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M 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 Advertising rates available upon request. Subscriptions: $23.00 a year. Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency; Religious News Service; 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. Hillllfc llnlli—lll mim nn