Pegs Four
As the Editor
Views the News .
Friday, January 17, 1947
THE JEWISH NEWS
U. S.—Haven for Whom?
Spiritual Nationalist
Analysis of Work of
Chief Rabbi A. I. Kuk
Synagogue Desecrations
While the ashes of 12 Scrolls that were
destroyed in a fire set by vandals in a London
synagogue were being buried with tradition-
al rites, another window-smashing campaign
was inaugurated by anti-Semites in England.
Scotland Yard, meanwhile, has frustrated
attempts by two gangs who attempted to
blackmail Jews in London. But a 16-year-
old British naval cadet was fined the muni-
ficent sum of $4 for breaking seven windows
in the London Willeston synagogue, after as-
serting: "I did it because I don't like Jews."
British authorities have an opportunity to
disprove the growing fears that anti-Semit-
ism has infiltrated into official English circles
as a result of the occurrences in Palestine..
A firm stand by Scotland Yard and by the
British government can put an end to van-
dalism.
Meanwhile, it is of the utmost importance
that nothing should be done by Jews to ag-
gravate the situation. There must be an
end to terrorism in Palestine, and a program
of resistance to British anti-Zionist activities
must be based on official action and on de-
cisions of Haganah, the recognized Jewish
self-defense group.
But the only way we may hope for com-
plete restoration of peace in Palestine is by
a change in, the brutal tactics of British police
in Palestine. By running Jews through
gantlets and submitting innocent people to
beatings: by re-introducing medieval prac-
tices of corporal punishments and canings, the
British are not contributing to good will or
to harmony. As Homer Bigart, N. Y. Herald
Tribune correspondent in Tel Aviv, indicated
in his expose of the British brutalities in that
city, "anti-Semitism has been the inevitable
product of terrorist acts, just as terrorism
appears to be the inevitable recourse of a
people who feel that all legal pressure for
achieving security and freedom have failed."
To restore peace and security in Palestine,
Britain must take the lead to end her policy
of brutality and contempt.. It will then be
easier for Jews to eradicate terrorism.
Detroit's Share in Zion
Detroit Jewry has an important stake in
Eretz Israel.
Three forests have been planted in Pales-
tine 176M-ring the names of Fred M: Butzel
and Morris Schaver and the memory of
Joseph H. Ehrlich, and another is being
completed in honor of Harry Schumer.
This month, as a result of the efforts of the
Ladies' Auxiliary of the Jewish National
Fund. another project will be completed— .
the establishment of a settlement (Nachlah)
by the women of JNF.
The completion of the latter project, which
will facilitate the settlement of homeless Jews
in Palestine, will give added importance to
the women's donor event which will be con-
cluded on Jan. 28. The contributors to this
project have reason to feel proud they have
shared in establishing a settlement for the
expansion of Detroit Jewry's activities in
Palestine.
Taking into consideration the large sums
which are raised here for Palestine's recon-
struction efforts through the Allied Jewish
Campaign and other local projects, Detroit
Jewry may truly be said to be in the van-
guard of the builders of Zion.
'Cold Reception' for DP Plea
When President Truman stated in his message to Con-
gress that the U. S. "can be proud of its part in caring for
peoples reduced to want by the ravages of war" and that "we
have shipped more supplies to the hungry peoples of the
world since the end of the war than all other countries corn-
bined,':. he was greeted with applause.
But there was silence when he added that "insofar as
admitting displaced persons is concerned, I do not feel that
the United States has done its part." President Truman
frankly informed Congress that "only about 5,000 of them
(DPs) have entered this country since May 1946."
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent in Wash-
ington informs us that President Truman's recommendations
that legislation be planned to "fulfill our responsibilities to
these thousands of homeless and suffering refugees of all
faiths" has roused little or no enthusiasm in Congressional
circles. Prominent members of both Houses of Congress are
quoted in opposition to any effort to provide for the admis-
sion of displaced Europeans, and the picture looks black.
