Page Four
Friday, October le, 1947
THE JEWISH NEWS
As the Editor
Views the News
Treasure Chest
Responsible Leadership
An important all-day conference, arranged
for this Sunday, sponsored by the Detroit
delegates to the American Jewish Conference
and the Jewish Community Council, should
inspire the interest and concern of all Detroit
Jews.
When the American Jewish Conference
first was organized nearly four years • ago,
there was a great deal of campaigning among
candidates for the distinct honor to repre-
sent this community in the newly-formed
over-all American Jewish organization which
was intended to represent all American Jews.
The next session of the Conference, to be
held in Chicago at the end of November, will
call for re-evaluation of our needs and for a
review of sentinients relative to the forma-
tion of a single, representative Jewish organi-
zation to act for our people.
This Sunday's Detroit session, one of a
series of similar gatherings being - arranged
throughout the land, will challenge our com-
munity to declare itself . on the proposition
that action on issues involving domestic and
overseas events should be centralized, that
overlapping _among our numerous organiza-
tions should be eliminated and that responsi-
ble leadership should be mobilized to speak
for all of us... _
. Aggravated by tragic circumstances which are making
There should be as much concern over the the Jewish fight before the United Nations very difficult, the
major problems of our people as there was Palestinian problem, having assumed an international char-
during election contests...We must fight for - acter, emerges as a challenge to the United States as much as
the preservation of the centrality of Jewish it is to the UN.
life much more than we battled for elemen- -
The UNSCOP report . agre2d upon several major issues.
tary personal honors.: = — _ -
It asked not only for the termination of the British mandate
Important issues are at stake, and our and the establishment of independent areas for both Jews and
people must resolve , to strive for-the forma- Arabs but also urged the opening of the doors of countries
tion of the most dignifiedform of, internal throughout the world for the settlement of displaced persons.
Arab spokesmen at UN sessions-not only maligned the
organization to speak for us and to -airn at the
solution of the problems of dispossessed Jews Zionist movement and hurled insults at world Jewry but also
abroad and -bewildered Jewish communities' preSented a proposal to the UN to halt "unfriendly immi-
gration." The decision of the UN General Assembly to debate
at home.
the resolution submitted by Egypt Iraq and Lebanon strikes
a blow at freedom of movements fot the rehabilitation of dis-
possessed peoples—primarily JeWS 2-Who can not return to
countries of their origin and whoa
who must be given havens in
Elmo Roper's report for Fortune Magazine, lands of freedom., -
which' disclosed that 52 per cent of the-popu.-.
•' In view ..of the 'serious efforts being made by responsible
lation of the_ United States is. influenced„14 _statesmen to ; effect a solution of the tragic DP problem, the
bias and hostility towards Jews, was supple 7- : Arab proposal, 'Which does not mention JeWs by name but
mented last_ week_. by _ another disturbing clearly is intended-to preVent JeWs from entering Palestine,
survey made - in Affierican universities by the would-completely negate all - the efforts of the United Nations
ti
of
Spetial Committee on Palestine. The' first step to a solution
Bnai Brith Vocational Service:: Bureau:
the
problem
admittedly
is:the
admission
of
at
least
150,000
The Bnai Brith report showS that, the . prO-,.
portion of. Jewish. students in American_ cot. - Jews during the coming two years.:By entertaining the Arab
leges has dropped from 8.8 per cent in 1935 to resolution, the UN General Assembly in reality strikes a blow
7 per cent in 1946, and the explanation offered at• freedom and makes a - mockery of the discussion of the
is that it • is due in part to increased ; dis- Palestine prOblem after more than $1,000,000 has been spent
crimination against Jews in professional at the specia/Session of last April and May and by the special
committee.which :traveled to Palestine'and Europe to make a
departments.
These are most disturbing reports. They study of the issues involved.
