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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Fri day, Novem ber 9, 1 962
Hebrew Calendar Issued in 359
By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX
(Copyright, 1962,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Inc.)
How old is the Hebrew
calendar?
The rules of the Hebrew cal-
endar were formally published
in the year 359 by Hillel II.
These rules were previously con-
sidered a secret science. Rabbi
Akiba in the second century al-
ready taught his disciples these
rules. It was the persecutions
during the reign of Constantine
that prompted the sages in the
fourth century to formally pub-
lish these rules lest by disper-
sion of the people they be for-
gotten and lost to us.
*
Why is it that the days of
the week have no names in
the Hebrew language but are
referred" to by numbers, i.e.
the first day, the second day,
etc.?
Referring to the days of the
week by number serves two
functions: First, it reminds us
of the creation; thus when we
say that Sunday, for example, is
the first day, it carries with it
the idea that it was the first
day of creation. This measure
constantly reaffirms our belief
in The Divine Creator. Secondly,
using numbers for the .day of
the week, impresses upon us I
that the week is centered on the
Holy Sabbath — because the
seventh day is referred to as the
Sabbath and is the only day
with a name. In this way is
the Jew always mindful of the
Sabbath and thereby observes a
Biblical commandment which
bids him to "Remember the
Sabbath Day . . .
* * *
Why is it that on the Sab-
bath before the new moon
appears, an announcement is
proclaimed in the synagogue
telling the exact hour, minute
and second of the appearance
of the new moon?
This is done to make us aware
of the wonders and scientific
precision of nature. Instead of
regarding the coming of a new
month as a page on a paper
calendar, this announcement is
made so that the Jew can stand
in awe and reverence over the
spectacle of natural phenom-
enon. In general, the announce-
ment of the coming of the new
moon in the synagogue was
meant to alert the populace to
watch for it and to proclaim the
proper benediction when the
new moon finally appears. It
also is a means of making the
Jew recall the holiday that is
coming during the particular
month.
Elazar to Address
Hebrew Schools PTO
Albert Elazar will report on
the World Education Confer-
ence, held in Jerusalem this
past summer, at a meeting of
the United Hebrew Schools
Parent - Teacher Organization
8:30 p.m. Thursday at Beth
Abraham Synagogue.
Elazar is superintendent of
the United Hebrew Schools. Of-
ficers of the group are Mes-
dames Leslie Rosenberg, presi-
dent; Herbert Gross, vice-pres-
ident; Rubin Wartel, treasurer;
Edward Blau, secretary; Sam-
uel Portner, Norma Weisman,
Hyman Sherman and Bernard
Trubowitz. board.
Young Israel Youth
Elect Officers
At a recent meeting of the
Young Israel of Oak-Woods
Intermediate Co-ed Group, offi-
cers were elected. They are
Steve Rabinowitz, president;
Goldie Zucker, vice-president;
Soril Berris, treasurer; Sharon
Bakunow, secretary; and Harriet
Bodzin, sergeant - at - arms. The
group is led by Seymore Kaplan.
Any teenager between 14 and
17 is welcome. The group meets
4 p.m. every Sabbath at the Oak-
Woods Young Israel.
Rabbi Elsant to Held
Vets Day Services
Members of the 70th Division
(Trng), a USAR division com-
manded by Major General Ber-
yel J. Pace, will observe Vet-
erans' Day with a special pa-
rade followed by church serv-
ices, starting at Woodward Ave.
and W. Baltimore. The parade
on Sunday will continue to War-
ren Ave. where Jewish mem-
bers will execute a column
right and march to Hillel
Foundation (Second at W. War-
ren) to hear services conducted
by Chaplain (Major) Benjamin
Elsant, 70th Division assistant
chaplain from Oak Park.
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Rabbi Klein to Speak in Temple Beth El
Scholar Lecture Series on Urban Challenges
The Temple Beth El Scholar
Series will present Rabbi Ed-
ward E. Klein on "The City and
The Synagogue—Challenge and
Response" 8:30 p.m. Monday
at the Temple.
Theme of the lecture series,
to which the public is invited,
is "Urban Challenges to Jewish
Life."
Successor to the late Rabbi
Stephen S. Wise, Rabbi Klein
is spiritual leader of the na-
tionally famous Stephen Wise
Free Synagogue in New York
City. He is widely known for
his community leadership in
the social problems affecting
Gemiluth Chassodim
Plans Memorial Service,
Adult Study Course
Rabbi Joel Litke will speak
on "Remembrance is Our Link
with the Past" at Cong. Gemil-
uth Chassodim's annual memo-
rial service 3 p.m. Sunday at
the Hebrew Memorial Park.
The service commemorates
the first pogroms of the Nazi
regime against European Jews
in 1938.
The synagogue's adult study
program will begin 8:30 p.m.
Sunday. Rabbi Litke will con-
duct the course.
the largest Jewish community
in the world and has done
pioneering work in Jewish ed-
ucation. This is the concluding
lecture in the series.
Dr. Martin to Speak
at Temple Beth Jacob
Dr. Peter Martin, Detroit
psychiatrist, will be speaker
at an Oneg Shabbat following
8:30 p.m. services today at
Temple Beth Jacob in Pontiac.
Martin, immediate past presi-
dent of the Michigan Society
of Neurology and Psychiatry,
teaches at Wayne State Uni-
versity School of Medicine. His
topic will be "Mental Health
and the Judaism We Practice."
ENJOY
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LEVENTIS TRAVEL
149 MICHIGAN AVE.
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United Hebrew Schools
Women Make Plans for
Annual Luncheon
Mezzo-soprano Shirley Mon-
son will highlight the program
for the annual luncheon of the
United He-
brew Schools
-Women's Aux-
iliary 12:15
p.m.. Wednes-
day at Adas
Shalom Syna-
gogue, an-
nounced Pres-
ident Mrs.
Charles A.
Mrs. Monson Smith.
Mrs. Mon-
son is Soloist at Temple Israel
and has appeared in Music
Study Club productions, on
television and before audiences
in Canada. She will be accom-
panied by Bella Goldberg.
Mrs. Elbert Diamond is chair-
man of the luncheon. For
tickets, call Mesdames Maurice
Glazier (BR 3-0369), Rubin Say-
witz or Albert Spinner. Seating
arrangements can be made with
Mrs. Irving Palrnan.
Shomrey Emunah Will
Hold Reception for
Rabbi Moshe Horowitz
Rabbi and Mrs. Sholem Flam
will hold a "Melave IVIalke" in
honor of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe
Horowitz 8:30 p.m. Saturday at
Cong. Shomrey Emunah.
Rabbi Flam, uncle of the
couple from . Brooklyn, N. Y., is
the spiritual leader of Cong.
Shomrey Emunah.
Rabbi Horowitz is the Has-
sidic "Bostoner Rebbe" and is
the executive of the American
Agudath Israel Movement. He
will he the guest rabbi at serv-
ices this weekend at Shomrey
Emunah.
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