THE JEWISH NEWS

Why Not Open the Door, John?

Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Independent Jewish
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature syndicate, Paleo!
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Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
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Entered as second-class - matter Aug 6. 1942. at Post Of-
bee. Detroit, Mich.. under Act of March 3 1879.

New Series of Sketches
Of Government Leaders

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor

So that Detroit Jews may become more fully
acquainted with the leaders of the Provisional
Government of Israel, The Jewish News this week
begins publication of a series of sketcheS of the
Israeli Cabinet members. Included in these sketch-
es will be information on the ministers' back-
ground and work.

VOL. XIV—No. I Page 4 September 17, 1948

. Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fourteenth day of Elul, 5708,
the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 21:10-25:19.
Prophetical portion—Is. 54:1-10 or 54:1-55:5.

UN Awaits U. S. Action

Responsibility for a, firm and perman-
ent solution of the Isfzieli problem and. for
the enforcement of peace lies with the United
Nations General Assembly which opens in
Paris next week.
Unless the UN Assembly acts to prevent
further deterioration of the Palestinian sit-
uation, there is danger that warfare will break
out anew, to the detriment of all concerned,
menacing the peace of the entire world.
"Any indication by the Assembly that it
intends to hedge on peace or prolong the truce
into next year will be an open invitation to
warfare," Kenneth Bilby cables to the New
York Herald Tribune from Tel Aviv. Mr.
Bilby, in a realistic analysis of the situation,
points out: "The climate is peculiarly favor-
able for UN Assembly action. Israel is thor-
oughly fed up with maintaining and retain-
ing a fully mobilized army. It chafes under
semi-paralysis of its civilian economy and of
its industrial expansion program. It will be
less truculant toward compromise as this
situation continues. From all reports the
Arabs are as dissatisfied. Their refugee prob-
lem becomes more menacing as winter ap-
proaches."
In an interview with Bartley C. Crum,
publisher of the New York Star, in Geneva,
Switzerland, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, Pres-
ident of Israel, made the important point that
the United States holds the key to a per-
manent peace in Palestine. Stating that much
depends upon American de jure recognition
of Israel and the immediate granting .of .a
$100,000.000 loan, Dr. Weizmann said:
"There is a log jam now as far as our
recognition by western European states
is concerned. Only America can break it.
If the United States, through President
Truman, gives us de jure recognition. I
believe all of western Europe will fol-
low—meaning France, Italy, Belgium,
Holland, Luxembourg, perhaps even
England, will recognize us. The effect
upon Arab states would be immediate.
It would mean permanent peace, not only
in Israel, but throughout the Middle East.
With the loan we could then go on with
our work of rescue and of rebuilding."
On the same day, the U. S. State Depart-
ment made public the following unsatisfac-
tory reply, sent by its counselor, Charles E.
Bohlen, to Rep. Jacob Javits of New York,
•
regarding Israel's admission to the UN:
"The Provisional Government of
Israel has not yet submitted an applica-
tion for membership in the United Na-
tions. In case it does so and appears at
that time to qualify under Article Four
of the Charter the United States will, of
course, gladly support its application. I
believe you will agree that the attitude
of United Nations member states toward
an application for membership by Israel
will be greatly influenced by the course
of mediation now being attempted in
Palestine by Count Bernadotte, and by
the attitude of Israel toward the truce."
Of some importance, however. is the
assurance given by Secretary of State
George C. Marshall that Israel will be
given de jure recognition by the U. S.
after the Israeli elections in November.
But the attitude of the State Department
remains, in the main, unfriendly. It contin-
ues to withhold passports from American
citizens desiring to visit the State of Israel
and has issued instructions to its representa-
hily :1-,ives in the American zone of occupation in
,Germany to restrict the emigration of Jewish
/ displaced persons of ages of 18 to 45. These
/ are heartless acts which call for revision of
American policy and a return to a friendly
attitude to the Jewish State. By granting
de jure recognition to Israel now. the UN As-
sembly will be steered on a path of justice
' towards the Israeli Government and will
strengthen the position of those member na-
tions in the UN whose spokesmen are determ-
ined to stick by the decision of Nov. 29, 1947.
The Palestine issue has reached the point
of almost complete dependence upon the acts
of the Government of the United States.
We implore the .President and the State
Department to become emissaries of peace at
the UN Assembly sessions.

