Jewry's Role in Human Affairs AT THE CROSSROADS OF GOVERNMENT Whether in the corridors of government or on pathways to it, Jewish leadership and political persuasiveness have helped shape the future of nations. GOLDA MEM (1898-1978) b. Kiev, Russia Founder and Fourth Prime Minister of Israel She was born to an impoverished family which emigrated to Milwaukee, WI, in 1906, to improve its fortunes. Although graduating as a teacher from what would evolve into the University of Wisconsin, she was diverted to political activism and the Zionist movement. Married at age nineteen to Morris Myerson, she and her sign painter husband resettled in Palestine in 1921—an event that became-the defining moment of a life given to creatin g a Jewish homeland and to its quest for survival. Respected for her plainspoken sincerity, steadfast honesty and political dexterity, Meir (her adopted Hebrew surname) forged her early career with vital posts in the Jewish Agency, the key Jewish organization in British controlled Palestine. During and after World War Two, she forcefully argued the Zionist position with the English occupiers, and in 1946 served as the "acting prime minister" of the Yishuv (the Jewish community). Two years later, Meir was a signatory of Israel's independence proclamation, the only woman in the Jewish state's first legislature, and Israel's first ambassador to the Soviet Union. Step by deliberate step, she rose in her nation's hierarchy: as minister of labor, minister of foreign affairs, and secretary general of the Mapai party. Meir succeeded Prime Minister Levi Eshkol after his death in 1969 and presided during the Yom Kippur War. In the stunned aftermath of that conflict, she left office troubled by hardships in forming an effective coalition government--although not before sowing the seeds for the Egyptian peace pact. As a mark of her courage and strength, the much beloved "team" leader had suffered leukemia during the last twelve years of life. 2/21 2003 48 BERNARD BARUCH (1870-1965) b. Camden, SC Financier and Confidant of Presidents Opposite the White House in Lafayette Square stands a park bench which memorialized the most prominent and esteemed unofficial presidential adviser in our : country's history. While seated on the tree-shaded bench, Bernard Baruch would hold court and confer with government officials on matters of economic and political=policy. His direct influence within the Oval Office, as well, touched even) administration from that of Woodrow Wilson to that of John F. Kennedy. Bernard's father, Simon (1840-1921), was equally distinguished in his time and profession: as a doctor who served in the Confederate Army, as author of a standard text on military surgery, and as the first to correctly diagnose and successfully remove a ruptured appendix--a technique he pioneered. But his son was drawn to another calling, humbly launching his career as an office boy. While still young, he entered Wall Street brokerage and amassed a personal fortune as a stock market analyst and speculator. Baruch retired from finance to chair the War Industries Board which mobilized America's economy to fight World War One. As an advisor to the American Peace Commission meeting in Versailles, he also counseled President Wilson on peace terms. His relationship with FDR was enduring and fruitful. Baruch advanced plans for New Deal programs, and again counseled on economic controls that helped win the second world war. In close collaboration with the Truman administration, he was said to have framed the President's atomic energy control strategy. More than any other American of his day, Baruch embodied the non-partisan integrity and wisdom that earned the trust of presidents and high honor as the nation's "elder statesman." -Saul Stadtmauer Visit many more notable Jews at our website: www.dorledor.org COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY Walter & Lea Field, Founders/Sponsors Irwin S. Field, Chairperson Harriet F. Siden, Chairperson 4_piri FREE Phone • Never pay tong distance again! No Roaming Charge Voice-activated Dialing 5300 MINUTES $29.99 A MONTH ANY QUESTIONS? PAGERONE cingulan WIRELESS Cellular and Paging Services Crosswinds Plaza • Next to Kroger Orchard Lake and Lone Pine West Bloomfield 248-538-2100 624880 At last, A Closet With A Place For Everything! Lunch, Learn At Adat Shalom Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz will speak on the "The Heroes of Modern Hebrew and Their Writings" at three noontime lunch and learn programs at Adat Shalom Synagogue. He will explore the history and works of heroes such as Eliezer Perlman, Peretz Smolenskin, Ahad Ha'am and Chayim Nachman- Bialik. The programs are Thursdays, March 6, 13, 20. There is a $10 charge per ses- sion. Reserve in advance by calling Charlotte Fiszbein, (248) 851-5100. Susan Stone With GOOD CLOSET KEEPING SYSTEMS® The Closet Professionals Why put up with cramped closets? Let us at Good Closet keeping Systems design the custom closets you always wanted. We can create a beautiful, functional place for all of your clothes, shoes and accessories. GOOD CLOSET KEEPING SYSTEMS Call Now for a FREE ESTIMATE & Consultation Appointment 1-888-914-9700 644. Rochelle Imber's Knit Knit Knit 855-2114 www.knitknitknit.com Accents in Needlepoint 626-3042 Orchard Mall West Bloomfield X. ‘x Sisterhood Hosts Health Seminars Young Israel of Southfield Sisterhood will hold the first of a series of good- health seminars on Sunday, Feb. 23. Dr. Julius Garden and Dr. Philip Goldrneier will address "What You Need To know About Screening for Colon and Heart Health." Men and women may attend. The cost is $5 for YIS Sisterhood members and spouses, and $7.50 for all others. Later seminars will focus on breast cancer,,organ transplant, Jewish genetic diseases, Alzheimer's and other dementia and child safety. For information, call the YIS office, (248) 358-0154. ABC's Of Judaism Recapped On Cable ffnal ffrith Presents is cablecasting "The ABC's of Judaism" featuring Rabbi Alon Tolwin, educational director of the Birmingham-based Aish Center, taped at a lunch and learn session. The program includes B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Regional President Rabbi Tolwin John Rofel inter- viewing Joel S. Kaplan, the international president. "B'nai B'rith Presents" is a weekly series produced by Steve and D.D. Fisher of A.A.A. Productions in Oak Park. It is cablecast on a regional pub- lic-access cable network. For dates, times and channels, call your cable provider or the local B'nai B'rith office, (248) 646-3100.