Page 9-THE NEWS-August, 1988 Presentation Did Not The Poor Among Us cont’d from page 3 lem is that it must be with the “one voice” that Gen. Zach has decided is the right voice. This flows from the dubious premise that we are obliged to blindly accept the decisions of ! Israeli leadership as ipso fac to correct. It also flows from the doubly dubious premise that Diaspora Jews would bet* ter serve Israel's interests by being mouthpieces for unten able policies than by express ing our genuine concerns as the highest form of unswerv ing love for our Homeland. Gentiles who are sympathetic to our cause have told me more than once that Israel will gain incalculably more in the eyes of the American public through our candor and forth rightness than through our stonewalling on positions that sensible people know are un conscionable. Gen. Zach is correct in the sense that we must have one united voice regarding our un compromising aUegiance to Israel. And, of course, we must be extremely prudent in choosing the forums in which we express our dissent and in the rhetoric we use to do so. To maintain, however, that “one voice" means to run inter ference for every Israeli pol icy, however suspect, and to broadly imply that those who dissent are borderline traitors, is a plunge that no thinking, caring Jew should be willing to take. I bristled when a journalist friend recently told me to “stop worrying about the media discrediting Israel, and worry more about how badly Israel is being discredited by the mouths of its own spokes men.” I abhor those words, but after hearing Gen. Zach, I can’t help but believe that they contain at least a grain of truth. Now it is time to hear some of the bold, yet responsible, voices of those Israelis — statesmen, men and women of military distinction and impec cable credentials — who speak not only with the calculating pragmatism of realpolitik but with the idealism and moral sensitivity that makes Israel unique among the nations of the world. If there is to be a future for an Israel truly enlivened by Jewish values and “neshamah,” I am more convinced than ever that it must come through them, sooner, not later. CORRECTION- When Temple Israel sent the release on those qualify ing for participation in the National Finals of the National Bible Contest, they listed only Heather Binnick and Mara Jacobson. Shira Melenson, daughter of Cynthia and Richard Melenson, also qualified and participated in the contest. “Concerned Charlotteans” is a dynamic, Christian fundamen talist organization that is rapidly bi^oming a political force in our community, mov ing Charlotte toward a more narrowminded world view. They have every right to create a movement of people who want to turn the clock back, but they don’t speak for us. They have every right to create movement of people whose policies are harmful to the poor and dispossessed, but they don’t speak for us. They have every right in this socie ty of ours to try to coerce their own narrow views of what can not be read and what cannot be seen and what cannot be taught in schools, but they do not speak for us. But they DO speak for us. Every one of us who has been silent allows and enables them to speak in our name. But their religious views are not our religious views, and it is time for us to stand up and be counted. There ARE things we can do: • You can join our re- emerging Social Action Com mittee. • You can get involved with Mecklenburg Ministries and its attempts to deal with the problems of the homeless in Charlotte. • You can write letters to the Editor of The Charlotte Observer letting the communi ty know that religion can also lead to compassion. • You can write the County Commissioners and express your concern about their value system in allocations. • You can find ways to get our Temple involved — not as individuals — but as a con gregation — in the work of Tikkun 01am, of making this a better world for all. • You can redouble your support of Planned Parent hood and Metrolina AIDS Project, financially and with your volunteer time. There are things you can do, and you can do them now. Then next year, I won’t have to give this sermon again. Patronize Our Advertisers Give the tueddingofthe year the ^ reception (fa lifetime. You want your wedding to be perfect. That’s why you should start planning now to have your reception at Marriott. Stop worrying. We’ll plan everything together: the food, the drink, and the decorations will be exactly to your speciflcations. And, remember, you may have your reception in our ele gant surroundings, or we’ll bring the festivities to the loca tion of your choice. Either way, the Marriott experience is one you and your guests will always remember. We can make your wedding reception the perfect ending to the perfect day. Call one of our wedding professionals at p04) 527-9650 for more information and advice. Marriott People know bow. Harriott ^ ^ w p V B r! I I T I V K P GHARLOTTE__ '"“executive park 5700 Westpark Drive, At 1-77 and Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC 28217 Wishing Yon a Happy & Healthy New Year from The Bagel Works Order Your Holiday Platters Early occasi m Cheese, Fish or Meat Platters Done by Request 12 Varieties of Bagels & Dettdous Fresh-Made Cream Cheese Spreads. 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