Celebrating 60 Years of Independence in Israel
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No.60 June 2008 Sivan 5768 Celebrating 60 years of independence in Israel THE MAGAZINE FOR THE EDINBURGH JEWISH COMMUNITY Contents From the Editor The Edinburgh Star Israel I feel proud to have been born in the recent examples of such abuse in their Still focussing on Israel, Sylvia Donne What are the next 60 years likely to bring? – David Capitanchik 4 same year as the re-birth of brave article, some of which have shocked reports on behalf of our intrepid party Synagogue Chambers, 4 Salisbury and indomitable Israel. Against all MSPs and are now subject to police of ‘WIZO wanderers’, following their Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AB Jewish Identity in Israel Law – Rabbi Professor Daniel Sinclair 6 odds she has continued to flourish investigation. Israel gives unconditional recent trip to Israel, to see some of Cover Picture Israel at 60 – Edwin Hoffenberg 8 after her first faltering steps. Despite support to all Jews and it is still in our the wonderful works carried out for the David Ben Gurion My Aliyah – Sonia Cohen 9 severe and often unjustified criticism, own interest to support Israel as best less fortunate in Israeli society, she has literally soldiered on and we can, even if we feel it necessary no matter whom. (Watercolour by Anthony Gilbert) Reminiscing – Carmel Cohen née Caplan 9 notably continued to maintain her to temper it with our own doubts and Editor Pride and Optimism – Ena Amitai (née Dorfman) 10 democratic status in the face of so convictions. Films with a Jewish theme have Judy Gilbert Edinburgh and Jerusalem: a personal story – Asher Selig Kaufman 11 much destructive adversity. Many abounded in the last few months and will recognise, as I do, that not all ‘Windows for Peace’ is one way to were screened as a part of the Literary Editorial Board SCoJeC reports antisemitism to actions of defence are desirable, far attempt to address the difficulties Society programme in the Edinburgh Sidney Caplan (Treasurer) Press Complaints Commission – Leah Granat & Ephraim Borowski 14 from it, but if we think of Israel as a experienced by young people in the Film House during their Yiddish film Phillip Harris The Jewish influence and what it has offered to the world – Eric Milligan 16 parent defending its children, which Middle East in a highly imaginative season, and also in the Community Janet Mundy parent would stand meekly by to way. Although only a short introduction Centre itself, organised by the Eve Oppenheim Around & About 20 watch their future melt into oblivion? to this organization can be read in Community Centre Committee. Short Rabbi David Rose Society Reports 22 What is more remarkable, and a fact this edition, its coming innovative reports will feature in the appropriate Philip Mason WIZO 22 rarely acknowledged by the media, is programme will be reported at greater sections. Anne Lurie Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society 23 the ‘disproportionate’ restraint, which length in the next. Micheline Brannan Yiddish Film Festival 24 Israel has continued to show despite As ever, the Star attempts to provide Design Reviews 26 unremitting confrontation. We have marked this special 60th a bittersweet mixture, and Eric Milligan Debbie Bennett Days Bygone by Rachel Shihor – Janet Mundy 26 anniversary in our own 60th edition has supplied the sweet and light with Left Luggage (1998) – Judith Sischy 26 Artwork Anti-Semitic abuse appears frequently of the Star by devoting a significant his article on the influence that Jews Helen McFeely Obituaries 27 in the media and unless challenged, portion of writing space to the have had in the world of music. I hope would be silently condoned if it were celebration of Israeli Independence. that this, together with the ubiquitous Judith Sischy 30 Printing Windows for Peace ‘Edinburgh Summer School’ July 2008 – not for organizations such as SCoJec. Articles range from the reminiscences Community news and Reviews, will Meigle Printers Ltd Letters 31 While there are still many people who of ex-pats who made aliyah many maintain the balance. Tweedbank Galashiels TD1 3RS equate Judaism with Israeli politics or years ago, to a scholarly, but Announcements Zionism, anti-Semitic abuse should individual, analysis of the interim The Board wish all our readers never be permitted to masquerade as years, written by David Capitanchik. Shavuot Tov. legitimate criticism of Israel. Jewish Furthermore Danny Sinclair updates people in the Diaspora should never us on developments towards defining Judy Gilbert be complacent, even if they are ‘The rights of return’ in a learned but We are very grateful to the following Patrons who donate a minimum of £100. accused of paranoia. Leah Granat and accessible report. Thank you PATRONS Ephraim Borowski show very explicit, The Edinburgh Star would like Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, to