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The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, August 10, 1989-Page 11
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Ifs positively fooUsl^±notU^k^w^e about these fools
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J. B. SALSBERG
As time trudges on, I become more and more ' amazed at how little our younger generation knows of our immediate past. For instance:;
-Recently I was shocked to find that most of our young, bur "future leaders;" have not even heard of the legendary Jewish city of Chelm, or of "the sages of Chelm" (in Yiddish; Die Chelemer Cha-chomim) who helped to spread the fame of Chelm around the world. ■ ■ ■
Mind you, it was said that non-Chelmer Jews, jealous of Chelm's fame as a city of wise men, of veritable sages, referred to the residents of that town as "fools" (Naronim). But Chelm's native population wasn't in the least disturbed by the falsehoods that the jealous "outsi4ers" spread about them. They knew that they, and only they, were the beneficiaries of the wisdom that the good Lord granted to the human race'.. ^
As a resuh, the fame of Chelm spread throughout the Jewish world.
J.B. SaJsberg
It was also well known that many people took the liberty of adding contraband chapteirs of Chelmer experiences to the ever-growing saga of Tales of Chelm. In fact, many books of the "wisdom" of Chelm appeared in Yiddish, to the delight of a few generations of Yiddish readers and listeners.
Nor did the Yiddish stage ignore Chelm. One of the Chelm classics has become a pillar of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre of Montreal and that renowned theatrical institution has staged its Chelm, literally, around the world.
As for the highly regarded survivors of Chelm among us: they enjoy a Chelm story as well as everybody else and, indeed, they often enrich the wonderfiil treasure of Chelmer tales.
According to one Chelmer story, the community became disturbed by the arrival of "outsiders" into their town. They met to discuss the danger of foolish and backward thinking that the newcomers were sure to bring with them. As a safeguard they decreed that no Chelmer should marry any of the outsiders, so as to prevent the inftisibn of foolish, outside blood into their midst.
Another example of the wisdom of Chelm is about the mounting local complaints that the poor drink only watered-down milk while the rich drink only cream.
The dispute was finally brought to the local Rabbi, the wisest man in all of Chelih. The wise Rabbi, after listening to the dispu-
tants decided: The complainants are right and that, therefore,milk should, henceforth, be called cream and cream should be known iis milk. All Cbelmites were etstatk over the wisdom of Reb Yoyzefl, their wise, sphitaal leader . . .
Still another one or two examples of the wisdom of Chelm: ,
Chelm decided that contrary to the belief of the rest of the world, the moon is more important to human life than is the sun. Why? Because the moon shines when it's dark and thus makes it possible for people to niove about; but the sun shines during the daytime when it's light and bright anyway ...
Because of the Chelmer'spre-pccupation with the sun and moon phenomenon, one Chelmite, renowned for his wisdom, purchased the moon from a Warsaw joker, while on a visit to that metropolis.
The swindler showed the moon to the Chelmite, safely contained in a barrel of water in the market place. But when the Chochem came home and announced his purchase the whole town gathered in midday for the ceremonial opening of the barrel to let the moon out. But, all the opened water barrel revealed was a reflection of the sun. So the Chelmites decided that either their townsman was swindled by some su^gers or the moon doesn't want to live in Chelm . . .
of Chelm?
Finally, the Chehner were delighted with the thick blanket of fluffy, white snow that blanketed their town during the night. The scene was too beautiftil to spoil, so no one ventured out into the streets.
But it happened to be on a Friday and it was custiMnary fai Chebn for the shanunes to knock at every door in town to announce that Shabbes is arriving and all shops must shut their dbors.
But it was also crystal clear to all Chehner that the shanunes must not spioil the snow scene with his heavy boots. So, the Rebbe Reb Yoyzfel, the wisest rebbe in the world, decreed that the shanunes needs io perform his duty and announce the approaching Shabbes. But, not to spoil the snow blanket, he should be carried on the shoulders of strong, professional porters (treger). Chebn was delighted.
And that's how the mythical, not the real, Chelm lived and enshrined itself in the heart of millions of our fathers and mothers. Some of that wondrous magic still remains with some of us. May it continue for ever.
