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.