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Purely Commentary

,
' Anticipating 5734 as a Year of Many Tensions,'
Challenges on International Front. Problems
Affecting Synagogue, Issues for Jews in the Arts

.

By Philip
Slomovitz

specific prohibition, still, the overwhelming
selves alias 'Congregation Bnai Bingo.'
Is gambling in synagogues and in Jew- attitude of the Jewish communities con-
demned such acts when they were engaged
ish circles a 20th Century phenomenon or
not? Historically, how have the Jewish com- in for private gain. Finally, occasional gam-
bling where part or all of the winnings went
munities reacted to gambling?
Upon examination of rabbinic and other to charity certainly did not arouse condem-
literature of the Talmudic, Gaonic and the nation and frequently had the approval of
Only the astigmatic will overlook the Middle Ages we find that gambling may the Jewish communities."
substitution of gambling for an established be divided into three major categories:
Jewish policy that rejects it.
namely, that of the professional and com-
The occasional gambling approval has a
Conservative Judaism, through its func- pulsive gambler, that of the occasional gam- place in the consideration of the traditional
tioning lay movement, the United Syna- bler, and gambling for charitable purposes. Jewish attitude. It is well that all views
gogue of America, takes a strong stand
"The Jewish attitude to gambling was in the matter should be considered, and it
against gambling in the synagogue. It rules not clearly defined until Mishnaic days. The is done so here in drawing upon Dr. Land-
firmly against bingo parties in congrega- Mishna states: 'And the following are dis-
man's scholarship. But the basic principle
tional buildings.
qualified from rendering testimony or from is inerasable: gambling in the synagogue
Morris Laub, in behalf of the United Syn- serving as judges . . . the dice player . . . ' not an acceptable practice and cannot
agogue committee on congregational stand- Here the Mishna disqualifies the gambler endorsed, even when the house of worship
ards; Henry Rapaport and other United from rendering testimony and thus declares is endangered by a lack of funds. If the syn-
Synagogue leaders, upheld official rulings dicing infamous. However, the Mishna con-
agogue is to exist, as it must, there is need
against such practices. When bingo was tinues with R. Judah b. Ilai drawing a dis- for proper generosity and devotion to sus-
legalized in New York State, they appealed tinction between the professional gambler tain it.
to Governor Nelson Rockefeller to veto the and the occasional one. 'When are they
measure. Rapaport's appeal at that time disqualified? If they have no other occupa-
Now to consider another factor for con-
stated:
tion but this. But if they have other means cern in the Jewish community: the matter
"We are firmly convinced that . . . le- of livelihood, they are eligible.'
of entertainment and of dignified program-
galized gambling inevitably becomes the
"Two facts emerge. First, that the pro- ing. Much progress has been made in
entering wedge for the corruption and per-
eliminating the undignified, the cheap stage
version of the purposes, however laudable, fessional gambler was disqualified for either humor, the comedians who degrade Jewry.
of the above mentioned reasons. Second,
of the sponsoring organization. We feel par-
There is still the problem of the general
ticularly strongly that when such a sponsor that the occasional gambler and perhaps theme, the over-all aspects that affect all
even
the
frequent
gambler
who
was
also
is the House of God, of whatever religious
engaged in another profession from which American viewers of movies, all readers
This will be a year of many celebrations, persuasion or denomination, it suffers pro-
he earned his livelihood were not disquali- of books with Jewish characters, philosophic
notable among them the 30th anniversary fanation, degradation and desecration when
fied. What we call 'social gambling' was not overtones involving Jewish concepts.
of the rescue of Jews in Denmark and the it throws its doors oven to invasion by
Prof. Robert F. Moss of Rutgers Uni-
considered a violation. On the other hand,
nth anniversary of the Israel Technion.
gamblers.
versity provided a comment on the sub-
the
professional
or
compulsive
gambler
was
With the tensions that will certainly be
"The founders of the Judaic ethic had
always considered a pariah of society. In ject more interesting than any that has
created by the emphasis on an energy specific religious, moral and ethical pur-
mid-11th Century, Joseph Tob-Elem ordered been offered in many years. Writing in the
crisis, the threats to Israel stemming from poses in mind when they created the syna-
dinars at a game New York Times Sunday Arts and Leisure
it, the unending attacks on Israel and Jewry gogue many centuries ago. Transformation a winner of no less than 30
of `nuts' to return his winnings. Winner and Section on the subject " 'Blume' and 'Heart-
that are certain to be heard at the United of the house of worship into a miniature
loser were placed under the ban because break Kid'—What Kind of Jews Are They?"
Nations, the possible repetitive battles be- Monte Carlo or Las Vegas was not among
`they forsake life eternal' for 'temporary Prof. Moss, approaching the "Blume" and
tween Israel and terrorists and the horrors these purposes."
"Heartbreak" contents as they affect Jew-
existence and nonsense.'
perpetrated by those creating the terrors—
Now this basic principle seems to be
"In the lotteries run during,the 18th and ish concerns, introduced the subject with
