M—T
The Canajdian Jewish News, Thursday, January 3,1980 - Page 3
in Israel, SM^^^^
Lily and Nat SUver were honored by their friends for their devotion to the Td Aviv University at a Shaarei Shooiaylm ref^ptlra^^ From left: Beatrice Sbainhoase, Yehnda Blnm, Sam Shahihonse, the SOvers, Jack Friedman and Rabbi Stnart Rosenberg.
Drug to combat nmltiple s
REHOvox, Israel—
A new drug which may be helpful in arresting the progression of crippling multiple sclerosis has been developed at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. Clinical trials of the new therapy are about to begin at the Albert Einstein Medical Center of Yeshiva University in New York City.
For several years, a team of Weizmann Institute researchers including Prof. Michael Sela, institute president, and holder of the W.Garfield Weston Chair of Immunology there, has been using a synthetic polypeptide, named Cop 1, to arrest and prevent a laboratory-induced disease in animals marked "by an auto-immune destruction of the
nervous system similar to that occurring in multiple
; sclerosis.
In the experimental disease, the synthetic Cop 1
*cause:s effective suppression in various animals
. including primates with man-like organs and functions, rhesus monkeys and baboons. Therefore, the scientists hope that the material may also be useful in parallel human shu-
ations.
Initial trials have already been carried oiit at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital in .le-rusalem in collaboration with Weizmann Institute scientists. Four terminal, rapidly declining MS patients were treated with Cop 1, In three of them, though no improvement was achieved, no further deterioration in motor per-
a
in reisoltttlon
TORONTO —
It is vital that Jews demand mandatory con-'servation requirements-'from their governments; / ' David Saperstein, director ;of Washington'sReligious Action Centre, told a fojum at the 55th General Assembly of the Union of American Hebrew. Congregations, recently held at the Sheraton Centre and Hotel Toronto.'
"Jews do have a mortal • stake in the energy crisis," Saperstein stated. "OPEC's Use of the oil weapon has had a tremendously detrimental impact ■ upon Israel. We as Jews should be concerned with helping people to help themselves, through increased energy independence."
The UAHC's General Assembly; beyond exploring the repercussion's. of the current energy crisis upon Jews and Israel, further examined a numr : ber of issues affecting Jews on an - international level ranging from the plight of Jews in areas of political tension, to arms control and social justice in Israel.
Energy forum: moderator harris Gilbert of Temple Emanu-El in . West-field. New Jersey, cate-■gorized the utilization and waste of energy as a. "profound moral problem," and joined Saper' stein in urging that "the Jewish community confront the energy challenge and take the lead." The moral implications of wasting energy were expanded upon by Professor Peter Sindell of McGill University who stated that a "respect for life is fundamental to our religious heritage. Judaism without a heartbeat is not Juda- " ism. We need to move towards a society motivated by spiritual rather than material values.'.'
Sindell, a participant in McGiil's "Gamma" program , a future studies ^. Think Tank, called for a "Conserving Society" and outlined the various viewpoints maintained by society towards energy.
The popular attitudes, stated Sindell, are that technology will save us in the future, and that there should be a more equitable distribution of social
Justice to ensure that all receive their fair share of available energy. v^Smdell-advtkiated" fl^^^
- sojiety must > change^t'its basic focus and begm.'.to •conserve energy, not ohty through "hoarding", but more importantly, through recycling. '
,"The essential ele-.ments of a conserver society," emphasized Sindell, "are the reduction of waste, consideration of future generations, and harmonious attention to nature which is currently being treated as a dumping ground, an outhouse."_ Sindell projected three future scenarios based upon society's present treatment of the energy crisis: Society will attempt to do more with less through a continuation of present functions, but with as little waste as possible. This would involve substituting the renewable for the non-renewable on a massive scale and the institution of the rental society concept
— saving by sharing. The second scenario,
termed the stablei society, would see a curtailment of
technological progress and a greater concern with distribution of existing re-soiircds.i:'':;/':- iTt!' .''THe?>final'>projection, whfch Sindell referred to as, the^^Buddhist- option, wqould see a refocus on the spiritual values rather than the material.
"We would do less with less," stated Sindell,"by reducing our needs and expectations. We should not be concerned of air that we breathe.!'
Although^ Sindeir acknowledged the final scenario as being the most .radical* he emphasized that such an attitude is vital to cultivate in order to rectify the moral implications of a situation in which the Third World countries lack the resources to satisfy even the most basic of human needs.
Sindell warned the forum that the alternative to not adopting a conserving society policy is a movement towards a ■'squander, society" -r-doing less with more which will ultimately be : economically and morally destructive.
iiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiinuiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiMiMiiiiiiiiNNiimiiMiiiiiiii^
formance was noted during treatment.The fourth patient showed initial-remission, but later isuffered a relapse.
