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!Editorials

It's A Purim Mitzvah
To Help The Less Fortunate

Historically, Purim is a day of merriment,
commemorating the Persian Jews' triumph
over the evil Haman. It's also a time to fulfill
one of the tenets of Halachah (traditional Jew-
ish law) — that is, to reach out to other Jews.
This year, Purim, the Feast of Lots, falls on
Adar 14 (March 12). On Sunday, March 1,
metro Detioit Jews will join in a holiday mitz-
vah by preparing and delivering shalach manot
(food parcels) to those in need through the
Great Purim Parcel Project. Co-sponsors
include the Agency for Jewish Education/Jew-
ish Experiences for Families and The Jewish

News.

Gift giving is one of the oldest and most
meaningful of Purim customs — and a tribute
to the spirit of Jewish charity and compassion.
Inspired by the great Jewish leader Mordecai,
conqueror of Haman, seloah manot is the prac-
tice of sending gifts of food and drink to
friends. Mattanot la-evyonim is the practice of
distributing alms to the poor.
Out of that ancient custom sprang the
Great Purim Parcel Project. Volunteers deco-
rate plates or baskets, then add at least two
kinds of kosher food (such as dried fruit, nuts,
candy, cookies or crackers) that they or others
donate. The volunteers deliver their shalach
manot to Jews in need throughout the commu-
nity.
You can participate in three wayS: decorat-
ing a plate or basket at home and bringing it
in at noon Sunday, assembling food parcels
from noon to 2 p.m., or delivering food
parcels from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting
point: Agency for Jewish Education, 21550 W.
12 Mile, Southfield.

IN FOCUS

Read during the evening before and morn-
ing of Purim, the Megillat Esther (Scroll of
Esther) relates how Haman, of the Jew-hating
tribe Amalek, drew lots (purim) to determine
when to exterminate the Jews. Haman's plot
was hatched at a time when Jewish morale was
especially low — The Temple in Jerusalem had
been destroyed, the Jewish nation had been
conquered and K'lal Yisrael (the Jewish people)
had been exiled for almost 70 years. Fortunate-
ly, Queen Esther and Mordecai, her brave
adviser, prevailed on King Ahasuerus and
foiled Haman's genocidal plot. In the end,
Haman is hanged and Mordecai becomes vizir.
The Persian Jews, according to legend,
made their triumph over evil an occasion "for
feasting and gladness, and of sending presents
to one another and gifts to the poor." Tradi-
tion calls for children to twirl groggers (noise-
makers) in derision at every mention of
Haman's name during the reading of the
Megillat Esther. Comic plays (spielen) are pre-
sented at the feast (seudah) that ends Purim.
The feast includes hamantashen ("ears of
Haman") and it's considered a good deed to
toast the holiday with wine. There's no men-
tion of God in this tale of evil ambition and
palace intrigue, but within the intricate detail
lies God's unmistakable hand. The triumph
engineered by Mordecai prompted Jews to
return to Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and
mitzvot (commandments). Doing so reawak-
ened their faith.
Join in the Great Purim Parcel Project and
practice shalach manot — for that is God's
way. ❑

To Mark Israel's Anniversary,
We Invite Reader Participation

We're planning a special edition commemorat-
ing the 50th anniversary of Israel's founding as
a state. The section's focus will be interactive as
well as informative.
On Friday, May 1, Israel Independence Day
(5 Iyar on the Hebrew calendar), we'll publish
a keepsake themed edition highlighting the
land; arts, culture, politics, history, lifestyle
and economy of Israel. We'll explore metro
Detroit's ties to Israel's founding and finances.
And we'll offer insights about traveling to the
Holy Land.
To help us with planning, we invite:
* Memories of your most meaningful trips
to Israel (note the season of your visit and
specifics about your experiences, including the
best places to see and things to do).
* Knowing if you or someone you know

was born on the date of Israel's founding —
May 14, 1948 on the Gregorian calendar.
Also, where you were and what you remember
about that day.
* Names and phone numbers of metro
Detroiters who have made aliyah to Israel or
Israelis who now live here.
Try to type responses (double spaced) and
keep them concise but complete. Accompany-
ing pictures are encouraged (print clear identi-
fications on a piece of paper taped to the back
of each and indicate a return address and day-
time telephone number).
Mail responses to: Israel's 50th, Detroit Jew-
ish News, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield,
MI 48034. Fax: (248) 354-6069. The deadline
is March 23.
Thanks for the memories!

❑

Wisdom Wagon

Education has gone interactive at the Jewish Community Cen-
ters in Oak Park and West Bloomfield. Traditions on Wheels, a
trademarked concept, allows the visitor to taste nuts and fruits
on Tu B'Shevat or a nice hunk of challah before Shabbat,
peruse a new Jewish cookbook or learn more about modern
and ancient Jewish history. Hey, you also cane get Shabbat and
Havdallah candles and pick up a tip and quip about Jewish tra-
dition and holidays. ❑

LETTERS

Message Went
Unheeded

John Paul II's Christmas mes-
sage hailing the Jews as "the
people who give Jesus to all
mankind" and calling the
Jews "Christianity's elder
brother" was a brave and elo-
quent declaration from the
head of the Catholic church
and a turning point in the
church's policy, which for 17
centuries often fostered ani-
mosity toward Jews, resulting
in hatred, persecution and
much suffering for Jews.
If Pope Pius XII, head of
the Vatican during World War
II when the horrible destruc-
tion of the Jews and the "final
solution" by the Nazis was
already in progress, would
have had the will to issue
statements as John Paul II,
hundreds of thousands of lives
would have been saved, con-
sidering the immense influ-
ence the church and the pope
extended in the overwhelm-

Pope John Paul II

ingly Catholic countries in
central and eastern Europe.
It is regrettable that in a
time when the voices of "revi-
sionists" with denial of the
Holocaust and neo-Nazi orga-
nizations are on the rise, the
Jewish media and public
opinion responded with
almost indifference to the
pope's message.
Charles Lukacs

Southfield

2/27

1998

