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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 21, 1986 Page 5 Letters Pair proud of their hazzan Editor: When Cantor Goodfriend (the hazzan, as we call him) asked us to join him in New York for the country’s Centennial Celebration of the Statue of Liberty, we were thrilled, but had no idea of the impact it would have on us. We knew it was quite an honor when the secretary of the interior, Don Hodel, call the hazzan per sonally and asked him to partici pate in the program. However, we didn’t realize “our hazzan” was going to be the greater part of the program’s entertainment. It is impossible to describe our feeling of pride and “nachas” as we watched our own Cantor Isaac Goodfriend as his voice rang out, so beautifully, the anthems “La Marseillaise” (in French) and “The Star Spangled Banner.” And as the great Lady Liberty stood in the background, with some of America’s and France’s highest dignitaries and officials looking on, it was “our hazzan” who sang out—with all of his pride and might—“This is My Country” and “America.” On Tuesday morning, Oct. 28, 1986, Lady Liberty’s 100th birth day, we were especially proud of “our hazzan” and we felt it would be selfish not to share this honor with our community. Saba Silverman Marsha Vrono Word ‘Holocaust’ used too often Editor: A couple of letters have ap peared The Southern Israelite in which the writers equated certain events such as abortions with the Holocaust. That word has been much abused and unfortunately is used too frequently to describe var ious occurrences. It seems that almost anything can fall into the category of a holocaust. Regret tably, Jews have fallen into the trap of using this term too freely. Ask a survivor of the Holo caust, those who have experienced it through their families and those who have read extensively about it, and one will discover that the magnitude of this tragedy makes it incomparable as well as incom prehensible. Elie Wiesel once lamented his concern that in the future refer ence to the Holocaust will recall memories of the TV series. Stanley M. Lefco President, Second Generation Children of Holocaust Survivors Judge person, not religion: reader Editor: The article on Election ’86 (TSI, Nov. 7) regarding Jewish candi dates who won or lost their bids for Congress, made me very un easy. If I had read a similar arti cle in a Christian publication regarding Christian candidates, I would be deeply offended, both as an American and as a Jew. Candidates for public office should be judged strictly on their merits, of course, and it is incum bent upon each of us to bear that in mind when we vote. Religious affiliation should have no bear- Reader raps Editor: I was surprised at your recent attack on radio station WYNX for their audacity to run an ad aimed at Christians. So I called the station, talked with station manager Alan Carr, and found out that they are a station prima rily for evangelical Christians, just as TSI is for us Jews. Unlike TSI, however, WYNX has an editorial policy of presenting their own views WITHOUT at tacking those of other persua sions. They do have a policy, in the interest of an informed elec torate, of running paid political announcements from any source, regardless of whether WYNX (or their listeners) agree with the views expressed. Like most evan gelical Christian organizations, WYNX is pro-Israel, and Mr. Carr expressed a feeling toward the Jews as his “brethren” whom he had no intention of offending in any way. Concerning the ad itself, Mr. Carr invites anyone to call and hear the ad for himself or herself. ing on one’s assessment of a can didate’s suitability for public office. Religious affiliation should never be a reason for a candi date’s winning or losing an elec tion. Mr. Polakoffs score-keeping is very reminiscent of the Chris tian fundamentalists’ “biblical score-card” that we all find so repugnant. This article should not have been written, nor should the Israelite have printed it. Johanna Moldov Klein TSI’s ‘bigotry’ (TSI did not contact him or hear his side before attacking). It’s a simple “get out and vote” ad that names neither candidates nor parties, except for the legally required tag, “This message paid for by the Georgia Republican Party.” It appealed to the “born again,” just as other ads in the campaign appealed to farmers, teachers, union members, and, yes, Jews. So I want to ask the American Jewish Committee: Is that why we send contributions? So you can harass Christians for asking other Christians to vote? Do we have so few enemies that you need to pick fights with those who consider themselves our friends? Will you safeguard our freedom as of speech as Jews by taking it away from Christians and Republicans? 