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DO Contents

24 riow Humane ls Kosher Killing?

Jonathan Magonet `Every Wolf Whistle ls An Assault Upon A Woman's Self-Respect'

68 Lionel BIue lnklings

Michael Freedland Why The Jewish Moguls Of Hollywood Were Afraid To Make Jewish Movies

1012141516 Lynne Reid Banks Red Alert On New Laws

David Cesarani And The Diaspora Should Be Equals

Julia Bard Giving Their Blood To A Friend

David Goldberg King David On The Pill

Alan J. Unterman Past ln Present - The Jewish Way With Time

1819 Fred Morgan Finding The Clues ln

Nicholas Tyndall `Don't Leave Me Daddy When You Split From Mummy' - As O.thers See Us

2021 Letters

David Goldberg's Last Word

Editor: Tony Bay field; MANNA 7 (Spring 1985) will in- Deputy Editor: Rabbi William clude a symposium on the moral Wolff. dilemmas posed to doctors by severe deformities in new-born babies. Editorial Board: Rabbi Colin in-mTj_u-Jbl Eimer, Rabbi Dr. Albert Fried- U-I,- lander, Rabbi David Goldberg, Dr. The for , Wendy Greengross, Rev. Dr. The .Manor House, Levy, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan 80 East End Road, Magonet, Rabbi Dow Marmur, N3 2SY Rabbi Dr. , Professor Telephone: 01-346 2288 J. 8. Segal, Dr. Alan Unterman, The cover picture is an ink-wash Isca Wittenberg. called `A Study of the ' MANNA is the Journal of the (1941 or 42) by the distinguished ar- Sternberg Centre for Judaism at the Subscription rate: £4.50 p.a. (four tist Josef Herman. An exhibition of Manor House and of the Manor issues) including postage anywhere Josef Herman's work will be held at House Society. in the U.K. Abroad: - the Centre durirlg March and will in- £8.00; Israel, Asia, Americas, clude this work (for details see back MANNA is published quarterly. Australasia -£12.00. cover). Editorial Future Leadership Of Anglo-JeuJry.. NORepresentationwithoutToleration

not, in fairness, go un- hard to find to challenge both WHO not SAID: believe in `1 legislat- DO challenged. the legitimacy and the ac- ing religion. I believe religion For they are based upon curacy of his claim to repre- should come from the con- assertions and assumptions sent all in Britain and the science'? that wither under examina- Commonwealth. For that But who wrote that mini- tion. Primarily the insistence claim is dangerously fragile. sters should `not allow their that those in the Reform and If he still claims to represent presence, or their names to be Liberal sector are in need those of us in the Reform and used for promoting or sanc- of legitimacy. We neither seek Liberal movements and our tioning any activities which nor need legitimacy from the independent friends then he could be construed as accor- Chief Rabbi or anyone else ex- must cease to lambast us as ding legitimacy to non- cept the God of , `dissidents' or `priests of an traditional Judaism'? Isaac and . We find the alien religion'. Each statement was made roots of our beliefs and prac- If he is to demand our by Sir lmmanuel Jakobovits, tices in Torah and Talmud. acceptance of his office, he the Chief Rabbi of the United And we find support for our must not interfere with our Hebrew Congregations. The stance among some of the right to talk Torah with open- first statement was made in a greatest scholars that Judaism minded men and women from Radio Four discussion with has produced in the last 200 all sections of the community. the Archbishop of York, and years. If he wishes to speak for us, the second was contained in a We in our turn challenge then he must have some letter to his own and not the legitimacy but the regard for our conscience and ministers. In the first, speak- sheer accuracy of Sir our sincere interpretation of ing about Israel, he added that Immanuel's claims and those Judaism. he did not believe majorities of his supporters. Take the If he continues to choose to should impose their will upon assertion by Rabbi Cyril Har- do the opposite, then the minorities. ris that in Judaism there are delicately balanced edifice at It is a matter for sorrow no varieties. And then tell it to whose pinnacle he now stands and regret that Sir Immanuel the followers of the Luba- will assuredly collapse. keeps his attitudes to events in vitcher , the Gerer, the That need not necessarily Israel, which he does not con- Satmarer, to those who wear frighten anybody. Facing trol, and to those in this coun- streimels and those who sport reality is the first step towards try, over which he has some the canonicals of the United robust communal health. We say, in such different com- . are prepared to represent our- partments. Let us remind Sir Immanuel selves. It is a matter for as much that his own writ can hardly We are strong enough to sorrow that in this country he be said to run in Gateshead face the challenge and from adopts intolerant attitudes and Stamford Hill. that position of strength we similar to those he condemns What, incidentally, is he shall continue to build in Israel. For instance, by per- seeking to achieve? Does he bridges. Is Sir Immanuel and sonally pressurising members think we will go away? That a his United Synagogue able to of the Manna editorial board quarter of all synagogue affili- respond? Does- the Chief Rab- to resign for expressing or- ations in Britain can be writ- bi in name wish to remain thodox views in our journal! ten off? That our members Chief Rabbi in reality? I Such attitudes damage by will be terrified into defec- causing division but they can- tion? Grounds would not be

Manna Winter 1985 February Deadline In The Onslau ht On Shechitah

HOW HUMANE IS KOSHER

does not feel pain and that the at it again. Not for the first THE R.S.P:C.A. HAVE BEEN Bv Tonv Bay field movements of the animal are the time in recent years they have result of reflexes in the spinal mounted a campaign to persuade cord centers. The muscle contrac- parliament to introduce legislation than clear cut. A recent excellent tions are uncoordinated and can- banning srfechr.f¢fe, the traditional American publication AH;.mcr/ LJ/c not be considered defense Jewish method of killing animals j.# /cw.s¢ rrmc7j.fr.o# by Elijah Judah. movements by the animal. They for meat. The Farm Animal Welfare Shochet* (sic!) quotes at some are rather reactions due to the fir- Council, a Government appointed length from the research material. ing of different centers in the ner- body, is expected to report in Quite recently Dr. I. M. Levinger of vous system and are the result of February and all the indications are the Department of Life Sciences at the anoxia in these centers. that this report will not be Bar Ilan University participated in a An animal is incapable of sens- favourable towards s¢efe;.fafe. The study carried out at the Veterinary- ing approaching death and Council has already reported un- Physiology Institute of Zurich therefore it is unable to fear or favourably on aspects of more University on the subject of suffer from the danger of death. generally used methods of sfeeAJ./oA. The study - in a country It is likewise unable to recognize slaughter. which has banned sACAz./crfe - con- the instrument of slaughter as The subject of sfechj.fcrfe throws up cluded `in comparison with other such. It may be stated with the ut- a number of crucial issues and methods of slaughter, sAch!.foA is at most probability that an animal merits closer examination. The focal least as humane as any other does not suffer physically or point of the `discussion' between the method of slaughter'. Let me quote psychologically before, during, RSPCA and the Anglo-Jewish com- enough from the Zurich study to or a,£ter shehitah. The process o£ munity is, at first glance, quite give you a flavour of its findings: pain perception requires a given clear. Sfecfrr.fcz„ is performed by a `After sAefej./¢fe the central ner- amount of time but by that time sfeofecf, a trained official of the vous system undergoes certain the activity of the brain has been community, who cuts the throat of changes. Blood pressure as well greatly impaired if not com- the animal with a razor sharp knife. as CSFP rapidly drop and pro- pletely paralysed. ' Non-Jewish slaughter is currently duce shock reactions within the I know that I'm not in a position performed by stunning the animal animal. Within 8-10 seconds, the to evaluate such scientific evidence, electrically and then shooting a bolt c enters for in aint aiming and I suspect that many A4laH#cz into its brain. According to the equilibrium lose their regulatory readers will not be either. Further- RSCPA s#chz.fafe is cruel, causing capacity. Corneal reflex disap- more, I freely admit that the the animal pain, whereas, they pears in small animals, though in RSPCA can produce contrary argue, prior electrical stunning large animals it takes 20-40 evidence and experts. Nevertheless prevents pain. Electrical stunning is seconds before it disappears. what we surely can say is that there unacceptable to the Orthodox Since it is known that the neo- is sufficient respectable scientific Jewish community since, they encephalon is more oxygen sen- evidence tg suggest. that the issue is argue, it causes brain damage prior sitive than the phylogenetically highly marginal. Leaders o.f our to death, thus rendering the animal ` tref ah' (torn) . older portions of the brain, it community are convinced that the may be assumed that the func- scientific evidence alone justifies The argument would appear, tional ability of the cortex ceases s„erfez.fafe and there is no overwhelm- therefore, to be a technical one - or within less than 10 seconds after ing evidence that electrical pre- at least start with a scientifically sfechzt¢A. Since the animal does stunning would be a major gain in verifiable statement: that modern not move within 10 seconds, it animal welfare terms. methods of slaughter cause less pain may be concluded that the animal And that is what makes the issue and distress than SACA;./¢fe. How- so puzzling. Why does the RSPCA *Ktav, New York, 1984 ever, the scientific evidence is less persist in seeking what is at best a

Manna Winter 1985 KILLING?

highly marginal gain in animal welfare which would in turn, cause real and profound inconvenience and distress to tens of thousands of Jewish citizens? One can only speculate. Certainly there have been in- stances in recent years in which breaches of the law by the Moslem community in respect of Halal meat have brought the issue of slaughter by religious communities to the fore. But regular attacks on ffech!./¢A predate the growth of our Moslem community. Furthermore, it looks as though pre-stunning will prove acceptable as far as Halal is concerned - which returns the issue to one most affecting the Jewish community. One has to remember that the RSPCA often wrestles with issues which have vast social and economic repercussions and touch huge vested interests. Successful attacks on fac- tory farming would affect everyone's food bill: the power of the drug companies and their impor- tance to the economy is well issue along similar lines to those ability to impose upon a minority an known. SfecfejtczA however has no which it exhibits on Middle East extreme hardship for obscure, com- national economic implications. matters. Inevitably I find myself plex or confused reasons; an imposi- The abolition of sfechj.f¢fe would be hinting at anti-semitism and I know tion which costs the majority a `success' with no negative effects just how utterly infuriating the nothing but gives them vague feel- on the RSPCA or the average Jewish community can be by crying ings of having been true to decent animal lover on the Clapham om- anti-semitism every time it is criticis- principles. nibus. ed whatever the issue and the merits. I am, as is apparent, unhappy And then, inevitably, one touches But the fact remains that the with RSPCA attitude - but I also upon other motivation. The RSPCA envisage a society in which think that Jewish attitudes need ex- sAefei./ofe issue has arisen in a the Royal Family hunt, fishing is the amination. Shochet suggests that number of countries. Tzarist Russia most popular sport, factory farming the area of sfeeAjfczA is a particularly tried to ban s#efez.foA. So did that is widespread but Jews cannot kill conservative one in Jewish law. He well known lover of God's creatures animals for food in their own way. suggests that this is because the Adolph Hitler -in 1933 - on the It is extremely fashionable at the dominant force behind the law is grounds that it was cruel and Nazi moment to deplore minorities who not tzaar baalei hayyim, kjmdness to society could not abide cruelty. In refuse to accept democratic deci- animals, which we like to claim as the past our own parliament has sions. But one of the potential the basis to sfee#jt¢A - `it is the tended to divide on the sfeefez./arfe weaknesses of democracy lies in its most pcrz.#/ess method' - but rather continued on next page

