- 12 Friday, December 16, 1977 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Rabbi Refutes Black Hebrews' Charge of Racism By RABBI RALPH SIMON (Editor's note: The fol- lowing article originally ap- peared in the Chicago Sen- tinal and is re-printed courtesy of the Black-Jew- ish Information Center in New York) We were surprised to read recent news items which in- timated that the state of Israel is guilty of racial prejudice. The latest story described the deportation from Israel of several people who called them- MIZRACHI TOURS TO ISRAEL selves Black Hebrews. They had arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport as American tourists. The authorities learned that they intended to join a group of Blacks who are now living in Dimona. Their intention was to remain per- manently, even though they had not fulfilled the neces- sary requirements govern- ing new immigrants. Their entry under false pretenses was demonstrated when they tore up their U.S. pass- ports and declared that they had no plans to return to America. Their spokesmen made charges of racial prejudice against the Jewish officials and threatened to create bad public relations for Is- PASSPOR WINTER SPECIALS! PHOTOS In Living Color WHILE YOU WAIT READY IN MINUTES starting at $77 5 00 No Appointment Needed All Types of identification photos. Black and White or Color including air fare, hotel and breakfast BLOW UPS UP TO APPROX. 1 8"x24" Black & White-or color • Photo ID Cards • All Types of Photo Reproduction Work • Laminating • Instant Color Portraits Ask about our daily flights , fare only or with accommodations At These S.S. Kresge Stores Only Call or write for information Northland Center 569-1502 VE 7-2431 398-7180 23125 Coolidge, Oak Park Oakland Mall 585-6200 Kosher Winter Vacation FONTAINEBLEAU 1 4=; Dec. 22, 1977—Jan. 2, 1978 ADULTS from $395* Young Israel Tours 103 Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 679-7171 *Plus appl. airfare (Any 9 days, 8 nights) CHILDREN from $175* Atlas International Tours 580 Fifth Avenue New York, N.Y. 10036 (212) 489-9292 Toll Free (800) 223-7542 Travel With YESHIVATH BETH YEHUDAH to ISRAEL — and EVERYWHERE BY Plane-Train-Bus-Ship HOTEL RES.--RENT A CAR 557-6750 - Eve 559-7567 rael. • While this incident is pot one of major proportions, it is important to refute these innuendoes. We must counteract the slander of Israel's enemies as we must remove doubts from the minds of its friends. Let us set forth the prem- ises which govern Israeli immigration law. First and foremost—Judaism is com- pletely • color-blind. There are no laws in the Bible, Talmud, Shulkhan Arukh, or Israeli statutes which deal with color. All the rules concern people, with no dif- ferentiation as to race. Second the Law of Return Kol-Am Tours Plans Pesah Trip to Antigua in April NEW YORK—This year, for the first time, Kol-Am Tours, Inc. is offering Jew- ish travelers, "Passover in Antigua", with accom- modations at the luxurious Mamora Bay Holiday Inn, from April 20 to 30. Kol-Am Tours, which spe- cializes in tours for the Kosher Jewish traveler, an- nounced that the entire Ma- mora Bay Holiday Inn has been exclusively reserved for its Passover guests. In addition to two traditional seders, three strictly kosh- er-for-Passover gourmet meals will be prepared daily by a New York chef, under the supervision of K Laboratories, Rabbi Ber- nard Levy, supervisor. The Mamora Bay Holiday Inn is situated on two of Antigua's famous 365 sandy beaches and offers all water sports as well as private tennis courts, shuffleboard, nearby golf and casino. Spe- cial supervised programs have been arranged for chil- dren. Jewish cultural pro- grams and traditional reli- gious services will be conducted on the premises during the holiday. For information, contact Kol-Am Tours, Inc. 30 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y., or a travel agent. ANNOUNCEMENT WE HAVE ACQUIRED Joe Sacco SABRA TRAVEL Larry Zamler YOU ARE INVITED TO THE WORLD OF TRAVEL • Las Vegas • Hawaii • Jamaica • Orient • Aruba • Barbados • Nassau • Acapulco THE WORLD IS YOURS WITH SABRA • Israel • Brazil • Spain • Cruises Galore TEL-EX MALL 358-0260 provides that the new state would forever be open to Jews who seek a new home in the land of their fore- fathers. The law did not close im- migration to non-Jews. They must fulfill the normal requirements which modern democracies request from prospective immigrants. To be received under the Law of Return, one must give evidence of Jewishness. This status is determined by the classic rule. A Jew is a person who is born of a Jewish mother and has not been converted to another faith; or one who has been properly converted to Judaism. How did the colony of Black Hebrews who now live in Dimona gain en- trance to Israel? They ar- rived several years ago, without advance notice, and claimed to be Jews. This was a new expe- rience for the immigration officials. The only pecedent they knew was the case of the Falashas from Ethiopia who had lived as Jews for many centuries and who had been declared bona fide Jews by the Israel Rabbi- nate. The authorities knew nothing about these new ar- rivals and decided to permit them to remain until their status would be determined. In the meantime, they were given housing and assist- ance. A Sephardic Rabbi and a social worker volunteered to help them integrate into the Jewish community. It soon became evident that they were not authentic Jews, but they insisted on remain- ing in Israel. The government, for corn- passionate reasons, permit- ted them to stay as long as they conducted themselves in a peaceful and law-abid- ing manner. But the Israelis Holiday Inn Opens in Israel NEW YORK—The Pal Hotel in Tel Aviv was re- named the Tel Aviv Holiday Inn Nov. .30, marking the initial entry of this inter- national hotel chain into the Israel tourist scene. The Tel Aviv Holiday Inn is located on Tel Aviv's Me- diterannean shore, and was formerly the original Tel Aviv Sheraton Hotel. The hotel has, at present, 347 rooms and the new manage- ment is planning major re- novation of the property, in- cluding adding extra stories to increase the accom- modation. Holiday Inns Inc. is the seventh major international hotel chain to have a hotel in Israel; the other chains are Hilton International, Sheraton, Intercontinental, CP Hotels (Canadian Pacif- ic), Ramada Inns and Club Mediterannee. had now learned to question strange claims of Jewish affiliation which new arriv- als might make. What was the rationale of these people who called themselves Black Hebrews? They assert that they are descended from the Ethio- pean family of King Solo- mon and the Queen of Sheba. Historians could surely ask for reliable evi- dence to substantiate this theory. What is more important to understand is that even if this claim were true, it would not establish their Jewishness. They admit that they have no unbroken line of descent from ances- tors of the Jewish faith be- ginning with their mothers and grandmothers. Most of them come from families which at one time belonged to Christian denominations. They may convert to Judaism if they so choose, but they cannot assume such a relationship without PASSOVER the regular process of study and sincere commitment to Judaism through a ritual conversion. The confusion of these strange historical claims is compounded by the asser- tion of some of their spokes- men that they are Hebrews and not Jews. They assert that the Jews are not true Israelites and that Israel really belongs to the Black Hebrews. One of their leaders even declared that when they tain enough power, they IN— expel the white imposters who now occupy the prom- ised land. One thing is clear. The issue of the Black Hebrews and the claim of Israeli racism is a mixture of ignorance and malice. There is no racism in Judaism or in the state of Israel. INSTANT PASSPORT & 1.1)• PHOTOS • In Living Color a 10 Min. Del. 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