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- ing Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., RA. 7956. Subscription, 83 a year; foreign, TA. Club - subscription, every fourth Friday of the month, to all subscribers to Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare _Federation of Detroit. 40 cents pei year. Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Of- flee, Detroit. Mich.. • under Act of March 3, 1879. 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: