THE JEWISH NEWS

Page Four

As the Editor
Views the News ...
Outlawing Bigotry

"What a Wonderful World It Would Be . ." Facts You Should Know

Answers to Readers
Questions About Jews

A new bill introduced in Congress by Rep.
Walter A. Lynch of New York would provide
for a fine of $5,000 and five years imprison-
ment for circulation through the mails of
periodicals designed to stir up racial hatred.
This bill, which coincided with President
Truman's request, in his message to. Congress,
that action be taken to bar the spread of
racial and religious bigotry, is not new action.
Rep. Lynch was the author of a similar bill
which he introduced in the last session of
Congress.
The new measure has been referred to the
Post Office and Civil Service Committee.
Liberal groups are certain to press for action
upon this bill. But if we are to judge `by re-
sults in the past, it is doubtful whether we
shall witness concurrence either with Rep.'
Lynch's bill or President Truman's request.
The vigilant who are concerned that demo-
cratic ideals should prevail must carry on the
light for justice, even though the outlook for
action is gloomy.

Is a synagogue to be considered unorthodox

if it does not have a "Bimoh" in the center?

Rabbi S. J. Fox, writing for the JTA, states:
Although this may have been true some time ago
in certain localities, nevertheless some of the most
Orthodox_ of congregations do not have the
"Bimoh" in the center; but rather in front of the
congregation, close to the ark. If the original rea-
son for having the "Bimoh" in the center was to
make the reading audible to all the worshippers, it
is easy to understand that today our synagogues
are either smaller or else built with better acousti-
cal facilities. If the reason was originally to have
the "Bimoh" set off from the Ark, reminiscent of
the altar in the Temple of old, the fact that the
"Bimoh" stands somewhat separated from the Ark,
with a passageway between to allow the encircling
processions of the Scrolls and the four species, etc.,
accounts for ample separation. As far as the cur-
rent practice is concerned, as long as the synagogue
has a "Bimoh" even though it be directly in front
of the Ark (allowing room for passage between it

and the Ark) it is considered within the fold of

Orthodox tradition.

• • •
What does the Hebrew term, Huppah,
mean?
Huppah originally referred to the chamber in
which the bride received the bridegroom for the
consummation of their marriage, but has come to
signify the portable canopy under which Jewish
weddings are solemnized. . -

Britain's Responsibility

We are on the eve of historic decisions
affecting the future of Palestine and the fate
of hundreds of thousands of Jews who have
survived Nazism in Europe. But the era of
reconstruction and rescue unfortunately is
marred by tragic events, blame for which
must be placed at the threshold of British
chancelleries.
Palestine's Jewish community and respon-
sible Jewish leaders everywhere are out-
raged by occurrences which have resulted in
terrorism.
At the meeting of the Palestine Jewish
National Council last week, its chairman,
David Remez, made the statement that "we
will defend ourselves by force, if necessary,
against the extortion of money to fill terror-
ist coffers, against compelling teachers and
pupils to join in terrorist work." At the same
meeting, (=oldie Meyerson, chairman of the
Palestine Zionist political department, warn-
ed the terrorists: "We call on you once more
—stop terrorism now or we will stop you by

Courtesy Appreciate A:maim lag

OUR Irreducible Goal: $5,335,000

Our Community Quota Committee has arrived at a mo-
mentous decision.
The goal for the 1947 Allied Jewish Campaign has been
set at $5,335,000.
This represents a very great responsibility.
It means that in the Spring drive we shall have to con-
tribute an average of $60 per capita—for the United Jewish
Appeal causes (Joint Distribution Committee, United Pales-
tine Appeal and United Service for New Americans), and the
local and national educational, health and welfare agencies
provided for by the fund-raising arm of the Jewish Welfare
Federation.
To assure our being able to raise $60 for each man ,
woman and child in our Jewish community, it will be
necessary to secure proportionate increases over previous-
contributions, and the well-to-do will be obligated to give out
of proportion to any giving recorded in the past.
force."
The decision in favor of the tremendous 1947 goal was
But while official Jewish bodies and re-
reached after a month's deliberations and studies of actual
sponsible Jewish leaders have mobilized to needs for rescue work.
light against terrorism, the British govern-
As the eminent Spokesmen—Hon. Henry Morgenthau
ment alld its -administration in Palestine Con- Jr., Norbert Wollheim, Henry Montor- and William Rosen-
tinue to aggravate the situation.
wald—indicated here at the impressive gatherings last Sat-
By enforcing a policy of floggings, the
urday night, the decision for a national $170,000,000 goal for
British incited despairing Jewish youths who the UJA represents AN IRREDUCIBLE MINIMUM required
refi n e to be intimidated by threat,s of flog-
to prevent catastrophe among the 1,500,000 Jewish survivors
gings.
in, Europe who are experiencing hardships and tragedies in
displaced persons camps.
Introduction of a police state in Palestine
has resulted in chaos, hold-ups, kidnappings
Brilliant and logical support was given by spokesmen
and destruction of property.
for the Jewish community of Detroit—Fred M. Butzel, Julian
The robberies and destruction of property
H. Krblik, Abraham Srere, Sidney Alexander and others—
who proved tjAe justice of including a sum of $4,000.000 for
are contrary to basic Jewish principles and
the UJA as OUR IRREDUCIBLE share in the Allied Jewish
to Zionist ideology.
Campaign quota.
But Great Britain is making it impossible
In reviewing the great goal set for the drive, we must
for Jews to battle effectively against terror-
recognize that a sum of more than $1,000,000 is being allocated
ism because of her cruel policies in Palestine.
for local and national needs. for the upkeep of our educa-
The campaign that was launched against
tional agencies and for the welfare, recreational and social
terrorism last week would have had a better
chance of success with a cooperative spirit agencies of our community.
From this point on, all community efforts must be pooled
from British authorities. But perpetuation of
in support of the Allied Jewish Campaign. All other un-
cruelty by British military and the British
dertakings must be concluded as speedily as possible ,so that
p)vernment's failure to assure a just solution
Detroit Jewry may unitedly strive for one goal: the raising
of the problem is Making matters worse.
of our $5,335,000 Allied Jewish Campaign quota in the short-
In condemning terrorists and terrorism, we
are compelled to state that major guilt for all est possible time.

occurrences is accreditable to the British.