express its appreciation to all those who support the Sukkat Shalom, magazine with their continued Dr & Mrs A. Gilbert, Support The subscriptions, and all those Mr & Mrs E.Green, who make donations over and above this. Dr E Oppenheim, Edinburgh Star If you would like to become a patron, Mr J Oppenheim, please contact Sidney Caplan Rabbi D.Rose, (Treasurer) for further details. An ‘anonymous donor’. Send us your letters and articles Next Copy date: 15th August 2008 The Board would also like to thank Mr & Mrs Harold Mendelssohn for kindly defraying the cost of sending The Edinburgh Star overseas. All pieces are accepted for publication at the absolute discretion of the Editor. The Editor has the right to make such amendments to any piece chosen for The Editior, The Edinburgh Star, publication as may in her absolute discretion be required in the editorial interests of this publication and to avoid exposing this publication or its staff to any criminal or civil liability or otherwise to avoid bringing this publication or its staff into disrepute. 4 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AB Copyright subsists in this publication and in its typeset. No part of the publication may be reproduced by any means, including electronic, without the express written consent of The Edinburgh Star and without an acknowledgment of such consent, when given, being clearly printed together with an identification of The Edinburgh Star as being the source of such material. The views expressed in The Edinburgh Star are those of the contributors and are not necessarily those of The Edinburgh Star, its staff or publishers. As the State of Israel reaches its 60th Culturally, Israel remains remarkable. the most moderate government will be While this might equally threaten Israel, Currently, it has the highest number of able to make the kind of concessions currently Iran presents a serious security Anniversary, the eyes of the world are museums per capita in the entire world; it necessary in order to satisfy even the threat by virtue of its control of radical focussed upon the country’s treatment of the is second in the world for reading books; minimum aspirations of the Palestinians. Palestinian groups such as Hamas and Palestinians and the possibilities, if any, for 41 per cent of Israelis go to the theatre, This is largely because the Israeli electoral Hezbollah. Indeed, it is clearly the case that is double the number who attend system of proportional representation, that Iran is exploiting the Palestinian peace between Israel, the Palestinians and soccer matches; and one in four Israelis in which the whole country is one cause in order to further its own interests. the rest of the Arab world. Israel is constantly go to classical music concerts. constituency, has meant that any political Through its influence over the Syrian in the news, but very little is known about the party achieving more than 1.5 per cent of regime the Hamas leader Khaled Meshal IsraelWhat are the next 60 country, its domestic and foreign policies, its The past 60 years then form a strong and the votes in a general election is likely to is given a safe haven in Damascus from powerful base for the decades to come. be represented in the Knesset. Because which he issues Iranian approved orders economy and above all the attitudes of its Domestically, Israel is economically and of this highly democratic electoral system, to the regime in Gaza. Hamas militants years likely to bring? people towards the possibility of peace. socially strong. This despite the fact that no single party has ever won enough there receive training and equipment from David Capitanchik the country has been at war throughout seats in the Knesset to form a single the regime in Teheran. Israel has undergone remarkable progress for one. It also has the highest number immigrants who began to arrive in 1989 its history and for many years prior to the party government. Instead coalition in the last 60 years. For one thing, the of scientific publications per capita in the from the countries of the former Soviet foundation of the State. governments, often including religious Similarly, the Hezbollah organisation in Jewish population has increased from entire world. Union. These new immigrants, many of and right wing parties, have always ruled southern Lebanon is fully equipped by some 800,000 to approximately 7.2 them highly educated, now form some Having been at war continuously for Israel. Iran, especially with missiles, through million. Its cities, towns and villages have Public interest in what is happening in 13 per cent of the country’s population. the best part of a century, defence and Syria. grown enormously in size as some 92 per the country generally is remarkably high Their integration into Israeli society and security have been at the top of the Israel’s right wing, the leading party cent of Israelis live in urban communities.