PURELY COMMENTARY
Libertarian Passover
Continued from Page 2
There are at least 22 sovereign na-
tions in that world. Not one has offered
succor to those they have perpetuated
into "refugee camps" out of a desire
that such camps remain weapons on the
international scene against Israel.
When Israel offered to build homes and
wipe out refugee camps in Gaza, there
was rejection of the aim for humanism
and decency. When the youth organiz-
ed into rock-throwing mobs, there was
not a single voice from the field of
potentates in Arabism. Instead of
mobilizing for peace the new cry was
one of encouragement to the rioters to
keep hurling broken bottles and
Molotov cocktails at the young Israeli
soldiers who were forced to defend
themselves. What other reaction was to
be expected when targeted by a new
enemy?
That's the most serious question of
all: why isn't the Arab world doing a lit-
tle bit in the interest of peace, to create
the neighborliness so vital in the Mid-
dle East?
It is in learning this serious lesson
that Israel must be firm for peace and
for a strengthened alliance with the
U.S. It is a challenge never to be
abandoned.
At the rebirth of Israel's statehood
there was the aspiration that the Arabs
in the autonomous state would be fellow
citizens of the Jews in the redemption.
They soon became members of the
police forces, part of the postal and
other government services. Now they
are "quitting" to join the antagonists
to Israel. It is very sad that they who
were fellow citizens, even with some
restrictions, should now become a
threat that might become a Fifth Col-
umn. Hopefully this threat will be
resolved honorably, realistically, royally.
Even ethical codes are subject to
analyses and debates. There are differ-
ing interpretations that cannot be
avoided. But there is no debating when
it becomes a matter of life and survival.
There is now a challenge to life and a
duty never to submit to annihilation. In
that regard submission is a crime.
Therefore the commitment to life-
demanding unqualified Jewish unity,
and the retention of such friendships as
with the U.S. that rejects the destruc-
tive, the rockthrowing and whatever
else goes with the aim to demolish
Israel.
Meanwhile, the rabbinic principle,
never to gloat over the sufferings of
even an enemy, remains a Jewish duty.
We do not rejoice, as the Passover dic-
tum declares, even when an enemy is
defeated. When he suffers we do not
gloat. May we always be privileged to
survive in accordance with such a
significant ideal emphasizing Passover.
Passover Stories
Keep Inspiring
A
n increasing number of child-
ren's books, especially those
dealing with holiday themes,
add to the duties to teach and keep
youth alerted to Jewish celebrations.
There are always newly-published
tales for young readers, especially at
Passover time.
Kar-Ben Copies just issued another
58
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
such story, in time for Passover. Dayenu
— How Uncle Murray Saved the Seder
by Rosalind Schilder, illustrated by
Katherine Janus Kahn, is filled with ac-
tion. It is a delightful tale and it takes
into account preparation for the seder
as well as the recitation of the hagadah
with all the thrills accompanying all
the experiences.
Publishers of holiday books,
especially those with cheerfulness such
as provided by the Passover, merit
commendation.
Rabbi Birnbaum's
High Scholarship
R
abbi Philip Birnbaum gained
highest marks in Jewish
scholarship. Admirers of his
achievements undoubtedly run into the
millions, since hundreds of thousands
have been using the Sabbath and holi-
, day prayerbooks in his translations.
The prayerbooks translated by Dr.
Birnbaum reached the high best-selling
records. They were not his only creative
efforts. His scholarly works are mark-
ed by excellence in research. He is
especially noted for his Jewish Concepts
which have become guides towards
knowledge of our laws and traditions.
We have referred to his Concepts
numerous times in all efforts to assure
knowledgeability in religious ideas and
everything related to them. Their roots
are in the historic as well as the
legendary.
Dr. Birnbaum, who died last week
at the age of 84, commenced much of his
literary work when studying for his doc-
torate at Dropsie College. He is
therefore to be considered an American
product in his Jewish scholarly leader-
ship. He leaves vast literary treasures
as his legacies and his name and
memory will be inerasable from Jewish
scholarly records.
here. The Seder ceremony is defined.
The housewife learns how to prepare
charoset and other specialties. She
learns that chrenslah, kneidlach, blint-
zes, matzah brie and other goodies can
be made either milchig or fleishig.
