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.