▪
Creative Jewish Life Is Thriving in Mexican Community
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
60—Friday, September 20, 1968
.
By CHAIM LAZDEISKI
maintains a Yiddish-Hebrew teach- ing here of anti-Semitic literature
(Copyright 1968. JTA Inc.)
ers' seminary which has an en- in Spanish for distribution through-
MEXICO CITY — The Mexican rollment of 75—all of them girls. out Latin America. Official circles
Jewish community numbers • about Local traditions do not permit indicated at the time that it was
30,000 (it still has no official pop- mixed education. There are also best not to attach too much im-
ulation record) and its members three small yeshivot, one of them portance to these activities. It was
are active and creative in all maintained by the community of pointed out that the danger in
phases of Jewish life. But it faces Jews from Aleppo, Syria.
Mexico from such activities was
a number of unique problems.
T
The
community allocates about not great and that Mexico per-
This community has long been
noted for its Yiddish and Hebrew a quarter of its annual budget for mitted freedom of speech and ex-
school system. Today these schools education but there is dissatisfac- pression. This was interpreted as
u and concern over the nature advice that the Jewish community
are facing a curriculum problem on
had every right and possibility to
and weight must be given to secu- of the education the school sys-
lar courses in Spanish. The Jew- tem provides. Within a short time, defend itself against anti-Semitic
incitement, and the publication of
the
first
and
oldest
of
the
day
ish community here has seven day
counter-attacks. The community
schools, four of them under the schools will be marking its 45th
aegis of the Ashkenazi sector and anniversary. Many of its pupils has not failed to avail itself of
these possibilities.
are
children
of
former
pupils
and
three sponsored by the Sephardic
Jews hold important positions
and Syrian elements. The Ashke- some are grandchildren of former
in Mexican commerce and indus-
nazi Kehilla, Nidhe Israel, also students.
try.
There ate areas in which
The combined registration in
Jewish participation is, percent-
all the community schools is
agewise, out of proportion to
about 4,500. This is a much
Holiday Greetings from
the number of Jews in the coun-
smaller proportion of the school-
try (the Jews constitute one-
age
population
than
the
Mexican
ROBIN HOOD'S
tenth of one per cent of the total
Jewish schools formerly served.
Where Only the Finest and
population).
Best Foods Are Served
At the height, 80 per cent of the
Jewish children here attended
Jews are prominent in the film
20176 Livernois
11/2 blocks south of 8 Mlle Road
the Jewish schools. But even to-
world, the press, literature, radio
UN 2-9762
Open 24 Hours
and television. There are many
day's registration is a fairly high
Jewish professors on faculties of
percentage and is greater than
national universities and many
in other Latin American Jewish
communities.
Jewish physicians chemists, engi-
New Year Greetings
There is a feeling however, that neers and architects have achieved
to Our Friends and Patrons
the schools are not providing the distinction. Two of three Jews hold
education they formerly gave their high posts in the government. In
students and that th, accomplish- addition, Jews are well represent-
ments are meager. The commun- ed in finance.
Even the severest critics must
ity does not expect' the schools to
18018 James Couzens
produce Jewish' writers, educators admit that the Jewish, community
342-2233
and communal workers. Under of Mexico has been 'more philan-
present circumstances, the schools thropic and has shown more con-
must devote most of the time and cern for the welfare of the poor in
Best Wishes To All Our Friends
effort to the educational programs Mexico than any other national or
and Customers For a Happy
in the Spanish language. Not too ethnic minority. The community
and Joyous New Year
much time is left for the Yiddish has already contributed more than
and Hebrew studies. But the fact $1,000,000 for the Mexican school
LOUIS & LEINOFF
remains,
it is a source of some named after Prof. Albert Einstein.
DELICATESSEN
gratification, that for seven to Several Jewish philanthropists
Tray Catering — Carry Outs
eight
hours
a day the Jewish child have built schools, provide schol-
15315 W. 7 Mile Rd.
here finds himself in a Jewish en- arships and give other assistance
BR 3-5914
•tilliMfrrirrinnnnnrrinnrirInnIP vironment and climate. On the to promising students and profes-
whole, Mexican Jews can be proud sors.
of the young graduates of their
There are hundreds of Jewish
schools.
students in the universities and
LE SHONO TOVO
As is the universal experience, many of them distinguish them-
To All Our Friends
the Ashkenazi community, the Se- selves.
