Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 14, 1986 Page 3 Jewish author to give ‘good, bad news’ Charles E. Silberman, author of the controversial bestseller, “A Certain People: American Jews and Their Lives Today,” will lecture on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, 1745 Peach tree Road. He has been invited to deliver the Sidney Q. Janus Memorial Lecture sponsored by Leah Janus and family and the Ahavath Achim Synagogue. His topic will be “I Have Good News and Bad News.” Silberman’s last book, “A Cer tain People,” is based on six years of interviews, research and writing. Among his conclusions are: •. Anti-Semitism is no longer a significant factor in Jewish (or American) life, as it was just a generation ago. He claims that Ethnic jokes called ‘unfortunate’ by Richard Bono TSI staff writer Observers believe it is an un fortunate coincidence, not a trend, that on two occasions last month, two of Atlanta’s popular FM radio stations aired ethnic jokes that were anti-Semitic. The latest incident occurred on WKLS (96 Rock). During its morning show, a comedian called to tell a joke with the punch line pun “Don’t trust a Jew when he says the Czech is in the male.” “I was very upset,” said Dr. Greenberg, who contacted The Southern Israelite about the matter. “I just moved down here from Detroit. In Detroit, you don’t hear this kind of stuff at all. It wouldn’t be tolerated for a minute. The Jewish community would put the station out of bus iness. But, down here, people say they don’t want to make waves. Well, 1 just don’t buy that.” Greenberg contacted the sta tion manager of WKLS and even called the Federal Communica tions Commission in Washing ton, D.C. He also notified the Southeast Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League in At lanta. Michael Winograd. assistant director of ADL, said, “The sta tion manager of WKLS assured us that it was no one from the station that was making that New Samples have Arrived Dressy Beaded Dresses Dresses Sportswear The Sampler remark. He did use the oppor tunity to talk to station person nel to remind them that this kind of humor is inappropriate.” Winograd added, “WKLS would not air an apology, which was their decision. We disagree with that. But, besides that, ADL is satisfied with the response. The station is making the effort to do something positive.” Several people in addition to Dr. Greenberg called the ADL office about the ethnic joke aired on WKLS, according to Wino grad, who said that it is not a frequent occurrence that anyone calls his office with such com plaints. The previous airing of an anti- Semitic joke on Atlanta radio occurred on WSB radio during Dale O’Brien’s morning show Oct. 3, the day that would begin Rosh Hashana at sunset. During a shtik similar to the one on WKLS, a comedian called WSB live. The gist of his joke was that the Jewish New Year begins at sunset because “that’s when all the prices go down.” WSB promptly aired an apol ogy, stated that they regretted the unscheduled ad lib and that no malice was intended. Greenberg said he was dis couraged to learn from the FCC that ethnic remarks told over the nation’s airwaves are not illegal. “You can go on the air and say that all Jews should be hanged on sight and go advise people to do it and it’s not illegal,” he said, adding, “I figure if we can’t do anything about it, I’ll at least let your readership know about this, so they can adjust their listening habits appropriately.” America really is different from any society in which Jews have ever lived. Powerful forces built into American society confine anti-Jewish attitudes to the pri vate domain and prevent anti- Semitism from becoming official policy. • Judaism is stronger than ever—despite widespread fear among Jews is the very freedom and openness of American society would dissolve their willingness to survive as a distinct group. • Predictions that the number of Jews are declining are grossly overrated. The Jewish birth rate is higher and the intermarriage rate lower than is generally as sumed and the consequences of intermarriage appear to be far less adverse to Jewish continuity than had been thought. It seems unlikely that intermarriage will lead to more than a slight reduc tion in the number of Jews, and it could very well bring about an increase. • In occupations like educa tion, law, politics and the corpo ration, there is no doubt that Jews remain in high positions. Silberman is known also for three significant and rather scho larly earlier books: “Crisis in Black and White” (1964), “Crisis in the Classroom” (1970) and Charles Silberman “Criminal Violence, Criminal Justice” (1978). Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he was educated in the New York City public schools, Columbia College (A.B. 1946), and the graduate department of econom ics, Columbia University (1946- 1949). He is the father of four sons and has two grandsons. He and his wife, Arlene—also a wri ter—live in New York City. The lecture is open to the pub lic and there is no charge. For further information call 875-7881. Size of British Jewry declining\ LONDON (JTA)—The Jewish community was the only non-Christian community to shrink in Britain between 1980 and 1985, accordingto a report on the new 1987-88 UK Christian Handbook in the Jewish Echo of Glasgow, Scotland. The Jewish community—defined as those actively associated with synagogues—decreased from 111,000 to 109,000. During the same period, the Moslem population increased by 250,000 to 852,000 and Christian churches have lost a half million members. Sikhs increased by 30,000 to 180,000 and Hindus by 10,000 to 130,000. • birthday Parties . • Receptions • bar/bat Mitzyas THETAYILLIOX * Uuicrs 255-9035 Inquires: Marty Bloom-Sheryl Buppert 0521 Roswell Rd.'. .Atlanta, Cia 30328/255-9035 Open Mon.-Sat. 10-6 2105 N. DECATUR RD. tat Clairmont) 325-4147