THE JEWISH NEWS

fit. n her Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
.-;erNice, Sewn Arts Feature Syndicate. Religious
tier, ice, Palcor Agency, World News Services.
N.
'Nlember American Association of English-Jewish News-
p.iners and Michigan Press Association.
Publisned every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing ( o. 2114 Penobscot 111(ig • Detroit 26. Mich., RA. 7956
sah,.•ription. $3 a year: foreign, 5-1. Club subscription.
e,et y fourth Friday of the month. to all subscribers to
Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare Federation of

1.)•1 I, Lt
S ;WI \
4 0 CU
i:n tercd as secc - ind-cla, Matter Aug. 6. 1942. at Post Of-
()et t Olt. Mich.. under At of March 3. 1879.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Philip Slomovitz
Maurice Aronsson
Isidore Sobeloff
Fred M. Butzel
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
Henry Wineman
Maurice H. Schwartz

1'/111.1P till,ON1OVITZ. Editor

Vol,. 10—NO. 20

JANUARY 31, 1947

Sablmai Scriptural Selections
eleventh day of Shevat, 5707•
This Sabbath ,
the following Scriptural selections will be read in
our synagogues:
Puntateuehal portion—Ex. 13.17-17i16.
Prophetical portion—Judges 4:4-5:31.
llamisha Asar b'Shcvat — Jewish Arbor Day—

occurs on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Friday, January 31, 1947

Advancement of Jewish Studies

Real progress is being made in Detroit by our congrega-
tions and the established educational agencies for the ad-
vancement of cultural projects and the training of youth and

adults.
Two Institutes initiated this week—the Laymen's Insti-
tute of the Men's Club of Congregation Shaarey Zedek and
the Institute of Jewish Studies of the Farband Jewish Folk
Schools—are indications of a desire to advance important
educational projects.
Temple Beth El's annual Institute of Religion, while,
sponsored for Christians, serves to enlighten the community
as a whole on important Jewish historical issues.
Other educational organizations similarly sponsor pro-
jects of value throughout the year.
The Shaarey Zedek Institute now in progress is enhanced
by the presence of outstanding national leaders who are well
qualified to deal with the subjects they are to cover before
their audiences.
The Farband schools' programs of courses and lectures

in Bible, the Hebrew language, Yiddish, Jewish history, etc.,

promise to prove of great value.

All such efforts deserve strong community support.

What were the most important Jewish temples?
The First Temple. erected by Solomon, destroyed
by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.• the Second Temple,
built by Zerubbabel in 521 B.C.(?); and the Third
Temple, begun by Herod the Great in 19 B.C.,
destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.

FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

Dear Boys and Girls:
Hamisha Asar b•Shevat_is the subject for dis-
cussion in all out schools, and the planting of trees
in Palestine is occupying the attention of all our
boys and girls.
Hamisha Asar, the 15th day of the Hebrew
month Shevat, is observed in Jewish tradition as
Rosh Ha'Shanah Le'Honoth—the New Year of
Trees.
In Eretz Israel, Jewish children celebrate the
day by taking part in tree planting ceremonies.
They leave the schools and go to the countryside
to plant saplings in order to reforest the Land of
Israel. to beautify its landscape, to extend Pales-
tine's livable area, to prevent soil erosion. to con-
serve the soil. to absorb moisture, to create na-
tional parks and establish playgrounds for child-
ren.
The builders of the Jewish National Home
realize how very important it is to plant trees in
the plains•,,and in the hills of Eretz -Israel which
for thousands of years lay neglected and which
have been revived only during the last 60 years.
Many forests have been planted by the Jewish
National Fund. Some of these forests are known
throughout -the world. as for 'instance, the Balfour
Forest, planted as a memorial to the - late Arthur
James Lord Balfour, the author of the Balfour
Declaration; the George Washington Forest. plant-
ed by the Jews of America in commemoration of
the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the
first President of the United States; the King
George V Forest in memory of the late King of
England.
On the hills of Judaea there are being planted
today two new forests: Ya'ar Ha'Yeladim, the
Children's Forest. and Ya'ar Ha'Chayol, the
Soldiers' Forest. which is also known by the name
of "Palestine Victory Forest." Its planting was
undertaken by the members of the Palestine
Jewish Brigade and is being extended by contribu-
tions from the United States, as a token of our
faith in the victory of the United Nations and in
the triumph of the Zionist ideal.
The project of tree planting in the Detroit
schools creates a sense of kinship between the
Jewish children of Palestine and those of America.
It is a commendable work and deserves encourage-
ment.
A pleasant Sabath to all.
UNCLE DANIEL.
• •

Gems from the . Bible

Selected

Verses from Proverbs; Chapter 3

My son, forget not my teaching;
But let thy heart keep my commandments;
For length of days, and years of life,
And peace, will they add to thee.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; .
Bind them about thy neck.
Write them upon the table of thy heart;
So shalt thou find grace and good favour
In the .sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all -thy heart,
And lean not upon thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
And He will direct thy paths.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
And the man that obtaineth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the mer-
chandise of silver,
And the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies
And all the things thou cant desire are not to be
compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and .honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, •
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon
her,

And happy is every one that holdeth her fast.

•

