THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Boris Smolar's Between You . . . and Me' Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, JTA (Copyright 1982, JTA, Inc.) HANUKA MOODS: Hanuka, the Festival of Lights, has in recent years -become the most popular Jewish holi- day in this country after Passover, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The eight-branch menora with its twinkling little lights can now be seen in the windows of homes in neighborhoods where they have never been seen before. Hanuka greeting cards — some of them very artistic and expensive — are now "big business" in the greeting cards industry. The United Nations has this season issued — through its Children's Fund — a very beautiful Hanuka card in colors. This is the first time that a UN organ. has printed anything in Hebrew characters. No longer is Hanuka considered by Jewish children in public schools "a Jewish Christmas."'In some public schools one can now see Hanuka decorations side by side with Christmas ornaments of a non-Christological nature. In schools with a substantial Jewish enrollment teachers seek to explain in the classrooms the difference between Hanuka and Christmas telling the children of the suc- cessful revolt of the Maccabees. AN INTERRELIGIOUS ISSUE: Major Jewish organizations consider it inadvisable for Jewish parents of Jewish groups to recommend__to teachers and school boards the introduction of either Hanuka programs or joint Christmas-Hanuka programs in schools. At the same time they are of the opinion that where such programs already exist, any attempt to withdraw them may have negative effects on intergroup relations. There has been — and still is — bitter conflicts be- tween various groups of parents, Jewish and non-Jews, over school Christmas programs with strong religious con- tent. Tension exists especially in the suburban com- munities where newcomers — Jews and non-Jews — are disturbed by the Christological content of some of the Christmas programs. They consider them a violation of the U.S. Constitution separating church from state. Jewish parents do not object to their children's singing in school such songs as "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" or other songs which have no particular religious content. However, they strongly object to programs which include nativity plays, creches, sermons of the life and teachings of Jesus, and prayers. They also object to holiday observances in school with songs such as "Joy to the World," "Adeste Fideles" and carols with a definite Christological content. Jewish parents — as well as non-believers and adhe- rents to non-hristian sects — are resentful and apprehen- sive because their children are forced either to participate in Christological observances or, what is equally hurtful, to isolate themselves by non-participation. They do not want their children embarrassed in the classroom by participat- ing in such programs nor considered as outsiders by abs- taining from such participation. They do not want their children exposed to Christian doctrine. Many public school administrations and individual teachers have evidenced growing sensitivity toward the objections of Jewish parents to the subjection of their chil- dren to participation in holiday observances contrary to their religious convictions. The National Jewish Commu- nity Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) — constituted of all major Jewish organizations and of more than 100 local Jewish groups in cities throughout the country engaged in interreligious relationships — suggests semi- nars and training programs for teachers in public schools to assist them to foster regard for religious differences. At the same time the NJCRAC also urges that serious violations of church-state separation, and otherwise objectionable religious practices and observances in public schools, be vigorously protested and appropriate steps toward their elimination be pursued, while cooperation with school authorities in positive programs for teachers proceeds. Germans Bicker - on M.E. Policies OPEN SUNDAY 12 to 5 BONN (JTA) — Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher told a group of Arab officials that there is a continuity in the Middle East policy of the new West German government headed by Chancellor Hel- mut Kohl and that of the previous government under Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. Genscher, a member of the Free Democratic Party (GDP) who served as Foreign Minister in both governments, said Bonn still supports the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and still adheres to the 1980 Venice declaration by the heads of the 10 European Economic Community (EEC) member states which, among other things, called for the "asso- ciation" of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Middle East peace proc- ess. Genscher's remarks once again underlined apparent differences over Middle East policy within the gov- erning Christian Demo- cratic Union-FDP coalition. While Kohl appears to be moving toward an im- provement of relations with Israel and plans to visit that country next year, Deputy Foreign Minister Juergen Moelleman recently warned Israel not to entertain the "illusion" that Bonn's policy has changed. 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The one you trust. • SEIKO did 71:17- at Science Exchange Continues PARIS (JTA) — Scientific relations between Israel and France have continued unhampered even at "the worst moments" in the rela- tions between the two coun- tries, according to Israel's Ambassador to France, Meir Rosenne. Friday, December 10, 1982 21 1 week only! 40% since 1925 CreativeJenelers on the boardwalk I OFF Mon. thru Fri. 10-8, Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-5 Mastercharge Visa • Never A Due Bill • Always Cash Refunds • Free Gift Wrappings 6891 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield 855-3121