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Lies and Insinuations
Lies and insinuations have been the order
of the day in Arab quarters. All sorts of wild
contentions have been heard at Lake Success
and in Palestine. United Nations spokesmen
have received memoranda which completely
misrepresent true facts.
The wildest of all the Arab insinuations
is the statement that Jews have poisoned
wells in order to speed cholera in Arab
countries.
Our dear cousins thus have resorted to
an old anti-Semitic trick. They have revived
medieval practices by making such an out-
rageous charge and have made an accusia-
tion similar to the age-worn ritual murder
libel which only the stupidest and the most
bigoted have dared to utter.
Actually, the Arabs have not helped their
own cause with such wild assertions. Men of
integrity and those who are informed regard-
ing the true state of affairs in the Middle
East are aware that when the cholera ep-
idemic broke out the Hebrew University
offered to send its experts to help fight the
disease. Their services were refused. The
charge of well-poisoning first was heard in
Turkey and Turkish authorities denied the
accusations.
Arabs in Palestine undoubtedly will be
among the first to repudiate such outrageous
charges. They have benefited more from the
Hadassah medical program than have the
Jews themselves—because they needed Had-
assah's services more than their Jewish neigh-
bors. They know that Jews bring health to
the Middle East. Our people have brOught
progress to the desert, and the truth that
goes with progress is destined to triumph in
spite of lies and insinuations.
Israel and the Olympics
THE LAST INSURRECTION, by Joseph Opatoshu,
York. Cyco Bicher Faring. 402 pp.. 1948.
MID SEA AND SANDS, by David Opatoshu,
Freedom Talk
THE JEWISH NEWS
Nevir
York. Cyco Bicher Faring. 172 pp.. 1948.
A New Program for Tisha b'Ab
The approaching observance, on Aug. 15, of the first
Tisha b'Ab since the proclamation of the State of Israel,
poses new problems relative to the observance of the fast
days commemorating the destruction of the First and Second
Temple.
Tisha b'Ab; recorded as the most tragic day on our cal-
endar, presents one of these problems. Being the anniversary
of the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem as well as
other sad occasions in our history, the day had been observed
in mourning and fasting. It was a reminder of Israel's
tragedies, but in accordance with Jewish traditions the very
day following it was utilized for consolation, for inaugura-
tion anew of efforts for Israel's reconstruction.
What is to be the attitude of Jews to Tisha b'Ab now that
the State of Israel. : again is functioning as a living entity?
Many of our people were in the habit of thinking that once
Israel is redeemed Tisha. b'Ab would be transformed into a
joyous festival. Apparently we are far removed from such a
transformation. It would take unprecedented action by our
religious leaders. to make such a revolutionary change in
Israel's religious observances. Furthermore, there undoubted-
ly always will be many who will want to perpetuate this day
in our annals as a solemn occasion marking the time when
Jews were deprived of their religious temples, their home-
land and freedom.
Israel, barred from the Olympics, con-
tinues to train outstanding athletes, boasts
of some_ of the world's ablest swimmers, is
proud of its soccer teams and will train its
youth for other games. Israel's prowess is,
perhaps, the severest rebuke to the authorities
which have barred the Jewish State from
participation in the 1948 Olympics.
Originally intended for the promotion
of international understanding and coopera-
Olympics have not
tion through sports, the Olympics
of Israel.
gained in glory through the
Many people of good will have not forgotten
Whatever new approaches are to be made for changes
that the last Olympics were held in Germany in Tisha b'Ab's observance must therefore be in accordance
in the presence of the Fuehrer. Some of them with established traditions of solemnity but with a new spirit
may be asked for support of the international of loyalty to the ideals which motivated our people on this
games, and they may be reminded of the fast day to strive for the redemption of Eretz Israel. The day,
rupps, the Georings and Goebbels, the Far- in addition to serving as a reminder of the suffering to which
ouks and the Bevins.
Jews were subjected in the past, must be converted into a
Israel alone need not despair. We have demonstration in support of lasting efforts to guarantee the
had setbacks before. We shall have more of freedom and security of Israel.
them. We shall survive the future rebukes
Traditionally, this day belongs to the Jewish National
as we have survived the past insults. Out of
Fund whose pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters have re-
the chaotic world is emerging a State of Israel - deemed large stretches of land in Eretz Israel and have made
that is determined to make liberty the strong- possible the settlement of tens of thousands of Jews in their
est factor in human relations. One day a wiser homeland. The small coins must now be replaced by currency,
Olympics directorate will acknowledge that
by larger gifts, by sums commensurate with the great re-
international games without Israel are in-
sponsibilities which all of us must share in building a strong
corriplete.
