Jewry's Role in
Human Advancement
NOTABLE FIRSTS ON THE PATH TO NATIONHOOD
As we celebrate the Jewish new year, it is fitting to push aside the curtains
of time and reflect on our origins and what our forefathers brought to pass.
Their transformation from wanderers in the desert to founders of a
powerful nation left milestones along the path of history unique in the
ancient world.
Our ancestors' escape from Egyptian captivity recorded the first
such mass exodus of slaves seeking religious and cultural freedom and
identity. The Hebrews were also the first to magnanimously release slaves
of their own after seven years of bondage.
The Book of Judges relates the events dating from the death of
Joshua to the ascendance of King Saul--almost two centuries of
government significantly different from that in neighboring kingdoms.
The land was then populated with a loose-knit confederation of Hebrew
tribes, each in its own territory as formerly allotted by Joshua.
Independent Judges (chieftains upon whom "rested the spirit of
God") ruled their tribal brethren in a first demonstration of regional
sovereignty without kings. The family of tribes would unite against
foreign oppression. Their ever-present link was the moral structure of the
Mosaic laws, a code of laws promulgated by the world's first monotheistic
society.
Yet another, rst in biblical accounts was the warrior, prophet and
judge Deborah of Ephraim. She stood alone as alemale heroine in the
male-dominated ancient 'world, winning the respect and trust of the
Israelites during almost forty years of inspiring leadership.
-7
PIONEERS
Jews were destined a trail to blaze.
Commandments on stone to phrase.
Lead men out of the idol maze.
The greatest truth to humankind,
One God, they were first to find.
Laws of equal justice they designed.
A rest-day with a Sabbath air,
They were the first to declare.
A grand gift for the world to share.
"Love thy neighbor," a Torah decree.
Slaves, Hebrews were first to free.
Jews fought and bled for liberty.
As healers to the human race,
Jews hold an honorable place;
They are in front, setting the pace.
In every field of human thought,
They pioneered and knowledge sought.
To savages, morals they taught.
The Jews will always work and strive,
Progress and freedom to keep alive,
That justice and peace forever survive.
10
Looking Smart
Charlie Krasner comes to
The Jewish News as its fist
managing art director.
Saul Stadtmauer
With the coming of year 5758 we further salute historical Jewish
achievements and values with a selection from the book of poetry, A
People's Epic.
10/3
1997
•-/
Walter L. Field
"I've come here to contribute cre-=-)
ativity," he said.
Krasner also comes to The Jewish
hen Charlie Krasner talks News to help implement and con-
tribute to the vision of its recent
about The Jewish News,
redesign.
it's in terms of
"I'd like to see a clearer,
"smart."
more consistent flow of mater-
Smart meaning, "hip," "intelli-
Charlie
ial that is more accessible to
gent," "interesting" and "enlight-
Krasner:
ening."
New look the reader," said Krasner.
A native of New Jersey,
for the
Those are among the many
Jewish
Krasner is a graduate of the
reasons why Krasner, 37, and a
News.
New York School of Visual
Grosse Pointe resident, has been
Arts. He also completed
named by Publisher Arthur M.
post-graduate studies in profes-
Horwitz as the newspaper's first
sional publishing at Stanford
managing art director.
University.
"Charlie brings a level of knowl-
"Bringing somebody of his
edge, creativity and sensitivity to The
caliber to The Jewish News is a real
Jewish News that will enable us to con-
tangible demonstration of our com-
tinue to be on the cutting edge of pre-
mitment to providing our readers
senting information to our communi-
and advertisers with high quality
ty well into the future."
communications vehicles," said
Krasner comes to The Jewish News
Horwitz.
from the Grosse Pointe News and the
Krasner and his wife, Maureen, an
Connection newspapers where he
area attorney, have one child,
served as art and production manager.
Harrison, 1-1/2. The Krasner family
Prior to that he was executive art direc-
are members of the Grosse Pointe
tor of AutoWeek magazine, a publica-
Jewish Community Council. El
tion of Crain Communications, Inc.
PHIL JACOBS
Editor
W