For a Bright New Year
phardic
community of Spanish-
Economically the Jews of Mex-
Let LITT Lite For You
speaking Jews and the Syrian Jews
ico are generally well off, as
from Damascus and Aleppo all
their support of Israeli causes
have to struggle with the problem makes evident. About 75 per cent
of mounting costs to maintain their
of them are in trade-and indus-
v.
schools and ever-rising deficits.
0.0 0 0.9 000000000C,
• 11001111111111111110611111111M11101110111 But somehow, they manage to 0 suz jusuut.0
Season's Greetings
•• cover their needs, to build new
New Year Best Wishes
•
•
•
and improve their facili-
Pekin Pavilion
• buildings
• ties.
Restaurant
•
Linking
these
communities
and
• the smaller ones which cannot
7437 East Jefferson, Detroit
•
Dlshmaster
• maintain their own schools, syna-
LO 8-9466
Sales & Service
gogues and rabbis, is the Jewish
Carry Outs - Choice Liquor
13320 W. McNichols
•
Beer
& Wine
UN 3-0838
•
• Central Committee of Mexico, the
••••••••• •••••••••••••• ■ Jewish representative body. It s-
••■■••■••■•■•■■•■••■■■ •”.1•• ■■■
speaks for the Jewish community ,—...-----...--...........
with the Mexican authorities and i
Best Wishes and A Happy
GREETINGS
New Year
it represents the community in its ,
relations with Jewish institutions
abroad. Represented in this body
are the Jewish Sports Center, com- i
"Micahigan's. Most Complete
Clen er s"—Free Estimates
posed primarily of the youth, the i
!
19971 JAS..COUZENS
Council of Jewish Women, the Mex-
Southfield Rd. at 13 Mile
ican lodge of Bnai Brith, the local i
342-4300
647-7037
representation of the American L—.
Jewish Committee and of, other
leading world Jewish organiations.
Happy New Year To Our
Best Wishes on
The Jewish Central Committee
Friends and Patrons
has been affiliated with the
the New Year
MIDWEST FIRE
World Jewish Congress for more
ADJUSTERS, INC.
than 25 years. Representatives
Mackey Co.
of Bnai Brith and the American
Chas. I. Jacobson, David Gross
8170 Livernois
and Allen Gross
Jewish Committee sit in at its
14744 FENKELL
meetings with rights of consulta-
TY 7-9514
BRoodway 3-8450
tion and also participate actively
in the Comite de Tribuna Israel-
ita, the anti-defamation commit
New Year Greetings
tee.
Holiday Greetings
There is no serious problem of
Oakman
,.,
V,
• . . anti-Semitism in Mexico: There is
J & L
1
Hardware Company
no trace whatever of official anti-
,,. MACHINING CO. rt Semitism in the government. There
D. KATZ. Prop.
Wholesale - Retail -
is some, hatred and jealousy of
25611 Dequiridre
Plumbing-Electrical Supplies, Etc.
the Jews—mainly in commercial
Madison Heights, Michigan .
2561 Puritan
DI 1-3724
circles stemming from envy of the
:.,2311rCYJIVez>211IVXIICK:VICC-4/07,20.1. success of Jewish merchants and
industrialists. From time to time,
some of the newspapers may let
New Year Greetings
HAPPY NEW YEAR 1
-0 themselves be influenced and pub-
lish artickte of a pro-Arab anti-
MEN DELSON
NATIONAL COAL
Israel nature, or a Nazi-type at- 0
tack on the Jews. But it is not cor-
EGG CO.
AND OIL CO.
rect -.Ito speak 'of any organized
13080 Capital Ave.; Oak Park
anti-Semitism here,,.
9141 Winicci '
WE 3-4444 11
Same-time-ago,. the Jewish...cora
-
mollify sought to prevent the print-
KIEHLER
PHARMACY
try. Some of them are in the
large industries of the country
and in exports and imports.
About 15 per cent are engaged
in the professions, such as medi-
cine, engineering, chemistry and
architecture. But this rosy pic-
ture does not mean that all Mex-
ican Jews are rich. There are
Jewish families here that barely
eke out a living. The Jewish Re
lief Society, the major philan-
thropic institution in the com-
munity, must provide financial
assistance. The needy ill and
those requiring medical and sur-
gical treatment are aided by
OSE.
