50 Friday, October 1, 1982 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS "Don't Leave 'em Hanging!! BGU Interfaith Group Probes Differences, Similarities Between Jews and Arabs DON'T LET YOUR GENTLY USED CLOTHING SIT IN YOUR CLOSET UNWORN THIS SEASON MAKE IT PROFITABLE FOR YOU Women's Fall & Winter Fashionable Clothing all sizes wanted for new innovative women's resale operation We'll pick up - No Fees Your designers & accessories welcome Please Call 669-1271 for appt. anitta handbag studio FALL SALE 1 week only, starting Fri., Oct. 1st ALL NEW FALL HANDBAGS & ACCESSORIES 30%0FF OTHER HANDBAGS tp; 7 5% OFF ALL SALES FINAL No Charges Fidelity Bank Bldg. 24901 Northwestern Southfield, Mi. 48075 No Layaways 355-2522 M S 10 to 4:30 - By YISRAEL WOOLF Ben-Gurion University BEERSHEVA — Soft voices of conversation break the evening silence as a magnificent Negev sunset frames the figures of a group of Jews and Bedouin sipping coffee under the open sky. In the north, thunderous explosions pierce the air as Israeli forces clash with terrorists. Talk of the war fades, though, as the Moslems and Jews in Beersheva turn their attention to the similarities which touch their faiths. This gathering during Operation Peace for Galilee was one of the activities of the newly-formed Negev Chapter of the Israel Inter- faith Committee, which op- erates under the auspices of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's Blechner Chair in Jewish Tradition and Values. This chair sponsors an array of activities such as "teach-ins" on Jewish holi- days, a dialogue series, and Shabat retreats, with the goal of generating creativ- ity in Jewish thought. Ac- cording to Eli Gamir,-one of the group's founders, the committee tries to provide a forum in which the predo- minant Israeli Jewish popu- lation and other Negev residents can learn about each other. Gamil belongs to the Karaite community, a sect which broke away from normative Judaism in Medieval times, ac- cepting only a distinctive literal interpretation of the Bible. A wealth of lit- erature among Karaitic scholars has accumu- ■•■•••■•■•■ ••••• ■ The key to weight reduction is not just how much you eat. That's why at Diet Center, we •design a program to meet your total diet needs. Including your own Daily Counselor who helps you reach your goal. The results: pounds and inches fade away. All without shots, pills or gimmicks. Call Diet Center for an appointment with one of our highly-trained counselors today. And learn about our quick and natural way to a healthier, happier, new you. Counseling Makes the Difference 30233 Southfield Rd., Southfield 642-5665 2820 W. Maple Rd., Troy 435-5555 6070 W. Maple Rd., W. Bloomfield 855-3430 formerly "Daily Diet Counseling" lated in order to clarify their view of Judaism, as distinct from what they term "Rabbinic Judaism." Nevertheless, their ordained leaders are known as rabbis. The gathering sponsored by the committee at the new Bedouin settlement of Tel- Sheva centered on ques- tions about Moslem customs raised by the Jewish guests. The visitors were surprised to learn that many aspects of the Bedouin religious cul- ture resemble Jewish tradi- tions. Variations of the "Minyan" requirement for a prayer quorum, the rede- mption of the firstborn boy, the ceremonial cutting of a child's hair, and the circum- cision ritual can be found in both Islam and Judaism. The list also includes the idea of a holy day of rest — Friday for Moslems and Saturday for Jews, daily prayers recited while facing the religious center, and the 'meritorious pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam and aliya to Jerusalem in Judaism. The discussion, held at the beginning of the month-long Moslem fast of Ramadan, also revealed that divergent views are emerging among the Be- douin regarding many as- pects of their rapidly chang- ing society. The Israeli gov- ernment is helping Bedouin tribes to move from a nomadic to sedentary lifes- tyle for the first time in his- tory. Tel-Sheva and nearby Rahat are two attempts at building towns for the Be- douin, who have tradi- tionally lived in tents. Slow acclimation to modern Is- rael is becoming evident, as the conversation, conducted in Hebrew while sitting on large handmade mats, in- cluded several Bedouin university graduates. The Bedouin woman's position is very different from the role played by her Western equivalent. But, although no female members of the commu- nity participated in the dialogue, a debate arose among the men over is- sues such as the dowry. The hosts explained that the Bedouin groom must pay a sum of money to the family of his bride before his marriage proposal can be accepted. Al- though they insisted that this is not a degradation of women, many partici- pants complained that French Guard Synagogues on Yom Kippur PARIS (JTA) — Tight security measures were taken around and in syna- gogues in France during Yom Kippur. The most closely guarded area was the Rue des Rosiers Jewish quarter in Paris. Barriers blocked access to the street and passers-by, even non-Jews, had to show what they had in their bags. the totals requested by remember the devastation the families are some- wrought by a booby-trapped times too steep for a car placed at the entrance to young man to meet. the Cairo Karaite ghetto in On a related topic, the 1947. group agreed that bigamy, Despite widespread presently common among ignorance about them, the the Bedouin, will probably Karaites have succeeded in fade out as their society be- integrating into the comes more modern. This mainstream of Israeli life. program demonstrated that The Karaite National Sec- the Moslem Bedouin, faith- retary, Magdi Shmuel, ful to the state of Israel and is a graduate of Ben-Gurion exemplary soldiers in the University. Modern Israeli IDF, contribute a unique education has not di- dimension to the total Is- minished the commitment raeli experience. of the Karaites to their own An earlier encounter with culture, though, and the vis- the Karaite community re- itors heard explanations of vealed an aspect of the these distinctive prayers Jewish world in Israel and customs from the rabbi which few participa nts of the Ofakim community in realized exists. The the newly, ,dedicated hundred Karaite families Beersheva synakogue. of Beersheva, mostly im- migrants from Iraq and MAGICIAN Egypt, know the feeling of Exciting discrimination only too entertainment for well. Their strict adherence your organization. to constrictions against in- club or private party termarriage assures their perpetual minority status Stage Shows in Israel. Close up magic Yet, their identification Audience as Jews brought on them Participation the wrath of the anti- Mel Eisenberg Semitic majorities of their 547-2464 countries of origin. Many of the Beersheva residents MENTA T . Let the RAIN DOCTOR write the best prescription for your sprinkler needs Jeffrey Schreiber 968-0487 No Sabbath Calls 'nth Oudot* timppe Presents — Complete tailoring services in your home -or office fort:Ladies, Gentlemen & Children . - Lapels Narrowed $35 Neckties Narrowed $4 FREE Pickup & Oelive (313) 25 please phone during -office hoots 13 West Maple 114 Bindegla Ewing Appelebeeds Available gamma.. AIMINIMMIM WHAT'S in fl MAME? IRRYTHIMG! IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DIAMONDS, Nobody Sells Diamonds For Less And We Prove It! OUZ t'7,7: Diamond People For Over 50 years PIANP0 30555 SOUTHFIELD RO CONGRESS BLDG =100 ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF 13 MILE ROAD) PHONE 645-9200 •