PURELY COMMENTARY Genealogy Continued from Page 2 5,414 OAKLAND COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND PARAMEDICS NOW HAVE THE SAME PHONE NUMBER: W X Y And now it's the only number you need to know. Thousands of emergency personnel have joined forces through the new enhanced 911 emergency system. When a Police, Fire or Medical crisis threatens, simply dial 9-1-1 and help will be on the way . . . fast. A two-second tracing system will automatically display your address and other vital information on the 911 emergency computer. Simple, even for children, the elderly, the hearing impaired and non-English speaking persons. 911 is the right number for any emergency in Oakland County. 01988 RS&A and telephone numbers for additional researchers. The text includes 16 parchment genealogical charts with 18 pages of photographs. Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern, the leader of the Jewish Genealogical Society, who is among the most noted authorities on the subject, stated about the Batkin book: "The Batkin history may seem to be a typical story of the impoverished immigrant fleeing from pogroms and moving up the economic scale . . . Its typicality is a tribute to what the Jews have meant to America." Author-editor of the massive book about his fami- ly's roots, an alumnus of New York University, Stanley Batkin is an expert in packaging and has several patents in that specialty. He has many organizational af- filiations with national board membership. With his wife Selma he has established several annual scholarships at Israeli universities. The illustrated section is the family's cherished collec- tion of photographs represen- ting the roots for the Batkin family tree. This is where the assembled accomplish an in- gathering of relatives from many lands and generations, all unified as a proof of Batkin solidarity. The interest in tracing roots is growing immensely. Many also are publishing. Betty Starkman is among those who are accomplishing im- pressively in that endeavor both on a personal level as well as a teacher and guide. Some of Betty (Mrs. Morris) Starkman's guidelines have already been among the enriching factors in articles in the L'Chayim sections of The Jewish News. Genealogy gains immense- ly in popular interest in works like Mrs. Starkman's and the illustratively attrac- tive Batkin volume and its addenda which already at- tained genealogical leadership. `Jewish Home' Is Glorified A library of real merit from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations keeps expan- ding. Much of what has been introduced in the past decade was under the direction of Rabbi Daniel B. Syme, who is now a vice president of the UHAC. Many important children's books, devoted to Bible and Jewish historical topics, are to his credit. Now there is an additional 32 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988 Daniel Syme important volume authored by the former Detroiter, son of Rabbi and Mrs. M. Robert Syme. Under the title The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living is provided the information that will enrich knowledge family-wise. Prepared as a guide for Jewish living, the sequence is at once indicated in the in- itial chapter dealing with "The Mezuzah" Immediately, as "The Jewish Home" is entered, the reader and the The interest in tracing roots is growing immensely. family that commences its life Jewishly begins to observe. That the second chapter should have been devoted to "Shabbat" is an emphasis on the sanctity with which the home is to be treated. Richly illustrated, the pic- tures assist in retaining deep interest in the contents of this well-assembled volume that guides the reader to creating a sanctified Jewish home. An appreciative introduc- tion to the Syme book is by Dr. Alexander M. Schindler, president of the UAHC. The festivals, the many oc- casions in Jewish life that derive their inspiration from the home, the linkage with school and synagogue, the ceremonials — everything relating to Jewish life and the manner in which the iden- tification is led to strength — are in this book. Rabbi Syme performed a commendable service with this compilation. No matter how many books have ap- peared on the subject, this ad- ditional one is immensely valuable. To Daniel Syme goes deep appreciation for a literary task well achieved.