Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 2002 — Page 7

Yoffie would overhaul after-school education BOSTON — President Eric Yoffie of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations told delegates at the biennial Reform convention here that a major overhaul of Reform's after-school educational program is warranted. Noting that it is perceived as "a failure", he has praise for Reform's 18 Jewish all-day schools. He said that in the Reform movement there are 120,000 children in religious school who need our attention now, plus we do not have the luxury of waiting for others" to do the job. He pointed out that that "even the youngest children should know that Reform Judaism makes demands on us; it does not mean doing whatever you please." He became precise when he added that parents of religious school children should be required to be in school studying with their children six times a year. On another point he said that "some of the emergency orders President Bush has issued erode our rights without making us safer. So we say to the administration, Let's not breach the constitution in ways we will later regret. After all, civil liberties are our strength, not our weakness." Israel develops 1-dose vaccine against anthrax TEL AVIV — Israel has developed an anthrax vaccine that provides single-dose protection, compared with the U.S. six-dose vaccine, according to the Yedioth Aharonoth newspaper. The vaccine has passed the trial stage, but is not yet being mass-produced, the daily said. However, scientists believe Israel will be able to manufacture enough vaccines for the entire country, once the go-ahead is given. The Israeli vaccine is the third to be developed against anthrax, the U.S. and Russia having developed their own versions. The vaccine, one of Israel's most secret projects for a decade, was developed at the Nes Tziona Biological Institute, south of Tel Aviv. In a related development, Yedioth reported that the Israeli health system was preparing for the possibility of a biological terror attack, and the Health Ministry and the army medical corps have been educating Israeli family doctors on how to diagnose first signs of diseases that terrorists might spread. The report quoted a senior Health Ministry official as saying the CD-ROM being distributed to doctors was part of routine activities to ensure readiness for a biological incident, not because of any known imminent concern by the ministry. Not Arafat, but Hamas said now to be in charge BLUE BALL, Pa.— The headline — "Hamas Rules Streets, Not Arafat" appeared over a news item in The Montgomery County Observer. The news item identifies the head of Hamas as Sheik Abdul Majid Atta, who it stated, "ranks high on the most wanted list of both the Israeli and Palestinian security forces." The sheik said that Israeli snipers "could kill me whenever they want and I'm sure that would make Yasir Arafat very happy too." He added that "Mr. Arafat still may be in charge of the ruling Palestinian Authority but we are the true masters of the streets." When a posse of Palestinian Authority police came to arrest him last week at midnight the aroused residents prevented his being detained, denouncing them as traitors to Palestine for doing Israel's dirty work. Engineering student Ibrahim Addas said "the Sheik is our father figure, a hero who will lead us to victory while that jackal Arafat just conspires against Hamas with the Americans and the Jews We arc the new generation of Islam, ready to become shahid (holy martyrs) by bombing Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa at his command."

Jew may be next mayor of Dallas By MARVIN MIGDOL DALLAS — Laura Miller has an impressive lead among the field of candidates who would like to be mayor of Dallas. She has been serving as a member of the city council in the nation's eighth largest city. Her district has very few Jews. Miller has strong Jewish identity and her husband, Steve Wolens, is a state representative. Although she is obviously popular with many voters, numerous others see her as divisive and antagonistic. She constantly locked horns with Ron Kirk, who was Dallas mayor until declaring to run for the U.S. Senate recently. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, she has been an active journalist. She has worked at The Miami Herald, New York Daily News and Dallas Morning News. There are only about 40,000 Jews in this city of a million people. Another Jew, Annette Strauss, was very popular as mayor. Adlene Harrison was mayor pro tern. Lois Finkelman is a respected city council member. Why Iraq may target Israel JERUSALEM — Maj. Gen. Aharon Zecvi, 53, who has been named chief of intelligence for the Israeli military has warned that if the U.S. attacks Iraq, the Iraqis would probably respond by firing missiles at Israel. Zeevi is an air force intelligence officer and commands its information and earlywarning unit. Lindsey Violo chosen ‘bunny’ NEW YORK — For a Jewish young lady to be selected by Playboy Magazine as a "bunny" warrants publication in a Jewish weekly as also does her photograph one of which we hope one of our readers will provide to us. She's Lindsey Violo of Princeton, N.J. who related that her father is a convert to Judaism and that she recently made a trip to Israel.

January 2. 2002 NAT 3 jews, Catholics exchange views SAINT LEO, Fla. — A number of interesting subjects of Catho-lic-Jewish relations will be explored at the Fifth Annual Conference at Sant Leo University here entitled "Divergence and Convergence in the Jewish-Catholic Encounter" which will include a morning Jewish service open to all participants. Among the subjects to be explored at the sessions are: What Would Our Ancestors Think? The Contemporary Dialogue Between Jews and Christians. Catholics and Jews Face War, Terrorism and Peace. So Many Catholics, So Many Jews. So Little Time/A Look at Effective Models for Local Catholic-Jewish Programming. Biblical Interpretations of Jewish and Christian Scriptures Facing Bigotry and Hate: A Teachable Moment. Teaching Our Catholic and Jewish Traditions, Rituals and Holy Days to Young People. Catholics and Jews in the Military Face War, Terrorism and Peace. Why Jews and Christians Differ: The Biblical Roots of Contemporary Misunderstanding. The Jewish prayer service on Monday morning has been announced as "open to all participants". Also one of the seminars will present effective models for local Catholic-Jewish programming while the closing session will discuss "Future Directions: Convergence in the 21st Century" by Rabbi James Rudin and major presenters in a dialogue with conference participants.

Children’s author fooled Mystery Person sleuths

Well, readers, we thought we were going easy on you with the clues to our Mystery Person, but somehow you all missed guessing Judy Blume. Our first clue, that the Mystery Person was an author, was little help, we realize, although Blume has written more than 23 books. Our second clue said the Mystery Person writes fiction, which should have narrowed it somewhat. The third clue, that the Mystery Person writes children's books, started to lay a pretty clear trail, we thought. When we said in the fourth clue that the Mystery Person is known for breaking taboos, we thought we had given it away. Blume has written children's books on topics that few before her touched in that genre — sexually active teens, menstruation, divorce, questioning of religious faith. Her writings stirred calls in some circles for keeping her books away from children and banning them from libraries and schools. The fifth clue, that she is a leader in freedom of expression, derived from the fourth. Those criticisms led her to become an outspoken opponent of censorship. Blume was born Judy Sussman. She spent her childhood in Elizabeth, N.J. Her books include "Are You There God? It's Me, Mar-

ludi/ Blume

garet," "Superfudge," Blubber," "Just As Long As We're Together" and "Forever." She has also written the adult novels “Wifey," "Smart Women" and "Summer Sisters." More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1%1, and in 1996 was honored for lifetime achievement by the American Library Association, one of more than 90 awards. She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on many organization boards incliidu'tg the National Coalition Against Censorship.