Israel. This is the first and most important demonstration to
which we must pledge ourselves in revising previous prac-
tices for Tisha b'Ab observance.
There are other responsibilities. Tisha b'Ab in the year
5708
must become an occasion for effective assertion by the
The first passport to Israel issued by the
Israeli Mission in London went to an Arab Jewish people that we shall never again permit the destruc-
who went to the Jewish State on a citrus tion of our people's freedom, that we shall strive to= strengthen
fruit export assignment. Which should prove the liberties of Israel in order that there may never again be
to critics of the Jewish State that merit alone a destruction of Israel.
counts in Israeli policy-making.
Such an assertion must apply to the enemies without and
Certainly, there is greater honor in this
the
enemies
within. The aggressors know that Israel means
act of the State of Israel than in Great
Britain's refusal to grant a visa to Arnold to remain free and that their attacks on Israel will not be tol-
Zweg, noted author who settled in Eretz erated. The enemies within must learn the same lesson. There
are so few of them that it should be easy to deal with them
Israel from Germany when the Nazis rose
and
it should not be difficult to teach the ignorant and the
to power, who wanted to go to London to
discuss his books with his publishers. If obdurate that Israel can not tolerate a repetition of the Kam-
there is any explaining to do on the freedom tza and Bar Kamtza incident recorded in the Midrash. In the
front, the English will have to do some tall days of Roman rule the treachery of Bar Kamtza, who wanted
to avenge the insult of his being rejected as a guest at a feast
talking.
to which he mistakenly received an invitation intended for
Kamtza, resulted in the destruction of the Jewish state. There
are a few Bar Kamtzas in our ranks today, as evidenced by
the lies and pretensions which are emanating from quarters
Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
which are aiming at the capture of the present Jewish gov-
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Palcoz
Agency, King Features, Central Press Association.
ernment in Israel. Tisha b'Ab should remind us of the Bar
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
Kamtzas of old so that we may be able effectively to reject
ing Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 5-1155.
Subscription, $3 a year: foreign. $4.
the modern acts of vengeance and treachery.
Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6. 1942. at Post ()t-
The new program for Tisha b'Ab, which would serve to
hee, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3 1879.
strengthen our positions and solidify the, land-redemption
PHILIP SLONIOVITZ, Editor
efforts of the Jewish National Fund, should, at the same
VOL. XIII—No. 21
August 6, 1948
Page' 4
time, eliminate the destructive elements which have been mis-
led into wrong paths by vengeful, hate-inspired dissident
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
groups in Israel. Tish b'Ab calls for unity and for honorable
This Sabbath, the second day of Ab, 5708, the
discharge of duty in this sacred hour in our history. Jews
following Scriptural selections will be read in our
have responded well in the past and surely will answer
synagogues:
worthily on Tisha b'Ab to the call for action of the redeemers
Pentateuchal portion—Num. 30:2-36:13.
Prophetical portion—Jer. 2:4-28;3:4.
of the soil, the planters of seeds for a new life.
K
Books by Two Opatoshus
By CHARLES A. MADISON
With Israel re-established in Palestine after 18
centuries of dispersion, its final national destruc-
tion under Hadrian assumes special interest to all
persons ,concerned with the -fate of the Jewish
people. This ancient, sorrowful event Joseph Opa-
toshu, the eminent Yiddish writer, has made the
background of his latest work—the first of a two-
volume novel entitled "The Last Insurrection."
The protagonist of the published volume is
Rabbi Akibba, one of the greatest teachers of an-
cient Israel. Opatoshu delineates him with the
insight and warmth of deep sympathy. We see
him vividly through the eyes of his quick-witted
pupils and ardent followers as well as through
those of his opponents and detractors. His pro-
found wisdom, his tireless energy, his deep love
of Jehovah, his devotion to the people—everything
he says and does throughout the narrative adds
to his heroic stature.
