Its the Editor
Views the News .

Truman—Modern Cyrus

President Truman will go down in history
as the Second Cyrus.
Like his predecessor, the Persian Cyrus
who, in 538 B.C., permitted Jewish exiles in
Babylon to return to Judaea, Mr. Truman
was the pioneer in the great international
effort to grant status to the reborn State of
Israel.
President Truman was the first head of a
government to recognize Israel, on Nov. 14,
1948. It was de facto recognition.
On Jan. 31, 1949;six days after the Israeli
elections," in accordance with his pledge, he
extended de jure recognition to Israel.
All of the importdrit governments on the
face of the globe, with very few exceptions,
have followed President Truman's example.
Full diplomatic relations now are to be
established between Israel and the United
States.
President Truman is directly responsible
i
for the momentum given to the international
effort in support of Israel's position as a na-
tion among the nations. His name will be
blessed in 'history, as Cyrus' is blessed; and,
like Cyrus, his name is indelibly and ineras-
ably recorded in our history as the leader
among the hasidei umoth ha-olom—the saints
among all peoples.

Mapai's Victory

Mapai's victory in the Israeli election was
not unexpected. It was only a question of the
size of the vote that would be cast in support
of the dominant labor party in the Jewish
State.
_ In more than one sense, there is cause
for rejoicing over the virtual vote of con-
fidence given to Prime Minister David Ben-
Gurion's government. He is acceptable to a
large sector of Jews throughout the world
who are happy that a moderate man will
continue to direct Israel's destinies. He is
favored for the position of leadership he held
in the process of state-building during the
past 20 years. And he is acceptable to the
Government of the United States.
While the Israeli Government will con-
tinue to be a sort of coalition, the fact that
labor—Mapai and Mapam—have an unques-
tioned majority in the Constituent Assembly
will give firmness and stability to the first
democratically elected Israeli Government.
Labor's triumph is in great measure an
endorsement of a consistent policy of carry-
ing on constructive efforts for Eretz Israel's
upbuilding. Tens of thousands of Jews are
entering the Jewish State. During the week-
end preceding the election, more than 6,000
former Eastern European Jews reached Haifa
and thousands more are arriving weekly. The
Jews in Cyprus are about to be completely
evacuated and settled in Israel. The comple-
tion of the task of ending Jewish homeless-
ness is the collective responsibility of Israel
and world Jewry. Israel's leaders must pro-
vide homes and jobs for the newcomers, and
we are obligated to make the necessary funds
available for this great task.
The election's results signalize approval
of the party which is to supervise the re-
demption activities. They also motion to us,
Israelis' kinsmen, to proceed with our work
of providing the tools for building the Jewish
State with greater speed.
The new era of Jewish statehood, under a
democratically selected administration, has
begun. With it begins a feeling of greater
confidence in the ability of Jews to help
themselves in the spirit of reborn- faith in
mankind.
Jan. 25, 1949, will be recorded among
the very great days in Jewish history. As
the first election day in Jewish history, it
is on a par with United Nations' Day— Nov.
29, 1947—and Independence Day—May 15,
1948. May these days serve forever as bless-
ings for Israel, her neighbors, the Jewish
people and humanity.

THE JEWISH NEWS

Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Seven Arts Fea-
ture Syndicate, King Features, Central Press Association,
Palcor News Agency.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich. WO. 5-1155.
Subscription $3 a year; foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor

VOL. X1V

—

No. 21 Page 4 February 4, 1949

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the sixth day of Shevat, 5709, the
following Scriptural selections will be read in our

synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 10:1 3:16.

-

Prophetical portion—Jer. 46:13-28.

