Ajcongress Report: Jewish Identity Will Remain Strong

R. I. Jewish Historical Associa t ion 11 INSIDE: Books, page 12 130 Sessions Street From The Editor, page 4 Arts & Entertainment, Providence , RI 02906 Education, pages 10- 1'1 pages 15-17 · THE ONLY ENGLISH-JEWISH WEEKLY IN R.I. AND SOUTHEAST MASS. VOLUME LXXI, NUMBER 16 FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1984 30C PER COPY Reagqn Urges American Jews T.o AJCongress Report: Support U.S. Arms Sale To Jordan Jewish Identity Will Remain Strong by David Friedman America's strat.egic interest - and I r' (JTAJ - President Reagan, while believe it is in Israel's strategic interest - stressing his commitment to maintain for the U.S. t.o help meet Jordan's Despite demographic changes and a dit.ionally, Jewish educational institutions strong close ties between the U.S. and legitimate need for defense against the high rate of intermarri age and assimila lack a solid base of trained teachers and Israel, urged American J ews last week to growing power of Syria and Iran." tion, Jewish identity in coming decades are experiencing a serious financial crisis. support the sale of U.S. arms to Jordan. Reagan said that " Arab governments wi ll remain a strong and vibrant forc e in American life, according to a report just 'Bipolarity' A Growing Issue "Such assistance to Jordan does not and the Palestinian Arabs must decide The AJCongress predicts a growing threaten Israel but enhances the prospects whether to reach peace with Israel published by the American Jewish Congress, "bipolarity" in American Jewish life~ a for Middle East peace by reducing the through direct negotiations." He said he division of the community into two camps: The 36-page report, entitled, "The dangers oft he radical threat." from Syria believed that if the Arabs do step forward , the larger will be un-educated in Judaic and Iran, the President said in a speech to " Israel will once again have the courage to American Jewish Community in the 21st Century," was prepared fo r AJCongress's matters and less ident.ified with the Jewish the 2,000 persons from across the country choose peace." community, but still Jewish enough to re Biennial Convent.ion to be held March 25- who at.tended the 4th National United However. Reagan 'reiterated hi s belief spond in a crisis: the smaller will be more Jewish Appeal You ng Leadership Con that his Sept.ember 1, 1982 Middle East 28 in Baltimore. It asserts that while a growing polarity exists between the Jewishly educated and involved in Jewish ference at the Washington Hilton Hotel. peace init.iative " remains the best option affairs. Stephen Greenberg of South Orange, for all parties." He said , "It is time for the Orthodox and other segments of the Jewish community, a "strong Jewish con Accelerating the spread of bipolarity is N.J., chai rman of the UJA Young Arab world to negot.iate directly with Israel the current drop in the overall Jewish sensus" will continue on key issues of Leadership Cabinet., told Reagan that the and to recognize Israel's right to exist, We birthrate in the face of a high rate of traditional Jewish concern. organization is made up of Jewish men and hope the government of Israel will under reproduction among Orthodox Jews. Israel will remain a central focus of at women aged 40 and under who are mem stand that continued settlement activity in The report predicts that intermarriage tention for American J ews. And certain bers of the generation that " reaped" the the West Bank and Gaza will make the wi ll continue at a rat.e of 30 to 40 percent co mmunal traditions , such a s benefits of the immigration to the U.S . by peace process more difficult. Peace can into the next century. It concludes that, their parents and grandparents who came only come t.hrough the give-and-take of philanthropy, will also retain a role of fun damental importance, as will a strong " issues of quality aside, there is evidence here seeking freedom and a better life. He direct negotiations." of little or no quantitative loss to the noted that. the UJA is committed to volun While Reagan did not mention his Ad current of political liberalism, the report says. Jewish people from intermarriage; due to teerism and in 1983 raised more than $600 minist rat.ion's opposition to proposed Prepared by Dr. Donald Feldstein, an conversion of spouses and Jewish identity million and this year is 20 percent ahead of • legislation in Congress to move the U.S, of the chilclren." Nevertheless, the report authority on Jewish communal relations, that figure . Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to adds that the "intermarried, and how to the report acknowledges, however, that Reagan, in his speech, at the conclusion Jerusalem, he did say that the "status of (deal with them) or not to deal with them, "there does exist a · ve ry seriou s of the three-day conference, discussed a Jerusalem" was one of the issues to be is one of the major questions now facing demographic problem for the Jews in the wide range of issues, including a re negotiated in the peace talks. "Only the the American Jews." How the Jewish com United St.ates," With the threat of high at affirmation of the " long-standing U,S. can advance this process," he said. munity meets this issue ;ill help shape the trition due to such factors as intermarriage American commitment." that the U.S. - " If there is any hope for those negotia nature and size of the American Jewish " will neither recognize nor negotiate" with tions, however, we must preserve our and low birth-rate, "we could enter the 21st century with just over 4.6 million community in . the decades ahead, th~ the Palest.ine Liberation Organization un credibility as a fair-minded broker seeking Jews," according to the report. report observes. til the PLO recognizes Israel's right to exist a comprehensive solution," he said, echo Furthermore, there will be significant and accepts United Nations Security ing the Administration's position against New Corporate Class Emerging population shifts, as the American Jewish Council Resolutions 242 and 338. the embassy move. "We must not under While American Jews will continue to be But he did not. mention his proposed mine our role," he said. One Israel itself, community disperses throughout the " heavily professionalized" in such fields as constitutional amendment for voluntary Reagan declared: "The friendship be country. The report notes that the percen medicine, law and academia, the report prayer in public schools which he had been tween Israel and the U.S, is closer and tage of Jews in the Northeast has dropped · says, "a new class of Jews is emerging in urging before various groups in recent ·stronger today than ever before and I ip by 14 percent.age points since the 1920's. the corporate executive world in a whole "The twelve largest cities of Jewish settle weeks, which has come under attack by tend to keep it that way." variety of fields. " Included in this chang- · ment nqw house under one-third of every major Jewish group in the U.S. as be Cites Strong U.S,-lsrael Friendship ing professional scenario are more Jews American Jews," says the report. It ing a threat to the "wall of separation" be He not.ed that since he took office this receiving M.B,A.'s and entering the t ween church and st.ate. relationship has grown and he pointed predicts a significant redistribution to business world, in high-tech firms, real es - rural areas, university towns, ,and other Spells Out Jordan's Needs specifically t.o the new U,S.-Israel tate and communications. Although Reagan- was applauded strategic relationship which " has been regions outside of the northeast urban However, the report stresses that though several times, the audience :,.as silent as he elevated and formalized"; tbe negotia areas. "American Jews are among America's expressed the need for American arms to tions now going on to establish a free trade The report acknowledges that this dis wealthiest and most highly-educated sub persion can serve either as a force for Jordan as a means of promoting peace be area between Israel and the U.S,; and the groups," there are pockets of Jewish . weakening existing Jewish communities or tween Israel and its Arab neighbors. Adminstrat.ion's proposal for 1985 that all poverty, especially ~in the larger urban · for reviving many moribund smaller "Jordan is crucial to the peace process," economic and military aid to Irael.will be a areas. According to the report, the aged are Jewish communities. Similarly, the President stressed. grant. · the largest segment of the Jewish poor, demographic dispersion can work to dilute "For that very reason, Jordan, like The President. also noted that Israel's Since Jews will continue to have dis the political_power and influence of the Israel, is confronted by Syria and faces closeness to the U.S. was demonstrated at proportionate number of elderly people in Jewish community, although· it can also military threats and terrorist attacks. the United Nations where even the NATO their ranks, this problem will persist in the serve as a strengthening factor, by Since the security of ·Jordan is crucial to allies vote with the U,S. only six out of 10 years to come. · motivating Jewish leaders to accelerate the security of the entire region, it is in (continued on page 14 ) Projections of Jewish organizational life, political activity and contacts with also included in the AJCongress report, legislators as a means of countering the ef foresee a continuing variety of agencies fects of dispersal.

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