SfCnOM
—> . . / ■■ / //// ■'
The Golan Heights row:
what happens after Jan. 5?
nev\«
16 Pages
Thursday, December 24, 1981 Kislev 28, 5742
-—25c
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS IS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROrjT NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CANADIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
[Howard Kay photo]
Idai Amsel chats with police oCBcers Jean Belanger and Norman Dayal,ontslde theGolden Age Centriie. Increased police protection in Montreal's Snowdon area has eased worries among the elderly aboatw
are safer
By SUSAN LAZARtS
MONTREAL —
Because of both heightened police visibility and increased information and advice on how best to protect themselves; elderly residents oif the Snowr don area are beginning to feel more secure about venturing out of their homes and apartments to attend ah event, do their shopping or just take a walk;
However, emphasized Joseph Zelman. who, with Clara Luchow, chairs the 12-member Committee for Safer Streets of the Golden Age Association, secure should not mean complacent, and "already our people are starting to forget what can happen if you are not constantly on . guard."
The committee and the heightened police security began last spring follow: big the murder of 86'year-old Ida Mendelsohn dnr-^ ing a purse-snatching incident on her way home
from a Passover seder at the Golden Age Association on Westbniy Ave.
A large .proportion of ~ elderiy, many of iyhom are Jewish, Uvebittuit area, either In small apartments or in the coibmnnlty-sab-sidized Harry Bronfman . Square.
-As well j the block Intersection Cote Ste. Catherine Rd. and Westbury includes the Jewish Public Library, located in the Allied Jewish Commahity Services buiidingj the Golden Age Association; the YM-YWHA; and the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
According to Zelman and committee members Sam Rosenburg and Allan Herscovitch, the job of the. committee is to provide information and tips on security to the elderly so they may walk the streets more safely. :
Last week, in fact, said Herb Finkleberg, executive director of the GAA, a meeting was held with representatives from le
Centre local des siervices communautaires (GLSC), Project Genesis and repre-sehtatiyes from police Station 31 to ensure that informiatioii on security reaches as many elderly as. possible without duplicating servites. Officials of the y, although uiiable to attend the meeting, will also be involved in the coordinated effort.
A large factor in the security of the area's elderly has been the increased visibility of Station 31 police.
According to Constable Robert Bouchard, who spends much of his time dealing with community relations, there are now more special patrols on the . street both/in cars and on foot.
As well, after an evening's event, there is a patrol car stationed at the building to ensure that people feel protected on their way home.
"Things are far better now,-'* said Bouchard. "Because of the many
street security conferences (there have been 30 with more.than 2,000 persons atteriding) and special events such as the setting up of kiosks and booths with information material, the elderly are much more krio\yledge-able and know what to do incase of trouble.
."What we are working on now," Bouchard added, is to encourage the elderly to contact police more readily if they feel insecurefor any reason."
The Committee for Safer Streets is also moving into new. areas, said Zelman. "We want safety for all senior citizens at all times,''he said. "We are working on creating buddy systems and encouraging the placement of better locks on all doors.
'.'Although the police are co-operating, they themselves say, 'Do not rely on us alone.' ''
For more information, call 739-4731 and ask for the Committee for Safer Streets (in Montreal);
Greece extends recognition to PLO and in Brazil, PLO maldng gains
ATHENS
{JTA AND STAFF]—
Greece has upgraded the level of the PLC mission here . to that enjoyed by Israel. Greece recognizes Israel only de facto and not deJure.
Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou made the announcement as PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat wound up a 3-day visit to the Greek capital. "
"I wish to thank Mr. Pa-. pandreou for this and for his strong support to the PLO and the Palestinian people," Arafat said.
Arafat, in Greece at the
Appointed to Order
OTTAWA-
Gharles Bronfman, of Montreal, and Morris Shu-mlatcher of Reglna were named Officers of the Order of Canada hut week, according to an announcement from Government House.
Named as a Member of the Order was, Leon M^Jor, Tor-. ■ontoT-'^,.
In all, 65 appobitments were made In the latest Ust.
invitation of the new Socialist government, dweh on the upgrading of the PLO office in his talks with Papandreou. The PLO leader described as "historic and strategic" the relations between his organization and Greece.