The researchers point out that due to the advanced stage of the disease in the patients treated in Jsrael. it was likely that irreversible nerve damage had already occurred and that motor improvement could not Have been expected. They were, however, encouraged that there was no further deterioration of muscular performance during treatment and there were no signs of toxic or allergic reactions to the drug. Mpreover.-one of the patients did show improved speech and visioii.
However, the small humber of cases treated in Israel does n6t permit *««Jt conclusions, and expanded trials now planned sucli as those in New York and in the Federal Republic of Germany, should provide some definite answers, particularly concerning the applicability of Cop 1 to patients with less advanced MS.
Today, therapeutic apr proaches to multiple sclerosis—which are, at best,, only partially effective — include general suppression of the body's immune mechanism with immuno-suppressive drugs or treatment with steroids. However, these drugs ; often cause significant undesirable side effects.
Recently, a new approach to MS therapy has been initiated by Prof. Jonas Salk in the United States. In his team's trials, the doctors attempt to interfere with the specific nerve-destroying immune response by injecting patients with a natural brain protein. This technique is much like the desensitiza-tion therapy commonly used to treat hay fever, known more familiariy as. allergy shots. The suggested trial with Cop 1 is , based on a similar de-sensitization principle. If found effective. Cop 1 will be advantageous, since it has neither toxic effects nor immunosuppressive., activity.
At present, the Weizmann Institute-developed approach is a totally experimental one; ,
AMONG HIS FANS
_By DONALD CARR
JERUSALEM —
"The coifee nfiug on the desk proclaims "Just iinn'i Forget- Who's
./Boss."":■:'■■/:■■■:
In the large office in the^ Jewish Agency building in Jerusalem,.Sol b. Granek, director-general of United Israel Appeal of Canada Inc.. Jerusalem sits, shirt-, sleeved, his ever-present cigar at a pugnacious angle..^ , .. ' '.■ v
Behind him on the wall, is the photograph of Jack Rose, incumbent UIA of Canada Inc. president, not vet relegated to a lower level on the adjacent wall, where the pictures of his predecessors, Phil Gran-ovsky. Tommy Hecht, Gordie Brown and Jacob Loewy stand in line, overr seeing the occupant of the office and his . many visitors.
Sol Granek, for the past 12 years the embodiment of the UIA Canada presence in Israel, retired at the end of 1979. He is r; iuctant to be interviewed; dislikes talking about himself, but readily discusses UIA activities in Israel.
Granek originally lived in Hamilton, St. Catharines and Montreal. He was active in the Canadian Jewish congress, serving as vice-chairman of the Central Region Educational Coniinittee many years ago. He was the regional president of The Zionist Organization of Canada for four years, becoming the national vice-president and chairman of the board of the ZOC. He later became the national chairman of UIA Canada, when it was a standing committee of ZOC. bi 196U he becaine
New ZIM man
MONTREAL —
M. Morgenstern, head of Zim Israel Navigation Company in the Western Hemisphere, announced the appointment of Rafael Kochav as president of Zim Canada Ltd., a fullyT-owned subsidiary of the Israeli shipping line.
Children's Camp and Teen Tour Consulting Service
Your Child Deserves The Best' Use our knowledge to help you selecl camps and tours.suited to iheir needs
Every Type of Camp: . Sports-Genetal.Music-Arts Weight Loss-Exceptional Children • U.S and Foreign - Tours for Teenagers Qualified Supervision For Further Inio — Write
SUMMER CAMP & TOUR CONSULTANTS, INC.
444 Brickell Ave:- Suile 650 ' Miami Florida 33131 .
.Gall 305/358-5437 Collect-
In Conlinenlal US
Toll Free 1-800-327-7736
PHYLLIS HABHiS,- PRESlbENT:;-
G ABRIEL G LAZER & ASSOCI ATES
Barristers & Solicitors y-.-
Israel Office: 12 Ruth Street, Tel Aviv 64372 Tel. (03)-241223-4
Canadian Office: 1440 Towers Street.Suite 100, Montreal, Quebec H3H:2C9 Tel. (514) 935-2551
EUe WIesel, weU-known author, got together with Lydfai London [left], Harrle(<^orton and Evefyn Wolfe at the recent Jewish Booli Fafar held at the-Jewish Conunonlty Centre, iHortheniBrandh, In ^^^^T
- . -
Office Space
Moderate rent includes:
* Plentiful parking
* Mailing Rooin Service
* Board Rooms
* Meeting Halls.—Kosher-—^ | catering facilities \
Apply: T.Z.C., ■ ^
788 Marlee Ave.
Toromo, Ont. AA6B SKT
-^Phones: 782^2607 - 789-2066 - 781-3571^
_*_C
Sol Granek
its natipiial executive director as well as executive vice-president of the ZOC. Upon the creation of the Federated Zionist Organization of Canada (which later became known as the Canadian Zionist Federation) he became its executive vice-president. He was the one who originally named it and was one of its architects.
