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Page 6 - The Charlotte Jewish News - September, 1995 Speiznian Jewish Library ZEBULON VANCE AND THE SCATTERED NATION edited by Maurice Weinstein. Wildacres Press-$ 12.00 By Richard A. Kiein There is but one disappoint ment with the recently published “Zebulon B. Vance and 'The Scat tered Nation'" It’s that Maurice A. Weinstein, the editor of this splen did treasure, didn’t live long enough to enjoy the acclaim he richly de served. Maurice, who passed away on July 25, was among the few who clearly understood the impact of Vance—dead for over 100 years— on North Carolina, the nation and the Jewish people. Somehow, Vance's wisdom and accomplish ments have lar;gely been relegated to the pages of textbooks. What a shame! Maurice takes but 132 pages to remind us that Vance’s contributions remain an in spiration even as we enter the 21st century. The book is divided into four parts: The author’s chapter that summarizes Vance’s fascinating life in law, politics and war; Selig Adler’s commentary on Vance’s immortal oration, “The Scattered Nation”; Vance’s “The Scattered Nation” talk; and five exquisitely written memorial addresses pre sented at different times after Vance’s death. This book is especially signifi cant to readers of The Charlotte Jewish News. Mountain-bom Vance adopted Charlotte as home for ten years and made many friends here, including those in the Jewish com munity. ‘The Scattered Nation” talk is, perhaps, one of the most stirring, pro-Jewish statements in history. But what makes “The Scat tered Nation” even more significant is the individual who delivered it, the beloved Vance—North Carolina’s Civil War Governor and three times advanced to the U.S. Senate. His oratory talents were leg endary. When he died it was said: “Zeb Vance is dead! Few and short are these cruel words which men with lips compressed and cheeks all blanched have whispered one to another; and yet they bear the mes sage of the greatest grief which ever yet has filled the Old North State.” A beautiful mystery surrounds “The Scattered Nation.” While it was said that no “Israelite” ever voted against Vance, his career was certainly not dependent on the few Jews living in North Carolina. Yet there was Vance, giving this elo quent talk, year after year, to one audience after another. This oration, often given by Vance in churches, is 30 pages long in Maurice Weinstein’s book. What motivated Vance? Adler speculates it could have been the statesman’s love of Biblical history and his mastery of the Old Testa ment. It may have been the influ ence of Dr. Arnold De Welles Miller, minister at Charlotte’s First Presby terian Church. Or was it because of his special friendships with Char lotte Jewish friends as Samuel Wittkowsky, B. Koopman or S. Frankenthal? Reading “The Scattered Na tion” will leave any Jew in awe of Vance’s mastery of history, and his sensitivity for a long-oppressed people. He begins by noting: “The Jew is beyond doubt the most re markable man of this world—^past or present. Of all the stories of the sons of men, there is none so wild, so wonderful, so full of extreme mutation, so replete with suffering and horror, so abounding in extraor dinary providences, so overflowing with scenic romance.” He contin ues: “His history is the history of our civilization and progress in this world, and our faith in that which is to come.” Vance was invited by Jewish audiences to give his talk, but Adler notes that “adequate Jewish appre ciation of Vance’s services did not come until after his death.” While Vance’s passing was mourned na tionwide, many Jewish presses didn’t mention it. But it was Zeb Vance who noted so well the irony of anti- Semitism: “We affect to despise the Jew, but accept and adore the pure conception of a gold which he taught us, and whose real existence the history of the Jew more than all else establishes.” Maurice Weinstein has taken the advice given by another Jew, Samuel Wittkowsky, Vance’s old friend: “And now, fellow-citizens, let us perpetuate (Vance’s) memory and teach our children to instruct their children and their children’s children to revere his memory, and that wherever their lot may b« cast and they are asked where they came from, to point with pride to the State which gave birth to Zebulon B. Vance.” Maurice Weinstein gave much to Charlotte over his many years of service to the community. He de livered a talk last year about Vance for The Charlotte Jewish Historical Society, which was videotaped. “Zebulon 8. Vance and ‘The Scattered Nation ” ’ was one of his final contributions that should be enjoyed and savored by all. Most importantly, it should serve as a last- ing inspiration to perpetuate Vance’s good name, and to emulate his service to country and God. (“Zebulon B. Vance and 'The Scattered Nation ” ’ is published by the Wildacres Press, Charlotte, and available for $12 at Shalom Park) (Richard A. Klein was founder and past-chairperson of The Char lotte Jewish Historical Society) New On The Shelf By Amalia Warshenbrot- Librarian, Speizman Jewish Library The following is only a sample of new additions to the Judaica Col lection at the Speizman Jewish Li brary: nCTION The Palace Thief by E. Canin The Assistant by B. Malamud A Scrap of Time by I. Fink Minyan Miracle by A. Cohen Prizes by E. Segal Carousel by B. Plain Murder on a Kibbutz by B. Gur Redemption by L. Uris Rabbi Rabbi by A. Kane HOLOCAUST (Juvenile Literature) We Are Children Just the Same by M.R. Krizkova Parallel Journeys by E. Ayer Hiding to Survive by M.B. Rosenberg Hidden Children by A. Stein JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY Netanyahu by D.N. Sp>eregen Hilde and Eli by D. Adler Raul Wallenberg by S. Linnea YOUNG ADULTS Are You There on Purpose by N. Werlin The Star and the Sword by P. Melinkoff Drummers of Jericho by C. Meyer ISRAEL Understanding Israel (new edition) by S. Scharfstein Cooking the Israeli Way (easy menu ethnic cookbooks series by J. Bacon EASY REAPING FOR THE VERY YOUNG T7te Stonecutter- Adapted by Getzel King Solomon Figures it Out by S. Steinberg The Tower by L. Mayer Thunder Cake by P. Polaccc One Up One Down By C.Snyder K'tonton's Sukkot Adventure by S.R. Weilerstein Moses by L.E. Fisher We gratefully acknowledge all the generous donations which have made it possible to expand the col lection of Judaic resources in the Speizman Jewish Library. For more information and a list of the new children’s book collec tion, please stop by the library or call 366-5007 Ext. 258. For our We encourage you to vote in the Democratic Primary for Mayor Tuesday, September 26, 1995. Wishing you happiness and health in the New Year! Experietice: U.S. Senate Watergate Committee Attorney: Erdman, Hockfield & Boggs, L.L.P. Education: Duke Unlversity-B.S.E. 1971 (Biomedical Engineering) Georgetown University Law Center-J.D. 1975 Paid for by the Dai'id Erdman Cunipuign CummitHfv (Campaign Hq 2821 South Blvd Charlotte 28209 704 358.VOTE DavidErdman The “Book Star Is Changing Its Face By Amalia Warshenbrot, Librarian Speizman Jewish Library After two sessions of the reading incentive program offered to the Hebrew School children we are proud to offer it again, with some changes. The prizes for reading will be bigger but the demands will be a bit higher. The major change is the star it self. After each book is read, the reader will write on the star briefly describing the following: it How does the book start? it How does the book end? it What is the main event? it Who is the main person? it What did you like about this book? The program will run from September 5, 1995 till January 31, 1996. The children who read the most books will receive book prizes. Please remember, we accept stars only on books you have not previously read and that are available in the Speizman Jewish Library. The book prizes are sponsored by the Halailah B’nai B’irthWomen in memory of Becky Shulimson’s dedication to Jewish education. The Speizman Jewish Library will be open on Sundays from 9:30 to 1:(X) p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:(X) a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Wednesdays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you have questions please call 366-5007, Ext. 258. You've Worked Hard to Build Your Business. I Can Help You Keep It Successful people will tell you tw'O things about rutt- ning a business: First, work hard to make money. Second, woric even harder to protect it Chances arc you’ve got the first down cold. The second can be tricky, unless you know one name; New York Life. As a New York Life agent trained in the unique insurance needs of small business owners • and a local small business owner - 1 can help. With an insurance plan to protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build from disability, the loss of a partner or key employee, and other events. Call me today to schedule a confidential, no'obligation meeting at your convenience. Steven Katzenstein, Agent New York Life Insurance Company 100 N. Tryon Street Suite 3000 Charlotte. NC 28202 Bus. 704 371-8525 1-800-43^3608 Res. 704 896-7868 Fax 704 371-8598 Registered Ftopresentath^e for NYUFE Securities Inc. The Company You Keep.® O 1994 York Inturtoc* SB-3
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Sept. 1, 1995, edition 1
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