THE JEWISH NEWS

Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing

■ :-

- SS'/e' of -1;ily 20. 1051

141ember American Assoeiaton of Enelsh.Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press .‘ssoci,tion,
P,blished every Friday
The Je%%i:.11 News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Silte
57 a year. Foreign 58.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher

CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ

Business Manager

Fititorial Association
Mich. 4111175.
Phone 35641400

CHARLOTTE DUBIN

City Editor

Sabbath Hanuka Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the 26th clay of Kislev. 5730—second day of Ilanuka-the fol-
lominy scriptural selections trill be read in n o r synagogues:
Pentateuchul portions, Gen. 37:1-40:23, \'u in. 7:15-23. Prophetical portion. Zeha-

riah 2:14 - 4:7,

Hanuka Torah readings: Sunday, Num. 7:24-3.5: Monday. •ign. 7:30-41: Tuesday: -
NUM. 7:36-47: Wednesday,,Ilannka and Rosh flodesh Torah reddings, Nnin. 25:1.15,
Num. 7:42-47: Thursday, Vjgn. 7:45-59: Friday: NUM. 7:3

Candle lighting, Friday, Der. 5, 4:41 p.m.

VOL.

No. 12

Page Four

December 5, 1969

Hanuka: Light and Enlightenment

Hanuka represents the challenge to those process of sharing the experiences acquired
who would deny the right to worship to their in life's struggles.
Hanuka's story and its Maccabean origin
fellow-citizens. - Yet it also fronts .for the right
to differ. There are no ,t — o ways about it: can not be divorced from discussion of prob-
those who insist on freedom of religion must lems affecting Israel. There are modern _Mac-.
grant the same rights to others; therefore it cabees who are valiantly defending the Jew-'
allows for differences. ish state's position in its struggle for survival.
It is oppression and suppression that is Perhaps the situations are analogous. As of
fought, protested, opposed, rejected at every old, Israelis are battling for their very exist-
step in the symbolism of the Feast of Lights. ence, for the survival of our cherished lega-
In this sense it is universal. It has been said cies. our unbreakable link with the ancient
again and again that if it hadn't been for the homeland, our religious traditions, our very
Maccabees and the Hanuka FestiV'al's ideals life as a people.
This is applicable not to Israelis alone but
there would not have been a Christianity.
Because the Maccabees were able to defeat to all Jews everywhere because the people
paganism, the road was cleared for those who of Israel is a ;unit even though only those who
aimed at a new faith in the form it took shape reside in Israel have citizenship in that coun-
in Christian codes that were in the main the try. The human obligations make us one.
Hanuka emphasizes the theme of unity
heritage from Judaism.
In the crucial times in which we live. the just as it revives the interest in survival, in
Hanuka message is one of light amidst dark- the struggle for freedom and independence.
ness—the flame is carried by youth in its in the right to differ while battling for the
demands for a due share in planning their just rights of our neighbors to their own dis-
future, especially if their own security is fillet views.
That is why Hanuka as a festival of lights
affected by war threats; and of enlightenment
in which their elders must continue to play also is a time for enlightenment. May it flour-
a vital role as providers of knowledge in the ish on both scores.

Dramatic Story of-Gracia Mendes
Related in Novel for Children

Some of the most remarkable facts regarding Jewish personalities
who defied the Inquisition and abandoned the role of Marranos are
incorporated in an interesting biographical novel for young people.
In "The Story of Dona Gracia Mendes" published by the United
Synagogue Book Service, Mrs. Bea Stadtler, who is associated
with the Cleveland Bureau of Jewish Education, has reconstructed the
life, activities, travels, flights, arrests and defiances of the famous
lady. As part of the story, she also relates in small measure the story
of Dona Gracia's son-in-law, Joseph Nasi, who became the Duke of
Naxos, the favorite of the Turkish sultan and a powerful figure in
his time.
Mrs. Stadtler, who already has to her credit two other books,
"The Adventures of Gluckel of Hameln" and "Once Upon a Jewish
Holiday," has delved deeply into the Gracia Mendes historical facts
for a presentation of the drama in the life of a great woman N‘hc
conducted her husband's business, who lived in danger of being
exposed as a Jewish religious practitioner, although she was a New
Christian who later returned to the Jewish faith and kept the entire
family within the fold.

Teachers' Role in Educational Systems

Responsible spokesmen for American
Jewish communities responded wisely to the
presentations that were made by young lead-
ers on the question of enlarging the scope
of educational activities. There are many
cities with sizable Jewish populations where
Jewish schools are not properly supported,
where the niggardliness—if the attitude can
be so described—has led to a decline in
Jewish- cultural programing. The action
taken by the Council of JeWish Federations
and Welfare Funds at the general assembly
in Boston should lead to a deeper under-
standing of the needs and to a realization
that unless priority is given to our schools'
needs even the major beneficiary—Israel-
may suffer in the, long run from a lack of
knowledge of existing conditions in Jewish
ranks, let alone ever an elementary knowl-
edge of our history and traditions.
While the CJFWF resolutions may have
gone very far, in contrast with previous con-
siderations ,of Jewish cultural needs, there is
yet much to be attained. For example, the
rejection of a proposal that our teachers,
principals and school directors should he
represented on boards of federations was an
unwise act that stemmed from previous in-
difference. If the teachers themselves will
not have a voice in deliberations affecting
Jewish education, then the very effort to
raise educational standards will be defeated.