the year is certain to be a most interesting heading for abuse—because synagogues are 19th centuries in various European coun- these reviews of past experiences:
in financial trouble and the lay leadership
one.
Until quite recently it has been one of the
tries, Jews were heavily involved. The par-
Yes, get ready for the sensations as is resorting to the newest available means ticipation of individuals as well as commu- abiding paradoxes of the American cinema that
in
an
where Jews have been a major
of raising funds. (Is money the name of the nities as a whole and the resultant attitudes source industry
well as the turbulence.
of talent, creative and entrepreneurial, Jew.
«
•
game?)
ish culture—particularly in its contemporary Amer-
developed, may shed much light upon our ican context—has been a very minor source of
*
Whatever the apathy—and the astigma-
subject matter. Prior to World War II, it is diffi-
present discussion.
at
the
established
Jewish
Let's look
cult to find a Hollywood film that deals even
tism that would deny its existence will not
"In 18th Century Holland there was no marginally
with this topic. Of movies that come
be helpful to the community—the syna- ethical codes:
prohibition against participating in a lot- readily to mind, what is there besides "The Jazz
Dr.
Leo
Landman,
rabbi
of
Philadelphia's
Singer"
(in
which
the Jewish milieu, though fairly
gogue may never be denied a place of major
tery. Azulai noted in his travelogue on 26
importance in Jewish life. Why, then, are Beth Emet synagogue, author of "Jewish Sivan 1'778 that 'the Parnas of Rotterdam, authentic, is too maudlin to be taken seriously)?
The postwar spirit of tolerance and brother-
so few of our youth at synagogue services, Law in the Diaspora," professor of rab- R. Moshe Springer, said he won 12,000 gul- hood brought "Crossfire" and "Gentleman's Agree-
why is it that only in philanthropic efforts binics at Dropsie University, in an explana- den in the lottery thanks to the blessing he ment" (both 1947), two famous treatments of a
previously taboo subject, anti-Semitism. But ironi-
have they become dynamic? Is it because tion of regulations regarding "Gambling in (Abulai) bestowed upon him the previous cally
enough, these films were too busy attacking
anti-Semitism to bother dealing with Semites them-
so many houses of worship have been trans- the Synagogue," in Tradition, one of the
winter.'
selves;
the few Jewish characters in them are
formed into cathedral-sized structures (so most important Orthodox magazines pub-
"One rabbi ruled in accordance with strictly peripheral—Gentiles dominate the action.
Then, in the decade of the 1960s, after a rela-
costly to operate) that instead of creating lished in this country, defines the issue as the decision rendered in the Talmud that
tively fallow period, came films like "Come Blow
follows:
awe arouse resentment?
he who wins at a lottery should pronounce Your Horn," "The Apartment," "The Detective,"
"In recent years, the craze to build big-
Many synagogues are burdened finan-
and "No Way to Treat a Lady," which to one
should
one
win
Sheheheyanu;
degree or another. deployed a collection of stereo-
ger and better synagogues has resulted in the blessing
cially. Some are struggling to meet the large
together with a partner, one must also pro- types that had been around since "Abie's Irish
budgetary requirements. Is that why some a crucial problem. Synagogue leaders have nounce the blessing Hatov ve Hameltiv. It Rose," especially the "Jewish Mother" figure. Also
was the by-now dormant "Gentleman's
are utilizing legalization of bingo as means had to face deficit budgets and in their seems hardly likely that blessings of any revived
Agreement" tradition, in whioh sermons on relig-
quest to meet their financial obligations
for supplementary incomes?
ious
tolerance
took the place of drama and per-
sort should be required if the winnings are
of Jewish goodness and Jewish wis-
At least four Detroit congregations al- have had to find other avenues by means the result of a sinful act. It is doubly em- sonifications
dom
wandered
around pretending to be real flesh
ready are known to have bingo parties. It of which funds could be raised to meet phasized by the choice of blessings express- and blood. The chief representatives of this second
their
synagogues'
needs.
tradition were "Exodus" and "Ship of Fools."
was not so long ago—a decade or two back
Al- There
was some attempt to break new ground In
"Some form of gambling has always ing joy and praising the goodness of the
—that we treated with derision the church-
"The Pawnbroker" and "Goodbye, Columbus"; but
in bestowing this 'good.'
mighty
been
used
to
help
support
synagogues,
day
the
former
vitiated by its sledgehammer tac-
es in whose social halls bingo parties were a
"In Bresova, Hungary, each year the tics and the was
latter by its reliance on caricatures
great attraction. Now some Jewish religious schools, yeshivot, Jewish hospitals and kahal (community) would purchase lottery that were cruel with-out being penetrating—and
edifices have become the copyists of a sys- other institutions. Organizations sold raffles slips with any money left over in excess of which were rather cheap besides (a charge that
could b made against the Philip Roth novella as
tem once derided. From one congregation of many kinds, offered prizes of all sorts,
their budget. The members of the kahal well).
conducted
card
parties
and
the
like.
Re-
came a stock letter, distributed by mailmen
By the late 1960s a pro-Semitic vogue had
even inquired if they were able to divide
addressed to residents of a large area who cently a rash of more sophisticated forms their winnings among the members of taken hold of the country, probably fostered by
the
ascendancy
of Jewis'h novelists in the last 20
were invited to participate in bingo for cash of gambling have appeared. Bingo games, kahal in proportion to the contributions years and by Israel's spectacular victory In the
sporting
event
pools,
Monte
Carlo
nights
Six-Day
War.
In
the movies, actors like Zero
prizes.
made or must the winnings go back to the Mostel, Elliott Gould
and Barbra Streisand began
One very prominent layman, an activist and carnivals have become "essential" community treasury. It is inconceivable to
establish themselves as international celebrities,
in religious circles, horrified over what is sources of congregational income in order that the kahal itself would invest their mon- not by suppressing their Jewishness, but by ex-
it! Why not? Suddenly it was "in" to b(
occurring in Jewish ranks, said the antici- to balance their budgets. Some congrega- ey in a venture which was outlawed. The ploiting
Jewish.
tions'
zest
for
these
activities
is
phenom-
the
pated a threatening new slogan that
Prof. Moss proceeded to comment on
kahal would not flaunt rabbinic authority in
name of the game is money! He re-intro- enal and they have even earned for them- so flagrant a way.
what constitutes Jewishness, stating "There
• * *
"There were many instances of commu- are patterns that are, on balance, more
* s *
nities and rabbis joining in lotteries, accept- characteristic of one group than another."
ing lottery slips as substitutes for annual He makes this point:
You Can't Fool the Photographer: Was Good Will Tricked?
"In the case of Jews, a fair-minded ob-
In Athens, some weeks ago, girls competing charity donations. One rabbi went through server does have to note a high degree of
20,000
rubles
won
in
a
lottery
because
his
for the "Miss Universe" title unavoidably fra-
family solidarity; an achievement-oriented
ternized and were photographed. Without real- salary was so meager that he had to con- outlook (at a WASP country club the con-
izing that her status as an Arab loyalist may be stantly dip into these winnings. The winning versation is apt to be about golf scores; at
endangered, the Lebanese beauty, Marcelle slip had been given to the rabbi as a gift a Jewish club it will be about whose son
Herro, was snapped in a photo with Miss Israel by his sister.
got into Harvard, whose didn't) ; a high
"A multitude of responses cite instances
—Limor Sharir—and the girls from Cyprus and
degree of scholastic aptitude; a generally
Turkey. Upon her return home, facing her di- where the winnings of lotteries, cards, dice, outreaching and aggressive approach to
lemma, Miss Lebanon charged that the photo, or any other game of chance were not con- life (less complimentary term is `pushy').
sidered the fruits of sin. One of the clearest
reproduced here, was a trick, that she never
"Moving from a legitimate paradigm to
appeared in a nicture with pretty Limor. But statements was made by R. Benjamin Aaron a distasteful stereotype, it is also common
Slonic who differentiated between gambling
pictures not only do not lie but, in the philosophy
to associate Jews with guilt and anxiety,
of the Chinese, every picture speaks a thousand for private gain and gambling where the with mercenary instincts that are almost
winnings, at least in part, went to charity.
words. This one speaks a thousand reasons why
He saw no violation in the latter case and congenital and with strident, exclamatory
there should not be animosity, and it is sound demanded full payment of debts to charity speech and frenetic arm-waving."
proof that until the home folks in Lebanon
Because the movies and the stage—and
by gambling devices.
spouted their anti-Israelism the Lebanese beau- incurred
"There is no doubt that professional and the novels—are so effective in creating sen-
ty must have felt the same way. Photography compulsive gambling is outlawed by Jewish timents, and because, in the case of the
will have its way.
law. Secondly, although legally speaking depicted Jewish characteristics, the Jewish
(Continued on Page 5)
the occasional gambler does not violate any
THE DETROIT JEWISH MEWS
2—Friday, Sept. 28, 1973

Get ready for much ferment, for excite-
ments marked by sensations, in the year
now commencing for Jewry.
In 5734 the confrontations among dif-
fering Jewish elements will multiply. They
have already started with challenges to
those claiming leadership. The religious
disputes have begun with the issue over
women to be counted in the Conservatives'
minyanim, and many more matters loom
on the horizon. One of them is the legaliza-
tion of bingo and games parties. Some syn-
agogue social halls have been transformed
into game rooms. This raises the question
of financial burdens upon synagogues that
may affect educational programing. Now
the retrospective critics who opposed the
big building booms will have an "I told
you so" boastfulness, while the agonized
administrators of houses of worship will
struggle to meet the deficits.
In 5734 there will be continuing dilem-
mas over the type of entertainment to be
encouraged in Jewish communities. The
Jewish characterizations in literature, on
the stage, in movies and on television, will
irrtate many, and the defenders of the
traditional and dignified assignations to
Jews as a notable segment in American
life will be resumed wth some vigor.

duced a problem not to be ignored. If gam-
bling per se becomes a part of organized
Jewish life, will it additionally add to the
revolt of youth and to the emergence of a
new sentiment of disenchantment?
*
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