In its entirety, for all Jewish occa-
sions, the Dover book has special merit.
Entertainers' Record
Continued from Page 2
Joey Adams, Celia Adler, Jacob Adler,
Jacob Ben-Ami, Herschel Bernardi,
Sarah Bernhardt, Myron Cohen, Eddie
Fisher, George Jessel, Ida Kaminska,
Sam Levinson, Oscar Levant, Marcel
Marceau, Ada Isaacs Menken, Bess
Myerson, Jan Peerce, Joan Rivers and
so many more — all famous names —
forming a list too difficult to give full
credit to the author's efforts.
There is something remarkable
about such a literary accomplishment
that becomes encyclopedic.
Author Lyman does more. He pro-
vides background data that also makes
his book a veritable history of the
dramatic arts. In his introduction he
states:
In the ancient world, pious
Jews kept away from all
theatrical activity. But many
other Jews did attend pagan
theaters. By the first century of
the Christian Era, Jews were
even performing on the pagan
stage. In Rome the Jewish actor
Aliturus was among Emperor
Nero's favorites.
Jewish Holidays
And Traditional Foods
F
ood can be a forceful way of learn-
ing about Jewish traditions as
they are emphasized in home
observances. This is the role of the
cookbook.
The Jewish cookbook has become so
popular that its numbers occupy many
shelves in libraries and home collec-
tions. Because compulsively the
cookbook must also explain the holiday
observances as well as the daily cuisine
habits, the cookbook becomes a
textbook.
It is especially applicable to one of
the newest such texts — The Jewish
Festival Cookbook by Fannie Engle and
Gertrude Blair (Dover Publications) is
especially enthusing.
With Passover given special con-
sideration in this volume filled with
delicious temptations, the assembled
text acquires seasonal value.
The importance of this cookbook is
both in its effectiveness as a guide in
preparation for the festivals as well as
for the explanatory chapters on the
origins and traditional significance of
the festivals.
Passover is especially impressive
Molly Picon
As Jews became increasing-
ly unpopular, however, they
tended to conceal their origin.
For several centuries Jewish
theatrical activity was ob-
scured.
Later, during the Renisance
period, Jews created their own
theater. In central Europe,
especially in Germany, Yiddish
religious plays were performed.
In Italy and Holland, comedies
and sacred dramas were staged
in Hebrew. Italian Jews fre-
quently participated in the gen-
tile theater as well, particularly
in Mantua.
George Segal
However, throughout most of
Europe, Jews seldom appeared
on the gentile stage up to the
mid-1800s. During that time
Jewish actors, few in number,
faced prejudice and often abuse.
Eventually the emancipation
and assimilation movements of
the nineteenth century opened
doors for Jews on the stage.
Among the first Jews to gain
prominence in the modern gen-
tile theater were Rudolf
Schildkraut in Germany and
David Warfield in the United
States.
The late nineteenth century
also saw the rise of the modern
Yiddish theater, beginning in
Romania through the efforts of
Abraham Goldfaden, an author,
composer, producer, manager,
and impresario. The movement
soon spread throughout Europe
and the United States, a strong
Yiddish theater thriving for
many years in New York City.
However, a decline set in be-
tween World Wars I and II as
more and more American Jews
grew up without Yiddish. Many
Yiddish actors and actresses
tried to switch to the English-
language stage. Among the most
successful at that adjustment
were Paul Muni and Molly
Picon.
Jews were emerging not on-
ly in the legitimate theater but
also in the realm of lighter enter-
tainment. From the early Middle
Ages on, Jews had excelled as
clowns, mimes, singers, dancers,
jugglers, acrobats, storytellers,
and wild-animal tamers. Often
they were itinerants. From their
traditions evolved innumerable
modern revue, burlesque,
vaudeville, music-hall, and
musical-comedy stars. Ex-
amples included the escape ar-
tist Harry Houdini; the burles-
que clown Bert Lahr; the revue
performers Fanny Brice, Eddie
Cantor, Al Jolson, and Sophie
Tucker; and the entertainer-
actors Jack Benny, Milton Berle,
George Burns, Danny Kaye, Phil
Silvers, and Ed Wynn.