Thus, Rep. C. Michener of Michigan, chairman of the
House Judiciary Committee whose responsibilities now in-
clude immigration, has expressed the belief that the House
will be "very reticent" toward any proposal for the reduction
of immigration barriers. Other Congressmen are even more
emphatic in their view of the situation.
The London Times expresses the view that "the recom-
mendation made by President Truman to Congress is most
reasonable and desirable in itself, but runs counter to strong
currents of opinion of those responsible for legislation now on
statute books." This view is echoedd -wherever there is respon-
sible opinion on the immigration question, and the pre-
valent pessimism does not augur well for the European
survivors.
In view of these facts, we are compelled to return to
original theses advanced by spokesmen for the DPs that unless
Palestine's doors are opened for large numbers of Jews, the
world will be perpetuating tragedy. An open door policy in
Palestine would at once either reduce or obviate - the need for
a struggle against iron walls that have been set up in our own
and in other countries against the admission of newcomers,
no matter how worthy their cause or how sad their plight.
World Jewry has reason to feel indebted le
Rabbi Jacob B. Agus for his biographical work ea
the late Chief Rabbi of Palestine, Abraham Isaac
Kuk, which has_been published by Bloch Publish.
ing Co., 31 W. 31st St., New York, under the title
"Banner of Jerusalem."
Without this work, the great contributions of
the eminent leader`might have been forgotten, or,
at best, recognition of his efforts might have bees
deferred.
Rabbi Agus Therefore has rendered an excep-
tionally good service with his splendid analysis ed
the life and literary greations of the eminent
leader who rose above partisanship and reached
great heights as the inspirer of the builders o
Zion.
This biographical work describes Rabbi Kuk's
activities from his early childhood, his studies at
the Volozhin and Smargon- Yeshivoth, his rabbinic
post at Boisk, the call that came to him to become
rabbi at Jaffa, his eventual spiritual service in
London and final settlement in Jerusalem as Chief
Rabbi.
Rabbi Agus' chief points in tribute to Rabbi
Kuk are that he was the Orthodox Achad Ha'am
and that he placed the redemption of Zion among
the chief obligations of Jewry. He speaks of Rabbi
Kuk as having been "essentially a poet, and he
points out that "like Achad Ha'am, Kuk believed
in the spiritual character of nationhood."
Rabbi Kuk is described as "the high priest, of -
rebirth." Among his great achievements was the
creation of the "Rabbanuth Koleleth," the "all
inclusive rabbinate" in Palestine, in spite of the
bitter opposition he encountered from the Agu.dath
Israel under the leadership of Rabbi Sonnenfeld.
The chapter on the latter's extremism and his
fight against Rabbi Kuk forms one of the most
interesting chapters in the book.
Beloved by the chalutzim, admired and be-
friended by Jewish leaders like M. M. Ussishkin,
Shmarya Levin and others, Rabbi Kuk earned as
indelible place in the history of Palestine's re-
demption, and Rabbi Agus' biography assumed a
place of significance not only on the rabbinic
bookshelf but also in Zionist history.
`Shut to Jews, Open to Arabs'
Under the heading "Palestine's Two-Way Door—Shut to
Jews, Open to Arabs," the New York Post recently published
a series of three photographs with the following explanatory
outlines:
"N. Y. Post's foreign correspondent George L. Cassidy
stands watching (top left) as Arabs cross the River Jordan
from Trans-Jordan into Palestine. And nobody asked them
so much as a question. At right (top and below) families of
Arabs, with their camels, are fording the shallow stream. All
this while the British Army and Navy were refusing entry
to 1,200 Jewish immigrants."
As a follow-up to this expose, the N. Y. Post published
Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Independent Jewish
1Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Religious
an exclusive photograph, half-page in size, explaining: "Here
News Service, Palcor Agency, World News Services.
are illegal Palestine immigrants you don't hear so much
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
about. Within sight of British custom guards, these mounted
Publish-
Published every Frida by The Jewish News
ing Co.. 2114 Penobscot Idg , Detroit 26. Mich.. RA. 7956.
