Page Four

Friday, February 11, 1944

THE JEWISH NEWS

THE JEWISH NEWS

Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Religious News
Service, Palcor News Agency, Bressler Cartoon Service, Wide
World Photo Service, Acme Newsphoto Service.
Published every Friday by Jewish News Publishing Co., 2114
Penobscot Bldg., Detroit, 26, Mich. Telephone RAndolph 7956. Sub-
scription rate, $3 a year; foreign, $4 a year. Club subscription of one
issue a month, published every fourth Friday in the -month, to all
subscribers to Allied Jewish Campaign of the Jewish Welfare
Federation of Detroit, at 40 cents a . club subscription per year.
Entered as second-class Matter August 6, 1942, at the Post Office
at Detroit, Michigan, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

Lest We Forget

)...

11,11).Ylre4 1..;,3ilA,Y., 4 RAW

"...1F THERE IS ANYTHING-WHICH

!TB THE DUTY OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE
NEVER. TO ENTRUST TO ANY HANDS
BUT OUR OWN THAT THING IS THE
PRESERVATION AND, PERPET UATION •
OF OUR LIBERTIES AND INSTITUTIONS"

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
. THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ
HENRY WINEMAN

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor

FEBRUARY 11, 1944

VOL. 4—NO. 21

As the Editor
Views the News

Adolf Hitler and Purim

Adolf Hitler's address on the occasion of the 11th anni-
versary of the advent of Nazism warned the German people
that a triumph of the Russian armies over Germany's would
lead to the destruction of Europe. Continually harping on
"the Jewish question," "Jewish falsehoods," "Jewish wire-
pullers and instigators," "international Jewry," "the growing
Jewish infection," he made this augury for the day of victory
by the United Nations:
"Jewry could then celebrate the destruction of Europe
by a second triumphant Purim festival."
It would be interesting to know whether those of his
followers who are unacquainted with the meaning of Purim
were misled by his attempt at frightening Europeans by
the warning of "destruction."
But for those who know the meaning of Purim—a fes-
tival which marked the triumph of an oppressed people
that was threatened, like the Jews of Hitler's time, with
extermination, and instead survived the Haman of Persia
whose counterpart now calls himself Fuehrer—the German
dictator's statement surely will inspire hope that the end
of tyranny is approaching.

*

*

*

Mrs. Anna O'Hare McCormick, brilliant New York
Times columnist who has studied German attitudes within
Germany and who had interviewed Hitler, in an evaluation
of Hitler's address, makes the significant comment that "no-
body has pronounced a harsher judgment on Germany's
policy in Europe than Hitler himself." Mrs. McCormick
asserts that "the pyromaniac who has set on fire the house
in which he lives shrieks to the other tenants and to all
the neighbors to help him put out the flames." She then
makes this interesting observation:
"It is not that he goes down imprecating the Jews,
though this tedious litany is also a confession that his first
`enemy,' like the last, has been 'annihilated' in vain. In
extremes, he has not lost the hope that he can leave his
obsession behind , him as a kind of memorial, so that it can
be said, as indeed it can be wherever there is a stirring of
anti-Semitism, or any of the subterranean currents of bigo-
try: 'Hitler lives'."

*

*

*

Historic WA Campaign

Inauguration of the $32,000,000 campaign for the United
Jewish Appeal is a signal to American Jewry to be prepared
for the greatest responsibility in our history.
The setting of this goal—the largest in the fund-raising
history of American Jewry—for the Joint Distribution Com-
mittee, United Palestine Appeal and National Refugee
Service—is an indication of the needs of the hour.
Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of Jews must
be saved, and there are indications that large numbers can
be rescued now through the facilities that are to be set up
by President Roosevelt's War Refugee Board.
In any event, the ground-work must be laid for an un-
precedented rescue effort after the war, and unless we are
to be prepared for the great task ahead we shall be branded
as a generation that has failed in an hour that is marked by
both despair and hope. We, who can provide hope, must not
be responsible for prolonging despair.
Emigration of children, shipment of food and medicines
for Polish refugees in Russia, increased aid to refugees
in free countries, assistance to expatriates in Latin American
countries, returning of newcomers in this country, immigra-
tion to and . the upbuilding of Palestine, as well as acquisi-
tion of larger stretches of land in Palestine and the
development of new enterprises in the Jewish National Home
—these are part of a 12-point program which challenges all
of us to do our full share in the effort to rescue the Jews
who represent the most oppressed group suffering under
Nazism.
In Detroit, too, it will be necessary to facilitate increased
contributions to the United Jewish Appeal. We are confident
that the leaders in the War Chest will recognize the justice
of our cause and will cooperate with the Jewish spokesmen
in making possible the raising of the necessary funds for
relief, rescue and rehabilitation.

