Page Four
THE JEWISH NEWS
As• the Editor
Views the News - - -
Handwriting on. the World
friday, September 28,.:.1945
:
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WE and the War Chest
Another great fund-raising campaign is
about to commence, and we.are called upon
to take stock of our position as Jews and as
Americans.
On the eve of the official opening of the
War Chest campaign, we must answer to our-
selves certain questions regarding our posi-
tion • as Jews, and we must make up our
minds as to certain definite responsibilities
which we owe to ourselves and to the entire
community.
The end of the war has not meant a
cessation of the needs for providing relief
for the large masses of . . Europeans who have
suffered from Nazism. On the contrary,
the responsibilities are far greater than ever
before. Millions of people must - • be re-
habilitated, and unless order is restored in
the world peace will be threatened.
* * *
Serious as the situation is for humanity
at large, it is tragic in even greater measure
for the surviving Jews. '
While assistance is being 'offered them
by UNRRA and several of the re-established
governments, the major responsibility for re-
building their lives lies with Jewish agencies.
The reconstruction of the lives ± of the
dispoSsessed and humiliated Jewish popula-
tion of Europe remains that of the Joint
Distribution Committee and the • United
Palestine Appeal, and the • extent • to which
Drawn for the National War Fund—Bruce Russell, Los Angeles Time
these great causes assist in providing relief
for our people and in finding new homes for
them also will serve as the medium for en-
couraging greater effort on the part of
responsible governments—including our own
A decision is due on Palestine, and the threat to the
—in caring for these people'.
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Jewish position contained in the prediction that Great Britain
It has definitely become a matter of giv- will seek to impose a maximum Jewish immigration schedule
ing bread to the hungry and a rooftop to of 1,500 a month should be interpreted as a call to all of,
the homeless, and there is no substitute for us, to act to prevent another great betrayal of pledges made
the United Jewish Appeal whose funds are: to the Jews.
derived in Detroit from the Allied Jewish
It is imperative, since this country has a stake in all
Campaign of the JeWish Welfare Federa-
decisions on Palestine, that every one in this country,
tion through the War Chest.
Jew and non-Jew,,:whO is concerned that Jews Would
Our people must not be Misled by the
be dealt with justly, should communicate. with President.
multiplicity of smaller campaigns which are
Truman and shOUld Urge him to dethand that the. British
continuously being conducted here in the
government adhere "to all pledges to facilitate- the estab-
name of refugees, homeless children or needy
lishment. of The Jewish 'National Horne hi Palestine.'
scholars. All other incomes, outside the
Speedy action is needed, and this call for the . .enlisting"
large funds raised for the U. JA. through. the
War Chest, represent small change. With- of our government's, aid must be acted upon proniptly. De-
out the major UJA funds, our people Will Iay will be costly, and will invOlve a, threat to the Jives
of the many tens of thousands of Jews who must be rescued
be doomed:
from Europe :Immediately.
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Even on the strength of the case that
In the meantime, Jews everywhere, especially in this
can be made for the local .c,auses included in
the War Chest, the responsibility of our country, should be. cautious in either spreading or listening
people looms very, very great.
to rumors regarding the irripending decisions on Palestine's
•
But for the sake of the JDC and UPA in- future. •
comes alone, we owe a duty to 'ourselves to
A warning issued by the Jewish Agency for Palestine, in
make certain that every .ounce of energy London, calls attention to the multiplicity of reports con-
possessed by our community is thrown into cerning possible decisions, and declares that it "is reliably
the drive. -
informed that 'no decision whatsoever has yet been taken
In these tragic hours in our history, our by the government on this: question."
affirmation of interest in the plight 'of our
The' Jewish Agency's statement adds that its leaders
people . must not become mere lip service.
We must not be found . wanting in a time are in close communication with the British authorities, that'
it will do its best to keep the public informed On important
of crisis.
If history is to judge .us as a people developments, and that the public should regard with res-
erve any information not emanating from authentic Jewish
worthy of the challenge that comes from sources
or the government itself."
misery and an entire people's tragedy, we
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must emerge great in giving to and work-
This warning should serve to allay any rumors and
ing for the War Chest.
should lead our people to be on guard against exaggerated
hearsay. But it also must compel some concern over last
week's news reports which had quoted former 'Senator Guy
M. Gillette, president of the American League for a Free
Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent
Jewish Press Service, Seven Arts • Feature Syndicate,
Palestine, •which generally is' considered in Zionist . ranks
Religious News Service, •Palcor News Agency. Wide 'World
Photo Service, Acme Newsphoto Service, King Features
as a "paper organization," as making public the news that
Syndicate, Central Press Service.
President
Truman had written to Prime Minister Attlee
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
urging prompt 'admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine,
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing Co.. 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich. Telephone
Mr. Gillette, now states that he has "issued or authorized
RAndolph 7956 Subscription rate. $3 a year; foreign
$4 a year. Club subscription of one Issue a month,
no announcement and no statement," and that the report
published every fourth Friday ir the month. to all
which had cited him as the source of the announcement that
subscribers to Allied Jewish Campaign of the Jewish
Welfare Federation of Detroit. at 40 cents a club sub-
President Truman had written to Mr. Attlee is "absolutely
scription per year.
Unfounded."
Entered as second-class matter August 6, 1942. at the
Post Office at Detroit. Michigan, under the Act of
March 3. 1879.
