2—THE BULLETIN—Friday, July 12, 1974
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"Sons of Covenant'' in convention
THE B'NAI B'RITH District Four Convention which takes place in Vancouver beginning this Sunday, will provide an opportunity to everyone in our community for a face-to-face, person-to-person look at a marvellous organizational mechanism being put through its paces.
For gatherings of this magnitude are a rarity in themselves, their size making them possible only in communities where physical facilities are adequate to accommodate the many visitors and planned events and where the community is large enough to cope with all of the required arrangements. Consider the logistics for staging one Kosher banquet and then multiply several times and you achieve some understanding of what is involved.
THE LAST B'NAI B'RITH District Convention took place here exactly ten years ago, the one prior to that some 16 years previously and the one before that way back in 1924 which was the first B.B. convention ever to be held in Canada. This convention, therefore, affords a rare opportunity for the average local Ben B'rith, as well as the uninitiated, to observe and participate in such a conclave as well as to familiarize themselves further with the organization.
THE ROLE OF B'NAI B'RITH has
become a household word in one way or another. Everyone is familiar with the Anti-Defamation League, B.B.Y.O., Hillel and the Great Jewish Books Series.
Indeed, B'nai B'rith agencies are so numerous today, that a description of them is impossible in this limited space. But there is hardly a person who has not heard of the work of A.D.L., considered one of the largest, most effective civil rights programs in the world.
The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization is believed to be the largest youth body on the world scene. It was founded to give Jewish youngsters a better understanding of Judaism and Jewish History. The other B'nai B'rith youth arm, its Hillel Foundation, has international scope and provides a healthy spiritual influence on college campuses.
The B'naiB'rith Adult Jewish Education program has grown enormously in recent years. Its publications are the backbone of many a Jewish library, and it has
helped to spread Jewish knowledge to the masses through its lecturers and its comprehensive programs.
ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE,
B'nai B'rith has been in the forefront in the fight for human rights and even has a special representative at the U.N. in the person of Dr. William Korey who will be addressing this convention on Sunday.
And when Arab propagandists attack B'nai B'rith, labelling it as a "Zionist" organization, it is an indication of the enormous scope of the Israel Program of B'nai B'rith. However, as is usually the case with B'nai B'rith efforts, they are not political but rather work for humanitarian ends, endeavoring to improve health and educational standards in the Jewish State.
ALL OF THESE constitute areas of specific Jewish interest. But we must not forget the great non-sectarian hospitals which B'nai B'rith operates, its general civic affairs programs and the speed with which it moves to meet great emergencies in the broader community.
It is not generally known, for instance, that thirteen full years before the formation of the American Red Cross, B'nai B'rith was active in disaster relief. For example, the victims of the San Francisco earthquake were aided by B'nai B'rith. And even closer to home and in our own time, during the disastrous 1950 Red River flood in Winnipeg, B'nai B'rith rushed in planeloads of pumping equipment to assist the beleaguered city.
Thus, as we welcome to our city the fourth B'nai B'rith District Grand Lodge Convention, we extend a hearty Shalom to all the delegates and wish them success in their deliberations.
THE IDEALISM of the first Ben B'riths set down in the founding constitution of the "Sons of the Covenant" some 131 years ago is still just as relevant today:
"To unite Israelites in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of Humanity; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor and patriotism. . ."
B.B. book series best seller
WASHINGTON-Can a series of books on Jewish thought and history be successful in America?
B'nai B'rith reports yes. For evidence : the expanding sales figures of its Jewish Heritage Classics series.
Since the first volume of the 50-book project came off the press four years ago, some 45,000 have been sold.
Four of the 10 volumes already published have been selected by the Jewish Book Club. Contracts for paperback reprints and favorable reviews from literary critics indicate that the demand is likely to grow.
The sale figures are for the first eight volumes. Two others were published in recent months.
The series is a project of B'nai B'rith's adult Jewish education program, an idea that evolved
RECENT ENERGY CRISIS found B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League and Supreme Lodge officers meeting last winter in the United States with Governor John Love, director of the U.S. Energy Policy office. The delegation pointed out that oil companies must not uSe Israel as a 'whipping boy' and thereby politicize the Mideast issue.
in 1966 as a "Simple and effective" approach to adult study.
"We felt that there was a market among non-scholars - Jews who want to learn about themselves -for a basic library on the development of major movements and influences in Jewish life," says Mrs. Lily Edelman, B'nai B'rith's adult education director.
