From the Editor's Desk The Second Exodus will submit to our readership material supplied to us that may be crucial and momentously relevant to our constituents. We count on our readers to ponder its authenticity, and to inform the Society of any new circulating information that may become available on a regular basis. Our last issue featured the Bassatine News, we do so again in this issue. The Bassatine News is submitted as a courtesy to the Board of the Jewish Community of Cairo. We do not endorse nor do we acknowledge its accurateness or completeness. The interest generated by these articles has proven to be exceptionally fascinating to most of our readers. In fact, we received varied reviews. Many praised us for making known the condition of the Bassatine, others rebuked us for presenting an "incomplete report". Those that were not aware of the plight of the Bassatine and Ms. Weinstein’s motivation to restore it, as it was presented to us, praised us. Others challenged our compliments for Ms. Weisntein, raising many provocative inquiries, yet others scorned us for not mentioning their names and or their efforts, among the active participants involved in saving the Bassatine, physically and financially. (See letter to the Editor, Page 11) To those scorning the Second Exodus for not mentioning their active participation to restore the Bassatine, we express our regret that we do not have any documents substantiating their claim (s). Accomplishments, presented verbalisticly can not be considered as conclusive, until verified by competent spectators substantiating their verbal report. It is their obligation to substantiate their claims by presenting us with documents or any viable proof of their campaigns. Upon our inspection and verification, we will settle any inaccuracy. On a more recent disturbing issue, we have learned through reliable sources during the week of May 25th, 1997 that Ms. Carmen Weinstein vice-president of the Jewish community of Cairo has performed an outrageous deed. She interfered and intruded on the most recent work done by the Attra Kadisha. She removed markings placed by the Attra Kadisha for the preservation of graves and tombs. If these accusations are genuine, we appeal to everyone with moral principles and ethics, to protest the actions Ms. Weinstein has engaged in, and for a full explanation of her unwarranted and unholy activities. These actions stand in contradiction to all her reported accomplishment. We also requested from Ms Weinstein to report on the community and its financial standing. On the same token, we appeal to all those that were active in fund raising activities for the saving of the Bassatine, to submit the list of donors so we may issue merits to those whose names were not mentioned in the supplied list by the Board of the Jewish community of Cairo. Any one involved in community matters has the obligation to submit a full report on his/her activity on a regular basis. Even heads of state report annually to their constituents, thus Setting the Record Straight. The Egyptian government reconfirmed it’s assertion to Mr. Niso Hadef that, Egypt has no objection on its part to the relocation of the Sefarim, providing the authorization of the Board of the Jewish Community of Cairo. Our delegation headed by our Honorary Rabbi Shimon Hai Alouf, despite many phone calls, floundered in their attempts to meet with Ms Weinstein for a period of ten days. We shall continue to pursue our quest incessantly until we bring this matter to a comprehensive conclusion. Many inquired about the HSJE policy concerning the Sefarim in the event of their relocation. The standing policy is; if any one wishes to retrieve a Sefer donated by his parents or grand parents, with proper verification he/she may do so. The HSJE is here to serve and protect our heritage. Notwithstanding, the HSJE a nonprofit educational institution, does not resort to advertising to meet its financial obligations, but we depend on your generous contributions to sustain our enormous expenses. Your tax deductible contributions will guarantee the continuation of the Second Exodus and allow for the broadening of our services. The International conference has raised much interest around the world, however due to financial difficulties, we were forced to postpone it to 1998. In any event 1998 is a more appropriate year to celebrate the Jubilee of the SECOND EXODUS. We are also happy to report that Dr. M. Mitchel Serels of Yeshiva University will co-chair the conference. |