The Christian, Science Monitor, in an editorial "Palestine:
are definite indications that the experiences
Time for American Leadership," strikes at the root of the
of a war fought against Nazi ideologies have
problem when it declares that "of greatest effect will be the
not eliminated prejudices among demo-
United States' position. If this remains equivocal, the com-
cratically-minded peoples who sent milliens
mittee dealing with the UNSCOP report will get nowhere—
to the battlefronts but failed to act in their
that is plain froni UN dispatches. That means there will not
own lands in opposition to the same bigotries be a UN decision but another UN failure." This editorial
for which lives were sacrificed on land, on
warns that "there need not be failure," that—
sea and in the air.
"Aside from such material considerations, however, the
United States would seem all but committed to support the
The anti-Semitic outbursts in England and
general idea of UNSCOP's majority report The Zionists' dream
the revival of Jew-baiting in other European
of a national home in Palestine has been largely financed and
lands are indicative of the trends which are
supported by American sources.
leading to reaction rather than to progress.
"Above all, this report, though needing minor modification,
not only represents the best judgment now available, but approx-
Our civic-protective movements are com-
imates previous judgments by investigating bodies of highest
pelled to be on guard and to exercise renewed
reputation.,
vigilance to prevent the importation of the
"We do, not say this is the only possible UN solution. But the
UN, to arrive at any solution, needs American leadership as a
worst elements of Nazi-Fascist ideologies to
minimum..
these shores.
"It is time for the United States to speak clearly; for the
Double Challenge—To UN and U.S.
Rise in Anti-Semitism
THE JEWISH NEWS
, Member. Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate. Religious
News Service, Palcor Agency, King Features, Central
Press Association.
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maurice Aronssoin
Philip Slomcivitz
Fred M. Butzel
Isidore Sobeloff
Judge Theodore - Levin Abraham Srere
Maurice H. Schwartz Henry Wineman
i'HILIP SLOIVIOVITZ, Editor
VOL. XII—NO. 4
OCTOBER 10, 1947
Sabbath Scriptutal Selections
This Sabbath, the 27th day of Tishri, 5708, the
following scriptural selections will be read in our
synagogues:
Pentateuchal section--Gen. 1:1-6:8.
Prophetical section--Is. 42:5-43:10.
UN to decide courageously and for all its members to cooperate
loyally. The result would not only be peace—an enforced peace
if necessary for a time—in Palestine, but a renewal of faith the
world over in the UN."
It is clear that the challenge of the hour is directed at the
UN, and more especially to the United States. If our Presi-
dent, Secretary of State Marshall and all who are framing
policy for our government will it, there can be a solution to
the problem at the present UN General Assembly. If there is
further delay or unfair compromising, a grave injustice will
be perpetuated and the peace of the Middle East and therefore
the entire world will be endangered.
It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that spokesmen
for the United States at the UN should be fully informed on
the attitude of American Jewry, whose unanimity in support
of the ,majority UNSCOP report is an impressive demonstra-
tion of a sincere effort to secure justice for the Jewish people.
The suport of non-Jews which has strengthened the hands of
Jewish leaders in this critical hour is encouraging. By speak-
ing bluntly in our reminders to leaders of our government
that estabishecl American policy for a Jewish commonwealth
must be adhered to, we may speed just and fair action, and
we may bring nearer the hour of the realization of a great
dream, a great ideal and a great international responsibility
to Jewry and to mankind.
Reconstruction
U. S. Jews' Orientation
Finds Strength in Zion
By GERHARDT NEUMANN
Strange items come across our desk. A recent
JTA dispatch from London proudly proclaims that
"the reconstruction efforts of Jewish communities
in the British zone of Germany are proceeding."
Reconstruction? A closer look at the dispatch re-
veals that the Jewish community of Essen "now
comprises 150 persons whose average age is 47."
Essen once had a strong and progressive Jewish
community of more than 5,000 Jews. Its synagogue
and cemetery chapel, which fell victim to the arson
orgy of November, 1938, "are being rebuilt with a
loan granted by the municipal authorities," the
dispatch adds.
In the same dispatch, there is also news about
one of the oldest Jewish communities of Germany,
Mainz. This once flourishing community now con-
sists of 79 persons, most of whom are over 60 years
old, and there are only three children.