Who's Who in Israel

• •

Is Anti-Semitism In'creasing?

•

Dr. H. J. Eysenck, noted British psychologist, told The
psychological section of the British Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science that only 20 to 25 per cent of the
people of Great Britain are free from some form of anti-
Semitism.
Dr. Eysenck said that anti-Semitism appears to be cor-
related to other social attitudes, such as patriotism and re-
ligious feelings; that Jew-baiters generally believe in the
death penalty, flogging and the approval of war by human
nature; that conservatives are more anti-Semitic than lib-
erals and liberals more anti-Jewish than socialists; that anti-
Semitism shows a lack of emotional maturity and stability
and that a great deal must be done before methods of com-
batting anti-Semitism are developed.
While, in the main, his views coincide with other studies
of bigotry, his conclusion that only 20-25 per cent of the
British people are opposed to anti-Semitism comes as a shock
to 20th century Jewry. Apparently we are far removed from
progress. Perhaps the development of the State of Israel and
a marked increase in business relations between the British
and the Israeli eventually will help, through closer under-
standing, in wiping out prejudice. The rule that will apply
to the British will, of course; similarly affect other peoples.

'Sin Against God and Man'

Christian churches throughout the world are called upon, '
in the special report of the committee that has been studying
the Christian approach to Jews, submitted to the assembly
of the World Council of Churches at Amsterdam, to denounce
anti-Semitism.
The report points out that in the past the churches "have
helped to foster an image of the Jews as the sole enemies of
Christ, which has contributed to anti-Semitism in the secular
world." It then proceeds to state:
"We must acknowledge that too often we have failed to
manifest Christian love towards our Jewish neighbors or
even a resolute will for common social justice. We call upon
all the churches we represent to denounce anti-Semitism, no
matter what its origin, as absolutely irreconcilable with the
profession and practice of the Christian faith. Anti-Semitism
is a sin against God and man."
The mere admissions of guilt are indications of a new
approach to a problem that has ;plagued Christianity. But
the solution offered is not sufficient. It is not enough to con-
tinue to offer lip service in the battle for justice and against
bigotry. What is necessary is that the churches should invade
their holiest places—the houses of worships, the schools, the
homes—and begin from the ground up to eradicate hatred.
Prejudice begins in the home and must be uprooted in
the home. It is fostered in some schools, and there it must
be squelched. It gets encouragement in some churches, and
those who encourage it must be put to shame right there.
When the problem is tackled where it is created, there
will be greater hope for the elimination of hate and bias
from the hearts of men.

Israel and the Jews of America

In his. interview with Bartley C. Crum, publisher of the
New York. Star, in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Chaim Weiz-
mann, President of Israel, made a most interesting statement
regarding the relationship of the State and citizens of Israel
and the Jews of America.
There have been so many fear-laden opinions from Jews
in many lands who are freightened over their status as
citizens in their respective countries that Dr. Weizmann's
statement is especially important. President Weizmann said:
"It's a clear-cut matter. The citizens of Israel are
Israelis; the citizens of the United States are Americans.
A parallel is that between an American of Israel de-
scent and. Eire. This is a perfectly normal relationship.
He has sympathy for Eire, he follows Eire's furtunes
with interest, he welcomes visits to Eire, he helps Eire
in many ways. It will be the same way with the Jews."
This is a frank statement which should allay the fears of
the panicky.
It is encouraging to know that Dr. Weizmann's eye oper-
ation was successful and that he now is able to read for him-
self, to study the situation in Israel and to continue his scien-
tific research. Israel is blessed with his leadership.

