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SERVING NEBRASKA fiMD IOWA SINCE 1920 Vol.
Omaha, Neb., Frl., December 13,1985
LXIII No. 13
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Although the number of people involved in extremist groups in the United States has been declining for many years, those who remain may be violent, according to Sheldon Filger, Regional Director for the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Filger was one of many witnesses who testified Dec. 6 at a meeting of the Unicaraercl's judiciary committee. The Omaha meeting was the third and last of a series of hearings held throughout Nebraska to investigate far-right extremism in the state. Among topics discussed at the meeting was L.B. 1122, a bill introduced by State Senator Jerry Chizek of Omaha. Under the bill, those persons intent on either creating or furthering civil disorders would not ha allowed to possess automatic weapons or train one another in the use of such weapons. Similar prohibitions would also be placed on the possession and uee of explosives. Filger said that in terms of the total number of people, Sheldon Filger, .Regional Director for the Plains involved in extremist groups throughout the United States, States Region'of the Anti-Defamation' League ••'of "the numbers are certainly very encouraging." In past dec- B'nai B'rith, testifying before a 'Uaicomaral judiciary committee on extremist groups in Nebraska. ades, he said, numbers were much higher. As an example, Filger said the Ku KIux Klan's Iowa membership in the 1930s was over 100,000. Today, however, county has more law-enforcement officers than any other he said the ADL does not know of any organized Klan in Nebraska. All of those populations have been targets for extremist groups. . activity in that state. The ADL's study of extremist-group activity has revealed Consequently, said Roth, Douglas County has the highest two conclusions, said JFilger. risk rate in the state. Because the risk rate, in his'jurisdicFirst, some of the groups maintain they can achieve their tion is so high, Roth said he is very concerned about the aims through the electoral process, as did Hitler in 1930s problem. Germany. Dr. Jack Kay, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln speech Filger said such groups "camouflage" their anti-Semitic professor, also testified before the judiciary committee. platforms by first directing the attention of members and Kay's research has included observations of extremists potential members toward other subjects. groups' recruiting tactics and literature. Also, he has studHe added that financially troubled farming in this area ied messages' on the-hate groups': computer "bulletin has'provided extremist groups with membership opportu- ..boards." ...^ nities.-. ; . . .. \ _ !. ,,,•-..'..•_..' ..•-.• . •••.:.'••. .'-.". •-• --• : The "bulletin boards" are networks of personal-computer Other groups are potentially violent. Filger said a "small users vyhose machines are linked by telephone lines. but dangerous" group has drawn the conclusion that vioKay said individuals called "phone freaks" often call up lence is the only way to accomplish its goals. extremist bulletin boards and are thus exposed to sophis"We're talking about a small number of people," he said, ticated messages of hate. He added that "phone freaks" are "who have access to very dangerous weapons, and have, on typically white middle-class male teenagers. more than one occasion, manifested an attitude and a willFrom his research Kay has come to two conclusions. The ingness to engage in violence."' first involves the issue, of extremist recruitment. "My reTo back up his claim, Filger mentioned a number of in- search," he said, "clearly indicates that recruitment is a top cidents, including the case of .Gordon Kahl, a Posse Com- priority of extremist groups. Specifically, the groups are itatus member who shot-two federal marshals in North targeting two classes of people: financially distressed rural Americans and urban middle-class youth." Dakota. - , / Kay's second conclusion deals with extremist violence. . Filger said legislation to deter para-military training ' would ''feSTrraie best interests of preserving the rights of "Many extremist groups vieV violence as morally correct," he said. . ' •'' all American mizeris." ' . ' ; . " . State Senator Jerry Chizek also spoke at the hearing. He Douglas County Sheriff Richard Roth was also a witness eaidjhat "If history teaches us anything, it's that a small atjmeshearing. Roth noted that Douglas County has the. state's largest group of dedicated, well-trained; hard-core, armed individpopulations of Jews, Catholics and blacks. Also, he said the uals can disrupt society as we know it."
