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 * a 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. * * 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.