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JEWI SH NE WS 2258 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 1 block East of Telegraph, North of Square Lake Road (810) 332-9430 Hours: MON. & WED. 9-7, TUE., THUR. & FRI. 9-6, SAT. 9-3 Heating and Air Conditioning Ask about our Preventive Maintenance Program • CENTERPIECES SIGNS SIGN IN BOARDS 810-335-4555 BARBARA WIENER 810-851-4228 24 HOUR EMERGENCYSERVICE ICI " t1 0 0 i1 LI A IR CONTEMPORARY PARTY DE9GNS , r r. VA t3 I his week I celebrated the 45th anniversary of my ar- rival in Israel, less than three years after the es- tablishment of the State. Many things have changed in the in- terval, but one thing has not. People here still find it hard to understand why Americans and other western immigrants should decide to settle in Israel, why they should voluntarily exchange a higher standard of living for a lower one, a safer way of life for a more dangerous one, and a fa- miliar cultural milieu for one for- eign to them. This decision was still more ex- traordinary back in the 40s and early 50s, for those of us who came at that time lacked any real knowledge about this country when we boarded the ship that would take us to Haifa. All we possessed were romantic visions imparted to us by emissaries, many of whom were almost as out of touch with developments here as we were. Inside our youth movement co- coon we had played at being "Palestinian pioneers," sung "Palestinian songs" and danced "Palestinian dances." And to these cultural imports we added our own songs and dances. In one of the former, which somehow sticks in my mind, we proclaimed our intention to be "chalutzim who worked all day and danced all night long." When we came, we soon learned that people who work in the hot sun all day can barely drag themselves to bed, let alone dance a hora through the night. And, later on, we became aware that the institutions in which we were taught to believe — the kib- butz movement, the Histadrut and the Labor Party — were less than perfect, that Israel itself was less than perfect. These revelations, combined with the day-to-day difficulties of life in this country, sent the ma- jority of would-be chalutzim back to the green, middle-class sub- urbs of North America. And for the minority who remained, pio- neering dreaths were generally replaced by the materialism that engulfed Israel as a whole. So was our effort worthwhile, , or are we a bunch of suckers who were sold a bill of goods and are just too ashamed to admit it? I think not. First of all, we and our fellow Israelis have enormous achieve- ments to our credit. For in less 1.1.; ,..,JJ...,....i.IJJAj4 IA.111 than 50 years we have trans- formed a heterogenous mass of dirt-poor refugees into a pros- perous modem nation, one with world-class industry, agriculture, health care, art and literature. And while we aren't yet fulfilling Ben-Gurion's vision of being a light unto the nations, we are al- ready more civilized and creative than a majority of countries. Secondly, Israel clearly holds the key to Jewish survival. Those of our friends who went back to the States, or never came here in the first place, form part of a com- munity where Judaism is on the wane. And while some may be lucky — like the former youth Was our effort worthwhile, or are we were sold a bill of goods and are just too ashamed to admit it? movement member who recent- ly wrote me "thank God that my children have married Jews" — the majority of our brethren in North America are almost cer- tainly "last generation Jews." Here, in contrast, we are par- ticipating in an unprecedented Jewish renaissance. And we know that each one of us has a role in that renaissance, whether we are tilling the fields, teaching English or selling real estate. This gives real meaning to our lives and compensates for the luxuries we might have en- joyed had we never heard of Zionism. ❑ Publicity Deadlines The normal deadline for local news and publicity items is noon Thursday, eight days prior to is- sue date. The deadline for birth announcements is 10 a.m. Mon- day, four days prior to issue date; out-of-town obituaries, 10 a.m. Tuesday, three days prior to is- sue date. All material must be typewrit- ten, double-spaced, on 8'12 x 11 paper and include the name and daytime telephone number of sender. I I i