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The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, June 23, 1988-Page H
You^ too^ can establish concrete link with Israel
to ^^iir
99
.By.; ■;. . J. B. SALSBERG
My first visit to Eretz Yisrael took place some 40 years ago, before the proclamation of Israel's independence. I visited the reborn Jewish state a great many times since then but never as a tourist as I did during the two weeks that bridged the months of May and June of 1988.
In all past visits I saw less of the land but more of the life of the people who inhabit that land. This time I must have covered the major portions of the surface of the land of Israel without penetrating that surface to sample the social, economic and, above everything else, the political battlefields of the Jewish state; (Mind you, I did manage to pin down a small handful of my traditionail ''informants.")
Why was this trip different from.all others? It was different because . ....
Thirty and more years ago a considerably-sized phalanx of my political and social col-
J.B^ Salsberg
leagues broke pur political and philosophic ties of many years and began charting a different road that would, hopefully, lead to the "better world" that all mankind has been yearning for from time immemorial. '
What the non-Jews in that phalanx did is a separate story. But we, die Jews who were most prominent in the "rebellion" in Toronto, set up the "New Fraternal Jewish Association" with a very clumsy name but very clear Jewish aims and objectives.
That led to the total integration into the organized Jewish community and to the ftilfiiment of all obligations, including, of course, financial, to Jewish society here and abroad and, very specially, to Israel, the Jewish state in the ancient homeland.
That's all background material. Now, to the present.
About 18 years ago, my organization, the NFJA, decided to acquire its own, its very own, its special material and rinancial jink with Israel, and it assumed sponsorship (financial) of ah as yet unfinished medical clinic that Kupat Cholim (of Histadrut) was building on the sandy, unobstructed seashore of Kiryat Yam, a tiny new settlement in the Haifa region. :
Well, to make a long story short, that clinic became the most charming adopted child in the
world to pur members, especially the ladies. We watch over it, we're in contact with it and we try to meet as many of its needs as we can on an ongoing basis. It's oUr own stake in Israel!
But . . . wise, clever, alert and wide-eyed as the NFJA is, it made at least one error. After assuming sponsorship, they "surprised" me by naming the clinic after me. Meshugas! But they did it.
Now that Kiryat Yam has over 30,000 residents and a number of other clinics, the authorities of that thriving community decided to add a second floor to '-our clinic" (with our help, of course) and thus provide, regionally, certain health services that the average clinic can't provide. '
It took a long time, but the objective Was achieved and at.least 25 of NFJA's leaders went to Israel on May 26 to participate in the official opening of the second floor. I was one of the delegation. (I fear the editor's blue pencil or I would list all the wonderful people' who; made it all possible and who formed the official delegation to the "opening,'' and to run the official picture of that event which, in addition to civic dignitaries from the region, also included John Lang, who spoke for the Canadian embassy, in Israel.)
Yes, ladies and gendemen, it was a grand and
memorable affair! And, after that celebration, the visiting delegation began a 2-week tour (in our own special bus) of the Land of Israel. We were certainly on the go and we switched our ba.ses of operation to the main centres of the country: Haifa, Tiberias, Jerusalem and, finally, Tel Aviv.
I ask you, my friends, could 1 have asked for "time off to seek out my usual political and cultural contacts? Of course not; *
All of which means that I will have, to return to Israel as soon as possible to do what I always did on my visits and to share the acquired knowledge with you. Have patience, please.
In the meantime I urge all of you to get your special organization to assume sponsorship of an Israeli institution, to nurture such an adopted institution as if it were your favorite child, and thein to visit it with delegations as often as possible. :
Yes, establish your own concrete link with Israel! NFJA's Morris Biderman, Sam Lipshitz and Anne Harris, who conducted the wonderful occasion, will gladly help you dp the same for your own organization, free of charge. OK?
