— I COUPON r PLANNING A VACATION? DON'T GET BURNED! LOOK GOOD WITH A SUN TAN ALL YEAR! Arab Singer A Hit In Israel's Army SIMON GRIMIER Special to The Jewish News H er long black hair, captivating eyes and exceptional singing ta- lent attract both the eye and ear. Yet it is not so much 18- year-old Haya Samir's beauty and musical ability that have won her the hearts of Israelis as her decision to volUnteer for the army, even though she is an Arab and a Moslem. This year she will undergo basic training in the Negev and then join the Entertain- ment Corps of the Southern Command as a singer in its musical troupe. She is eagerly anticipating the day when she can don the uniform of the IDF, though she concedes that she would not be so enthusiastic if she were being asked to fight rather than sing. The decision to join the army was a difficult one which she discussed carefully with her parents. "We decided it was my duty to join the army," she stresses. "Israel has given us so much. It is my country and I feel I owe it to do national serv- ice." Haya claims her debt is much greater than that of most Israeli citizens. Her father is Youssef Samir, an Egyptian journalist who received politi- cal asylum in Israel in 1968 after strongly criticizing the late Egyptian leader Gamel Abdul Nasser. Today Youssef Samir works for the Arabic Department of Israel Radio and has written several books about the Middle East. Haya's mother is a kindergarten teacher. Haya was born in Israel and is avowedly Israeli. "I cannot understand why people want to leave Israel," she says. "I love the country and the people, whether they be Jews or Arabs, and Jerusalem will always be my home." Haya's parents have always lived in Jewish neighborhoods within Jerusalem and being the only Arab child at school has often had its problems. "Inevitably there has been ra- cism," she says. "As a small child I used to get very upset by the nasty things people said about Arabs, but there has never been any animosity against me personally. Haya has many Arab friends and concedes that all of them have been against her decision to join the army. But, she stres- ses, they are broadminded enough to tolerate the step she is taking. "I hope to use my music as a bridge of under- standing between Jews and Arabs," she says. Haya describes herself as a universalist, believing all the religions worship the same God and values. However, this does not mean that her beliefs can be bent to suit circum- stances. "I will marry the man I love," she asserts, "regardless of whether he is Jew, Moslem or Christian. But I will not convert out of convenience. I was born a Moslem and that's the religion that will remain on my identity card." She also defends the Islamic attitude towards women. "I do not believe that Islam has to subjugate women," she claims. "It is up to individuals and societies to interpret the Koran in the way that they want. It is the same as Judaism. Euro- pean and American Jewish women are much more liber- ated than Oriental Jewish women yet they are no less Jews. So it is with Islam. Even in the Arab world we see that the position of women is far worse in Saudi Arabia than in Egypt." She emphasizes that her own mother enjoys equality with her father. This spirit clearly shines through with Haya, who at present manages her own career. Though a member of the Hora Yerushalayim choir, Haya is very much an individualist. At every per- formance she sings at least one solo number in Arabic, which is always a great hit with the audiences. After completing her army service, Haya intends studying music in London, after which she hopes to return to Israel to take up a professional career. She writes some of her own songs in 'both Hebrew and Arabic and is planning to bring out a solo album in the near future. She exudes confidence but not arrogance and is al- ready in great demand: she is often asked to meet touring musical stars like Isaac Stern and is interviewed regularly by both the domestic and foreign media. Haya, however, possesses a fiery determination not to be exploited when it is suggested to her that she might, as an Arab in the IDF, be used as a CALENDAR COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR JEWISH SINGLES (25-45): Brace Lederle Field, Southfield, co-ed, drop-in football, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, free. COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR JEWISH SINGLES (25-45):Main Jewish Cen- ter, drop-in, coed vol- leyball, 6:30 p.m. Thurs- day, beginner; 8 p.m. Thursday, advanced, ad- mission, 661-1000, ext. 347. TEMPLE BETH EL: 7400 Telegraph, Birmingham, singles service and Oneg Shabbat, 8 p.m. today, free, 661-1000, ext. 347. CHAI SKI CLUB: Kensington Metropark, cross-country skiing, meet noon Sunday at main Jewish Center, 334-3980 or 288-0338. 1 $39 755 0 30-MINUTE VISITS • Limited Time Only • With This Coupon TANNING SALON propaganda weapon for Israel. "Nobody is going to feed me lines. I have my own opinions about Israel and the Arabs. I deeply respect Zionism. The Jews fought with blood for his land and they deserve to keep it. But they must learn to have more respect for the Palesti- nians. 555 South Woodward Birmingham 258-5910 Advertising in The Jewish News Gets Results Place Your Ad Today. Call 354-6060 World Zionist Press Service Games Network Aimed At Singles A singles card and board games network has been started by the Community Network for Jewish Singles. Aimed at single men and women age 30-40, the network allows for members to meet in each other's homes on a rotat- ing basis, playing the card and board games of their choice. Members are requested to complete a questionnaire. Ad- mission is free. To join, call Babs Sepe, 661- 1000, ext. 347; or Paula Smith, 543-4990. Tickets Available For 'Ma Rainey' Tickets are still available to see Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Attic Theater. The trip is sponsored by the cultural arts club of the Com- munity Network for Jewish Singles (24-45). There is a fee, and reserva- tions are due Monday. A car- pool will meet at 7 p.m. at the New York Bagel store at 12 Mile and Evergreen. For information, call Babs Sepe or Jill Cole, 661-1000, ext. 347. DJ To Provide Music For Party Music by John Ray of WHND-AM radio will high- light the Icebreaker party at 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at the main Jewish Community Center. The dance is sponsored by the Community Network for Jewish Singles. There is a fee for admission and refresh- ments. For information, call Babs Sepe or Jill Cole at the Center, 661-1000, ext. 347. Franklin Singles House Party Set B'nai B'rith Franklin Sing- les (30-45) will have a house party at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the home of Heidi Coffman, 26355 Humber, Huntington Woods, 399-9196. There will be refreshments and music. Members will be admitted free of charge. There is an admission fee for rnon- members. A RESTAURANT 555 Woodward Birmingham 642-9400 Now Appearing For Dancing Tues. Thru Sat. Evening TANGO PRIVATE BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE Entertainment Sunday and Monday Evenings S 7g f I r ■ 11 AMERICAN GRILLE I ism..., A RESTAURANT AND MUCH MORE! Lunch Served Monday Through Friday 11:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Dinner Served Until 12:00 Midnight Monday Through Saturday Nibbles and Dancing Till 2:00 a.m. IN THE AMERICAN CENTER BUILDING 27777 FRANKLIN ROAD Southfield 350-8450 BANQUET FACILITIES UP TO 175 PEOPLE VISIT OUR OTHER LOCATIONS ... PANACHE IN BIRMINGHAM AND MAVERICK'S IN ROYAL OAK 91 h8M11., ;14..i3,i i5C. !L.- to 17 •