By his own admission, however, the verdict of history
undoubtedly will be that another Haman lived in the 20th
century. Unlike the Haman of Persia, he succeeded in
causing an untold amount of damage. But like him, his
end must be on the gallows.
The fact is that Jewry lives, and our people; the symbol
of hatred when Hitlerism first rose to power, today repre-
sents the hopes of humanity for the coming of a better day
When the complete story of the war , will have been writ-
for all the peoples of the earth.
ten, it will contain a chapter of glorious achievement by
Adolf Hitler has given mankind a new hope—that "a Palestine in behalf of the United Nations:
second triumphant Purim festival" may become a reality
The Hebrew University's latest bulletin reveals impres-
very, very soon.
sive accomplishments, all of which are aiding in winning the
war for the democracies. Hebrew University experts are
preparing weather data for the Allied Air Forces. Able sci-
entists are making typhus vaccine for Russia. The Univer-
One of American Jewry's most eminent scholars, Prof. sity's workshops are producing complicated apparatus that
Salo W. Baron, will be the first speaker, next Monday are needed by the fightincs troops.
evening, in the series of important lectures sponsored by
It is reported that 264 6 students and 41 graduates of the
the Jewish Community Center.
Hebrew University are serving with the United Nations'
Under the central theme "Momentous Decisions Con- military forces, in addition to the students and graduates
fronting Jewish Life Today," Dr. Baron will speak on "The who are enrolled in the Palestine home guard.
Crisis in American Jewish Leadership," and his address
The Palestinian achievements are nothing short of mi-
should arouse great interest. As the author of the three- raculous. In spite of the shortage of manpower, with tens of
volume study, "The Jewish Community," he is an authority thousands of men and women enrolled in the British army,
on the subject, and his appearance here deserves an over- 40 new settlements have been established since the outbreak
flow audience.
of the war. New industries are being established, among
Equally as important are the other lecturers in the them being the new plants for the manufacture of red phos-
series. Simon Shetzer occupies one of the most important phorus for use in matches.
positions in American Zionism, and Dr. Robert Gordis is a
It is estimated that Palestine industries will be able to
most distinguished Jewish scholar and lecturer.
employ 200,000 workers after the war, and such an extensive
The Jewish Community Center renders a valuable serv- industrial program challenges Jews in democratic countries
ice by sponsoring this series of lectures. This cultural series, to be prepared to support a program that should revolution-
together with the concert-lecture programs sponsored by ize industrial efforts in a pioneering country.
the Center in collaboration with the Jewish Community
The declaration in Jerusalem a few days ago by Eliezer
Council, indicate the advancement made along educational Kaplan, treasurer of the Jewish Agency, that $1,800,000,000
will be needed after the war to speed agricultural and indus-
lines by Jewish community agencies.
trial development of Palestine and to provide for large-scale
immigration to Palestine, should be given serious consid-
This Week's Scriptural Selections:
eration.
This Sabbath, the eighteenth day of She-vat, 5704, the
Action for Palestine, therefore, calls for extensive indus-
trial efforts coupled with political guarantees of Jewish se-
following scriptural selections will be read in our syna-
gogues:
curity. The mobilization of Jewish efforts in behalf of such a
program must lead to practical work for the rescuing of
Pentateuchal portion: Ex. 18:1-20:26.
hundreds of thousands of Jews who are now suffering under
Prophetical portion: Is. 6:1-7:6; 9-5, 6.
the heel of Hitlerism.

Palestine's Aid to United Nations

_ The Center Lecture Series

1,1

Talmudic Tales

By DAVID MORANTZ

(Based upon the ancient legends and
philosophy found in the Talmud and
folklore of the Jewish people.)

The Prince and
The Pious Man

One day a prince of the land
who was travelling by, came up
to a pious man who was occupi-
ed in prayer, and greeted him
cordially.
The pious man, however, ig-
nored the salutation and con-t
tinued with his prayer.
This vexed the prince very
much and he exclaimed: "Why
hast thou ignored my friendly
greeting? Does not thy law say
'Take heed to thyself? Why hast
thou taken heed to thyself, know-
ing that I have the power to
have thee beheaded for this in-
sult to me—me whom the king
delighteth to - honor? Why didst
thou not answer when I saluted
thee?"
"Honored, sir" replied the
pious man humbly. "Suppress
thy wrath and let me explain.
"Suppose that thou were en-
gaged in conversation with thy
king and a friend came by and
saluted thee, wouldst thou wish
to be interrupted in thy address
to his majesty to respond to the
greetings of thy friend.? Wouldst
thou have turned away from
thy king to answer him?"
"Surely not," replied the
prince. "And were I to do S"o he
would most surely have ordered
me beheaded for such an insult
to his august majesty."
"My sir," replied the pious
man, "When thou so kindly of-
fered me thy greeting, I was
addressing my humble petition
to the King of Kings, my Father
in heaven, and I am sure thou.
wilt appreciate the • motive of
my delay . in failing to respond
promptly to his greeting."
The prince was satisfied and
even pleased with the answer:.
and went on his way.
Says the • Talmud further on
the subject of prayer:
"Prayer without devotion is
like a body without life."
"Better little prayer with de-
votion than much without devo-
tion."
"The value of the words ut-
tered with the lips is determin-
ed by the devotion of the heart."
"To pray loudly is not a neces-
sity of devotion."

(Copyright by David Aforantz)

For a handsonie 195 page, auto-
graphed gift volume containing 128
of these tales and 500 Pearls of Wis-
dom. send $1.50 to David Morants,
care of The Jewish News, or phone
FLaz ► 1048.

In Lighter Vein

The Week's Best Stories

Incorrigible Optimists
Even in the darkest hours the
Czechs have never lost faith,
hoping against hope that Ger-
many will be crushed come what
may, as reflected in this story
from Prague related by the
Czechoslovakian army newspa-
per, Nase Noviny, in London.
"The war lasted so long that
all the Czechs were shot down:
The last remaining Czech pa-
triots were promenading on the
Vaclayske Namesti • in Prague
when members of the Gestapo
stopped them and arrested them.
They were taken to the People's
Court and sentenced to death by
hanging.
"Upon hearing the sentence
one of the Czechs said to his
comrade:
" 'What did I tell you on the
Vaclayske Namesti? The Ger-
mans are doomed! They are
through! Can't you see that they
don't have any bullets any-
more?' "
* * *
Nazi Vanishing Act
Vivid commentary on the Al-
lied bombings of Berlin is con-
tained in the story about the
Nazi soldier home on furlough.
Orders came to return to the
front . . . he took leave of his
family . . went to catch his
train. Soon he returned. "What
happened? Was the train gone?"
asked his wife. "No," he answer-
ed, "but the station was."