She and Dr. David Patterson of Oxford University, England, are co-editors of the series. The plans have been to publish two or three volumes each year.
A Jewish Classic's volume emphasizes source. material rather than an author's interpretation of it. "This is an editorial rule Dr. Patterson and I insist upon," explains Mrs. Edelman. "We mean to have the reader learn for himself how the Jewish people viewed itself through its own writings."
Dr. Patterson adds another injunction. "Each book must be interesting," he warns authors. "The cardinal sin is boredom; to be boring is indefensible."
As if to emphasize the point, some scholars found themselves doing considerable rewriting.
Separated by 3,500 miles, the series' editors work independently on each manuscript. Later, they confer to work out any dif-
ferences between them.
Biggest sellers thus far have been "The Mishnah," the oral teachings of Judaism, selected and translated by Rabbi Eugene J. Lipman; "Rashi," commem-taries on the Pentateuch, selected and translated by Rabbi Chaim Pearl; and "Flavius Josephus," selections by Abraham Wasser-stein from the writings of the controversial Jewish historian of two millennia ago.
"The Mishnah," "A Portion in Paradise and Other Jewish Folktales," compiled by H.H. Mahmad, and "Flavius Josephus," together with the newly published "The Good Society," a study of Jewish ethics in practice, edited by Rabbi Norman Lamm, have been chosen by the Jewish Book Club as alternate selections-of-the-month. "The Mishnah" is also available in paperback.
Another recent edition,' "The Hunter and the.Hunted," es!?ays and first-person accounts of the Holocaust selected by Gerd Karman, will be issued in paperback in September.
Meantime, another dozen or so authors - specialists ifl their respective fields of Jewish study -are at work on books planned for the next several years.
BY HENRY LEONARD
It
Miss Hoffman, must you tell everyone how well the temple functioned during my absence?"
Copr. Dayenu Productions
CONVINTION
(Continued from Page 1) will be hosted by local B'nai B'rith members in their homes. A festive wine and cheese party reception at 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency will round out the evening.
Tuesday's agenda includes business sessions and a Hillel presentation. "Cavalcade of Giving" luncheon is scheduled from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Commencing 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, two chartered boats, the Malibu Princess and the Hollyburn, will treat all conven-tioners to a boat ride and salmon
riioughf for ffce Weeir
from the TALMUD
God created nothing in vain.
Shabbat, 77.
barbecue. It will feature a three-hour cruise touring the harbor, with orchestra on board, bar and refreshments.
Vancouver Fire department will mount a pumping display for the .B'nai B'rith cruisers.
Closing day of the District Four 111th convention will be Wednesday, July 17. Followed by the final business session, the last luncheon will be climaxed with installation of District officers and closing ceremonies.
Full Convention Program appears on page 13.
— DEATHS 1974 —
ARTHUR SERETH July 2 (In Hawaii)
As another Bulletin community ser vice feature. Deaths will be pub lisntd weekly at they are regis tered.—THE PUBLISHER.
Endorsed Appeals
P.W. Child Adoption Campaign............July 1 - 30
Social Calendar
B.B. Men's District
Convention .......July 13-17
Shalom Canadian
Legion Picnic ..........July 21
Parlour Mtg.-Bonds Aug. 21 Parlour Mtg.-Bonds . Aug. 22 Parlour Mtg.-Bonds Aug. 25 Parlour Mtg.-Bonds Aug. 26 Temple Sholom Sisterhood
Rummage Sale ......Aug. 28
Medical Aid Brunch Aug. 28
Endorsotions arc published as a Bulletin community service. Errors or omissions con be corrected only by Jewish Community Fund & Council, Ph. 261-8101.—THE PUBLISHER.
ffememfcer TAe SoUofA
Friday, July 12, 8:55 Sedre, Pinchas, Numbers Sabbath ends, Havdalah July 13, 9:55
Friday, July 19, 8:49 Sedre Matot-Mas'Ei,
Numbers Rosh Chodesh Av. Sabbath ends, Havdalah July 20, 9:49
Friday, July 26, 8:41
Sedre Devarim, Deuteronomy Shabbat Chazon Sabbath ends, Havdalah July 27, 9:41
JEWISH CALENDAR (LUACH) 1974
Tisha B'Ab..................July 28
Rosh Hashona............Sept. 17
Yom Kippur................Sept. 26
Succot .......................____Oct. 1
Shemini Atzereth........Oct. 8
All holidays begin the proceeding eve at sundown.
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Friday, July 12, 1974
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