Manna Winter 1985 `Ever!/ wolf whistle is an assault upon a woman's self-respect' directly through manipulation of WE HAVEnessing for BEEN most of this WIT- cen- By Jonathan their men, all these have become tury, a revolution in the matters for study and action. status and role of women in our Magonet This is the ideological end of the society, and alongside it the many spectrum, but there is also a basic, new expectations it has aroused. roles, then how many other related down to earth level of human des- Two factors spring to mind of par- assumptions about their lives had to peration and degradation that ticular importance, though both are be re-examined? How much of women have had to tell about, sex- the result of long processes and have domestic life, the organising of the ual exploitation , molestation , in turn led to others. household, the caring for children, physical abuse, rape, within mar- Giving women the vote clearly was really sex-determined and how riage itself and without. These are altered the power and authority much merely followed from being the violent ends of the spectrum. women could wield in society even if tied to a household by continual But every wolf-whistle, every joke there is a long way to go till real pregnancies? In this context psycho- about a mother-in-law, or a stupid equality is reached. And, of course, logists, sociologists, anthropologists woman driver or a nagging wife, are the pill, and the general contracep- could all offer evidence of societies part of an assault upon a woman's tive revolution, freed women from in which men could play a far self-respect. We Jews are sensitive the expectation and, in fact the ex- greater part in domestic concerns to stereotypes of Jews. Cartoons of perience, of continual, repeated and even in the nurturing and rais- characters with hooked noses, jokes childbearing. ing of children. The standard con- about Jews and money, raise our Choice entered a situation that ventional male and female roles hackles. had otherwise been severely limited were not part of some unchangeable But half the population is the vic- by biology. biological law. And anyway every tim of a constant stereotyping and Women who discovered their po- advance by mankind had been made de-humanising. It may have been tential freedom began to re-evaluate by overcoming some biological almost unnoticed or unacknowledg- their self-image and all the assump- limitation from the wearing of ed in the past, but it cannot be tions they had been brought up to clothing to the invention of writing. anymore as women become increas- believe in. Why not have a career The ideological implications of all ingly self-conscious and aware of like a man? Why not have financial this were spelled out by more radical who they really are. And this is not independence? Why should any par- feminist groups. The issue of sexual merely a matter of a lack of a sense ticular type of work or role be ex- politics, the exploitation of women of humour or being oversensitive. clusively a male preserve? If women in all sorts of situations, and the fact Whether it is as women, or as an could free themselves from, or at that women had been forced to ethnic minority or as Jews, once we least take control of, their biological assert their own rights or powers in- begin to learn about the forces that continued from previous page been put forth by the enemies of Jews, to whom this is a crucial issue, Israel, . to eat meat after traditional At this point the psychology sAeA/tcrA. To force tens of thousands fidelity to the old laws of sacrifice. becomes truly difficult. We genuine- of people to become vegetarians or Shochet goes on to underline the ly cannot see that a clear scientific to live off imported American Em- fact that extra-halachic considera- case has been made out for pre- pire Poultry is utterly unacceptable. tions often reinforce conservatism stunning and bolt as being more To be sure I can see many merits to in this area of Jewish practice. He humane than sAeA;.fcrA - but how vegetarianism and that may well be quotes an American orthodox do we separate genuine concern for a direction in which Judaism ought responsum by Feinstein on animals from a host of other to travel. But if I become a the subject of the permissibility of motives by which we do not wish to vegetarian it will be by moral choice rendering the animal unconscious be manipulated? not legislative coercion. by using gas. The responsum sug- Progressive rabbis like myself But I have a nagging doubt. Let gests that this would be, theoretical- find the situation even more us suppose that it becomes apparent ly, possible but `One should put perplexing. I buy kosher meat. But that pre-stunning or some further forth every effort to achieve the an- even if I did not, I would defend to technological advance offers a clear nulment of this proposal which has the utmost the right of my fellow balance of probability that pain and

Manna Winter 1985 act upon us, about the daily assaults of what must change, within course, at the risk of being ridicul- upon our identity, dignity and self- themselves and within society. Men ed. Nothing is as conservative as a respect, we cannot go back to where have been slower to understand, religious congregation. we were before. We know that we probably because we recognise, But a synagogue is a living con- are either the victims, or the con- somewhere along the line, that we gregation not a cemetery. A woman scious or unintentional victimisers. are being forced to give up privileges who is called up to the Torah, or Neither a woman nor a man is a that we are reluctant to lose. who we;z+Is a. or a. , or mere sexual object, or a stereotype Women may be frightened to give who lays fc/j.//r.#, is actually entering or a target - we are either up their dependence on men and into her legitimate heritage. There multidimensional living and take a chance on their own inner are no fe¢/crchi.c objections to any of spiritual creatures, each unique and resources. But men are equally these practices. It is only convention special, or we are nothing. And frightened of losing their self-image that is being upset. Perhaps what wherever we begin to identify our of authority and significance before makes people nervous is the implica- uniqueness, our potential and our possibly their last captive audience. tions of such a slight action for their hope, that is where we have to begin We are all reluctant revolutionaries own lives. Men feel uncomfortable our exploration and our self- - but there is no way back to where because another bastion of male examination. We have to learn to we were before. identity and independence seems to recognise whatever dehumanises us, What is the religious dimension to be falling. Or perhaps we are and the ways in which we passively all of this? On a formal level, the de- challenged to examine things we accept and surrender to those forces mand for equal rights has legiti- have taken for granted. that dehumanise us and others. And mately entered the world of the Our own use of these objects must we must struggle against them. synagogue. In a religious tradition finally be questioned. What do they In these new understandings of where public ritual life is dominated mean for us if they mean so much male and female roles, women may by male practices, a woman is forc- for her. Can we recapture the be ahead of the game in many ways ed to try them out, however reluc- - at least in terms of an awareness power, mystery and wonder they tantly or uncomfortably - and, of continued on rie±i bad6

suffering might be reduced by its orthodox halachists and so much is will ensue, with one half of Anglo- use, my concept of A¢/¢cfeaife would outside c,omment seen as attack, Jewry being played off against the call for a development that respond- that I seriously doubt their will to other half to Jewish detriment all ed to this. Tzaar baalei hayyim response positively. Orthodox round. Such is the dilemma of the ought to take precedence as a princi- authorities will not even accept an liberal halachist: one recognises the ple in fecr/crchz.c development over American slaughter pen, preferred need for fe¢/¢cfecr# to develop but fidelity to the laws of sacrifice - the by the RSPCA and acceptable to or- one also recognises that many Jews A¢/crcfe¢¢ ought to be developed to thodox authorities in the U.S.A. who are deeply affected by fe¢/acfeofe respond to new knowledge. The fact Furthermore-if such a procedure refuse to let it develop and such that stunning may damage the brain became law - pre-stunning as obli- disagreements are fertile ground for or may disfigure the musculature or gatory before sAefej./czfe - it would exploitation. I am faintheartedly may cause haemorrhaging imme- be for them as if s#eAj.rc7A had been thankful that the RSPCA's motives diately prior to death ought to be banned completely. So, all that is re- are so murky and that the Zurich regarded as a technicality to be over- quired is for the RSPCA to seize study was so unequivocal. . ridden by greater values to which a upon this article and quote a rabbi Rabbi Tony Bay field, jfee Ed/.for o/Manna, i.s living ¢¢/¢ch¢A must respond. But as saying that pre-stunning should Director of The Manor House Centre For such is the present conservatism of be permissible and a c¢z/sc cG/Gbrc Judaism. He was for 10 years Rabbi of the Reform community in Weybridge.

Manna Winter 1985 steps towards me. Stepping into the that I must go away on a retreat unknown, even if it is a very safe I HAVE BEGUN TO REALISE once again. My religious instinct and secure unknown, is the best way tells me it is time. What surprises me of invoking His presence. `So' the always, is the strength of my in- anti-voice continues: `you insist on stincts which tell me to do no such being Goyish - all this prayer and thing. inner life, what is it but romantic Over the years I have learnt to Goyishness?' stand back from this battle of the in- The inner life, I agree, hasn't stincts, and to watch the struggle ap- been a feature of the Jewish life I've preciatively with some detachment. known, which has been a mixture of The anti-retreat voices begin with The anti-voice then continues: latkes, liturgy, communalism and their objections, which start off by `God is everywhere - you know committees. But I remember that being very high minded. `You have that there is no need to go to some the rabbis of old meditated for no time for such things', they say. God-forsaken hole in rural England hours before the ,4mj.c7¢fe and I `Judaism is a religion of this world in December. You can find Him - think of the inner conversations in and you must sit at your desk and or Her just as well with central re#czcfe and I know that I am not the over fulfill your norm. Religion heating at home can't you?' But I odd man out in Jewish tradition. means serving society. ' know the answer to that one. Of `Don't you think', says the inner I consider this, but ask myself course, I can find God everywhere anti-voice, `that counselling would what does it mean in practise? Sit- but in practise I don't. I also find in be the more scientific? You could do ting on more committees? Arrang- prayer that I have to make a step that better in London'. ing more religious divorces? towards God, before He makes two `Well yes', I reply, `the know- WHY HENRIETTA WOULD ALLOW NO-ONE continued from previous page needs all the support and solidarity we are an extended family, in which seem to hold for someone who that we can give. For ultimately they everyone can find a home, or we are comes to them afresh. Is there are taking a journey on behalf of us at worst a fraud, at best a qualified wonder left in any part of our all. failure. religious life? I have raised here many questions At a deeper religious level, we are Perhaps for women they can be and issues, some more contentious asked individually and as a com- even more disturbing - because than others. But I have not invented munity to k#ow what we know, and when another woman puts on a /c7//Jt them. They are very much part of not hide from that knowledge or it questions the whole basis of an our lives today and need to be suppress it. We recite in the daily upbringing and a traditional role in discussed and worked through by , Atah chonen l'adam da'at life. But if it does feel threatening, women alone, by men alone and by - `You grace man with the capacity that suggests that the questions are women and men together. I have to understaind' . Chonenu me'it'cha already there. And the more ner- only been able to touch a few of the deah binah v'haskel, `Grace us wr[h vous the response the more deep the points on such an agenda. I have the knowledge, the perception and questioning must be going. Neither also assumed a conventional family the understanding that come from masters nor slaves ask questions. unit as the framework within which You., One who asks has taken the first these matters must be evaluated When we become aware of some- painful step to self-understanding though this is clearly no longer the thing that affects us it becomes part and emancipation. only one. We are living in a time of our responsibility to face it and I do not know if there is a when old forms have broken down, deal with it. We have a new aware- woman's spirituality that is dif- whether we like it or not, and in the ness of the needs and explorations ferent from a man's. Maybe there confusion many new options for in- of women, and of the work of self- are only individual human expres- dividual and community life are be- understanding that must be done by sions of the desire to reach God. ing explored. Though it is a very men. We are in the middle of a new The forms we use today have a long confusing time, what is happening is stage of development of our own history, but they also had a beginn- happening and will not go away. human potential, as men and ing at some point in time, and many The single parent family, the deci- women, separately and in relation to things that were important in the sion to live alone or in some collec- each other through these times of past have fallen by the wayside. We tive way, partnerships with someone changing consciousness. We have to are all in the process of beginning an of the same sex - these are all ex- be open to the fears and difficulties exploration of the forms of Jewish isting realities explored by people experienced by those ahead of us on religious expression. But until we because they know they have to. this exploration. They have risked have tried them we cannot know Our Jewish community has to ac- exposing an intimate part of their what they will mean for us. comodate all sorts of individuals lives, we must be aware of the risks Whoever is brave enough to take a and groups if it is to have any they are taking. If we cannot share chance on exploring these forms credibility and it is to survive. Either their particular journey we must

