1
Page Four
As the Editor
Views the News
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, May I I , 1945
Freedom. Rings
Answers to Readers
Questions About Jews
NI MI NM,
Mother's Day
To what extent does the Joint Distribution
Committee cooperate with the Red Cross and
why is it necessary?—Z. Z.
Mother's Day, the annual observance of
which occurs this Sunday, has much greater
significance today than at any other time
since its inauguration as a national holiday.
Millions of Mothers are among the world's
greatest sufferers of the war. Many of them
have lost their sons in battle. Millions
anxiously await their return. All are sus-
tained by the hope that the end to misery
will be speeded and that peace should be
restored to mankind.
It is true that Mother is not the only .suf-
ferer, but she is certainly the greatest
sufferer.
On Mother's Day, it is important that
Mother should be given the happiness that
is due her, that she should be encouraged in
her hopes and aspirations, that she should
be given the love which she deserves.
Mother's Day will be an occasion to assist
worthy causes—in honor of Mother. And
Mother surely will know how to appreciate
all the sentiments that accompany the love
that is accorded her.
•The International Red C/.oss has been a vital
factor in making possible JDC's relief activities
in the occupied lands. Tinder the Trading with
the Enemy Act, American organizations could
have no contact with enemy-occupied 'countries.
The International Red CroSs, however, was free
to work. Therefore, JDC funds were :emitted to
the IRC, which operated in behalf of persecuted
Jewry. The IRC's work in Europe may be divided
into four categories: shipment of relief (food,
clothing and medicines) from Geneva to occu-
pied countries or camps in GerMany; shipment
of relief from other areas to camps in Germany;
transmission of funds for the -purchase of food
and clothing in the enemy-occupied countries,
and the creation of children's homes, hospitals
and soup kitchens.
In addition to these tangible measures, the
IRC used its influence with various governments
in attempting to alleviate the persecution of the
Jews. IRC representatives have also visited in-
ternment camps to inspect conditions, and an
IRC delegate is currently make a survey of con-
ditions in Northern Italy preparatory to arranging
assistance from the JDC.
* * *
The Death of Hitler
Hebrew "Meshames" which is literally translated
as "servant." It is the colloquial term applied to
the synagogue sexton.
Adolf Hitler's death—assuming that the
report is not a bit of Nazi propaganda—,
serves to recall one of the most popular
jokes which came into being when the
world's worst gangster first assumed control
of Germany. The joke hinged on the ex-
pectation of the creation of a new dish—
similar to the Hamantaschen of Purim—in
celebration of the death of the unspeakable
Nazi tyrant.
Another joke spoke of the rise of a new
Jewish holiday—on the day of Hitler's death.
• But this announcement of Hitler's death
did not find the world and Jewry in the
mood for exuberant exultation because the
need for uprooting all the evils that were
created by Nazism is considered as still
being an important job to be accomplished
in order to end Hitlerism.
With. the victory of the United Nations a
certainty, Hitler's death was expected at al-
most any time. But the rise of new holiday
in celebration of his demise depends upon
the assurance that all the evil he had created
and all his cohorts will die with him.
May the coming of that day be speeded!
A Principle at Stake
What does the word "Shammes" mean?
—A. D.
"Shammes" is probably the short term for the
Humanity's Triumph
, Unconditional surrender by Germany spells a
triumph for the great ideals of humanity which reject
tyranny, which call for justice for all peoples, regard-
less of race or creed, which repudiate persecution and
reject the type of sadism which has made the very
name German a stigma in the eyes and ears of civil-
ized peoples.
The defeat of Germany is a gi:eat victory for
decency.
It is a triumph for the admonition of our sages
that "justice shalt thou pursue . . ."
It is a warning to the backward and uncivilized
peoples that those who fail to pursue justice are
doomed to destruction.
Germany has been foredoomed to destruction,
and because of the sins of the tyrants and the sadists
millions of innocent peoples have suffered.
These innocents are now avenged. The Jewish
people is avenged. The spirit of decency and justice
is avenged.
But the vengeance must be made complete by
the assurance of enforcement of a just peace.
May the peoples of the world learn the lesson
of Germany. Nations, like individuals, must learn
that crime does not pay, that history retaliates for in-
justice.
Germany is a byword and humanity's shame and
her defeat will live as lasting proof of the disgrace
she has brought upon the world by permitting
maniacs to be her leaders.
Time Magazine, presenting a resume of
the responsibilities facing the Security Con-
ference in San Francisco, points out that the
Dumbarton Oaks "proposals say that the
Council cannot take up any dispute 'arising
out of matters which by international law
are solely within the domestic jurisdiction of
the state concerned.' In other words, should
some future Hitler contend that his mis-
treatment of the Jews is a 'domestic' ques-
tion, the Council cannot act—if this provi-
sion is interpreted literally."
German Jews all Jews — will read this
explanation with a sense of horror. The
question of "domesticity" was used by Czar-
ist Russia. It was resorted to by the Nazis
One major Jewish issue emerges from the entire United
before the present war and was accepted as Nations Conference on International Organization:
a good argument by appeasing elements in
- All efforts must be exerted to assure that our position
Washington.
in Palestine will not be prejudiced and that the way will re-
Is it possible that this major problem af- main open, under the new set-up of international trustee-
fecting future human relations may not be ships, to press for recognition of just rights for Jews in what
solved by the international conferees? If it is eventually to be set up as a Jewish Commonwealth.
is not, then we will remain in a bad way and
The new plan for international trusteeships must not
the future peace of the world may not be be framed in a fashion that would freeze the Jewish position
assured.
into a permanent minority in Palestine. If we succeed to
keep the avenues open for uninterrupted iicriotiations with
members of the United Nations and with
Mandatory
Power, then we still have a chance to secure that measure of
Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent
Jewish Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate,
justice which was pledged to us after the last war and
Religious News Service, Palcor News Agency, Wide World
the entire 27-year period since that war.
