THE JEWISH NEWS (USPS 275-5201 Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commenting with the issue of July 20. 1951 Member American Association of English - Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Jewish News, 17515 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $12 a year. PHILIP SLOMOVITZ Editor and Publisher ALAN HITSKY News Editor CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ Business Manager HEIDI PRESS Assistant News Editor DREW LIEBERWITZ Advertising Manager Sabbath Scriptural Selections This Sabbath, the 18th day of Adar, 5739, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 30:11-34:35: Numbers 19:1-22. Propheticalportion, Ezekiel 36:16-38. Candle lighting, Friday, March 16, 6:21 p.m. VOL. LXXV, No. 2 Page Four Friday, March 16, 1979 Solidarity in the Ranks The Current Allied Campaign Formal opening of the 1979 Allied Jewish Campaign, next Wednesday, is marked by a spirit of devotion and concern of such mag- nitude that the Greater Detroit Jewish commu- nity is justified in a sense of pride that estab- lished traditions for generosity continue to keep this community in a position of leadership in this country. It is evident from reports of ad- vanced gifts already made to the Campaign that the high level of giving is in a state of constancy and that the generosity of Detroit Jewry will continue to serve as an inspiration for the rest of the country. For some weeks now, campaigners have been mobilized, industrial, professional and service divisions have been meeting, the women's and junior groups are showing progress and the interest is in the acceptance of the new obliga- tion to provide funds for Project Renewal which is viewed so vitally as means of providing the necessary additional assistance for im- poverished Oriental Jews in Israel. It is heartening to have these indications of recognition of the responsibilities that confront this community. The duty to assure Israel secu- rity, to provide for the homeless and dispos- sessed who may- be knocking at the door of the Jewish state, is so great and provisions for those settled there must similarly be assured. There also is the Diaspora. There is the home front. There are the local and national agencies not to be ignored. There is the sacred obligation to assure maximum assistance to the educa- tional agencies. While a good beginning apparently is on re- cord for the 1979 Allied Jewish Campaign, it is only a beginning. There are many thousands to be solicited, many hundreds are needed to con- duct the soliciting, the generosity of those who have yet to be reached must be on a high level of partnership with the community and the Jewish people. The major, the basic duty confronted by all Jews, young and old, women and men, organiza- tions and congregations, now must be accepted as imperative. Generosity also spells loyalty. Good giving will spell communal solidarity. This is something to be made real as the annual Campaign becomes the chief effort here for the coming weeks. Realities in Danger-Laden Peace Secrecy in Middle East relations may have been abandoned for a time. The facts of life as they have been recorded in the past week are a matter of record. No one can delve into the hearts of the participants in the major tasks for a peace between Israel and Egypt, yet, the es- tablished fact is that the spokesmen for. Israel, Egypt and the United States acted out of deep- rooted anxieties to assure peaceful relations in the area. Equally factual is the attitude of a number of other Arab states in the Middle East. They are antagonistic to a point of being ready to risk their own injuries for the sake of undermining Israel's existence. Contrary to what may appear to be Arab un- ity, it is reasonable to believe that there are Arab leaders who in their hearts hope for an end to the debacle called anti-Israelism. They would welcome and encourage peaceful relations. They know the beneifts from cooperative oppor- tunities with Israel. Their own fratricidal policies — and they are many! — could vanish in an environment of peace. Israel must be prepared for all eventualities under conditions which dictate caution, which assert that under the most impressive peace conditions the Middle East always gives the impression of a powder keg. Didn't Hilaire Be- lloc, many years before anyone could imagine an independent Jewish state in the Middle East, say that it was "the battleground of the world?" It is in such an aspect that Israel has the role of a peoplehood always under duress, ever pleading for understanding, straining to rescue the oppressed, wherever they may be. What had been the destiny of the United States, to welcome immigrants and to provide a haven of refuge for them, is now the role of Israel for oppressed Jews. Non-Jews seeking asylum also have found it in Israel. Such a role calls for sacrifice on the part of the nation's residents, for more money as aid from the out- side, for vision in planning social services, edu- cational opportunities and liberty in the highest sense of the word. These are aspirations applicable as well to the Arab neighbors of Israel, to the entire area. Oil is not the permanent factor in human relations. It is dominant today, it may be reduced tomor- row. In the humanism now sought by Jews and their friends in the Middle East and the United States, in the best interests of all, for the secu- rity of that area which depends so much upon Israel-U.S.