Manna Winter 1985 ledge of myself and the knowledge courage, which has always helped God becomes a stranger it doesn't of God have to go hand in hand, or me, wobbler though I am. affect your public life of course. I shall become a fanatic or make The anti-voice is not done yet, You'll be able to gas on about reli- God in my own image, but the and now it gets to basics. `You gion and it might be quite popular former does not replace the latter. won't like it there', it says. `The - people prefer synthetics. But it God is within me, but my ego does heating will be sparse, and the tea will be gas, or like a cheque that has not limit Him -or Her'. too strong. The prayers will be too no money to back it, or like a public Listening to this inner argument, long and the food will be stodgy personality, or an empty conven- I wonder what it is I am afraid of, with too many calories, and you are tional promise. what I am avoiding. Is it that already overweight. You won't get The prospect of becoming a fraud nothing will happen in prayer, or any smoked salmon where you are to myself is more than I can bear. I that something will happen? Either going., pack up my little suitcase and slip in way causes complications. Religious But my other voice also speaks. a detective story and a half bottle of `All this is trivial stuff. OK, you experience isn't necessarily nice. It home made wine. As I get towards can mean facing yourself as you are. won't get smoked salmon, but the station, I feel that lightness But emptiness can be worse. Per- you'll get things that matter. Some which comes from not giving in. I haps I had better not put my religion companionship in that part of Rabbi r.s co#i/c#or o/ fAe Befrfe to any sort of test. It might not be religion where it really matters. Din of the Reform of Great Bri- able to stand it. The friendship of God is like any tain. He is the author of To Heaven With But if I don't, what am I left other. If you neglect a friendship Scribes And Pharisees cr#d o/A Backdoor to with? The rat race, success and and don't speak or meet for a long Hf3ayen. He writes a cookery column for the failure in wordly terms, and none of Catholic weekly The UrjIverse. A frequent time, you get out of the habit, and broadcaster, he is a regular contributor to that great reserve of power and the friend becomes a stranger. If jicrdi.o 4's Thought for the Day. TO SAYKADDISH FOR HER MOTHER respect and support it. leader could not be questioned. link. You can do that for the genera- We also k#ow the psychology of When her mother died a friend tions of your family. I must do that prejudice and of stereotyping. The o££ered to say on her for the generations of my family. more intolerant we feel about some- behalf. She wrote to him the follow- `1 believe that the elimination of thing new the more we know that ing reply which highlights both the women from such duties was never this is because it affects us deeply difficulty of doing the right thing to intended by our law and custom - and challenges our own self- help another, and the pain of some- women were freed from positive understanding. But in a strange way one taking a stand against conven- duties when they could not perform that may be the precise point at tion. them, but not when they could. It `It is impossible for me to find which we could begin to know our- was never intended that, if they selves better and the ways we need words in which to tell you how deep- could perform them, their per for- to grow. When we find ourselves de- ly I was touched by your offer to act mance should not be considered as nying what is uncomfortable or sup- as `K¢c7d7.sfe' for my dear mother. I valuable and valid as when one of pressing what is unpalatable, that is cannot even thank you - it is some- the male sex performed them. And the point at which to begin the work thing that goes beyond thanks. It is of the Kac7c7i.sfe I feel sure this is par- upon ourselves. beautiful, what you have offered to ticularly true. The things we do not face up to do - I shall never forget it. `My mother had eight daughters `You will wonder, then, that I do not disappear, they merely wait and no son; and yet never did I hear to ambush us. Stereotyping our- cannot accept your offer. Perhaps it a word of regret pass the lips of selves or others, limiting them to a would be best for me not to try to either my mother or my father that mere label or caricature, is a twen- explain to you in writing, but to wait one of us was not a son. When my tieth century sin because we know until I see you to tell you why it is father died, my mother would not better. Making ourselves more sen- so. I know well, and appreciate permit others to take her daughters' sitive to our own human and spiritu- what you say about, the Jewish place in saying Kcrc7d/.s'A, and so I am al possibilities, and recognising and custom; and Jewish custom is very .sure I am acting in her spirit when I responding to these in others is an dear and sacred to me. And yet I am moved to decline your offer.' old but ever new mj.fzt;ofe, a cannot ask you to say Koddr.sfe after The date of her letter is religious duty. my mother. September 16th, 1916. How far `The Jr¢ddf.s# means to me that Let me close with the words of a have we really moved in seventy woman who tried to assert her rights the survivor publicly and markedly years? I for religious acceptance in a male- manifests his wish and intention to Rabbi Dr. I.s fJead o/ fAc dominated world. Henrietta Szold assume the relation to the Jewish Department at College and was one of the leading figures in community which his parent had, also runs its extra~mural courses. He American and a pioneer and that so the chain of tradition re- qualified as a physician bofore becoming a worker for Youth Aliyah. Her mains unbroken from generation to rabbi. He obtained his doctorate from the credentials as a Jewish communal University of Heidelberg for his study of the generation, each adding its own book of Jonah.

Manna Winter 1985 Why The Jewish Moguls of Hollywood Were Afraid To Make Jewish Movies

the Borsht Belt - see what I mean time, but the Jew in the world of about Jewish food and Jewish films IT HAS TAKEN A VERY LONG By Michael showbusiness has almost come - which was as rfeej.mz.sA a setting as of age. Freedland a weekend at the Green Park, was Since Jews and entertainment denuded of its Jewish content like a seemingly go together like Marks of laughs by just throwing in a growing boy banned from his first and Spencer or kneidlach and dozen or two Yiddish words in the pair of long trousers. Ginger chicken soup, that may sound like course of his act. `It was the lowest Rogers, Red Skelton and Douglas the ravings of a demented sentimen- common denominator,' he charged. Fairbanks, Jnr., hardly fitted into talist never satisfied with his lot. Do A packed London Palladium didn't the world of Catskill `toomlers'. I hear someone say that I can't have agree, but I know what he mearit. The alternative was simply to ig- my latkes and eat them at the same Woody Allen with a hang-dog ex- nore the obvious - and say time? And if you think there is an pression closely resembling that of a nothing. Warmer Bros. made `J'Ac- inordinate association with food, barmitzvah boy ordered to exchange cuse', the story of the Dreyfus trial, think on - just try counting the his cricket bat for a cfewmcrsfe has without once mentioning the fact number of times you've seen a proved you can be a very Jewish that the maligned Army captain was challah cut or too strong chrane performer without resorting to a Jew. choked over on Hollywood films. everyone else's idea of a sterotype. Jack L. Warmer called his director We all know the stories of the And there you get a little closer to Vincent Sherman into the office that Jewish moguls controlling Holly- the point of my thesis. It has taken a dominated the brothers' studio like wood during its golden age, Louis very long time for Jewish humour to the bridge on a battle ship and 8. Mayer ordering the studio com- be accepted, stripped of what most demanded to know why the title missary to have an unceasing supply people would have considered its character in the film `Mr. Skeff- of, not necessarily kosher chicken most essential features, a very ington' had to be a Jew. The fact soup on its menu. But Mayer and Jewish accent accompanied by very that he was arrested by the Germans his enemies - rivals is a far too Jewish gestures. and put into a series of concentra- benign a word for their relationship It is not so long ago that the tion camps - the point of the story - were distinctly uncomfortable in whole idea of Jewish movies was being that he was a multi-millionaire their roles as Jews. greeted by the film industry, con- - seemed to pass Mr. Warner's Comedians have been telling trolled for the most part, as we have notice. The same studio boss once Jewish jokes for as long as there seen, by Jews, with a contempt bred suggested to the writing twins Julius have been Jewish tragedies. But on of a distinct fear. The men of and Philip Epstein that they might the radio they all sounded the way Hollywood who saw their own very consider changing their names Issy Bonn used to sound - which success as the perfect embodiment before it was too late. They said no was like a bad joke at a not too of the American dream were as and the name stood on the credits of sophisticated Jewish wedding. Jack frightened of putting that achieve- every film they made, including Benny once summed it up on my ment at risk as they were of seeing a ` Casablanca' . radio programme -`1 enjoy a good can of celluloid going up in flames. There had, of course, always been Jewish joke, but please not from a To many of them, the two cala- abberations. It was, after all, that gentile. They always use accents and maties were of equal magnitude. very same studio which made `Jazz things..., Therefore, stories that in the Singer' about a cantor's son who The late Mr. Bonn, no relation to original featured New York's East prefers the theatre to the synagogue. the old matzah firm - here I go Side were transferred in ways un- Nineteen years later, Columbia - again - wasn't a gentile. But any- imaginable to their writers to small- controlled by another Jew, Harry one old enough to remember him town New England. Synagogues Cohn - made one of the most suc- will confirm that he told jokes about became churches. Rabbis were cessful `biopics' ever, about the life Jews the way non-Jews expected to Christian ministers - or judges, a of the man who made that first talk- hear them. neat Americanisation, the signifi- ing picture. `The Jolson Story' was That very enterprising performer cance of which probably escaped the for years second only to `Gone With Bernard Spear upset Larry Adler - attention of those involved. The Wind" in the box office no mean hand at a good joke him- Having A Wond.erful Time, ratings, and both that and its sequel `Jolson Sings Again' featured scenes self - for raising a huge avalanche about a troupe of entertainers on

