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Sabbath Scriptural Selection,
This Sabbath, the 2-1th day of Hesh
VC1 n
, 5738, the following scriptural select ions zcill be read
in our synagogues: Pentateuchal port ion, Genesis 23:1-25:18. Prophetical portion, I Kings I:1-31.
Friday, Nov. 15, Numbers 28:1-15
3:03
Candle light ing.
VOL. LXXIL No. 9
Page Four
Friday, November 4, 1977
JTA's Role in World Jewry
Few anniversaries due for attention currently
in Jewish communities throughout the world
merit the consideration earned by the .Jewish
Telegraphic Agency.
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The services rendered by the JTA since its
inauguration 60 years ago were the most vital
elements in assuring the retention of links that
strengthen the kinships of Jewish communities
throughout the world. As the major. most of the
time the only, Jewish news agency in the world.
JTA served as the communications medium
that kept the Jewries of the world informed on
occurrences. the pleasant and the tragic. The
knowledgeability that is so vital for mutuality in
knowing the needs of Jews when they are in dis-
tress and in their achievements render them
due recognition by fellow citizens.
Many of the events covered in JTA news dis-
patches unfortunately were in the tragic col-
umns. The post-World War I era of pogroms,
the numerous anti-Semitic experiences in many
lands, including the United States, the Nazi era
and the bestialities engineered by Hitler and his
hordes, these and many other occurrences
needed fullest coverage in order that the activ-
ists against injustice should be inspired to mobi-
lize wherever help could be mustered in support
of the oppressed.
There also were the happy. the historic like
the emergence of Israel. and the progress
attained by the Jewish state as well as the
obstacles on that road. The builders of Zion
needed and continue to need the spread of
proper information through the news channels
operated by JTA.
There is continuity in this service and the pro-
visions for it through the functioning press point
proudly to JTA's accomplishments as the news
agency marks its 60th anniversary.
Many prominent journalists had a share in
the making of this agency. The many years of
editorial management by Boris Smolar, the pre-
sent able editorship of Murray Zukoff and his
able staff. all attest to the importance of a serv-
ice without which the Jewries of the world
would be impoverished. JTA's •services often
serve as guides for an understanding of the hap-
penings in Jewish communities by the non-Jew-
ish communications media. Thus JTA has
acquired a place of significance in news gather-
ing on a global scale. For these achievements
those who guide JTA's destinities deserve high-
st commendations as the agency is being
greeted on its 60th anniversary.
,
Quebec and the New Exodus
— Quebec has become a new problem in North
America. While it is a problem of great magni-
tude for all of Canada, it is viewed as an espe-
cially pressing Jewish issue and is therefore a
matter of concern in Jewish ranks.
An exodus from Quebec to other Canadian
areas is viewed as a matter of seriousness for
Canadians. Yet the exodus of Jews is defined as
especially crucial. As a matter of fact, it is esti-
mated that 10 to 15 percent of the young Jews of
Quebec -will have left for Toronto, Ottawa and
other Canadian cities to re-establish them-
selves. This is the largest prognosticated per-
centage for any group in the envisioned exodus.
It all came as a result of the triumph at the
polls in the last election of the Parti Quebecois,
the threat of separatism, the planned enforce-
ment of rules to make French the dominant lan-
guage in the schools of Quebec.
Several aspects of major importance are to be
taken into consideration in viewing the crisis.
Admittedly, the Jews of Quebec are pre-
dominantly bilingual. Yet. the imposition of
French upon the school systems must create
problems and there is serious concern over it in
a community like Montreal where Jewish day
schools have flourished and have produced
magnificent results both in teaching and in
learning. The priority that may be given French
and the admittedly growing exodus which
apparently can not be stemmed have marked an
agonized situation.
Understandably, the Montreal community and
Jewish communal groups in other Quebec sec-
tors are not running away from their present
homes. They are so well-established economic-
ally that they are rooted where they are. But
the young people are affected by the extreme
nationalistic trends, and analysts of the condi-
tions created by the Parti Quebecois concede
that Jewish professionals are seeking homes
elsewhere because their present status is endan-
gered under present conditions.
The fear aroused over nationalistic trends is
explainable by the fact that what is so nation-
alistic in Quebec is due to the sensing of some
religious prejudices and the language problem
also is rooted in a fanatic rather than a cultural-
linguistic trend. Therefore, the Francophones
have become menacing to all in the area, not
necessarily to Jews alone. But Jews always- suf-
fer more than their neighbors in a crisis.
An element of comfort is to be found in the
fact that the Canadian Jewish community has
begun a, serious study of the problem. Canada's
organized Jewish community is ably adminis-
tered. It represents a form of unity of which
United States .Jewry can well be jealous. The
Canadian Jewish Congress is a centrally func-
tioning body and it handles problems superbly.
The handicaps that have arisen may find solu-
tions in the studies the responsible Canadian
Jewish leaders have inaugurated.
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Jewish Museum Calendar
Filled With Art Treasures
This is the season for artistic Jewish calendars.
Impressive calendars usually come from Israel and national
groups in this country also often produce calendars filled with infor-
mative material.
Artistically, the most impressive calendar has just been produced
by Cahill and Company for the Jewish Museum of the Jewish Theo-
logical Seminary of New York.
"The Jewish Museum Calendar 5738, 1977-1978" covers the 16-
month period of September 1977 through December 1978 and contains
13 large-sized full-page color art reproductions that are suitable for
framing. These are in addition to the colorful title page_
Because the producers of this calendar were able to resort to the
most impressive material available from the Jewish Museum, the
contents represent a most impressive collection of ceremonial ob-
jects and paintings of note.
It stands to reason that the Holy Days and the Jewish festivals pre-
dominate subject-wise.
There is real beauty in the reproductions which include an ancient
Hanuka lamp, Rembrandt's "Jewish Bride," a medieval map of Je-
rusalem, a 17th Century plaque from the Roman Catacombs, a Pi-
cart Rosh Hashana scene, East European photos of Purim cakes and
other works that are thematically Jewish.
Much of the material appearing here had gained high commenda-
tions when included in national exhibits arranged by the Jewish Theo-
logical Seminary Museum.
Cahill has placed these calendars on sale in book stores in scores
of American cities, including Michigan's:
`Tradition' Paperbacked
Widely acclaimed as a photographic triumph when it first appeared
as a hard cover book. 'Tradition: Orthodox Jewish Life in America,"
by Mal Warshaw has been reissued by Schocken Books as a large
paperback.
The title explains the book: it is a religious compilation. It is an
impressive volume of 208 photographs and each is a story in itself of
the life of Orthodox Jews in its many aspects.
Every photo carries with it a message about Orthodox Jewry. At
prayer, in the home, marking Sabbath and festival observances, tY
expertness with which Warshaw complied his photos deserved
attaches unusual significance to this volume.
Ceremonials, family observances, weddings, Bar Mitzva functions,
the Brit Mila—the entire milieu of Jewish living is reflected in these
photographs.
It was at Crown Heights that Warshaw discovered his theme. It was
a new world opening to him but he captured its spirit and enhanced it
with his photographs.
Participating in the family and communal celebrations to which he
was invited, "what had begun as a flirtation with the exotic became a
transforming experience," the able photographer explains in his
introductory note.
The total result he calls -the well-spring for the various and diluted
forms of Jewish Orthodox experience."
The result is a book that will be examined illustratively and will be
accepted as an expressive way of learning about a notable community
and its life.
"Tradition" has so captured the interest of religious students of the
religious elements in American Jewry that illustratively it assumes
the value of addenda to textbooks dealing with the developing Ameri-
can Jewish community.