In 1967. when UIA of Canada Inc. becamie a separate body, Granek and his wife, Gertrude and their two children made aliyah and he receiveid his present appointment. Since that time, he has been responsible for running the Israel operations of UjlA Canada.
Since mpyirig to Israel, Granek has returned to Canada frequently, speaking on behalf of UIA in virtually every community acrosS'the (Country. In order to conform with stringent Canadian income tax requirements, every expendituris of UIA funds in Israel is first considered by the Israel Residents' Committee — a committee of former Canadian residents chaired
by Professor Dr. Jack Gross, from Montreal. Its recommendations are then passed on to Canada where the • UIA national executive finally makes decisions as to the appropriate recipients of UIA funds, collected in. UJA and UIA campraigns throughout Canada.
The Israel Residents' Committee includes Nathan Silver, formerly of Toronto, deputy chairman; MenasheBtoder and Maxwell Schwartz, both formerly Montreal lawyers; Rabbi Zambrowsky, formerly executive president of the Mizriacihi Or-ganizaitipn of Canada and now associated with Bar Uan University; Dr. Frank Moser; formerly of Winni-. peg; Dr. Yehkezkiel Cohen, formerly of Montreal and now Director of The Israel Academy of Science and Humanities; Jarvis Freedman, formerly of Montreal; Professor Ben Lappin, a profesr sor at Bar Dan University and formerly Central Region exeicutive director of Canadian Jewish Con-gresis; Dr; Samuel; Lewin, from Montreal and formr erly the executive director of the eastern Reigion of Congress and Joseph . Bushekin, formerly of Calgary.
The committee meets regularly two or three ' times a year, and more frequently, when necessary. The mernbers of the Committee are appointed by the national executive of UIA of Canada and there is an annual review.
Granek operates with a small, efficient staff, consisting of Moshe Jackson from Toronto who is Granek *s ass.istant, and two pr three secretaries.
Granek's duties, in addition tp ensuring that the
Israel Residents' Committee operates properly, include liaison with the Treasury Department of
J^e Jewish Agency which inakes recommendations for various projects. He has to ensure that there is proper documentation for every penny spent. He visits the various institutions which are the beneficiaries of UIA funds, but at the: same time, he ensures that there is no
■ duplication of activities by utilizing the Jewish Agency as a resource arm.
Among the activities which have been supported by the:UIA during his tenure are the construction and ongoing financing of absorptjpn centres in Ashdod and Ashkelon. A rental housing scheme for singles which will be completed by the end of this year, in the Talpiot Mizrach district of Jerusalem, is owned by UIA Canada. In addition, support is given to residents of absorption centres elsewhere in Is-. rael, as : well as funding. youth services in various yoiith villages. Students in vocational schooils, where there is no statutory responsibility on the jgoverii-ment, are also beneficiaries, ais are students who are at virtually every university in Israel. Assistance is given to the needy and the aged, where there are insufficient funds from their pensions to keep them at a reasonable subsistence level.
Granek looks back on-the activities in Israel and recognizes the monumental task which has been undertaken and is still being looked after by UIA of Canada.
There are a disproportionate number of residents in mental institu-
tionsJn Israel. This is as a result of the Holocaust as well as the large numbers who fled from. Arab lands.
In the past UIA of Canada has paid for the .transp'ortation of^immT-grants and their-belong-: ings from Rumania.
One of the irapiprtant activities of UIA has bieen the preparation of programs for various missions of UJA leadeirs from Canada and the supplying of schlichim and speakers to go back to Canada to assist-in the various campaigns, ■
. A loan committee is a subcommitteeof the Israel Residents' Committee. This provides loans to Canadian immigrants! and their children on the basis of neied, with a minimum of reid tape.
Over the past years Granek organized a council of vbluntieers, drawn from various fields of endeavour in order to assist new Canadian immigrants in their settlement in the country.
Granek 'is most disappointed at the lack of aliyah from Canada. "So long as we are a nation of only three million Jews, our isurviyal is far from assured," says Granek. "From time, to time I get the feeling that the Jewish people dp not have enough desire for a Jewish state. What has persisted is a Galut philanthropic attitude". He bemoans the fact that in 1978 only 350 immigrants came from Canada,. of whom . 60% were returning Isiraeilis. This year thi2 figures have been little better.
Leo Marcus, formeriy the executive director of UIA of Canada, replaced Granek as director-general in Jerusalem on Jan. 1st. :
Jloyal Albert
The fresh spirit of youth, the joy of a sunny garden, the timeless beauty of desrgn excellence and the traditionial quality of Royal Albert English Bone China have wed in "New Romance". Your choice of SIX enchanting new floral patterns skillfully executed on a sleek;
new shape.
Visit your participating china, jewellery, specialty shop or.department store soon.
Offer ends February 2,1980.
V''