Thursday, November 10, 1949 DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE Page 4 That Truth Shall Prev ail Detroit Jewish Chronicle Published by/the Jewish Chronicle Publishing Co., Inc. WOodward 1-1040 21127 Cadillac Tower, Detroit 26, Michigan SUBSCRIPTION: $3.00 Per Year, Single Copies, lie: Foreign, $5.00 Per Year Entered as Second-class matter March 3, 1916, at the Post Office at Detroit. Mich.. under the Act of March 3, 1879. SEYMOUR TILCHIN Publisher , go 'White Su remac t dr Money-Pinched School Million Declines $50 EMILY SOMLYO Business Manager Thursday, Nov. 10, 1949 (Cheshvan 13, 5710) Detroit 26, Michigan f Chaluziut Defined In the Oct. 27 issue of the "New Palestine," the Zionist Organization of America came out editorially in support of a new definition of Chaluziut. "Chaluziut," it read, "has been the corner- stone of the Jewish settlement in Palestine. It still is the mainstay of growth and development in the State of Israel . • . The ZOA has always believed that it was the duty of American Jewry to help those who wish to become pioneers in the Jewish Homeland . . In line with this policy the ZOA will help train American Jewish youth for a variety of tasks, agricultural as well as technological, that await those who wish to devote their time and energy as pioneers in Israel." The editorial goes on further to say, however, that the ZOA believes that this training should take place in Israel proper, rather than in this country. It further refused to see any danger to American Jewry in such a plan because "we prefer to combine a sense of realism with high idealism, to bring to the State of Israel American know-how and American technological prowess." Apparently the main confusion lies in the fact that the word Chaluziut has not been fully defined. We all speak of Chaluziut with different definitions in mind. We have no objection to sending American know-how, be it Jewish or non-Jewish, to the State of Israel. In fact we, too, would encourage that type of Chaluziut if that were the definition of Chaluziut. We define Chaluziut, however, to mean the following: "A pur- poseful and intentional attempt to INDOCTRINATE our Jewish children from their very infancy, not only in the Hebrew tradi- tions and history, but with a love and a feeling for Israel as though it were their Homeland and with the idea eventually that is will be their Homeland." This in our opinion is a dangerous view. It will justify any complaint that the Jews are disloyal citizens and are in this country on a temporary basis; are here only to accumulate wealth and wait for an opportune time to leave for their true Homeland. That was Chaluziut as we understood it in the European countries, where the Jew was a second-class citizen and had such aspirations, for which we could not blame them. In eastern Europe he had no future. He was not even a citizen of his country. We dare not and must not support that philosophy in the United States. If there is.ever the thought that the Jew in his country may someday be unsafe, then our answer is he will not be safe anywhere else in the world. Chanukah-Christmas Conflict Now that the Christmas season is approaching, the question bothering many a Jewish parent will be the conflict in the observance of Christmas and Chanukah. While we have taken a definite stand that the Jewish parent should not have a Christmas tree at home or in anyway celebrate Christmas at home, the question as to procedure when the holiday is observed in the public schools is still a perplexing one. Some parents were of the opinion that the bust way would be to observe both Chanukah and Christmas at school and were willing to accept that as a solution to the problem. However, a committee representing all shades of Jewish religious opinion opposed the participation of Jews in joint ceremonies. The reasoning of the committee, in summary, was: (1) joint observances are a tacit indorsement of the introduction of religion in the public schools; (2) Jewish holidays, in the school celebra- tions, do not achieve the same status as do non-Jewish celebrations. What is the solution? The Chronicle will welcome and will publish any written suggestions on how to solve the conflict of Christmas and Chanukah. Cold War With Iraq Israel's accusations against Iraq that 2,000 Jews in that country had been imprisoned are a part of the present cold war in the Middle East. This war of nerves is bound to continue as long as the Arab states seem unwilling to recognize Israel as a partner rather than as an enemy. While Israel's Ambassador Elath told the State Department that, according to his information, 2.000 Iraqi Jews had been jailed and that some of them had been tortured and killed. Iraqi spokesmen insisted that the number of Jews arrested was less than 40. The Iraq government also assured the State Department that Jews "who do not participate in activities prohibited by Iraqi law" would not be molested. It must be borne in mind that Iraq, like most other Arab states, has made Zionist activities a crime. Under such a law it would be possible, without any stretch of the imagination, to convict t.:e majority of Iraq's Jews of treason. Iraq's reference to this ominous law does not sound reassuring at all. However, since our State Department apparently is inclined to give more credence to the Iraqi version than the Israeli charge, we agree with the view of seven Jewish organizations that it is time to appoint a neutral commission to investigate the situation on an impartial basis. ' It should not be too difficult to ascertain whether Iraqi Jews are really free and equal citizens or the victims of Arab hatred and irreconcilability. Jewish Book Month Our thinkers and literary lights may not be able to agree on the definition of a Jewish book, but Jewish communities the land over have clearly defined their enthusiasm and esteem for Jewish Book Month, which begins Friday. Jewish Book Month, organized and stimulated by the Jewish Book Council of America is the very epitome of what we mean by the word culture. In the constantly expanding acceptance the "Month" has found, it is a sparkling expression of Jewish culture "at its functioning best." Segal Spurns Salvation' With Thanks .- coNS11.