52 Friday, July 2, 1976

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Salute to America on Bicentennial Embraces All Faiths

Sermons, Community Programs Emphasize Historic Date

1776---Independence

1976

*

The greatest of all American festivals, the year-
long observance of the American Revolution Bicenten-
nial, will be concentrated in special ceremonies this
week-end to embrace all faiths, all races, the entire
citizenry of this country.
Sermons in synagogues, and in houses of worship
of all faiths, specialized programs geared to the great
birthday celebration, are on the agenda.
Specially assigned studies in the Jewish school
systems continue to emphasize the Jewish experi-
ences in America.
Among the celebrations is the dedication in Jeru-
salem, on Sunday, of the Jewish National Fund Bi-
centennial National Park as an American Jewish
commemoration of the historic event. Phillip Stoll-
man, who, with his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and
Mrs. Max Stollman, were honored by the Detroit JNF
Council with a Bicentennial forest in the Jerusalem
project, is in Israel to participate in the dedicatory
ceremonies.

AJCommittee Message
In a message marking the U.S. Bicentennial,
Elmer L. Winter, president of the American Jewish
Committee, called on Americans to implement fur-
ther in the years ahead the goals enunciated in the
Declaration of Independence.
While noting that this country had stood for 200
years for ideals rooted in deep moral, social and cul-
tural roots that paralled those of the Jewish people,
Winter urged Americans to redouble their efforts "to
give substance to the ideals enunciated in that his-
toric document whose birth we celebrate at this
time." Specifically, he urged that increased steps be
taken against the vestiges of discrimination in our so-
ciety "so that the stigma of inferiority shall no longer
be attached to anyone because of differences of race,
creed, sex or national origin."

Bar-Ilan Musicologist
Leads Bicentennial Trodpe
A folklore troupe representing five of the main
Jewish ethnic groups in Israel is participating offi-
cially this summer in the U.S. Bicentennial celebra-
tions and is being led by the noted composer and eth-

nologist, Uri Sharvit.
Sharvit is a senior lecturer in ethnomusicology at
Bar-Ilan University, founder of the University's sym-
phonic orchestra and a national prizeWinner for one
of his symphonic compositions. He is in charge of the
artistic program being presented by a group of 30 Is-
raelis representing the folklore of Europeans (Ash-
kenazi), Spanish (Sephardi), Yemenite, Kurdish and
Moroccan Jews.
The group is appearing from coast to coast und'
the auspices of Israel's Ministries of Education any
Foreign Affairs. It will also participate in a central
July 4th celebration in Washington which will be re-
layed live by satellite throughout the world.

Israeli Missile Boats
in New York Sunday

The two combat craft that will represent IsraeJ
Navy at the Bicentennial Maritime Review in New
York harbor July 4 are the missile-boats Yaffo and
. Tarshish, the Israeli Embassy in Washington an-
nounced. The vessels were designed and built in Is-
rael.
The Yaffo and Tarshish will be in New York
through Tuesday, and will remain in American wa-
ters for special events in New York, Philadelphia, Bal-
timore and Washington.

New Tallit Marketed
for U.S. Bicentennial
The Bicentennial celebration has inspired prod-
ucts galore, including a Bicentennial "Yankee Tallit."
A new company, calling itself the Yankee Tallit
Works, located in New York, is offering a tallit made
of lightweight kettlecloth denim, braided tarah, or-
ange decorative stitching and natural color fringing.
A spokesman for the firm said the tallit "has 100 per-
cent wool tzitzit (ritual fringes) tied by a carefully
selected staff of men who meet the most rigid reli-
gious standards."
He noted that the tallit, a matching yarmulke
and appropriate tallit bags, which has been designed
and introduced to the American Jewish public in
honor of the Bicentennial, has "a uniquely American
design."

President Ford's Bicentennial Message

The following is a portion of a statement
made by President Gerald Ford at the annual
meeting of the American Jewish Committee:

The Bicentennial rightfully addresses the
Jewish contribution to America, along with other
vital ingredients of our nationhood. The traditional
Jewish'concepts of justice, liberty, family and citi-
zenship are part and parcel of the American
heritage.
When America's founders created this re-
public 200 years ago, they saw it as a promised
land. They were inspired by moral and ethical val-
ues of the Old Testament as well as by the teach-
ings of Jesus. As we reaffirm America's tradi-
tional separation of church from state, we also

honor the spirit of our Constitution which draws
its moral philosophy from the Jewish-Christian
heritage.
Religious values are the foundation of the
promise of America. The infinite value we place on
each individual; the sanctity of human dignity; the
commitment to human rights; and the firm belief
in justice for all.
America has grown great because America
has the wisdom to invite diversity. Judaism and all
other of our religions helped translate the basic
credoes of religious faith into the principles and
rules that govern our daily lives.
I am especially mindful of the unique blending
of the Jewish heritage with the multitude of div-
erse cultures of our country.

Zionist Message of America's Birthday

By CHARLOTTE JACOBSON

Chairman, World Zionist Organization-American Section

*,*

The famous painting in the top photograph, above, is called
the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, even though it de-
picts the presentation of the declaration to the Continental Con-
gress by its authors. The signatures that appear on the document
after it was approved are shown, and the bottom photograph
shows Independence Hall in Philadelphia as it appeared 100 years
ago, during the U.S. Centennial celebrations.

NEW YORK — Two hundred years ago the
American Declaration of Independence enunciated
fundamental truths as the basis for the principles
upon which the Republic was to be founded: the
equality and dignity of man; the inalienable rights
with which he is endowed. What made the American
Declaration truly revolutionary was the underlying
premise that the goal of state and its governmen-
tal machinery is to serve the people; neither state nor
government are in themselves- the ultimate goals.
The establishment of the state of Israel 28 years
ago was based on the same premise: the safety and
security of the Jewish people. The goal was to provide
a framework within which they could develop freely
and without the burdens hostile environments had
placed upon them for two thousand years.
Because America's goals and those of the Zionist
movement, which gave birh to the state of Israel, were
both derived, essentially, from the Hebrew Bible,
there has been a special relationship between the two
from the earliest days of the great American Republic
down to our own day.
Ever since that day the government of the United

States, expressing the desires of the people it was
created to serve, has been a staunch friend and sue'',
porter of the people of Israel.
a o
As America celebrates its 200th birthday, Je
the world over extend their most heartfelt and sincei,7
good wishes for full attainment of the original goal:
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

IN't
! 010 .A11:

xk'
CHARLOTTE JACOBSON

