2 Friday, March 21, 1986

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

PURELY COMMENTARY

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

47 Peace-Inspired Groups Refute M.E. Hate-Provoking Theory ,

The world community has come to
believe that there is no hope for amity
among peoples in Israel, that the situa-
tion there is bathed in so much suspicion
and intolerance that only hate can func-
tion there. It is a theory difficult to de-
molish. Nevertheless, all hopes cannot be
abandoned. There is, a frequent
emergence of encouragement that leads
to an aspiration for the cooperation that
is vital to survival when differing peoples
live in proximity.
The hope for a measure of friendship
and good will is currently being inspired
in Israel by 47 different organizations
that are working together to advance
coexistence of Jews and Arabs.
The noteworthy undertaking draws
attention to the Van Leer Institute, the
independent organization devoted to
educational and social affairs. Working
cooperatively with the Israel Ministry of
Education, one of its aims is to prepare
curricula for the Israel school system.
Therefore, Van Leer contributes
toward the advancement of good will aca-
demically by developing classroom cur-
ricula, and the bringing of people to-
gether democratically in the joint activi-
ties of people of different backgrounds.
That 47 groups should thus have

been organized for the movement creat-
ing amity between Arabs and Jews be-
comes a cause of great significance.
It is becoming apparent that this is
not an idle movement, that it is based on
an approach to realities. Maya Kahanov,
a Van Leer staff member, has indicated
that serious consideration is being given
to educating teachers to bring a program
of learning into the Israeli schools.
Kahanov states that "teachers want to
learn to deal with the serious subject.
They want lectures and classes. Only
slowly do they start opening up and be-
coming really involved."
Apparently the involvement is truly
serious. One of the most active groups is
at Neve Shalom, a settlement near
Jerusalem where Jews and Arabs live to-
gether. The inspirational commitments
of Van Leer are the primary means of
assuring similar results in other areas.
Interns for Peace is another elemen-
tal task force that labors for the aims of
achieving amity. Since Interns for peace
works independently towards the com-
mon goal and not through the school sys-
tem, ther is the added encouragement
that the good will movement has a gen-
eral basis supplementary to the aca-
demic.

The pessimistic will be encouraged to
learn that the social aspect is vital in the
Interns for Peace program.
Then there is the happy result from
the responses given the program by
teachers who are enrolled in the move-
ment. Without their devotions the entire
program could collapse.
Perhaps the program might receive a
death, blow as a result of the assassina-
tion of the Arab mayor of Nablus who was
an Israeli appointee. It is therefore hear-
tening to get important opinions which
negate such fears. The task toward creat-
ing a friendly atmosphere between Jews
and Arabs in Israel continues.
Is it too much to expect that out of
such minute beginnings might emerge a
great movement for peace in the Middle
East, leading to benefits for all mankind?
Even out of the minutest attempts at
justice great achievements might develop
for mankind. That becomes a great diffi-
culty when world attention is on the mili-
tary and on the terrorists rather than the
creative and deeply human. Defensive
needs and the menacing elements that
demand them are vital. But some atten-
tion must be given to the efforts for peace,
even if they are the minutest in human
endeavors. The positive must not be

abandoned for the terrifying, as the
media usually approach the vital factors
affecting Israel and her neighbors.
Neglect is not ascribable only to the
media. The Jewish interests in the deep-
rooted needs are often minimalized.
Diaspora Jewry shares guilt with the in-
different.
There are many tens of thousands of
tourists who come to Israel every year.
The Jewish visitor is never deprived of
knowledge of the commitment to the
philanthropic; food and public dinners
are generously on the agenda. Admit-
tedly, also there is a measurable intro-
duction to the spiritually cultural. Why
so little interest in the Arab-Israel
friendship movement?
How often is the Van Leer Institute
— and therefore its associates like the 47
Arab-Jewish friendship groups — men-
tioned in itineraries? Must this commit
ment be limited to the academicians and
ultra-intellectuals?
Regrettably, this is an accusation.
Hopefully, it will be taken seriously
even if it must be treated as an indict-
ment.
There is need for many,corrections in
Israel-Diaspora relations. A vital one has
just been expressed.

