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PP9JV mmm Letters Kahn Home appreciates mitzvot Editor: The community institutions of Atlanta have once again come forth to help the residents of the Louis Kahn Group Home cele brate the New Year. Congrega tion Shearith Israel made itself available to our residents who needed a synagogue for the High Holidays. Erev Rosh Hashana Ms. Diane Ram brought Beth Jacob’s pre kindergarten class to the Kahn Home. The class of 3-year-olds had chosen to spend the tzedaka that they had collected on apples and honey to wish the residents a “sweet year.” As part of their project to “adopt” the Louis Kahn Group Home, Frank Fierman AZA turned out in force to build a sukka on the patio of the Home. Hung with fruits and vegetables, the sukka made a very special place for the residents to enjoy kiddush. During Sukkot, a class of 10th grade girls from Yeshiva High School, with their teacher Ms, Ruth Freundlich, came to visit,, sing songs and say the blessing over the lulav and etrog with us. On behalf of the residents of the Louis Kahn Home, I would like to thank each of these organ izations for their mitzvot. The Jewish community of Atlanta certainly knows how to take care of its own. Janet L. Sugarman, director Louis Kahn Group Home Reader: Holocaust, abortion differ Editor: In a recent letter to the edi tor, a reader claimed abortion to be “a silent holocaust" that the Jewish community must condemn. 1 do not for a moment question the good writer’s sincerity, but to be gentle, she is utterly misguided. To equate abortion with the Holocaust is an outrage. The Shoah was the obscene, deliber ate murder of millions of human beings by the Nazis. Abortion is performed by licensed physicians, to willing patients, upon that which is not human life, under the protection of laws determined democratically. Jewish credentials, regarding the sacred nature of life, go back thousands of years and are impec cable. Human life begins at birth, not at conception. To fall into the facile trap of the crusaders who wave fetus-filled jars in our faces, claiming to be humanitar ians, is dangerously naive. Abortion is undoubtedly a sensitive matter, but for those truly concerned with the abor tion issue let them consult the Jewish sources and then, with some intelligence, pass judgment. 1 am pro-choice, unalterably, as a human being, as a Jew and as a rabbi. Rabbi Shalom Lew is Congregation Etz Chaim Will we ever learn? Editor: I w ish people could understand that a Jew is a Jew. Germany proved that a person w ho had a drop of Jewish blood in him or her—that person is Jewish. Will we ever learn? There are many children of mixed marriages—the father is Jewish—the mother is gentile. If t he child says he or she is Jewish, that should be enough. The child should not be embarrassed by saying to the child: You are not Jewish—you have to be converted to be Jewish. We should not try to run the children off—we should keep them. Herbert F. "Billy” Rose A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION To The Southern Israelite is a great idea! FURS FURS FUR CALL FOR WINTER! Be first to bundle up your fur coal or jacket that you no longer wear and briny it to us. Let others "Play It Again " while you indulge in your new fashion whimsey! Designer Furs and Clothing Sold on Consignment P.S. Remember to bring your fall & winter clothes and accessories also! 273 Buckhead Ave., ME Atlanta, Ga. 30305 Phone 404-261-2135 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5 Wed. til 7 Continued from page 4 noted that one was a leader of Zionism in Germany. But he did state they were Jews, which by this time the audience clearly understood. Hitler, we were informed, lacked knowledge of Auschwitz and Treblinka. He, in fact, was a sort of friend of the Jews, for there was a 1942 document of the German Ministry of Justice that The by Joseph Shaw We are all aware of the crisis that continues to plague Soviet Jews. Here in America we hold rallies, sign petitions, form pro tests, write letters and take a stand for our brothers in Russia. However, amongst all of our activities for Soviet Jewry, we forget something vitally impor tant. The recent Soviet Jewry rally at The Temple (Oct. 27) was a success. It improved public awareness, it called attention to the problem and it inspired many. The theme of the rally was “Let My People Go.” Although this theme expresses our feelings, it lacks something. Russian Jews do not simply want to get out of Russia. They could lead a nice tranquil, satisfying life there. Instead, the refusniks want to practice Judaism. They cannot do so in Russia, therefore they want out. Many refusniks want to learn Torah, keep kosher, ob serve the Sabbath. The most important aspect of Judaism is acting Jewish. This THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 28, 1986 Page 5 Experience proved that he wanted to deal with a solution to the Jewish problem after the war. His state ments begged for clarification, which, of course, was not forth coming. What problem? What solution? And if there were no mass exterminations, what were Auschwitz and Treblinka? The audience appeared typi cally middle class, which in itself was disturbing. Do they really believe all this? Did they not applaud when Irving ridiculed Elie Wiesel? It was hard to feel anger. Pity, maybe, that people could be so obsessed with hatred and spread ing lies and so easily duped into believing them. Irony! An anti-Semite named David, speaking at the fashiona ble Waverly Hotel, less than a mile down the road from where Leo Frank was lynched in 1915. real struggle translates into getting a Jewish education, doing as many mitz vot (Commandments) as possi ble, and helping others. The Soviet Jews realize this. They have seen in their country that without Torah education and practice, the Torah fades. If the Torah fades, so does Judaism. It can happen anywhere. There are three important things that we have, which our Russian brothers do not have. They are freedom, education and opportunity. Anatoly Shcharan- skyand Yosef Mendelevich fought for all three of these for many, many years, as do thousands of refusniks today. Both of these heroes finally gained these three qualities of life, as thousands of refusniks will never gain. We in America sit in our com fortable, living room easy chairs watching opportunity pass before our eyes. We have opulent oppor tunity to revive the spirit of Judaism—to restore world peace and tranquility, to lead truly free and happy lives—but we let the freedom, education and oppor tunity slip by. It is a wonderful deed to give money to a synagogue, or to be active in the Jewish community. However, this alone is not really utilizing the opportunity to be Jewish. When we go to the club to play tennis on Sabbath, when we pass the kosher restaurants to eat at Shrimp Galore, when our children sit glued to the TV set— this is a sad waste of our free dom, the freedom for which Soviet Jews die fighting. When we struggle for Soviet Jews, let us remember for what we are struggling. We are not fighting simply for their release. We are fighting for their oppor tunity to be Jewish. Instead of “Let My People Go,” let us de clare, “Let My People Go to be Jewish.” While we are at it, let us utilize the opportunity that we already have, and enhance our lives as Jews. This article was adapted from a lecture recently presented by the author, national co-chairman of Social A ct ions for the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCS Y). LIMITED TIME OFFER! SAVE UP TO 50% ON INCOME TAXES NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1986 Establish an endowment fund at Federation before TAX REFORM takes eflect. The Federation Endowment Fund helps ensure the existence of a strong, vibrant Jew ish community. Your fund: ...provides a '86 tax deduction ...allow recommended dispersement ...in '87. ’88 and beyond hoi more information about our endowment programs and the benefits of making a gift to Federation this year, 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