NEWS THE WORLD PREMIERE, OVER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING OF THE MISSION UNDER THE WING OF G-D AND THE SHADOW OF AMALEK BY DUBI ARIE in ART/HISTORY: THE ARTIST'S INTERPRETATION Syria's Shift On Jews Stirs Cautious Optimism OF THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS FEATURING ADDITIONAL ARTWORK OF DUBI ARIE AND LYNNE AVADENKA SEE THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING ON CONTINENTAL CABLEVISION'S CHANNEL 11. 'THE MISSION", A HALF-HOUR DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ARTIST DUBI ARIES WORK, SHOWS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIS PAINTING AND THE HISTORICAL EVENTS HE DEPICTS. CHECK YOUR LOCAL CABLE GUIDE FOR THE DATE AND TIME. also exhibiting A DAY IN THE WARSAW GHETTO: A BIRTHDAY TRIP IN HELL A SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TRAVELING EXHIBITION CO-SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL A YIDDISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL WILL ACCOMPANY THESE TWO EXHIBITS JANICE CHARACH EPSTEIN MAY 7 • JUNE 11, 1992 JANICE CHARACH EPSTEIN MUSEUM /GALLERY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT 41 USEUM 3ALLERY 6600 WEST MAPLE ROAD WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE EVENTS, PLEASE CALL 661-1000, EXT. 470 THIS ADVERTISEMENT SPONSORED BY CONTINENTAL CABLEVISION • Etched glass • Shower • Custom Railings enclosures • Mirrored Walls & Doors • Glass furniture ov,a% rnin IA/ I A Ak/ 4 4nrirt IRA RIFKIN and JAMES D. BESSER S noted Laurence M. Katz, "does not have a history of ac- ting out of kindness. Some- thing's going on here that is not yet fully clear. "Personally, I think it has something to do with the peace process and Syria's desire to make friends in Washington." The reaction this week to reports that Syria has decid- ed to lift a travel ban that has kept that nation's 4,500 Jewish citizens as virtual hostages was mixed — and decidedly cautious. The comments by Mr. Katz, a co- chair of the National Jewish Community Relation's Ad- visory Council's committee on Jews in distressed nations, were typical. For the most part, Jewish officials took a wait-and-see attitude, despite the initial euphoria set off by a New York Times report Tuesday that trumpeted the move as a clear sign that Damascus will now allow Jews to freely emigrate. "The community is cautiously optimistic about these changes," said Gilbert Kahn, executive director of the Council for the Rescue of Syrian Jews. "We are awaiting the ar- rival of people who have been processed by the new system. That will be the best indication of the genuine lif- ting of restrictions. But it is important to appreciate the fact that there could be a lag in implementation. At this point, it's just not clear." "While seeing is believing, these reports are the most positive developments so far in the struggle to free Syrian Jews," added Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y,, a leading congressional supporter of the movement on behalf of Syrian Jews. "When we are really sure the Jews of Syria are freed, we should thank Jews around the world who have worked for this day." The primary point of con- . fusion was over whether the change-of-heart by Syrian strongman Hafez Assad truly means that Jews will be allowed to emigrate, a stated U.S. and Israeli goal, or merely visit other nations. At present, Syrian law precludes any of its citizens from emigrating. yria, The comments of Syrian and Washington officials appear to limit the lifting of the travel ban to foreign visits only. The official State Depart- ment announcement re- ferred only to freedom of travel, not freedom of emigration. The department interpreted the Syrian deci- sion to mean that Jews will have the same freedom of travel and the right to sell their property that other Syrian citizens have. Travel to Israel will continue to be prohibited. The new Syrian policy, ac- Damascus' move was viewed as a gesture toward Washington — not Jerusalem. It's effect remains to be seen. cording to the official U.S. interpretation, also means that Jews can travel abroad in family units. Previously, the few Syrians allowed to travel abroad were forced to leave family members behind as virtual hostages, and had to post heavy bonds as a further guarantee of their return. Tuesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Charaa was quoted in Damascus as saying "the matter deals with the freedom of travel for Syrian citizens and not emigration. Since the cor- rectionist movement led by President Hafez Assad, travel became possible . . . to all citizens with no excep- tions." However, one well-placed official, speaking on condi- tion of anonymity, said, "basically we're talking about emigration, not just free travel." He predicted that within several weeks Syrian Jews will begin to emigrate to the U.S. and other nations where Syrian Jewish com- munities already exist. Some 40,000 Syrian Jews have a well-established com- munity in Brooklyn, N.Y. But even this official, who has closely monitored the delicate situation, advised caution. "No one has practical in- formation at the moment.