Behing the Headlines Longterm Threat to Argentine Jewry is Assimilation, Not Anti-semitism

Assimilation not anti-Semitism, poses the long-term threat to the integrity of the Jewish community of Argentina, according to communal leaders here. No one interviewed by this correspondent underestimated the seriousness of anti-Semitism in this country, torn by political and economic crisis. But practically everyone agreed that assimilation is the real danger.

“It is our main worry,” said Mario Gorenstein the president of DAIA (Delegacion de Asociaciones Israelitas de la Argentina), which represents the community in its political dealings with the military junta. “Anti-Semites won’t make the community disappear. But assimilation, together with anti-Semitism, will weaken it.”

The vice director of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, Rabbi Mordecai Edery, believes that the intermarriage rate is about 70 percent–a figure which seems high. Edery, a native of Morocoo, insists that it is accurate, and he points out that the University of Tel Aviv recently estimated that a mere 50,000 Jews will be left in Argentina within several decades if current patterns of assimilation–and emigration–persist. “Assimilation, by far, is the biggest problem we face,” he said.

There are some 350,000 Jews in Argentina today, but this is only an educated estimate. But once, there were probably more. If Gregorio Fainguersch, the general manager of the weekly Mundo Israelita is right, approximately 100,000 Jews have left the country in the past 30 years, mainly for economic reasons. Up to 50,000 of the emigrants have gone to Israel, and the remainder have immigrated to other Latin American nations, North America and Europe. In the last decade, as a result of the political and economic turmoil that grips this essentially European outpost in South America, about 2.5 million Argentines have left their homeland in despair.

TWO SEEMINGLY CONTRADICTORY IMPULSES

Jews in Argentina, this reporter learned, must cope with two seemingly contradictory impulses.

This is a highly nationalistic country which has been susplcious of foreigners but which expects them to integrate once they decide to settle here. Lip service is paid to the nation of cultural pluralism, yet minorities, Protestants and Moslems included, are tolerated and are expected to renounce glaring group traits.

In this monolithic, Hispanic-inspired, Catholic-oriented society, assimilation–as total as possible–is the desired goal of most integrationists. It is no coincidence that the regime recently tried, but failed, to introduce a curriculum on Catholic religious values to state secondary schools. The Jewish community opposed the plan.

Because of their traditions, religion, distinct communal life and solidarity with Israel (which has good relations with Argentina), a great many Jews have tried to resist the allure of a homogenious society. But in increasing cases, they succumb, given the high mixed marriage rate.

“We have tried to integrate ourselves in the general cultural life of the country without losing our religious, cultural and spiritual particularities, a rather difficult task where cultural pluralism is not rooted,” explained Nehemias Resnizky, the former president of DAIA.

COMMUNITY HAS WITHSTOOD ASSAULTS

In this very traditional society, which has historically swung between democracy and authoritarianism, anti-Semitism has seldom been absent. Recently, for example, a Jewish cemetery in the seaside resort of Mar del Plata was desecrated.

Nevertheless, the community has withstood the assaults. “We have flourished here for over 100 years, often under crisis,” said Eljas Zviklich, the president of B’nai B’rith, referring to the anti-Semitism and the economic and political troubles which ail this country.

“Jewish life is normal,” added Gregorio Faigon, the head of the Latin American Jewish Congress. “Our institutions function without interference.” Herman Schiller, the editor of Nueva Presencia, a Jewish newspaper published in Spanish, told this reporter that Jews care more about the state of the economy than the repressive nature of the junta. “They prefer the order of a military government.”

REPORTS OF ANTI-SEMITISM

What seems clear to this writer is that reports of anti-Semitism have been misleading and exaggerated. “There is a distortion of our situtation and it doesn’t help us,” remarked Nehemias Resnizky. “It’s ridiculous to compare us to Russian Jews.”

James Neilson, the editor of the liberal Buenos Aires Herald (who was forced to leave Argentina several weeks ago because of threats to his life,) agrees. “Anti-Semitism here is not clear-cut,” he noted. “It varies in tone and shade. There are a lot of gray areas.”

It seems clear that the government, which has often been accused of violating the human rights of its citizens and of taking part in the kidnapping of thousands of Argentines, is publicly against anti-Semitism. Indeed, its spokesmen have denounced it.

“Why do people talk of anti-Semitism when there is no racial discrimination in Argentina?” asked Rodolfo Baltierrez, the secretary for public information.” The Jewish community has contributed to Argentina’s development in every way,” the former ambassador to Israel added. “It is respected, has been respected and will be respected.”

Col. Bernardo Menendez, the deputy minister of interior, said Jews are “totally integrated” into Argentine society.

LOW LEVELS OF ANTI-SEMITISM TOLERATED

But not everyone here is so songuine. Reliable sources who prefer anonymity said that the junta tolerates low levels of anti-Semitism because its officer corps has a general dislike of Jews. “There’s a Roman Catholic tradition in the armed forces and when the military comes to power, it’s logical that relations between them and Jews won’t be ideal, even if some officers say they have Jewish friends.”

Accordingly, he explained, the junta makes no special efforts to find, and arrest, those who have desecrated Jewish property in the last few years. And the regime, although it has banned the sale of anti-Semitic magazines such as Cabildo and Ideario, still reportedly permits other neo-Nazi publications to be sold on newsstands.

Yet the generals, led by President Leopoldo Galtieri, realize that major anti-Semitic disturbances could be counter-productive. First they might bring disorder to a junta which, above all else, values stability. Second, they might further tamish Argentina’s already battered reputation at a time when it seeks to improve relations with the U.S. The Reagan Administration has displayed a favorable disposition toward the junta.

Despite the government’s insistence that Jews are as integrated into Argentine society as any other group, the reverse appears to be true. Jews, more or less, are excluded from the key centers of power — the armed forces, judiciary, government ministries and diplomatic corps.

In some cases we’re second-class citizens, conceded Resnizky, speaking personally. “Some parts of Argentine life are cut off (to Jews)…. Jews have to fight, with the help of democratic forces, for full equality. “But he made it clear that Jews are accorded full civil rights and are free to manage the affairs of their communal organizations and institutions.

Gorenstein does not think that the absence of Jews from influential government positions since the 1976 coup is a function of anti-Semitism. “There have been governments before that haven’t had Jewish officials,” he said. “This isn’t necessarily anti-Semitism.” He said that the almost complete absence of Jews in the diplomatic service has more to do with class than with racism, since it is a bastion of the conservative Catholic elite.

Neilson said he isn’t surprised that the officer corps is Judenrein, since the military casle in Argentina is infected by anti-Semitic sentiments. Communal leaders appeared puzzled and disturbed by these exclusions, but nobody thought they were “inconvenient” to the community’s existence.