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'AGE 12 — THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE. August 15. 1975 A Letter To the JDL Editor's note: The Plenary session of the National Jewish Com munity Relations Advisory Council, at its meeting in New York in June, rejected the application of the Jewish Defense League for membership and endorsed a report by the membership committee of the reasons for its recommendation. What follows is the letter written to the JDL by Albert D. Chernin, NJCRAC executive vice- chairman, and the response by Rabbi Meir Kahane, international chairman of the JDL. Because of its importance The Southern Israelite is publishing both letters in full. — EDITOR June 30, 1975 Mr. Gene Singer Jewish Defense League 1133 Broadway, Suite 1026 New York, New York 10010 Dear Mr. Singer, It is my duty to inform you that yesterday, June 29, 1975, the Plenary Session of the National Jewish Community Relations Ad visory Council unanimously re jected the application of the Jewish Defense League for membership. The Plenary Session, as I believe you know, is a delegated body comprising representatives of all our constituent national organizations and of our con stituent cdmmunity agencies. The action of the Plenary Ses sion was taken on the unanimous recommendation of our Membefship Committee, reached after full review of your applica tion. The Membership Committee also comprises representatives of all our constituent national agen cies and of the constituent com munity agencies. The Plenary Session un animously endorsed the following report by the Membership Com mittee of the reasons for its recommendation: NJCRAC and its member agen cies have long been committed to strengthening the American democratic process. Our commit ment to the democratic process is reflected in the NJCRAC process which is ba&d on voluntary cooperation by our national and local member agencies wRo repre sent a wide range of the ideological spcdfrum found within the Jewish communitv. Even when there are differences, our member agencies participate in the NJCRAC on the basis of mutual respect and a shared acceptance of the common cause. The right to dissent is fully recognized. The NJCRAC and its member agencies support militancy as a legitimate way to achieve change. In regard to Israel and Soviet Jewry, as well as other community relations issues, we have urged ac tivist measures in carrying out our program. We believe that the American democratic system provides the means for effectively expressing our views and bringing about change. In this context resort to violence is harmful to our cause and morally unacceptable. The Jewish Defense League does not accept this basic approach. Eirst it has had a history of en couraging and indeed undertaking acts of violence. Such tactics have t.he effect of weakening the processes of democracy in which the Jewish community has a direct stake. Second, JDL has denied the right of dissent of those who differ from its position by using intimida tion, including violence, in attempts to impose its will on those with whom it disagrees, both within and outside of the Jewish community. We regard it as intolerable that any Jewish organization should resort to force to compel the Jewish com munity to accept its views and only its views. Very truly yours, ALBERT D. CHERNIN Executive Vice Chairman Wteickcfo in NORM \ RARACH FRUIT PUNCH The Sisterhood of Temple Shaare Tefilah, Norwood, Mass., has sent me a copy of their cookbook, “Creative Cookery," which has nearly 400 pages or recipes. The variety is excellent, and there is a particularly nice selection of hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, summer punches, and many interesting chicken recipes. I will be featuring recipes from this book for several weeks. If you are interested in a copy of the book, write for information to the Sisterhood of Shaare Tefilah, 556 Nichols St., Norwood, Mass. 02062. It may be ordered from them for $4,85. Now for two punch Recipes from the book which are especially nice for a summer brunch, lunch, or any time. .3 6-oz. cans frnzrn lemonade 2 6-oz. cans frozen orange juice 2 6-oz. cans frozen pineapple juice 2 6-oz. cans frozen grapefruit juice 4 10-oz. boxes frozen raspberries Crush raspberries through a food mill. Ereeze one-third of them to use in place of ice. Dilute juices according to can directions and combine. Mix remaining two- thirds of raspberries into the diluted fruit juices: Add the frozen raspberries. Makes 8 qts. of punch. C HAMPAGNE PUNCH 4 qts. ginger ale (chilled) 2 qts. lemon sherbet or lemon ice 2 bottles champagne lehilled) 2 lemons, sliced 2 oranges, sliced Put chilled champagne and ginger ale into punch bowl. Add sliced fruit and drop spoonsful of sherbet in last. Makes 40-50 cups. Note. To make punch pareve (non-dairy) use lemon ice in place of sherbet. Dairy Jello Mold Gelatin molds are an excellent accompaniment to any luncheon or buffet. I have one here for you which is a delightful combination of flavors. 