Friday, December 9, 1955
JEWISH WESTERH BULLETIN
Page Seven
Book foir covers wicie area in talks and varied display
By JJAOMI PELUN
"The Jews and Football" was about the only book that wasn't written during the past year for Jewish readere. If it was, then Abe Averbach didn't have time to mention it at the Book Fair held November 24 at the Centre. Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg brought the responsibilities of Jewish parents to the fore, in creating the Jewish atmosphere; and Ben Chud proved the positive values of translations.
The tables around the Lodge Hall \is^ere spread with a delicious literary meal. It made .you hungry to look at the variety of reading material—books that you've always wanted to read, and books with a "haimishe" flavour that you could relish again with added enjoyment. And of course, there were copies of the newest books which arouscid the curiosity.
One of these was by a young author named Mordecai Richler, whose novel "Son of a Smaller Hero" represents the first time that a Canadian Jewish writer has used Canada as a locale. AUDIO-VISUAIi AIDS
The most vital mediimi of Jewish education is still the family and the home, said Rabbi Gold-
enberg, opening the program with a talk on audio-visual aids for the igrowing Jewish family.
Educational possibilities for the younger generation, he pointed out, have reached a new high in the past few years, through the media of Jewish books, magazines, records, film-strips and handicrafts.
Rabbi Goldenberg .warned Jewish ,parertts that none of the tools mentiorad are sufficient in themselves to bring .Jewish life to their children. But if they are used in the proper way they will add much enjoyment to the chil-drens' educative process and thus make it easier for them to acquire greater knowledge of things Jewish.
The rabbi suggested what to look for in the best Jewish records and played some examples of records on religious and holiday themes.
MANY JEWISH BOOKS IN TERCENTENARY YEAR
Last year the tercentary of Jewish life in America was celebrated. As a result there were more books published on Jewish themes than of all other national groups put together; Amopg scores that he mentioned in a short space of time Abe Averbach recommended a volume on
Cofweniently Located Near ibe Community Centre
12th ond Odk Shell Service
"Let u% look after your driving needs" 12th ond Dole St. CH. 6233
Elect
EFflE JONES
for Alderman
WATER tells the
truth about whisky
Put Seagram's "83" to the water test.
Water, plain or sparkling, reveals a whisky's true, natural flavour and bouquet.
Seagram*^ 83
'Canadian, ^/iusAj^
0^ Seagram'^ Sure
This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor G)ntrol Board or by the Government of British Columbia.
Ancient Israel by Kolinski, wliich he said was written with a sincere warmth of feeling; a book on the Jews of the Soviet Satellites by Yarkov and on comparative religions called "Symbols and Values" by Louis Fin-klestein.
An anthology which Mr. Averbach found particularly worthy of mention is called "The Sound of the Great Trumpet," in which all the foremost writers in Israel today draw a word picture of present day life in that country. A bocdc which is packed with information of interest to Jews is "Scapegoat of Revolution" writ-^ ten by Judd L. Teller, who is soon to visit this city.
It is still a subject of debate as to whether books are more interesting than people or vice versa. Some of the most interesting books are about people. There is the one about Two-rGon Cohen, the Jewish adventurer; one called "Ben Gurion of .Israel" by Lit-vinoff, who points out that although B.G. led his people through much adversity, many of the 'troubles being experienced by Israeli Jews can be laid at his door; and a new biography of Alfred Dreyfus has appeared, including letters written to his family which were unavailable in the past.
A popular well-spring of themes* for Jewish novelists is the Bible, but after reading six new novels on Biblical themes this year, Abe Averbach is still of. the opinion that the oldest book does a better job. His criticism was that they "fail to bring the theme in to our times."
WHAT IS A JEWISH BOOK?
It was inevitable that the question should be raised "what is a Jewish book?" Is it- a book by a Jewish author? But then some of these are • completely divorced from Jewish lifO; and their writing reflects this, for example, Lionel Shapiro. Franz Kafka does not write on Jewish themes yet a book has been written this year which tries to-bring Kafka and Judaism together. Some Jewish %yriters reflect an atti tude towards their people which is lacking in pride, and border on the caricature. Can their books be called Jewish? In this connection Mr. Averbach men tioned the headline over the review of "Marjorie Momingstar' by Herman Wouk in the Chicago Jewish Sentinel which read ''Sin and Sex Served up Kosher Style.
UNIVERSALITY OF JEWISH LITERATURE
Ben Chud,' speaking - on the value of translations saw Jews in a unique position with regard to their culture. Because of the fact that Jews have two languages of their own, besides speaking many other languages according to the countries of their birth, Jewish literature assumes a universal quality.
Beginning with the translation of the Bible into Greek, Jewish writing has almost never been confined to one language. An interesting fact which he brought out was that although Sholem Asch writes in Yiddish, his books are translated into English and published in that langua'ge before appearing in the original.
