struggle and a utopian belief, Myers said. Shapira agreed, but said there must be differentiation before and after Israel became a state. Dr. Shulamit Volkov of Tel Aviv University said, "Israelis are not subjected to anti-Semitism daily as in Europe. On the other hand, you in the diaspora don't experience carry- ing guns and executing the policy in the West Bank and in Gaza. You're not responsible for Israel's polices; we are," she said. "If it against our moral conviction, we're thrown into an inner conflict with other Jews in Israel who think differ- ently. It's easier when you think an action is right, but you're not responsible for its consequences," she said. "When Palestinian children are shot, that's not on your conscience, but ours." One of the most disturbing new developments of anti-Semitism today is its rise in Arab and Muslim countries. Though never close to Jews, Muslims in the past had a higher degree of toler- ance toward Jews compared to the Christian world, Lewis said. Meir Litvak of Tel Aviv University said there's a startling increase in Holocaust denial mobilized by state media in Iran. They say Jews created the Holocaust myth to justify the creation of Israel. "Iran is a most vicious anti-Zionist," Litvak said. To Iran, Israel is a symbol of Western tyran- ny against Islam. The old myths and prejudices against Jews are now spread by modern communication, Shapira added. So even countries like Japan and Korea, with few Jews, spread ideas like Jews rule the world. Steven Bayme, national director of the American Jewish Committee, told the confer- ence that Jews are no longer as vulnerable as they were on the eve of the Holocaust. At that time, 80 percent of the world's Jews were affected. NoW, 40 percent of Jews live in America and 40 percent in Israel. "Jews learned they cannot stand alone," he said, and Jews now have powerful allies. However, there are no easy answers to the rise of anti-Semitism, Bayme concluded. ❑ Bridging Divides Ecumenical Institute's Dove Dinner honors those who make a difference. DON COHEN Special to the Jewish News I t was a welcome reality check for the 160 per- sons at the annual Dove Dinner of the Ecu- menical Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies. While it would be hard to find a local group more concerned about the rising tide of European anti-Semitism, the polarizing affect of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and the reticence of many to bridge religious divides and respect differences — hon- orees at the April 15 dinner showed how much has been done and can be done. Theodore Bikel and Sister Rose Thering, close friends who first met in the 1960s advocating for free- dom for Soviet Jews, both received the James R. Lyons Award in Christian-Jewish Relations. Bikel, a star of stage, screen and television, fired up the audience with the inspiring story of his civil rights activism and treat- ed them to English, Hebrew and Yiddish renditions of "Ani Ma'amin" ("I Believe"). Thering, who was unable to attend because of health age" to Israel was a case where "his actions spoke much louder than words." She also thanked the Archdiocese of Detroit for its active involvement and support of the programs of the Institute. A Benedictine nun, Sister Rose reviewed Catholic educational materials in the 1950s as part of her doc- toral thesis, which led directly the groundbreaking changes in Catholic teaching about Jews and others addressed in the Vatican's 1965 Nostra Aetate declaration. "It would not be out of line to say none of us would be here tonight without Sister Rose," institute Executive Director David Blewett told the audience. Local community leaders Merton Segal and Elaine Sturman were honored with Legacy Award for their Actor Theodore Bikel shared the- James R. Lyons Award in many years of active support. Segal serves on the insti- Christian Jewish Relations; Elaine Sturman and Merton tute's advisory council and the board of trustees and is Segal received the Ecumenical Institute's Legacy Award. a former dinner co-chairperson and active fund-raiser. Sturman is a former board president active with the restrictions, spoke to the group by videotape. She institute since participating in the first dialogue group noted her long friendship with the late Rev. Lyons and developed by Rev. Lyons. She remains active in many the importance of Christian support for Israel and the roles, including community outreach as a speakers Jewish people. She said Pope John Paul II's "pilgrim- bureau member. Fl 4/23 2004 19