Page Four
As the Editor .
Views the News ..'.
T, H E„ A E )iy) S
N
Friday March 21, 1947
$
'Facts You Should Know
Barbed Wire 'Homeland'
Answers to Readers
Questions About Jews
Blockade and Tragedy
Fleeing from misery and want, 800 pas-
sengers on the 400-ton motor ship Susanna,
which was renamed Shabbatai -Lozinsky in
honor of the Jewish pioneer who died in an
automobile accident while on a Palestinian
mission in Italy, were deprived of hope of
finding home and security in Eretz . Israel by
the British blockade.
Only about 40 managed to escape. The rest
were rounded up for the usual routine of
deportation to Cyprus. A 'British marine
police officer who examined the boat, which
was reported as being about ready to fall
apart, reported that many of the immigrants
still were aboard and that "the hold seemed
packed with three layers of pregnant women."
This whole frightful business appears like
a perpetuation of tragedy through a continu-
ation of British enforcement of blockades to
prevent Jews from coming to the Jewish
I lomelancl.
If the British are aiming to drive Jews
further into a state of despair, they may be
on the road to success. Meanwhile, however,
the determination of the pioneers, the stoi-
cism, the fortitude and the calmness of Pales-
tine Jewry defy attempts to destroy Jewish
aspirations. The statement that was issued
by five mayors of Palestine Jewish communi-
ties declaring war on terrorism is an indica-
tion that the sentiments of the Yishuv are
opposed to destructive programs. But Pales-
tine Jewry is united in support of any plan
to bring Jews to the Land of Israel. This is
the crux of the problem, and no blockade, no
matter how extensive, will deter our people
from the determined policy of letting the
British and the world at large know that we
reject any attempt to make it appear that it
is illegal to bring Jews to their Homeland.
On the contrary, we reassert that it is illegal
to prevent such homecoming.
Labor Zionist Triumph
By coming very close to its 1947 goal of
$175,000, marking a large increase over last
year's objectives, the Palestine Histadrut
(Gewetkshaften) campaign in Detroit is in
effect a triumph for labor Zionism.
It is a gesture of our community's interest
in the recognized and sound parties which, by
virtue of genuinely constructive achieve-
ments in Eretz Israel, have won the respect
and esteem of Jews everywhere.
Histadrut's support comes from men and
women who recognize the need for whole-
some activities. It comes from Jews who
abhor destructive acts and who are ready to
back up reconstruction and rehabilitation
activities. The assistance given the drive
comes from strong community feeling in be-
ha lf of a cause that strives to make Jews
self-supporting and happy under the banner
of labor.
Harry Schumer, the 1947 chairman of the
Detroit Histadrut campaign, has earned our
community's commendations for a job well
done.
The closing festival of the campaign, on
Sunday evening, March 23, will be marked by
the addresses of the eminent Palestine
labo'r leader Yosef Baratz, who was one of the
founders of Dagania, the "Mother of
Kvutzot," and of the brilliant author, Maurice
Samuel. It will be featured by the pre-
sentation of the songs which Mrs. Morris
Schaver has brought with her from the DP
camps. It is a program deserving to be heard
by an overflow audience.
Who were the Antediluvians?
The men who lived before the Flood, listed iii
Sumerian inscriptions in Berossos, and in Genesis
4 and 5.
• • •
What is "Semichah?"
"Semichah" is the classical term for the official
ordination of a fullfledged Orthodox Rabbi. His-
torically it dates back to the instance when Moses
leaned his hapds upon the head of Joshua, thus
ordaining him as a leader and authority of his
people. The word "Semichah" comes from the
Hebrew word meaning to "lean."
* * *
What is the Diaspora?
The diaspora (Greek for dispersion) is the name
given to Jewish communities scattered outside
Palestine, especially after the Babylonian Exile,
597 and 586 B. C.
• • •
What are Heinrich Heine's two most pop-
ular poems?"
"Lorelei" and "Three Grenadiers."
• • •
Who was the founder of the Jewish National
Fund?
