Page Two
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, March 20, 19S9
Editor's view
A. L Arnold
The essence of Jewish culture
'T^he very essence of Jewish culture was beautifully X demonstrated in colourful and entertaining dance forms and compelling word commentaries by Felix Fibich, whose performance here last Saturday was tiie most unique cultural event in the Jewish community for many years past.
Mr. Fibich began his pfogram with a delightfully enlightening discourse which established for the audience that there really is such a thing as Jewish dance forms. He later told this writer that wherever he performs for the first time people cannot conceive of what he is going to do. However from his opening words and steps on the stage, most of the audience established an immediate identification with what he was saying and doing and were held completely enthralled for the entire program.
Fibich's material is drawn from the rich well-springs of Jewish life and tradition as it has been manifested through the centuries and in different parts of the world. He draws from the Baal Shem Tov's "chassidim," from Sholem Aleichem's ''luft-menschen," as well as from the experience of the Jews of Bokhara in Middle Asia and of the Yemenites in the Middle East. He incorporates into his work the movements of religious ecstasy of the Chassidim
Mr. Fibich concludes his opening commentary with a demonstration of hiis various dance steps These are then incorporated and make more meaningful the first three dances which he performed.
First came a merry Chassidic dance. This was followed by a more serious number, "In Search for an Answer", done to music from the Baal Shem Suite by Ernest Bloch. In this number Fibich portrays in dance form the doubts and beliefs of a Talmudic student, looking for answers to questions which are shattering his faith. This was the most beautiful and artistically conceived of all his dances^
The final dance in this first group by Fibich was an exciting interpretation of Menachem Mendel, the famed "luftmensch" creation of Sholem Aleichem. This was done in honor of the centenary of Sholem Aleichem's birth. Fibich ably portrayed Menachem Mendel as the prototype of those who defy perpnnial misery with impractical dreaming. After the great loss in one venture, there remains hope in a more preposterous idea to try out tomorrow. Menachem Mendel always has great plans and greater dreams and he is always the eternal optimist.
The next jpart of the program consisted of the showing of a television lanescope film adaptation
Purim tales and thoughts^
By RABBI BERT A. WOYTHALER
THE Jewish mystics of the l including transportation, will end Middle Ages were not mere- Sunday evening, ly playing with words when they MORDECAI AND HAMAN—AN explained the name "Yom Kip- ETERNAL CONFLICT purim" (the full name for. Yom Psychologists of our day who have Kippur) as meaning "Yom Ki- probed the mental processes that go Purim", "A day likp Purim". on in men's minds, have revealed They felt, paradoxically that these interesting facts about the subcon-two days were basically similar scions sources of anti-Semitism. They though outwardly they appear to have come forward with the sug-present the most extreme of con- gestion which is so strongly intimated trasts: Yom -Kippur the day of by the Megillah—that the Jew in his solemnity, repentance, and self- relation to the non-Jew serves as a torment; Purim the day of levity, symbol of God's spirit, l^e very ex-joy of life, and feasting. I istence of the Jew disturbs severely
The truth of the matter is, however, that the mystics were justified.
The reading of the Megillah on Purim serves to impress us with the same Consciousness of Sihi
and the same Faith in the Inevitable Downfall of Evil as does Yom Kippur with its contrition and penance.
ADLOYODA—"UNTIL ONE KNOWS Nor*
the anti-Semite's soul, giving rise within him to a bitter antagonism. He is sorely distressed by the role set for the Jew in history. The anti-Semite resents Israel's teachings, Israel's ethic. Haman is ever-present to vanquish Mordecaii but Mordecai continues to frustrate Haman's evil design.
SPECIAL PUKIMS
History records the observance of special Jhirims by private, families. These special Purims commemorate the deliverance of a community or family from the hands of an enemy. Cecil Roth writes of the Purim of the city of Tiberias in the 18th century. In 1743, Suleiman Pasha, the Gov-
as well as the more prosaic gestures from the every- of the great Peretz classic, "If not Higher". This was day life of the Jews of Eastern Europe, steeped in originallj)^ done in New York last year by Felix Fi-the tragedy of persecutions, yet reflecting laughter bich acid his own dance group as part of the CBS through tears. - television series, "Look up and Live". Combining his The dances of the Chassidim have of course excellent choreography with a beautiful narration by long been recognized for theu- cultural and spiritual contei.iporary actors like Jacob Ben Ami, Felk Fi-beauty. Fibich explains that these were the only bich and his company helped to ensure the immor-really original dances created by the Jews during the tality by bringing out the eternal and universal beau-period of the Middle Ages in Eastern Europe. ties of this classic Peretz story.
