As the Editor
Views the News ...
Ily. His Work Ye Shall Know Him
ZOA at Crossroads
`Story Without End'
Cites Synagogue Aid
For Jewish Survival
On the eve of its annual convention, to
"It is a remarkable achievement for a
people to have continued for so long a period
be held. in New York this week-end, the
in history as have the Jews, for many a people
Zionist Organization of America finds itself
and nation whose exploits fill pages in the
in the sad position of rebuilding a fence, a
histories
of ancient civilization no longer
portion of which has been damaged by in-
exist.
ternal controversies. While there are evi-
"Unlike these, the Jews have not disap-
dences of an emerging Iftrmony in the ZOA
peared; they have continued on, developing
ranks, there is every indication that the Gen-
along the way a rich culture which still gives
eral Zionist movement will face a struggle
warmth and sustenance to millions of Jews.
to retain its previous powers. The preferred
Out of their life and literature—out of their
candidate for the presidency has yet to earn
Torah—have come moral-and ethical teach-
ings which have become part of the civiliza-
popular acclaim. The failure of ZOA to send
tiorr of the Western World."
delegates to the Actions Committee meetings
This is one of the concluding paragraphs in
in Jerusalem have not elevated the organiza-
"Story Without End: An Informal History of
tion's prestige. The resignations of Drs. Abba
the Jewish People" by Solomon Landman and
Hillel Silver and Emanuel Neumann from
Benjamin Efron, published by Henry Holt and
the Jewish Agency Executive certainly have
Co., 257 Fourth Ave., New York 10. It gives a
not enhanced the ZOA's position.
clue to the approach to the subject by the
Although the olive branch was extended
authors. It reveals the deep interest it shows
to them, Drs. Silver and Neumann refused
in the synagogue as a power for Jewish sur-
to withdraw their resignations and the Ac-
vival.
In only 263 pages, the authors cover the
tions Committee has accepted them and has
entire panorama of Jewish history, including
replaced the two American Zionist leaders
the ancient periods, the modern era of Israel's
with other General Zionists. The two Ameri-
rebirth, the struggle with Church and Moslems.
can leaders may have valid reasons for their
actions and they undoubtedly will be ac-
One page is devoted as a guide to pro-
corded a confidence vote by the ZOA con-
nunciation, there are five pages in the section
11) Jr.rot rett~ut Asig..css
vention delegates. But a mere confidence
assigned to a valuable glossary and an addi-
vote does not patch up differences in the
tional nine pages as an index. Thus, in 279
pages the authors have achieved a magnificent
world movement.
job.
The election of Dr. Nahum Goldmann,
The Prophetical ideal, the religious and so-
by unanimous vote of the Jewish Agency
Reversal of the conviction of the avowed anti-Semite, cial aspirations of the Jews, are emphasized in
Executive, as chairman of the Agency's
the Rev. Arthur W. Terminiello, a Catholic priest who at one "Story Without End," as indicated in the fol-
American section, will not heal the wounds,
lowing concluding paragraph in the book:
in view of the serious personal differences
time was under suspension in his own church, by the United
"Jews have lived through times that have
that prevail between Dr. Goldmann and the
seen finis written on. the pages of history for
States Supreme Court raises the question whether American
ZOA leaders. Whichever way the situation
other. peoples. Throughout those periods they
is viewed, the ZOA convenes under dark traditions are seriously affected by this latest ruling.
kept alive the traditions of their past, taking
them along as precious baggage whenever
clouds. Labor Zionism has emerged stronger
The fact that the Supreme Court permits a man, who
history sent them traveling; and these tra-
with the rebirth of Israel, while General
has been charged with inciting a riot against Jews and oth-
ditions held them firmly together as a people.
Zionism, shorn of political objectives, has
ers whom he opposes, to go free, and to give the signal to
Always they developed new patterns of
grown weaker.
life as historical forces played upon them,
others
like
him
to
proceed
with
attacks
on
minority
groups,
ZOA convention delegates are faced with
just as they are now creating new forms of
very serious problems. This great movement,
is most disturbing.