Oh, yes, the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre troupe of Montreal,"an honored tenant of the Saydie Bronfman Centre, considers (and so do I) their Chelmer production, one of its great achievements. Why not bring their Chelm to Toronto, Winnipeg, etc., for sometime next winter? Yes, why not? . ;
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
STRICT RULES FOR TZEDAKAH
Jewish people give to charity because they believe in the mitzvah of tzedakah and anybody who is in charge of collecting tzedakah is not allowed to spend it for any other purposethan it is designated for..
To spend tzedakah, for your own purposes or your own benefits,'namely dining politicians, is conimitting a Neverah of Lo Tignof, which is a very serious crime, designated in the Ten Commandments , " Do Not Steal.'' /
1 would like to ask that the matter be investigated further to get all hidden information and to reveal the truth to the CJN, to show to all those who collect tzedakah that the monies collected shall be spent where it belongs. Irving Stern Toronto
THE REAL THREAT
Since the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948, Arab states, abetted by other Moslem countries, have been trying vigorously but unsuccessfully to liquidate it by terrorist acts and~by launching five major wars, confident, in their overwhelming superiority in manpower and armament, of erasing Israel from the map in a matter of days.
Having failed miserably in their efforts to destroy Israel, and unable to achieve their goal militarily, the humiliated Arab states have been trying diligently, with the complicity of the Eastern bloc countries and the so-called third World, to discredit Israel, using all kinds of lies, deceptions and fabrications. In this endeavor they have been very actively supported by the media, finding eager listeners in the spineless Western world, whose leaders have b^n giving credence to Arafat's double talk and contradictory statements and trying to upgrade PLO's status.
In the nieantime the Western world, and the Eastern bloc countries as well, seem to be oblivious to a disquieting development — growing Islamic ftindamentalism — which may prove quite troublesome in the future, with Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, being its prime target.
Isaac Josy ■ ■
Toronto
SEEKS WIFE'S FAMILY
Angela, my wife of 43 years, is from Poland: which she left in 1939 just prior to the outbreak of the war. She left behind her parents and five brothers and two sisters who she has nothad contact with or heaird from since America entered the war in 1941.
The following is her maiden name: Chane Doha Zajd bom in 1921, Now known as Angela Beaver of the above address in Manchester, England. : Please send me any information;
Gerald Beaver
Prestwich, Manchester
M25 8JE ■
Tel: 061 773-1067.
DISPUTES BBYO STATEMENT
In a recent article (CJN July 15), Brian Schcol-nik, the new BBYO president, was quoted as saying that BBYO is "the only Jewish youth organization led by teens themselves and responsible for their own pi-ograms." This is not the case. The North American High School Organization Network (NAHON) was founded in 1982 as an independent union of Jewish high school Students run by students, for students.
We run programs to deal with the issues that most concern Jewish yoiith. The fact that Mr. Schcolnik seems unaware of other youth movements such as NAHON illu.strates a growing problem among youth organizations, a lack of communication-and-unity. NAHON has begun taking steps to remedy this dilemma, including several joint youth group meetings. A city wide youth group leadership seminar has also been proposed. For more information. 783-1165.
Aviv Gladman
NAHON Canada
Toronto ■
Reader objects to Olivier's portrayal of Shylock.
MERCHANT 'VILE ANTI-JEWISH TALE'
The showing of The Merchant of Venice at Stratford is a blatant, racist performance to spread scorn and hatred of Jews. >~7^
There are no socially redeeming features in the play and its literary merits are comparable to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The plot, except for the flesh scene, is stale. Man seeking the hand of a rich woman is as old as the hills. —
The highlight of the presentation is the Jew Shylock demanding one pouiKl of flesh from a Christian; while another Jew is sharpening the blade of the knife. ;
Only an pRwrtimisitic repn*ate could have invented such a depraved scenario.
Shakespeare, or whoever wrote the play, together with the present producers knew they had a sure thing with this vile anti-Jewish tale.
With untold millions impregnated with the theology of deicide of the New Testament, patrons would obviously not be wanting. School children are being bussed in to Stratford to be programmed by this perversion.
The message of The Merchant of Venice to the audience is crystal clear: Hate the Jews.
The leaders of the Jewish conmiunity and other anti-racist groups appear to have caved into various pressures by keeping their opposition to this outrageous racist performance whisper quiet.
