As the Editor
Views the News
Challenge to U. S.: Uproot Bigotry
22nd Zionist Congress
•
The opening, on Monday, of the 22nd World
Zionist Congress, in Basle, Switzerland, again
will attract worldwide interest in the great
movement that was organized in 1897—also
in Basle—by Dr. Theodor Herzl, for the re-
construction of Jewry as a national entity in
its ancient homeland.
After the first session of the First World
Zionist Congress, Dr. Herzl wrote the follow-
ing significant statement in his diary: "In
Basle I founded the Jewish State. If I were
to say this today, I would be met by uni-
v•rsal laughter. But in 50 years everybody
will realize it. The essence of a state is the
will of the people to have a state. I gradually
infused into people the mood of the State and
inspired them with the feeling that they were
the National Assembly."
With only one more year to go before
re:iching the half-century mark in the his-
tory of modern political Zionism as it was
envisaged by Dr. Herzl, the contention is that
a State already exists, that the Jewish nation
is reconstituted and that the harrassed and
homeless of our people soon may be able to
look to an independent Jewish Common-
w•alth to solve their tragic problems.
Dr. Herzl's dreams and auguries appear on
the verge of realization at this time, in spite
of the regrettable occurrences in Palestine,
by virtue of the existing tacit understanding
that a viable Jewi.lzh State be created at once
in a major portion of Palestine. The realiza-
tion of such an ideal would mean the parti-
tioning of Palestine—something which no one
des:ires but which, nevertheless, may prove
to be the only solution to the problem affect-
ing the future status of the Jewish National
Horne.
In spite of existing differencet of opinion
re"arding partition, Jewish leaders appar-
ently are agreed that an immediate solution
to Palestine's problem is an absolute neces-
sity and that the Jewish Agency's plan for a
viable Jewish State would be acceptable.
The plan has the approval of our own gov-
ernment, of President Truman and the State
Department. It has the endorsement of out-
standing leaders like Senator Arthur H. Van-
denberg. It is believed to have the friendly
endorsement of Secretary of State Byrnes
and Assistant Secretary of State Acheson. It
is reportedly acceptable to several of the
Arab states and to many leaders in the British
government.
Thus, Th-e original objectives of the World
Zionist Congresses, which were aptly de-
scribed by Meyer W. Weisgal as "parliaments
on wheels," are nearing realization. Dr.
Nahum Goldmann, another eminent Zionist
leader, described the Zionist Congress "a
little League of Nations," with this difference:
'the consciousness of unity and solidarity
rel cvails over the unavoidable differences of
oti,L,in and language much more powerfully
than is possible in sessions of the League of
Nations or other international conventions.
For here one clearly feels the yearnings of
delegates to speak one language through their
many idioms and to devote themselves to one
idea through their many and devious ways
of thought."
Today, this one-ness is the major responsi-
bility of Jewry everywhere to participate
in the effort to achieve a permanent solution
to Israel's problem by ending the homeless-
ness Of the unfortunate among our people.
By acting unitedly and by pledging whole-
hearted support to the decisions of the Con-
f.'ress, and adhering to such pledges, all of
us can be partners in the historic venture of
rn::king real that which once was considered
a dream.
M
Friday. December 6, 1946
THE JEWISH NEWS
Poge Four
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maurice Aronsson
Philip Slomovitz
Fred M. Burzel
Judge Theodore Levin
Maurice H. Schwartz
Isidore Sobeloff
Abraham Srere
Henry Wineman
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
VOL. 10—NO. 12
DECEMBER 6, 1946
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the thirteenth day of Kislev,
5707, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 32:4-36:43.
Prophetical portion—Hos. 12:13 - 14:10 or 11:7-
12:12 or Obad. 1:1-24.
•
VOW
By MAXINE R. LEVIN
N IMPORTANT American artist, just coming
into his own is Ben Wilson of New York who
„A.
recently had his first one-man show. His theme is
the struggle and betrayal of the Jews.
Mr. Wilson is a forceful painter. The reason for
reviewing this artist, generally unknown to most
of us in Detroit, is that his art is good honest
propaganda; magnificently executed.
•e r i ce
#40
C;11.114814, VP", Ihr World yaws Swift."
A greater
UJA Campaign
American Jewry's unprecedented 1946 campaign for
$100,000,000 for the United Jewish Appeal fades into com-
parative insignificance as a result of the new goal set for
1947, at the conference held last week-end in Atlantic City,
for European relief, Palestine's reconstruction and the settle-
ment of newcomers in this country.
The new goal set for the UJA represents a far greater
challenge than the quota of a year ago.
For 1947, the situation is more trying and the demand
for means with which to save lives and help the survivors in
Europe carry on is far greater. Hundreds of thousands of
Jews continue to live under dire circumstances in displaced
persons camps. Tens of thousands are awaiting an oppor-
tunity to settle in Palestine. Thousands will find haven in this
country.
A year ago, one of the problems that faced the great
relief and resettlement organizations was the mobilization of
staffs to provide for the needs of the survivors. Tens of thou-
sands of homeless Jews were yet to be located and many
more on the march to camps now serviced by JDC. Today,
the tragedy of those who survived Nazism faces us in all its
starkness. Large numbers of our people have infiltrated into
the American zone of occupation and are dependent entirely
upon the help that must come from the United States.
Palestine's reconstruction will require vastly greater
sums of money, in view of the need for the redemption of
larger stretches of land through the Jewish National Fund
and the chartering of many boats to take the homeless to
their Homeland.
In addition, the work of the United Service for New
Americans in providing means for self-support to those corn-
ing to this country will have to be expanded, by virtue of the
directive of President Truman, which makes provisions for
the settlement of thousands of refuges in this country, and
-the possibility that Congress may act o open the doors to the
U. S. wider for many more European/Jews.
The responsibilities facing American Jews are very great.
No one should fail either to increase his contribution or to
participate actively in the challenging campaign to be con-
ducted during the coming months. Even if economic condi-
tions should take a turn for the worse in this country—a con-
dition we do not anticipate—we must view the situation from
the point of view of a people that is extremely fortunate to
have escaped from the horrors of Nazism. Our duty is to turn
to our capital possessions and to forget tax reductions or
excess profits in planning our gifts to UJA. We must view
the situation as brothers and kinsmen to those who have
survived. Else, we shall be acting as partners to those who
are destroying the morale of our fellow Jews.
"Promised Land," the picture reprod uced
above, is both bitter and appealing. with grotesqu e
and distorted figures, strong lights, contrastin g
darks and sensitive outlines. Mr. Wilson makes his
plea in paint. His palette is blue, green and grey ,
colors wisely chosen to create a tragic mood.
This young man, only 33 years old, will be well
worth watching, his paintings already have been
accepted in many im-
p o r t a n t competitive
exhibitions. Ben Wil-
son was graduated
TOM New York City
College and at present
is teaching in its Adult
Education Progra m.
Several years ago he
wan the National
Academy Award for
excellence in drawing.
An interesting note
about Ben Wilson is
that he had no chosen
career after graduat-
ing from high schooL
He took a trainee
Ben Wilson
course and chose corn-
mercial art. From then on he became vitally inter -
ested in fine arts. studied nights and in his spar e
time. Ben Wilson is a good example of what
want to discuss.
So many parents ask me to see the work o f
their children and ask for comments on thei r
abilities. Batting almost a hundred per cent, I fin d
talent. The answer is that the wish to paint o r
draw is the all important factor, as it was wi th
Van Gogh, as it is apparent with Mr. Wilson.
There is a fine opportunity here in Detroit fo r
adults to enjoy their talents. There is the Cent er
All responsible Jews consistently Zondemned the state of Art School. the Arts and Crafts where Walt er
Midener teaches sculpturing, or the Art Museum
terror which has marred the peace of Palestine during the classes
under Miss Aronson.
past six months.
Recently I visited the children's dais at the
Similarly, all responsible Arabs joined not only in con- Center studio, where I found Mr. Bernstein busil y
teaching those youngsters the fundamentals of
demning the policies of the British administration which had
good drawing and working with them for a g ood,
led to the state of terror, but also in disavowing responsibility
basic understanding of their craft. The Sunda y
for Arab threats of retaliation.
morning class was hard at work, fathers. hous e-
New light is thrown on the entire Palestine situation by wives, teen-agers and factory workers, smea red
the recent murder of Fawzi Husseini, cousin of the ex-Mufti with paint and charcoal and having a wonderf ul
time. One could sense their enjoyment in bei ng
of Jerusalem. It has been revealed that Fawzi Husseini, in
there and after all—that is the whole idea.
Varied Angles of 'Terrorism'
spite of his relationship to the former Mufti, was an active
exponent of plans for Arab-Jewish cooperation and that he
had made large land sales to Jews. Threatened on many occa-
sions for his activities, it is now believed that he was mur-
dered by Arabs who objected to his views. Once active in the
Arab nationalist movement, he was arrested at one time for
his extremist activities but in recent years expressed the
view that Arab-Jewish cooperation was the only means of
obtaining independence for Palestine as a state to be ruled
jointly by the two peoples.
Englishmen who have been known readily to back up all
Arab claims while they were interfering with Jewish progress
in Palestine should take into consideration a situation which
has created a state of terror for which Arabs are responsible
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers
Questions • • •
p
Who besides Abraham's wife is buried in
the Cave of Machpelah?'
The Cave of Machpelah bought by Abrah an
as a burial place for his wife is supposed
many to contain also the tomb of Adam, in a d
dition to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and mace
and their wives.
What is the Babdalah?
The Jewish religious ceremony performed
as Jews, the motivating force being the vacillating policy of
home and synagogue at the close of -the Sabba t
the British government. A firm stand by Great Britain and and festivals, thanking God for distinguishin
a determined effort to solve the problem will lead to amity with unique holiness certain occasions over th
routine days of the year.
and cooperation among all elements.