U.S. Report

Friday, April 13, 2001 | by

NEW YORK (JTA)—Finalists are emerging in the race to head a powerful American Jewish organization whose leader is seen in many parts of the world as the "king of the Jews."

Candidates to replace Ronald Lauder as chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations—an umbrella organization of 54 groups—reportedly were whittled from eight to three after interviews this week.

Lauder, a cosmetics magnate, philanthropist and former U.S. ambassador to Austria, finishes his two-year term in June.

The identity of the three finalists is being kept secret, but a number of Conference members and outside observers revealed that real estate magnate Morton Zuckerman, the honorary president of the American-Israel Friendship League and the publisher of U.S. News & World Report and New York Daily News—is the favorite.

Elections must be held by June 1, and the new chairman will take office in July.

Police arrest rabbi for explicit e-mail

MIAMI (JTA)—A 58-year-old Florida rabbi was arrested for sending sexually explicit computer messages to a teenage boy and arranging a meeting with him, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Rabbi Jerrold Levy, who is out on bail, resigned April 10 as associate rabbi of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton. Before he was hired in 1992, Levy told temple officials about a prior misdemeanor sexual abuse charge for touching an undercover police officer in a park men's room.

Few willing subjects mean survey shrinks

NEW YORK (JTA)—The sponsor of a large-scale study of American Jews may have to significantly reduce the total number of "core Jews" interviewed, because of difficulty finding enough willing subjects.

Unless United Jewish Communities is able to raise $600,000 for a massive phone campaign in the next few weeks, the National Jewish Population Survey 2000 may be based on only the 3,100 interviews it has conducted since August 2000—not the 4,500 originally envisioned—a drop of 31 percent.

UJC officials and researchers insist that the $5 million study will be useful even if the smaller sample size will make it harder to study sub-populations within the Jewish community, such as college students or the elderly.

Based on 40-minute telephone interviews with Jews across the country, the National Jewish Population Survey 2000 is an effort to get a broad snapshot of American Jews. It seeks information ranging from intermarriage rates to philanthropic habits to religious attitudes and observance.

Results of the study will be released this fall and are expected to influence funding and policy decisions of Jewish organizations for the next decade.

If head doesn't fit, cut out 'Yitz'

Council members back 'Yitz' Greenberg

NEW YORK (JTA)—More than 30 members of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council are preparing to send a letter to the entire council backing Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, the chairman of the council, who is under pressure to resign for his role in the pardon of financier Marc Rich.

The pro-Greenberg letter came in response to another letter, signed by 18 current and former members of the council, that called on Greenberg to resign for his role in the Rich pardon, saying he had unintentionally "entangled the museum in a political controversy inimical to its mission."

Rabbi faces jail, ruin for sexual e-mailing

MIAMI (JTA)—A 58-year-old Florida rabbi was arrested for sending sexually explicit computer messages to a teenage boy and arranging a meeting with him, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Rabbi Jerrold Levy, who is out on bail, resigned April 10 as associate rabbi of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton. Before he was hired in 1992, Levy told temple officials about a prior misdemeanor sexual abuse charge for touching an undercover police officer in a park men's room.

President celebrates Jewish contributions

WASHINGTON (JTA)—President Bush proclaimed April 22-29 as Jewish Heritage Week.

"The many oppressions historically borne by the Jewish people remind us that we must remain committed to religious liberty and tolerance for all," Bush said in the proclamation.

"Jewish families have shared their resources, time and talent to help others. Their contributions to our national life and character help make America a better place."