Haggadahs That Enrich And Animate: Treasures That Fascinate

Comes Purim, and artists have a re-
newed and continuing fascination in art
developments in Jewish cultural circles.
Purim is the introduction to the approach-
ing Passover, and while the Purim Megil-
lah, the Book of Esther and the festival's
characteristics lend themselves to artistic

rrun

temptations, it is the Passover Haggadah
that is the never-ending encouragement to
make the Passover festival the means to
enhance Jewish art objectives.
Distinguished Jewish artists have
utilized the Haggadah to express their
being enamored with the ideas suggested

"N M

TELLING
THE STORY

The head of the seder raises the Seder plate and
shows the matzo:.

tcrt$

This matzah

is to
remind us of the unleavened bread which our
fathers ate as slaves in Egypt, many years ago.
Whoever is hungry is invited to come eat with
us. Whoever needs a Passover seder is
welcome to join our seder.
This year we celebrate the Passover seder here.
Next year we hope to celebrate in the Land of
Israel. .
This year we are like slaves. Next year we hope
to be truly free.

Page from "The Animated Ilaggadah."

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muviu n9r1 l'ir5 ,0 501 tir.

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by the Passover, the thrills over the
editing. The traditional Passover story is
dramatic episodes of the Exodus.
animatedly presented in the text.
It is additionally significant that the
Scopus Films is represented in New
Passover and its dramatic elaboration in
York by Steimatzky Shapolsky Books.
the Haggadah always serve to fascinate
Art and history are merged in The
the youth, and some of the most interesting Animated Haggadah which enriches the
books and art works have been aimed espe-
rapidly growing Haggadot bookshelves
cially for children.
with a fascination for young readers as
One of the most impressive in the
well as the seniors.
works for children is "The Animated Hag-
gadah." It has just been issued by a pub-
lishing house whose name bears remem-
Purim and Passover
bering. Steimatzky Publishing of North
America, a continuity of a prominent pub-
For Young Readers
lishing firm in Israel, introduces The Ani-
mated Haggadah: A Text for Children as
Purim and Passover, perhaps more
one of a series of titles that aim to em- than other Jewish festivals, inspire
phasize the deepest Jewish interests.
authors to write for children.
There is this to be said at the outset
There are only 24 pages in a delightful
about this Haggadah. The impressively
brochure-like booklet just issued by Kar-
illustrated book is intended for children.
Ben Copies.
The art work here is so inviting to general
Everything's Changing -It's Pesach! is
enthusiasm that the parent will share a
a story in rhymes by Julie Jaslow Aues-
love for the book with the children, that the
bach. Beautifully illustrated throughout
elders will be as captivated by it as the - by Chari Rabin, it will hold the attention of
youth.
the readers in the 3-to-8 age range for
Based on the animated film by Uri
whom it is intended.
Shin'ar and Rony Oren, the art was created
A sample stanza:
by them in clay.
"Each week on Shabat
Translating the Bible tale into clay
My parents don't mind
figures, there is the inducement of utiliz-
If I carefully taste
ing clay figures as a creative medium for
Just a sip of their wine. -1
children of the electronic age. As the pub-
Yet during the Seder,
lishers aptly introduce their artistic publi-
what do you think,
cation, The Animated Haggadah beauti-
It's four cups of wine
fully recreates the Passover story from the
I am told I may drink.
perspective of a young boy's humorous and
Mesorah Publications continually
sensitive dream-journey spanning 3,000
produces bookstor children with emphasis
years — from the present to the day of the
dramatic Jewish Exodus from Egypt.
on the traditional and the legendary. An
enriching contribution to the literature for
The Haggadah in its textual fullness is
utiliied as a text for this artistic accom-
young readers from this progressing pub-
plishment. The reproduced sample page
lishing house is the series entitled The Best
emphasizes the contents. The Animated
of Olomeinu, reproduced from the
Haggadah will surely be treasured in the
Orthodox-inspired magazine "Olomeinu -
homes that include it in their valued book
Our World," the Torah Umesorah maga-'
shelves.
zine for Hebrew day schools.
The current volume is dedicated to
Scopus Films of London and
Purim. The newest book is an anthology of
Jerusalem co-published The Animated
20 stories for the festival. They are humor-
Haggadah, whose collaborated text is to ous tales. Each is beautifully illustrated by
the credit of the creative artists, Rony Oren
Yosef Dershowitz.
who did the clay work and Uri Shin'ar who
Rabbi Yaakov Fruchter compiled the
did the commendable - writing: 'attl -dos.: litorteti for thio valttnie?"'‘
• 1'4