Page 12- The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, July 16, 1976
Patriarchs become contemporaries
new
Messengers Of God, Biblical Portraits & Legends, by Elie Wiesel, Random House of Canada
The Bible is not only the cornerstone of Judaism, but also a work of enduring fascination. The wise and curious in every
generation turn to it for meaning and inspiration. Across the gulf of two and a half millenia it still has the power to uplift our hearts, stir our imagination and challenge us to ideals of living-concern and selflessness.
In Messengers of God, Elie Wieisel analyses such familiar figures as Adam, Cain, Abel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Job. He clothes old bones with new flesh. Suddenly these hallowed patriarchs become lively contemporaries. They walk among us and share our human frailties and foiblefs, as well as our moments of
exaltation and grandefur.
Adam, torn by temptation and the overwhelming burden ofnew knowledge, plunges into fatal disobedience. Even at the dawn of human history there-was murder — the first victim and the first calloused slayer who \yas not his brother's keeper. Jacob wrestling with an unknown adversary is ever)' person confronted with a tormented conscience. The story of Job is still the profoundest introduction to the problem of evil in a world created by a God who is both good and omnipotent. The saga of Moses is
Lack of community support
or
-TV's Mosaic show
the reiterated tragedy of the burden of loneliness jand disillusionment that is the lot of every prophet andleader.
The author, w i d e ly _admired for such notable books as Night, A Beggar in Jerusalem, One Generation After, and Souls on Fire, brings to this work the insights and creative imagination of untold generations of Jewish Midrash, commentary and interpretation. Says Wiesel. "In Jewish histor>'. all events are linked. Only today, after the whirlwind of fire and blood that was the Holocaust, do we grasp the full range of implications of the murder of one man by. his brother, the deeper meanings of a father's questions, and disconcerting silences. Only as we tell them now, in "the light of. certain experiences of life and death do we understand them."
Author Elie Weisel -
At tiriies the legends and parables culled from the musings of a different age seem remote; the author's often mystical speculations grow tiresome. Biit, for the most part, this imaginative ex^
"imaginative exploration."
ploration into the lives of diverse biblical characters, the; fruit of loving research originally presented as a series of lectures, will delight and stimulate the sensitive reader.
One of the most tragic events in Toronto's Jewish media scene is about to occur. Mosaic is about to go offthe air (CITY-TV, Channel 79) due to lack of sponsorship and lack of support among the Jewish community as a whole.
The show, which lasted for about three years, ran some excellent music-interview and news-insight programs, especially at a time when the mainstream Toronto media \yas either hostile or indifferent to Jewish life and to Israel.
Producer Vladimir Handera, a true" pioneer in ethnic programing who has also produced highly successful Black. Italian and Ukrainian shows on the same channel, told me that he was"truly heartbroken" to see this program die.
As a frequent viewer of this .show during the winter months. I believe that its format was structurally sound and reflected a :first-rate balance between programs of local interest and programs of international Jewish events.
The show could have had perhaps a more dynamic presentation, but that CO u 1 d be easily done through the presence of a more dynamic personality as host and through the inclusion of more films from Israel (either excerpts from features or documentary shorts and news interviews), a weekly three-minute readirig of Kol Israel English-language news, a weekly news commentary and the inclusion of a comic raconteur who might have a weekly two-minute humor segment at the end of each show.
But still, the show had far too miich going for it to die, and not only thie station managers but the Jewish community as a whole bears a grave responsibility for this sad fact — especially now.
HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER AT THE EMPRESS
^ust one of many "activities you can enjoy this summer at the EMPRESS CLUB.
JOIN UP NOW!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call
781-9153
when Arab propaganda is infiltrating North America (particularly the American networks) as never before; when Israel is being pressured by the American government to commit suicide over a barrel of oil; when Israel's economic situation demands more solid faith and investment from the Diaspora than ever before, and when Arab terrorists are threatening to disrupt the Olympics.
Why must one of the few viable professional outlets for our own self-expressiOn be allowed to die due to our own lack of Support?
Especially now, when the Vancouver fiasco has antagonized substantial segments of Canadian public opinion against the Arabs, is this not our best golden opportunity to take advantage of this and jC^ally.^ push a positive, image of Israel and Jew-
i s h n ess in Canada's second-largest (and North America's fourth-largest) metropolitan media centre?
Remember — we are in a world-wide propaganda war against Arab petrodollars and their insidious oily dagger against Israel's ver>- existence. Our enemies will interpret the death of any existing Jewish media vehicle as a sign of our collective weakness and will do anything possible to exploit this for their own ends.
