THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 54 - friday; August 29,-1975 Christian's View of Israel By CARL HERMANN VOSS (Editor's note: Dr. Voss is professor in the humani- ties and chairman of the humanities division at Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla., and former chairman of Chris- tians Concerned for Is- rael.) DR. CARL VOSS I have just returned from my 12th trip to Israel in 28 years, having served as an assistant conductor of an 83-member intercultural seminar on Christian-Jew- ish-Moslem relations which was sponsored by the Na- tional Conference of Chris- tians and Jews. It was an exciting, thrill- ing- , informative, inspira- tional and stimulating'fort- night, filled, with intense experiences and emotional moments: but at the same time, it had its depths of de- spair, its hours of doubt, and its clays of deep concern about the fate of Israel so beleaguered, so surrounded by hostility; and so beset by a host of problems: eco- nomic, social, and political. One marvels at Israel's ability to survive with the odds of all kinds stacked in overwhelming array against her. Yet it does survive and grow, and gives a sound,in- dication of continuing sur- vival and growth. You see this in the Cities, especially in the lovely city of Jerusa- lem grown so large and so beautiful, but also in the countryside, too, particu- larly in the Negev where the green fields continue to spread southward and push the desert further toward Eilat. Over and over again my friends have said to me, "Well, how was it? What'S going on there? How do the people feel?Are they frightened? Are they downcast, discouraged, uptight?" My answeres are always the same: "There is without a doubt an alarming crisis at hand, both militarily and economically. This is faced realistically, much more realistically than we Ameri- cans face our problems, ranging from the race issue to inflation, from political corruption to an inequitable society. "The Israelis are not 'downcast or discouraged or uptight.' They are aware of their problems, discuss them openly and candidly, and may he said to be coura- geous and acutely conscious of their historic role in the restoration of a Third Jew- ish Commonwealth and the return of the People of the Bodk to the Land of the Book." In other words, one can say, "Am Yisrael chai — The People of Israel live!" give the gift that will be remembered all year THE JEWISH NEWS The Jewish News Southfield, Mich. 48075 Gentlemen: Please send a year's gift' subscription to: NAME ADDRESS STATE From: S 10 encic,ed NEW YORK — Equality for women is also making considerable strides in the armed forces. Last year, for the first time, National Jew- ish Welfare Board, the U S. government-accredited agency for serving Jewish military families, hospital- ized veterans, and other per- sonnel, approved women to serve as Jewish military lay leaders. The Jewish smilitary' lay leader's role is to arrange for services, holiday celebra- tions, and educational and social activities, in place of a full or part-time chaplain. Female Jewish military lay leaders have been sta- tioned in several overseas in- stallations as well as in the United States. Two of the most effective of these women served in Greece. Ellen S. Philpott is a captain in the U.S. Air Force. She is a nurse, sta- tioned at the Iraklion Air Station in Crete. The Jew- ish military community is small — about seven ac- tive participants and about a dozen inactive members. Since the members of the group work in shifts, it has not been possible to hold Sahhath services, but they meet in the home of one of their members for holiday observance. Captain Phil- pott and one of the other members select the holiday readings, in which all parti- cipate. With the use of Jewish cookbooks, they have learned to prepare Jewish foods which are served at the holiday meals. The men help in the preparations for Passover. They buy the kosher wine, which is avail- ahle at the base store, and help organize the seder and cook the meal. Miss Philpott finds that being a woman has created no problems. Most of the people know and like her as a nurse and have cooperated fully in the program. The base chaplain and his wife have done everything possi- ble to he helpful. Karen McKay Philips, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, served as the Jewish lay leader in Ath- ens. Now she and her hus- band have made aliya. He is planning to go into busi- Israel—a Surprise 17515 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 865 CITY Profile of Two JWB Women: Jewish Military Lay Leaders ZIP ' The state of Israel is a surprise, yet the modern mind hates to he surprised. Never before has a nation been restored to its ancient hearth after a lapse of 1 ; 897 years. This extraordinary aspect is hound to carry some shock to the conven- tional mind, to he a scandal to the mediocre mind and a foolishness to the positiv- ists. It requires reordering of some notions. Israel is a miracle in dis- guise. Things look natural and conceal what is a radi- cal 'surprise. Zion rebuilt becomes a harbinger of a new understanding, of how history is intertwined with the mystery. —Abraham Joshua Heschel ness in Israel and she will go back to school to work on a PhD. - About three years ago, Capt. McKay was a "founding mother" of the military Jewish congrega- tion in Athens. At that time several families gathered together to hold services, study, and celebrate the hol- idays together. Gradually, the group gained new mem- bers and under her leader- ship carried on an active program. The group held Friday vening services, followed by an oneg Shahat and dis- cussion. All Jewish holidays were ohserved. They con- ducted a religious school for 15 to 20 children, divided into two age groups. The curriculum included He- brew, religion and history. The mainstays of the Jew- ish community — those who provide the continuity and strength to keep going in'a transient millieu — are the civilians. It is an interna- tional group — from the U. S.,- Greece, Israel, Turkey, Britain, Canada and other places. There are about 100 people in the group-30 to 40 families and some single people. About 20 people come to services regularly. Mrs. McKay's success and dedication is even more re- markahle as neither she nor her husband were horn into the Jewish faith. Her con- version to Judaism resulted from study and a growing conviction that Judaism was the faith for her. The strength of her convictions are evident from the pro- gram she built and from the fact that she has decided to make her home is Israel. While some people may still look askance at a woman lay leader, they are being- accepted. As mp „,e and . more women achie ..i,;.osi- tions of leadership i.,. '?ivil- ian life, they will also achieve these positions in the military. 4, Monument Unveilings The family of the late Fannie Blonder (Blinder) announces the unveiling of a monument in her memory 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Torover Cemetery. Rabbi Frankel will officiate. Rela- tives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late The family of the late Sally Stein announces the unveiling of a monument in her memory 11:30 a.m. Sun- day, Aug. 31, at Chesed Shel Ernes Cemetery. Rabbi Frankel will officiate. Rela- tives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late JACK ALLWEIL DAVID KLEIN Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Machpelah Cemetery. Rabbi Lehrman and Cantor Klein will offi- ciate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Chesed Shel Ernes Cemetery. Rabbi Levin will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late DAVID 0. EDELHEIT The Family of the Late MAX LEVITSKY Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, at Oakview Cemetery. Rabbi Lehrman and Cantor Klein will offi- ciate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Aug. 31, at Machpelah Ceme- tery. Rabbi Rosen- bloom will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late The Family CLARA EISENSTEIN of the Late MAX LIEBERMAN Announces the un- veiling of a monument in her memory 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Adat Shalom Me- morial Park. Rabbi Schnipper will offi- ciate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. . Adat Shalom Memo- rial Park. Rabbi Arm will officiate. Rela- tives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late The Family of the Late JACOB (JACK) GOLDSTEIN MARGARET MARTIN Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Hebrew Memorial Park. Rabbi Arm will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked .to attend. Announces the un- veiling of a monument in her memory 6 p.m., THURSDAY, Sept. 11, at Hebrew Memo- rial Park. Rabbi Za- chariash will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at The Family of the Late RICHARD L. NAKISHER Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 12 noon Sunday, Aug. 31, at Hebrew Memorial Park. Rabbi Zachar- iash will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late LOUIS R. SCHWARTZ Announces the un- veiling of a monument in his memory 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Nusach H'Ari Ceme- tery. Cantor Vieder will officiate. Rela- tives and friends are asked to attend. The Family of the Late ROSE WEIDER Announces the un- veiling of a monument in her memory 12:30' p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Hebrew Memorial Park. Rabbi Poupko and Cantor Adler will officiate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend. Bessie Steigr wife; Daughters Rose and Erma Penny Miller; His Grandchildren and great-grandchild Announce the unveiling of a monument in Beloved Memory Of Joseph Steigman 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Bnai David Cemetery. Rabbi Poupko and Cantor Adler will offi- ciate. Relatives and friends are asked to attend.