Photo Service, Acme Newsphoto Service.
Protection for Palestine's Status
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association._
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
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Entered as second-class matter August 6, 1942, at the
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March 3, 1879.
Welcome, Hebrew Teachers
It is indeed an honor to welcome the delegates to the
National Conference of the Hebrew Teachers' Federation,
which is in session here this week-end. Upon the Hebrew
teachers of our country rests the responsibility of educating
• our children for the role which American Jewry must play
in the future.
BOARD OF DIR ECT ORS
MAURICE. ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
The fortresses of Jewish learning on the European con-
FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
tinent have been destroyed and we in America must sup-
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
plant them. No longer can we depend upon Europe as a
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
well of Jewish culture from which we can draw incessantly.
A. R. BRASCH, Advertising Counsel
American youth together with Palestinian youth will of
VOL. 7—NO. 8
MAY 11, 1945
necessity become the source of our future leaders.
The Week's Scriptural Selections
Only if that ,youth is fortified with an. adequate back-
This Sabbath, the twenty-ninth day of Iyar, ground of our history, tradition, language and aspirations
5705, the following Scriptural selections will be for the future can we hope to perpetuate the ideals of our
read in our synagogues:
people.
Pentateuchal portion—Num. 1:1-4:20.
Our Hebrew teachers have, more than any other group,
Prophetical portion-L-4 Sam. 20:18-42.
given of themselves in order that our culture might live
On Sunday, Rosh Hodesh Sivan, Num. and be transmitted . from generation to generation.
28:1-15 will be read during synagogue services.
May this conference succeed in its worthy deliberations.
Talmudic Tales
(Based upon the ancient legends and philosophy found in
the Talmud and folklore of the Jewish people dating back
as far as 3,000 years).
By DAVID MORANTZ
SLANDER
"He who slanders," says the Talmund, "he
who receives slander, and he who bears false
witness against his neighbor, deserves to be cast
to the dogs."
"Open not thy mouth to speak evil."
"Avoid a slanderer as you would a scorpion."
"An evil tongue does evil to three persons:
to the owner, to the listener and to the slandered."
"The whole of the calumny is not believed,
some part of it will always stick."
"Praise not a man over much, lest from praise
you pass to fault finding.
(Copyright 1945 by David Morantz)
For a handsome 195 page, autographed gift volume con-
taining 128 of these tales and 500 Pearls of Wisdom, send
$1.50 to David Morantz, care of The dervish News, or
phone PLaza 1048.
Children's Corner
Dear Boys and Girls:
The great Festival of the Giving of the Law-
Shevuoth—will be observed next Friday and
Saturday, May 18 and 19.
It is one of the great festivals on our
calendar.
Because it is the Festival of the Giving of the
Law, our Temples observe Confirmations during
Shevuoth.
It is also the great festival of the land and is
one of our significant agricultural holidays. It is
the traditional Hebrew Spring harvest festival.
Think of the great combination! Shevuoth-
The festival on which we received the Ten Com-
mandments and on which we rejoice over the fer-
tility of the Land of Israel!
Because of the double significance of the fes-
tival, synagogues will be bedecked with flowers
and green branches—representing the harvest fes-
tival character of Shevuoth—and we will rejoice
in the receiving of the Law.
Another important event to be observed soon
is "I Am an American Day," which was pro-
claimed by President Roosevelt, before his death,
for May 20. Young and old should arrange to par-
ticipate in special programs on that day as an
expression of joy of our good fortune of being
citizens of this great land.
But one of 'the most important events of all
occurring in May is MOTHER'S DAY, which we
will observe this Sunday. I am sure that all of you
honor your mothers — some of you by planting
trees in Palestine in the Great Lady's honor,
others in every other- way that you can, but all of
us by honoring Mother in a way that will make
her proud of possessing loyal children.
A pleasant Sabbath, a happy Mother's Day
and a joyous Shevuoth to all.
UNCLE DANIEL.
*
*
MOTHERS DAY
Since time immemorial, Jews have . treated
thefr mothers with loving regard and respect. She
has rdways been the mistress of the house and she
is invested with many rights and privileges. The
Jewish woman, in general, always enjoyed a
high sociLl standing. How honored and respected
the Jewish woman is, can be seen from the
famous chapter of the "Book of Proverbs," glori-
fying the "woman of valor," which the husband
sings every Friday evening after returning from
the Synagogue, in honor of his wife.
As among the nations, in ancient Israel, too,
the father was the head of the family. Yet, in the
ethical relation, involving the love and respect of
the children, the Mother has always been the
equal of the father. Disrespectful behavior toward
the mother entails the same punishment as that
toward the father. .
Many Biblical passages clearly show that the
Jews of old regarded the influence of the mother
of equal importance with that of the father. More-
over, the Bible stresses the unique tenderness of
a mother's love by employing it as the symbol of
unselfish devotion. According to the Bible, the
teachings of the mother are of equal importance
with those of the father, Y. or the Book enjoins:
"Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and
forsake not the teaching ,of thy mother." (Prov.
1, 8.).