Prof. Hermann Schapira.
• • •
Whom did the Jewish sages consider "wise?"
"He who learns from everybody."
Immigration Bars Rise Higher
Many setbacks were in evidence in the past few days in
efforts to encourage the opening of new avenues of escape for
European survivors. Immigration bars have been raised
higher and doors shut tighter.
A JTA cable from Canberra, Australia, revealed that
Australia's Minister of Immigration Arthur A. Calwell, reply-
ing to rumors that his government was admitting large num-
bers of displaced Jews, stated that his Commonwealth was
admitting many thousands less than she had agreed to wel-
come during international discussions in 1939. He emphasized
that the number of refugees Australia will admit in the next
five years will be "extremely small."
In our own midst, speaking in the House of Representa-
tives, Congressman Thomas A. Jenkins of Ohio expressed the
hope that the Judiciary Committee's sub-committee on immi-
gration will "do away with the practice of the consideration
of legislation for the relief of individual cases." His unfriendly
attitude to immigration included an attack upon the present
Government officials whom he charged with being "flagrantly
inefficient" in administering the existing laws. Taking into
consideration the very small number of people who are now
being admitted here, such attacks upon even the limited
number of immigrants is proof of a sad situation which is of
little if any encouragement of prospects for future easing of
restrictions.
Two identical measures introduced in both houses of Con-
gress by Senator Irving M. Ives and Rep. Jacob K. Javits,
both of New York, would permit displaced European children
under 14, who were orphaned by World War II, to enter the
U. S. as non-quota immigrants. These bills provide that the
children should apply for visas before July 1, 1949, and that
American citizens sponsoring these orphan immigrants should
be required to adopt them.
The latter provision is an innovation marking a departure
from previous practices, but it is highly humanitarian. In a
sense, it represents a test case in efforts to secure liberalization
of our immigration laws, especially in view of the fact that
only 6,200 potential immigrants are listed in the orphan
children's category.
Should this gesture for the humanization of existing im-
migration laws be defeated, it will be a sad signal that there
is no hope for any other liberalizing measure in behalf of
European survivors.
The National Committee on Immigration Policy, which is
headed by former U. S. Commissioner of Immigration and
Naturalization Earl Harrison, indicated in an economic report
just made public that immigration to the U. S. has brought
with it a higher standard of living for the American people
and that it has increased employment here. The report
declares that-
-
"Fears among Americans that immigration tends to displace
native-born workers from their jobs and to create unemploy-
ment are not supported by scientific analysis. Immigrants as
workers not only have increased the labor supply in this country
but as consumers have increased the demand for more goods and
thus the total number of workers needed."
If it were possible to guide our legislators by such authori-
tative studies, there would be greater hope for the passage of
laws increasing immigration to this country.
Member Jewish c•iegraphIc Agency. Independent Jewish
The problem of immigration can not be divorced from
Press Service, Seen Arts Feature Syndicate, Religious
News Service, Paicor Agency.
major issues affecting needs for overseas relief and for the
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
support of displaced persons in the American zone in Ger-
Pubilsned every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
many.
ing Co., 2114 Penobscot -11Idg., Detroit 26. Mich.. RA. 7956.
Subscription. $3 a year; foreign, $4. Club subscription.
Unanimous approval by the Senate Foreign Relations
every fourth Friday of the month. to all subscribers to
Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare Federation of
Committee of a resolution in favor of U. S. participation in
Detroit. 40 cents pei year.
the International Refugee Organization, and authorization of
Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6, 1942. at Post Of-
fice. Detroit. Mich.. under Act of March 3. 1879.
