Amb'assidor of Israel's Art'
Holy Land Scenes Portrayed by Rivkah Rieger
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By HAROLD STEIN .
(Copyright, 1949, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Israel is now sending to the United States all
kinds of representatives—diplomatic, political and
commercial. Rivkah Rieger is not one of these
official representatives. However, in the opinion
of many American art lovers she is the "ambassa-
dor" of Israeli art in this country. An exhibition of
her art work in. New York is now attracting a good deal
of attention.
Rivkah Rieger, the wife of Dr. Eliezer Rieger, pro-
fessor of education at the Hebrew University, has been
painting for many years. She studied in Paris, Vienna,
and at the Bezalel School in Jerusalem The Riegers
have three gifted daughters, one of whom, Sholomit, is
an artist of • great
promise who w i 11
continue h e r art
studies when she is
released from the Is-
raeli Army. Dr. and
Mrs. Rieger are now
in the United States.
Rivkah Rieger uses
several media to ex-
press her art—oils,
watercolors, pastels,
tempera, woodcuts.
She uses all of these
media extremely ef-
fectively. Her style
RIVKAH RIEGER
is serene yet bold,
vivid and colorful yet quiet and peaceful, dynamic
and moving yet sensitive and modest. It is evident that
the artist loves to paint and that she paints surely and
swiftly with broad strokes and deep vision. Her work is
expressionistid and modern and each picture bears wit-
ness to the artist's, complete absorption in her subject.
Those who have watched Rivkah Rieger paint have
said that at such times she is recognizable, "as one
possessed." Proof of this lies in the fact that several
of her pictures to be shown were painted while the
bombs were falling during the siege of Jerusalem.
The works being exhibited here are, for the most
part, landscapes, floral pieces, and portraits. The land-
scapes are in oils and water colors, the subjects are
views of Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias, Haifa, Galilee, Ein
Hashofet, and other points of interest in Israel.
Anyone who has visited Israel will have no dif-
ficulty in recognizing and naming the scenes. For
one who responds to the scenic beauty of the country,
it will arouse nostalgia to view the scenes of Jeru-
salem, particularly the panoramic views from the top
of Mt. Scopus. There, at one's feet, lies the City and
its environs,—City of Joy, and City of Sorrow.
The picturesqueness of the terrain and the incongru-
ity of the old,. old land crossed by modern motor roads
are brought out with quiet strength in the views of the
Tiberias and Safed sections. And the old crooked streets
of Safed seem to invite the onlooker to take a walk and
lose himself in memories.
Rivkah Rieger's views of the Old City of Jerusalem,
the bazaars, the streets, the Hurvah Synagogue, the
ancient homes, are priceless now, not only intrinsically,
but sentimentally, for most of these have been
destroyed.
•The portraits are exceedingly lifelike; The artist
catches both the likeness and the personality and, it
would seem, the mood of her subjects.
It is in the floral pieces that the colors run riot.
Always luminous and excellently blended, the bril-
Mrs. Rieger's "JERUSALEM"
liant hues and vivid greens and reds melt into .a neu-
tral but never somber background, with telling effect.
Yet the artist understands the use of subdued color-
ing also. When she had no flowers to paint she used
the thistles which grow' in profusion in and around
Jerusalem.
Rivkah Rieger paints out of 'love for her subjects.
.There is no sadness in her work. 'There is a gentle
strength and dignity which impress the viewer with the
feeling of wishing -to own pictures_lt is said that the
test of a picture is a favorable response to the question:
"Can you live with it?" One can live with any of
Rivkah Riegers pictures.
Schary's Films Israel Government Takes Steps
Finest Jewish Craftsmanship
Leave Imprint
Shown in Ancient Seder Dishes On Life in U. S. To Help Insure National Security
By ERNEST ASCHNER
(Copyright, 1949, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
When Seder night comes, ushering in the eight-day Passover
festival commemorating _the exodus of the Jews from Egypt under
Pharoah, millions of Jews throughout the world sit down at elabor-
ately-set tables to say their traditional prayers and to partake of the
symbolic food, recalling the fate of the Hebrew people in Egypt and
the original Pesach meal on, the eve of their liberation.