Greece is expectedto improve its relations:with the. Arab world as a result of Arafat's visit. Traditionally, Greece has been a bridge between Europe and the
; Middle East. It is the only nation belonging to the European Economic—Community which does not have
; full ambassadorial relations with Israel.
Meanwhile, In BrazU, a pro-PLO group — the Parliamentary League For Aiah-Brazll Friendship — has been Installed In that country's Chamber of Deputies.
Over 100 members of the Brazilian Congress, from both the ranks of the government and the opposition, have joined the league, which plans to submit a draft resolution for the formalization of its;,stat)Js as a parliamentary bloc. ~ \
; This development was disclosed .by\Rabbi Morton Rosenthal of the Anti-De-
famation League of B'nai B'rith. Rosenthal said the PLO representative in Brazil' is now campaigning for the establishment ot a separate PLOofficethere.
In a third development, Yasser Arafat reversed his decision to attend the Inter-
2'digit inflation likely for Israel
ns
action on Falashas
MONTREAL —
Canadian Jewish Congress unvielled a plan of action on behalf of Ethiopian J(eHTy ata •recent briefing session for Jewish icommonlfy- leadership. [A shnllar meeting was held later; hi Toronto.]
The plan calls for federations in Canada to establish special projects for, re.senle-, ment in Israel^ of Ethiopian Jews, similar to Project Renewal. (Project Renewal is a massive sluni j;ehabilitation effort in Israel.)
Israel:based organizations should also be encouraged to create such Ethiopian Jewry programs, says CJC.
Other activities CJC intends to carry out on behalf of /Ethiopian Jewry include closely monitoring developments, sensitizing the Jewish ' community at large and its leadership through public meetings and publications, a^ well as general public opinion! CJC will also become involved in the. reunification of families.
This plan, recent!) approved by the CJC national council, was presented by President Irwin Cotler to the approximately ISO persons who attended the meeting.
Cotler described the worsening conditions of Jews . in Ethiopia but maintained that using the term "holocaust'' todeiscribetheir situation "demeans the trusignificance of the ..fwish ■■'ragedy." ■
He also cautioned against "systematic criticism" of Israel on the Ethiopian,Jew;ry: issue.
Also speaking at the meeting were David Ariel, Israeli consul-general in Toronto, and Wendy Schelew, also of Toronto; who recently returned from a visit to Ethiopia.
By SHELDON KKSHNER
In the wake of bitter recriminations befween Israel and the U.S. over the extension of Israeli law to the Golan Heights,-the scene will now probably, shift^ to the United Nations and to Tunis, Tunisia.
Unanimously condemning Israel, for annexing the 450 square niile volcanic plateau, the UN declared Israel's abrupt action "null and void and without international legal effect."
The Security Council wUI meet no later than Jan. 5 to consider "appropriate measures" under the UN charter if Israel does not rescind the annexation. Syria, which described Israel's measure as "an act of war," says it will demand the
support Syria's call for sanctions. Cognizant of this, Syria has convinced the Arab League to convene an emergency meeting In Tunis next week.
The Arab worid has universally condemned the annexation — as has the West, hicludhig Canada — but It Is doubtful whetheiTtbe Arabs can do more than fling verbal abuse at Israel. Egypt, for its part, has said that it continues to abide by its treaty with Israel and Is committed' to thie Camp David process..
Syria has already indicated that it expects more, than mere Words of condemnation from the Arab League. Gen. Hafez Assad, the Syrian president, has not threatened outright war to annul the annexation, fiut, despite the poor weather currently pre-
imposition of sanctions vailing on the Golan Heights,
against Israel if it is not rescinded.
, Israel's Prime Minister, Menachem Begin, said in a defiant speech that the Golan law "will remain in effect. There is no power on earth that can bring its cahcella-tion."
Although Israel's relations with the U.S. haye been severely strained by this episode, the Reagan administration Is not expected to
the possibility of a military confrontation exists.
