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Sir Walter's Rebecca?
Miss Gratz, active in early America’s colonial
and Jewish life, is the first Jew inducted
into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame
Rebecca 0 ratz, 1781-1869, was recently inducted
into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame at the hall’s
seventh annual banquet. She is the first Jew to
receive that honor.
She was born into the wealthy and influential
Gratz family, which was active both in secular
colonial Philadelphia and within the local Jewish
community. They were members of Congregation
Mikveh Israel, still extant as the city’s only Sephardic
synagogue.
Sir Walter Scott’s Rebecca in Ivanhoe is said to be
patterned after Rebecca Gratz. Gilbert Stuart,
Charles Wilson Peale, Anne Claypoole Peale and
Thomas Sully, all leading painters of her time, painted
her portrait.
She was as renowned for her intellect as she was
for her beauty and charm. Her reputation was that of
an enlightened thinker, and she could discourse on
religion, philosophy and literature.
Although Miss Gratz never married, she raised
and educated nine children who were orphaned by the
death of her niece.
Her charity extended beyondjier family. In 1801,
she was elected secretary for the Female Association
for the Relief of Women and Children in Reduced
Circumstances. In 1819, she became a board member
and secretary for the non-sectarian Philadelphia
Orphan Asylum. She founded the still-existing
Hebrew Sunday School Society in 1838 and the
Travel value
Fortran of Rebecca Gratz by Thomas Sully.
Jewish Foster Home in 1855.
She is buried in the Gratz family plot in historic
Mikveh Israel Cemetery on Spruce St. in
Philadelphia.
According to Ralph P. Coleman Jr., president of
the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, it “was formed in 1971
as a non-profit foundation whose basic purpose is to
inform and inspire contemporary Pennsylvanians
through a greater understanding of their state’s rich
historical heritage as expressed in the lives of its most
illustrious sons and daughters. Jtw»h Exponent
Low fares, dollar exchange
benefit tourists to Israel
NEW YORK—Despite the
“shrinking dollar" in most
European countries, Americans
visiting Israel are still receiving
favorable exchange rates for their
dollars. This, linked with Israel’s
reasonable tourist prices, combine
to make Israel one of the world’s
best-value destinations for
Americans.
Air fares from the U.S. to Israel
have been reduced by as much as
54 percent in recent months and
low-qost charter flights are now
available from more American
cities. A double-room at a five-star
luxury hotel in Israel costs from as
little as S40-a-day (including a
lavish Israeli breakfast), compared
with approximately $80-100 for
similar accommodation in major
European cities. A good dinner for
two in a fine Israel restaurant may
be had for $20-25 including wine.
American visitors to Israel also
benefit substantially from the U.S.
Customs Service exemptions
under the G.S.P. (Generalized
System of Preferences). This
means that most Israel-made
purchases (for personal use) may
be brought back to the U.S. free of
duty, over and above the basic
$300 per person exemption. This
includes much Israel-made
jewelry, gems (including
diamonds!), furs, perfume, books,
silverware—as well as handicrafts.
For further information about the
G.S.P., contact any branch of the
U.S. Treasury Department’s
ERIC
SANDS
of Global Imports
The Southeast’s
#1 Honda Salesman
Bugatti presents the
Italian Sunday Brunch.
(It could only happen in America.)
TOUCH DANCING IS BACK!!
Hear or dance to the big bands at Atlanta’s
only Make Believe Ballroom.
Remember the 30’» and 40'», the age of the big
bands? Remember the tune you hummed the night you
first fell In love, the melody the radio played when you
shipped out oversears? You’ll relive a lot of memories
at the Hideaway where a complete musical and visual
story has been designed for ballroom dancing and
listening to help you recall that unforgettable swing
era.
Three nostalgic 1930’s and 40’s slide shows nightly.
4 P.M. - 4 A.M. Dally Except Sundays
Reduced prices dally during cocktail hour 4 P.M. — 8 P.M.
THE EICFAW/O'
3771 Roswell Rd.
233-8026
ALL 1979 MODELS A VAILABLE
FOR IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY
LEASING A VAILABLE
ON ALL MODELS
Honda Accord GLOBAL IMPORTS BU W J20i
225 PHARR RD., ATLANTA^
(in the heart of Buckhead)
261-9730
DM W J/T/f
Social Workers • Teachers
Tomorrow Is Here!
If you have ever dreamed of the quality Jewish life
that would be yours in Israel—STOP DREAMING.
CHALLENGING POSITIONS
ARE OPEN IN ISRAEL NOW
Certified teachers, MSW's, BSW's are needed in Israel
now. Orientation and re-training programs are
scheduled and meaningful job offers will be made.
Financial assistance available.
>*SS! s
Professional
inte rview e «^
arrive horn k« e
within a month
Contact:
^Irph
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Don't sit back again. This is a
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citing and meaningful per
sonal fulfillment.
ACT NOW FOR YOURSELF
AND YOUR CHILDREN
For an appointment with
Uzi Stern, Shaiiach,
call Mrs. Francis Little,
875-7881
ISRAEL DESK, AJCC
Page 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE February 16, 1*79