And if a move in that direction is not made,
there will be ground for further demonstrat-
ing in a matter that should have been re-
solved in advance by firm steps to make the
communities representative of all elements.
In communities like Detroit, where the
educational system -has attained the stature
desired for learning in Jewish life, many of
the demands expressed at the CJFWF ses-
sions are not applicable. Yet, there is much
to be done to resolve the dichotomy that
affects our school systems. There is still the
problem involving congregational schools
which are not in the comunal setting of
school administration. There is the problem
of unifying curricula. There is the teacher
shortage.
The latter is the most serious of all prob-
lems, it calls for serious consideration of
efforts to raise standards, to provide proper
salaries, and to attract young people to the
teaching profession. This latter matter has
beconie not only a serious issue but an almost
impossible obstacle to bridge. From the col-
leges we have established we have been able
to-- get very few young people to become
teachers. They are lured elsewhere.
So—what was begun in Boston was only
a beginning. The many problems that emerge
may tax our energies. Some may be insoluble.
But at least they are better understood now
than they have been for some years.

Her facts are true to historical records, and the manner in
which she has constructed her story encourages delving into the
records of that time for additional knowledge. If the reading of
the Bea Stadtler book will inspire the young readers to do just
that, her work will have achieved a very great purpose because
the reader then will learn about the time of Gracia and Joseph
Nasi, the struggle for justice, the persecutions, the bigotries of
some of -the Popes and other related details of one of the most
dramatic periods in our history.
Commencing with an auto-da-fe, the scene of the burning of Jews
at the stake for having failed to adhere to Christianity, the Stadtler
story proceeds to tell about the life of the family in Portugal, how
they temporarily escaped persecution but how the Inquisition pursued
them.
Then came the many flights, the travels to Italy where safety was
enjoyed for a time, the bigotry of Paul IV who hounded Jews. the
intervention of the Turkish Sultan which time and again served to
bring release from prison for Gracia, the eventual settlement in
Turkey, Joseph's marriage to Reyna, Gracia's daughter, and Joseph's
return to Judaism, having been a Marrano.
The major details in the life of Gracia are in the Stadtler story.
All of the relatives are listed, and there is the story also of her sister,
Brianda, who resented her sister Gracia being her guardian and who,
aiming to acquire her wealth, betrayed her to the Inquisition.
There is also the story of the invasion of the Inquisition into the
Island of Ancona, Gracia's advocacy of a' boycott against the island,
the division in Jewish ranks which caused the boycott plans to callapse.
It is equally interesting for an understanding of the historical
facts to note that Mrs. Stadtler, describing the boycott plans,
records that the well known Rabbi Joshua Soncino opposed the
boycott, and when the island of Pesaro, where Jewish refugees

Hijacking
International Shame: ize Glorified
every opportunity to condemn Israel—

More than three months have passed,
and the two Israelis who are held hostages for the minutest evidences of self-defense.
in Damascus as a result of the hijacking of Why should Israel have the right to defend
an American (TWA) plane are still without herself and to uproot the sources of sabotage

hope of being released. Meanwhile, there is and terrorism, say the Communist and Arab
international silence in the matter. The blocs—and these predominate in the inter,
pilots' associations had, at the outset, threat- national organization.
So—U Thant, the Soviet Union, the co-
ened a boycott of Syria for condoning the
insane act and for the inhumane policies horts of the anti-Israel cliques in the UN,
that are a threat to established law and order even the U. S., are parties to the comfort
affecting the airways. The entire episode that illegality and criminality receive in the
does not speak well for the* democracies and world organization whence we had expected
for the aspirations for a decent order in justice.
-On occasions, the U. S. abstains when
•
world affairs.
The most galling aspect of the entire there are unjust proposals against Israel. But
situation is the report that Syria has issued our government has not acted firmly to re-
a stamp glorifying the hijacking. If this is ject them. Therefore, Washington is as guilty
what we can expect when crimes are commit- in these matters as London. Cairo, Damascus
Indeed, the time has come for action
led, then we are in store for real trouble in
against Damascus, hijacking codes and in op-
the world.
While such indecency is being experi- position to the UN majority's mischievous
enced, diplomats at the United Nations util- roles. Let there be unsilenced protest!-

found shelter, also suffered from the bigots, Soncino admitted hi;
error.
. Bea Stadtler's story takes into account the tremendously con

structive efforts of Dona Gracia, her aid to Jewish sufferers from
persecutions, her sponsorship of cultural activities, her encouragement

to synagogues, schools

I

and the publication of books.

Similarly, Joseph Nasi also exterted his efforts in the direction
of aid to needy Jews, of espousing cultural movements, of utilizing
his political powers to assist fellow Jews.
A most interesting portion of the story relates to the efforts of
both Gracia and Joseph to rebuild the city of Tiberias, to establish it
as a refuge for Jews. There were obstacles, but they overcame them.
Gracia herself planned to settle in Tiberias, but she died before
her hope could be fulfilled.
In the gathering of facts. Mrs. Stadtler attained her best results.
In proofreading and in punctuating, the book is faulty. There am
errors in referring to the names of Reyna and Brianda. These should
have been averted. What Mrs. Stadtler encourages primarily, is that
another set of books about Gracia and Joseph Nasi should be written
for adults.