Let It Come True

`Shalom Means Peace'

St. John Views Israel's
Unforgettable People

Robert St. John has added a -vivid story of Israel
and the battle for freedom with his book, "Shalom
Means Peace," published by.,;!**:< -•
Doubleday &- Company, 14.
W. 49th St., New York 20. This
eminent lecturer and author,
who haS thrilled audiences
over the radio and on public
platforms—including meetings
during Detroit's Allied Jewish
Campaign,-properly sub-titles
his volume "A vivid story of
unforgettable people in Pales-
tine." His dedication explains
the variety of subjects covered
in his interestina work. He
dedicates his book ' humbly to— Robert. St. John
"the children of Mishmar Haemek, who, never
made the forest; Yitsak and Benjamin, who had
• • e • •
.....••••••••
just begun to live again; David. Courtney, who
calls them 'such sweet people'; the Polish Rabbi,
who was an old oil painting; Joe, who was sure
he was `no damn idealist'; Rafi, the Sabra, who
proves a theory; Mane the Cannonball Artist;
Zapora, Bird in Flight; and to others, every-
where_ who hunger and thirst for Shalom."
Among the men who traveled with him to Israel
and were mistreated at Athens was a Detroiter,
Bloom, a manufacturer's son.
There is a great deal of humor in the book. Mr.
St. John, being a good observer, reports the
tie.1
interesting way in which the English language is
butchered in the attempt to be tri-lingual. A prize
K1/24444,.
Tel Aviv sign quoted in his book reads: "Kosher
eic.4,•••••••••rma,....teri
Butcher Kills Himself Twice Weekly."
He ridicules the anti-Semites' attempt to portray
Jewish physiognomy by describing the variety of
people' in Israel who form a conglomeratiOn of
people who represent all shades of skin pigmenta-
tion, types to be found everywhere in the world.
Israel has entered the family of nations. It now only
There is an interesting story about. the former
is a matter of time before the Jewish State will be included
Governor of Jerusalem, General Storrs, who
as a member of the United Nations. An overwhelming major-
forced the use of yellow native stone "to insure
ity of the UN member states already have recognized Israel durability and uniformity" and whose scheme, al-
and the fact of the Jewish State's existence is acknowledged though it was imposed on a resentful population,
helped withstand attacks during the war on the
by all except the Arab states. Even in that area there is cer-
Holy City.
tain to be a change in thinking and a reversion to reality.
An interesting chapter is devoted to Gershon
It is good to know that Great Britain has recognized
Agronsky, editor of the Palestine Post who now is
Israel. The mighty British Empire should have been among
in this country to aid the Histadrut campaign. He
has a lot to say about the Englishman, Roy Elston,
the first to welcome Israel's rebirth. It is better late than too
who used the pen-name David Courtney in-writing
late, and there is hope that strong industrial and diplomatic
strong articles in Israel's support.
relations will be cemented between Israel and Britain.
Isaac Chizik, Mane Katz, leaders in the ISraeli
Great Britain deserves to be commended for having
Government and others are quoted and interest-
of
its
Foreign
Minister
who
alone
stood
ingly described. More space is given to the Altalena
rejected the thinkina
incident and to Menahem Beigin than to any other
in the way of honorable
dealing with Israel.
b
individual or incident. •
The book contains an interesting story about
George Seldes' "In Fact" carries a very revealing item
the eminent Jewish poet, the late Jessie Samp-
its
under the heading "Hitler's Successor?" It points out that
ter, who wanted to become a member of Givat
editor wrote from London last June: "No correspondents
Brenner, the famous Kibbutz in Israel. Miss.
Sampter had some money — about 10 to 20
report this news, but all know that the leading anti-Semite in
thousand dollars. She finally consented to turn
Europe today is Ernest Bevin, Foreign Secretary of Great
this fund over to the colony, in order to fit into
Britain." This item adds that "he is not only anti-Semitic but
its cooperative scheme, on condition that the
fund be used for the building of the Jessie
frequently he uses such phrases as `Goddam Jews.' This
Sampter Rest Home which was to be vegetarian,
violent hatred is an important fact that helps explain the
in accordance with her principles. (Incidentally,
British campaign against the Israeli."
Dr. Chaim WeizMann states in his autobiogra-
phy, "Trial and Error," a Harper book, that
Even the timid who have been in the habit of recoiling
when he and Mrs. Weizmann first came to
in fright at the very mention of the Seldes name, because
Rehobot they rented their home from Miss
of the radicalism of the man who calls his magazine "An
Sampter, before building their own residence
Antidote for Falsehood in the Daily Press," can accept the
there).
above quoted statement as a guide to their thinking about
Readers will be interested in his stories about
Histadrut, about the Haifa leader David HaCohen,
Great Britain's Foreign Secretary in view of the accusations
about the men and women who have built and
hurled at Mr. Bevin by none other than Winston Churchill.
defended Israel. And Shalom—Peace—is the cen-
The former British Prime Minister did not hesitate to accuse
tral theme of his work, as an indication of what
Bevin of being motivated by anti-Semitism (isn't this being
Israel really wants and strives for.

