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Pa«e8~THENEWS-October, 1981 Jewish Books in Review Holiday Law and Love for Children Jewish Experience Around the World Project Yussel’s Prayer: A Yom Kip- pur Story, by Barbara Cohen; illustrated by Michael J. Deraney. Lothrop, Lee A Shepard, 105 Madiwn Avenue, New York, NY 10016.1981. un paginated. $7.95 (ages 4-8). Reviewed by Marcia Posner On Yom Kippur we are not only enjoined to fast and pray, but to pray with all our heart . and mind, for only these prayers allow the gates of heaven to open and our prayers to enter G^*s presence, both Midrashim and modern stories have been written on this theme. Barbara Cohen has enlarged upon the tale to create a beautiful new picture book. Yussel*s Prayer is a story of the power of pure and innocent pie ty as opposed to the ineffec tiveness of rote prayer. Yussel, an uneducated or phan lives in the barn of Reb Meir — the richest man in town, who sits by the eastern wall of the synagogue — is refused per mission to attend shul on Yom Kippur; he must go to the fields and tend to the animals. All day long Reb Meir and his sons sit in the synagogue and pray, but while they pray their minds are on worldly matters. Reb Meir only begins to pay attention to what is happening in the synagogue when he notices that it is long past dark, yet his rabbi has not yet concluded the prayers. What could be delaying him? Meanwhile, Yussel observes Yom Kippur in his own way. He fasts all day, and when evening draws near, the untutored Yussel prays to God the only way he can —with a tune on his reed pipe. Suddenly, in the synagogue, the rabbi began to chant the Ne’lah prayers, signaling the end of the service, his face suffused with joy. At last a prayer was said that was holy enough to open the gates of heaven. You can guess whose it was. Yjssefs Prayfer A\OM kPPUR Many children’s book il lustrators have drawn their in terpretation of the shtetl in re cent years. Michael J. Deraney’s beautifully modelled and textured drawings provide us glimpses of the vast forest, plains, and rivers beyond the closely spaced houses with their steep pitched roofs and narrow lanes. The expressions shown on the faces of the village’s in habitants speak volumes. He shows us the world without and the world within the shtetl — the rich house among the poor, social class distinctions, and the struggle for yichus (honor) which were so much a part of shtetl life. In so extending the text he helps Cohen to keep the shtetl from becoming a cliche. Particularly moving are the il lustrations of Reb Meir’s mo ment of self-revelation, which have a mystical, surreal quality not unlike the art of Maurice Sendak. Yussel’s Prayer is a welcome addition to the ever-increasing library of children’s and young people’s books by this talented author which either reflects an aspect of Jewish life or reinter pret traditional stories. Dr. Marica Posner is a library consultant. ‘‘Jewish Books in Review” is a service of the JWB Jewish Book Council. Reprinted with permission. Budgfst raniacar FLYING OUT? Park with Budget and Save 20%. Fastest Service * 24 Hr. Shuttle Full Security [^RESENT THIS COUPON FOR • I PERMANENT 20% DISCOUNT CARD. I Budget rentacar Nanfie 4509 New Dixie Rd. Charlotte, N.C. Address City St j Budg9i btsilvmn the Kind ofSmnflem I > the Competition only Wk9 About The Diaspora Story: The Epic of the Jewi^ People Among the Nations. By Joan Comay; Ran dom House, 201 East 50th Street. New York, NY 10022. 1981.2S8 pages. $15.95. Reviewed by Jeffrey S. Gurock Were Joan Comay’s The Diaspora Story a scholarly con- tribution to Jewish historiography, criticisms would immeidiately be raised about the inevitable gaps in at tempting to span so much of our history in one limited volume. But this richly il lustrated and beautifully photographed informal history of Jewish life in the lands of their dispersion over more than 3,000 years and across six con tinents in an art book. As such h doesn’t need to conform to strict methodological canons. And like most pictorial studies, it doesn’t attempt to offer a profound reinterpretation of the history of Jewish exile. Rather, it permits the documents and art collection reproductions, derived from Tel Aviv’s Museum of the Jewish Diaspora to tell the story of Jewish survival within both ac cepting and hostile host societies. Part 1 explores the varieties of synagogue, communal, life cycle and lingustic rites, ac tivities and expressions which contribute to the uniqueness of Jews from each of the corners of the world. Part II attempts a brief history of the toleration of Jews from the 8th Century B.C.E. to the present. The final chapter examines the impulses and motivations which led the Jewish return to Zion in our era. In each section, the narrative is interrupted by frequent digressions underscoring either a particular event, personali ty, or artifact which highlights the period or institution under study. The Diaspora Story is for scholar and layman alike an en joyable work which whets one’s appetite to visit the Israel-based center which inspired this book. home . ^ economist bulk foocis Mon-Sat. 9*8 Sun 12-6 1931 E. Independence Blvd. 375-9456 PISTACHIOS Sale $3.99 lb. California Colossal Natural New Crop Reg. 6.35 lb. SALE ENDS OCT. 11, LIMITS LBS BAGELS 5 Varieties' Delivered Fresh Tuesday & Friday CREAM CHEESE Delicious spreads Chocolate, Strawberry Orange, French Herb Garden,Oate Nut “Buy as much or as little as you need” Cua (Continued from Page 1) But it was the rapid consensus on the Joint Venture Agree ment, the legal core of the pro ject, that produced the greatest euphoria. It is that agreement and the still-to-be-concluded lease agreement, that will form the basis for the organizational votes. The Joint Venture Agreement begins: **The institutions join together in this joint venture for the purpose of developing, con structing, maintaining and operating certain joint and in dividual facilities on a common tract of land...to provide an enriched opportunity for the in stitutions to design and promote a dynamic and rewarding Judaic experience in this com munity. “The institutions * further desire to create in this joint ven ture a constructive and positive interaction and harmonious relationship between the Institu- tions and other Jewish organizations in this communi ty; to develop a heightened awareness of Jewish cultural, educational, historical and religious activities: to obtain an active and involved commit ment by Jews in this community to affiliate with the Institutions and to identify and support Jewish charities and causes; and to create an enriched apprecia tion by the Charlotte Jewish Community of its Judaic heritage and the importance of the preservation and perpetua tion of this heritage.” The agreement spells out who gets which tract on the proper ty; describes the joint educa tional facility, the recreational facilities, and how maintenance and upkeep will be paid. It spells out specific agreements between the founda tion and each institution, so there is no question of who can do what. For instance, athletic facilities would be reserved as the JCC’s area but Temple recreation program would have access. It confirms the long-standing plan to build the educational and recreational facilities first, the sanctuaries and fellowship halls following at a later date, with the Foundation pledged to assist the Temples in their fund drives. The Joint Venture Agreement embodies the principles of autonomy for the individual organizations, the key passage of which states, “each institu tion shall maintain its individual autonomy and continue to have the right to determine the use and operation of the property conveyed or leased to it.” Some of the language in the 30-page document may yet be changed, but there was substan tial immediate delight that so much was accomplished. Though formal sessions ran from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with few breaks, informal discus sions continued during meals, breaks, and on into the night. Many had only a few hours sleep during the weekend. During the weeks ahead, you’ll be hearing much more about the project. Diagrams of the site depicting various stages in Gene Warren’s planning have been posted all around the com munity. You can l>egin to get familiar with the site and how it will look for them. You’ll also get numerous opportunities to ask questions.
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 1, 1981, edition 1
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