Turkey Celebrates Jewish-Muslim Peace (cont’d from preceding page) Empire. The Ottomans con tinued serving as a refuge to persecuted Jews to the very end of the Empire. In 1923, the Ottoman Empire, defeated in World War 1, was dissolved and replaced with the Republic of Turkey. Although modern Turkey is a secular nation, its population today is 99% Muslim. Jews continue to live and thrive there. In modern Turkey, Jews have served in the Parliament and are integrated into the life of the country. During World War II, Turkey, still reeling from its defeat and dismemberment in World War I, remained neutral. Not only was Istanbul a hotbed of political intrigue, but the entire Turkish nation became a safe haven for Jews who could cross its borders. Turkish med ical centers and universities were filled with Jews, fleeing Nazism. One Turkish diplomat has a tree planted in his honor as a “Right eous Gentile” at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem. In 1953, only four years after Israel’s War of Indepen dence, a new synagogue was constructed in Istanbul, a pre dominantly Muslim country. This was of particular signifi cance because at Israel’s creation 100.000 Turkish Jews, deeply committed to Zionism, uprooted and moved to the Jewish state. The Jewish community in Turkey now numbers some 26.000 people, 25,000 of whom live in Istanbul. There they maintain several Jewish schools. two Jewish hospitals and two Jewish homes for the aged as well as numerous youth and social groups. The Jewish world is focusing on Spain in 1992. Most Jewish organizations are sponsoring tours to Spain during the Quin- centennial commemoration of the Spanish Expulsion. The Jewish community of Turkey, along with Muslim friends, have created a foundation to encour-. age American Jews to visit the land that rescued the exiled Sephardi Jews, from Spain in 1492 and from Portugal in 1497. Beginning this year of 1992 and for the next five years Turkey is rolling out the red carpet to Jewish visitors from abroad. I was privileged to be among a small group of American rabbis invited to Turkey this past December who saw the beauty of the country, the warmth of the people and were able to dialogue with them in critiquing their five-year celebration. In 1992 we look back 500 years to Spain and recite the “Kaddish.” We look to Turkey, the nation which rescued our people, and we recite the “Kid- dish” of joy. This is a milestone year, celebrating 500 years of Muslim-Jewish peace and har mony. Hopefully, as the Middle East peace talks progress, 1992 might also be a milestone year as Arab Muslims and Jews struggle to find ways to live together in peace. Enjoy an Unique Experience Page 3-THE NEWS-February 1992 ^^UNIBRS By Simon Estroff I returned on Jan. 1 from another successful three-week stint in Israel. It was a truly remarkable experience. I arrived there on Dec. 9, joining 16 other eager volunteers, to go to Ash- dod Naval Base, overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Yes, I did have a room with a view and a breeze. This group of eager men and women did light duties such as landscaping, painting, office work, warehouse duties and, of course, kitchen duties. While we were there, the Base had their annual inspection and passed with flying colors. The General thanked us for all we did to help and we were very proud of this accomplishment. The food was excellent and healthy too. Many new friends were made. Most of the soldiers spoke very good English. There was plenty of free time when we could visit as a group, Masada, Ein Gedi and Arad as well as Jerusalem. Each trip was with a professional guide and in a modern bus. On the weekends we were free to leave the base and make our own plans. We were also offered home hospi tality and I elected to go to Pardess Ghana again. When our three weeks were Simon Estroff, dressed in fatigues, at Yad Vashem. nj Three of the young Israeli soldiers: (L to R) Chezzi, Elon, Yossi. up, the base had a lovely farewell party for us and issued us diplomas, service pins and spoke many kind words about us. It was very touching and a day we’ll never forget. Volunteers for Israel is a wonderful program for anyone 18-70, single or married. If you want to visit Israel in a very special way, have an experience that you’ll never forget, meet some of the greatest people in the world, and do it all for less than you ever imagined, then call me at 535-2936, or call the NY office at 212-643-4848. Charlotte Ad Club Helps to Combat Child Abuse Jewish Chatauqua Society Endows Lectureships At Belmont Abbey and Greensboro Colleges Child Abuse