His chief concern in 132 A.D., the year en-
compassed by the story, is to unite and quicken
the Jews for the secretly planned revolt
against Rome. The task is at once daring and
dangerous. For the Jews then, as now, are of
many kinds. The rich and the timorous dread
the very thought of rising up against Hadrian's
mighty legions; the followers of Jesus, who be-
lieve that the Messiah has already come in his
person and who hate the orthodox scoffers, not
only refuse to heed the call but become self-ap-
pointed informers for the Romans. But the mass
of the Jews, the peasantry as well as many stu-
dents and intellectuals, groaning under Roman
oppression and grieving for the destroyed Tem-
ple, joyfully prepare to risk their lives for the
liberation and purification of their holy land.
Rabbi Akibba directs the secret campaign with
astute proficiency. He is no dreamer or fanatic.
As wprldly as he is wise, he is equally familiar
with the culture of Greece and the civilization of
Rome. Nor is he unaware of current political and
military conditions. He knows full well that a re-
bellion cannot succeed without the sinews of war
and a - trained army under skilled leadership, and
for many months he strives to achieve those ends.
Moreover, he is fully cognizant of the need for
the leader of the insurrection to be not only an
outstanding soldier but a scion of the House of
David. Fortunately he in time learns of such a
man, then a captain of the Roman legion of Car-
thage. The latter was as a child brought to Rome
by his father in order to save him from the decreed
fate of those: related to the David dynasty. There
he grew up as a Roman and became a distin-
guished military leader: But he never forgot his
Jewish origin and finally confided his longing for
'God to one of Rabbi Akibba's admirers. Apprised
of this auspicious news, Rabbi Akibba quickly
sailed for Carthage to see the man and judge his
worthiness for the fated task. The great rabbi is
overjoyed at the sight of the powerfully built cap-
tain. In the presence of a distinguished secret as- -
semblage of Jews he names him Bar Kochba and
blesses him as the leader of what was to be a
desperate and disastrous upriSing.,
Opatoshu employs this poignant chronicle as
background for his fascinating portrayal of
Palestinian life in 132 A.D. With the accuracy
and breadth of the careful historian, but even
more with the clear insight of the artist, he de-
scribes the social customs, the religious habits
of thought, as well as the crude yet complex
daily routine of the Jews of that time. Years of
concentrated research have given him an inti-
mate knowledge of ancient Palestine and have
kept his imagination from straying into ana-
chronistic fallacy. Equally admirable are the
variegated yet authentic Yiddish with which the
story is written and the pregnant Hebrew
aphorisms and precepts which enhance the
narrative.
Opatoshu is not only a fine stylist and scholar
but also a superior artist. The novel teems with all
kinds of characters, and all of them, those we meet
only casually as well as the half dozen we come to
know intimately, are depicted with the deft, sharp
strokes of the skilled novelist.
"The Last Insurrection" lacks the passion and
sweep of the author's earlier major work, "The
Polish Woods," but in the groundswell of its brood-
ing sympathy and in the fineness of its literary
polish and symmetry the novel is indeed a noble
addition. •
Opatoshu's son, David, has this spring pub:.
lished his first book, "Mid Sea and Sands," a
collection of brief sketches and stories. Born and
brought up in New York, he is one of the few
American Jews to use Yiddish as his literary
language. More remarkable is his purity of style,
his intimate mastery of idiomatic Yiddish.
The larger number of stories are based upon
- his experiences as a soldier in the recent war.
They deal with the loneliness, the 'Confusion, the
cravings of the common soldier; they stress the
comradeship of youths of heterogeneous origin,
the constant sex hunger as an expression of sud-
den social dislocation. The remaining pieces depict
the hapless and haphazard life of slum dwellers
in New York. All these stories are written with
the terse tautness of the modern tempo, and with
a feeling for words and a quickness of perception
that promise richer and deeper achievement.
Facts You Should Know
Why did some early reports of the "nag
of Israel" make mention of a "Yellow Mogen
Dovid" in its center?
Obviously, it appeared to the minds of some
that the new State of Israel came about as an
antidote to the horrible persecutions of the Jews
:for many centuries, climaxed by the height of
human misery in the last decade. During many
occasions of intolerance towards the people of
Israel, they were made to wear yellow badges as
a symbol of their "undesirable origin." For some
reason or other, Jews enjoy the thought of em-
phasizing the shameful symbol with which en-
emies branded them. So it occurred to some
leaders that it would be• justifiable to create a
symbol of honor from the "yellow badge" symbol
of shame.