• %., „•; ::SS::•: •;::• ::::, —Photo Courtesy Israel Department of Antiquities Seven-branched candelabrum and other Jewish ritual ob- jects (ethrog, lulav, shofar) from the mosaic floor of the ancient synagogue at Maon (Nirim) of the 6th century C. E. By HANNAH PETOR Since the Deutsche Orient- gesellschaft, at the beginning of this century, set to work on a survey of the 11 ancient syna- gogue ruins excavated in the Holy Land, our knowledge of this topic has been enhanced. With the founding of the State of Israel, excavation activities have bene intensified, many sy- nagogues having been uncovered in the course of settlement work. We now have information about 120 synagogues—in part in rather fragmentary form or even only on the basis of liter- ary sources — that must have existed in Israel. A recent drawn map shows the highest number of sites in Galilee, with Judaea a close follower-up and only a small number in Samaria. This situation is borne out by ancient writings which report that after the fall of the Jewish Commonwealth and the Temple in Jerusalem, the sages of the Sanhedrin settled in the moun- tains of Galilee. Elaborate Decorations Synagogues originally were rooms in private houses where the community members assem- bled. Later special buildings were contsructed, rather as meeting places for the commu- nity and these in the course of time developed into houses of worship. In the succeeding cen- turies, with the .growing pros- perity of the Jewish communi- ties, these places developed into representative buildings with elaborate artistic decorations. It is striking how, in the con- struction as well as the inner architecture, various styles mingled, united and became transformed. On the one hand there was the strong Hellenistic influence with its serene myth- ology, later the abstract Byzan- tine elements arose; on the other, the rising impact of the Christian church style which, however, developed in another direction. The synagogue forms, as found in the region, generally show the basilica in its varia- tions, i.e., an oblong building of varying length, having at one end a semi-circular apse, while the entrance door was situated at the centre of the opposite wall. The inner hall was divided into three sections by two rows of columns running through its length. No windows existed in the earlier constructions, the light entering from above through the partitions in the slanting roofs. The later syna- gogues, however, show five win- dows in each of the side walls. The congregation apparently was seated along the walls, whilst the Torah shrine stood on a movable scaffolding in the centre of the hall. The conjec- ture that the women were seated on a kind of emporium is refuted by the fact that in not one of the various synagogue sites have stairs been found. The women, at all times divided from the men, were probably seated on the platform sur- rounded by columns outside the main hall, and watched the di- vine service through the main door. In later times a special wing for the use of women was added to the building. Before the columned platform there was usually a spacious court with stone or marble pavement and benches. Mosaic Floors The outer and inner walls were later decorated with beau- tifully carved friezes and wall paintings. Splendid mosaic floors usually bore the names of the donors, either in Aramaic, Greek or Hebrew. The classical art of the mosaic received a strong impulse when, as reported by the Talmud, Rabbi Abuna gave his much contested permission to represent human figures. Sub- sequently representations of deities appeared on the pave- ments, together with local heathen symbols of hoary an- tiquity. They were enriched by motifs taken from the local landscape, like vines and flower runners, grapes and pomegra- nates, as well as domestic ani- mals and wild beasts, and by Biblical motifs and devotional articles like the lulav, the sho- far, the ethrog and the seven- branched candelabra. Adorned by abstract designs, a carpet- like effect of great beauty was attained. The mosaic floor of the Beth Alpha synagogue, discovered in 1928, as well as that recently found in Hammat (Tiberias), bear the symbols of the Zodiac wheel together with images of the seasons. The pavement found at Kibbutz Nirim, where presumably the flourishing town of Maon of Talmud times stood, shows representations of vari- ous local animals and beasts of the field in medallion-wise ar- rangement. The style and exe- cution of this floor is similar to that of a Byzantine church dis- covered in 1917. It allows the conjecture that both pavements are the work of the same artist. More finds which are expected to be made at the site of Khora- zim where excavations have re- cently started. According to literary sources, the synagogue there was of a splendid con- struction and was the gathering place of a wealthy Jewish com- munity. It is situated only a few kilometres away from the beau- tiful fourth century site of Kfar Nahum. Arthritis is our worst crippler. The nation's arthritics spend a quarter of a billion dollars an- nually on quack remedies. Interfaith Effort Nets Sifre Torah Ark for G. I. Post in France CHINON, France—Two faiths and two nationalities united to provide the Jewish members of the American military commu- nity here with an ark to house its Sifre Torah, it was reported by Chaplain (1st Lt.) Myron E. Geller, who is stationed at Poitiers and serves U.S. troops in southwestern France. Chaplain Geller mentioned the need for an ark to Chinon's Protestant Chaplain (Capt.) Williard P. Moore, Chaplain Moore, well-known as a go- getter around the Military Depot at Chinon, secured the approval of the post comman- der, Col. Joseph I. Gurfein, and the project was on. The French draftsman em- ployed by the post engineers, M. Olivary, designed a hand- some blonde wood ark. Marc Moreau, a local civilian who works for the post Care and Preservation Branch, turned out the finished product in a month, working in his spare time. Morocco Bans Anne Frank Film (Direct JTA Teletype Wire to The Jewish News) CASABLANCA—A film on the fate of Anne Frank, which has been showing at some theaters in Morocco, was banned Wednesday and the Jewish functionary who ap- proved it for showing has been suspended. The name of the functionary was not disclosed. At the same time, the American-made films "Ben Hur" and "The Ten Command- ments" also were prohibited in Morocco. No taste in the world like Wilno Kosher salami —so good, and so good for you! All pure beef, made the famous Wilno way with the finest of skilfully blended spices. Tempting, tantalizing— that's why Wilno is so famous. Try it today! At Leading Deiicatessens, Supermarkets & Restaurants 17 - THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS -- Friday, Decemb er 7, 1962 Ancient Israeli Synagogues 10,000 Clubs in Centers Some 10,000 clubs and spe- cial interest groups affiliated SALAMI • FRANKFURTERS - CORNED BEEF • BOLOGNA with Jewish community centers throughout the country provide Distributed in Detroit & Michigan by: cultural, educational and social services to its members. JULIUS POLLAK, 7522 Fenkell, Detroit—Tel: UN 2-5822 .„5" 77 • :./ k- A 1 nkeTtlg j