Page Four THE JEWISH NEWS As• the Editor Views the News - - - Handwriting on. the World friday, September 28,.:.1945 : • 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'. * * * 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. * * * * * 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 * * * 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 * * * 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. . * * 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. * * * 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!"