Or K or we'll have to leave the coun- try," says Cohen. "I'm not going to live anyplace where my children can't eat meat three or four times a week." The flap over starvation and poverty comes at a par- ticularly inopportune mo- ment — just as tens of thousands of Soviet Jews are trying to decide whether to come to Israel. Aliyah ac- tivists are afraid that the debate will have a negative impact on their decision, and score the .politicians for fail- ing to address the problem realistically. "I see that Simcha Dinitz (head of the Jewish Agency) says that we will be able to settle immigrants, even if we all have to eat only one egg a week," said a Tel Aviv woman who has worked with new settlers. "There's only one difference. We'll eat our one egg a week here; Dinitz and the other politicians will eat theirs in the first class com- partment of El Al." ❑ The days are getting shorter and winter is almost here. Your family is beginning to think about the fast approaching holidays. The Weintraub family is preparing, too. We want to be ready to do our part towards making your shopping easier and your holidays festive. So when you visit Weintraub Jewelers you will find quality selection, courteous and knowledgeable staff, and outstanding discount prices. NEWS I • Are Italians Jews Distinct From Others? BEN GALLOB . Special to The Jewish News N I • I I or I ew York — Dr.. Stefano Di Mauro, an Italian-born car- diologist and nutritionist, has been on a religious" quest since he came to the United States in 1981. He tried Reform. He tried Orthodox. And for a while he belonged to a Sephardic con- gregation, but all the while he found his religious life unfulfilled. So two years ago; the 60- Y ear-old physician estab- lished a congregation of his own, an Italian Jewish con- gregation in the. Miami area that now consists of 140 families. It is Di Mauro's contention that Italian Jews constitute a separate religious com- munity, distinct from Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews. Unfortunately, he says, it is a community vir- tually unknown to the other two religious Jewries in North America. That the current editions of the Universal Jewish En- cyclopedia has nothing on Italian Jews as a separate religious community is to Di Mauro only further proof that it is a culture apart from the two dominant cultures. To Di Mauro, Judaism means religious commit- ment. He therefore joined a Reform congregation when he first settled in the United States in Riverside, Calif. Thoroughly unhappy about the skepticism over his Jewish identity shown by Reform congregants, he quit after 18 months. When he moved with his family to Lynn, Mass.; he joined an Orthodox con- gregation. While there, a son became bar mitzvah and a daughter bat mitzvah. That episode ended when he mov- ed again, this time to North Miami Beach, where he join- ed a Sephardi congregation. Di Mauro says he found more Italian Jews in Miami than in either Riverside or Lynn, enough even to start a congregation, which Di Mauro says is the only Italian Jewish congregation anywhere in North America. He said that there are three major synagogues in Venice — one Ashkenazi, one Sephardi and one Italian. The Italian synagogue is the oldest. The lifestyle of the Italian Jews is to seek a tradition- oriented "middle of the way" path of Judaism. He indicated that he felt Ashkenazi Jews were engaged in rivalries, which Italian Jews considered to be in sharp conflict with their ideal of the "middle way." The Italian Jews con- gregants worship in the Mogen Dovid Center, a Sephardic synagogue in North Miami Beach, which Di Mauro said was suffering an attrition of membership. When Di Mauro met with Mogen Dovid officials to discuss collaboration bet- ween the two congregations, seating at worship was mix- ed. The Italian s Jews asked for separate seating and separate seating is now the rule. There is no mechitzah, a physical barrier, but the men and the women sit in their separate sections. ❑ Seiko, Lasalle, Movado, Citizen, Noblia Kosta Boda, littala Demery, Evans Cross ies Rings, pendants, pins, bracelets, watches . Gold chains, bracelets, pins, earrings, necklaces All merchandise is offered at outstanding discount prices. All sales can be exchanged or refunded. Gift wrapping is free. If you purchase a quartz watch, you will receive a free replacement battery for its lifetime. Northwestern V.lighway, Southfied, MI 48034 "SUNSET STRIP" 29636 Holiday l-kours begin Friday , Novernber 24th. M F 10 , Sat. 10 - 6, Sun 12 -5 HONE. 351-40p0 P Right in Your Own Driveway! ).* / THE TUNE , -UP MAN Certified by the National Automotive Institute of Excellence Comes to your home or office with the garage-on-wheels Valet service that doesn't cost one penny extra • Expert diagnostic tune-up • Electronic analyzer - all engine systems • Professionally trained mechanics • Perfect results assured Expanded Services Call Sanford Rosenberg for your car problems = 398-3605"7F— SHERM FREUND MEL STERNFELD'S Tuff* Service Centers ? We Do It Right. We Do It Right Away. fig I WINTER HAT Offer Expires 12/31/89 With any brakes, exhaust or shock/suspension purchase. Stay warm this winter with a FREE ski hat from Tuffy. Offer good while supplies last at • artici atin locations. BRAKES loff/ Lietime f Warranty • Turn drums S rotors. • Check calipers, hoses & seals • Check master cylinder. • Repack non-drive wheel bearings. • Test drive car. 795* At These Locations: Southfield Telegraph Rd. N. of 9 Mile JN 355.0800 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 lir „ From Converter Back Walled lake lo g y EXHAUST SYSTEM Maple Rd., Cor. of Pontiac Trail 624.4440 $7995* Redford W. 8 Mile, Cor. of Beech Daly JN 532.3500 'Semi-metallic pads extra. (Front Or Rear) Most Cars Otter Not Valid With Other Discounts Or Specials. Offer Expires 12/31/89 ' Complete Top Duality. -Lifetime" Warranteed Tufty Muffler, exhaust pipe S tail pipe are included in this special price package too. 'Good On Moat American & Foreign Cars Offer Expires 12/31/89 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 43