Oh, yes; in Jericho it was so hot when we visited that I, a'pure-blooded "Nordic," almost tumbled down as did its historic walls in the days of Joshua. . . . •
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters are welcome if they are in English or French, no more than 200 words, typeyvritten with lines double spaced, and of interest to our read--ing public. Readers are cautioned not to make sweeping claims against persons. or institutions which they cannot verify-, as libel laws are very stringent. We reser\'e the right to edit letters, which must bear the sender's address, phone number and handwritten signatured
"DON'T STOP LOVING MOM"
When in Moscow recently, President Ronald Reagan settled an age-old question by saying: "When you start loving your wife, you don't stop loving your mother."
This was to explain the ihterest Americans,take in human rights in the Soviet Union. : For centuries, the Jews have been falsely accused of dual loyalty. In fact,, this was a misnomer.; ■       ' ' V '
For what was meant was that^ because the Jews were loyal to Israel or the Jewish people,they, of necessity, must be disloyal to their country of residence or to their citizenship.
This charge did not need evidlence of dis-loyaity to support it.
Prejudice Was enough;
Now. the President of the most powerful nation on earth.has declared that it is natural to love your heritage and the country of your heritage — even when it is not the country of your citizeh-ship or residence.— and that Ic^bying in the interest of such country of heritage is a natural and acceptable outgrowth of such love.. . ,
No conflict.there; No diial loyalty there. Just, democracy, human rights and goodwill. Theodore Bclman The Canadian Institute Toronto
KNOCKS SOUTH AFRICAN JEWS
:   In your recent article on the, alleged JDroblems of.the South African Jewish, community, 1 feel that a fairer appraisal of the conditions should be Y reported. '
The South African Jewish cohimunity has pros-.   pered and grown to, position of great economic, and political strength in this century.
It is a community that has taken all the benefits provided by their society.
It is, to say the least, a sorry state that when one's nation falls upori hard times, that this com-]. munity, instead of staying and aiding their country, finds it necessary, to flee that nation which — has given them so much. '
A serious question ariises: If they cannot express their loyalty to their own coUntryy how can one accept them as serious or committed immigrants to any pthe;r country?
I jvonder if there is a correlation between the value of the rand and the value of their^ -Royalty?
One cannot reap the benefits of a society, and then abandon it in its time of need. Bernard Roisehbloom Brooklyn, NY ^
RAPS OUR U.S. COLUMNISTS
Essays by Washington wirilers Richard Cohen and Ellen Goodman are regularly featured in The Canadian Jewish News. These essays have neither a Canadian nor a Jewish content. Thie focus is on U.S. events, and publication by The GJN is presumably intended tp provide its readers With a window on the U,S.
I can't remember when last (if ever) Israel was referred to by Cohen or Goodman in their writings. Hence Cohen's contribution in your June 2 publication distressed me and prompts this letter. V
In criticizing a bill (legalizing the use of the^ U.S. Army in the war against drugs) under debate in the U.S. Senate, Cohen links a U.S. senator (alleged by Cohen to be brainless and a panderer to Israel) with the bill and with Israeli • action causing "calamity on the West Bank and ■'Gaza;" ; ■
This inishmash forms Cohen's analogy to support his contention that drugs cannot be combat-ted by soldiers. Maybe the contention is valid. But the introduction of Israel into the context of a discussion concerning drugs is both inappropriate and distasteful, :      ■ ,
Israel is often cricitized in The CJN but never in the offensive and offish manner adopted by Cohen. It is hoped that he will never repeat such an exercise in.grossinsehsitivity..:-Louis Mallinick ; Toronto
HITS WHO-IS-JEW CHANGE
As president;of Kadima, the Canadiari Cpun-.. cil of Reform Zionists, 1 recently .sent the following telegram to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak . Shamir and his principal cabinet ministers:
Kadima, the second lai^gest organization in the Canadian Ziorfist Federation delegation, notes. Svith regret the introduction in the Knesset yet agairi of legislation to change the definition of "Wh.6 is: a Jew'- -in reference .to the Law of Return -r- despite, the public and private assur- ' ances of Prime Mmister Yitzhak Shamir that this matter would not be settled by the legislative process..but by attempts.to achieve consensus among .all Jewish streams.
