A Time for Action in Maccabean Spirit:
UJA Inaugurates Year of Higher Goals to Assure
Haven in Israel for Falashas, Emigres from USSR
Detailed reports of important conference decisions on Page 80
Hanuka Message:
The Lessons
for All
Editorial, Page 4
Commentary, Page 2
VOL._
pcxvi
,
No. 15
THE JEWISH NEWS
A Weekly Review
ee
xn
Hanuka
Greetings
to Jewish Communities
of Jewish Events
Everywhere
Dec. 14, 1979
17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, "Southfield, Mich. 48075 424-8833 $15.00 Per Year: This Issue 35c
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5740
THE BANNER OF THE JEW
By EMMA LAZARUS
Wake, Israel, wake! Recall today
The glorious Maccabean rage,
The sire heroic, hoary-gray,
His fivefold lion-lineage:
The Wise, the Elect, the Help-of-God,
The Burst-of-Spring, the Avenging Rod.
Oh, for Jerusalem's trumpet now
To blow a blast of shattering power,
To wake the sleepers high and low,
And rouse them to the urgent hour!
No hand for vengeance — but to save,
A million naked swords should wave.
From Mizpeh's mountain ridge they saw
Jerusalem's empty streets, her shrine
Laid waste where Greeks profaned the Law,
With idol and with pagan sign.
Mourners in tattered black were there,
With ashes sprinkled on their hair.
Oh, deem not dead that martial fire,
Say not the mystic flame is spent!
With Moses' law and David's lyre,
Your ancient strength remains unbent
Let but an Ezra rise anew,
To lift the Banner of the Jew!
Then from the stony peak there rang
A blast to ope the graves: down poured
The Maccabean clan, who sang
Their battle anthem to the Lord.
Five heroes lead, and following, see,
Ten thousand rush to victory!
A rag, mock at first — erelong,
When men have bled and women wept
To guard its precious folds from wrong,
Even they who shrunk, even they who slept,
Shall leap to bless it, and to save.
Strike: for the brave revere the brave!