Israelis taking no chances, having dispatched fresh troops to the Golan Heights. _ This much, however, is certain. Israel's sudden move — which surprised everyone, including the Israeli ambassador in Washington, who apparently heard the news on the radio.— has shaken the foundations of Isriaeli-U.S. ties. ■ ■ ■
Washington, accusing Israel of distracting global attention from the Polish crisis and of violating UN resolution 242, not only voted against the Israelis at the Security Council, for the second time since June. The U.S. suspended its new strategic co-operation agreement with Israel and^ cancelled discussions on buying S200 million worth of Israeli military supplies.
. Israel's defence minister, Ariel Sharon, accused the U.S. of damaging Israel's security and raised doubts about its commitment to the Camp David process. Begin himiself, in a blistering attack, told the U.S. ambassador in Tel Aviv: "You have no right to punish Israel. . . Are we your vassal state?. Are we a banana republic?''
Cancelling Israel's strategic co-operation pact with the: U.S., Begin saidlsrael could live without it, as it has done for the past 3,700 years. ..
Seeking: to defuse what observers call the worst crisis in Israeli-U.S. relations In recent years. Secretary of State Alexander Haig said In a TV interview that the two countries' historic friendship remained intact. Secretary of
; Defense Caspar Weinberger
— whom the Israelis do not necessarily regard as a friend
— voiced similar sentiments.
* * *
Begin jammed through the Golan legislation in about six hours. Sixty three MKs,voted for it — including eight members of the Labor Party
— and 21 were opposed. Labor boycotted the session. Its leader, Shimon Peres; was caught unawares in New
- York. Agudat Israel, a mem-; ber of the governing Likud coalition, abstained because it did not have the time for consultations.
[Cont'd, on page 15] • See also page 2 story
NoCJN
on
Because of holiday dtsmp-tions hi the maU service, The aN wUINOT publish on Dec. 31. The first tesne of 1982 Wfll be out on. Jan. 7.
Editorial deadline for the Jan. 7 Issue Is TUESDAY NOON, Dec. 29 hi Toronto. Advertishig deadUne for this issue: Tuesday, 2 p.m., Dec. 29.
Should CJC drop apolitical stance?
By JANICE ARNOLD
MONTREAL —
Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region, has sent a memo to rdbbis and presidents of major Jewish organizations asking them to find out if their memberships want the Jewish communIt>-to .take a stand on the issues currently facing the broader English-speaking commnnit} In Quebec.
The 2'/j-page memo is from CJC Quebec Region chairman Frank Schlesihger and Miirlehe Richman, chaiir-man of the Community Relations Committee.
"The time has come for us to consider whether the CJC, as the spokesman for Quebec Jews, should • publicly address some of those issues of concern to all English-speaking and many French-speaking Quebecers, on which we
have had little success in our government relationsi" states the memo.
With the recent formation of a coalition of anglophone and ethnic groups to lobby jnoTC vocally for minority rights and the more heightened public criticism in general of the Quebec government's policies affecting rion-francophpnes, CJC has come under increasing pressure from the rank-and-file of the Jewish community to make its stand known.
CJC has traditionally been apolitical and avoided membership hi groupings of other minorities, although it has maintained an observer status with the Council of Quebec Minorities, for example.
In the face of changing circumstances, CJC wants to find out if this is what the community still wishes.
Schlesinger and Richman explained: "While some of (the broader English ■ corn-munity's) objectives are consistent with and similar ito ours, it has long been a position in the Jewish community to maintain its inde-pendeince and freedom of action by avoiding binding formal coalitions with others.
"Only in this way can we stake out a definable Jewish Position, responding to Jewish needs. Only in this way can we remain able to speak out and pz\ in the specific interests'of the Jewish community.".
Even if CJC should decide to make public the concerns of Jews, as members of the anglophone community, "we will; .do so ais the Jewish communityj independently of any other jgroups, and.in our own right, although our positions inay be in some respects
similar to those of other groups."
To date, CJC, say Schlesinger and Richman, has been "quite successful",iriits representations to the government on specifically Jewish issues, such as maintenance of Jewish control over Jewish social service, health care and educational institutions.
"On issues . relating to language, and spedficaOy to English and its place hi Quebec life, our efforts have met with a far lesser degree of ■ successi"
For 13 years, CJC's position has been that French should be the "primary common and public language of Quebec life" but at the same time this must not "prevent or impede the existence and vibrancy of other languages and cultures in Quebec," says the memo.