and neglect is one of the most serious problems facing our nation, our state, and our community. In North Carol ina and Mecklenburg County, the problem of child abuse and neglect is both chronic and growing. An estimated 10,000 children are being abused in Mecklenburg County, right now. Nationwide, North Carolina ranks 41st among the states in “well-being” of children, with over 4,500 incidents of suspected child abuse or neglect reported in Mecklenburg County last year. Only by pulling together as a community can we combat these appalling statistics. This year, the Charlotte Ad Club’s public service campaign will focus on child abuse and neglect. Phase 1 will involve creating a high level of public awareness, support and partic ipation. Phase II is intended to aid the public in identifying and reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Many area businesses have donated money and/or resour ces to support this project. However, additional funds are still needed to cover the most basic of expenses in order for this campaign to be success ful. Please call Lisa Madsen, 334-8296, should you wish to donate to this worthy cause, or if you have any questions. Rabbi David M. Zielonka, chaplain of Rauch Industries in Gastonia, NC, will teach a course entitled “Introduction to Judaism” during the spring semester at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont. This class is one of 144 across the U.S. that will be underwritten this year by the Jewish Chautauqua Society (JCS). Rabbi Zielonka is a member of the B’nai B’rith Adult Edu cation national speakers bureau. He was the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel in Gastonia, 1983-91. Rabbi Zielonka will also pre sent a talk on “Jewish Scrip- donated over 100,000 volumes of Judaica to school libraries. Founded in 1893, JCS is the educational arm of the National Federation of Temple Brother hoods, an affiliate of the Union of American Hebrew Congrega tions. N m reenspon Afyw'jates I Inc. & Associates ■ Inc. insurance Specialists In Personal and Business Life Insurance Enfiployee Benefits j25CottagePlac|^^harlott^^ A WEEKEND YOU NEVER VWySFT TO END... Come to our home for a night, maybe two. Join us in Charlotte's exciting SouthPark neighborhood as you relax in the quiet luxury of The Park Hotel. North Carolina's only Mobil Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond hotel! Your guest room is richly appointed. Nightly turruiown, 24-hour room service, and a cozy terry robe await you. V/ork out in our fully equipped Health Club. Shop in ^ over one hundred fine stores just out our back door. Enjoy a Complimentary Continental Breakfast the next morning. Valet parking is included. Cdebrating a special occasion? »^pMOcaut)tnaf Ask about our ultimate suite packages. w •S«nOnl)r fetblel 2200 Rexford Road • Charlotte NC 28211 • 704/364-«220 • 800/334-0331 Rabbi David M. Zielonka tures” to an assembly of students at Covenant Day School in Matthews on Mar. 13. This lecture is being underwritten by JCS. Rabbi Richard Harkavy, spir itual leader of Temple Emanuel in Greensboro, NC, will teach the course “Introduction to Judaism” during the spring semester at Greensboro College. Rabbi Harkavy was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jew- ish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH in 1984. To date, more than two mil lion students have attended JCS sponsored seminars and lec tures. JCS also produces educa tional video programs and sup ports interfaith institutes. It has Registration Being Held For Drama Classes At Children’s Theatre An eight-week session of dra ma classes will be offered at The Children’s Theatre Feb. 10-Apr. 4. Classes are designed to en hance creativity, build self- confidence and encourage indi viduality. By using stories, poems and music, your child has the chance to act out new ex periences that may not be part of their day-to-day life. These “non-threatening” classes are not performance-oriented and are offered for ages three-Junior High. Classes meet once a week for one hour. The cost is $32. Please call The Children’s Thea tre Education Dept., 376-8025, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays for information on how to register your child. Registration will be taken until classes begin if space is available. •QUAUTY^FAST^ Commercial Printing • Full Color Printing • Typesetting Copies • Pick-Up and Delivery • Convenient Free Parking Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5;30 ^ 315 West Morehead Street " nil 0311332-1164 or Fax 332-7804

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