DR. CHAIM WEIZM ANN, first President of
the Council of the Provisional Government, has
been an ardent leader in the struggle for a Jewish
homeland since his youth. Born in Motol, near
Pinsk, in December. 1873, he was educated at re-
ligious school and at the Universities of Berlin,
Freiburg and Geneva.
He lectured on chemistry at
Geneva University from 1900 to
1903, and on biochemistry at. Man-
:thester University from 1903 to
1916. During World War I, his
important invention used by the
British Armed Forces brought
him to the attention of eminent
British statesmen: Lloyd George.
Balfour and Milner. He influenced
them to publish the Balfour
Declaration in November, 1917. Dr. Weizmann
After the occupation of southern Palestine by
General Allenby he headed the Zionist Commis-
sion to Palestine. which acted as a liaison between
military authorities and. Jewish institutions there.
In July, 1918, he and General Allenby laid the
foundation stone of the Hebrew University on
Mt. Scopus.
In 1918, Dr. Weizmann headed the Jewish dele-
gation which presented Zionist demands to the
Paris Peace Conference. In the same year, he
signed a treaty of friendship with the late King
Feisal.
Until December, 1946, Dr. Weizmann served as
president of the Jewish Agency and the World
Zionist Organization. He has been honorary presi-
dent of the English Zionist Federation; president
of the Board of Governors, Hebrew University;
founder and director of the Sieff Research Insti-
tute at Rehovoth. As a tribute to his leadership,
the Weizmann Institute of Science was founded
in Rehovot in 1946.
He appeared before the Anglo-American Com-
mittee of Inquiry in 1946 and before the United
Nations Special Committee on Palestine in July,
1947. He is married to Dr. Vera Chatzmann. They
have one son. Another son was killed in action
while serving with the British Armed Forces in
World War II.
- After an operation by a Swiss eye specialist re-
cently, Dr. Weizmann's sight has been completely
restored for the first time in two years. Dr. .and.
Mrs-. Weizmann are renouncing their British citi-
zenship and soon will be citizens and President
and First Lady of Israel.

Jewish Sex Laws and Customs

Dr. Epstein's important
Study of Social Subjects

Dr. Louis H. Epstein, whose "Marriage Laws
in the Bible and the Talmud" (Harvard University
Press) was widely acclaimed, has made a distinct
contribution to Jewish research in the field of
social studies with his latest work, "Sex Laws
and Customs in Judaism," just published by Bloch
Publishing Co., New York.
Rabbi Epstein's highly scholarly work deals
with all aspects of the subject. He touches.-upon
issues involving sex morality, sex segregation, re-
lations between sexes, nudity, exposure, chap-
eronage, perversions, harlotry, etc.
Referring to the Jewish code of sex morality
as a "bit prudish" at times, the author declares
that, in spite of its severity, it was "always sound
as an ideal of and a guide to sexual purity."
Writing most interestingly, Dr. Epstein has an
important chapter on nudity. He describes •how
Jews always looked with abhorrence upon those
who displayed their nakedness and gives an out-
line of laws regulating immodesty in dress, the
care of the sick, laxities in the bath-house, and
other rules. Condemnation of exposure and its im-
plication of sexual immodesty are reviewed from
the viewpoint of Jewish traditions.
Dr. Epstein shows that "in accordance with
Babylonian tradition, Jewish women have not
been -expected to veil their faces." He gives an
historical analysis of the wearing of the "sheitel",
the cutting of women's hair and states that "eman-
cipation has changed it all," that the "sheitel" is
"itself being borne to oblivion by the current of
modern life."
In some instances, we learn, even innocent
kissing is prohibited by some Jewish laws in order
to prevent the rise of unclean desires. We learn,
further, that "men who are frivolous with young
girls, says a tanna, are responsible for the delay of
the coming of the Messiah."
Moral injunctions against copulation, treatment
of sodomy and buggery as sex crimes, prohibition
of castration and Onanism are among the subjects
discussed and evaluated by Dr. Epstein. "Sex Laws
and Customs in Judaism" is an exceedingly inter-
esting book. Its value to Jewish scholarship is
very great as an approach to the simplification of
subjects which have hitherto been a closed book to
most people.

Facts You Should - Know

What comprises the Hebrew Bible?

The Hebrew Bible, or Hebrew Canon, is com-
prised of 39 books that were officially accepted by
the Jews as Holy Books. The Hebrew Canon is
divided into three major groupings, the Torah or
the Law, the Neviim or the Prophets, and the
Ketuvim or the Writings. There are five books of
the Torah; 21 hooks of the Prophets, and 13 books
of the Writings.