Victor Kugler dies at 81
Final tribute to a brave man
national Convention on Jerusalem, held last week in Rome. •
Arafat had been invited by the Italian-Arab Friendship Society, but the Italian government made it clear that no official invitation would be forthcoming.
JERUSALEM [JTA] —
Israel might, with luck* be able to keep its inflation rate for calendar year 1981 down to two digits, ecohomic experts said last week after publication of official inflar tion figures for November.
The Noyember figure was 5.8%, bringing the T2-month much more worrying' to His-
general Yeruham Meshel said the. monthly inflation figure was no longer a true reflection of the state of the economy because, he claimed, the government was using artifical means to; keep it down. ; More • -indicative r-^ an
total for November-to-Nov'^ ember to 103.6%. But the December-to-December figure may be below 1(X)% if the government' succeeds in maintaining the present: slight downward trend, these experts said.
But Histadrut secretary-.
tadrut — said Meshel, was the unemployment figure: November showed a 14% rise in the number of unehiployed over the previous month. Some 40,000 persons sought work at labor exchanges during that month "^v—. the highest for the whole of 1981.
V''.--■. .'^
By ANDREA PARKER
TORONTO — a
Victor Kugler, the man who helped hide Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jews during World War II, died here last week at the age of 81.
Kugler, a native of Austria who moved to Holland^ managed a spice business with Anne's father, Otto, in Amsterdam. In July, 1942, the : Frank family went into hiding with the Van Daans and later Albert Dussel, in the building where the business was located.
Kugler and others who worked with Frank provided food and supplies to the residents in the "secret annex" for 25 months.
In August, 1944, the hidden occupants were discovered and all died in concentra-tion camps except for Mr. Frank.
Kugler, who was referred to as Kraler In the diary, was also sent to a camp but managed to escape and Ude until Holland was liberated.
In 1955, he came to live in Toronto with his wife' Lucy.
Since that time, Kugler received awards for his humanitarianism,' -including^ the Nicholas and Hedy Munk Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and_ Jews in November 1977, and the Burton Joseph Award the following year.
Louis Mayzel, a friend of' Kugler's, said a tree was planted at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem in his honor a few years ago. ■
And last year, Kugler was . the subject of a CBC film entitled "The Man Who Hid Anne Frank." / ■
When asked in 1977 why he helped the Franks, Kugler answered: "They were my friends, what-else could I do?" /
Rabbi Jordan Pearlson.na^ tional chairman of the Joint Community^ Relations Com-
mittee, said in his eulogy that Kugler could never understand why the honors were given to him. Pearlson said Kugler used to say, "1 don't understand what all of the fuss is about."
The rabbi added that because of Kugler. whom he called a humble human being, "there is more than ashes, there is a book . . .a child's voice that cries out and says remember."
At one point in her diary; Anne wrote what it was like to live in the attic. "Miep (a woman who helped hide the families) and Kraler (Kugler). carr}' the.heaviest burden of the eight in hiding, Miep in all she does, :and Kraler through the enormous responsibility, which is some-timesso much for him that he can hardly talk from pent-up nerves and strain."
Rev. Victor Wood of West-
way United Church, who conducted the funeral service in the Ward Funeral Home, said Kugler was; a man of many talents who studied languages, was an amateur photographer, and. enjoyed addressing school children.
"He was not forgotten by his own people, or by the Jewish communityi" and that is a great tribute, said Wood:
Tlie Dutch consul-general j Tom Kasteel, and a counselor
and Israeli consul-general David Ariel joined the friends, relatives and members of the clergy who attended the funeral.
As the casket was removed from the funeral home, 11 men from the Jewish War Veterans and the General WIngate Branch of Canadian Legion formed an honor guard. :■■
[Ben Leditman j^ioto]
As Victor-Kugler's coGEin is carried out of Toronto funeral home, members of the Jewish War Veterans and the ' General Wingate Branch of the Canadian Legion form an honor guard. Kngler was the man who he^ed hide Anne ■ ' Frank and her family daring Worid War n] 1 ^