an expenditure of $75,000,000 as the U. S. share in the IRO
funds, ought to serve to encourage members of Congress to
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maurice Aronsson
Philip Slomovits
think in terms of long range needs. If European relief activi-
Fred M. Butzel
Isidore Sobeloff
ties are to be reduced to a minimum-since the U. S. has an
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
obligation to . the survivors in the zones of occupation then
Henry Wineman
Maurice H. Schwartz
the survivors from Nazism must be made self-suppOrting.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
The only way that can be accomplished is through emigration
and resettlement in other land's. The problem can be solved
VOL. XI-NO. 1
MARCH 21, 1947
by taking all the DPs to Palestine. Singe, however; such action
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
is being deferred by British heartlessness, as many of the DPs
This Sabbath, Rosh Hodesh Nisan, 5707, the
following Scriptural selections will be read in our as possible must be rescued in other lands, including the
U. S. Unless our immigration laws are liberalized, misery
synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions-Lev. 1:1-5:26; Ex: 12:1-20. will be perpetuated and the solution of the problem of Euro-
pean survivors unnecessarily delayed.
Prophetical portion-Ezek. 45:16-46:18.
THE JEWISH NEWS
-
•
°
•
FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
A Sabbath Quiz
From "The Oneg Shabbat Book," by Dr.
Trude Weiss Rosmarin, published by the
Jewish Book Club, New York.
By DAVID B. FEINBERG
Questions
1. What is the meaning of "Sabbath"?
2. The commandment to sanctify the Sabbath Is
the second of the Ten Commandments-right
or wrong?
3. What are "challos"?
4. What is the meaning of "Kiddush"?
5. How many meals should one eat on the Sab-
bath?
6. What are "zemiros"?
7. What is a traditional Friday night food?
8. What is the "Sedra"?
9. What is the "Haftorah?"
10. Why are two "chalk's" used at the Sabbath
meals?
11. Why does one cover one's eye when reciting
the blessing over the Sabbath candles?
12. What is the traditional Sabbath greeting?
13. What chapter of the Bible in praise of the
housewife is recited by Jewish husbands on
Friday night?
14. What is the meaning of "benshen"?
15. What is the Hebrew term for the prayer of
grace after the meal?
16. What is the "seudah shelishith"?
17. What is the "Melaveh Malkah" ceremony?
18. What is "Shabbath-Nahamu"?
19. Is it permitted to fast and mourn on the
Sabbath?
20. What is the meaning of "Havdoloh"?
21. Why must the "Havdoloh" cup be filled to
overflowing?
22. Why do we smell at spices at the "Havdoloh"
ceremony?
23. What is the Hebrew designation of. the box in
which the "Havdoloh" spices are kept?
24. When does the Sabbath begin?
25. When does the Sabbath end?
1.
Rest.
Answers
•
2. Wrong. It is the fourth of the Ten Command-
ments.
3. Sabbath loaves of bread.
4. Sanctification.
5. Three.
6. Songs in praise of the Sabbath.
7. Gefillte fish.
8. The Portion of the Week read from the Torah
at the Sabbath morning services.
9. The Portion from the Prophets read at the
Sabbath morning services.
10. In memory of the double portion of Manna
gathered by the children of Israel on Fridays
during their sojourn in the wilderness.
11. She may not enjoy the light of the Sabbath
lights before she pronounces the blessing over
them.
12. ShabbSth Shalom.
13. The thirty-first chapter of the "Book of
Proverbs" beginning with verse 10.
14. To say grace-the word is derived from the
Latin benedicere.
15. Birkhath Hamozon.
16. The third Sabbath meal taken when the sun
begins to set.
17. "Melaveh Malkah" means "Farewell to the
Queen." It is a festive gathering at the close of
the Sabbath.
18. The Sabbath following upon the Ninth of Ab is
called Shabbath Nahaniu--the Sabbath of Con-
solation.
19. No.
20. "Differentiation" (between the Sabbath and
the week).
21. To symbolize a week brimful of blessings.
22. According to the Talmud, the Jew is given an
"extra soul" on the Sabbath which is
again
taken . from him when the Sabbath ends. The
smelling. at the spices, it is taught, is a means
of reviving the spirit when the Sabbath soul
parts.
•
23. "Besoznim" (spices) box.
24. At sunset.
eye.
three
stars
are
visible
to
the
naked
25. When