-Egyptian friendships, it is neces- sary that the standard of living be elevated among all peoples, that literature, science, ethi- cal codes should guide all towards a better fu- ture. The road toward such aims is strewn with difficulties. This is what must be considered in hopes for peace. Even under the best of circum- stances, the dangers always lurk on the horizon. Therfore, there is realism in admonitions to st- rive for the best and to be cautious of possible pitfalls in the quest for peace. Every quest for peace, especially in an area as embattled as the Middle East, is laden with obstructions. The efforts initiated by President Carter will always be rated among the most historic. Many Presidents had striven for peace during periods of war. President Carter's may rank among the most dramatic of all efforts in diplomacy, and his appeal to Israel's legislators, in the Knesset, on Monday morning, deserves a place of honor in diplomatic oratory. The hope for its application to the human appeals of this era remain signifi- cent in this crucial period in history. A Party Book That Enhances Jewish History, Traditions "The Jewish Party Book" ("A Contemporary Guide to Customs, Crafts and Foods") by Mae Shafter Rockland (Schocken Books) is filled with so much fascination, is so replete with historic Jewish material, that it rises to first rank as a modern Jewish classic. Already widely acclaimed for her earlier three books, "The Work of Our Hands," "The Hanuka Book" and "The Jewish Yellow Pages," also Schocken publications, her skills as a graphic artist are im- plemented by a knowledge of Jewish traditions, her ability to guide the readers towards an appreciation of the Jewish festivals and her achievements as guide for young and old in combining adherence to customs, observance of holidays and application of Jewish historical merits in the process. As a "party book" the new Rockland volume has the special significance of including all factors in Jewish life, starting with birth. "Babies" is the title of the first chapter, proceeding with the sugges- tions for Bar Mitzva functions, continuing with ideas for all the festivals. Mrs. Rockland is distinguished as an artist and therefore every calendar item in her new book, as in her previous works, is marked impressively with the appropriately suitable illustrations, with He- brew lettering, by introducing the crafts that emphasize the tradi- tional in Jewish life. Purim, Passover, Tu b'Shevat, Sukkot, Simhat Torah, Hanuka — all the festivals, family observances, weddings, anniversaries — there are guides for all occasions. While preparing for the parties, the planners learn the meaning and backgrounds of the observances, and in such fashion the guide book becomes a source for learning. Since it is a guide book to Jewish customs, this volume has its merits for non-Jews as well, because of its pragmatic approach to all periods of the Jewish calendar and their interpretive elements. Typical in Mrs. Rockland's guidelines is the suggestion for gift- giving for' Hanuka. By giving a penny the first night, two the next, etcetera, making a total of 36 cents for the eight days, she points out that it accounts for twice Hai, twice 18, Hai representing life. In connection with the Hanuka observance she suggests a "Velvet Warrior Elephant" as a grab bag for adults as well as children attending a Hanuka gra party and her illust elelphant is among the ). cas- trations that add interest to her stories and guidelines. To each holiday evaluation are added recipes and in the Hanuka section is this one for "Flaming Tea:" "It is just as gratifying to prepare a special treat for adults as it is for children. An old Russian Hanuka custom 1,74 ,F Vag 'al: was to provide each guest with a glass of hot tea and several lumps of brandy-soaked sugar in a teaspoon. While songs were sung, a candle was passed around to ignite the spoons of sugar. When all the cubes were aglow, the burn- ing brandy was poured into the tea. Since it is difficult to duplicate old customs in large groups without being stagey and artificial, this might be nice to try at dessert, with just family or a few friends." The value of Mae Shafter Rockland's "Jewish Party Book" thus is self-evident.