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SERVING COUNCIL BLUFFS,
LINCOLN, OMAHA Omaha, Neb.. Fri., October24,1980
Jl...sh Voters Crucial to Carter's Re-election Governor Ronald Reagan Is favored to win his home state, Pres- placate Arab sentiment over the Palestinians and Jerusalem. ident Carter needs to win New York, where Jews constitute In particular, he will have to persuade Democrats of the Jewmore than 20 per cent to all voters. ish faith who turned their backs on him in the primaries, not to Against Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Carter chalked up less defect to Ronald Reagan or John Anderson, but to remain in the than V* of the Jewish voters in the New York State primary. The Democratic fold. question now is how many of these voters will move with KennePresident Carter's strategy to win Jewish voters leans heavidy to the Carter camp? ly on three assumptions: (1) That Jews will give priority to the Like all other voters, Jews are concerned about Inflation, and social programs be has espoused In the past four years; (2) that unemployment, Soviet expansionism, Iran, and America's de- they will remember his Initiative and key role In bringing about pendence on foreign energy sources. the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty; (3) that they will see him as In these areas, Carter is vulnerable. At the same time, how- a defender for human rights, including the rights of Jews in Rusever, Jewish voters still place emphasis on human rights, social sia to emigrate. welfare and economic justice. Here, Reagan is vulnerable. In an interview, Carter's Chief of Staff, Jack Watson, said: Doubts from Jewish voters about President Carter's foreign pol- "The main foreign issue of concern to Jews Is Israel, and we will icy appear'to be balanced out by concern from the same voters continue to reaffirm our unequivocal support for that nation. over Reagan's domestic policy. "But there are other issues, including housing, health, ecoTo be returned to the White House, President Carter will nimics and women's rights. When we communicate our record No Democrat has been elected President of the United States in this century without carrying at least one of the two largest have to reverse a growing perception among American Jews on the international and domestic scene, and contrast it with Rostates — New York and California. Because former California that he is prepared to sacrifice Israel's vital security interests to nald Reagan's positions, I think we will win over Jewish voters." Watson also expressed the view that Jews are among "the most thoughtful and serious followers" of the American political process. "They put a great value as citizens on the right to vote,'' he said. "So it is inconceivable to me that many Jews will sit out this election, as some commentators have suggested." Watson's concern about the impact of Jewish voters is underscored by the higher-than-normal percentage of Jews who actually vote. While little more than half of all eligible voters actually went to the polls in 1976, an estimated three out of four Jews cast their ballots. "We believe Jewish voters are crucial to the President's reNEW YORK - Americans who are planning to emigrate election," Watson said. "We're hopeful that on the merit of a to Israel within the next year fair comparison between him and Ronald Reagan, Jews will have been invited to meet with support Jimmy Carter by a sufficient margin." The President himself told me; "Yes, 1 am concerned about Israeli Prime Minister Menachem begin during his visit to the many Jewish voters. I have not written them off. I need and the United States In Novem- want strong Jewish support such as I had in 1976.1 also want to ber, it was announced this deserve their confidence and their friendship." One of Carter's actions as president which has been criticized week by Dr. Aharon Kfir, director of the Israel Ally ah by many Jewish voters is his appearing to favor Egypt's PreslCenter of North America. (ContlnuedonPage 12) The meeting with Prime Minister Begin, scheduled for Nov. 15th is being cosponsored by the Israel Aliyah Center and the North American Aliyah Movement. Approximately seven hundred people are expected to attend. According to Dr. Kfir, the meeting marks the first time that a Prime Minister has invited Olim (immigrants) to meet with him at a large rally Secretary of Commerce Philip M. Klutznlck greets well-wishers during the B'nal B'rith lunchand underscores "the imporeon last Friday. Also in photo, from left are Congressman John Cavanaugh, Av Greenberg, first tance to Israel of Western AlWee president of Henry Monsky Lodge, and Mayor Al Veys. See story on page 2. iyah". "Especially today," Dr. Kfir said, "with the decrease In immigration from Russia and other parts of the world, Israel's security and growth depend largely on an influx of determined new citizens. The creativity and talents of the Steven J. Riekes will rep- mined that direct involvement Delegate body. Voting at the western immigrant have conresent the Jewish Federation by a broad segment of top and annual CJF General Assem- tributed greatly to the society of Omaha as 1980 Year Round emerging community leaders bly, Year Round Delegates, of Israel. With the increasing Delegate to the Council of would dramatically augment along with community-design- pressures of the economy Council's effectiveness as the ated alternates, will deterJewish Federations. worldwide and their effects on North American Jewish central consultative resource mine CJF's major programs, Israel, the very special talents for local Federations in all policies and finances. CJF communities are currently In of the Western Olehare sorely Board, Committee and Task the process of selecting top major service areas. needed." Year Round Delegates will Force members will be drawn local leaders to serve In the "The Jewish state offers CJF Year Round Delegate be CJF representatives In primarily from this body. challenging frontiers and perstructure, a representative their communities, commubody of approximately 700 lay nicating and Interpreting The CJF Is the association of sonal fulfillment to a Jew that leaders acting as the func- Council policy and programs, more than 190 Federations, can not be duplicated anytional link between Council and will also serve to bring the Welfare Funds and Commu- where else In the universe," This overpowering view of Mother and ChllQ Is part ol a Holoand-the communities it serves. concerns of Federation lead- nity Councils which serve Dr. Kfir said. "The Prime Minister hopes caust memorial established recently In the town of Karaite! in The Year Round Delegate ership directly into Council de- nearly 800 communities and embrace over 95 percent of the to drive this point home in his Northern Israel. The photo was taken by Morris Maline, editorsystem was developed to re-' cision-making and operation, Governance will be another Jewish population of the Unit- meeting with Olim next in-chief, Jewish Press, who toured Israel as part of en AUyah fleet the recommendations o( Mission. month." the CJF Review, which deter- vital role of the Year-Round ed States and Canada. By Trade B. Feldman White House Columnist for the Jewish Press Washington, D.C. — Jimmy Carter, who had 3 to 1 Jewish support in the 1976 presidential election, knows he must equal that showing if he Is to win re-election in 1980. But the President's failure to win the Democratic primaries In states with sizeable Jewish voting populations — California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania — points up the difficulty of his task. This year, Jewish voters could prove decisive, concentrated as they are In the states with the greatest number of electoral votes.
Analysis
Begin
To Meet Olim
Klutznick Greets Friends
Steven Riekes Represents Federation as Delegate
Mother and Child
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