EXOTIC ADVENTURES 2 FOR 1 LESS $1,000 PER COUPLE Omega Seamaster Professional. New Jewish Group Active In Prague Self-winding chronometer SKY PRINCESS in stainless steel, water-resistant to 300m/1000 ft. Swiss made since 1848. 19 Day Alaska/Far East - April 11, 1997 $2,175 Inside* $2,525 Outside* Sail from Osaka to Vancouver RUTH ROVNER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS O From the window of his office, lawyer Evan Lazar has a strik- ing view of the Moldau River, the Charles Bridge and the Prague castle across the river. It is one of the most scenic views in the city. The Purim ball held in the castle was just one of the "firsts" organized by a pioneering Jew- ish organization in Prague, which Mr. Lazar helped to found. It is because of his leadership in Bejt Praha that I found my way to his office during a recent visit to Prague. Bejt Praha is an unusual new group that is changing life for many Jews liv- ing in Prague and affecting Jew- ish tourists, too. Israeli folk dancing, Chanukah and Purim parties, Israeli Independence Day celebrations, Shabbat ser- vices and lectures — all these are among the activities that Bejt Praha has organized. The city had a small Ortho- dox Jewish community of about 1,300 officially registered mem- bers. Many other Jews in Prague were unaffiliated. "There were many Jews who, during the Communist rule, did not practice Judaism and now they had nowhere to experience Jewish life," said Mr. Lazar. Two years ago he was among the small group of organizers, both Czechs and Americans, who founded Bejt Praha — the Open Prague Jewish Community. The first event was a Chanukah party, held in the Jewish community center in the Old Town of Prague, where the Jewish quarter is located. Then came the Purim cele- bration. Rabbi Abraham Turet- sky from White Plains, N.Y., read the megillah and the holi- day was explained in Czech. The next evening was the ball, com- plete with costumes, in the cas- tle. For Bejt Praha's first High Holiday services, the organizers got permission from the official Jewish community to hold ser- vices in the Spanish synagogue. This historic building had not been used as a synagogue since Hitler's army marched through Prague. Chairs were rented and Torah scrolls were borrowed from the Jewish community. Just before sundown on Rosh Hashanah, the rabbi, together with Mr. Lazar, carried the Torahs through the streets of the Old Town to the sanctuary. Just two years after its found- ing, Bejt Praha is flourishing. For Mr. Lazar and the other founders, all the time and effort have been well worth it. ❑ *cruise only, per person, dbl. occ. subject to availability. ,810-358-5330 CADILLAC7 0 F A DIVISION al 0 CADILLAC TRAVEL TRAVEL BARGAINS COLORADO 0/7.p. fro5 m169 9 Nonstops Mo/Fr/Sa 3, 4, 7, 10, 11 or 14 nights GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE LAS VEGAS ORLANDO from 229 0.7.p. 9 5 from • a ch 90 p. Nonstops We/So Packages from $429.90 Nonstops Mo/Th/Fr/Su Packages from $299.90 FOURTH ARUBA from $ j 9 0J0 p.p. 39111111 Saturday Nonstops 7 814 nights Packages from $629.90 CANCUN fiom5 181 9 9 r.t7p.p. PRE—HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRIPS Nonstops So/Su 1 814 nights Packages from $359.90 Mall of America from $139.90 New York City from $159.90 Mall of America • New York City GENERATION JEWELERS. AT BIG BEAVER & 1-75 JUST EAST OF THE SOMERSET COLLECTION 755 West Big Beaver • Troy, Michigan 48084 • 810-362-4500 Main Floor, Top of Troy Building Financing available. .12 months same as cash on engagement and wedding ring purchases with approved credit To book, call any travel agent! All rates are airfare only unless otherwise noted. They will vary according to HMHF day, duration, airline and time of travel. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change. Please add applicable tax, airport P.F.C. charges, or taxes on '.cations! international departures. Participation Contract required. Protect your trip, ask about HMHF ETP! For insurance call SY WARSHAWSKY, C.L.U. 7071 Orchard Lake Road Suite 110 In the J&S Office Bldg. W. Bloomfield, MI 48322 (810) 626-2652 Office Phone See me for oar, home, life and health insurance Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there. THIS WINTER JOIN WITH OTHER To Spa or Not to spa? Call now for 6pecial rats 6UMMIT TP_AVEL (810) 932-1188 CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY MURRAY GOLDENBERG & MARC COHEN 810-350-2420 wis h ■ Singles ■ (ages 23-39) e9 on a facinating Hadassah tour to Israel sini December 22nd - January 1 For further information, call 1-800-363-2373