THE MUNCIE STAR, SATURDAY,.JANUARY 5, 1985 PAGE A-4 Judaism: Changing Face of Religion · people to sign By MICHAEL J. McMANUS & Religion strengthened Judaism," she said. passed out forms for For The Muocie Star Ethics Then seeing a look of shock on my up. face she asked: "You can't imagine , "In giving blood, you are giving hristmas is a difficult season religion without God, can you?" ' life to ~r_neone_ else," be said . ... Cfor Jews. Here is how Carol tinsel, and sparkling electricity so , I replied that I could not. But m mte~iews ~f~re and . Kur described the situation dazzlingly packaged by Madison Further I could not imagine a Jew after the service, he indicated that in the Christmas Eve edition of The Avenue." who cou'id not see the hand of God one of the strengths of his ministry New York Times: However, based on my at work in the Exodus, the only was his essential rejection of the "Witness the 'Hanukkah bush' - attendance at a Hanukkah dinner recorded example in all history of idea of a God who acts in history - . a Christmas tree in everything but and worship service at Temple slaves who were able to walk away as seems detailed in virtually every name - that appears in some Shaaray Tefila, one of two Reform to freedom without a fight. book of the Bible to me. Jewish households. Other Jewish synagogues on Manhattan's East She replied, "I don't know what "We Jews be~ieve in ~-but it is families make it a habit to Side, the religious problem of God is. It doesn't matter to me." not the conventional definition of congregate, have a-holiday meal Judaism might be more profound. Mrs. Tattelbaum is not just Him. He is more defined by what and exchange gifts on Dec. 25 - It might provide a clue why the another member of Temple we don't know:, than wh~t we do after all, it's so convenient. ' percentage of Americans Shaaray Tefila. She is the wife of know about Him. For this reason Everyone has the day off. In still identifying themselve~ as Jews has Harvey Tattelbaum, the Jews were so rejecting of the other families, 'Hanukkah Joe,' a dropped from 5 percent of the congregation's dynamic rabbi. Christian message - of God cousin of Nick, sneaks in the back population in 1947 to only 2 percent Under his leadership, the becoming flesh,_an ,, door to leave gifts for good little in 1984 - a 60 percent plunge! snyagogue's membership has grown anthropomorphic God. Jewish boys and girls. "I don't know whether there is, or nearly five-fold, from 200 families Asked how he interpreted the "All of this infringes on traditions is not, a God," said Meryl to more than 900. ability of Moses to lead the people that do not belong to us. We know Tattelbaum. When I asked its members after of Is~ael out of Egyptian slavery, that ... in our efforts to include "What makes Judaism the service why the temple had he said he did not believe in the 10 ourselves, we demean our own meaningful to me is that it allows grown so spectacularly when many miracles: "The Bible must not be heritage ...." me the freedom to struggle. others were stagnant or losing taken literally. I can't talk about a She dismissed Hanukkah as a Therefore, whether there is a God members almost everyone-spoke of God who acts in human history - "lovely minor holiday" compared or not does not matter. We are part Rabbi Tattelbaum's personal who does such a rotten job of it, as to the "warm, magic season" of of a people, part of a community "warmth," but many also spoke of He did in the Holocaust. I prefer to Christmas. "It is simply too much that brought ethical, moral values his philosophy. try to comprehend a God in his to ask those eight little candles to to the world. "I am impressed with him and his remoteness. light on the last night of H_anukkah "God is not central to each Jew. philosophy - his positive attitude "A Jew can believe in the Jewish , to outshine-the splendor of trees, The freedom to think has and lack of zealousness," said people - in the lineal string of ' ' . .: Michael Warren, 36. "And I do history. That itself is holy, There admire his commitment to have been so many terrible battles, • · Church News Deadline humanity." and yet we are still here. That has a whose lives be mystique all its own," said Rabbi free-will offering, if any. "I know peopie If your church, synagogue or has saved, such as a woman on the Tattelbaum. religious organization is having • Date. verge of suicide," said Hellen But that mystique cannot · an outstanding guest speaker, • Time. to the majesty of a Holy milestone Miller. "He is the best rabbi in New compare celebrating a historic • Place. York because he fills up the temple God, who interacts with man, who or planning a special program or • Name and telephone he is answers prayers like one he prayed The Muncie Star number of person submitting every Friday night. And series of events, kindness itself." in blessing an infant: "May God would like to know about it - information. bless you and protect you. May his events are open to Based on my visit, I would agree provided such • Additional information with all of those statements. His light shine upon you." the public. such as biographical data on God does not act in history, submitting informa­ topic of speech or warmth and joy was electric, But if Persons speaker, he was blessing and why bother to pray the prayer? tion should observe deadline - '5 discussion, historic background whether announcing the name of a new . "You can say I'm inconsi'stent. p.m Wednesday - preceding of institution (if relevant) or any God has left us pretty much on our the Saturday of planned publica- other details you think are infant, or honoring two elderly women in the congregation for own. But prayer is good for people. , tion. , pertinent. .... I because of decades of service. It lowers the blood pressure All items submitted should be We are sorry, but enjoy the poetry of prayer," he said. typed and · should include the space limitations, The Star At one point he even said, "We've following information: cannot use pictures of groups, 'been asked to participate in a special campaign. Who can say no SAINT ANDREW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • Name of sponsoring institu- but can use clear, in-focus pic­ - 2$00 MOOR£ ROAD tion or group. ·tures of an individual. to it? The Blood Bank says there is Sunday School for All Ages ..................... 9 ,30 o .m. a crisis situation every Dec. 25 and fomily Worship .. ....... , ............ , .. ......... , 10:30 o,m, • Full address. Address all items to Ed Sat­ Ch,ld<es·, Worship ............ ,............ .. 10,45 o .m. on New Year's Day - a shortage of Nursory-Nursery Closs ............. 9:30-11 :30 o .m. terfield, Religion Writer,c/o The John Constant, Minl$ter-282,4702 • Title of event. the Jewish • Admission charge, fee or Muncie Star, Muncie, Ind. 47302. blood. So we are asking I community to come forward." He · ( "-~~!?!A~~pel United Met~~.1!~m.l .