December 24, 2010
100 Years Ago in the Forward
There’s nothing sadder than a Jewish kid at Christmas. It’s even more difficult in America, where the barriers between Jews and others are not as big. But there is a cure for what ails the Jewish child. It’s Hanukkah! Does this holiday not fall around the same time as Christmas? And is this holiday not better than Christmas? When you get slapped, you turn the other cheek — that’s Christmas. If you’re willing to fight for it, you can win your freedom — that’s Hanukkah.
75 Years Ago in the Forward
A huge parade comprising more than 10,000 people — most of them children — wound its way through the streets of Tel Aviv in celebration of Hanukkah, the victory of the Jews over the Greeks. The windows along the parade route were lit up with Hanukkah lights as Tel Aviv Mayor Meir Dizengoff led the city’s children in celebration. The sight of their children participating in the parade gave much cheer to recent immigrants from Germany. As they had been hounded out of the “highly cultured” country not long ago, their happiness in finding freedom in Palestine was duly noted. The blessing over the candles was made outdoors on a giant menorah and sung by famed cantor Zanvil Kvartin.
50 Years Ago in the Forward
Reports of a secret atomic research program in Israel have brought about great worry in diplomatic circles in both the West and the Arab world. But the U.S. State Department has announced it is satisfied that the nuclear reactor Israel has begun building in the Negev desert will be used only for peaceful purposes. The State Department report noted that, according to the Israeli government, the reactor would be open for inspection by researchers from friendly countries. Within diplomatic circles, it is hoped that this announcement will calm frayed nerves in the Arab world.
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