Israel Among the Nations

.

"Hitler's Successor?"). Said Mr. Churchill:
"I don't feel any confidence that he has not prejudice
against the Jews in Palestine." Mr. Churchill could have
added that Bevin has prejudice against all Jews and that he
especially would like to harm American Jewry.
Richard H. S. Crossman, leader of Bevin's opponents
in the Labor party, did not hesitate to accuse Britain's For-
eign Secretary of "gross partiality."

'Capsules of Wisdom'

Interesting Punch Lines
To Put Over a Message

If you would like an appropriate saying for an .
appropriate Jewish occasion, you will find it in
Ernie Bevin not only fought Israel; he also carried
an unusually interesting book—"Capsules of Wis-
dom: Punch Lines to Put Across a Message,*
on a war against the President of the United States. If his
compiled and adapted by Rabbi Max L. Format,
references to Israel and the Jews of America are unprintable,
and published by Bloch.
those he has made in disrespectful comment upon the actions
The purpose of these important quotations from
of President-Truman are shocking.
Biblical, Talmudic and rabbinic lore is to help
Fortunately for decent diplomatic standards, President rabbis, teachers, organizational lay leaders and
others with thought-provoking phrases and "punch
Truman knew how to call his bluff. He maintained the honor
lines."
of his great office by refraining from replying to a name-
There are 2,500 of these catch lines—and
caller and he lives up fully to his promises. He not only has
in most instances they excellently represent
chosen to honor Israel; he also helps Israel, as indicated by
the subject matter they are intended to cover.
the loan extended to the Jewish State by the U. S. Export and
Import Bank. He is believed to be planning to send the
- Prof. Simon Greenberg of the Jewish Theolog-
ical Seminary of New York rightfully points out
Presidential plane, the Sacred Cow, to Israel, to bring Dr.
in the foreword to this striking volume that:
Chaim Weizmann to this country for the dinner Mr. Truman
"Anthologies of maxims, proverbs, wise or
will address in- honor of the first President of Israel, in New
striking comments on life and its conduct,
York, on Feb. 19. He is, in Dr. Weizmann's own words (see
belong to the .oldest category of literature..
his Autobiography, "Trial and Error") "as good as his word."
They remain perennially popular with readers
Mr. Bevin has harmed only one party: his own govern-
of all kinds of cultural backgrounds . . . Rabbi
Forman's chief interest is in maxims which
ment. The 100 members of the British Labor Party who
are particularly meaningful in the congrega-
abstained from voting in the test of confidence in the foreign
tional setting. He sought out t7s_e succinct
provided
proof
policies of the present British government
sentence which can highlight an effort to Ina-
ther some distinctly synagogual goal ... This
that all Englishmen. are not Bevinites.
collection of 'quotations' old and new should .•
A new era begins. While Bevin always will be looked
be a useful and helpful addition to the work-
upon with suspicion, his governments honor is vindicated.
ing library of any public speaker . . ."
Israel holds head high in the knowledge that mankind has no
Rabbi Forman, who has a congregation irk
respect for anyone who attempts to fill Hitler's shoes. The Wynnefield, Pa., has compiled important catch
the.
lines and maxims on such subjects as charity ap-
reborn Jewish State's joy is all the greater because of
friendship of the President of the United States who has peals. Yizkor, cheer and optimism, character,
fund-raising, good humor, habits, tem-
guided the entire world along the path of recognizing and building,
perance, patience, etc. His work is, indeed, val-
encouraging Israel with his courage to do the right as he sees uable for all public speakers—and for leaders in

*

it and to fight for the right.

*

*

all walks of life.