He goes on however, to add to the originality of We should not really speak of Felix Fibich and Jewish dance by taking the gestures of every-day his company without mentioning -Judith Berk, his life, the Jewish habit of talking with the hands, the wife and partner in his creative endeavors. Although mannerisms which have become shunned or des- she was not with him on his tour, Mr. Fibich told us pised in modern times or derogated to despicably that she was his original inspiration to become a dan-vulgar interpretations and makes of them a thing of cer and they continue to work as partners in their beauty and inspiration. chosen professional career.
Dance developments in Israel
In the second half of his stage program, Fibich makes some comments about developments of the dance in Israel. In Israel, the pnly original Jewish dances today are those of the Yemenites. Fibich explained to this writer, however that the Yemenite dances cannot really be called original Israeli dances. They really fall into the same category of historical Jewish originaUty as the Chassidic dances with which he compared them.
These conunents were in elaboration of the belief which Fibich expressed on stage that the development of Israeli culture in dance and other art forms would be influenced by everything that has gone before in Jewish history.
Fibich also said when interviewed that he deplores the tendency in Israel today to discount what has been done by Jewish people in the diaspora.
In the second half of his stage program he did three more dance numbers which, while officially representative of Israel today, actually take in the Middle East and Asiatic historical experience of the
Jews. The first of these was a dance of the Jews of Bokhara, based on his experience of five years spent ' in that Central Asian part of the world. The second number in this group was "Debka" an Israeli dance with strong Arabic influence characterized by intricate footwork and reminiscent of walking barefooted on hot desert sand. Fibich told us that the "Debka'' is really an Arab dance taken over as adapted by the Israelis.
His last dance number, tiie "Hora Rhapsody," represented ^the Israeli pioneer, building and planting his land but with a constant awareness of danger. Here Fibich depicted the "Chalutz," working with one hand on the plough and the other on the rifle, but nevertheless enjoying the feelmg of freedoni on his own soil.
In summary,* the performance by Felix Fibich indicates very clearly that his work in the field of dance has special significance and great value in bringing to light and preserving the vital elements of the Jewish cultural heritage.
Until one knows not, what? Why grnor of Damascus, determined to
until one knows not the difference assert his overiordship, laid siege to
between "Baruch Mordecai" (Blessed the city. During the 83 days of the
by Mordecai) and "Arrur Haman" investment,   the   Jews co-operated
(Cursed by Haman). manfully in the defence, for they
How can it ever happen that one that capture would spell disaster
cannot tell the difference between fo,. them.  At last the Pasha was
Mordecai and Haman? On Purim, forced to raise the siege, and a short
this can happen. This can happen, be- time afterwards, while he was pre-
cause Purim is the gayest and hap- paring a second attack, he suddenly
piest of holidays. Because- according jjed. The Jews of Tiberias instituted
to Talmudic tradition, on Purim one | the anniversaries of these two dates.
Are we a cultural wasteland?
must dtink Ad Lo Yoda—^until.^ one knows not. In modern times Adlo-yoda is the name of the annual Purim Carnival in Israel.
Anti-SemitisEn is Rabbi Goldenberg's topic
The late Friday night Service at Schara Tzedeck tonight, Friday evening,, March 20, will be-gm at 8:30 p.m. with Cantor Dov Propis, assisted by the Schara Tzedeck Choir, chanting the Liturgical Music and Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg officiating.
The Text of the Rabbi's sermon will be: "How to Fight Anti-Semitism," with special attention to the current *'Exodus" situation in Romania and its revelations about Communist Anti-Semitism.
Rev. and Mrs. W. Shuster of the Congregation's Religious Staff will be hosts at the Oneg Shabbat following the Service, in celebration of their moving into a new residence.
Services on Saturday morning will begin at 9 a.m. The Junior Congregation, under the guidance of Cantor Propis, is held at 10 a.m.
In introducing the performance of Felix Fibich, Dr. Harry Winrob, who acted as MC spoke of Vancouver as a "hinterland" in terms of Jewish culture. Looking about at the sparse audience of 125 to 150 people we almost felt inclined to call it a "wasteland." If diis cultural series cannot be maintained in Vancouver and the response to it improved, then we would be forced to conclude that the Jewish community here is indeed a cultural wasteland.