Manna Winter 1985 As the years have progressed, the situation has changed. `The Pawn- broker' was a classic, beautiful story about a legacy of the Holocaust. Rod Steiger's portrayal was brilliant - as was his two decades later of the rabbi in `The Chosen'. The fact that Mr. Steiger is not Jewish only added to the maturity of the produc- tions. `Fiddler on the Roof' changed much of people's thinking. On stage and on film, a Jewish musical was not just a possibility, it seemed a recipe for sure-fire suc- cess. `The Rothschilds' by the same team, which did not come to Britain and `Barmitzvah Boy', which did not leave Britain, proved that ain't necessarily so - to quote a Jewish songwriter, which is another ball- game altogether. Streisand made `Yentl' last year amid a flood of protests from peo- ple in the industry who begged her not to do so. A generation earlier, no matter how strong her will, she would no more have been allowed to line up a camera team for such a project than a real Yentl would have been permitted to say Kaddis¢. And yet, and yet. All of these were Jewish stories because they were about Jewish types. In all the in synagogues and a yamulka- Israel, - an event which had it in- years in which films have been wearing cantor who, strangely volved any other people would have made, there has been only one enough, is delighted that his son produced as many film stories as the movie whose only Jewish theme was marries out. Wild West, - has counted for a that the central character happened In Britain, `Jew Stlss' examined mere handful of movies. `Sword In to belong to a Jewish family. The the problems of blood libel and Jew The Desert', the first, was banned in homosexual Jewish doctor played hatred a good four years before the Britain because its writer Benn by a marvellously sympathetic Peter Kristalnacht presaged the coming Hecht had stupidly said that his Finch in `Sunday Bloody Sunday' Holocaust. heart did a little dance every time a didn't talk with his hands, exag- In the States, `Abie's Irish Rose' British soldier was killed in gerate his lips, use strange intona- dwelt on the delights of inter-faith Palestine. `Exodus' was a huge hit, tions of his voice. But when he went relationships - the kind that would probably in spite of itself. `Cast A to a family function it was in a syna- have had traditional Jews sitting Giant Shadow' was such a flop that gogue. When he attended the bar- shivah. its writer-director Melville mitzvah reception, it was a dignified At the end of the war, the very Shavelson wrote a book about it affair in which the doctor was clear- drama of the times meant there were called `How To Make A Jewish ly a highly cultured man. certain issues that couldn't be ig- Movie'. The message was that you When that becomes the norm, the nored. `Gentleman's Agreement' can't, or rather, you shouldn't. Jew in films, to say nothing of the and `Crossfire' looked seriously at Was Mrs. Dollie Levi, the central cinema itself, will finally have anti-semitism. But they were merely character in `Hello Dolly' Jewish? grown up.I two pictures produced in a couple of Even without Barbra Streisand in years at a time when earcfe of the the lead - a classic piece of Michael Freedland, prodwcer aHd prese#fer Hollywood studios was turning out miscasting - she plainly was. Ex- of the BBC Radio London twice-weekly pro- at least one new movie every week. cept that in the film, she and Walter grc7mme You Don't Have To Be Jewish, /.a /Ae For years, there were no films of a#fAor o/So Let's Hear the Applause -the Matthau married in a lovely little story of the Jewish Entertainer, pwb//.sAed by Jewish interest at all. The birth of white church somewhere on a hill. Vallentine-Mitchel!.

Manna Winter 1985 RED ALERT ON NEW LAWS

matter for what political quid pro THE article PURPOSE is to alert OFthe Diaspora THIS quo's, it would be very difficult ever community to draft legislation to recind them. And they would lead in Israel which, if it were to pass in- Israel towards a theocratic morass to law, would affect - not only very little, if any, less rigid and Israelis and visitors to Israel, those repressive than the Homeinism of who might wish to immigrate or Iran. whose children might do so - but I do not propose to enter into Reform Jews even if they remain in detail here about the mass of pro- the Diaspora. posed legislation governing such The proposed legislation was areas of public life in Israel as ar- drawn up by Israel's religious par- chaeology, scientific and medical ties before the recent elections. matters, and the regulation of Sab- Under a Likud government much of bath work and transport. Suffice it it was expected to enter the statute to quote from a working paper books sooner or later, and without prepared for Israel's religious par- encountering much opposition, even ties by the director of the rabbinical from Labour - such are the courts, Rabbi Simcha Meron. `realities' of Israel's political "Knesset legislation will system, where the religious tail often guarantee that public transportation wags the secular dog. Since the ad- will cease throughout the country vent of a government of national before the beginning of the sabbath unity, the danger of these proposals or holiday and will resume only becoming law has probably receded, after (it) has ended. The ban will due to more pressing economic and cover even chartered trips by private military priorities. But the religious groups. The law will stipulate a fine parties, who drew up and presented or one-year prison sentence for these draft laws prior to the election violators of this law. Likewise, the as their `price' for joining any airports and harbours will be shut Knesset faction, are well aware of down on the sabbath. the swing to the Messianic Right `An amendment to the existing which has overtaken Israel over the law of work and rest hours will past 7 or 8 years, and are now confi- stipulate that no permits to work on dent that sooner or later they can the sabbath based solely on thoroughly shatter the time- economic considerations or for honoured `status quo' arrangements entertainment purposes will be which have obtained since the birth issued. In addition, the existing ban of the state, and bring their dreams on employing Jewish labour on of a Torah state closer. Some rabbis will be extended to have ambitions eventually to do include the employment of non- away with cr// the modern legislation Jewish labour in Jewish areas.' - among the most advanced and This sets the tone for a wide- enlightened in the world - which spread of oppressive, discriminatory has been passed in Israel since 1948, and coercive religious legislative and replace it with some form of proposals which would damage Sanhedrin. women's rights, restrict medical ad- This sounds melodramatic, and vances and inhibit archaeological the zealots acknowledge with regret and historical research. that these are only projections so What concerns me here is the pro- far. But the legislation they have put posed changes to the Laws of Per- forward, which is waiting in the sonal Status. These laws were drawn wings, is drastic and reactionary up in 1953 as an elaboration of enough to make it alarming that so those pragmatically formulated by few people, in or outside of Israel, the British during the mandate. seem to be aware of it or of its im- Basically they gave jurisdiction on plications for the future of that matters of personal status of Israelis country and its citizens and sup- to their own religious authorities: porters. If these measures did slip Jews to the rabbinate, Moslems to through, even gradually, and no the kadis, Christians to the chur-

10 Manna Winter 1985 Read Banks

ches. Mixed marriages were dealt dogma. with by a special court (although of I offer below a number of the course there has never been any pro- more important points of change vision for civil marriage, and `mix- being proposed to the 1953 Laws of ed' couples had to be married Personal Status, some of which abroad). All these religious courts would affect Reform and other non- were autonomous, but there were orthodox branches of Judaism in always the high courts, which had Israel and in the Diaspora. the final say and to which citizens Under the proposed new laws, could turn for appeal against any Jew, whether a citizen of Israel judgements they felt to be wrong. or not, who applied to the Israeli This system has worked rabbinical courts, might gain a moderately well, although it in- divorce. This would mean that an evitably gave rise to anomolies. For Orthodox Jew married to a non-Jew instance, the rabbinate have never or a Reform Jew could go to Israel recognised marriages of Jews to for a short stay, obtaining tem- non-Jews, although many such exist porary residence status, and obtain in Israel. In the late 1950's a case a divorce from his wife even if she was taken to the high court which were not there. It would also mean set a precedent affecting many hun- that a non-Jew or Reform Jew living dreds, perhaps thousands of such abroad could get a divorce, without couples (including, incidentally, the even going to Israel, from his Jewish present writer.) The plaintiff wife, if she happened to be an Israeli demanded the right to have his `mix- citizen. In other words, the rab- ed' marriage, contracted abroad, binate seeks to extend its jurisdic- recognised by the Ministry of the In- tion to `mixed' couples, previously terior, and this was granted. Since dealt with by a separate authority. then, any marriage which was legal- The trouble this would cause in ly contracted anywhere in the world Israel' s international relations has been able to be registered by through its interference with the Israelis whose domestic situations lives of citizens of other countries would otherwise be subject to all needs not to be stressed. kinds of bureaucratic difficulties. Not only any marriage but any Many hundreds of such cases divorce not carried out according to have been taken to the high courts the strictest criteria of fro/ac„arfe and in over 100 of them, the deci- would not be recognised by the rab- sions of the religious courts have binate. Any immigrant couple who been overturned, either on a pro- wished to be considered `kosher' by cedural basis, or on a basis of the Israeli standards would have to have legal concepts of Public Policy or their prior marriage ratified by the Natural Justice. The most recent rabbinical courts there, and if they such case that I can recall was that did not do this, or if the courts of a woman who lived as a Jew in would not ratify their marriage (if it Israel for many years, but whose had not been an orthodox one), they halachic claim to Jewishness was could not have recourse to any court faulty. She was buried in a Jewish for purposes of divorce, alimony, cemetery but was exumed by custody or any of the other zealots. The woman's daughter ap- prerogatives of the rabbinate. This pealed to the high court, which would of course have a particularly ordered the reinternment of the severe effect on women and their body and decreed that a guard be rights. To give just one example: If placed at the graveside. This case, a woman married again following a which gave enormous offence to Reform divorce, her children from both religious and secular Israelis, her second marriage would be ac- expressed the deep schism in the na- counted mczmzcrJ.in. And in case the tion between the two points of view point is made that if her first mar- which would be greatly exacerbated riage was by a Reform rabbi it by any substantial shift toward a stricter imposition of religious continued on next page

Manna Winter 1985 iL ISRAEL AND THE DIASPORA SHOULD BE EQUALS where there is less pressure to DESPITEwhich has THE descended CALM on By assimilate and more room to pro- Israel-Diaspora relations in vide the means for Jewish continuity recent months, the underlying con- David Cesarani - and communal tradictions exposed by the crises services. Secondly, after the which ran from the Lebanon inva- based fundamentally on the Holocaust, the inspiration to remain sion to the election this year remain denigration of the ga/#f. Jewish or the desire to deny the as serious as ever. Does the But current history writing is re- Nazis a `posthumous victory' has Diaspora have the right to criticise habilitating Jewish life before 1939, transformed the attitudes of many Israel? Does it have a right to exist revealing the resilience of Diaspora young Jews. at all? Or is Israel exploiting world communities and the events which The history of anti-semitism and Jewry, with no thought of its future, overwhelmed them. Assimilation the Holocaust is being similarly draining it of funds and risking it in was less drastic than believed revised. Rejecting the teleology that defence of its foreign policy? previously; we know now that there assumed the inevitability of the The conflict over these questions was a revival of Jewish cultural and Holocaust, historians now see puts the focus on the proper rela- political activity in the years before Jewish communities effectively tionship between Israel and the the First World War. In any case, combatting anti-semitism before Diaspora. And I will try to show attempts to extrapolate from the so- 1914. Even the virulent Jew-hatred how a/;.};ofe and fundraising have called assimilation of the Emancipa- of the two decades before 1939 can- pernicious effects on both Israel and tion era and the inter-war years and not be separated from an arbitrary the Diaspora. to draw `lessons' are meaningless. conjunction of events. And again, The Israel-Diaspora relationship Firstly, most Jews live today in fair- after the Holocaust, the terrain of is an ideological construction. It is ly tolerant, pluralistic societies anti-semitism has been transformed.

