Page Four

THE JEWISH NEWS

As the Editor
Views the News -

Friday, June 7, 1948

In the Harbor of Hope

Facts You Should Know

Answers to Readers'
Questions About Jews

Myth of Arab-Jewish Rifts

In a frank evaluation of Palestine's posi-
tion on the scene of world affairs, Bartley
C. Crum, one of the American members
of the Anglo-American Inquiry Committee,
charged that the Holy Land has been turned
into a "police state," that people are not
free to express opinions and that censor-
ship is extremely stringent.
Mr. Crum, referring to the work of the
committee, declares that "we urged immedi,,
ate abrogation of the White Paper of 1939,
because with its recision we believed it
would be possible for the government of
Palestine to reduce its armed forces by at
least one-third, to transform the police bar-
racks into public schools and hospitals, to
reconvert the tanks into bulldozers, and to
bring Arab and Jew together. It was un-
mistakably clear to us that Arab and Jew
can and do work side by side in the great
new industries of Palestine, that they can
and do live peacefully on • adjoining farms."
*
*
*
This statement corroborates the views
of many students of Middle Eastern affairs
with objective viewpOints who deny that
the stories of Arab-Jewish rifts in Palestine
are based on facts, and.who insist that they
are myths created in the minds of fearful
men by British imperialists and Arab poli-
ticians outside of Palestine.
The myth of impending Arab troubles
is definitely the creation of the British
Colonial Office, and it is about time that
our own government did something about it.
Unfortunately, as in the instance of the
establishment of the sovereign state of
Transjordania, oil appears to be the decid-
ing factor in an issue in which the human
elements should be paramount, but is rele-
gated to the background.
*
*
*
Thus, the recommendation that 100;000
Jews be admitted to Palestine before the
end of 1946 is being ignored. Our own
State Department is resorting to further
inquiries, and the refusal of the American
Jewish Conference to enter into further
discussions is a courageous act on the part
of American Jewish leadership.
In its letter declining the invitation of
the Department of State to submit its views
on the inquiry committee's report, the Am-
erican Jewish Conference declares that con-
tinued discussion over the long-term recom-
mendations would be "premature and harm-
ful," and would serve further to delay the
transfer of homeless Jews from Europe to
Palestine.
Self-respect dictates such action.
•*
*
*
The Arab myth calls for an immediate
expose, and, should it become necessary to
fight out in the open the issue over oil,
even if it affects the interests of American
oil magnates, we should not hesitate, in
the interest of the rescue program in
Europe.
The division in Arab ranks is strong
proof that only a handful of wealthy Arab
effendi families is involved in the anti-
Zionist activities.
Palestine has been declared the Jewish
National Home. Therefore British and other
interests MUST be submerged in the in-
terest of the Jewish survivors in Europe.
This is a major matter to be considered by
the United Nations. It should be made a
primary demand in the interests of peace
and strict adherence to pledges to the Jews.

THE JEWISH NEWS

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ . HENRY WINEMAN

PHILIP

'VOL. 9—No. 12

SLOMOVITZ, Editor

JUNE 7, 1946

This Week's Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the ninth clay of Sivan,- 5706,
the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our syanagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Num. 4:21-7:89.
Prophetical portion—Judges 13:2-25.
•Candle-lighting time this Friday is at 8:04 p.

What is the "El Molay Rachamim"?
"El Molay Rachamin" is the name of the me-
morial prayer traditionally recited for the dead
at funerals; tombstone unveilings; Mondays,
Thursdays, Saturdays and holidays at the syna-
gogue; and when visiting the graves of the dead.
The title of the prayer is composed of the open-
ing words of the prayer, "El Malay Rachamim,"
meaning "God, full of compassion."
The prayer asks the Lord to grant the soul
of the deceased its "rest" in Paradise for the
sake of charity that is offered by the living.
The following is the translation of the prayer,
"0 God, full of compassion, Thou who dwellest
on high, grant perfect rest beneath the sheltered
wings of Thy presence, among the holy and the
pure who shine as the brightness of the firma-
ment, unto the soul of . . ., who has gone forth
unto eternity, and in whose memory charity is
offered by . . . May his repose be in Paradise.
May the Lord of mercy bring him under the
cover of His wings, and let his soul be bound
up in the bond of eternal life. May the Lord be
his possessor and may his repose be ,in peace.
Amen."