Jewish life to fit modern society. This, too,
whose large membership has been so pow-
is part of the tradition that has kept the
Another question arises : will it similarly affect the
erful a factor in winning statehood for Is-
Jews alive; for their religion and social ideals,
freedom of the press ? Will it permit people to write as they
rael, has an opportunity to create a force
stemming from the Prophets of Israel, were
not fixed awl immutable; but rather guides
that will establish powerful educational please—simply because "a function of free speech (and
for purposeful living. For this reason Jews will
agencies and will encourage large-scale in-
therefore also of the free press) is to invite dispute," as
continue to live as long as man's spirit reach-
vestments in Israel.
Justice William 0. Douglas stated in the majority opinion.
es toward the realization of the Prophetic
It remains to be seen whether large num-
ideals of justice, democracy and peace." , ; iz
Should the press be similarly affected, then there will be
bers in membership are sufficient, without
*
*
*
need for rewriting all libel laws.
activating these members for continued ef-
The two able authors cover the eras of the
forts in the interests of the Zionist cause.
The Jdwish Sentinel of Chicago has appealed against rise and development of the Hebrew people, the
American and World Jewries and the
period of Elijah, the Prophets' struggle for so-
a
verdict
in a libel: suit against it in which avowed Jew- cial justice, the establishment of the Jewish
State of Israel will watch the deliberations
haters (they denied being anti-Semites out of love for the Commonwealth; the history of the Jews under
at the ZOA convention with keen interest.
Arabs). Will the new Supreme Court decision affect the the Greeks, Romans and Moslems; the suffer-
General Zionist leadership is put to the test.
ings in the ghetto, the emancipation period,
Will it be able to hold its large membership
Sentinel case?
Jewries in the U. S., Russia and Europe and
and mobilize it for great cultural efforts?
the most recent rise of the Jewish State.
One
thing
must
be
taken
into
consideration
:
incitement
The coming year will tell a most interesting
While there will be differences of opinion
to hatred of minorities is not a new phenomenon in Ameri- relatives
story.
to their attitude on Soviet plans in
can life From the earliest days in the life of this Repub- Biro-Bidjan, where they believe that Jews "can
lic, some people have hated others and have argued, spoken develop their culture as they wish," there will
and written against their welfare.
be wider acclaim of their panegyrics regarding
American Jewry's position. On the whole it is
While billions of dollars yet will be need-
Nevertheless, this Republic has not grown weaker. On a well written book which acquires value from
ed to provide for the settlement of at least
the contrary, it is stronger than ever. The most persecuted its brevity for so many who do not take the
a million Jews in Israel during the coming
minority, the Negroes, constantly are gaining greater free-
three years, one of the ways of assisting . dom. People think through their problems more seriously trouble to read more complete histories. ,
the infant state in its development will be
than ever before. Even the Supreme Court decisio n can not 'Favorite Songs of Israel'
through investments.
possibly destroy the freedoms of this great land.
The Jewish State is not asking for funds,
It is regrettable that anti-Semites and their fellow-bigots
for its own support. Its income from taxes
should have been given a free tongue by the Supreme Court
is sufficient to provide for the state's need§.
The funds that are being raised for the
decision. Perhaps it is a good thing. that it happened, since
United Jewish Appeal through the Allied
it, will remind all good and true Americans that "eternal
Under the musical direction of H a r r y
Jewish Campaign provide for the transpor
vigilance is the price of liberty" and that it is necessary to
Coopersmith,
the Palestine Art Corporation (111
fight for freedom at all times, untiringly, without fear.
tation and settlement of immigrants.
