surprised to find such a
gallery in Baden. "To find
mezzuzot and other Judaica
objects is not easy in
Switzerland," says Mr. Bollag,
who opened Gallery M in
November of '87. "People are
very surprised when they
come in. They don't expect to
find all this in a small Swiss
town."
Just up the hill from
Gallery M is the synagogue of
Baden. Located on Park-
strasse, it's a dignified stone
building with a distinctive
dome and arched stained
glass windows.
This is headquarters for
Baden's small but active
Jewish community, led by Dr.
Josef Bollag, president of the
community.
The synagogue was built in
1913, although the communi-
ty was organized back in
1859.
The original ten members
joined together and con-
tributed money to start a con-
gregation. Among those ten
were members of Swiss-
Jewish families that later
became prominent in the
United States, including
Guggenheim and Wyler. Dr.
Bollag himself is from a long-
standing Swiss Jewish fami-
ly. His father and grandfather
were both born in Baden, and
his ancestors were among the
first Jews living in
Switzerland; for Baden is in
an area of considerable
historic significance for Swiss
Jews.
Just ten minutes from town
are two quiet villages, En-
dingen and Lengnau, where
the first Jews ever permitted
to reside in Switzerland once
lived. They built town
synagogues and a cemetery
and started an active Jewish
life in these villages, so the
area is often known as the
cradle of Swiss Judaism.
The synagogues are still
standing in each village and
are being renovated as na-
tional historic landmarks.
The modern Jews of Baden
take pride in this Jewish
history and often sponsor
special events in the two
villages.
Dr. Bollag heads a small —
but highly active — communi-
ty. Though it numbers not
quite 40 families, its
members attend weekly
Shabbat services, hold
Hebrew classes for their
youngsters, and often sponsor
lectures on Judaism.
"We're trying to strengthen
the Jewish community here,"
says Dr. Bollag, who gives a
commentary every week after
Shabbat services "Not only
because of the tradition and
history, but also because so
many visitors are Jewish."
QUESTION: How can we travel through South America
and know that we will enjoy Shabbat services and
the pleasure of meeting a whole new group of Jewish
friends?
ANSWER: Just travel through South America on a hosted
VARIG Brazilian Airlines' Jewish Heritage Tour.
There are synagogues, Jewish clubs and
organizations all the way from glorious Bahia in
the north of Brazil to cosmopolitan Buenos
Aires thousands of miles to the south.
Feel that special kinship with the sizable
Jewish population of South America. You'll be
introduced to Brazilians and Argentineans who
enjoy the very same religious celebrations
and wonderful traditions shared by Jews every-
where. You'll meet Jews who settled in Manaus,
a city carved out of the Amazon Jungle in
1699. You'll visit with Jewish ranchers in the
south of Brazil and talk to Jews living in
Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America," and
learn about their Jewish past and present.
You'll travel through this vast and magnificent
continent, secure in the knowledge that come
Friday-night, you and your new friends will
experience the ancient sounds and rituals
of Shabbat services...Just like home.
Call your travel agent today or send in for
VARIG's colorful "Jewish Travellers Guide to
South America" and our Jewish Heritage
Tour Brochure.
Remember—This Year In ...SOUTH AMERICA!
Tell us more about your exciting Jewish Heritage Tours to
South America.
VARIG BRAZILIAN AIRLINES
P O.BOX 10109
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101
The World Class Airline of Brazil.
Since 1927.
.
Sheldon Weintrob, M.A., L.L.P
LEARNING DISABILITIES CLINIC
Licensed Psychologist
Announces The Opening
Of His
Private Practice
Specializing In
• Substance Abuse Counseling • Family Counseling
• Marital Counseling • Adolescent Counseling • Individual Adult Counseling
645.1651
625.4401
Birmingham
Clarkston
• Private Tutoring
• Evaluation
• Therapy
LYNNE MASTER, M.Ed
Director
545-6677
433-3323
25201 Coolidge, Oak Park • 4036 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
61