We do not feel however, that the response to date, this season in terms of'the numbers attending the cultural series events would be a sufficient justification for dropping it, as has been mooted. The basic attendance of 125 to 150 at each event should be regarded not as the point at which the series should be dropped but the place from which to build greater interest in this type of activity.
This year we have as many as six local organizations lending their names as co-sponsors of the series. The trouble is however that some of them have lent their names but done nothing else to promote it. Some of the co-sponsoring groups have even bUthely gone ahead to run other major activities on the same night as this and earlier events in the cultural series.
This ^e of series should be under the sponsorship of one organization, or a strong committee
which: will go out to promote it on the basis of build-in a broad, sustaining interest and attendance. Such an organization could be the new Community Centre. In fact, for next season there would be no&ing wrong with sponsoring this series in <f the name of the New Centre, even before the building is actually erected.
If it cannot be done in this way, then we would again urge the consideration of forming a Jewish Cultural Society for all those people who are.truly interested in stimulating Jewish cultural activities in the fields of music, dance, drama, etc. Perhaps Caijadian Jewish Congress could back such a niove here as it does in other cities.
The work of Felix Fibich has special significance to anyone who is truly concerned about the preservation of the Jewish cultui'al heritage. \
It matters not how many successful financial drives we conduct in the Jewish community of Vancouver and whether for the UJA or for the. new Community Centre or for what have you; if we cannot build and sustain cultural activities of this kind then our community is moving backward.
We have written about this matter at such great length, not because we believe the latter condition to hold true, but because we are hopeful that something can still be done to disprove the suggestion that our community is a cultural wasteland.
Local Habonim host regional seminar
Habonim members from San I Francisco, Seattle, and Victoria] will converge oa Vancouver this, weekend for the first regional | seminar ever to be held in this city. The seminar will be heldj in two parts, first in the city arid j then at Habonim Camp Miriam! on Gabriola Island.
The program beginning Monday, March 23, is as follows: 5:40 p.m. arrival of visitors. 7:00 p.m. at Schara Tzedeck, reading ' of the Megillah's Esther, followed by special gathering! for seminar participants at the home of Lynne Steinberg, 5449 Ash St. Tuesday, March 24, at 1:30 p.m. a sightseeing tour of city. 7:30 p.m swimming p§rty ai Crystal Pool. Wednesday, March 25, trip up Grouse Mountain chairlift; communal supper | and folk singing in evening. Thursday, March 26, tour of Stanley Park; Piu--im Ball in the evening. Friday, March 26, 5:30 a.m. seminar participants 1 leave CPR dock for Habonim Camp! Miriam. The Seminar, costing $10.00,
Elul 7 and Kislev 4, as local Purims, which are still annually observed.
SOME PURIM ODDITIES
1. It is the custom in all Israel that the one who reads the Megillah for the Congregation does not read it out of a rolled Megillah, but he spreads it out and folds it folio upon foUb like a letter.
2. On January 3Q, 1944, Hitler in a speech said that "If the Nazis Went down to defeat, the Jews/would celebrate,a second triumphant Purim."
3. The Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible which makes no mention of God's nanie.
4. A custom among the Yemenites is to light 10 wax .candles in a circle representing the ten sons of Haman.
5. In Persia, Jews do not use the Grogger. Children masque and go from house to house beating drums. In Italy trumpets are blown while Jews circle round an effigy of Haman.
6. According to tradition, Kreplach are eaten three times during the course of the year. Purim is among the holidays because we "shlog Haman".
7. Hamantaschen (Haman's hat) are good eating and the traditional dessert. _
Purim -------------------------...March 24
Passover ______________April 23-30
THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
PMblished Weekly Every Friday at 2675 Oak St., Vancouver 9, B.C.
ABRAHAM J. ARNOLD Publisher and Editor
BERIHA ARNOLD A^ertising and Circulation
MEMBER OF AtlDIT BUREAU OF CraCULATIONS
Official Organ <rf Vancouver Jewish Community Council
JACK ACEMAN President
LOUIS ZIMMERMAN Executive Director
MORRIS SALTZMAN Publications Chairman PHONES:
Bulletin Office, RE. 1-3125 Evenings, RE. 1-3098 Centre Office, RE. 3-1168
Subscription $4 per year; $4.50 per year in U.SA. and other countries. Business? hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Saturdays, Jewish and Legal Holidays. Authorized .Second Class 'Mail. Post Office Dept., Ottawa._
FRIDAY,, MARCH 20, 1959
Candle-ligbting time (Published in co-_co-operation with Schara Tzedeck^ Sabbath Eve.' March 20« 6:07 March 27, 6:18