*
*
ReconstruCtion is "proceeding"? We wonder. The
majority of the Jews who make up the rump com-
munities still subsisting in Germany are inter-
married to Gentiles. It is mainly this fact to which
they owe their survival. Their interest in Judaism
cannot go very deep, and may be determined by
practical considerations rather than inner affilia-
tions.
We don't mean to minimize the human element
in this tragedy. -Regardless of intermarriage and
their alienation from Judaism, these survivors of
the Hitler period deserve all the assistance neces-
sary to go on living' and to help the few children
they have to beCorrie useful members of society.
However, we must not delude ourselves and
expect "reconstruction" where there is no basis for
it. The fact that a German city gives a loan to
help rebuild the synagogues destroyed by its own
citizens does not mean reconstruction.
•
*
*
If we want to see real reconstruction we have to
turn our eyes toward Palestine where Jewish life
is reborn in the fire of resistance and enmity, of
difficulties and uncertainties.
As soon as American Jewry will have understood
that life gravitates in the direction of the strongest
center, it will realize that the choice is no longer
ours. With Palestine becoming ever stronger and
rapidly assuming leadership, we have to gear our
life to th'e rhythm of Palestine's pace—or we shall
lose our advance position as the world's largest
and most influential Jewish center.
*
*
It all boils down to the old and ever-new topic
of education. As long as Jews are still trying to
run away from their obligations as Jews, or don't
want to be reminded of their race; as long as
Jewish education is considered a luxury which
has no practical meaning; as long as large parts of
the Jewish population refuse to take an active
interest in the destinies of our people—confusion
and dissension will tear us apart and make it
easier for our enemies to complete the task which
Jewish self-hatred began.
Every thinking Jew, however, will not fail to
see the intricate inter-dependence of all Jewish
communities' in the world. Once Fascism has raised
its ugly head in one country, it is bound to appear
in the next country. Solemn protestations of our
loyalty and sincerity won't stop the enemies of
decency and humanity. But a good Jewish educa-
tion, insight into our history, understanding of all
the problems involved will help us -meet these
dangers in a spirit of courage and inner strength.
Yes, reconstruction is needed in our own midst.
Education month is the constant reminder that this
reconstruction must start with our children. If they
learn Judaism now, they will be able to practice
it later and to carry its ideas through to victory.
The Sabbath
By DR. HAYIM GREENBERG
(In the Yiddisher Kaempfer)
As one 'reflects on the Sabbath—the idea of the
Sabbath and its manifestations in Jewish life and
thought—one perceives ever' more distinctly that
if in .social respects the Sabbath is a "reform,"
metaphysically it is a "revolution," a fundamental
challenge to matter, the inarticulate mass which
presses upon marl and interferes with his freedom.
'The chief characteristic of matter is its subordina-
tion to the law of gravity. The Sabbath is an in-
genious attempt to "suspend" the law of gravity,
or at least, to ignore it as non-existent, so that for
one twenty-four hour period of every week one
need not gravitate in accordance with the dictates
of matter. Work stops and with it the fixation
upon the work-day world and the dependency
upon the forces outside of and inferior to our-
selves. Anxiety and worry are banished, and there
ensues a transition from the realm of want and
slavery to the kingdom of plenty and freedom. .
The dynamism of the Sabbath spells victory and
triumph: the triumph of the spirit over matter. .
The Sabbath is every Jew's queen and every Jew's
bride of noble family and tenderness. All one need
do is light and bless the Sabbath candles, and
tender rays of the queen-bride's eyes will brightly
shine—for everybody, also for you and only you.
Answers to Readers'
Questions ...
Is it permissable for Orthodox Jews to have
flowers or ivy planted on their graves?
Orthodox cemeteries do not permit this practice.
Rabbinic literature seems to permit the later plant-
ing of trees and shrubbery in spaces not marked
off for graves. Explicit rules state that cemeteries
should not permit the planting of flowers or shrubs
on the graves.
Why is it customary to cover the mirrors in
the house of a mourner?- •
Some authorities say . it is done to prevent 'en-
joyment.. Other Writers state that it is customary
to conduct prayer services at.' the home' of .the
mourners and one is forbidden to pray in front
of a mirrOr: