1942-1982
Forty Years
of The
Jewish News
President Taft
as Challenger
of Bigots
and the Record
Air U.S. Protests
'LW Against Bias
With this issue, The Jewish News commences the 41st year
of its publishing services to the Detroit Jewish community, to
American Jewry, with dedication to the basic principles of this
nation and for the advancement of the high goals that make
America a leader in democratic and human aspirations. Basic in
these ideals is the obligation to strive for an end to bigotry, and to
labor for the protection of the redeemed Jewish state of Israel in
the spirit of the libertarian goals of Zionism.
This is a platform for action that has been affirmed and
reaffirmed during the 40 years of Jewish News services, in the
gathering of news and in the expression of editorial opinions. It is
a platform that remains solid as a basis for services in the ad-
vancement of the highest American ideals, in upholding the
traditions of the Jewish people, in protecting the embattled state
of Israel.
Such a continuity of dedication to human needs constitutes a
Jewish News platform summarizing 40 years of functioning and
commencing the 41st year in that role.
PURIM
HE JEWISH NEWS
j
A Weekly Review
Greetings
to Jewish
Communities
Everywhere
of Jewish Events
Commentary, Page 2
Copyright CO The Jewish News Publishing Co.
VOL. LXXXI, No. 1
17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 424-8833
- March 5, 1982
$15 Per Year: This Issue 35c
Jerusalem, AWACS Turmoil,
Jordan Arming Trouble M.E.
The Holiday of Purim:
Celebration and Giving
Jerusalem children in Purim costumes carry mis-
hloakh manot to friends.
*
*
By DVORA WAYSMAN — World Zionist Press Service
JERUSALEM — Purim, which is celebrated on 14th Adar
(Monday night and Tuesday), is the light relief in Israel's serious
and solemn commitment. It is the nearest thing that Judaism has
to a carnival. Originating in the Book of Esther, which details the
deliverance of the Persian Jews from their oppressor, Haman, it
leavens the religious year with an element of fun.
But even though joy is the central motif of the festival, there
are other important ingredients that must not- be overlooked,
such as "the sending of portions" (mishloakh manot). The rule is
to send at least two portions of ready-prepared food to friends, as
well as to crive a gift of money to at least two poor persons. The
mishloakh manotusually consist of cookies, candy, nuts, dried
'ts and wine.
(Continued on Page 6).
Three major developnients this week added to the turmoil affecting the Middle East and the
projected Israel-Egypt peace proposals.
Israel's rejection of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's visit unless he comes to Jerusalem
has become a challenge to the Egyptians.
The unity of American Jewry in Israel's defense is emphasized in a protest against providing
Jordan with arms. The protest was submitted to President Ronald Reagan by 120 American organiza-
tions, including the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit and the Community Rela-
tions Council of the Flint Jewish Federation.
Muddying the Middle East waters is Saudi Arabia's denial of having signed an agree-
ment with the U.S. on restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied AWACS radar and command
planes. The.Saudis contradicted U.S. Secretary o•Defense Caspar Weinberger's statement.
Egyptian President Mubarak is seeking a quick end to the row that has erupted between himself
and Israeli Premier Menahem Begin over his visit to Israel that had been scheduled for later this
month. This was the impression of Begin's former press adviser, Dan Pattir, who met with Mubarak
for 90 minutes in Cario on Monday.
Pattir, now on a fellowship to a Washington academic institute and scheduled to speak in Detroit
on March 24 for the Allied Jewish Campaign, met with Mubarak in connection with his research into
aspects of thelsarel-Egypt peace negotiations.
Speaking on Israel Radio Wednesday morning, Pattir said he would convey a message from
Mubarak privately to the Israeli leadership and could not divulge its contents. But he was able to
reveal that Mubarak was much perturbed by the fact that the discord over the visit had become a
public wrangle, and definitely hoped it could be "resolved." Pattir's impression was that the visit itself
was still open.
The visit is presently off because
Mubarak has refused to visit
Jerusalem and Begin has replied that
in that case he would prefer that the
Egyptian leader not come to Israel at
all.
In a speech to the Jewish Agency Board
The annual dinner meeting which signals the begin-
of Governors on Monday, Begin recalled
ning of the formal portion of the Allied Jewish Campaign-
that Slain Egyptian President Anwar
Israel Emergency Fund has been scheduled for 6 p.m.
Allied Campaign Goes Into
High year at Annual Dinner
Meeting Set for March 24
March 24 at Adat Shalom Synagogue. -
Guest speaker at the dinner will be Dan Pattir, special
adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin.
The Campaign, which began with pre-Campaign ac-
tivities last fall, will continue through May 6 to seek funds
which support 60 Jewish agencies locally, nationally and
overseas.
For dinner reservations, call the Jewish Welfare Fed-
eration, 965-3939.
(Continued on Page 12)
•
NY Museum Reverses,
to Show Israel Exhibit
(See Story, Page 5)
Purim and Megillat Esther Mean Laughter
By DR. DAVID GEFFEN — World Zionist Press Service
The book of Esther is one of the best known books in the
Bible because of the exciting story it relates and because of
its association with Purim, our most joyous holiday.
Purim was often presented in the context of a particu-
lar era: an Alsatian megilla dating from the later part of
the 18th Century has Vashti take on the characteristics of
Marie Antoinette and is beheaded by the guillotine. A
similar approach is followed in a 20th Century megilla
illustrated by the noted artist Arthur Szyk. There he trans-
forms Haman into an officer covered with swastikas, and
the artist depicts himself watching Haman's demise on the
galloWs.
However, once the month of Adar begins, Jews are
commanded to rejoice — "Mi shenikhnas le Adar marbim
besimha" — "Whoever enters into Adar multiplies his joy."
Once Purim arrives, we are urged not just to be happy, but
to laugh. That laughter, which has been described as the
medicine of the troubled soul, has its origin in the narrative
found in the Megillat Esther — the Scroll of Esther.
Onl-nading the story anew each year, we laugh at
a king who could not even control his own wife. We
laugh at the way in which the perfect plan to destroy
our ancestors backfired. We laugh at the discrepancy
between the anti-Semitic slogans directed at Persian
Jews and their exemplary patriotic behavior. We
laugh at the fact that life can change so rapidly.
Our enemy Haman was at the top of the ladder and
quickly slid to the bottom. Mordecai was at the point of
death and within the blink of an eye became a ruling figure.
As joyous as is the story of Purim, even more enjoyable
(Continued on Page 7)
The 250-year-old Megillat Esther from Alsace,
decorated with zodiac signs, Purim scenes and fig-
ures.