HE BIDS!
ANNOUNCING TEMPLE BETH EL'S 1ST ANNUAL
SPORTS MEMORABILIA AUCTION
JUNE 17, 1996 • 7:00 PM
GUEST CELEBRITY AUCTIONEERS
Steve Garagiola • Mike Fishman
TOP FLIGHT MEMORABILIA
• Detroit Red Wings Autographed Equipment
• Tigers & Pistons Used and Autographed Items
• Mickey Mantle & Barry Sanders Autographed Memorabilia
• PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE
ADMISSION:
Children under 14: FREE
Adults: $10 (Your entry pass can be used towards $10 off your bid)
REFRESHMENTS
Temple Beth El
We Congregate. We Communicate. We Motivate. Come Home To Temple Beth El.
Telegraph Road at 14 Mile Road • (810) 851-1100
When you v.cnt The uniq e!
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TH E DE TR OIT J E WISH NEWS
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Retail prim on selected home fashions such as
Tablecloths • Comforters • Bedspreads • Sheet Sets • Sleep
Pillows • Blankets • Bath Towels • Bath Rugs...
& Much, Much More!
THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY!
Farmington Hills & Walled Lake locations only
30854 Orchard Lk. Rd.
at 14 Mile
39800 14 Mile Rd.
at Haggerty
10 •26-4313 (810)669-0330
Shabbat Shelach: Numbers 13:1-15:41;
Joshua 2:1-24.
RABBI IRWIN GRONER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Temple Beth El
drapery bouti u ue
A Dedicated Few -4-;iaitartra:
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his week's Torah portion de-
scribes how Moses decided
to send 12 spies, a recon-
naissance team, into the
land of Canaan to bring back a re-
port about it and its inhabitants.
This intelligence unit was corn-
prised of a representative of each
of the 12 tribes of Israel:
"Every one a leader
among them."
At the end of 20 days,
the group returns with
an alarming report. "The
people are strong that
dwell in the land, and the
cities are walled and very
great; and, moreover, we
saw children of giants
there." Their conclusion, based on
what they saw, was realistic, clear
and unequivocal: "We shall not be
able to prevail against these peo-
ple, for they are stronger than
we."
Only two of the 12, Joshua and
Caleb, brought back a positive re-
port. They said: "We should go up
at once and possess it, for we are
well bale to overcome it." The 10
faltering, feeble, frightened men
did not inherit the future. It was
the minority of two that won
God's approval; for their report
proved to be true, and they were
privileged to enter the land of
Canaan some years later.
The story of the 12 spies is eter-
nal witness of the strength and
power of a devoted nucleus. In
every society, that which deter-
mines its character, program and
future depends upon the existence
within it of a strong and effective
minority of people whose deter-
mination achieves their vision
and realizes their hope.
The children of Israel were lib-
erated from Egypt because they
were destined for freedom. Over
and over again, the Torah points
out to us that they really didn't
want freedom. They remembered
the "good old days" of the flesh
pots of Egypt, when in spite of
their servitude they had delica-
cies to eat. Only a tiny number re-
ally understood the mission of
Moses. But it was the power of
that small group, like Joshua and
Caleb, which made it possible for
the people to attain freedom and
responsibility. Even as the He-
brew folk stood at the threshold
of their final emancipation —
their entry into the promised land
— they were still not committed
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
to the idea of liberation. Only the
barest minority felt the necessity
for it.
When Moses heard that only
Joshua and Caleb had the wis-
dom and the will to believe in the
conquest of the land, that was
enough for him. He was not dis-
mayed, nor was he
frightened by the other
10 who thought this im-
possible.
This affirmation be-
came, centuries later,
Isaiah's principle of the
"saving remnant." In the
face of man's hostility
and mass indifference at
many times in the Jew-
ish past, a "saving remnant," a
small, dedicated visionary group
has reconstituted Jewish life. Just
at the moment when all seemed
lost, all was gained because of the
effectiveness of this nucleus.
When the Temple fell, a small
number created the School of
Yavneh and preserved the tra-
dition within its walls. When
Babylon was no longer able to
continue Jewish life, a little group
in North Africa and in Spain
helped preserve Jewish learning
and life.
Through the ages until our own
time has this revitalization re-
curred. What else is the miracle
of the State of Israel if not a tes-
timonial to a small group of Jew-
ish idealists who long before the
European catastrophe made
themselves a "saving remnant" to
reawaken Jewish hopes.
As we attempt to predict the
nature of the American Jewish
community of the future, we find
opposing views. Some speak of a
crushing conformity which will
engulf us as Jews and make us
indistinguishable from our sur-
roundings. Others see a pulsat-
ing and vibrant Jewish life
thriving in a free society.
I believe the outcome will be
shaped by a minority. Will that
minority adopt a credo of survival
and renewal and courageously
unfurl their banners for all to see?
Is that minority ready to dedicate
itself on behalf of its vision? Is it
prepared to spread its zeal and
influence so that it may regen-
erate the indifferent majority?
Let the spirit of Joshua and
Caleb be felt in our midst, inspir-
ing us to see the land of promise.
That spirit, so decisive in our his-
tory, can make Jewish life strong
and fruitful for us and for our chil-
dren after us. 0