There is irresponsible action somewhere, and it can not
do our people and the cause of a free and democratic Jewish
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Palestine any good. The warning of the Jewish Agency
0 FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
therefore assumes even greater importance, since we now see
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
a perfect example of unauthorized action which may have
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor .
embarrassed President Truman.
A. R. BBASCH, Advertising Counsel
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VOL. 8—No. 2
SEPTEMBER 28, 1945
It is important that we should be on guard in defense
The Week's Scriptural Selections
of our cause and that we should be on the alert' in battling
On Friday, Hoshanah Rabba, Num. 29:26-34 for speedy solutiOn of the Palestine question in favor of the
is the selection to be read.
Jewish position:. Men like Judge Frank A. Picard, head of
The following Scriptural selections will be the Michigan American Palestine Committee, the Rev.
read on Saturday, Shmini Atzeret:
George E. Drew, George F. Pierrot,, and others, are firm in
Pentateuchal portion — Deut. 15:19-16:17; their desire to mobilize Christian public opinion in our be-
Num. 29:35-30:1.
half, as they indicated at the important meeting held here l
last week.
Prophetical portion—I Kings 8:54-56, 9:1.
The following Scriptural 'selections will be
Working harmoniously, we can bring about speedy real-
read on Sunday, Simhat Torah:
ization of Jewish hopes in Palestine: But if we resort to
Pentateuchal portions — Deut. 33:1-34:12; hearsay and to rumors andsome of the Jewish news agen-
Num. 29:35-30:1.
cies _should be' on guard against encouraging. the spread of
,
Impending Palestine Decisions
•
THE JEWISH NEWS
Prophetical portion—Joshua 1.
Facts You Should Know
false rumors—we hurt our cause.
Answers to Readers'
uestions About Jews
Please inform me who was Donna Gracia.
,
—A. V.
Donna Gracia was an outstanding Marano
Jewish woman of the 16th century. She was a
generous patroness of Jewish learning who or-
ganized a boycott against the Italian' city of
Pesaro for persecuting Maranos who had fled
there.
.
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Who were the Adamites?
—C. Z.
An Antinomian Gonostic sect in North Africa
in the 2nd century who professed to return to
the innocence of Eden, abstained from marriage,
and rejected clothing.
Talmudic Tales
By DAVID MORANTZ
(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).
"SOLOMON PROVES HIS WISDOM"
.
When the Queen of. Sheba' came to King
Solomon, she said:
"I have heard of thy great wisdom, 0 King.
Wilt thou prove it to me by answering some
questions I shall ask?"
The king promised to do his best.
"Tell me then," said the Queen, "what water
is it that comes not from the river, nor from
the depths, nor from the rocks, nor from on
high but which is sweeter than honey at times
and at other times as bitter as gall, even tho
it all comes frorri the same source?"
"Tears," answered King Solomon promptly.
"Now," asked the Queen, "do you know who
is the wretch that is buried alive yet the more
he rots the more life he obtains and those who
buried him receive bountiful reward?"
- "A grain of seed," replied Solomon .without the
_ the least hesitation.
"The dead lived, the grave moved, and the
dead prayed. Can you explain that?" she then
asked.
"Jonah, swallowed by the whale," returned
Solomon.
. "Ah," replied the Queen. of Sheba. "Thou art
indeed the wisest of all. men."
Chilclreri s Corner
, .
Dear Boys and Girls
On Sunday—Siinhat Torah—the Orthodox syna-
gogues •viii1 rejoice over the possession of the
Torah.
Simhat Torah, one of our most joyous festivals,
means Rejoicing in the Law.
The Hakofot, the march of the Torahs, the pro-
cession of the children, on Saturday night and
Sunday, the calling up of young and old 'to the
Reading of the Torah on Sunday morning—all
combine in making a great day of Simhat. Torah.
A special ceremony marks the reading of the
last and first sections of the 'Pentateuch. The per-
sons who are 'honored by being called to recite
the Brochot—the blessings—are called Hatan
Totah, Bridegroom of the Law, and Hatan
Bereshit, the Bridegroom of the Beginning.
Fruits and 'goodies are distributed among the
children.
Reform *congregations are also reinstituting
observance of Simhat Torah, as is evidenced by
the Simhat Torah procession of school children
at Temple Beth El next Sunday morning.
I wish you all a pleasant holiday.
UNCLE DANIEL.
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THE CUP OF TEARS
By S. FRUG
(Translated from the Russian by Julius Lasker)
"Is it true, my darling mother,
What dear grandpa used to say—
That a wonder cup in heaven
God has near Him night and day?
"That, should sorrow strike His people,
Should misfortune lay them' low,
In the cup a tear of pity
From the eyes of God will flow.
"Till the cup, one day of mercy,
Will be filled with tears divine;
Then the sun of joy and glory
Will again above us shine?
"And Messiah, whom we hoped for
Through the bitter years of pain,
Will arrive and He will lead us
To, the Holy and again?"
"True, my son." The chil&'stood thoughtful,
And his wistful eyes grew dim.
"Is that cup without a bottom,
That it fills not to the brim?
"When, 0 when, pleasetell me, mother,
that cup be filled with tears?
Do its sacred, precious contents
All dry up throughout the years?"
Faith and anguish, silent prayer, -
Beamed and burned within his gaze.
And the mother's head was bowed—
Heart a-flutter, eyes ablaze.
On her cheeks two tears were gleaming,
Rolling downward like two pearls.
Then they lingered and descended
On her darling's raven curls.
"These tears, 0 God, forevermore
In Thy cup of mercy store!"