•

n'A

Talmudic Tales

By DAVID MORANTZ

ENE A,

The arrival of the Marine Flasher, the first ship to bring displaced persons
from Germany. focused public attention on the efforts which American Jews are
making through the agencies of the $100.000.000 United Jewish Appeal to give
new homes to the survivors of Hitlerism in Europe. The Joint Distribution
Committee provided transportation for many of the refugees aboard the Marine
Flasher and the National - Refugee Service provided corporate affidavits for
many of the newcomers: welcomed them and started them on the road to a
new life when they landed in New York.

Jewry's Position Grows. Worse

To the discredit of the diplomats who are charged with
planning the peace of the, world, events transpiring through-
out the world point to a decline in liberalism, to a resurgence
of bigotry and a combination of tragedies which put to
shame even the worst horrors of the middle ages.
An accepted standard for decency is the manner in
which Jewish communities are treated in their respective
countries, and the position of the Jew is traditionally
regarded as the barometer when judging the humaneness
of governments and peoples. Having disregarded the noblest
standards, the world has set the clock back a thousand years.
Here is a resume of occurrences in the "liberated" coun-
tries of Europe:

Three Jews were killed in an anti-Semitic riot at Kun-
madaras, near Budapest, Hungary. Although Premier Ferenc
Nagy has condemned the spirit of bigotry which is spreading
among the Hungarians, the situation is very grave.
Political parties in Romania are charged with encouraging
anti-Jewish feelings and anti-Semitic agitators are having a
heyday.
Anti-Jewish demonstrations occurred in small cities in
Italy and troops had to be called to ,disperse the rioters.
From Prague it is reported that Dr. I. E. Grossman, a
Jewish lawyer who recently was appointed public prosecutor
in the town of Namesti, Slovakia, was murdered by fascists
whose activities he was investigating.
The status of the displaced Jews in Europe remains tragic
and their lives are endangered as a result of the rising tide
of hatred and intolerance.

These are only a few of the incidents reported in Jewish
Telegraphic Agency cables received during the past week.
Add to these the shocking attitude not only of the Brit-
ish government but also of our own State Department on
the issues involving- the breaking of pledges on the question
of Palestine, and you have a sad picture indeed of the Jewish
position in the world -today.
We live in an era of reaction. Instead of bringing relief
to the needy and the dispossessed, the peace-planning period
which followed the war, and which is being dragged through
entirely too many diplomatic circuses, has to its discredit
evils which are reminiscent of the worst days of Nazism.
The world is in a sad state, and the Jewish position is
worse today than it has ever been. The ears of the statesmen
who have promised succor to the sufferers are stuffed with
oil-dren'ched cotton and they refuse to listen to protests
because they are dominated by selfish interests and already
have forgotten the humanitarian objectives of a war against
fascism.
Will enough people lift their voices some day to prevent
the perpetuation of reaction? Will humanity rise up to put
an end to irresponsibility? Would that the revolt against
the inhumanity of the world's rulers could come soon! But
in the meantime reaction is in the saddle.

UNRRA and Americans in Germany

Expulsion of the three American Jews—Mrs. Emma
Lazaroff Schaver of Detroit, Dr. Israel Efros and H. Leivick
of New York—by UNRRA from the American zone in Ger-
many calls for explanation.
It would be wrong to pass judgment on UNR.RA's action
before adequate accounts are given for the action taken in
asking three eminent Americans, who came there to enter-
tain the displaced persons, to leave Europe and to return
to the U. S.
But it is in order to ask whether the encouragement
the three Americans gave to the DPs in their hopes for
escape from their miseries and for early settlement in Pal-
estine is accountable for their being "gagged" through
expulsion. . .
We. shall anxiously await an explanation from UNRRA.