The food includes the three Mazoths—Cohen, Levi, Israel—the
bitter herb (Moror), Haroseth, a mone, an egg and wine. After the
ceremony, the meal proper is served. The Seder night ends with
songs and the reading from the Hagaddah, telling the Passover
story.
Throughout the centuries, Jews have observed the Seder rites
in the same manner every year, using special dishes and plates in
setting the tables in the most festive way, and observing the ritual
laws. A comprehensive collection of such dishes and plates is on
exhibit at the Jewish Museum in New York. AmOng many antique
pieces it features a Haggadah written and illuminated in Spain
before the expulsion of the Jews in the 15th century.
This Haggadah, belonging to the Library of the Jewish Theo-
logical Seminary of - Arherica, is one of a number of beautiful,
handwritten and illustrated Haggadahs which include one from
Mantua with woodcuts from the year 1561, another from.. Prague
from 1526, and one from- Darmstadt from 1693.
Among the plates and dishes, collected from many European
Countries, is a large multi-colored Faience Seder Plate with Hebrew
inscription, floral - designs and pictures illustrating the Seder meal,
coming from Pesaro, Italy. This plate is over 300 years old.
There are others in pewter from Germany from the 18th cen-
tury, displaying beautiful craftsmanship. Other 18th century
pieces comprise a silver Cup of Elijah from Russia; a silver con-
tainer for Haroseth in the form of a wheelbarrow—recalling slave
labor in Egypt—and various silver dishes, in different shapes and
forms, for the bitter herbs, the egg and other symbolic food.
There are also cups in BOhemian cut-glass and silver with in-
scriptions and decorations of Passover motifs. Three-tier Seder trays
in silver for the three matzoths, colorful porcelain platters for the
Seder meal and embroidered covers, for the matzoth complete the
interesting exhibition which can be Seen at the Jewish Museum in
the former Warburg mansion on 92nd St. and Fifth Ave., New York.
,
By LEON GUTTERMAN
(Copyright, 1949, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
HOLLYWOOD — Among great
producers and creators of success-
ful motion pictures, handsome,
energetic Dore Schary occupies a
distinguished position: Recently
elevated to the position of vice
president in charge of production
of the fabulous Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer studio, his executive
genius and clear cut decisions are
of considerable importance in the
production of motion pictures.
A gifted writer, a bright pro-
ducer, a great executive, Dore
Schary, beginning in the most
humble way 43 years ago, has
today revolutionized the motion
picture , industry and buttressed
the whole psychological structure
of Hollywood. His contribution to
the happiness and security of his
own generation is a thrilling tes-
timony to the role of motion pic-
tures in the solution of modern
problems, for he combines shrewd
practicality with idealism;- a blend
that represents American citizen-
ship at its best. Whether or not
you have seen a motion picture
written or produced by Dore
Schary, you must be familiar
with his name, for he leaves a
deep imprint on American life.
Dore Schary is a curious mix-
ture. No one in Hollywood has
produced more popular and en-
tertaining films ("Bachelor and
the Bobby-Soxer", "F a r m e r 's
Daughter"): yet he has one of the
most keenly analytical minds
mong filmland's creative artists.
Schary has approached his
great responsibility with a care-
fully premeditated purpose — to
produce and release only good,
entertaining, intelligent films. A
genuine artist, and a man of first-
rate education and culture who. is
thoroughly familiar with, even
thoroughly saturated with, liber-
al human values, he is a cease-
less crusader ("Crossfire") against
those features of our social and
political life which he considers
vicious.
An utterly unselfish man, who
affects no poses, whose cheerful
countenance is eloquent testi-
mony of faith in life, whose clear
eyes flash wisdom and sympathy,
whose voice is pleasant and earn-
est, Dore Schary, whose spirit is
not likely to ever grow old, con-
ceic-es it to be his business in the
world not 'especially to'malce mo-
tion pictures, but particularly to
spread ideas and good thinking
lightenment.