continued from previous page sometimes mitigated, but which rab- converted abroad by other than or- bis, without .a glance at modern thodox authorities would not be ac- should, by the same token, be con- jurisprudence, apply rigidly in each cepted as Jews for the purposes of sidered null, this would not be the Case. the Law of Return or anything else. case. The so-called `doubtful mar- Sometimes in the past, when a Nor, in the cases of women, would riage' still requires a gef, but as a woman urgently seeking a divorce their children. Reform gcf would not be valid, it is has been `bargained down', cases All these and many other laws, hard to see how she could free have been brought to the high court based on age-old interpretations of herself once she was in Israel. in her child's name for additional the Torah, the rabbinate seeks to All matters relating to maintenance. This could not happen apply retroactively to all past maintenance, alimony and custody under the new laws. The settlement judgements of the rabbinical courts. would be at the sole dispensation of decided upon by the rabbis at the This would be a departure from all the rabbinate. This too would be time of the divorce would be final. legal norms of the 20th century. As likely. to prove very hard on women. In fact, all decisions about the to the possibility of appeal to higher It is well known that at present the custody of children, their mainten- authorities such as the Attorney rabbinical courts generally grant ance and education, at present sub- General, I can do no better than about half the sums of alimony and ject to revision if circumstances quote from the director of the rab- maintenance which a woman gets on change, would be impossible to binical courts of the State of Israel, appeal to the high court. As to revise. The purpose of this, and Rabbi Simcha Meron, who was custody, the rabbinical courts are much else in the proposed legisla- responsible for the preparation of the only ones in the western world tion, is evidently to close off all op- the drafts. who do not adopt the general tions for modifying or evading rab- `It is of the utmost importance to precept, in cases involving children, binical rulings, which would be free all proposed legislation from that `the child's welfare is para- presumed to be immutable and the bonds of government bureau- mount'. There are hard-and-fast sacrosanct. cracy and from disruption of the rules - such as that any son over Since the definition of `Who is a legislative process by the Attorney- the age of six must live with his Jew' would lie exclusively with the General - so that legal opinions of father - which the civil courts have rabbinate, it follows that all those the Attorney-General cannot delay

12 Manna Winter 1985 The accepted ideas about Zionism Israel presupposes a model or a set ferior status: to subordinate Jews are also being challenged. Studies of of models of `authentic' Jewishness outside of Israel and to stifle the Zionist Movement around the which it is hard to take seriously, cultural, social and political in- world show that it needs to be not least because no-one in Israel itiatives. 4/J.);¢A is an expensive understood as the product of com- can agree on what even constitutes a joke. It functions effectively to `Jew'. This confusion exists because munal politics, generational revolt demobilise Jewish criticism of Israel and the search for a modern Jewish there is no model of Jewish authen- and to manufacture the guilt of non- identity, for all of which, cr/z.);c7fe and ticity. Since the late 18th century, residence. Organised cz/j.);ode for a Palestine were of marginal there has only been a series of ex- miniscule number of Jews keeps significance. periments, a growing multitude of alive the notion that it is possible Even if the historical assumptions traditions and models, secular and and desirable for all Jews to live in are fallacious, it could still be religious. Modern `orthodoxy' was, Israel. `You can't criticise because argued that Israel needs people and invented in the early l9th century; you don't live here', is the most fre- money, and that a Jew can only live the tradition of Jewish socialism quent riposte to the `dissenter'. The an `authentic Jewish life' there. Yet predates Zionism. Time and tradi- sense of `failure' it instills in the vast a country that can afford to expor.t tion are equivocal arbiters of majority provides the JIA with the 300,000 of its population cannot modern Jewish identity. This confu- leverage it needs to extract their seriously preach the need for im- sion embraces Israel too, where money. `Armchair Zionism' is `foreign' influences adulterate migration. Even less needs to be said mocked as a poor substitute for the about the financial support of the Hebrew culture and local creative `chalutzic' ideal, but this is taken to Diaspora which is insignificant in figures are execrated for their views. show the `inauthenticity' of terms of the aid extended by the Sometimes it is even suggested that Diaspora life and the truths of `authentic' Jewish values now sur- USA. Even if JIA funds formed a Zionism. This secures the efflux of significant part of the `social vive only in the Diaspora. Israel of- wealth to Israel which is crippling budget', this just releases other fers one arena for experimenting in the Diaspora and the resulting col- funds and the unconditional flow of Jewish living - with advantages lapse of Diaspora institutions is seiz- money has only encouraged the and disadvantages for the religious ed upon as confirmation of the country to pursue lunatic fiscal and the secular Jew. But if the no- pessimistic Zionist prognosis. The policies: it is a merry-go-round of tion of `authenticity' is discarded, inferiority of the g¢/#f is essential to giving and taking that damages what is the real function of ¢/j.}JcrA, this bizarre and degrading process: Israel and the Diaspora. the JIA and Zionism? it simply could not take place be- Finally, the claim that an `authen- I would suggest that these institu- tween acknowledged equals. tic' Jewish life is only possible in tions exist to give the Diaspora in- continued on next page

implementation of proposed legisla- the prescribed three; witnesses are along with the claim of Orthodoxy tion. If a proposed measure is not in not called; the views of social there to a monopoly on Jewish fami- accordance with existing law, the workers in custody cases are not ly legislation and national culture. law is to be amended to allow for sought and so on. Deviation, loop- The true tradition of Judaism - its the measure's implementation.' The hole logic and trickery are practised mainstream - has always been for ruthlessness indicated here in the daily, usually in the interests of male progressiveness, development and process of passing the proposed petitioners at the expense of women. tolerance. The great Jewish sages of laws would undoubtedly find an The letter rather than the spirit of the past have known how to modify echo in the way in which, once pass- the law is what matters, but even the and adapt Judaic law to new eras. If ed, they would be implemented. letter is often bent. this wealth of accumulated and Apart from the obvious dangers It is natural enough that those humane wisdom which has been of giving exclusive and irremediable parts of the proposed legislation built in to Israel's legal system is to charge of all family matters into the which would affect the everyday life be curtailed, and if this modern hands of men who take no cogni- of citizens have attracted far greater democratic nation is going to be sance of the modern era, the views attention inside Israel than those dragged into the quicksands of blind of many with experience of th; which would affect certain fundamentalism, it will be a tragedy workings of these courts today are categories of potential immigrant. far greater than any Israel has ever very negative. One lawyer has com- Besides, unfortunately Israel lacks suffered.I pared the system unfavourably with an effective civil rights movement the legal system in Turkey, stating with widespread support which that the rabbinical courts are in a could actively fight retrogressive state of `medieval and demonstrable and fanatical measures. These might chaos'. The majority of cases which therefore quite easily creep into get overruled by the high court do so Israel's statutes almost by default, Lynne Reid Banks, cr#fAor o/ /Ac L-Shaped on procedural grounds, due to the because Israelis cannot see that they Room and a clutch of sul)sequent best-sellers, fact that the rabbis do not even stick really matter very much. is married to an Israeli sculptor. Although currently resident in London, she lived in to their own rules of procedure. It would be disastrous if the mass Israel for many years and is passionately Sometimes two judges sit instead of of Jews in and out of Israel went committed to its welfare.

Manna Winter 1985 13 Do Zionists `police' us? continued f rom previous p`Sge BOOKS The current operation of Zionism .people: the JIA and the Zionist is no less unedifying. The unques- political machine exist to police the tioning political defence of Israel Diaspora. Giving Their has invited obloquy, maximised the The alternative to this cata- vulnerability of Diaspora Jews and strophic process is not necessarily to Blood To minimised their ability to query the legitimate the gal/w/ and consequent- rectitude of Israel's policies. These ly to de-legitimate Israel. The have led Jewish communities into futures of Israel and the Diaspora A Friend potentially disastrous confronta- have to be de-coupled. Israel rests tions with their national govern- on better grounds than its function ments. The danger of such adven- as a possible refuge for Jewry or the Bv Julia Bard turism has been increased by the repository of a mythical `authen- I Didn3t Say Goodbye by Cliandine changed conditions in which it is ticity' . Both these claims are danger- Vegh. Translated by Ros Schwartz. •now conducted. The conflict with ous. If anti-semitism miraculously Caliban, £7.95 hardback. £3.95 the Arabs, broadened out into a disappeared, would Israel become paperback. conflict with , has spread anti- redundant? If the Diaspora Israel feelings amongst Third World flourishes, does Israeli society lose Muslim peoples, in their home its validity? With the growth of free, after the liberation of France, countries and in countries where pluralistic societies, the likelihood NEARLYthe children FORTY of Jews YEARS deported they form immigrant populations. of Jewish continuity in the Diaspora by the Nazis are still shackled by in- This has combined with the anti- strengthens - but this should not visible chains. The devastation Zionism of black populations who affect Israel's r¢/.so# c7'€/rc. Israel wreaked by round-ups, name increasingly identify with Third has its own inner dynamic, a power changes, yellow stars and being World issues, and political anti- that stems from the intrinsic inspira- moved from place to place like un- Zionism, mainly on the Left. tion of the historic Zionist Move- wanted goods is only now beginning Lumped together, this is identified ment and the enormous creativity of to emerge. as anti-semitism by the defenders of its present day society. Ln I Didn't Say Goodbye, Israel. It is a dubious conflation, By the same right, Jews live in the Claudine Vegh, herself the daughter but exactitude may not be the Diaspora and will continue to do so. of deportees, has taken a brave step primary criteria: conflating anti- Freed from the teleology of the into this dark world. She has inter- Zionism with anti-semitism has the Holocaust and the historiography of viewed 17 people in their 40s and dual effect of deflecting and disarm- decay, Diaspora communities might 50s, all of whom lost at least one ing anti-Zionists and traumatising experiment more boldly with the parent. Some are the sole survivors the Diaspora into support for mechanics of continuity. With the of their families. None have talked classical Zionism. help of resources that would accrue about their lives before, even to Once anti-Zionism is merged with if they qualified their servile rela- those closest to them, and most were anti-semitism, Jewish communities tionship with Israel, Jews all over ambivalent about speaking out now. are able to mount an almost Mccar- the world might develop a whole What they have given us is a poig- thyite persecution of those who new range of Jewish identities, nant picture of the price of survival. criticise Israel. They are dubbed a modes of living and structures for There are occasional chinks in the threat to Israel and a danger to reproducing Jewish society. This wall of inhumanity that has over- Diaspora Jews. The smear of anti- needs a restructuring of Israel- shadowed their lives: marqzt!.scrrds semitism, often used against Diaspora relations and of the in- who smuggled families into the scrupulous critics of Israel, is an at- stitutions that aspire, dishonestly, to unoccupied zone; railway workers tempt to demobilise censure by non- negate the Diaspora. To live and who delivered messages thrown Jews; but it also has a function in- flourish here, we must negate the from the trains to the camps. One of ternal to the Jewish community. It negation. I the participants in the book, who makes it appear as though Jewish received a card saying `Boubele look opponents of Israeli policies are after yourself . We are on our way to siding with Jew-haters. The in- Auschwitz. I love you, Mummy.' cidence of this alleged anti-semitism But for the most part their stories is then manipulated as evidence that are desolate. the old evil is not dead yet - further Today most of these `children' proof that Israel is more necessary are successful at work and apparent- than ever. The Jewish critic is ly cope normally with their lives. denied a voice because he doesn't Yet each one carries a Pandora's live in Israel, because he is not an box of explosive memories. `authentic' Jew and because he is Dalvid Cesamrfu teaches history at Leeds Though they `know' who holds aiding the enemies of the Jewish University. responsibility for their parents'

