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Page 4 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE ■ October 31j *986
Don’t forget to vote
This election campaign has turned out to be quite heated in
a number of races and what happens Nov. 4 will help shape
national and local policies for the next several years.
While this newspaper has a long-standing policy of not
endorsing specific candidates, we most heartily endorse the
need for each and every registered voter to exercise that privi
lege on election day.
For those who, for one reason or another, may not be
registered, now, while elections are on our mind, is the time to
sign up so each of us can be counted in the next election.
If there were ever a good example of what a privilege it is to
have a voice in our government, this should be especially clear
to each of us in these days just after Simhat Torah when
tens—maybe hundreds—of thousands turned out all over this
country to show solidarity with those who live in repressive
societies where voting is, at best, a sham.
We are blessed to live in a free society and it is up to each of
us to take advantage of one of our most important freedoms.
Anti-apartheid event
Most of us in this country do not identify with organized
labor in the same sense that Israelis do with Histadrut, Israel’s
General Federation of Labor. Still we know of, and are grate
ful for, the labor movement’s staunch support of Israel.
Soon, in Atlanta, there will be an unusual event combining
outstanding musical talent in a concert called “Freedom from
Apartheid.” Featured are the renowned choirs of Clarke,
Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman colleges and our own
Cantor Isaac Goodfriend.
The Nov. 19 concert at The Temple is being presented by
Histadrut with the backing of the Georgia State AFL-CIO. Its
purpose is to help fund courses provided by the Afro-Asian
Institute of Histadrut. These particular courses train black
South African leaders in the organizational, communication,
business, health and union techniques needed in their struggle
against apartheid.
Despite its own needs and economic troubles, Israel has
always shared its technology and skills with others. In addition
to this particular program, the Afro—Asian Institute provides
training fora students from 26 countries in Africa, Asia, the
Caribbean and the Pacific.
But funds have run out and this concert gives us an oppor
tunity to lend a hand.
The
Southern Israelite
A Prize-Winning
Newspaper
Better Newspaper
Contests
The Southern Israelite
The Voice of Atlanta's Jewish Community
Since 1925'
Vida Goldgar Jeff Rubin
Editor General Manager
Luna Levy
Managing Editor
Published by Sun Publications, Inc.
also publishers of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle
Stan Rose Steve Rose
Chairman and President and
Publisher Co Publisher
Second Class Postage paid at Atlanta, Cu (ISSN 00388) (UPS 776060)
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Southern Israelite, P.O. Box 250287,
Atlanta, Georgia 30325
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 250287, Atlanta, Georgia 30325
Location: 300 Atlanta Technology Center, Suite 365,
1575 Northside Dr., N.W., All., Ga. 30318 Phone (404) 355-6139
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American Jewish Press Assn., Georgia Press Assn.; National Newspaper Assn
Vida Goldgar
To each his own
I was so proud when my high school English
teacher—1 think it was Miss Brammer—led me to
the library section reserved for seniors. 1 was only a
sophomore but our school was
small and so was its library. It
was small enough that I had
worked my way through most of
it and was ready for more.
As my reading list expanded,
so did my knowledge. Even
though my family could hardly
be called flaming liberals, they
had no fear of my being exposed
to new ideas. And I really can’t
believe that anything I read then—even the paper
back novels 1 sometimes sneaked from the rack of
my dad’s drugstore—had an evil influence on me.
That is one reason why 1 find what appears to be
a trend toward legal censorship of reading matter in
the public schools so distressing.
Not too long ago, Gwinnett County had its
“Deenie” case, and now two neighboring states are
being put to the test by fundamentalist Christians.
InTennessee, U.S. District Judge Thomas Hull
has already ruled in favor of the parents who claim
that books such as “The Wizard of Oz” and “The
Diary of Anne Frank” destroy their children’s
values. The judge ruled that the children should not
have to attend reading classes where the offensive
textbooks were used. Instead, they could be taught
reading at home. The case is being appealed.
Alabama’s case has been less well publicized.
But there’s a letter on page five that calls it to our
attention.
As you can see from the letter, this class action
suit has been in preparation for a very long time.
And all this is done in the name of Christianity
against some amorphous evil called secular human
ism.
“You don’t agree with my beliefs? Then you’re a
(cringe) secular humanist.” “You don’t want prayer
in school?” You’re nothing but a secular humanist.”
Watching ABC’s“Nightline” this week, I couldn’t
help but be saddened at the suited up, slicked down
youngster who parroted, “1 believe Christian values
ought to be taught in schools like at home.”
The issue here is not really Christian values.
None of my Christian friends are in favor of these
textbook lawsuits though maybe a few are ambi
valent about or disagree with me on the school
prayer issue. Most don’t.
One’s religious beliefs are an intensely personal
matter and far be it for me to try to impose mine on
someone else. But I expect the same courtesy. And
this is a courtesy that the fundamentalists are not
willing to extend.
Many Jewish parents who want their children
to have a Jewish education send them to Jewish
schools. It seems to me that sending their children
to Christian schools is an option that should be
exercised by the parents who feel their values are
being undermined. But the public schools should
be just that, recognizing the pluralism that has
strengthened this country since its beginning.
Maybe these wild ideas I have about freedom,
justice, sensitivity, rights of others had their begin
nings in those books M iss Brammer encouraged me
to read.
Tsk, tsk.
For Christians only?
by Vida Goldgar
Once again, Jews are accused
of “over-reacting.” This time the
claim comes from Jay Morgan,
executive director of the Georgia
Republican Party.
His comment, appearing in
Thursday’s Atlanta Constitution,
is in reference to a protest against
a radio commercial sponsored by
the Republican Senate Campaign
which links voters’ political in
terest to a personal relationship
to Christ.
In Atlanta, the commercial is
running on W YNX. This is what
it says; ... Q ,,,..
“What are the things really
important to you? It’s probably
pretty simple. A steady job, a
healthy family and a personal
relationship with Christ. That’s
the easy part, the trick is how do
you get there? Because everyday
decisions are made affecting your
life, decisions that say it’s okay to
sell pornography but it’s not okay
to pray in public schools, deci
sions that seem to protect the
criminals more than they help
the victims of crime. P
wi cvcryaay politi
government, when we’re going to
get serious about the people ped
dling drugs in our schools. You
think you have nothing to do
with that? You sure do. If you
vote, you do, and if you don’t
vote, you still do. Either you
make it happen or you let it
happen.
“The choice between voting
and not voting isn’t a choice at
all. Come on, do the right thing.
Vote.”
We understand that the spot is
being run in a number of south
ern states.
^Continued next page.
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