8 - THE JEWISH NEWS
THE FAIENCE SEDER PLATE
Friday; April 15, 1949
BY ADA OREN --
(JTA Correspondent in Israel)
(Copyright, 1949, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.) -
The Israeli Army builds its own armored cars with revolving
turrets, it was recently announced here, The builders are young
graduates of the Haifa Technical Institute, the materials are scraps,
partly armor plate blown to pieces and buried by the British when
they found they could not evacuate all their heavy armament. The
first designs were tested a year ago when the importation of armor
was impossible because of British supervision.
Because of the initial shortage of arms of all descriptions every
available piece had to be re-conditioned and pressed into service,
and a number of improvements on foreign types resulted. Locally
made ammunition had already reached a high standard. Many of
the experts in this field are women. One of. the problems en-
countered by Israel's armorers is the finding of Hebrew names for
the hundreds of small parts found in modern arms.
The Israeli Army information office is conducting a campaign
to impress the need for secrecy on the local population because
of the growing• number of foreign residents and visitors in Israel
School children will receive special instruction on this subject in
order to counteract the local tendency of regarding-every fellow-
resident as a fellow-citizen who can be trusted implicitly in every-
thing -related to public safety. -
The Israeli police, who decided at first not to organize a political
investigation service because of the infamous reputation of the Bri-
tish C.I.D. in Palestine, has now found it necessary to revert to
normal methods in this field. Part of the army security service,
which grew out of Haganah intelligence, will be transferred soon to
police administration for the purpose of supervising the activities of
political organizations in Israel.
The administration of prisons in Israel is being overhauled
comPletely. Prisons will no longer be administered by the police
—as in the days of the British--and various other improvements
will be introduced. None of the Mandatory Power's prisons were
found - suitable for use, with the single exception of Jaffa. The
Tel Mond police- fortress has accordingly' been adapted to serve
as a new central prison, and other modern prisons will soon be
opened in Jerusalem and Haifa. The Acre fortress is also •being
used at present.
A committee representatives of - various public health and
welfare agencies' is is soon to be appointed to advise the government
on the administration of .prisons and to inspect these 'institutions.
-Special measures are contemplated for the care of mentally ill
prisoners. •
A new - wage' scale for policemen, which is urgently required
in order to rid of corruption this chronically under paid service, is
now awaiting the approval of a, committee of Ministers. The. new
wage scale for other government employees will also come into
force only after the Knesseth approves it. .
Soldiers discharged from the Israeli armed services are entitled
to the following benefits:
Six days' paid leave for the first three months of service and, an
additional day for every additional month of service.
Twenty dollars for the first five months of service, and no
more than $44 per year. Together with compulsory savings -re-
funded by the army pay' office, every. released veteran may get
as much as $140 in cash.
All immigrant soldiers, and such volunteers from abroad who
are in 'need, get an allbwance of $40 per person and $20 for each
child—but no more than $160 in all. All families of immigrant
soldiers continue to draw their allowances until their breadwinners
find regular employment. -
Lbcal veterans who fail to get employment immediately are
entitled to $2.00 a day for a Period of two months, and their families
continue to receive allowances for the same period.
Employers are liable to heavy fines if they refuse to reemploy
drafted employees.
A 'grant of $1,200 will be available for every veteran. whom
suffered financial losses by joining the Army.
Veterans will be received into existing cooperative enterprises
under exceptionally favorable conditions.
Students who interrupted their studies will be helped to
complete them.
The Government considers itself responsible for the -housing of
immigrant soldiers and volunteers from abroad only, as well as for
invalids and their families.
Regulations for the safeguarding of veterans' rights in the al-
location of work have been promulgated by the central administra
tion of all public labor exchanges. These regulations guarantee a
number of priorities to all veterans and in the first place to invalids.
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