It is not polite in genteel circles to voice disapproval of The Merchant of Venice;
The dignity and credibility of the anti-racist stance of the Jewish Community will be under-minded unless a public rebuke to the exhibition of this vile racist play is forcefully presented. Nathan Cans
Montreal
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REBUKES BOTH SHYLOCK PORTRAITS
Re Frank Rasky's otherwise excellent review of Tfie Merchant of Venice in your June 22 edition headed "Stratford Shylock is not a balanced portrayal":
I take issue with his statement thai Sir Laurence Olivier (of blessed memory) offered a more balanced portrayal when playing the role as an elegant, cleanshaven version of Benjamin Disraeli. '.. :
In fact,' on the evening when I attended, Sir Laurence was severely chastized by a lady in the gallery at London's Old Vic Theatre during the trial scene for taking on the role.
Olivier, stunned, stood stock still until her ful-minations ended; He had difficulty regaining his composure and fumbled his lines thereafter
1 recently saw Dustin Hoffman play the role in London's current production of Merchant. I wrote him to complain about the excessive spitting, which was so overdone that I thought it was Charles Dickens' Great Expectorations. Was the Salivating Army recruiting? Tasked.
In my opinion, the only way to make the play less offensively Jew-baiting is to replace the epithet, "the Jew," with "Shylock," a man who happens to be Jewish. It's the constant repetition of that appelation that induces visible emotions from my Jewish perspective. Mort Greenberg Toronto
PLO'S AIM TO DESTROY ISRAEL
In response to Milton Harris' "Hard (Questions for Canadian Jews" (ON April 19, 1989). 1 have the greatest respect for Milton Harris, and I know because of his service to the Jewish community and his dedication to Israel, that the questions he asks, disturb him and other Jewish leaders deeply.
I know Mr. Harris does not forget the problems that Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon have had andare still haying. Yasser Arafat's headquarters is not in any of the above-mentioned countries, but in Tunisia. Why? Where are all Arafat's allies? Every Arab country purports to be his friend, yet he does not have headquarters in any of them. The war in Lebanon was started by the PLO. What kind of legacy has Arafat left?
When negotiating with the PLO, Mr. Harris, who does Israel speak to? Arafat cannot control all his factions. Arafat has not promised to stop all terrorist activities within the West Bank. He considers the civil insurrection as just. He does not care that children, Israeli and Arab, are killed daily. Pressure must be kept up. For what reason? Free elections have been outlined. The start of negotiations by the Israelis for peace, has always been the aim of the Government of Israel. But with whom, Mr. Harris, does one shake hands to seal the peace bargain?
I believe the Government of the State of Israel would negotiate from greater strength, if the : government knew that world Jewry and her leaders backed the government 100%.
Dr. J. Dimitry
National Chairman
Canadian Society for Yad Vashem
Toronto
* ■ *■;•.*■ PROFESSORS LACK "SEYCHEL"
As a small child I learned a "number of very valuable lessons from an old melamed (teacher) in a private cheder. He was a very educated and a very modem teacher and often touched on many subjects not strictly the usual in cheder curriculum. Somehow, one of the hardest to grasp, was one often repeated by hini that education and intelligence were two separate items. He claimed that there were many educated fools around, while it was not unusual to find people who, without education, but, with native intelligence, were doing very, very well. In fact many were doing well enough to hire educated people to do their tiresome detail work.
As 1 continue my way through life (1 an now in my 82nd year) I am often reminded of my wise melamed. A few days ago, reading the rather idiotic letter signed by 14 Jewish professors at York University, I was again reminded of my teacher. In a tremendous burst of sanctimonious superiority and lack of seychel, they decried the act of York University conferring an honorary doctor of laws degree on the President of Israel, Chaim Herzog. What did these 14 accomplish or hope to accomplish from their high ivory tower? Certainly every Arab hearing about it is delighted. Beattie, his white supremacists, and other anti-semites, glory in it. But, what about your own people? How happy have you made the families of Israeli victims, who have been lost in a continuing war for 41 years? ■
I would like to refer you to an appropriate quotation from our ancient Pirkei Avoth (Sayings"of the Fathers) which is just as modcnf today as always. I quote fix)mPerik 1-14, Rabbi Hillel said: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And, if not now, when?" May I most humbly add my per-; sonal appeal. If you can't help, don't hinder.
Josejph Alexandroff Hamilton ■