Fifth Ave., New York 3) has produced for the
There is need, however, for investments
The battle against the free reign granted to bigots by Hebrew Teachers' Union a truly magnificent
as an encouragement in the manufacture of
our
highest
court goes on. Meanwhile, it is important that album of records under the title "Favorite Songs
products needed `for the country's business
libertarians
should not lose courage and should not be of Israel" ("M'Zimrat HaAretz").
and industrial expansion. •
Eiga Hershman, daughter of Dr. and Mrs.
frightened
by
what has happened. As long as people crave
AMPAL (American Palestine Trading
A. M. Hershman of Detroit, prepared the nar-
for
liberty,
freedom
and
justice
will
prevail.
Corporation) , Palestine Economic Corpora-
rations and transliterations for this splendid col-
tion and the Israel Corporation of Ameri-
lection of songs.
Torah, labor, love of the land, heroes of
ca provide opportunities for cooperation in
the
past,
are among the topics included in the
Israel's development by American Jews. It
selections in this musical collection.
is sincerely to be hoped that the response
Heroes of the past, words by E. Indelman,
The Allied Jewish Campaign has progressed well, but
to their appeals will be a hearty and liberal
include three noted figures to whom tribute is
entirely
too
slowly
to
justify
enthusiasm.
An
urgent
call
has
one.
Bar
been issued for complete *coverage of all prospects' slips paid in three songs: "Y'huda Ha-makabi,
and Da-vid Ha-roeh;
and far a final report at the meeting called for next Tues- 'Kohva
The section dealing with Torah similarly
day evening, at the Jewish Center, and it is hoped that the includes three songs: Agada, words by Y. Fich-
Member : American Association of English-Jewish News-
campaign will end at that time, even though a sum of man; Ki Mitsion, Isaiah, Chapter II; Ra-bi
papers, Michigan PresS Association.
Services: Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Seven Arts Feature
$2,000,000 is yet to be attained at this writing..
Yohanan ben Zakai, words by E. Indelman.
Syndicate, King Features, Central Press Association, Palcor
News Agency.
U-sh'avtem Ma-yim, from Isaiah, Chapter
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
This year's drive is so much slower than last year's XII, and Ad ' Or Haboker, words by A. Ashman,
Co.. 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO, 5-1155.
that there is cause for deep concern. At about this time, glorify labor. Indelman's Oniyot and Y. Or-
Subscription $3 a year; foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
in 1948, the Allied Jewish Campaign had reached a total land's Shir Ha-mapilim are tributes to Aliya.
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
of $5,800,000 towards its goal of $6,200,000. At this point
Two splendid folksongs—Ze-mer Lah and
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
in the drive, a sum of $4,300,000 has been raised towards a Adama, express the love of the land. Other
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
May 27, 1949
Page 4
goal of $6,395,000. This means that the drive is more than songs in this selection are B. Biram's Palm De-
Vol XV—No. 11
reh and M. Avigal's Tyran, Eyal and Aviga-yil.
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
$2,000,000 short of the goal.
The Hebrew Teachers' Union and the Pales-
This Sabbath, the twenty-ninth day of Iyar,
Surely, all of us are so deeply concerned over the fate of tine Art Corporation are justified in taking pride
5709, the following Scriptual selections will be
added
Israel that we are anxious to prevent the placement of in this good product. Miss Hershman has album
read in our synagogues:
transliterations.
This
her
it
with
value
to
obstacles in the path of the builders of the Jewish State
Pentateuchal portion—Num. 1:1-4:20.
to efforts
and the newcomers to its shores. In the interest of this is one of the really fine contributions
Prophetical portion—I Sam. 20:18-42.
in the school and the
Jewish
music
to
advance
sincerity, the work MUST continue until Detroit's minimum
On Sunday, Rosh Hodesh Sivan, Num. 28:1-15
goal of $6,395,000 is reached. ,,444441,44,11 tarmagi nimmxasium
will be read during morning services.
f4J-csitt,ikir44.4Li.
The 'Free Speech Decision
Investments in Israel
.
Records Transliterated
By Miss Eiga Hershman'
Drive's Goal MUST Be Reached
THE JEWISH NEWS
.;
;t, itii
,
.24.