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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE December 19, 1986 Page 5 Letters No solution best for Israel A proud parent Editor: Growing up in the Northeast, 1 never felt the need to explain my Jewishness to anyone. But that has not been the case for my 7- vear-old son Aaron. I have always been very proud of Aaron but in this particular instance. I’m especially proud. It seems there has been a conflict between Aaron and his music teacher at his Marietta elemen tary school. They have been sing ing nothing but Christmas songs for the past couple of weeks. Aaron told his music teacher he didn't want to sing the songs because he was Jew ish. He didn't object to singing winter time songs like “Frosty the Snowman.” Just the ones that made a reference to Christmas and Santa Claus. After all, why should he sing about a man that brings toys to all the children in his class except him? I'm not sure if his music teacher believed Aaron because she checked with his regular teacher to see it indeed he really was Jew ish. Alter all. he doesn't have a Jewish “sounding” name, (his father converted) and he certainly doesn’t “look” Jewish (blond hair blue eyes). If I'm starting to sound a bit cynical, it's only because 1 feel our educators should be better intormed. and better equipped to deal with all minority children. I have now sent a letter to his music teacher, as Aaron said she told him 1 needed to do this. I must applaud his regular teacher, as she has made a real effort to incorporate Manuka into her classroom activities. This may seem trivial to a great many of you, but to a 7- year-old w ho thinks that the only other Jewish children in the world are all in his Sunday School class, it is a very big deal! Gari Greenw aid Reader likens Dylan to Spinoza Editor: 1 have just finished reading “From Frankenstein to Foster" by Joseph Cohen (Nov. 28 issue), and I would like to offer a differ ent point of view of Robert Shel ton's biography of Bob Dylan. Although Mr. Shelton does tend to glamorize Bob Dylan. 1 don’t think that he intended to portray Dylan as a messiah. However, I think Mr. Shelton's intention was to portray Dylan as a poet artist who has dedi cated his life to questioning his dual heritage, Jewish and Amer ican. Bob Dylan’s synthesized style of writing is directly related to the American experience, a melting pot of styles and cultures. Bob Dylan's style of writing is steeped in the tradition of Spin oza, who was ostracized by the Jews of his day for his radical ideas. Maybe if we all took the time to “dig” ourselves and the time to try to understand G-d and the world around us, the way Bob Dylan has, the world might be a better place to live. Jack Silverman East Brunswick, N.J. Let there he front now ott no distinction between duties for men and women unless flowing from the natural laws governing the sexes; no assumption of the spiritual minority of woman. A. Geiger. WZJ1, 18.17. q PRM. 47.1. A N ortfilake Hilton Occasion...\s A Fond Memories Maker. Br it a wedding, retirement party, anniversary or that special birthday... the Northlahe Hilton Inn is always ready to make it the social event of the year. We have the expert staff, the luxurious banquet halls and a reputation for fine food that will satisfy the most discerning palate. To see how easy it really can be. dial 938-1026 and ash for Catering', then just sit bach and watch as the Northlahe Hilton does everything needed to ensure success. NORTHLAKE HILTON INN 4H6 Ld Vista Road at 1-285 • 938-1026 Northeast Atlanta's Banquet Address. by Carl Alpert HAIFA Behind the arms-for-hostages deal between the U.S. and Iran, w ith Israel serving as the delivery boy, there still remains the un ending war between Iran and Iraq, now in its seventh bloody year. From the point of view of Israel’s interests, which side would we prefer to win? It is not an easy question to answer. Significantly, Iran’s only sup porters in the Arab world are Syria, and more remotely, Fibya. The others all fear that if Iran emerges with a decisive victory, Islamic fundamentalism in the shape of Khomeinism would be a threat to all of them. Even Israel would be pushed into second place on the agenda of the Arab world. Some of the alliances which have been created sound most implausible. Khomeini is bitterly anti-Communist, w hich could be another reason why the U.S. seeks to mend its relations with those in Iran who will continue the Ayatollah's policies after his de parture from the scene. But Syria, Iran’s best friend, serves as the U.S.S.R.’s chief foothold in the Middle East. Politics in this part of the world have never been dis tinguished for their logic. An end to the Gulf War would release large numbers of battle- trained Iranian soldiers, ready to reinforce the Hizbullah in Leba- non, where they would at once heat up Israel’s northern border. The population of Iran is three times that of Iraq, and militarily the odds are in favor of Kho meini. But the outcome of the war may be determined by the economic staying capacity of the two countries, and in this Iran is at a disadvantage, with its income from sale of its oil con stantly dwindling. Iraq, on the other hand, is receiving massive financial support from the Arab oil states. Continuation of the war is draining both countries. An Iraqi victory may present a more immediate threat to us. Baghdad has 40 divisions under arms. Obviously they can not all be demobilized at once, and many of them would probably end up on Israel's eastern border. Which front? Through its ally, Jordan, with the cooperation of Hussein who would welcome help in seek ing to recapture the West Bank? Through Syria, which would no doubt happily shift its support to the victor, and make common cause with it in seeking to regain the Golan Heights? Having de feated K homeini or brought about his downfall by economic col lapse from within, Iraq would enjoy enormous prestige in the Arab world, and would be en couraged to continue its victory momentum, utilizing its well-oiled and experienced military machine against Israel. Iran’s repeated offensives against a fatigued but stubbornly dug-in Iraq have thus far failed to bring about any conclusive decision. The precarious state of his Robert Klein, one of Ameri ca's most popular comedians and prominent Broadway, Hollywood and television actor, was inaugu rated as national president of the Sabra Society, the honor society of the Israel Bond Organization’s New Leadership Division, at a recent dinner-dance at the Wal dorf-Astoria in New York. Klein was the recipient of the Israel Cultural Award in ac knowledgement of his outstand ing contributions to the perform ing arts and to numerous humani tarian and philanthropic causes which benefit Israel. The Sabra Society consists of young business and professional men and women in the United economy will compel Khomeini to make a further all-out effort to smash his opponents, and the new- offensive may be expected to begin at the tail end of the winter, perhaps late in February, or later if bad weather prevails. Israel’s military authorities make no secret of the fact that a decisive victory by either side would be bad for us. It would be better if there were no victor, and the two sides simply went on bleeding each other until they both collapsed, leaving behind a mess of human misery which the Moslem world would somehow have to salvage before the Com munists stepped into the \ acuum created. The situation is not a pleasant one—neither for Israel nor for of several Israeli leaders that it is wary eye on developments. Most here agree with the observations of several Israel leaders that it is in our interests for the Iraq-Iran war to carry on. This would pre sumably mean that we should not hesitate to help prop up either side w hich seemed in danger of collapsing first. States and Canada w ho purchase SI,000 or more in Israel Bonds each year. Previous presidents of the society have included actresses Liv Uliman, Rita Moreno and Jane Alexander, actor Elliott Gould, composer Marvin Ham- lisch, TV comedy star Gabe Kap lan and singer actor Mike Bur sty n. Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, in a cabled message from Jerusalem, told members of the Israel Bond Sabra Society that through their efforts, they are “helping to fulfill the promise of a better future for Israel, the Jew ish people and the vital work of Israel Bonds." Comedian Robert Klein will lead Sabra Society By popular demand: repeat performance! Or VeShalom Mini-Bazaar Sunday, Dec. 21 12:00 noon-6 p.m. 1681 N. Druid Hills Rd. ★ Gifts at fantastic savings ★ Our famous Sephardic delicacies ★ No admission charge Thanks to our many friends for your continuous support