90301060 NEBR HISTORICAL. SOC 1500 R ST LINCOLN NE
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Vol. LXII No. 43
Omaha, K&b., Fri., Jiina 22, 1984
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By Boriu Siu&Itr Editor-in-eMc-f emeritus, J.T.A. (Copyright 1B84, J e w k h Ttlt^rtpliic Afciisicy, Inc.)
fjow that the Presidential election primaries are over, national Jewish organizations are submitting statements to the Platform Committees of the Democratic and Republican parties, bringing to their attention Jewish concerns and recommendations for inclusion in the platforms which the national convention of each party will adopt as its pledge and as guidance for the candidate whom it will chose to run for President of the United States. The first such statements have been presented by the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. In relation to the Middle East, the Jewish •representative groups urge in their statements that the U.S. refrain from holding talks with the Ealestine Liberation Organization until it recognizes Israel and renounces terrorism. They suggest that, proposals for arms sales to Arab countries be strictly evaluated to ensure they will not be used against Israel. They want both parties to include in their policy platforms a commitment to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. They also suggest that the two parties go on record in the platforms, as urging the U.S. to resist attempts to deprive Israel of full membership in the United Nations. In the domestic area, the statements advocate further guarantees for protection of freedom of religion and strict enforcement the separation of church and state constitutionally mandated by the First Amendment; renunciation of anti-Semitism and •"'othSriforsijs Dfrbigotry;p promotion .of-a gon-;•; erous immigration policy; support of affirmative action without quotas; steps to insure
energy independence; giving high priority to women's issues; and some othef issues for consideration. The statements urge both parties to declare that the U.S. continue its efforts in behalf of Soviet Jews. American Jews constitute less than three percent of the population, but they make up more than four percent of all voters. One percent equals about 750,000 votes; this indicates that Jews cast 3,000,000 votes in elections. ulous states whose large number of winnerstake-all electoral votes are of vital impor-
"Get hooked on books" is the theme of - the Summer reading program which is being sponsored by the Jewish Federation Library. All children between the ages of five and nine may participate in the 100-Minute Club. Official coupons are available at the library. Each coupon represents 20 OF1 more minutes of reading time, and five coupons, signed by a parent, will make the child a member of the 100-Minute Club. A poster in the library window will indicate each member's reading progress. In September, there will be a party to recognize and to honor the children who have achieved membership in the "Get hooked on books" Club. . Shirley Goodman, Library Committee president, said "by actively participating in this reading club with your child, your child will feel that reading is important and . will develop a. positive reading habit. The success of this program depends on encouragement and cooperation on the part of the parent."
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L I ~ - v^ ~ u,i m ix tii Jy by the An.uicun Jewish Comti.itUi Tt e • tu !y indict ti- that the ratio of Ji_v,, \,!io \ou^ io 1 lji.r than their propoition in tlii (At! n\ pupulation. In part 1-uu u L Je\ „ ni^. oLLi et. J have more years of formal cduution, Jt\.s, the study emphasizes, do not vote for a candidate because he is Jewish, <ind they are not a "single issue" voting block, although Israel is very important to Jewish voters. Jews are more united than other demographic groups behind civil rights and civil liberties, equal opportunity, aid to the poor and aged, support for public education and health programa. They are very strongly in opposition to violence. They close ranks when they believe Israel's security is threatened. While other religious and ethnic groups, whose wealthier and better educated members tend to be conservative and vote Republican, the majority of Jewish voters, regardless of their socio-economic level, generally support Democratic candidates and liberal programs. Over 50 percent of the Jewish voters are registered as Democrats, about 11 percent as Republicans. 30 percent say they are Independents. As the American political ground has shifted to the right, Jews have shifted with it. But compared tance to any Presidential candidate. In most with others, they are still on the liberal side. elections, 80 percent of the registered JewIn the presidential elections of 1980, ish voters turn out at the polling booths. • about 40 percent of the Jewish voters cast In a tight race, it is possible that Jewish their votes for Reagan. Whether this will be voters could swing the electoral balance. the case in the current elections is difficult They total almost 25 percent of all the vot- to predict. Experts estimate, that Jewish ers in New York, whose electoral votes are support for Reagan both as President and considered crucial to any candidate. They as a candidate for re-election is roughly in are 12 percent in New Jersey; 10 percent in the 20 percent bracket. Florida; 7 percent in Pennsylvania; 6 perIn two separate but equally free-wheeling cent in California, 5 percent in Illinois — meetings, two groups of noted Jewish in:-frl-p«&tntes:-that«=togetb.esv- account .for 132'• tellectuals- .r—• one .politically s conservative, electoral votes. the other liberal — gathered recently in the Basic data about Jewish voters is summed (continued on page 7) J I
Jewish Organizations and institutions which sponsor programs to enhance the Jewish identity of youth and college students in the Omaha area may apply for funds from the Esther K. Newman Grants Committee. . The committee may allocate up to $10,000 and $1,400 for programs that meet the guidelines of the Esther K. Newman and Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Funds respectively. The deadline for submitting grant requests is Aug. 1. Marvin Polikov, chairman of the Grants Committee, explained that the allocation meetings have been changed as a response to the academic and programming year. "The intent of the committee will be to allocate up to half of the available funds in August and the remainder in March or April. Of course, should the need arise, the committee may meet at other times during
the year." Mr. Polikov said that Esther K. Newman Grants have been funding programs since 1980. He noted that additional funds are now available from the Carolyn Kully Newman Fund which was established to provide programs for kindergarten and preschool age children and their families. Sponsoring groups, he said, are encouraged to participate financially or in-kind. In addition, it is hoped that organizations will work together to provide programs that meet the needs of a cross-section of Jewish youth. Applications have been mailed to all organizations and institutions working with Jewish youth. Additional forms and technical assistance in completing forms can be obtained by contacting Mitch Orlik, director of planning and budgeting, at the Jewish Federation.
Professor Erich Goldhagen, Fellow of the Harvard University Russian Research Institute, will speak on "The Psychology of Genocide" at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, at the Jewish Community Center. . Professor Goldhagen will also speak on Monday. June 25, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sheldon Gallery Auditorium at the University of Nebr'aaha at Lincoln on "Reflections on the Holocaust: 40 Years Later." Professor Goldhagen's lectures are being sponsored by the University of Nebraska Foundation and the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities. Professor Goldhagen is the author of articles and books on the.Holocaust. He is currently teaching a graduate course for public and private school teachers at the Omaha and Lincoln campus of the University of Nebraska. The course will provide participants with a capacity to introduce units or separate classes on the Holocaust and will continue through Friday, June 29.
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Read the editorial on page 4. Meanwhile,'..in left photo, Ozzie and Donald Nogg chat with some Israeli children who demonstrated tennis proficiency at the Highland Country Club lost Sunday.. In the center photo, one of the youngsters whips a backhand shot across the net, and at right, Eunice Denenberg explains the purpose of the event. (Former editor IV^ickey Gerelick please take note.)