Tell_ Me Why LL toateli (248)583-1300 fax: (248)583-1305 31051 stephenson hwy madison heights, mi 48071 under new ownership On The Street Where He Lived Was Rembrandt really a resident of the Jewish Quarter of Holland? Elizabeth Applebaum AppleTree Editor I can't possibly believe this is true, Tell Me Why, but my father-in law insists you can still visit the tombs of Mordechai and Queen Esther. Do you know any- thing about this, and how reliable is my father-in- law's information? Well, to be honest, there is simply no certainly that the spot actually constitutes the tombs of the heroes of the Purim story. In fact, most scholars seriously doubt it. But the tradition exists. The supposed tombs of Mordechai and Queen Esther are in Hamadan, which is today west- ern Iran. In the middle of the city, once home to a large Jewish com- munity (believed to exceed 30,000), is a mausoleum said to contain the tombs. Modern-day historians may doubt the veracity of the legend, but Jews in Iran certainly don't. The few who still remain regard the spot as holy, and continue to pray there. I seem to remember reading that the artist Rembrandt lived in the Jewish Quarter in The Netherlands. What can you tell me about it? Rembrandt van Rijn did not live in the Jewish Quarter, but rather near it. And it's likely he didn't select the area, Breestraat, because of its proximity to the Jewish Quarter, but rather because many artists were liv- ing there at the time. Rembrandt was friendly with many Jews (and was even rumored to have Jewish ancestors himself; though schol- ars today dispute this), and made drawings of residents of the Jewish Quarter. However, many question just how often Jews really were pictured in his paintings and drawings. Probably the most prominent debate focuses on his work, The Bride, which for years was believed to show a Jewish wedding. Today, scholars doubt it. Some believe Rembrandt may have briefly met or even known philosopher Baruch Spinoza. But his closestJewish friend likely was Manasseh ben Israel, also the sub- ject of one of his etchings. Manasseh ben Israel (1604- 1657) was the founder, in 1626, of the first Hebrew printing press in Amsterdam. Today, nothing survives of the old Jewish Quarter of Holland, though the house in which Rembrandt lived is extant. Fl Do you have a question for Tell Me Why? Please mail to Tell Me Why, c/o The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, Ml 48034; fax (248) 354-6069, or e-mail: philapple@earthlink.net. All requests must be signed and include the writer's address and phone number. We reserve the right to answer only those ques- tions of interest to the general readership. V. xws.nmmmmcgi2VMM4Wr - .v.s.:-:1, EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY? The Center for Reproductive Medicine has Opened a Comprehensive New Center in Oakland County! ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATES IN MICHIGAN AND AMONG THE LEADING CLINICS IN THE U.S.A. Mostafa I. Abuzeid, M.D. THE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 3950 S. Rochester Rd., Ste. 2300 , Rochester Hills, MI 48307 • (248) 844-8845 • 1-888-852-6995 A, o- t 0- , , c y, cr/ 28580 Orchard Lake Rd., #107 (248) 855-4820 BIG DISCOUNTS PENS WRITE... A WATERMAN EXPRESSES. We Carry a Full Line of - Fountain Pens • Ball Points • Rollers - Pencils Buy Now & Save! WATERMAN PARIS + PARKER NEW DUOFOLD COLORS ELECTRIC SHAVERS CUISINART KITCHEN-AID MIXERS BRAUN-SONICARE TOOTHBRUSHES Oscar Braun's Hours: 15075 W. Lincoln. Oak Park (248) 968-5858 Mon.-Fri. 10-4 American Heart Association-0 Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke Medical miracles start with research 271 West Maple Downtown Birmingham 248.258.0212 ii Monday—Saturday 10-6 • Thursday 10-9 1/8 999 ;;;IKOAMASMtaa\AAV\..Zaik) ; I Detroit Jewish News 61