Ball Player Seeks Conversion to Judaism By HASKELL COHEN girl. As Maddox sees it, the Yankees appeared to be dis- turbed when he makes ap- pearances, particularly in the south, with his fiance. What adds to the overall dis- combobulated situation is the fact that Maddox has not received final divorce papers from his wife. On top of everything, Maddox is seriously considering con- verting to Judaism. During the past winter, Maddox consulted with me. I found Maddox to be a sin- (Copyright 1976. JTA, Inc.) It is early in the baseball season but the New York Yankees seem to be having quite a bit of trouble with their center fielder, Elliott Maddox, who formerly played with the Detroit Tig- ers. It seems that he and the Yankees can't come to an agreement over salary. According to Maddox, who is black, the trouble centers around the fact that he is going with a Jewish SPRING for SALE at OAK PARK 23133 COOLIDGE A VERY SPECIAL STORE For Pre-Teens & Juniors NORTH OF 9 MILE RD. 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As a traditionalist, I explained to the Yankee ballplayer that it wasn't an easy process, and, quite frankly, according to tra- ditional Jewish law, it was incumbent upon the rabbi involved to try to persuade him not to convert. Mad- dox didn't grasp this since he had been talking to a Reform rabbi in Texas, and he was of the opinion that he was actually in the process of conversion ac- cording to the program the rabbi had given him. While I was convinced that the smooth, slick ball- player was very sincere in his desire to convert, I was very much disturbed that he felt it was a simple, rather easy task. In reality, Mad- dox was looking for a cur- tailed study period'which he felt would qualify him, and when I mentioned the tradi- tional approach to conver- sion he was rather startled. The Yankees deny vehe- mently that his association with his Jewish girl friend has anything to do with the supposedly low stipend they have offered him, but the center fielder feels differ- ently. JNF Is Planting One Million Trees JERUSALEM — With the first rains, the Jewish National Fund began its .1975-76 planting season. This year the Afforestation Department of the JNF will Plant more than one million trees in the Negev and in the south from Kiryat Gat down to the Bay of Solo- mon. In the Yatir forest, on the southern slopes of the He- bron Hills, 200,000 trees will be planted; 6,000 trees will be planted at Di Zahav and 13,000 trees at Ophira (at the southern tip of Sinai). Philly Opens New Jewish Museum PHILADELPHIA (JTA) — A Museum of American Jewish History is nearing completion on Philadel- phia's historic Independence Mall and is scheduled to be open to the public in July, according to Marvin D. Schwartz, the museum di- rector. It will be the only one of its kind in America, Schwartz said, demonstrat- ing the role of the Jew in the growth and development of this country. The idea for such a mu- seum has long been nur- tured by Cong. Mikveh Is- rael, itself a product of the Revolutionary era, which has been raising funds for the museum quietly over the years, according to a spokes- man. The congregation con- tributed $1 million toward construction and architec- tural fees for the museum. The museum is planning a major exhibition on the Jew in colonial America to show the role of the 3000 Jews who were among the Americans residing in the colonies at the time of the Revolution. Seminary to Open New Non-Rabbinic Student Residence NEW YORK — The Jew- ish Theological Seminary of America will dedicate its first residence hall for non- rabbinical students Sunday underscoring the dramatic change in the seminary's student body in recent years. Fifteen years ago, the large majority of seminary students were in the rabbin- ical department. Today, three-quarters of them are not — there are more than 400 men and women gradu- ate and undergraduate stu- dents in Jewish education, Bible,. Talmud, Jewish his- tory, philosophy and litera- ture. The completely renovated residence hall, made possi- ble by funds from Women's League for Conservative Judaism, has space for 70 students. The building is slated to open for occupancy June 8, for students in the semi- nary's summer session, and in the fall, it will be the first time accommodate students for the seminary's general academic year. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS sere Invited NAZARETH — On a hill overlooking the national water carrier, in the Naza- reth area, a Jewish National Fund forest was dedicated recently in memory of the late Prof. Walter Clay Low- dermilk, assistant chief of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, agricultural engi- neer and "father of Israel's water plan." Off • invitations • centerpieces • stationery Phyllis Billes United Hebrew Schools Annual Meeting & Election Wednesday, June 9, 1976 Announcement is made that the following persons have been nomi- nated by the Nominations Committee for election to the Board of Directors: For a 3 Year Term: Shirley Garber Rena Bardenstein Mitchell Feldman Dr. Gerald M. Loomus Dr. Milton Goldrath G. Vernon Leopold I. William Sherr Norbert Reinstein Melvin Seidman Diane Shekter Julian Tobias William Yolles Burton Farbman Debbie Altman Dr. Fred Averbuch Abraham Pasternak For a 2 Year Term: For a 1 Year Term: Harold Elson Ruth Raimi Nominated for Election as Officers For a 1 Year Term: Milton Lucow President: Robert Kasle Vice-Presidents: Rose Kaye Marvin Novick Marvin Hoffman Secretary: Jerome Acker Treasurer: Dr. Barbara Goodman Assistant Treasurer: Jerome Acker, Chairman 1976 Nominations Committee Detroit Friends of Shure Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem ANNUAL DINNER HAIFA — JNF Dedicates Lowdermilk Forest 20% 559-4343 Kessel Residence Open at Technion The 13-story Kessel Building - Mexico, will house 200 students of the Technion — Israel Insti- tute of Technology, and will devote most of its accommo- dations to medical students. The residence also includes six upper floor apartments for visiting professors and their families. Construction of the 4,000 square meter residence was made possible through a major contribution by the Kessels, and with the help of friends abroad, and the Israel government. George Kessel immi- grated to Mexico City from Lithuania some 45 years ago. He and Mrs. Kessel are active in the Mexico City Jewish community and nu- merous Israeli charitable causes, particularly the Is- rael Soldier's Welfare Or- ganization. May 21, 1976 25 . Wednesday, June 30, 1976 6:30 p.m. Sheraton Southfield Hotel 17017 West Nine Mile Rd. For reservations call 544-8412 or 544-9081 ATTENTION JEWISH PARENTS Do not be too late — some openings still available in the unique PRE 1 A FULL DAY CLASSES OF YESHIVATH BETH YEHUDAH • Qualified experienced teachers • Intensive readiness program in Hebrew and General Studies • Balanced program of meaningful learning and creative plays and games • Development of perceptual and motor skills • Social awareness and interaction with other children • Modern equipment for indoor and outdoor activities LICENSED AFTERNOON NURSERY FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN For information please call 557-6750 DON'T LET YOUR CHILD LOSE OUT!! AKIVA HEBREW DAY SCHOOL has an opportunity for your child: He will be taught to understand numbers along side mitzvot . . . HE will learn the ABCs alongside Aleph Bet . . . Thanksgiving alongside Purim. This kind of education will teach him to live a life with the traditions and ethics of Judaism at his side. Don't let your child lose this chance! Come and see what we mean at our KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE May 24, 1976 8:00 P.M. For information call: 27705 Lahser Rd. 354-4664