Arabs are entering the Holy Land after fording River Jordan
Subscription, $3 a year: foreign, $4. Club subscription,
from Transjordania. Sentries ignore daily influx of Arabs
every fourth Friday Of the month. to all subscribers to
Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare Federation of
while vigorously excluding Jews. George Cassidy, N. Y. Post
Detroit. 40 cents Tied y ear.
correspondent, witnessed this scene with assistant, who took
Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Of-
fice, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
the picture."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Chinese have a saying, that one picture speaks more
Philip Slomovitz
Maurice Aronsson
eloquently than a thousand words. When there is need for
Isidore Sobeloff
Fred M. Butzel
evidence regarding the accuracy of an umpire's decision on
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
a baseball diamond, newspapers publish photographs showing
Henry Wineman
Maurice B. Schwartz
actual happenings.
PH11.IP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
Mr. Cassidy's pictorial expose of the one-sidedness of
JANUARY
17,
1947
VOL. 10—NO. 18
British action does not touch upoif the cruelty of creating
concentration camps for Jews in Cyprus and of sending thou-
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
sands of Jews to watery graves (remember the Struma and
This Sabbath, the twenty-sixth day of Tebet,
5707, the following Scriptural selections will be
the Patria!). But it tells enough to show the illegality, in-
read in our synagogues:
justice and indecency of British anti-Jewish policies.
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 6:2-9:35.
Let the truth be known, and we may yet achieve justice
Prophetical portion—Ezek. 28:25-29:21.
—even if it should become necessary to concentrate the battle
THE JEWISH NEWS
On Wednesday, Rosh Hodesh Shevat, Num. 28:1-
15 will be read during morning services.
upon getting the British out. of Palestine.
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers
Questions About Jews
What was Aaron's Rod?
While the Israelites were in the wilderness,
thirteen rods were prepared—twelve for the
Tribes, and the thirteenth, bearing the name of
Aaron, for that of Levi—and placed before the
Ark. Aaron's rod budded miraculously, and from
this token was deduced the call of the tribe of
Levi to the hereditary leadership.
* • •
What was the first complete English Bible
printed?
That of Miles Coverdale, a folio volume of the
highest bibliographical value, printed in 1535,
probably at Zurich, Switzerland, and based upon
the Swiss-German edition (6 vols. Zurich, 1527-
29)). Next was Matthew's Bible (15371. which
largely utilizes the versions of Tyndale and
Coverdale.
• • •
What was the Sanhedrin?
The supreme national tribunal of the Jewish
state at Jerusalem, called the Council in the New
Testament, established at the time of the Macca-
bees. The Sanhedrin was a court of justice. By
degrees the whole internal administration of the
commonwealth as well as its military affairs was
vested in this body.
FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
Dear Boys and Girls:
Ha ha Asar b'Shevat, the 15th day in the
Hebr
month of Shevat, observed annually as
Jewish Arbor Day, occurs this year on Feb. 5.
This day also is known as Rosh Hashanah le-
Ilonoth, the New Year of the Trees. Although
Jews have been away from Palestine for nearly'
2,000 years, the beginning of the planting season
in Palestine has been observed by our people
wherever they lived. In this country, the day has
been an occasion for planting trees in Palestine,
and special projects have been sponsored in all
Jewish schools by children who have joined is
the Palestine afforestation program.
I am sure all of you will participate in the proj-
ect this year through your Hebrew and Sunday
Schools.
A pleasant Sabbath to all_
UNCLE DANIEL
• • •
The New Year of the .Trees
By SHULAMITH ISH-HISHOIL
All the cool spring day I stayed
Playing in the forest glade;
Green buds glimmered, insects darted
Through the forest silent-hearted,
Till at evening, suddenly,
Came a change in flower and tree.
In a chorus all the flowers
Rang their bells in little showers!
Happy tinklings filled the air,
Buds upon the branches bare
Broke and opened into leaves,
And new roses sprang in sheaves.
In the starry-beaming skies
Brighter moonlight seemed to rise;
Great oaks seemed to stretch and breathe
In the darkness underneath,
And I heard the trumpet-breeze
Sound the New Year of the Trees!