14 Manna Winter 1985 KING DAVID ON THE PILL Goc7 Jr#ous by Joseph Heller, intensely Jewish way he continues to Jonathan Cape, London, 1984, 353 By David rail against God, even when claim- pp., £8.95 net. ing no longer to believe in Him. Goldberg What David cannot forgive is that God killed the first child of his illicit union with Bathsheba. `1 would FORGETresponse THE to this LUKEWARM novel of main- Quotations. Like all authors, he is ly gojJj.sfee reviewers not over- touchy about his rivals. Homer have given my own life to save my familiar, I would guess, with the Bi- doesn't know how to structure a baby's, and even to spare Ab- ble, especially Samuel I and 11. In plot. Milton can only get better after salom's. But that may be because I fact, God Jr#ows is well worth SarmsoH 4go#j.s/es, Shakespeare is a am Jewish, and God is not'. treating yourself to. If not as dazzl- second-rate plagiarist who stole the As Clive Sinclair, Literary Editor ingly original as Ccrfcfe 22 - what idea for Hamlet''s antic disposition of , perceptive- could be? - or as painfully authen- from David's behaviour before ly picked up in a recent interview tic as Something Happened, it is at Achish the King of Garth. , with Heller, it is this harrowing con- least as scabrously funny as Gooc7 crs far from being wise, is an ox-like cern with a father's responsibility Gold. k/z//z who laboriously copies down for a child's death that links David King David is awaiting his death. every proverb and saying of his to Slocum, the narrator of his His beautiful Shunamite hand- father's. Something Happened, a.nd tiikewise maiden cannot warm him, his Even Bathsheba has a go at com- •inprovides God Knows. the most poignant writing favourite wife Bathsheba is pester- position, but David lets her know ing him to declare Solomon the next that her `The Lord is my shepherd' Whatever the reason for this need King. is rubbish and she should stick to to exorcise a terrible memory, one David is not only old, but also marcrame. can see why the life of King David omniscient. He knows what went David's central relationships are would appeal to Heller. And if there before, and what will come after, in- with Bathsheba and Joab. The por- are disappointments in GocJ K#ows cluding Shakespeare, Milton, Eins- trait of Bathsheba is an endearing they are that the inventiveness flags tein, the pill and the PLO. He looks one. Heller has always been good at in the novel's last quarter. Unlike the earlier book which is, for me back on his long career in a mixture painting sexy, earthy, louche of King James Version English and women. Similarly he catches well and many others, the best piece of modern Brooklynese, more con- that uneasy bond between two fiction in English since the War, the cerned about his literary than his m¢/I.OSJ. which binds David to his author does not here fully confront political reputation, especially to de- general who bears more than a pass- the situation of a grieving father and fend himself against the charge that ing resemblance to Arik Sharon. a silent God. But that apart, this is his mellifluous elegy on the death of Other felicities abound, among still a wry, funny, shrewd reworking Jonathan is a coded allusion to `that them a hilarious foreskin-culling of the life of the Bible's most reprehensible love that dare not scene as David collects the dowry to glamorous, sensual, human charac- speak its name.' win Saul's daughter Michal. ter, the `King of flesh and blood'. The literary joke runs through the The novel's main theme, though, novel and is beautifully handled, as is David's anger against God. As he David blithely appropriates for his says, `1 have had three fathers in my Rabbi David Goldberg o/ /fee i;.Z7era/ Jewj.srfe own passages from elsewhere in the life - Jesse, Saul and God. All Synagogue was one of the Ben Azai co[umn- Bible and from every Dictionary of three have disappointed me'. In an J.sf5 i.H /Ae Jewish Chronicle.

deaths, many echoed Madeleine's of the Nazis. have brought only unbearable grief, feelings: `I'm going to admit some- The importance of this book is obsessed by the past but unable to thing appalling to you. I can't not simply as a testament to those share the burden of their history. forgive him, I can't forgive my whose lives were branded by the It has taken enormous courage father for letting himself be deport- Holocaust. It is not just therapeutic for them to tell their stories, as the ed without trying to escape his fate. for the people themselves, but words of one of them show: `1 knew I know what I'm telling you is dis- politically important for all of us to that it would be painful, but ... par- graceful, but I must tell you what I know the extent of the damage that ticipating is like giving blood to a haven't been able to get off my chest was done. friend .. a source of life'.I for 35 years.' These children didn't simply feel Madeleine's father was, in fact, a abandoned; they were abandoned. member of the Bw#c7 (a Jewish Not by their parents but by a world Socialist group) who threw himself that wouldn't stand up for them. ]ulla Bard was born in London in 1950 and on to the electric fence rather then Today they live in a half world, at studied at York University. She has lived in Israel and Zambia and works as a freelance be designated a Kapo at Auschwitz. odds with a painful and contradic- journalist. She is a leading member of the But logic has no part in the legacy tory Jewish identity that seems to Jewish Socialist Group.

Manna Winter 1985 15 PAST IN PRESENT

past lives on in the present. FOR This MANY is a defining PEOPLE characteristic THE of tradition-based cultures. Are there indeed any other kind of cultures? For the religious Jew, however, the Jewish past is so very much alive in the Jewish present that the pre- sent actually lives on in the past. This paradox is at the heart of the Jewish view of revelation and of its approach to history. To say that the past is alive is not to claim that it is all equally alive - we would be overwhelmed by its many motifs and perspectives if this were so. Nor can we quantify what actually lives from what is just tradi- Charles Front tion. The living past changes in each generation, it is newly created in its contemporary message. Our chil- dren, or their children in turn, as religious Jews committed to respon- The Jewish Way With Time ding to the God of Abraham speak- ing through that past may well em- By Alan J. Unterman phasise a different configuration of living past and tradition. Indeed the holy dead past, but as Torah, what is being taught (Menachot they may rediscover the divine voice the living past. In both the aggadic 2;9b). Yet E[nd aggadah .Tn calling them from areas of Jewish and halakhic sections of the Talmud general view the past as contem- experience to which we cannot res- and midrashic literature the porary in its religious orientation. pond. This should occasion little characters of the Bible `walk and Even today a 20th century halakhist surprise if we reflect on the past talk' with R. Simeon bar Yochai, when dealing with the characters which our grandparents inhabited with R. Akiva, with R. Meir. From and events of the Bible sees their ac- - or which inhabited our grand- one point of view this is a bringing tivities in terms of current thinking parents. Their past differed from alive of the past in the present, view- about the halakhic process. Thus, ours by only two generations. But ing the ancients as concerned with for instance, the quarrel between leaving those two eventful genera- the problems and issues of 3rd cen- Esau and Jacob over the birthright tions aside, how distinct our living tury Palestine or 4th century and its blessings might be past is from theirs, despite the con- Babylonia. But at the same time it is understood in terms of a pilpulistic tinuity of the same overall tradition. living the present in the still living (fine) distinction between the bir- The living past is that part of our past itself. thright as inherent status, Esau's tradition that we reinterpret in con- This modus operandi is an affront view and as extrinsic status which is temporary terms, so that it con- to moderns, for we have a very fine- thus transferable, Jacob's view. tinues to speak to us directly in the tuned sense of history, of the dif- This ancient fratricidal quarrel then here and now. This is not an exercise ferences between our age and other becomes part of an ongoing debate, in paleontology, archaeology or ages. It may seem quaint, childlike, just as the disagreements between history, interesting and exciting as and, above all, it is impossibly Maimonides and his main critic R. such discovery of the past may be. It anacronistic. How can in/.drasrfe have David of Posquieres are seen is an attitude of mz.c7ros„. Just such the ch#fzpcrfe to play such intellec- pilpulistically in terms of modern an attitude allowed the rabbis of the tually unacceptable chronological. halakhic categories. Jacob and Talmudic era to live as contem- games? Yet it self-consciously does Esau, Rav and Shmuel, the Ram- poraries of the Patriarchs, of so, and there is little reason to bam and the Ravad, all inhabit the Moses, of Deborah, of Isaiah, of believe that the rabbis of old were same present from the point of view Esther, and of Ezra. They talked of unaware that mj.drtzsfe is distinct of the living past. At the same time them and understood them not as from history. The Talmud itself tells we inhabit their time zone, we history, the dead past, not even as the story of Moses entering the class engage them in our discussions. Do sacred history or salvation history, of R. Akiva and not understanding not Adam and Lilith face the pro-