(Based upon the ancient legends and philosophy fonnif in
the Talmud and folklore of the Jewish people dating back
as far as 3.000 years)

GIVE QUICKLY

"He gives twice," says the Talmud, "who
gives in a trice."
"They who love to give• willingly, love to give
quickly."
. "Defer not what thou intendest to give."
"He doubles his gift who gives in time." •
"Iron breaks stone; fire melts iron; water ex-
tinguishes fire; clouds consume -water; the storm
dispels clouds; man withstands the storm; fear
conquers man; wine banishes fear; sleep • over-.;•
comes wine, and death is the .masler of sleep;.
but 'charity,' says Solomon; 'saves even from.
death'."

FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

Dear Boys and Girls:
Although Shevuoth is over, it is not too late
to celebrate the great Law-Giving Festival which
also is known as Hag Bikkurim—the Festival of
the First Fruits.
The Jewish National Fund Council of Detroit
makes it possible for you to observe the Bikkurim
Festival. A fine . program has been arranged for
you for this Sunday, at 1:45 p.m., at the Jewish.
Community Center.
There will be a new Palestine movie and
you will be thrilled by the pageant, "Chalutzim,"
by the Shaarey Zedek students, under the direc- .
tion of Moe Kesner.
I hope you will all come to this festival
Sunday.
A pleasant Sabbath to all.
UNCLE DANIEL

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Why We Should Be Concerned
About a Jewish National Home

Excerpts From Prize-Winning Essay in National

Contest Conducted by American Zionist
Emergency Council.
By HERBERT' LEE MANDEL

In the year 70 there occurred an event in
Jewish history that is commemorated even today
in deep religious mourning. Often during the
year the Jew is ceremonially reminded of the
destruction of his once magnificent Temple -of
God. A further significance marking 70 C. E.
as one of the most fateful years in Jewish
history is the commencement of an 1.800-year
period in remote exile from the land of A.braham.
Every generation dreamt of some day return-
ing to the Promised Land. From time to time
a few who were fortunate enough to escape from
European ghettos did succeed in reaching it. •
During 1875 years, Palestine, continually
changing hands from general to pasha to sheik'
to sultan, remained in stagnation, through abuse -
and neglect. When the first pioneer Jewish
settlers set foot on the sacred soil, they found,
desolated wastes, in contrast to the Bi elical ,
description of Palestine as a "land flowing with
milk and honey.". There were prevalent squalor,
famine and disease.
The settlers who brought with them western
learning were to perform in 20 years what came
to be regarded as one of the great miracles of
modern history. The transformation, sure and
swift, saw hundreds of new desert settlements •
taking root everywhere. European pioneers,
scientists, craftsmen, artists, laborers, began
hopefully the gigantic task of rebuilding. In-
dustries, such as diamond cutting, textiles, oil
refining and chemical manufacturing, vast build-
ing projects, mass irrigation, forest planting, soil
redemption for agriculture, schools and uni-'
versities, a fishing and commercial fleet, revival'.
of a language, a symphony orchestra, are but •
some of the highlights in the intensely romantic
story of a nation reborn.
One of the greatest achievements in history
has been the founding of a philosophy of life
believing in man's interdependence to man, in-
dependence to think and work in freedom.
Today vast desert tracts are being reclaimed
to make way for others who went to settle
in :their beloved homeland. Thousands liberated
froM bondage after 12 years of inhuman de-•
privation are pleading with arms outstretched for
the opportunity of -journeying to the one place
where they are welcome, where they are free ,
from oppression and where they have a voice
in- deciding their own fate. • •

