Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 December 2002 — Page 7

December 18. 2002 NAT3

Spielberg

A few Jews oppose war against Iraq

Continued from front page his concern for Israel's current crisis and for the victims of violence. He and others recently had drawn complaints from some prominent Jews that wealthy film industry people were doing too little for Israel. A spokeswoman for the foundation said discussions on assistance to terror victims had been going on for several months. The foundation named as recipients: — The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles for its Jews in Crisis program, which directly funds mobile emergency units, trauma centers, school security, and assistance to terror victims in Israel. — American Friends of the Hebrew University for scholarships in memory of the nine Israelis and Americans killed in the July 31 bombing of a cafeteria at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Mount Scopus campus. — Selah-Israel Crisis Management Center, a volunteer

network which assists new immigrants who are victims of terrorism, violence, and sudden crisis. — Natal-Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War, which provides professional psychological counseling to terror victims and their families. — Eran, which operates a multilingual 24-hour help line offering emotional support for those in crisis, which has experienced a huge surge in demand amid the current violence. Spielberg established the foundation in 1994 and has financed it through his entire profits from "Schindler's List." He also has created the separate Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, which has videotaped the testimonies of nearly 52,000 survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust around the world, and which solicits public donations. The foundation grants till now have almost all been for strengthening Jewish life in the

NEW YORK — Three rabbis were among 100 people arrested for blocking the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to protest a possible war with Iraq. Rabbis Arthur Waskow, Michael Feinberg, and Ellen Lippmann were jailed for civil disobedience during the antiwar demonstration organized by the New York City Forum of Concerned Religious Leaders.

United States, including those for Holocaust education. However, the foundation has now designated at least 10 percent of its new commitments in 2002 for efforts to aid Israel and Israelis. A similar percentage for the same efforts is foreseen for 2003, although the money will not necessarily go to the same organizations. Spielberg chose not to make amounts of the grants public — and the recipients appeared to be respecting his wish in that regard.

Theirs was a small voice. The rally drew more than 200 people, which is very few for a protest in New York City. Speakers included Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Protests also came from Tikkun, headed by Rabbi Michael Lerner, and Jewish Voice for Peace, a San Fran-cisco-based Jewish organiza-

tion advocating peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Differing with the protesters were major Jewish voices, such as that of Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He said the war on terrorism is vital to U.S. interests and to prospects of stability in the Middle East.

A1 Gore opts out; Lieberman run likely

WASHINGTON — AlGore has given early notice that he will not run for president in 2004, a decision that may free Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and other Democrats to campaign with greater energy for the nation's top job. Lieberman has done much to ensure that the name recognition he gained as Gore's running mate did not fade away. He is said to have been the Democrat with the most to

gain from Gore's decision. Lieberman had vowed not to challenge Gore for the nomination and is expected to announce his candidacy soon His competition will include Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has also indicated strongly that he might seek the Democratic nomination for president.

PARKED IN PHILLY— From left, Efraim Ya'acobi, Haim Gutin-Golan, and Shimom Zurieli convened at the Israel National Parks Authority booth at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Philadelphia last month.