16 Manna Winter 1985 blems of feminism and of a wife of the past to write about, to explain have secularised mJ.c7rcrsA and ¢g- who wants an independent life? Do and to provide a casual picture. The gc7d¢fe as revisionist history. But we we not still face the choice of an choice of whether to view the past in are all greater or lesser sinners in Eden that cocoons us or a freedom terms of a general historical setting this regard. Most of the time we that exiles us from God in the or of a midrashic/aggadic setting is take up a stance on the historical knowledge of our nakedness? an ideological choice. The mj.c7rasfe side of the interface, and we are To regard this whole way of defines the purpose of ¢ggcrc7c}fo in a tempted to justify the oggedoA in thinking, with all its intricate detail comment on the words in currently acceptable historical of wheels within wheels and level Deuteronomy: ` ... to love the Lord terms. This is, in tlie last.analysis, after level of eisegesis, as bad your God, to walk in all His ways, an utterly sterile undertaking for ag- history is to misunderstand its pur- and to cleave to Him' (11:22). It gadic thinking is an explicit rejec- pose. As an explanation of the past, says: `Do you want to recognise who tion of historical thinking. For the textual or otherwise, it is an adven- it was who spoke and the world aggadah, als for the halakhah, the ture in meaningfulness. What is came into being? Then study ¢g- past is alive, is contemporaneous, most meaningful is what is contem- gcrc7¢fe, for from this you will know and we move and live and have our porary, otherwise an interest in the the Holy One, blessed be He, and spiritual being in it. For this to be so past is an escape from the present. cleave unto His ways' (Sz/rc Ekev we must approach it in terms of the That the Bible seeks to convey 49). small, the personal, the meaningful. meaning is aparent from the The purposes of writing history It is all message, all ror¢fe. In the cosmology of the beginning of have nothing to do with such a classical languages of czggoc7ofe and Genesis. One of the striking features definition, nor one may add have midrash a.nd halakhah, Hebre;w aLnd of the whole creation story and the the purposes of any academic Aramaic, this is still possible. It is origin of the human species is the scholarship as such. also possible in Yiddish, perhaps small, personalised orientation of Midrash/aggadah aLnd history do, also in Ladino. It may even be possi- the account. God, in his role as of course, have an interface if only ble in English in the specific con- creator of the whole universe mind because they are both interested in texts of a s'AJ.3/r or a sermon. you, is depicted in terms of great the past. The past, however, is not When we write plain English pro- finitude. He works within the span an entirely objective phenomenon. se, however, we are carried into a of six days and rests on the seventh We create the past, in any but the realm where we stand looking back day which he sanctifies. These are most trivial sense, when we `do' at a receding past from a present literal days with an evening and a history just as when we `do' ¢g- which defines the categories and daybreak not symbols of thousands g¢c7crA. Nevertheless the interface is facts of that dead time. or millions of years. there, and for modern Jews it Lct us allow midrash/aggadah to He creates through speech or throws up a whole series of pro- have the last word. The Bc7Z}jJ/o#z.¢# thought `let there be ...' The human blems. Perhaps one cannot think of r¢/m2tc7 (r¢crHj./ 5b) tells how R. species begins with a primordial the past historically and aggadically Nachman and R. Isaac were dining pair, subsequently elaborated as a at the same time. To reduce the past together. The former asked the lat- first man in need of companionship to what is living and meaningful for ter to say some words of Torah, so which is provided through his own the religious present, to view it as after the meal was over R. Isaac flesh and bone in the form of the Torah, is a negation of the reported a teaching of R. first woman. Adam and Eve are in- ideological assumptions of Yochanan: `Our father Jacob did dividuals not lifeless numbers of historians of all persuasions. To not die'. R. Nachman retorted, myriad humankind. The message of think rigorously as historians while `Was it for nothing then that they such an account is that the small, we engage in the aggadic and eulogised him and embalmed him?' the personal is meaningful. This is halakhic exercise so central to To which R. Isaac in turn replied, `1 apparent if we contrast the timescale Judaism is a negation of Torah - am interpreting a Biblical verse with that say of Hindu cosmology God? Revelation? Prophecy? Pro- midrashically - cz#!. c7orcsA - which deals in kcr/pas and );wgczs. A vidence in the lives of individuals, which says: And you, my servant ko/pcr is 4,320,000,000 years sub- communities, nations? Where do all Jacob, do not be afraid and do not divided into }J2/gcrs varying between these figure in histor`ical research? be dismayed, 0 Israel, says the 1,728,000 years and 432,000 years. Certainly not as basic parameters. Lord. For behold I will save you Each k¢/par is a great cycle of time Our dilemma is that we belong to from far off, and your seed from and each );#g¢ is a minor cycle. a modern culture in which history, the land of their captivity. (Jere- After the largest cyclical period of not merely as an academic subject miah 30:10) It compares him to his 311,040,000,000 years a totally new but as a basic assumption of seed. Just as his seed are alive (when process of creation begins. politics, news, and most intellectual they are ingathered from captivity The purpose of midrash., or ag- pastimes, is fundamental. This leads -Rashi) so he too is still alive.' I gcrc7crA, and that of history are en- to the secularisation of crggcrc7¢fe as a tirely different. They pose different kind of `Jewish' history -in a way Dr. Alan J. Unterman /.s. rodz7/. o/ aH or- questions, seek different solutions, as disreputable as `Jewish Science'. thodox congregation in Manchester. Has liv- and have quite distinct goals. Orthodox writers in the English ed, studied and taught in India, Israel, Australia and Britain. Author of ]ows.. Their Neither is a value-free exercise. language, particularly in projects Religious Beliefs and Practices cr#d The Wid- Historians make their own selection like the American Art Scroll Series, som Of The Jewish Mystics.

Manna Winter 1985 17 FINDING THE CLUES IN o#okfez. is an Egyptian word which ten art form mz.drcrsAi.in fall in- God used to open the Command- LIKE EVERY OTHER WRIT- TORAH to two types: those which are ments, to ensure that there would be ephemeral and soon forgotten on no misunderstanding about their the shelves of ge#J.zo/ (repositories); By Fred Morgan meaning. But our present mJ.cJras'fo and those which, because they speak stresses the implicit bond between to needs that arise in every genera- Numbers, which of course was Hebrew identity and Hebrew lang- tion, or because they achieve a time- taken after the Exodus. This set of uage. So, other versions of our less idiom, are referred to again and clues for the assertion that Israel did mz.c7r¢sA quote as evidence Genesis again. not change their names in Egypt, ch.14 `And there came one that had The mj.dmrsfe we are about to ex- places an emphasis on the role of escaped, and told Abram the plore is one of the latter type. It ap- }7z.chz/a, family pedigree, or a sense Hebrew', side by side with Exodus pears in more than ten major collec- of roots, as we say nowadays, in ch.3 `The God of the Hebrews hath tions. Our text comes from a post- supporting lsrael's claim to deserve met with us'. The term `Hebrew' in Talmudic collection called `The redemption from foreign domina- both verses is taken to refer to Discourses of Rav Kahana'. Why, it tion. Hebrew-speakers. `They did not bear -tales against asks, did Israel especially deserve to But there is a further elaboration be-The brought mz.c7rcrsA forth tells from us: Egypt? of this set of clues, which appears in one another': (It says in Exodus some versions of the midrash, e.g., ch.11) `Speak now in the ears of Rabbi Huna said in the name of Levj.fj.cws Rabz7¢fe, ch. 32: `They did the people and let them ask ...' Bar Kappara: By the merit of not change their names ... They (their Egyptian neighbours for four things were Israel redeemed didn't call Reuven `Rufus', nor jewels and rich goods to take from Egypt. They did not change Judah `Leon', nor Joseph `Lestes', away with them on the Exodus). their names, they did not change nor Benjamin `Alexander'.' This You find (in Torah) that this mat- their language, they did not bear elaboration shifts our attention ter was confided to them for a tales against one another (+2[shon from the topic of lineage and };r.cia/s full twelve months (before it was ha:Ia), they did not engage in il- - continuity of clan and family - actually carried out), yet not one licit sexual relationships. to the idea that a name says some- of them had informed on his Having stated the case in Israel's thing publicly about the person who fellow-Israelite. favour, the mz.c7rasfr must now go on bears it, something about their sense At the burning bush, God promis- to provide evidence for each of its of loyalty and of personal identity. ed Moses that Israel would not leave assertions. Since its claim relates The most remarkable feature of this Egypt empty-handed. Yet, the specifically to an event in lsrael's second version is that the name- mj.dras'fe hints, had this been reveal- history as recounted in the Torah, changes mentioned are not at all ed in advance to the Egyptian the only reliable source of evidence Egyptian, but rather Hellenistic in authorities, the hand of the state in this case must be the Torah itself. character. Evidently, this version would have fallen with terrible ef- But nowhere does the Torah state in was recorded under the influence of fect on the Hebrew people. The fact so many words that Israel observed Rome, when Rufuses undoubtedly that the Israelites' secret never leak- these four `negative commands' in abounded more than Reuvens, even ed out, through malicious gossip, Egypt. Like an Agatha Christie in Palestine. through communal back-biting, `They did not change their detective, the w!.drasfe must seek out through jealousy or dispute or for the clues from the words of Torah. language': (as Joseph said to his any other reason, is adjudged by the Let's look at the evidence produced brothers in Egypt) `It is my mj.drczsfe to have been worthy of a for each of the four virtues attri- mouth that speaketh unto you'; miraculous redemption. The buted to Israel while under Egyptian so he would speak in (his own Israelites in Egypt evidently were `mouth', that is, language,) the sovereignty. able to merge their differences in the `They did not change their Holy Tongue (of Hebrew). interest of the common good. names'.. Reuven and Shimon Wouldn't the Hebrews have `They did not engage in illicit sex- went down (into Egypt), Reuven spoken Egyptian in Egypt? There ual liaisons': You should know and Shimon came up (out Of a.re some midrashim which suggest that this was so. For there was Egypt). that the Israelites knew the Egyptian one (Israelite woman who did The meaning behind this state- language. For example, a mf.drosfe have an illicit liaison), and Scrip- ment is that the same names appear notes that the use of the word ture identified her (in Leviticus in the blessing of Jacob's sons at the cr/!okfei. for `1' in the first of the Ten ch.24): `And his mother's name end of the Book of Genesis (ch. 46), Commandments is unusual - why was Shelomith the daughter of and in the genealogical lists forming not the simple form o#j.?. The Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.' the census recorded in the Book of answer which it suggests is that Shelomith's son was a blasphemer

18 Manna Winter 1985 and a thoroughly bad sort, but it is not entirely clear - to me, or to `Don't Leave Me, Daddy, more venerable and knowledgeable sources - how Scripture is taken here to `identify' his mother as an When You Split From adulteress, if, indeed, this is the nature of the sexual relationship AS OTHERS SEE US which is intended by our mj.drasfe. Mummy' Various ingenious solutions have By been put forward. Since the Children and family-break up in Nicholas Tyndall blasphemer's father was, in the 4#g/o-Jewr}j by Marlene Cohen, Tor.ah account, an Egyptian, it has West Central Counselling and Com- been suggested that intermarriage munity Association, London, 1984, This can only be a helpful mes- with Eg.yptians, i.c., non-Israelites, £1. sage, worthy, as is suggested, of dis- is being condemned here. Or it may cussion among synagogue, Jewish be that his mother Shelomith was cultural and student groups. already married to an Israelite, and My only reservation is that help so committed adultery with the WEST independent CENTRAL, agency con-AN could be seen in a wider context. I Egyptians. In any event, Israel's cerned with social and think that emphasis on the role of worthiness for redemption is con- educational issues in the Jewish specific agencies may devalue the firmed by the fact that no attempt is community, has produced this importance of the informal network made to conceal or camouflage the report from a series of specialist of friends, neighbours and col- black sheep in Israel's flock. discussions held early in 1984. leagues - children in particular can Finally, then, why has this It is well known that there is con- gain great help from their friends mz.c7raL5'A proved to be so popular? cern about the growth in divorce and their friends' parents at times of Perhaps the answer is because the among all cultural groups and in stress in their own family. I think redemption from Egyptian servitude most European countries. This also that one must beware of mono- is really a metaphor for salvation seminar concluded that the break- polistic thinking. Seeking help o#/- from both harsher - because more down rate in the Jewish community s'J.dc the Jewish community must be recent - and gentler servitudes, the was little different from other right for some people. I am cautious penal servitude of legalised persecu- groups, with the consequence that about too strong a suggestion that tion, or the spiritual servitude of every year in Britain about 450,000 only Jewish agencies can help assimilation and loss of religious new children are likely to be af- Jewish families in emotional stress. moorings. If Israel could be saved fected by family break-up, with one Lastly, the very appropriate at- once, why not again? Our heritage in six Jewish children experiencing tention paid to children's needs at provides us with `benefits', the good the divorce of their parents before this stressful time should not deeds of our ancestors, recoverable they reach 16 years of age. obscure the needs of the adults in- through the detective-work of Participants concluded that volved. Their needs may be equally midrash. Jewish families presented additional pressing and they may be more But these benefits are also problems for their children when amenable to help. The best way to burdens. For, whatever we may divorcing, such as those related to meet the emotional needs of chil- think of the mj.drcrsA's diagnosis of religious education, Jewish rituals dren can be to meet their parents' Judaism's spiritual ills, whether or and synagogue attendance. Their needs, thereby freeing them to com- not we agree with one of our com- main recommendations were, there- municate with, and care for, their pilers that naming a child Richard fore, focused on providing support own children throughout the family rather than Reuven is a sign of for the children involved, through break-up and in the crucial years Judaism's impending demise - official and voluntary agencies. No after divorce. A recent study] of 100 perhaps we worked for the Roman more new agencies were required, people whose parents divorced equivalent of the Board of Deputies they concluded - `Amen' to that! before they reached the age of 18 Demographic Unit - the mJ.drcrsA I sense that the main thrust of this showed that the most important still puts responsibility for the booklet is to alert the community to issue for those facing stress was welfare of Judaism in the long-term, the extent of marriage breakdown in their need to be reassured of being squarely and honestly on our its midst. The word taboo is not loved by both their parents through- shoulders. And, after all, when has mentioned, but there is a hint that a out the divorcing process. That re- it ever been otherwise? I conspiracy of silence exists. The quires skill, tenacity and emotional clear message is that divorce is now Rabbi Fred Morgan wars born !.# fA€ I/Hi.fed strength by the parents. The fact States in 1948. He studied at Columbia a reality, and that if it is face`d open- that almost half of them have University, New York, and Cambridge ly those involved in the divorcing severed communication with their University before becoming Lecturer in process will have a better chance of children within two years of the Religious Studies at Bristol University. He feeling less isolated, guilty and im- separation shows what a demanding subsequently left Bristol to study for the I.ab- binate at . He became prisoned by their private fears, and task that is.I those involved as helpers will feel rabbi of North West Surrey Synagogue in Nicholas Tyndall !.5 CAi.a/ O//!.cer o/ f*c IVcz- freer in their pastoral assistance. 1 984 . tional Marriage Guidance Council.

