6 Friday, October 19, 1984 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS ******************************* Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers! * TAKE HOME A MOVIE TONIGHT!!! • ROMANCING THE STONE • THE DRESSER • AGAINST ALL ODDS. • FOOTLOOSE • THE BIG CHILL • $35.00 membership fee VIDEO VIDEO PLUS PLUS AUDIO * * * * * * * * Evergreen Plaza 12 Mile Rd. at Evergreen 569-2330 *VHS & BETA* Old Orchard SHOPPING CENTER Orchard Lake at Maple 855-4070 *VHS ONLY' LETTERS SIGNS IN DECORATOR LAMINATES For high quality Formica Always at a great discount From our designs or yours... for your home or office It doesn't have to cost a fortune . . . only look like it! • • • • ******************************* Specializing in: Tables • Cubes Desks • Bedroom Shelves Groupings Wall Units Call LOIS 851-6989 / unique occasion when both meet in synagogue life. There is a phenomenon in America today which allows the extolling of members of the corn- munity, the use of their name for the sponsoring of dinners and banquets to raise funds where the honoree is perhaps, in the tradi- tional light of Jewish history, not a worthy person to receive the honor. I recognize the practical exigency inherent in this type of fund raising but merely wish to point it out along the lines of my response to your article. Existing facilities constitute such a horrendous expediture of funds that it would be impractical to close them and start anew. However, within the synagogue there is a possibility of fragmen- tation of the membership in smaller groups so that their indi- vidual and group needs could be met. This could achieve attain- ment of familiarity, intimacy and involvement on a much more in- tense basis than that. which we have at the present time. William I. Liberson Eban's 'Heritage' series -defended • . . • WeaVa-s Una4.\. 28585 Telegraph Rd. Across From Tel Twelve Mall Southfieid,Mich. 353-1300 A number of major Orthodox Jewish organizations have leveled rather sharp criticism at Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, narrated by Abba Eban which is currently being aired on the Pubic Broadcasting System (Channel 56 in Detroit). The major thrust of the com- plaint seems to be that Eban is not presenting the Torah viewpoint. He is treating the Jewish people as just another race or nation; he speaks of the Torah as just an- other Bible, among the many that mankind has produced; and he fails to highlight the divine power of God in its pattern of interven- tion in human affairs. It is my feeling, however, that this TV mini-series, as an histori- cal documentary, is a superb con- tribution and an excellent rendi- tion of the historical period that it seeks to cover. Eban does a magnificent job of presenting his point of view of Jewish history and the role of the Jew in the history of civilization. The Cambridge-educated Eban is not nor ever has been an Or- thodox Jew. Why does it surprise his detractors that he does not ex- press the Orthodox viewpoint? There is great worth in Heri- tage. Barely past its midpoint, this serial will show millions — Jews and non-Jews alike — that although the Jews number less than 2 percent of mankind, they have contributed far in excess of their numbers to the civilization of the entire world — in theology, in science, in commerce and in- dustry, in the fields of art and music and every aspect of human culture. True, some of Eban's assertions are strongly worded, yet debata- ble opinions. And he does make it appear that the Bible evolved, that it was the work of hundreds of men and women, who lived over a period of centuries, that it was not the word of God, but rather a product of the genius of the Jewish mind. He almost fosters the impression that man created God in his image: certainly not an Orthodox view! We cannot expect an Abba Eban to present Jewish history from an Orthodox perspective: But even what he says, God- foresaken though it may be, is of inestimable value to the eyes and ears of the world. Rabbi Jack Goldman LOCAL NEWS Holocaust Center opening is Sunday The first exclusively designed Holocaust Memorial Center in North America will open to the public in West Bloomfield on Sunday. Special opening cere- monies will begin at noon at the HMC on the grounds of the Jewish Community Center. Michigan Gov. James Blan- chard will join other political, religious, business and social leaders at the ceremonies. Catholic Archbishop Edmund Szoka, Episcopal Bishop Coleman McGehee, Methodist Bishop Judith Craig and other ecumeni- cal leaders have been invited to light the memorial flame inside the HMC. Confirmation classes from Detroit Jewish congrega- tions also will take part. Benjamin Meed, president of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, will be special guest representing sur- vivors from across the country. Hours for the Holocaust Memo- rial Center are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with evening hours on Wednesdays until 8 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours can be arranged b:,- calling the HMC office, 661-0840. The HMC was an unexpected beneficiary of this year's Brandeis University book sale. Represent,- tives of the HMC's library were allowed to search through 0 - thousands of books donated to the sale for volumes dealing with the Holocaust and related issues. HMC adviser Michael Kerestesi said that almost 100 books in English, Yiddish and Hebrew were discovered which will be an important addition to the HMC:s collection. The HMC continues to look for any books dealng with the Holocaust. Yizkor books on pre- War European Jewish con: munities are of special interest. Although English, Yiddish and, Hebrew texts are preferred, books \I can be in any language. They caii be donated to the HMC at 6602 West Maple, West Bloomfield. LZA seminar set here next week Evelyn Noveck, Detroit cool-, -/ dinator of the Labor Zionist Al- , liance 1984 Midwest Ideological Seminar, announces that it will take place on Oct. 26 - 28 at thd Best Western Hotel, Three Riv- ers, Mich., and . at the LZA's- Habonim Camp Tavor. Participants in the seminar are: