•
Friday, • Novarni•er I. 1.946
THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Four
As the Editor - - -
Views the News
Humanity's Disgrace
Answers to Readers'
Questions .
What Hope for DPs?
In his address at the opening session of
the United Nations General Assembly, Presi-
dent Truman called for the speedy creation
of the International. Refugee Organization to
take over UNRA's specific tasks of providing
for the resettlement of hundreds of thou-
sands of European displaced persons.
Stressing that the U. S. "considers this a
matter of great urgency in the cause of re-
storing peace and in the cause of humanity
itself," President Truman indicated his inten-
tion to ask Congress to vote necessary funds
to finance refugee resettlement activities and
to authorize our government to join with
other nations in receiving "those refugees
who do not wish to return to their former
homes for reasons of political or religious
belief."
While this declaration may be hailed as
an important commitment by our President
in the cause of justice for the dispossessed
and downtrodden, it is essential, for a com-
plete understanding of the situation, that we
should deal with realities and that the true
facts in the existing situation should be made
known.
President Truman unquestionably is sin-
cere in his desire to effect a program for
speedy rehabilitation of DPs. The fact is,
however, that the number or refugees who
have come to the U. S. is much below the
goal originally set by Mr. Truman.
JDC's director of immigration operations
for Germany and Austria, Mrs. Cecelia R.
Davidson, pointed out last week that while
President Truman's directive of last De-
cember provided for the settlement in this
country of 3,900 immigrants a month, only
1.200 refugees have been arriving here
monthly.
The number of eligible persons coming to
this country has been cut considerably by
the decision of U. S. overseas officials to
admit only those persons who have relatives
in this country, and only those able to cut
the red tape and to secure visas could see
their hopes of finding haven in America
real ized.
Another difficulty in the path of those
seeking haven in America is the shipping
bottleneck...x.esulting from the fact that oply
two vessels—Marine Flasher and Marine
Perch—have been made available for refugee
transportation.
Mrs. Davidson points out that even if
present quotas are utilized to the full they
will make only a small dent in the number
of unfortunates who must be provided with
new homes, and she makes these proposals:
1. Thousands of visas unused during the
war should be made available; 2. provision
should be made for borrowing on future
quotas; 3. elderly people should be permitted
to come here "quota-free" to join their rela-
tives.
If these proposals were granted, they
would ease the situation considerably.
In the meantime, however, Congressional
leaders are on record in opposition to Presi-
dent Truman's humatolitarium program and
even the minimal DP relief efforts appear
to be doomed. With Palestine's doors closed,
and the "democracies" adamant in their re-
fusal to open their own doors to the sur-
ViVOI'S from Nazism there is only one word
to describe the position of the DPs, and that
word is: FRIGHTFUL.
THE JEWISH NEWS
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS '
Maurice Aronsson
Philip Slomovitz
Fred M. Butsel
Isidore Sobeloff
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
Maurice H. Schwartz
Henry Wineman
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
VOL. 10—NO. 7
NOVEMBER 1, 1946
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the eighth day of Heshvan, 5707,
the following Scriptural selections will be read in
our synagogues:
. Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 12:1•-7:27. •
Prophetical portion — Is. 40:27-41:16.8.
Facts You Should Know
What is the meaning of the phrase
"ancient of. days" frequently found in Jewish
literature?
The phrase is a poetical epithet for God, em-
phasizing the solemnity and venerable majesty of
the Deity. Earliest known use of the phrase is
in Daniel 7: 9,13,22, which As believed to have in-
spired later use of the term.
-
•
Dr. A. M. Hershman—Rabbi Emeritus
•
•
Where in the Bible is the end of war
prophesied?
In Isaiah 2:4 and in Micah 4:3.
• • •
What is "Shemitah" and "Yovel"?
"Shemitah" is the Hebrew name given to the
Sabbatical ?ear_ ordered in the Bible (Ex. 23:11,
Lev. 24:4, Deut. 15:1). Every seventh year was
considered the Sabbatical year or Shemitah. The
observances and ceremonies attached to this year
are of a dual nature. It affected the agricultural
life of the people in prohibiting any-work from
being done on the land, including sowing, plant-
ing and harvesting. This aspect was observed
only in Palestine, since it was purely a matter
affecting land, and is still observed there by
many religious sects today. Another aspect. how-
ever, was of a more personal nature and affected
commerce. All monetary debts of indefinite nature
were to be cancelled on this Sabbatical •year.
This aspect was carried over to other lands by
authorities and is thus still observed today by
some peoples. The word Shemitah technically
implies "release' or "rest"
"Yovel" is the Hebrew name given to the
"jubilee year" ordered by the Bible. Every 50th
year is thus considered the jubilee year.-Besides
the agricultural restrictions other obsetvances
were ushered in by the blowing of the shofar
on the eve of the Day of Atonement of that year.
All Hebrew slaves and their families were eman-
cipated, even if the slave preferred serviture:
and all properties sold during the interim period
were returned to the original owner.
During nearly 40 years of service here, Dr. A. M. Hersh-
man has earned the gratitude not only. of hil"congregation
but of the entire community for important services in all cul-
tural movements and in behalf of every effort undertaken
for the defense of the Jewish position everywhere.
His election as Rabbi Enieritus of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek provides an opportunity for an evalution of his great
contributions to American Jewry.
Recognized nationally as one of the outstanding rabbis
in the land, Rabbi Hershman's scholarship has been symbolic
as an encouragement to all Conservative Rabbis- who have
been ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary during the
past generation. He has guided the Detroit congregation on
paths of highest ethical and cultural standards and his work
in the synagogue was reflected in all community efforts—
education, Zionism, relief and reconstruction.
Rabbi Hershman's sermons always have been looked
upon as landmarks reflecting his scholarship and expressed
YOUNG PEOPLE
FOR
his concern that the synagogue should 'retain its proper place
as the foundation for everything creative in Jewish life.
His interpretations of Zionist ideals have been so inspir- Dear Boys and Girls:
I have just read .a most interesting comment
ing that he was called upon for many years to appear on
made by the great Hebrew poet of the 12th
numerous platforms throughout the land.
century, Yehudah Halevi (1085-1145). This great
A strong believer in the democratic ideals of Judaism poet spoke of the people of Israel as a people of
and stated:
and Americanism, he was accepted as first choice when revelation
"Had there been no Israelites there would
Detroit Jews went to the ballot boxes to elect delegates to
be no Torah. Israel's pre-eminence is not de-
the first American Jewish Congress session in Philadelphia
rived from Moses; it is Moses whose pre-
OUR
eminence is due to Israel. The Divine love
went out towards the multitude of the chil-
dren of the Patriachs, the Congregation of
man to continue the literary activities he •started a number
Jacob. Moses was merely the divinely chosen
instrument through whom God's blessings
of years ago, and it is sincerely hoped he will have the good
were to be assured unto them. We are called
health to produce the several important works' on which he
not the people of Moses, but the people of
has been doing research during the past decade.
God."
This is a thrilling statement. It teaches us
that every Jew also is the instrumentality chosen
by God to carry on the mission for good and for
teachings for wshich Israel has been chosen.
Rifts in Zionist ranks are not new phenomena. Like con- ethical
One of the great weapons of our people is the
flicts in numerous other Jewish movements, they are the Bible. Would that more of us knew the Bible,
studied it. read it regularly. The world's great-
rule rather than the exception. -
est men have placed the Bible above all other
While, ordinarily, differences of opinion denote a healthy books—and
we certainly should do tha,t. There
condition in the thinking of a people's spokesmen, and while is. for instance. the following comment on the
the right to differ is a major democratic ideal, the present Bible by a great American. Walt Whitman.
"How many ages and generations have
conflict in Zionist ranks is most deplorable for the obvious
brooded and wept and agonized over this
reason we cannot afford disunity at a time when we must
book. What untellable joys and ecstasies,
fight against terrific odds to achieve even a minimum of our
what support to martyrs at the stake, from it!
To what myriads has it been the shore and
needs in Palestine.
rock of safety — the refuge from driving
The current conflict assumes its saddest aspect in the
tempest and wreck!"
tragic role played by the leaders- who dominate the Ameri-
I sincerely hope that what I have just said will
can Zionist movement. While the World Zionist and Jewish encourage all of you to make greater use of the
Agency Executives, after lengthy deliberations, and in recog- Bible and to be more deeply concerned over your
studies.
nition of realities, decided upon ,a program which, while Jewish
A pleasant Sabbath to all.
based upon the aim of securing the establishment of a Jewish
* UNCLE DANIEL.
in 1918.
His retirement from active duties will enable Dr. Hersh-
Partition and the Zionist Rift
State. in Palestine, favors'a Maximum partition scheme, Dr.
-
Abba Hillel Silver and his associates not only reject these
JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS:
SPLENDID STORY
decisions but are very evidently determined to proceed on
of
Story
"Joseph:
The
Klaber's
Florence W.
the path of "capturing" the World Zionist Congress on the Twelve
Brothers." published by Beacon Press,
in
the
whole
basis of continuing to fight for a Jewish State
25 Beacon St.. Boston 8, is a most fascinating
of Palestine.
a
a
Those Who heard both sides of the argument will find it
very difficult to accept the viewpoint of Dr. Silver. It is
easier for the very eminent leader of the Zionists of America
to be rhetorically militant in the demands for an undivided
Palestine than it was for Jewish leaders meeting under ad-
verse circumstances in Paris and in London, or for the
tragically afflicted Jewish community of Palestine living
under conditions which make it possible for the pledge-break-
ing mandatory power to hold Jews under arrest without
charges and by depriving them of the right to habeas corpus.
While it is true the Jewish Agency Executive's decision
in favor of partition was reached out of -despair, it is wiser
to take a partitioned portion of Palestine than to perpetuate
terror and destruction.
Fortunately, the final decision rests with the World
Zionist Congress _which will open in Basle, Switzerland, on
Dec. 9. During the intervening six weeks, the issue should
be studied fully and carefully and Zionist constituencies
should let their decision be known for the guidarpe of the
world Zionist leaders. We must realize that even the
proferred partition plan is yet far from realization and that
our ultimate gains will be achieved not through rhetoric but
by negotiations.
Thus, out of mature and realistic deliberations at Basle
we may hope to see the fruition of a great ideal, a realization
which alone can assure the rescue from total destruction of
hundreds of thousands of Jewish survivors.
presentation of the Biblical story.
Although intended for the Christian classroom,
the Klaber story fits in well as background ma-
terial for teachers as well as students in all
religious schools. The story ably reviews the Old
Testament tale about Joseph, including his dreams,
his triumphs in Egypt and the coming to Egypt
of his brotherS and then his reunion with his
father.
. Jessie Robinson is the able illustrator of this
fine book.
• .•
QUOTATIONS ABOUT _BOOKS .
"As companions and acquaintances books
are
without rivals. and they are companions and ac-
quaintances to be had at all times and under all
circumstances. They are never out when you
me' when
knock at the door, are never 'not at ho
you call. In the lightest as well as in the deepest
Moods they may be applied .to -krid will never be
found wanting, In the good sense of the phrase,
they are all things to all men, and are faithful
alike -to all."—John Alfred Langford.
"Precious and priceless are the blessings which
books scatter around our daily' paths. We walk, in
imagination, with the noblest spirits, through the
most sublime and enchanting regions." — W. P.
Whipple.
"B& my books I can conjure up, before me to a.
momentary existence many of the great and good._
men of past ages, and for my individual satisfac-
tion they seem to act again the most renowned of
their achievements: the orators declaim for me,'
the histotians recite,. the poets sing." — Dr. Neil
Arnott.