Manna Winter 1985 19 `Distorted And As a first step, I suggest that you should urge every reader of yorir Maligned' Journal to write to an individual Soviet Jewish family with assur- Sir' ances of support and concern. This As a founding subscriber to A4:cz#- not only would hearten the family #¢ I was sad to see you depart so in- but would warn the KGB that any defensibly from the standards of LETTEHS action against them would receive journalism you set yourselves in adverse publicity in the West. Issue 1: `the only intolerance we shall show will be of intolerance MARGARET RIGAL (MRS) itself. So Jews of all religious com- Road, mitment and none will grace these London Nwl I. columns.' Bravely spoken - but what about the Messianic Jew who accepts belief in Y'shua Hanotsri Soviet Jews (Jesus) as Messiah, and finds this in ln Dire Danger no way incompatible with Jewish In Peril? identity and practice? We surely Sir, have a right to put our views for- Sir, ward for ourselves rather than have that Carolyn Burch's academic I have seen your editorial them distorted and maligned by `Students in Peril'. IWASresume VERY of the DISAPPOINTED religious harass- those with a vested interest in main- ments suffered by Soviet Jews gave The picture of total communal taining the uneasy status quo that no idea of the urgency of the situa- neglect that you paint is inaccurate. exists within an increasingly diffuse tion. The Reverend Malcolm Weisman is and segmented Jewry? There are many Anglo-Jews who not THE Chaplain to Britain's As well as numerous inaccuracies claim that they do not know what is universities, but one of four; he is and misrepresentations in the `Students in Peril' plea and report happening to Jews in the USSR. I part-time, the others are full-time. think it is a sad reflection on your The importance of chaplains on a of our Erev Shabbat meeting I magazine that having read the only one-to-one basis must perforce be detected two contradictory em- description of the present position confined to a limited number of phases, scare tactics and fascina- that you have seen fit to include dur- students with consequentially tion. `Weeping not for the dead' ing the whole first year of your jour- marginal influence, whereas an on- and talking of `insidious religious nal, they should still be able to plead going large scale exposure to the seduction' not only shows your ignorance. Carolyn Burch gives no Jewish way of life is provided by editorial writer resorting to clich6 idea of how much the situation has Hillel and the Union of Jewish and propaganda but also colours deteriorated in the last few years. In Students. over the real issues and prevents 1979 more than 50,000 Jews left the The U.J.S. has more than 3,500 clear thought. You seem to think Soviet Union; today emigration has members which therefore affects that education, which I am most virtually ceased. Between 400,000 some 25ayo to 30% of all Jewish heartily in favour of from every and half a million Soviet Jews have students in the U.K. There are Hillel category of Judaism, will insulate applied for exit visas. By so doing Houses, most of which provide people from coming to the conclu- they have cut themselves off from residential facilities, on the follow- sion that Jesus is truly the Messiah. normal Soviet society. Now they are ing campuses:- Socialisation may prevent access to left in a limbo in which they are Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, such information, but education totally isolated and helpless, at the Brighton, Cardiff, Hull, Newcastle, will not. mercy of the KGB and the local Sheffield, Leeds, Leicester, Liver- The London Messianic Fellow- militia. pool, London (x3), Manchester, ship does #o/ hold `seduction ses- Each community is sending out Reading, Southampton. sions'. We believe in reasoned heartbreaking appeals for help. In a Hillel and U.J.S. through their debate and discussion as the legiti- telephone conversation within the mate means of persuasion, and joint committees provide study last month a young mother in Len- simply ask for the right to be heard, courses ranging from i//pcr#z.in and ingrad demanded `Why are Western a right which A4:cr##a should be pre- S#j.#rj.in to contemporary history Jews taking no action? Are you real- and politics. pared to acknowledge. ly waiting to see our blood?' We are fortunate that we have a Yehuda Bauer in his article RICHARD S. HARVEY student leadership today which is Finchley, (`Working with the Nazis' - The aware of its responsibilities, which Lie is Nailed) tells how German London N.3. attracts their peers from all sections Jews were left to their fate in the of the community, that is from ex- nineteen thirties. If such influential treme right to Reform, and which journals as A4ar#7z¢ ignore public ap- therefore exercises a far more Richard Harvey may not find the peals from Soviet Jews - what positive influence on those of their acceptance of Jesus as Messiah in- hope is there that the Jewish com- own age than any rabbi, chaplain or compatible with Jewish identity and munity as a whole will respond in well meaning communal leader practice. We do. (Ed.) time? could possibly hope for.

20 Manna Winter 1985 `Jewish Education' and `Our word. A man of deep scholarship Students in Dangei' have become and urbane courtesy, he can, when fashionable slogans. Those who necessary, flex an iron fist with all take it seriously should support the ruthless charm of a C.P. Snow Hillel and the Union of Jewish Master. Those of us involved with Students, the specialists in this field, - whose ability to get on with the the College, as graduates, teachers 11#1:?'' and committee members, have job is entirely determined by the marvelled at the academic degree of communal support. GOLDBERG discipline, planning and overall strategy which he has imposed on an FRED S. WORMS, President, Hillel Foundation. organisation which when he came LET grouse ME about START the World WITH Union A resembled something out of Chelm for Progressive Judaism, and when he goes will approxiinate which met recently in London, to to the standards expected of an in- Jew Town look over the splendid Manor stitute of higher learning. Despite its House complex. Nowadays, despite array of outstanding individual Sir, its global pretensions, the World talents, there was in the past always Union is USA-dominated, as one something faintly embarrassing RECEIVED THE AUTUMN would expect. So I have no com- about being associated with Leo 1984 issue of Mar##¢ in Tishri Ithe interesting and enlightening ar-- plaints about an assorted collection Baeck College. It was worthy of a and, as usual, enjoyed reading of junketing American rabbis and •sfeerfeeche)Ja## if teachers and taught lay people taking advantage of a met in the same classroom, on the ticles in it. It has so much to offer. strong dollar and weak pound to en- same day, according to the same I spent the Jewish Festivals, joy a few days in London. Nor does timetable. Now, in its magnificent which have just passed, in Jew it bother me that one heavyweight premises, with its air of purpose, a Town in the Cochin region of cen- Rabbinic Director of North distinguished faculty and gifted tral Kerala. Jew Town is the only American affairs., whom I students, it is a worthy successor to place in southern India where there remember for his lavish parties in tho s e Europ ean seminaries are enough Jews to constitute a "z.- the penthouse suite of the destroyed in the Holocaust and #)J¢7z and they observe the feasts in Hilton, has been replaced by deserving of the entire community's the traditional manner. The Cochin another heavyweight etc. etc., who support. For that, Prof. Segal can Jew Town Synagogue, built in 1568 seems to fulfil the same function of take much of the credit. and paved with hand-painted distributing Conference program- Chinese titles in 1762, is the oldest mes and telling delegates which bus Jewish House of Worship in thei to take. Commonwealth. How thrilling it is Btit.-what does, I must admit, ever THEREtouch IS of MORE poetic irony THAN in the A to watch these pious Jews praying in so slightly mi ff me is the manner in fact that some members of the their beautiful Bcz.Zfe jKl#essezfe, they which some of my American col- Edgware Reform Congregation chant the prayers in their melodious leagues prepare - or fail to prepare have defected to the Conservative Shingly Tune. The tradition that has - for their meetings with us poor, Movement because they fear a come down from very ancient times dumb, European hayseeds who Reform-Liberal merger. A few is that King Solomon's traders arriv- never had the benefit of a Hebrew months ago these defectors printed' ed in Kodungallore and founded a Union College training. The last day and distributed to all Edgware con- colony known as Shingly. Cochin of the Conference was set aside for gregants an anti-merger diatribe Jews are Sephardic and they also rabbinic business, and a programme that was defamatory, condescen- have a number of Hebrew songs of sorts was distributed by the ding, inaccurate and insulting about composed by a series of poets over a heavyweight etc. etc... However, it Liberal Judaism, and libellous on at long period, popularly known as soon became insultingly clear that least one count for asserting that Shingly Shirim, which are sung with only the most inadequate, perfunc- Liberal rabbis officiate at mixed much exriltation and joy. Today tory thought had been given to the marriages. However, they were not there are only about 30 Jews in Jew sessions, which rapidly degenerated officially repudiated by the Town. The others and whole Jewish into stream-of-consciousness mono- Synagogue hierarchy, because if any communities from the nearby places logues from the Yanks. one person has been starinchly, of Mala, Chendamangalam, North. vehemently, and consistently oppos- Parur and Ernakulam made Aliyah ed to merger it is that former Liberal and settled in Israel. Jewish Synagogue alumnus, the dis- College enables me to pay I live here as an observant Jew MENTIONING LEO BAECK tinguished rabbi of Ed`gware and devote all my spare hours to the tribute to Professor Ben Reform, Michael Leigh. Not for the Segal, its Principal, whose recently study of the Jewish lore. I have been first time in history, though, a fiery announced retirement, although not to Israel once and am trying to keep leader has not proved revolutionary unexpected, nevertheless will be a in touch with developments in the enough for his followers. After Jewish world. grave loss. He set himself a task to Kerensky, Lenin; after Neguib, complete within an allotted time Nasser. After Leigh, Dayan Ehren- span when he assumed the prin- S. PREM DOSS, Advocate, treu, perhaps, to lead the anti- cipalship, and has been true to his Kerala, India. merger brigade? I

Manna Winter 1985 21 •ma The Manor House mTmi=-thlP-"- Society

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