THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Four
As the Editor
Views the News -
The Jewish Hospital
America!
The Red Cross Drive
Detroit's share in the national Red Cross
drive is $5,137,000, and it is the responsibility
of all elements in the community to help
raise the entire goal during the month of
March.
The objectives of the Red Cross are too
well known to need elaboration. They
represent the most important mercy efforts
in the world, serving the needs of all creeds
and all races, in time of peace ,as well as in
time of war.
Let us all be liberal in •our gifts to the
Red Cross.
Rumors About Palestine
Rumors are floating fast and furiously
over the wires about 'Palestine.
There is talk about decisions relating to
the early establishment of a Jewish State,
and there are appended rumors that there is
to be a partitioned Palestine, with States for
Jews and Arabs.
The issue has reached a point of making
it impossible for anyone to pass judgment
on these rumors, particularly since there are
the implications that decisions may be hand-
ed down. with finality by the Big Three.
One thing is clear: the admission by all
correspondents of the accepted need for the
creation of a Jewish Commonwealth or some
sort of independent Jewish State in Pales-
tine. The only condition appears to be the
setting up of a trusteeship under the guid-
ance of Great Britain and the United States.
Jews naturally pray that the judgment
of the Big Three will be guided by-Wisdom
and Justice.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent
UeWish Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate,
Religious News Service, Paicor News Agency, Bressler
Cartoon Service. Wide World Photo Service, Acme
liewsphoto Service.
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26. Mich. Telephone
RAndolph 7956. Subscription rate, 83 -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 sub-
scription per year.
Entered as second-class matter August 6, 1942, at the
Post Office at Detroit, Michigan, under the Act of
March 3, 1879.
Were Jews the first required to wear a dis-
tinguishing badge?
So
Apparently the first discrimination badge was
not required to be worn only by Jews. In a
decree of the Caliph of Omar (634 A. D.), all
non-Moslems (Jews, Christians, Magi) were re-
quired to wear distinguishing clothing. The Jew-
ish badge was first introduced into England in
1217, and into France, in 1219.
* * *
How many conscientious objectors have
been assigned to Civilian Public Service
Camps?
—L. M. •
According to the National Service Board for
Religious Objectors, 7,980 C. O.'s have been
assigned to C. P. S. camps, as of January 19,
1945. Of the total, 3,064 are Mennonites; 968
Brethren, 616 Methodists, and 552 Friends. There
is no record of Jewish C. O.'s in this war.
* * *
When did the Jewish rite of Confirmation
—L. 0.
• originate?
The origin of Confirmation dates back to the
beginning of the 19th century in Germany. At
the start, boys were only confirmed and the
ceremony took place in the schoolroom and was
conducted by the teacher. The first Confirmation
I
on record in the United States was held in 1846..
Courtesy Appreciate America, Inc
a
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Did the Jews ever have a Navy? When?
—S. P.
There a record of the existence of a Jewish
maritime force. in the days of King Solomon.
Adoption of both Houses of the Michigan Legislature of The maritime industry is making rapid progress
the resolution calling for an open door policy for Jewish in modern Palestine. Nahshon is the corporation
by Histadruth, the Jewish Federation
immigration to Palestine and for the establishment of a established
of Labor in Palestine, for the advancement of
Jewish Commonwealth is one of the significant steps being Jewish maritime endeavor.
_ Michigan's Aid for Palestine
taken by the Christian communities in America in behalf
of the cause aimed at putting an end to Jewish homelessness.
Michigan is the twenty-seCOnd state to adopt such resolu-
tions. The unanimous action of our state legislators followed
the effective appeals in behalf of the Zionist cause by Rep.
Jack Ellstein, of Detroit, who was supported by Rep. Joseph
Leszynski and State Senator Stanley Nowak.
The legislators have earned the sincere thanks for their
efforts not only of the Jewish community, but also of the
large number of Christian friends of Zionism who recognize
the need for the speedy creation of a Jewish Commonwealth
in Palesti4e, in order to solve the tragic problem of the Jews
of Europe.