Therefore, if the program format of Mosaic, in the eyes of its existing or potential sponsors, needs some improvement, then effect these constructive changes now. But, above al'. Mosaic must survive and must remain on the air stronger than ever. After all. if we Jews do not support . ourselves, who will?
HEBREW SCRABBLE
Hebrew Scrabble is one of the most exciting developments in Scrabble Crossword Games. The new Hebrew edition is designed for students and schol-. ars. It is a superbly challenging method of improving the player's grasp Of the language. Both Hebrew words and the Hebraic alphabet are used.,
THE GAMES ROOM Toronto Dominion Centre ' CommercialUnion Tower Concourse 364-4991
Shaftsbury Limousine Service
catskills, Olympics, new york, new england, etc., door to destination service in safety and comfort
534-7951
Shaftsbury apologizes for the confusion re: the telephone numbe/ in last week's issue. This has now been rectified.
BABY-CARE DIAPER SERVICE
TOP CARE AND SERVICE AT BARE BOTTOM PRICES
mEGUNTONAVEE
Copperware From Holland
An assorvpent of copper & brass. Planters, coal scuttles, candelabra, umbrella stands. " hanging planters and serving pieces.
AL-MITLTD. 636-9326 NO SATURDAY CALLS
CORNER
GROOMING & BOARDING
:Vby ■ Appointment
782-3922 •782-3922
•A CONCERT IN YOUR HOME
make your party a success
Larry and Fern play the piano and sing Larry's warnn and original songs. Their music will delight listeners of all ages.
Both Larry and Fern are students at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.
For further information call: 486-9525.
mporfeLo
SENSATIONAL NEWS
30% to 50% off on ail merchandise
Fabubus buys on French, Italian and European importsl Everything must go to make room for our new Fai arrivals. Come in, browse and have a coffee.
IRVING® ASSOCIATES Antiques & Household Effects
Regular Auctions Tuesday & Thursday Evenings At 8:00 P.M.
:  Viewing 1 hour prior to sale Appraisal & Valuation Services Undertaken
1599 Bay view Avenije Toronto, Ontario M4G 385 Telephone: 481-0878
30% PRICE POLICY
WW /W off sugg. retail ;
Art. SiToti • Onehe pS«« • 0« p««lin^^^
I naaity Mxl* FrmiM.
EtOtiicoli« 239*574 WjIkMdale
I—T-ft—..... I
KchnondHi e«-1210
_ . C«nlnl
'22T-5787 Toronto 782-2663    Oo«mjv(«»630-2643 4W-9016
BILLPERLOVE
Plaza's Featured Salesman
of the
Week
BILL PERLOVE
Bill Perlove has been in the auto business for 21 years. For the right deal on the right car see Bill at;
PLAZA
^  '      PONTIAC BUICh __
3400 DUFFER IN
at 401', opposite Yorkdale Phone: 781-5271
to
olympic bound tourists
n
S
De SOLA Club
M   O   N    T   RE   A L
INC
As a public seryjce, the Club's strictly kosher dining room will be open to tourists. Situated , in the heart of downtown Montreal, near all major hotels and attractions.
OPEN DA IL y CL OSED SA TURD A Y
LUNCHEON 12-2 P.M. DINNER 6-8:30 P.M.
★ RESER VA TION REQVIRED-k
3636 De Mus6e (corner McGregor Ave.) Telephone: 845-0430
Under the supervision of Jewish Community Council of Montreal
THE CRADLE SHOPPE ltd
388 EGLEVTON AVENUE WEST
will open its doors to the public
FRIDAY JULY 30, 1976
we carry a complete stock of baby and juvenile furniture, car seats, a fantastic toyland selection and other things of interest to the very young in your family.
come out and see why we are not only the newest, but also the best!
OPENING SPECIAL
free gifts with all purchases. any purchase over ^150.00 receives your choice of child's walker^
safety bumper pads for cribs, chh.dren's night lights, or a musical carousel for the crib.
THE CRADLE SHOPPE LTD.
388 EGLINTON AVENUE WEST
Free Parking At Municipal Lot On Castle Knock Road
foeirf^duenCuae in ^^c^od dirjiiTo^
Spajrjfsh? G6i\tou.r. ■
and
^our UNIQt
X fresh lobster & treat from onr tanks
north west
(At Diitferin) 66b6550
1000 Finch Ave
1855 IDunda4 L Mississau^a 625-^5490
(1 Mile West of Hwy. 427) OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
)WNpWN
144 Front st. at University
363-5674
JEWELLERS LTD.
★ GOLD ai4d SILVER JEWELLERY
★ CUSTOM MADE
★ REPAIRS
ALL AT WHOLESALE PRICES
163 SPADINA AVE. (at Queen)