26 Friday, March 6, 1981 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Red Cross Pledges Continued Support for MDA Recognition The American Red Cross supports the admission of its Israeli counterpart into the International Red Cross, attendees at the weekly Economic Club luncheon, Monday, at Cobo Hall, were assured. Reference was made to the continued rejection of the Israel Magen David Adorn for membership in the world organization by Dr. Jerome H. Holland, chairman of the board of governors of the American Red Cross, who was the guest speaker at the lunch- SHAAREY ZEDEK CULTURAL COMMISSION MUSIC APPRECIATION SERIES Proudly Announces Two Outstanding Musical Events TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 10th, 1981 — 8:15 P.M. THE BRIO TRIO Brian Schweickhardt, Clarinet Marcy Chanteaux, Cello Bernard Katz, Piano Cantor Chaim Najman, Tenor In a program of Jewish Chamber and Folk music TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 11th, 1981 — 8:15 P.M. MADRIGAL SINGERS of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Directed by Janet Smarr In a program of Jewish music of the Diaspora — From the 12th through the 17th centuries Both events will take place in the foyer of the synagogue and are open to the public at no charge. A STRAIGHT ANSWER What Is The Relevance Of Purim? The events of Purim are a profound study of the nature of G-d's role in history. The first chapter of the Megillah of Esther records the remarkable eleyation of an obscure Achashverosh to the most powerful throne on earth and describes how he came to regret- fully kill his most favored wife. G-d's instruments of rescue were appointed for us in the second chapter; Esther was crowned as queen and Mordechai's dis- covery of a plot on the King's life was inscribed in the King's personal diary. The third chapter sees the rise of Haman, his personal vendetta against Mordechaii, and his plans for the eventual destruction of Mor- dechai's people. According to Talmudic sources (Megillah 11-16), the rise of Haman in the court of Achashverish and the near extermination of the Jews was a form of shock therapy. Our people had become lax in their observance and had begun to assimilate within the Persian culture. When Haman's plans were dis- covered, the Jewish community fasted and prayed with extraordinary results. Mordechai found new favor in the eyes of the King when Achashverish came upon the forgotten account of Mordechai's loyalty in his diary. Haman was de- stroyed by Esther's powerful plea for her own life and for that of her people and Haman was subsequently hung on the same gallows that he had built for Mor- dechai. Mordechai was appointed to Haman's former position, and through his influence and that of Esther, the Jews were saved. Our people did not see these as disconnected and coincidental events. They recognized the hand of G-d acting on their behalf. They determined to celebrate this deliverance yearly and to make a renewed com- mitment to live their lives based upon their heritage. According to the Talmud (Megillah 14a), their re- commitment to live their lives based on the goals and ideals of our Torah was the key to their salvation. This pattern keeps recurring throughout history (see Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Hilchoth Tan- nioth, Chap. 1). With increased anti-Semitism be- ginning to emerge in some of our more "civilized" nations and with the spectre of Arabs using their oil as a weapon, the message of Purim is still very relev- ant. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, CALL THE RABBI OR HIS WIFE AFTER 7 PM. AT 968-1268 A Community Service Of The Kollel Institute eon. While Magen David Adorn was not mentioned by name, the comment, in an- swer to a question from the audience, was regarding the Israeli Red Cross. Dr. Holland said that Israel's Red Cross does have membership in the League of Red Cross Societies, but the interna- tional has not welcomed Magen David Adorn into its membership. This, he said, is beyond the control of the American Red - Cross. "But we keep supporting the application of Israel into world mem- bership, and it has the strong support of our na- tional president of the American Red Cross, George Elsey," Dr. Holland said. "We have done and 'Will continue to do all in our power to influence fullest recognition of the Israel Red Cross." Jewish National Fund Purim Appeal Appeals in synagogues and temples will be made at the Megilla reading March 19 and on Purim morning, March 20. According to Stollman, an intensified appeal is made this year because of new commitments undertaken by JNF. Stollman listed these as Phillip Stollman, chair- man of the religious de- partment of the Jewish Na- tional Fund, and Ruben H. Isaacs, president, have is- sued the annual Purim ap- peal on behalf of the JNF. Hamantashen Class Monday The Lubavitch Women's Kashrut Division will spon- sor a Purim hamantashen- baking class 1 p.m. Monday at Cong. Mishkan Israel Nusach H'Ari-Lubavitch Center, 14000 W. Nine Mile, Oak Park. Aviva Lane will conduct the class. Participants are requested to bring an apron and rolling pin. A nominal fee will be charged. For reservations, call Mrs. Lane, 851-6271. 11112111111 PILGITEIIIGE • TO 1SRPEL 4 Give a Gift to cherish for all time. Pilgrimage includes: tour of Israel: stay at children's camp; recreational, educational, athletic activities. The first prayer book for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur that was published in the American colonies was printed in New York in 1761. Includes a BAR/BAT MITZVAH Reception in the Old City of Jerusalem and at The Wall. THE MEMORABLE EVENT OF A LIFETIME AJC Official to Speak Here for Detroit Chapter Marilyn Braveman, di- rector of education in American Jewish Commit- tee's national domestic af- fairs department, will ad- dress the Detroit Chapter 8 p.m. March 16 at the United Hebrew Schools board room, 21550 W. 12 Mile, Southfield. the transfer of the Jewish population from the Sinai to the Negev, preparation of new settlements along the Egypt-Israel border and expansion of Jewish settlements in the Galilee. For information on fulfil- ling the mitzva of shalakh manot through JNF, call its offices, 557-6644. For further information, mail, or call today. Name As director of education, Ms. Braveman analyzes is- sues in public education such as bi-lingual educa- tion. Currently organizing a national coalition for sup- port of public education, she is also director of women's issues for her department. I Address State City Phone Zip WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION Department of Education & Culture 515 Park Avenue, N.Y.C. 10022 (212) 752-0600 ext. 384/385/386/387 In honor of the most auspicious day in the life of the Jewish boy and girl- MARILYN BRAVEMAN Ms. Braveman will speak on restructuring taxation, increasing costs of higher education, the role of the courts, church-state issues, the "Moral Majority," af- firmative action, the Jewish aged and maintenance of Jewish neighborhoods. Rabbi to Speak at Interfaith Forum at Mercy Rabbi Ernst Conrad of Temple Kol Ami will par- ticipate in Mercy College of Detroit's forum, "Conversa- tions on Religious Issues in the `80s," 7:30 p.m. March 16 in the Science Center Auditorium on the Mercy College campus. Rabbi Conrad founded the temple in 1966. He is affiliated with the Clinton Valley Center, the Michi- gan League of Human Serv- ices and the Anti- Defamation League of Bnai Brith. The public is invited free of charge. For details, call the college, 592-6200. THE J BOOK MITZVAH with certificate attesting to the Inscription of the Honoree in the Sefer Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem A superbly illustrated volume to be treasured forever containing descriptions of the traditional ritual objects, a survey of great figures in Jewish History, a story of Zionism in A Beautiful Gift America, an account of how JNF transformed the land, and a chronicle of Jewish culture and heritage 36 rip 1-In CALL THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 27308 SOUTHFIELD ROAD SOUTHFIELD, MICH. 48076 PHONE 557-6644 I I I I I