Most of the cultural activities
of the community are in the hands
of the education department of
Ashkenazic Kehilla. The smaller
communities generally d e v o t e
themselves to religious culture and
to Israeli causes.
Almost all Mexican Jewish insti-
tutions and organizations suffer
from chronic deficits. The only ex-
ception at present is the elegant
Jewish Sports Center, which must
frequently increase its monthly
membership dues.
The extent of Mexican Jewry's
communal' and cultural efforts is
such as to elicit surprise and ad-
miration from visitors from abroad.
They find it difficult to believe
that all the intense activity here
is supported by a community of
only 30,000, some 1,500 of whom
reside outside the capital area.
McNICHOLS
HARDWARE
•
Max's Deli
and Restaurant
Schwarzberg's
Kosher Meat and
Poultry Market
Oak Park, Michigan
-
1 .
Greetings and Best Wishes
SPICK CLEANERS
& FURRIERS
Specializing in All Alterations
tls ainigid
on Ckag s n 'Is h at;i'
24813 Greenfield
#48•••••••••••••••••••••%
a
Happy New Year
•
• • ••
••
• • •S •
18615 Livernois
UN 4-8959
•
•
•
r••••••••••••••••••••••••
,■■■[•■
Happy New Year
ZEMAN'S
NEW YORK BAKERY
12945 W. 7 Mile Rd.
UN 2-7980
Best Wishes for the New Year
RAY'S BRIDAL SALON
HELEN ZINBERG, R.E.
Remove Hair Permanently
8221 Curtis, cor. Roselawn
Phone for Appt.—UN 2-8914
10909 Grand River WE 3-4636
WO 5-0922 1
i 1530 Woodward
SEASON GREETINGS
Happy New Year
SAM'S
FRUIT MARKET
Neff Hardware
19485 W. 10 Mile Rd.
13510 W. 7 Mile
Southfield, Michigan
342-4071
Holiday Greetings
Happy New Year to
Our Relatives and Friends
EIDELMAN BROS.
INC.
•
•
TOMMY'S
BARBER SHOP
.
• ▪ •
•
Gowns for All Occasions
•
EL 7-1141
s r
Happy New Y e ar a ttroonOu
LITT ELECTRIC CO.
•
:
Happy New Year To All Our
Friends and Customers
3
5875 _Concord WA 5-4181
ALSZ-W.9-9-9-SULAS
PASTOR COMPANY
1 11•••••••••••••••••••••12
4
•
Best Wishes to Our Many i
• Friends and Customers for a
•
Happy New Year
•
•
• •
•
Sid and. Lou Fishman
•
o
Olympic
:
:
Sporting Goods Co. :
•
19129 Livernois
:
Louis Eder
.
Prescription Pharmacy
We Deliver
20655 West 7 Mile at Braille
Call KE 2-2410
Wholesale Floor Coverings
Season's Greetings
EDER
FURNITURE CO.
O'BRIEN'S DRUG.STORE
DU 1-1940
1751 FORT
Lincoln Park
•
doiscl00000LF. ••••••••••••••••••••••• ■
HOLIDAY GREETINGS
Edith Eckstat, R.E.
and
Parquet Floor Co.
Albert Wolgin, R.E.
Hair Removed Forever
WO 3 0922
WO 3 3047
-
-
1309 David Broderick Tower
New Year Good Cheer
Pasadena
Kosher Meat Market
24721 Coolidge Hwy.
Oak Park, Michigan
LI 3-8860
We Deliver
-
7
Happy New Year from
Mr. and'Mrs. Chaim Rosenberg
.ROSENBERG'S .
KOSHER POULTRY
Strictly Fresh Eggs
Free Delivery
Custom. Tailoring
Detroit
Birmingham
.
GREETINGS
Best Wishes on the New Year
ROYAL
SHOE SERVICE
Pollak's Custom
Dress Making
- - - 1-3619 W. 7 Mile -Rd.
Sa?
STEVE PETIX
'For Men'
Who Demand the Finest
13420 W. 7 Mile Rd.
Call UN 4-6963
—
Happy Holiday
,Ut4 4-7997
.
z'
194MILivitr6o,ici
•06*-17661