Max M. Fisher Asked by President Nixon to Serve As Adviser, Liaison with U.S. Jewry

The White House made known today that in keeping with President Nixon’s desire to perfect close relations with the American Jewish community, the President has decided to rely upon Max M. Fisher of Detroit as an informal adviser and liaison link with United States Jewry. Mr. Fisher, a leader of the United Jewish Appeal, United Israel Appeal, and the American Jewish Committee, is also a prominent Republican who played an important role in the recent election.

Following the President’s press conference which dealt, among other things, with the Middle East, a White House spokesman clarified the Nixon-Fisher relationship. The spokesman described Mr. Fisher as “a very close friend of the President” who would serve as a “conduit” linking Mr. Nixon with the Jewish community.

The President will rely upon Mr. Fisher for a consensus of Jewish thinking. Also, White House views would be disseminated through Mr. Fisher, according to the spokesman. It would be “a two-way street,” he said.

Mr. Fisher would not be an adviser in the formal sense, it was explained. His advisory role would differ from that of Myer Feldman, who served Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, or Maxwell Rabb, who worked for President Eisenhower. Mr. Fisher would enjoy a wider latitude, free from the disciplines of the official staff.

The White House cited the designation of Mr. Fisher as a member of the official party that represented the President at the funeral of Israeli Premier Levi Eshkol. This was taken to indicate that he would enjoy both an official and private capacity in his informal role as the President’s confidant on matters of Jewish interest.

Mr. Fisher has meanwhile aided Secretary George Romney, of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on urban problems. The Jewish leader was designated by Mr. Nixon during the campaign to advise on urban affairs. He also headed the “Concerned Citizens for Nixon” and other political groups.

It was pointed out that President Nixon has already consulted in detail with Mr. Fisher and Congressional leaders friendly to Israel as American policy on Israel is formulated. Further meetings, to include various American Jewish leaders, are anticipated in the near future.