'Radicalized' Hagada Poses Many Queries
Hagada texts have been revised
and implemented through the ages.
In non-observant colonies in Israel
specially composed Hagadot have
been in use for many years. In
most instances, additional material
has been supplementary, and the
traditional Hagada is in general
use.
This is not the case with the new
Hagada titled "The Freedom Se-
der" authored by Arthur I. Was-
kow and published by Micah Press
in Washington and Holt, Rinehart
and Winston.
Indeed, this is an entirely
"radicalized" Hagada, as author
and publishers announce, resorting
to such "rabbis," "judges," "pro-
phets," and "shofets" as Eldridge
Cleaver, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Abraham Lincoln, A. J. Mustc,
Ghandi • Hannah Arendt, Henry
David Thoreau, Martin Huber and
Thomas Jefferson.
Waskow describes his book as
both radical and religious. "It is
unusual for a radical book in that
it stands within the religious tradi-
tion, praises God, and works
through ritual and ceremony," he
says. "On the other hand, it is un-
usual for a religious book in that
it is openly and joyfully radical."
Waskow represents the National
Jewish Organizing Project and is
a member of Jews for Urban Jus-
tice. young Washingtontians com-
mitted to ending racism. He is also
a- resident fellow at the Institute
for Policy Studies in Washington.
While Waskow claims that his
Hagada fuses the traditional with
a modern celebration of the need
for liberation from war, racism
and poverty, the text contains only
the Ma Nishtana in Hebrew and
the Had Gadya is transliterated in
English. But there is really little
of the traditional in it.
The new Hagada includes trans-
literated prayers, the "Im EM Ani
Li . . ." and several other Hebrew
selections Latinized. But these
certainly do not represent reten-
tion of the traditional Hagada text.
Nevertheless, when the first in-
terracial Freedom Seder was con-
ducted by Waskow in the heart of
Washington's ghetto last year, the
participants included Rabbi Bal-
four Brickner of the Union of
American Hebrew Congregations
and Rabbi Harold White of. Ameri-
can University, both of whom
officated.
Indeed, this new Hagada is a
timely document in the quest for
justice, but its use could be rec-
ommended for a third seder. Sub-
stitution for the traditional Hagada
carries with it menacing implica-
tions for the family seder that
should retain its traditional values.
It is against Such danger that this
reviewer must warn in comment-
ing upon the new book.
—P. S.
Rabbinical Alliance Terms
Ilagadah as Offensive,
Without Rabinical Authority
NEW YORK (JTA) — The Rab-
binical Alliance of America. an
Orthodox agency, denounced as
"offensive" the "Freedom Seder:
A New Hagadah for Passover,"
written by Arthur Waskow, a
Washington Jewish activist.
Rabbi Abraham Gross, presi-
dent of the group, declared that
the Hagada was a religious work
and the Waskow did not meet the
requirements for changes in such
a work for which "one must be
Man is preeminently a creative
Specializing in
an authority in Jewish Law and animal, predestined to strive con-
base his desires on firmly-rooted sciously for an object and to en-
tradition."
gage in engineering — that is, in-
For Weddings, Bar Mitzva's and
other special occasions.
Rabbi Gross said Waskow had cessantly and eternally to make
the right to issue a book drawing new roads, wherever they may
FRANK BASCH 474-7768
a parallel between the Jewish lead.—Feodor Dostoevski.
liberatioin from Egyptian slavery
and the modern civil rights strug-
gle. However, he added, "it is
most offensive for Mr. Waskow
to call his • book a Hagada and
Everywhere
Call
Anywhere
to make "radical changes" without
rabbinic authority. The rabbi add-
YESHIVATH BETH YEHUDAH
ed that the author had added "in-
15751 W. 10 1 /2 Mile Rd.
sult to injury" by incorporating
in his Hagada statements from
SPECIAL
ISRAEL TOURS AVAILABLE
Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver
Eve. 862-0963
and writer Hannah Arendt among
353-6750
others who have a record of "anti-
Semitic public remarks."
COLORED MOVIES
TRAVELING
Mizrachi Function to Honor
Leadership, Israel Tourism
Leaders in the Zionist move-
ment the movement for the
adv-,ice:uca, of
:ourism to Israel
will be acclaimed
at a special meet-
mg of Mizrachi-
!I a poe I Hamiz
raeli of Detroit
called for 10:30 1
a.m. Sunday. at
Young Israel of
Greenfield l•-•
the movement's
president, Philip Rabbi Gordon
Stollman.