2 pkgs. orange gelatin I Vi cups boiling water I cup sour cream I 29-oz. ran apricots, drained and cut into quarters Mix gelatin with boiling water. Add rest of ingredients and mix. Refrigerate until firm and serve. (Copyright 1975, JTA) July I5, 1975 Mr. Albert D. Chernin Executive Vice Chairman NJCRAC 55 West 42nd St., New York, N.Y. I0036 Dear Mr. Chernin, Your letter of June 30th rejec ting the application of the Jewish Defense League for membership in National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council has been received, and we are shocked — if not surprised — and totally unwilling to accept this as the final word. Your group, with a long and sorry record of non-action, is a public, not a private, body, and has no right to reject any organization that plays a prominent role in the American Jewish community. The lack of democracy in the American Jewish Establishment is legendary, but we are prepared to put an end to that state of affairs. Your rejection of JDL was not because of the false and hypocritical reason given in your letter, but rather because every group within your organization is deathly afraid of the impact of JDL upon the American Jewish community. We intend to pursue this matter in the courts as well as the press and through demonstrations. One final word concerning your reason for turning JDL down. Your claim to reject any group that would “resort to force to com pel the Jewish community to accept its views” rings hollow as there sit in your organization groups that turned over names of Jews to the FBI and informed on them in so many other Ways. The age of feudalism with its arrogant contempt for a democratic voice in the Jewish community is over. With Love of Israel, JEWISH DEFENSE LEAGUE RABBI MEIR KAHANE International Chairman New Cadillac Use Awaits WSB Winner If you're an average American, chances are you don't go driving around in a Cadillac. But, if you’ve dreamed of yourself behind the wheel of a Coupe de Ville, this may be your chance. WSB Radio and Capital Automobile Company are cooperating with Cumberland Mall in sponsorship of the “Driver's Dreum" contest. First prize will be the use of a brand-new Cadillac Coupe de Ville for a full ■year. Second prize is the use of a new Cadillac for six months. And third prize is $250 worth of shop ping at Cumberland Mall. Entrants must be licensed, in sured drivers at least 18 years of age. WSB Radio listeners may send their names, addresses, phone numbers and ages on a postcard, addressed to “Driver's Dream,” WSB Radio, P. O. Box 4I46, Atlanta, Georgia, 30302. Or, of ficial entry blanks can be com pleted at Cumberland Mall and deposited in the Cadillac- parked on the Mall. All entries must be received at WSB Radio by mid night Sunday, Aug. 3I, or deposited in the Cadillac at Cumberland Mall before closing at 6 p.m. August 3I. The whole idea of free use of a Cadillac is'a part of the second an- niversary observance of Cumberland Mall, GENE ASHER receives his insignia in ceremonies marking his promo tion to colonel in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. Col. William J. Spiesel, 6th Marine Corps district director, and Col. Dallas Walker, deputy direc tor, do the honors. Asher, for several years director of Atlanta's Toys for Tots campaign, is commanding officer of Marine Corps Reserve Volunteer Training Unit 6-36. A Marine reservist for the past 24 years. Col. Asher is a past president of the Atlanta Chapter, Marine Corps Reserve Officers Assn, and former national director of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Assn. Jewish Quiz Box By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX QUESTION: Why is the 27th Psalm recited every day during the current month of Elul? ANSWER: Traditional Judaism regards the month of Elul (the month before Rosh Hashana) as the month in which the Jew prepares for the judgement of the New Year. The Psalm ends with telling people to “Hope towards the Almighty." Thus the Psalm in stills a sense of hope when facing the fear of judgement. The Psalm also says "The Lord is my light and my salvation,” indicating that the Almighty Himself will stand by His people in the hour of judge ment. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah, 2I) interprets this verse as follows: “My light" refers to Rosh Hashana. “My salvation" refers to Yom Kippur. “He will hide me in a succah" refers to the festival of Succot. It thus appears that the coming holidays of judgement are indeed not meant to be a threat or an evil for the people; they are meant to be a source of salvation and aid to the people. Others say that the word for the month of Elul is spelled backwards in one of the words of the Psalms (“Were it not") thus concealing the name of the month of Elul within the Psalm. This indicates that sometimes the role of the Almighty is concealed in saving His people but it is always there. What seems to us to be a trying period turns out to be a blessing in disguise. QUESTION: Why do Jews customarily visit the cemetery dur ing this month of Elul? ANSWER: A number of reasons are offered for this custom. Generally speaking, one visits the cemetery in a time of crisis. Elul is also a time of crisis. In trying to establish a mood of penance there is nothing like visiting the cemetery which helps to establish a mood of sobriety. Man's sin often comes from a lack of seriousness. This mood is reestablished by a visit to the cemetery. Others claim that the visit to the cemetery is made in order to ask the deceased to pray for us from their heavenly abode. It is also claimed that we seek forgiveness for the deceased as well as for ourselves. Some state that the visit is made to help us realize that in sinning we offended the deceased who preceded us. Thus we seek their forgiveness as well. , OPEN ALL NIGHT 876-0381 Ponce de Leon at Highland. For all your { C ommercial ami j . Residential Cleaning. | CALL | MARTIN STERN ! GEORGIA MAINTENANCE I c.o ■ v - v * 1 / carpets America's Finest CALL FOR APPOINTMENT ' 351-1650 George F. Richardson, Inc.