( :: it rr tri o ca ► C ts rA cE L hr 1111111111111111111L j "11 • oi• S 1,41 Swv••• Letters to the Editor DENIED BY MON' . jR Dear Editor: The statement by Allen Lesser, managing editor of the "Menorah Journal," in your Oct. 27 issue, that "JTA (the Jewish Tele- graphic Agency) received $150,- 000 in 1949 from the national United Jewish Appeal, allegedly as a `service fee'," is completely without foundation. There have been no allocations, grants, or payments of any kind by the 1949 national UJA to the JTA, as a "service fee" or for any other reason. HENRY MONTOR, Director, United Jewish Appeal. & & THANKS By ALFRED SEGAL THE TALL, thin man was a L stranger who said that for years he had admired me from afar until this moment when he had come to call on me. Ile had been reading my column in the daily press 20 years :mil Ire m that he concluded I was worth his attention. His name was Atkinson. "There's only one thing the matter with you," he said. Oh, Mr. Atkin- son, only one thing? Without any preparation for giving such an accounting I can recite off- hand many things that arc the matter with me. Mr. Atkinson insisted ( that in his book there was only one thing wrong in me. He had called to tell me about it with the bast of good will and to do something to improve me ... "I might say I am your best friend, though we became acquainted only a few minutes ago" ... He was worried about my soul. He explained that his worry derived from the fact that he is a deacon in a suburban church that applies itself to gathering in people who should be saved and making them ready for heaven. Dear Editor: May I at this time thank you on behalf of the 16 chapters and 6,000 women of Bnai Brith for the very splendid publicity you have given us with regard to our Fund Raising Affair to be held in Masonic Temple on Nov. 21. The Chronicle has always been cooperative whenever the occa- sion arose, and the many friends of the oldest Jewish service or- ganization, Bnai Brith, again thank you. MRS. BERNARD GOODMAN Publicity Chairman. Nationalists 'in Retreat Before Liberals' Blows By WILLIAM ZUKERMAN (Jewish World News Service) EW YORK—The Chicago resolution of the American Jewish Committee executive is of greater significance than it was represented to be. Its significance was obscured by the nationalistic press which deliberately belittled N and even misrepresented the voiced by American liberal Zion- event. Yet, with all of that, the fists; like Justice Simon H. Rifkind document will probably be seen and others. in perspective as a landmark in Frisch's statement may mark a American Jewish life of the post move on the part of the ZOA in war period. the direction of the Western and In the first place the resolution American cooiception of Zionism .pf the national- marks a retreat and away from the east European istic forces, both in Israel and in concept. this country, from the advanced True the retreat is only in words positions they had occupied since the establishment of the State of which are the cheapest commodity Israel. Premier Ben Gurion's in our age and may be contra- cable reply to the Committee, al- dicted any day when it will be- though it does not repudiate his come necessary. But the various former demand that American declarations have clarified the Jews send their children to Israel, issues as they have never been before, and in a clarified atmos- no longer mentions that, but stresses Israel's more modest pjhere, people can see better and farther. needs for American financial aid • • • and "know-how." Ben Guriori's statement also COMMITTEE LAUDED clearly indicates that Israeli lead- THE RESOLUTION is also an ers have realized that they cannot indication of the awakening of a and must not attempt to influence feeling of independence on the American Jews, or to intervene part of the American Jewish in their internal affairs. Committee. This old American • Jewish organization which repre- 'AMERICA IS HOME' sents an important section of DANIEL FRISCH'S statement native-born American Jews, has is even more thorough in its re- for the last years been to a great treat from the spirit of national- extent under the general spell of ism: "American Jews are an rising nationalism. It had lost its integral part of the American former distinctiveness and was community. To them America is swept away with the general tide. home ... American Jews as citi- The present resolution is the zens of this country remain here first indication since the end of by choice, looking forward to the war, that that important sec- their own future in America ..." tion of American Jewry is be- ginning to re-assort itself. The he says. Such words were not heard be- spell of guropean nationalism is fore from "good old Zionists" beginning to wear off and Amer-- like Frisch, although they were (Continued on Page 15) • • • • • 'YOU ARE DOOMED' "YOU ARE DOOMED if you continue in your present state," Mr. Atkinson was speaking like a father to a son who isn't going right. Mr. Atkinson said he felt sure that heaven could be even more enjoyable if a fellow like me would get there with him ... "But I feel bound to tell you you are not going there." Me? I confessed I hadn't thought much of going to heaven. My idea has been that if I tried to be a fairly decent citizen, I needn't worry much about my future. "But you are a Jew, Mr. Segal" . Mr. Atkinson was saying this in the friendliest way . . . "As a Jew you are an unbeliever and unredeemed. You can not share in salvation. There is no salvation except in being a Christian." Mr. Atkinson was saying that not only he but other officers as well as ordinary members of his church had been worrying about me . • . "If you hadn't shown yourself to be a decent man in your column they wouldn't bother about you" • .. They had decided to try to save me because they regarded themselves as friends of mine. They had sent Mr. At- kinson to make overtures toward a salvation that would make my future secure. • • • INVITATION TO CONVERSION "TO MAKE IT SHORT, we are inviting you to be a Christian.",) Mr. Atkinson, this is too sudden. After having been a Jew some 2,000 years and more a man can't in a moment make himself over. "I'm not asking you to become a Christian in a moment," Mr. Atkinson said. "We'd be happy to take you into our church next Sunday, though. That should be time enough. At your age you can't take ton much time deciding whether you want to be saved or not." "Well, Mr. Atkinson, I must say your proposition is flattering. You say that no later than next Sunday I can escape all the dis- abilities of being a Jew on earth and in heaven? It's something to think about." — Mr. Atkinson's eyes flashed brightly ... "I knew you would- n't turn me down. I can make a hopeful report on you to the con- gregation tomorrow. All our prayers will be for you at our Wednesday prayer meeting." But, Mr. Atkinson, I'm think- ing: Suppose I did become a Christian. Wouldn't I be an ate- (Continued on Page 14)