Today is a little bit about Jewish history…and support.
On December 16, 1991 the United States and 110 other nations successfully revoked UN Resolution 3379. The resolution (3379) passed in 1975, had stated that Zionism was a form of racism. Zionism was the movement for a Jewish statehood in the homeland of the Jewish people. The United States called the original resoluton “A terrible lie” which targeted & vilified the state of Israel by attacking Zionism. I appreciate our country’s encouragement and involvement.
In 1920, the League of Nations designated Great Britain to establish in Palestine “A national home for the Jewish people.” In 1948, the United Nations voted Great Britain to partition Palestine into “independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem.”
Much of this and more is in the book “Ben-Gurion and the Birth of Israel” by Joan Comay 1967. It is another of my World Landmark books.
I also have “Jewish Contribution to Civilisation” by Cesil Roth, published 1945 (originally in 1938.)
The chapters break down Jewish involvement in areas like world travel; art, music, stage; scientific progress; economics; European law; and others. The author had an intriguing page in his chapter on medicine. I give but a small part of this quote:
“A Nazi who has venereal disease must not allow himself to be cured by Salvarsan, because it is the discovery of the Jew Ehrlich. He must not even take steps to find out whether he has this ugly disease, because the Wasserman Reaction which is used for the purpose is the discovery of a Jew. A Nazi who has heart disease must not use digitalin, the medical use of which was discovered by the Jew, Ludwig Traube. If he has a tooth-ache he will not use cocaine, or he will be benefitting by the work of a Jew, Carl Koller….”
The book goes on. While the author admits he was trying to antagonize the Nazis in Germany, with the book, he backs up quotes and information with an extensive bibliography. It is a very good read, teaching some Jewish history and fighting anti-semitism.
However, my main interest in Jewish history is because of the food. Chanukah, or Hanukkah if you prefer, this year will begin at sundown on Christmas day. I believe it happens every fifteen years or so. I can look up some specifics in my book “The Jewish Festival Cookbook” by Fannie Engle and Gertrude Blair, printed in 1954.
First they quote from the Code of Rabbinical Judaism:
“Do not fast during Chanukah,
Not on the Day preceding
Nor yet on the day following.
Eat and be Merry.
Linger over your viands,
Punctuate your meals with jest and song,
Relate miracles.”
Then the dreidels come out, and then perhaps some Chanukah gelt. There is a recipe for Potato Latkes and Pineapple Fritters! I can’t wait.
Whether Christmas or Hanukkah, it doesn’t really matter. We need to smile with one another. Enjoy family and friends.
Eat and be Merry.
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