Laws . Against Discrimination
A statement issued by the International Labor Defense,
of which Rep. Vito Marcantonio of New York is president,
adequately describes the growing movement to compel the
elimination of discrimination through proper legislation.
The ILD statement declares:
A major problem which faces our country in securing
maximum national unity for victory and for a peace of democ-
racy and plenty is the elimination, of all forms of discrimination
.
on account of race, creed, or Solution
of this problem re-
quires public education, orglit tion, and adequate legislation.
Under the Constitution of the United States, the area of
federal legislation in this field, although of paramount import-
• ante, has definite limitations.
For example: the national legislature can abolish the poll
tax as a requisite for voting in federal elections; it can set up
standards of employment in commerce that is interstate; it
can pass anti-lynching legislation; it can do many other things
of tremendous importance where the federal government is
directly involved. --
But when it comes to outlawing Jim-Crow in housing, in.
public - utilities within a state, in stores, hotels, etc., the re-
sponsibility is on the state legislature. Similarly fair employ-
ment practices • in non-war indugtry, or in purely intrastate
business and industry, are state provinces.
The state and federal and local governments make up a
composite whole for the maintenance of decency and democ-
racy. All must be put into service.
Since the movement to outlaw anti-Semitism is linked
with the Negro problem as described in this statement, and
since bias in employment is one of the menacing threats to
our democracy, it is important that the calls to action should
be heeded and that everything possible should be done to
assure sponsorship - of proper legislation against discrimi-
nation.
The issue that arose as a result of the introduction of
the Ives-Quinn Bill in the New York State Legislature help-
ed to clarify the problem. Jewish leaders representing all
views supported the measure, with the single exception, per-
''The English-Jewish newspapers of America have the
Common objective of rendering a specialized service to
haps of Robert Moses' opposition. -The measure received
their respective communities, to America and to the
strong support from Governor Thomas E. Dewey and the
wider American Jewish community.
"These periodicals have for their common ideal the
leading newspapers.
further advancement of Jewish journalism, the attain-
The hearings on the bill and the subsequent public dis-
ment of the highest literary and professional standards,
and the maintenance of a militant, fearless approach to
cussions revealed one important factor: that the proposed
all Jewish problems.
legislation calls for educational efforts to eradicate bias from
The fulfillment of these ideals is the fundamental and
vital task of the Jewish newspaper as a basis for the
the minds of the people. The ILD statement properly em-
growth :.nd enrichment of Jevvish life in America."
phasizes that "solution of this problem requires public ed-
—Credo of American Association
of English-Jewish Newspapers.
ucation, organization and adequate legislation."
New York is not the only State that is considering anti-
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
bias legislation. In Massachusetts, legislation against racial
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
and religious discrimination in employment has been recom-
THEODORE LEV.IN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
mended by a State Commission which was selected two
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
years ago to investigate discriminating practices, and this
A. R. BRASCH, Advertising Counsel
commission's report recommends remedial as well as pre-
MARCH 2, 1945
VOL. 6—NO. 24
ventative action by amendment of the Civil Service Law.
Hearings on the proposal have been set for next week and it
The Week's Scriptural Selections
is to be hoped that Massachusetts will follow New York's
This Sabbath, the seventeenth day of Adar, example in adopting anti-bias laws.
5707, the following Scriptural selections will be
Governor Dewey and the other supporters of the Ives-
read in our synagogues:
Quinn Bill in New York deserve to be commended for their
Pentateuchal portions—Ex. 30:11-34:35; Num. firm stand in favor of anti-discrimination legislation.
19.
The successful efforts to eradicate, bias should encourage
similar legislation in other States, including Michigan.
Prophetical portion—Ezek. 36:16-38.
-
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers'
Questions About Jews
MI III
Tuesday evening's victory dinner of the
Jewish Hospital Association of Detroit may
well be described as an histOric event.
Without too much fanfare, with the de-
termination of a group of leaders serving as
the major basis for a consistent effort to
make a reality of a 40-year-old dream, De-
troit is now assured of a Jewish Hospital
that will compare in quality with the very
best to be found anywhere in this country.
It is significant that the determined will
of men like Max Osnos, who had inspired
the new and successful hospital movement,
should have brought about the unprecedent-
ed success in the current drive.
The men and women who rallied to Mr.
Osnos' call have just reason to be proud of
their achievement, and the guidance of Isi-
dore Sobeloff, the executive director of the
Jewish Welfare Federation, had an import-
ant share in the community's present tri-
umphant fund-raising effort.
Detroit's Jewish community has reason
_ to be proud of a leadership whose determi-
nation has translated a dream into reality.
Friday, March 2, 1945
Children's Corner I
Dear Boys and Girls:
Less than four weeks remain before we usher
in the great Festival of Freedom—Passover.
Beginning with next week, this column will be
devoted to Passover 'material.
In the meanwhile, you should all study the
meaning and importance of this great festival and
you should prepare for its observance.
Right now, all of us should assist in the drive
for the Red Cross. I am sure all of you will do
your duty adequately.
I wish you - all a very pleasant Sabbath.
UNCLE DANIEL.
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A STORY ABOUT SAUL AND DAVID
Once upon a time a woman of great wealth,
being left a widow, desired to travel to her na-
tive city and visit her relatives. She had heard
tales of bandits and robbers that attacked travel
ers on the road, and she was afraid to carry her
wealth with her; so she decided that during her
absence arid for safe-keeping she would leave her
gold in the hands of a friendly neighbor. First,
however, the "widowconcealed the gold in honey
jars and covered it with honey. She told her
neighbor nothing of the hidden treasure, but ask-
ed only that she might leave the jars of honey in
her keeping. Feeling that her wealth was well
concealed and safe, the widow bade her friend
good-bye and journeyed forth.
Now, all would have gone exactly as the wid-
ow had planned, had not the neighbor's son de-
cided to get married. Busy preparations went on
in the neighbor's home, and when that flustered
lady discovered that her supply of honey was
low, she decided that she would borrow some
honey from her absent friend's supply. "Surely
there can be no harm in borrowing a little honey,"
she thought. "I shall return it to the jar before
she gets home." Imagine her astonishment when
she lifted a jar to pour out some honey, and a
stream of golden coins came with it. Curiously
now, she examined the other jars and found them
to be filled with gold. The temptation to own all
this wealth was too great for the poor woman,
and she emptied all the jars of their gold and
filled them up with honey.
In due course the rich widow returned. She
thanked her neighbor for keeping the honey jars
and had them removed to her own home. Once
there she tried to dip out the honey so she could
put away her gold; but no gold did she find.
What was she to do? The distracted woman
took her case to court, but as she could show no
proof that the jars had contained her gold, the
judge was compelled to dismiss her case. Next,
she appealed to King Saul, but he also was unable
to help the distressed woman since she could
produce no witness nor proof that the jars had
contained her gold,
Almost beside h herself with worry, the widow
left the king's presence and wandered out into the
country-side. There watching his flock she saw
the shepherd boy David, and in him she confided
her woes. "I think I may be able to help you,"
said David. _ "If you will get the king's permission
to have me do so." The King consented, and sum-
moned at David's request the widow and her
neighbor to appear before him bringing with
them the honey jars about which centered the
dispute. When they were all assembled, David
asked that new jars be brought into the court.
Into these he poured the honey from the old jars,
and when the old jars were emptied he broke
them into small pieces. His observers watched
him in wonder as he examined each small frag-
ment. At last he uttered an exclamation of satis-
faction. He had found two gold pieces stuck to
a fragment from the side of a jar. "Behold, most
gracious majesty," he said, "two gold pieces that
were overlooked by this woman who has endeav-
ored to rob the widow of her rightful property.
Now we see proof that the jars contained gold
and we must believe the widow's story."
The neighbor realizing that she had been dis-
covered, fell on her knees before the king and
sobbed her confession. King Saul made her re-
turn the gold to the widow.