Convening members of the
board of directors and friends of
Mizrachi, Stollman announced the
need for increased tourism to Is-
rael.
At the same time, the meeting
will honor Mr. and Mrs. David J.
Cohen and Dr. and Mrs. Harry
Portnoy who will leave for Israel
to visit with their _children and
families. Mrs. Portnoy's parents
are long-time residents in Israel.
The occasion will be utilized to
recognize the labors of Mr. and
Mrs. Sol Lessman who will be pre-
sented with the Rabbi Reiner Fel-
lowship. The Lessmans also are
leaving for an Israel visit.
Speaker at the meeting will be
Rabbi James Gordon who has just
returned from Israel with his fam-
ily. The Gordons' son was Bar
Mitzva during their Israel visit at
Cancer Drive Volunteers
A better world begins with indi-
- idual effort. Volunteer service as
1 driver for the Michigan Cancer
-,, ondation is a move toward a
better world. For volunteer driver
nformation call the Michigan Can-
cer Foundation, 833-0710.
Friday, April 3, 1970-19
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
KOZIN CATERING
Will Conduct
PASSOVER SEDERS
the Kotel Maaravi, the Western
Temple Wall in Jerusalem.
MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 20 & 21 AT
At this rally, Zvi T omkiewicz.
director of Mi, rachi and Bar-liar
University activities here, will sub-
mit his annual report.
CONGREGATION BETH ABRAHAM
8100 W. SEVEN MILE RD. IN BEAUTIFUL NUSBAUM HALL
Cantor Shabtai Ackerman will officiate
"We are proud of the leader-
ship that has given our movement
impetus," Stollman said, "and we
hope to encourage tourism to Is-
rael. Those going to Israel will be
going to a free, democratic country
where there is security. There is
need to give courage to our fellow
Jews there and tourism is one of
the means of assuring it."
NOW ACCEPTING CARRY OUT
ORDERS FOR PASSOVER DINNERS
For Reservations Call
BILL KOZIN AT 864-5230
Oates available for Bo• Mitzvas, Weddings, all other functions, in
our hall, your synagogue or home.
wit,
311.c
glandA.,
JEWISH COOKBOOK • PASSOVER SPECIALTIES
This elegant book, compiled and sold by the Sisterhood of Temple Israel,
includes prayers for the various holidays, a special Pesach section, hints for
more successful dishes, menus, delicious recipes and delightful poetry at the
beginning of each indexed section. If you would like to invest in a treat for
your family, compliments from your friends or give a wonderful gift, order
yours today.
Available at Temple Israel at $5.00 or by mail at $5.25
Use order blank below.
Am_
31w jAuit.,
TEMPLE ISRAEL SISTERHOOD
17400 Manderson Road, Detroit, Mich. 48203
Send me
copies of your book at $5.25 per copy postpaid.
Enclosed is my check or money order for $
Name
Street
Zip
State
City
f
L
GET ACQUAINTED SALE!
• BEST
LINE OF TIRES
DUNLAP TOTAL PERFORMANCE
• BEST
• BEST
PRICES IN TOWN
DIRECT FACTORY DISTRIBUTOR
BEST
• BEST
AND LET US PROVE IT! !
Come in and check the shape...
the statistics... _
-
MODERN FACILITIES—HOFFMAN DYNAMIC
BALANCER—FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIANS
COMFORTABLE WAITING LOUNGE
HOURS TO SERVE YOU
WEEKDAYS 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M.
SAT. 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M.
CONVENIENT LOCATION
TELEGRAPH RD. AT 91/2 MILE
Your Humble SERVANT
AT
COME ON IN
PAGE IMPORTS
Telegraph at 91/2 Mile-1970 This Year of The Toyota
Wagon
73 lip
87mpti
C:p to Z8 mpg
Today A
REVOLUTION
IS TAKING PLACE IN THE ,
AUTO I N DUSTRAT ION
RADICAL
CHANGES MUST BE MADE IN ORDER TO
COMPETE WITH A LOW COST, HIGH
QUALITY IMPORT. ITS NAME IS PROUDLY
DISPLAYED
ijoiyo_TjAi
a