Extensions of Remarks

27328 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 9, 1987 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ADL HELPS BLACK-JEWISH black/Jewish problem; it's a problem of big greater care and humanitarian treatment by COOPERATION otry." Israel <as well as the U.S.) is something we When pressed to say whether the group felt we should address," said Bachrach. would issue a statement about Farrakhan "We met with the editor of the largest HON. BARNEY FRANK <who spoke in Boston last weekend), delega Palestinian newspaper and could under OF MASSACHUSETTS tion coleader Rev. Charles Stith of Boston's stand his feelings about the right of self-de IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Union United Methodist Church and na termination-not a minor concern for any of tional president of the newly-formed Orga us. It was by no means an Israel cheerlead Friday, October 9, 1987 nization for a New Equality <O.N.E.) said, ing mission." Mr. FRANK. Mr. Speaker, under the leader "It is important to speak cogently and clear The group was struck by the complexity ship of Executive Director Leonard Zakim and ly on any issues of racism. But not to create and multi-sided nature of many of Israel's a flashpoint where there is none. He's been problems-from the status of the Black He such committee chairmen as Richard Glovsky saying what he's saying for thirty years." brews to the West Bank-but came away and Richard Morningstar, the New England re "The real strength of black/Jewish rela with a great deal of hope. gional office of the Anti-Defamation League of tions is in the communities where we are "It's important to realize that Israel is B'nai B'rith has done outstanding work in a working together," said Zakim. "Efforts are really a Third World country," said Zakim. number of areas. One area where it has been going on in many places around the country "Israel is struggling to find its identity." especially important is that of relations be that haven't been focused on by the media, Zakim said, "one of the most beautiful tween the Jewish and black communities. At a who have focused on the strains." scenes" of the trip was a visit to a kindergar time when a number of people have tried to Zakim, emphasizing the "bridge-building" ten class in an absorption center where goal of the mission, said the group is com Ethiopian children were being assimilated disrupt the alliance on issues of public policy mitted to working on an alliance between along with Canadians and Americans. "But that has linked these two communities for a blacks and Jews that is relevant in 1987. not without respect for their different cul number of years, I very much admire the work "This is no longer the 1960s. The relation tures," he said. "We were pleased at the that Leonard Zakim and his colleagues have ship between blacks and Jews is different extent of that absorption and only wish im done, in cooperation with black leaders in than it was in the '60s." He said it is impor migrants to America were so quickly ab Boston, and to remind people that these two tant to spread the word about cooperative sorbed." communities continue to have a great deal in efforts and accomplishments. common in their views of proper public policy. Zakim and Stith spoke to the press with [From the Boston Jewish Times, Sept. 24, others who had visit ed Israel with them: 1987] Recently, a delegation of black and Jewish George Bachrach, City of Boston Treasurer leaders from Boston returned from a 10-day George Russell, State Rep. Susan Schur and BOSTON'S BLACK-JEWISH DELEGATION trip to Israel sponsored by the Anti-Defama Dr. Nathan Allen of the Lena Park Commu RETURNS FROM TRIP TO ISRAEL tion League. As the accompanying articles nity Center. Twenty-five black and Jewish <By Susan Bloch) from the Jewish Advocate and the Jewish leaders in all from across the country par Returning from an intensive nine-day trip Times make clear, this trip was an excellent ticipated in the trip. to Israel, the Rev. Charles R. Stith of the example of the solid work that black and In Israel, the delegation met with Foreign Union Methodist Church and Leonard Jewish leaders in Boston have done to pre Minister Shimon Peres and Political Direc Zakim, New England Director of the Anti tor General Yossi Beilin, as well as a Defamation League, convened a press con serve their ability to work together on behalf number of other officials, to raise issues ference to describe the results achieved by of their communities. that concern blacks and Jews in the United the 25-member group of Blacks and Jews. As the articles note, one of the things that States. A major issue was Israel's economic They were joined for their presentation occurred on this trip was a meeting between and military ties to South Africa. by Dr. Nathan Allen of the Lena Park Com the American participants and Israeli officials "It was kind of a unique meeting," said munit y Center, Att y. George Bachrach, in which the Americans made their case for Zakim. "We raised together in a strong voice former Massachusetts legislator, Boston increased Israeli sanctions against South our concerns as Americans about policy in City Treasurer George Russell and State Africa. South Africa." Representative Susan Schur. The group was pleased-and surprised In addition to releasing a four-page state I congratulate the New England region of when on September 17 the Israeli govern ment which they said took the duration of the Anti-Defamation League and the black ment announced the imposition of new the trip to work out, they described their leaders who have worked with ADL on their sanctions on South Africa. "It was satisfying delight in Israel's recent announcement of excellent efforts, and I insert the articles dis to hear that a process which we expected to new sanctions on dealing with South Africa. cussing their work here: take a couple of months was accelerated," While they were loath to take the credit [From the Jewish Advocate, Sept. 24, 19871 said Zakim. for the Israeli move, they pointed out that "We were pleased ... that we played a theirs had been the first Black-Jewish JEWS, BLACKS BACK FROM ISRAEL; Vow role," said Stith. "As important as the steps group to meet with Foreign Minister COOPERATION against South Africa is that black and Shimon Peres. At that meeting, they <By Allison Barnet) Jewish Americans raised the issue." stressed the issue of Israel's relationship Stressing the positive isn't always the easi The group is now committed to raising the with South Africa. est thing to do when faced with a group of issue with Japan, South Africa's number "As important as Israel's recent initiative reporters. one trade partner and a complier with the on South Africa," Rev. Stith said, "was the At a September 18 press conference, black Arab boycott of Israel, they said. fact that Black and Jewish Americans raised and Jewish leaders who had just returned "There was no lack of radical statements this issue together." from a 10-day trip to Israel sponsored by on the part of the participants on this trip," The group went to Israel, Stith said, "to the Anti-Defamation League fended off said Rep. Schur, when a reporter implied get a better feel for Israel's significance to questions about Jesse Jackson and Minister that "radical" leaders were not included in the American Jewish community; and to Louis Farrakhan and geared discussion the mission. "I'm proud we could come up share our respective concerns about issues toward successful joint efforts which, they with our strong statement on South Africa." that impact on Black-Jewish relations with said, more accurately reflect the relation Meetings with officials in Israel were one another and with Israeli leaders and ship between blacks and Jews in 1987. "candid" and "very intense," all participants people." "We're not about to let black/Jewish rela agreed. The group sought the broadest An important outcome of the trip, Zakim tions be defined by any one person," said range of opinions available, said Zakim, and said, was the decision by the two communi Leonard Zakim, ADL Regional Director and did not shy away from negative issues. ties, Black and Jewish, to confront the Japa coleader of the black/Jewish mission to "We met with Black Hebrews and got a nese government on their foreign policies. Israel. "The Farrakhan problem is not a sense of their concerns, and the need for Japan is the world's # 1 trade partner with e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. October 9, 1987 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 27329 South Africa, he said. Japan is also promi DOUGLAS FRASER TRIBUTE Fraser for his outstanding contributions to the nently in compliance with the dictates of effort to assure equal rights for all in the work the Arab boycott of Israel. HON. HOWARD WOLPE place, in Michigan, and throughout the Nation. "Our two communities are on the receiv We would also want to congratulate him on ing end of Japan's ill-aimed policies," Zakim OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the recognition he is being accorded by his said. The groups have agreed to raise the selection as this year's recipient of the Michi issue jointly with Japanese diplomats in Friday, October 9, 1987 gan Women's Hall of Fame Philip A.

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