1 also want to ask TSI: Why is bigotry only acceptable when it’s we Jews who do it? David Ben-Hannah Remembering Dr. Janus by Shai Robkin This past year our community lost one of its most distinquished members, Dr. Sidney Q. Janus. As the Jewish people have been described as the “People of the Book,” Dr. Janus was indeed a person of the book. It is appro priate for his memory to be hon ored in association with learning and Jewish books. The Atlanta Jewish Community Center is grateful to his wife, Mrs. Leah Janus, and her family, along with the Ahavath Achim Synagogue for helping to bring “Bookend’s” keynote speaker, Charles Silber- man. Not only did Dr. Janus have an extensive knowledge of Torah, Talmud and Jewish literature, but he also spoke Hebrew flu ently and wrote it beautifully. His affinity for Jewish books was expressed both privately and pub licly. His library was filled with volumes of Jewish works that he had accumulated throughout a lifetime. As a longtime member of the Jewish Publication Society and the American Jewish Histor ical Society, Dr. Janus kept this interest current and alive. He was a past president of the Zionist Organization of America, Atlanta District under whose auspices he edited the book “Our Story At- lanta-A Panorama of Israel.” In addition to being a past president of the Atlanta Bureau of Jewish Education, he was also an active member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, the Jewish Home, B’nai B’rith, Men’s ORT and the Jewish War Veterans. The depth of his Jewish learning extended beyond the Jewish com munity to his psychology prac tice and to other organizations in which he participated, including the Rotary Club and the High Museum. For 18 years, he deli vered semi-annual book reviews at St. Philip’s Cathedral. One cannot be as versed in Jewish knowledge as Dr. Janus was without being imbued with its moral fiber. In recent years, he prodded the psychological com munity to have a greater forum for ethical issues relating to the practice of psychology. He urged that ethics be a vital component of continuing education require ments. Throughout his life, Dr. Janus dedicated himself to Jewish learn ing and gave of himself to the community. It is fitting that his blessed memory should continue to contribute to those ideals he so much cherished. Charles E. Silberman, author of the controversial book, "A Certain People: American Jews and Their Lives Today," will deliver the Sidney Q. Janus Memorial Lecture at 8 p. m. Sun day, Nov. 23, at the AJCC on Peachtree. His talk will culmi nate “ Bookends," a weekend cele bration of Jewish books, which opens Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Sunday. For the record Justice Department officials began an “on-site inspection” of the Palestine Information Office (PIO) in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29, one week after a surprise inspection was canceled due to premature media disclosure. The PIO is registered with the Justice Department to lobby on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Or ganization (PLO); it received $280,000 from the terrorist or ganization last year. The Justice Department does not comment on investigations in progress, but knowledgeable observers describe the inspection process as a close examination of all financial records, correspon dence, and publications. The effectiveness of the opera tions was questioned by Sen. Jeremiah Denton (R-Ala.), chair man of the Senate Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism, who accused the Justice Department of “dropping the ball on the investigation.” Several weeks before the inspection was to take place, the Justice Department notified the PIO and began “negotiating” with the group over the nature of the documents to be examined. Advance notification of an inspection is a common practice, according to a Justice Department spokesman. But when Justice planned a surprise visit to the office, a report in the Israeli media alerted the PIO and the inspection was postponed. One source close to the PIO said that the advance warnings had enabled office staff to remove certain documents. The results of the inspection will be available to the public only after analysis of the docu ments is completed—and that could take from several months to several years. If evidence is uncovered to indicate that the PIO office has acted in violation of its registration under the For eign Agents Registration Act, it could be subject to criminal pro ceedings or revocation of per mission to operate. — Near East Report ACT NOW TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CURRENT TAX LAWS— GIVE TO FEDERATION IN 1986 Establish a philanthropic fund with Federation. Use it to recommend gifts to Federation, its agencies and other charities, now and in future years. Every gift this year to Federation allows you to save up to 50C on every dollar donated. For more information on these programs, contact: Mike Pousman Please send me more information about the Atlanta Jewish Federation Endowment Fund. Endowment Fund Director 873-1661 Name Mail to: Atlanta Jewish Federation Endowment Fund 1753 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta, Ga 30309 Address Phone