We are greatly concerned that any such at-terript to change the law will result in a frac-tiire of the world Jewish community, at a time when Israel rnost needs the united support of. world Jewry. ■ •
We urge you to work against the passage of the proposed legislation. _h Rabbi Dow Miarmur Toronto '
HE BOOSTS ISRAEL VACATIONS
r recently spent a week in Israel preparing, in conjunction with Jev/ish organizations, a nont Jewish Zionist conference to be held next Sep-tember in Yav.ne.
This W'as my fourth visit in recent years. The . presence of non-Jewish visitors was greatly ap-preiciated by all Israelis we met; The mereTact
that there were "outsiders" who understood Israel's difficult situation — and were not ashamed to show their friendship — gave them a great
■boost.;,-
Each one asked me to convey this "need of true friends" not only to the non-Jews of my country, but also to the Jewish community. .
As a non-Jew I have no right to tell Israel how to solve the Palestinian dilemma. There are enough smart and especially good-hearted Israelis to find a just solution.
But because 1 know the real facts, I cannot hide iny support for Israel, even if this stand is now unpopular. I have a conscience to answer to every night; so I have to speak out for visrael. .
I encourage CJN readers to visit Israel in order to come back better ambassadors Of truth and justice. Please remember that to be a gpod friend of Israel dpes not require hating anybody else^ Don't let the media fool you. Richard Miller Montreal
SOLE AUTHOR OF HOLOCAUST BOOK
I was somewhat startled to read Myron Love's April 21 article headed "Pair collaborate to bat-fle Holocaust deniers:" This title was a real shocker..^
Obviously, Mr: Love has wanted to do a favor to Dr. Mary Pahkiw. but I am sorry to s^y that the latter has had no .part whatsoever in my research works on the Holocaust for /////er'jr Holocaust: A Fact of History, already published, nor for Vie Nazi Master Race Scrapbook, which so far! has found no publisher.
Because English is not iny mother tongue. Dr. Pankiw's only role, as she accepted it, has been to read my scripts, check up on.English usage, and: make corrections when needed.
At no time, and in no part of my manuscripts, has Dr. Pankiw checked On content; nor has she participated in the actual research work of my subjects.
•Henri Gi Francq Brandon University Brandon, Man.
In response to reader's request. National Ballet dancer "Sexy Rexy" Harrington is shown with Kimbei-ly Glasco iii Glen Tetley's yoluntaries.
FAN WANTS SEXY REXY PHOTO
I was disappointed when your arts critic, Frank Rasky, though i-ecently praising the dancing of Rex Harrington in the production of Voluntaries:; neglected to show his picture.
I was disappointed, because, like many female National Ballet of Canada groupies, I'm one of Harringtorrs most faithful fans. Would you be kind enough to run a photo of the man known to his admirers as ''Sexy Rexy?" ' . Estelle Liebman Toronto
Editor's note: Glad to oblige.
CULTURE GROUP'S 25TH BIRTHDAY
1 was very pleased to receive the Montreal issue of The Canadian Jewish .News riientioning the award of the Concert Society of the Jewish .People's Schools being presented to the Canada-Israel Gultural Foundation on the wcasion ofls-rael's: 40th anniversary;,-.
I would, however, like to correct a slight error. The CIGF is celehrating its 25th anniversary — not, as stated in the article..-the lOth. , Lily Barr National President Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation 'Toronto
LAUDS ISRAELI KIDS' PROGRAM
• A.S parents,.we read with pride your recerii article of the OTZMA group currently in Israel, and. we would like to add our assessment of this program. ; .
Being ZionislSv.we encouraged our son to participate in OTZMA:
'These young people are truly ambassadbrs from Canada and the Jewish community and are our future leaders. They have been afforded a variety pf thought-provoking experiences, from meeting members of the Knesset to attending a Holocaust seminar (where they were made aware
of a sobering thought:: What if Hitler had won the .war?). ;.
Helen and Lionel Koven Oakville, Ont.
BRAVO TO JEFF ROSEN
As exejcutive director pf Toronto Women's. ORT, J would like to compliment Jeff Rosen oh his fine June 9 article on the Chaviva Hosek tri.b-; ute.dinner headed,"ORt scholarships help ful- ■ fil dream, Hosek says," -
Sonia Shron     '■■ r^'.