Mr. Chud conceded that a written work is bound to lose some of its quality in the process of translation, but if a translation from Yiddish into English is good, it can convey the Jewish flavor to those jvho are familiar with the Yiddish idiom. He attributed the cause of bad translations to the haste with which they are produced in the current demand for English-Jewish reading. • Speaking about the dangers in-
LARGE GATHERING AT PERETZ SCHOOL 10th ANNIVERSARY
A large gathering of members and friends celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Vancouver Peretz School Sunday, Nov. 27, in true festive style at a banquet in the community centre.
There were appropriate greetings by various members of the school as well as a number o: telegrams read by Louis Novi-kqff, who presided. An outstanding program of Jewish folk songs was presented by Clare Klein and the Jewish Folk Singers, and an enjoyable musical selection was played by the Praesto string quartet. A delicious kosher turkey dinner was served by the Muter Farein.
Those who brought greetings included Mrs. A. Wyne, president of the Muter Farein; Mrs. Helen Dobbs, president of the PTA; Mrs. F. Piters, president of the Ikuf Reading . Circle; and Harry Levinson, president of the Men's Club.
The principal, Ben Chudnovsky introduced several of the graduates and first students of the Peretz School in 1945, and a few of them brought greetings. Those introduced incldded Louis Gure-vitch, Elaine Gerber, Harold Berson and Mrs. Helen Parker. The banquet represented the
CONGRESS SUPPORTS TALMUD TORAH
(Continued from Page 2) fees or not.
Canadian Jewish Congress; Pacific Division, suports the Talmud Torah in its current membership drive and pledges the entire support of its executive and Board of Directors in that behalf. I appeal to every member of our community to support this membership drive which commences on December 15. I am certain that we, as a thriving and pulsating Jewrsh community, desire that Judaism in Vancouver, should flourish and prosper. Your support will assure the success of this campaign and help maintain those spiritual values which are so d6ar to ufe and which can only be perpetuated by bringing* forth a learned and informed generation and a healthy and self respecting Jewish community.
windup of the school's membership drive and a gratifying sum of money was raised in response to the appeal of the president Saul Wyne. Mr. Chudnovsky spoke on the role and work of the school and read a humorous dissertation in Yiddish on the activities of the Peretz School.
ITie newly elected officers and id^^ecutive of the school include the following: H. ZIotnik, hoi;i-orary president; S. Wyne, president; S. Brail, first vice-president; H. Berson, second vice-president; A, Wyne, recording secretary.
Elected to the finance committee were L. Novikoff and JVL' bodek; educational committee. Dr. H. Winrob, Mrs.. E. Hestrin, Mrs. L. Lacterman, Mrs. A. Es-trin, N. Wiseman; Librarian, J. Greenberg; Building committee, Ch. Segal, M. Gnrevich, Mrs. S. Cole; Membership chairman, M. Dodek; good cheer, N. Wiseman; tuition, Mrs. A. Wyne; trustees: Mr. and Mrs. B. Kaplan; Mrs. ^ F. Osipov, Mrs. F. Berson, Mrs. F. Pi|er8, Mr. J. Freedman, Mr. M. Gnrevltch.
MOST
HaUSEWiVES CHOQSE
MILK
"ART" RILEY
herent in translation from Yiddish into English, Mr. Chud noted that the Jewish^ flavour. can be."vulgarized so as to play into the hands, of those who scoff a our people."
' There is no doubt that English-speaking Jews would be deprived of a great deal of enjoyment if certain classics were never translated. The success of **The World of Sholom Aleichem" on Broadway and in this country is current evidence of the popularity of Jewish drama, he added.
All speakers emphasized the importance of Jewish cultural expression in the home, and chairman Harold Rpme gave a few/personal examples of the enjoyment to be derived from it.
In spite of the limited attendance, (the Grey Cup feiStivities had already started) the Jewish Book Fair can be considered a qualitative success, judging by the reactions of those who did at-end. It would undoubtedly have >een even more successful if opportunity had been given for discussion afterwards.
ARTHUR RILEY For Aldermon
Who Stands For
City Manager Plan
Eliminole ProcrosHnotion and hove Efficient AdminictroHon.
Ward System
To Allow CHizens to Consult with Their Ward Aldermen on Matters of fmportonce.
MIZRACHI ORGANIZATION OF VANCOUVER
sponsors
GLASSES IN TAIiMUD
Each Monday evening 7 to 8 p.m. at Schara Tzedeck (Oak & 19th Ave.) led by RABBI BERNARD GOLDENBERG
Each Wednesday evening 7 to 8 p.m. at Beth Hamidrosh (Heather St. near 16th Ave.) fed by RABBI GH. B. GINSBERG
EVERYONE IS WELCOME