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By Morrio Msilina" Nebraska's synagogues and other Jewish institutions in the Midlands soon will be asked to "beef up their security" to cope with possible threats from extremist group3. "We are not counseling alarm, but we must consider that armed vigilantes with an anti-Semitic doctrine alwayB present the possibility of terrorism," said Irwin Suall, director of fact finding forjhe Anti Defamation League-of B'nai B'rith. • Mr. Suall spoke Dec. 4 at the Jewish Community Center during a forum organized to discuss how anti-Semitic extremist organizations are attempting to exploit the farm crisis for the purpose of arousing anti-Jewish hostility. Other speakers included State Senator Gorald Chizek who'ia conducting hearings in Nebraska in preparation for reirftroducirig a Paramilitary bill in the Legislature; Kathleen Spverenojlsgaj hid attorney who coordinates a farm; criflla hotline; Tom Neuman, director of community Gorvices ' for ADL, and Sholdon Filger, Plaino"States director at ADL. •Mr.-Suall who woo introduced as "on oxpsrt on extremist groups, said that vyhilo other parts of tho country ora worse , in estremiom than the midwest, ADL is concerned about .' tho farm crisis in the Midlanda.. ,' ' "Where people are in trouble, there is fertile boil for antiSeraitiohi and bigotry.'';• r • He skid that "What'o.good for, America is good for.the ; Jews/Vand that hiatoriealry Jews have sought,a clhnatp'of prosperity for all A m e r i c a n s . : \ , ' . . ' , '•'• y. ' •' '. Mr. Suall announced that asarsoult of recent fact-find-.-• ing efforts, ADLwill ianus a report suggesting thai Jewish
institutions increase their security. He pointed to recent attacks on synagogues in Nashville, TN; Bloomingtori, IN, and Boise, ID, as a good enough reason for additional precautions. Other activities in which ADL is involved in an effort to halt the growth of extremism involve having an expert testify at the upcoming trial in Colorado of Rick Elliot, alleged leader of the National Agricultural Press Association. Also, ADL is challenging the license of a Dodge City, ; Kansas radio station. "The FCC forbids obscene language on the radio, but says that calling for the killing of Jew* is protected broadcasting under the First Amendment," Mr. Suall said. He added that enactment of model legislation on paramilitary-activities has been prepared by ADL and already has been passed in Missouri arid Arijanonb. Nebraska's attempt to paaa.th.is legislation failed a couple • of years a$o, but according.to Ssiiatov Chisel: will bs reiritroducod nest term. . According to Mr. Suajl, one of the hotbsdb for recruiting paramilitary estremiBtB takea'place in tlis prison system. He pointed to Seattle vvherethe Aryan Brotherhood extremist group has a religiouo front.which engagei pastora (extremist dgitatore) to counsel (recruit) prisoners about to b l l d [[. bopnrolled../; ., V' V: ;: ' . ; . ;: '; AiJshnsas andMissoiiri prison systemo already hove been helped by ADLtpcdpo with this problem, he added. \; The final approach by ADL to counteract extremism is '•,;l•.•••
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The community will gather at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. for a tpicial evening planned by Annual Meetin j • co-chairman, fiev Seldin and Connie Slutzliy. Award', [ will be presented to volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the Omaha Jewish community; an organization will 1;J ' recognized for its excellence ' in programming; and the ' election and installation of j officers and Board members i of the Fedwration and its agencies will take place. B o v g e jdi n "During the reception that follows tho meeting, we'll be focusing attention on the activities of the agen"cies," said Mrs. Seldin. • ' "We've asked each agency to prepare a display that will . highlight its activities and programs. This will give the community the opportunity to become better acquainted with the wide range of services that are available," j Mrs. Seldin added. '— — — ConniQ Slutzky . Invitations to this community event will be.mailed shortly. For additional information on the Annual Meeting,' contact Ellie Penner at the Federation office, 334-8200, ext. 264.
_ jc By-Morris MolinS • When it conies .to-.the. establishment of philanthropic funds, Jews lead the nation, and the total invested should reach $2 billion by the end of the 1980s, according to Neal Myerberg. Mr. Myerberg is general counsel and director of endowment development for the_Council of Jewish Federations. Mr. Myerberg, in Omaha last week to meet with endowment leadership here, told the Jewish Press that endowment growth reached $340 million in the past year, compared with $650 million raised by Federation Campaigns. He said the major, thrust in endowments started in 1969 when Louis Fox of Baltimore, a philanthropist and layman, utilized a regulation in the. 1969 tax code to get the activity moving. This action was taken up by Henry .Zucker, executive" director of the Cleveland Federation, who started the first major Federation program, Mr. Myevberg added. And then, Norman Sugarman of Cleveland and Washington, set the legal standards and "practically wrote the book" which is being used today, said Mr. Myerbetg. All three men were honored at the recent General Assembly as the Founding Fathers of the philanthropic fund. Mr. Myerberg, who before joining CJF five years ago had . been elected district attorney in St. Charles county, Maryland, (Jewish population about 35 out of 60,000) said that endowment work is the fastest growing.segment in the Federation professional field. He said that the opportunities for those desiring to set up endowments ore"great" and that even at this late date in the year individuals can take advantage of major tax benefits. . "The program is so sophistically organized that a trust can be set up in one day." In answer to a question, Mr. Myerberg said he was troubled to hear that Omaha is using endowment income to help fund its annual budget. "This is rarely done," he said, adding that endowment income, normally is used for emergency purposes or for funding innovative programs that normal operating budgets can't handle. . [ Ho pointed out, however, that Omaha has a good ratio of philanthropic funds and that tho prospects for the community are "excellent". '•' • Mr. Myerbsrg also mentioned that hifl father-in-law, Dr. ' Thomas CuEcadsn, resided uv Omaha in the 1940s and that he often speaks about coming back for a', visit.
The Jewioli Press will observe early deadlines for the issues Dec. 27 and Jnn. 3. Deadline for news and advertising for the issue'of Dec. 27 is Wednesday, Dec. 18; for the issue of Jan. 3, deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 24.