— 6 DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle s September I1, 1942 Jews in the Post - War World BY THE REV. DR. JAMES PARKES We Extend Hearty Season's Greetings To Our Many Jewish Friends • EDITOR'S NOTE: In a serious consideration of the post-war situa- tion of the Jews. the Reverend Dr. James Parkes delineates four primary Jewish needs for today and tomorrow. Empha- sizin g that any solution which ignores these needs is bound to fail. Dr. Parkes finds that an adequate solution may be found by any number of methods. solution of Jewish needs, and is willing to share in Jewish con- tributions, then it is not beyond the bound of possibility that even men living today may be able to write of anti-Semitism as an in- explicable aberration of their an- cestors. Any full consideration of the tributions, these of the Jews are situation of the Jews after the based on their traditions, their war inevitably involves a large experiences, and their tempera- number of controversies, but be- went. SEASON'S GREETINGS low the surface of controversy 1. The long Rabbinic tradition there are most certain points of prob- fact has created a certain pattern in on which people would ably agree. If only it be possible Jewish life which is shared by to achieve a general agreement an immense majority of the mem- and that it is impossible to ex- bens of the Jewish civilization, pest all Jews ever to think alike, whether they are synagogue-goers then there is a real chance that or not. The tradition expresses all the facts of the situation may itself in three ways of consider- receive due consideration in plan- able value to the world. There is 8723 W. JEFFERSON AVE ning the future. the instinctive sense among Jews In old days, before the war, that life is a unity, with no divi- when Gentiles spoke of the "con- sion between the secular and the Vlnewood 2-2230 tribution" that Jews made to religious. There is the strong society, and on the basis of sense of social responsibility which they should be accepted, which is shown as much in the many of my Jewish friends used Jewish contribution to 19th cen- natu•ally to ask: "Why is it tury Europe as in the upbuilding the Jews must always make a of the National Home. And third- A Happy New Year contribution if they are to be ly there is the amazing—consider- accepted? Other peoples are ac- ing their experience in more than just because they exist, 1,000 years of history—and in- Berkower Fur Shop but we are asked to base our eradicable optimism which Juda- but existence on our making a con- ism has created. tribution."' I think the war has 2. Jewish experience, in a finished this discrimination. It is world in which we hope that the 12221 Dexter HO. 3380 quite true that people used to edges of sovereignty and separ- think that they could draw out atism will be taken off, could be of the common store of mankind of considerable value. The dis- without putting anything into it; persion of the Jews has meant a but the war is changing that, wide area of contact and under- and men realize that all nations, standing of the lives and problems however great they may be, can of different peoples. In more pre- only hope to survive by the con- cise forms they have an unusual SINCERE HOLIDAY GREETINGS tribution which they make not experience of the working of dif- only to the common struggle, but ferent financial and economic sys- to the common task of peacemak- terns and an invaluable capacity ing after the war. Moreover, we for improvisation and innovation. are realizing also that they all 3. In a world in which many have needs for the consideration things are bound to be new the of which they will have to ask Jewish spirit of adventure can the sympathetic attention of their be as valuable as, in a world Authorized Dealer for neighbors. The world of inde- which dislikes innovation, it has pendent, self-seeking, sovereign been found to create difficulties. Rock of Ages Memorials states might come into existence That the Jewish contribution again after the war for a brief should be expressed both in an 23436 GRAND RIVER and tragic period, but it holds upbuilding of purely Jewish life, out no prospect of a stable peace and in a sharing in the general Opp. Grand Lawn Cemetery or a better world. upbuilding of purely Jewish life, Redford 0458 There is, then, no reason why and in a sharing in the general .lews should consider themselves upbuilding of world society, is different from others in that they inherent in the past history of the also beneath the surface of their Jews. But it no longer distin- controversies, have to put forward guishes them from other peo- both their needs and the contri- ples. For to some extent the bution which they can make. same dual contribution will be ROSII HASHONAII GREETINGS There are four primary Jewish required of many nations. We needs for today and tomorrow: have, for example, begun to un- 1. In so far as their relations derstand that in the colonial ex- with Gentiles are concerned the perience• of the European Em- urgent need if for a change 9f pires each has something which atmosphere. I believe that we it expresses only in terms of its may, without undue optimism, own traditions. Nor is the situa- hope that the very fact that the tion confined to the colonial field, age-old anti-Semitism of Europe for the collaboration between Rus- has received such artificial stim- sia and the Western Powers will ulation and imaginary forms in only be fruitful if there is the Nazi propaganda may lead to a same dual sense. more complete collapse of the It is a foolish piece of pessi- 8053 MILITARY AVE. anti-Semitic movement after the mism to consider the Jewish prob- war than most expo, t. "Small lem insolvable. There will always showers last long, but sudden be b among men those who have a TYler 5-5758 storms are short." In any case, dislike of the unlike, but if the it is certain that no healthy solu- post-war world finds an adequate tton is possible without a real change of atmosphere. 2. I think it is true of Jews as of Christians that the spiritual vitality which has been born of the suffering of the past years will need new forms and organ- isms for its expression if much of it is not to be lost, and this presents an urgent problem to the religious leaders of both religions. 3. The overpowering material need of the Jewish people is for homes in which they may feel secure. It is impossible today to say what number of homes may be needed, but this aspect of the Jewish question needs repetition in all political and economic dis- and Sincere Wishes for a cussions of the future. 4. One of the most valuable Jewish activities before the war, Year of Health, Happiness, of both national and international Jewish bodies, was the retraining of thousands of young Jews for and Contentment more constructive livelihoods. This also is work which needs to go on as part of the general plan- ning of any society. These needs are constant be- neath the surface of controversy. Orthodox and non-religious Jew, Zionist and non-Zionist, may pro- pound different methods of meet- ing them, but if they propose solutions which ignore them they are bound to fail. If Jewish needs are met, to- gether with the needs of others, what in turn is the Jewish con- tribution—again a contribution to be made with that of other na- PFEIFFER BREWING CO., DETROIT, MICH. tions—to a more stable and crea- tive order? Like all other con- SCOVERA CARTAGE CO. Operated by FRED A. SIMONSEN RESTAURANT 2951 WOODWARD AVE. Open Day and Night CAFETERIA COFFEE SHOP 1130 GRISWOLD ST 7 a. m. to 9 P. m. L- Redford Granite Works IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON. WE EXTEND SINCERE WISHES TO ALL THE JEWISH PEOPLE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR —HAROLD C. ROBINSON Film Truck Service FILM EXCHANGE BUILDING 2310 CASS AVE. CADILLAC 6475 A Happy and Prosperous New Year to All C. P. MILLER AUTO SERVICE CLYDE P. MILLER, Prop. 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