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As the Editor
Views the News ...
Happy New Year
Annual Z-Day
Sunday's observance as annual Z-Day for
enrollment of members in the Zionist Or-
ganization of Detroit calls for a brief evalu-
ation.
The establishment of Israel does not end
the need for a certain amount of political
and moral support from the Jews of
America to their kinsmen in the Jewish
state. The assistance that must still be given
to Israel in fields other than fund-raising—
which is conducted by established causes
such as the UJA, Histadrut, Hadassah,
Mizrachi, etc.—continues to be mobilized by
tht Zionist organizations.
That is why there remains the need for
strengthening the Zionist groups, through
large sales of Shekolim for the forthcoming
World Zionist Congress and through
strengthening the ranks of Zionist bodies
by means of membership enrollments such
as are aimed at on Z-Day. Those who work
on Z-Day in a measure will be giving support
to Israel.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member: -American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
ServiCes: Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Seven Arts Peature
Syndicate, 1s4ng Features, Central Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News . Publishing
Co. 708-10 Daviati Stott 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
SIDNEY SHMARAK Advertising Manager
RUTH L. CASSEL, City Editor
vol. XVI—No. 17
Page 4
January 6, 1950
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the eighteenth day of Tebet,
5710, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 47:28-50:26.
Prophetical portion—I Kings 2:1-12.
...1111111,1...........11.•••••••••••.,.........T
Genius Revivified
Walt Whitman's Work
Edited by Untermeyer
Histadrut Vindicated
Both the Israel government and the His-
tadrut—the Israel Federation of Labor—
were vindicated last week in statements
made simultaneously in Jerusalem and in
New York by Israel Finance Minister Eliezer
Kaplan in the Knesset and by Julius Simon,
Palestine Economic Corporation's president
who clarified the situation upon his return
from Israel.
It is regrettable that false rumors regard-
ing Israel's attitude toward investors should
have compelled the Jewish State's Finance
Minister to deny rumors that Israel intends
to expropriate business enterprises after
their establishment. The declaration made
by Mr. Simon, who represents the conserva-
tive investors in the United States, corro-
borates the view of Mr. Kaplan that charges
against Israel government are unfounded.
Mr. Simon's statement is especially signi-
ficant in view of his defense of the Hista-
drut, the Israel Federation of Labor, against
whom most poison darts have been aimed
by the antagonists who have spread:falSe-
hoods regarding the Jewish labor movement.
Mr. Simon's statement bears repetition. He
declared that the Histadrut "is the most
potent capitalistic entrepreneur in Israel"
and added: "They (tile Histadrut) are noth-
ing but a large capitalistic trust, well-or-
ganized and aggressive, engaged in economic
endeavors which are anything but socialis-
tic. Eighty-five per cent Of Israel's industry
is privately owned and only 15 per cent is
controlled by the Histadrut . I do not
knOw of any instance where a Histadrut en-
terprise could get from the government bet-
ter terms than any corporation could obtain
for itself. The work of Histadrut is corn-
mendable and as a. capitalistic entre-pren-
eur constitutes a safeguard against possible
socialization."
These are the words of a Jewish capitaliSt
whose corporation—PEC—deserves strong
support on a par with other private enter-
prises, with the AMPAL (American Pales-
tine Trading Corporation) which is Hista-
drut-controlled and other investments. It
is fortunate that a man like Mr. Simon,
whose standing in investment and Jewish
community circles ranks, high, has spoken
in strong terms to refute untruths and it
is equally encouraging that Mr, Kaplan
Spoke frankly in the Knesset.
It is sincerely to be hoped that the re-
sponse to these declarations will be in the
form of large investments in Israel by
American Jews. Their money will be secure,
Israel is prepared to assist their efforts in
every way and only in such form will Is-
rael's economy be aided in positive form.
American Jewry must make the next
move—in complete defiance of falsehoods
and in support of the best intentions of the
government and people of Israel.
•
Detroit Jewry's First 100 Years
The 100th anniversary of Detroit Jewry, occurring this
year, finds our community in an interestingly strong position.
From the handful of men and women who formed the first
minyan in 1850, we have grown to the large number approxi-
mating 100; 000. Our spiritual and educational causes are
priogressing, the social service movements are advancing, our
people's interest in the status of world Jewry is a healthy one
and We possess all the best qualities that combine to form
a good community.
During the first 12 years of Detroit Jewry's existence as
a community, it had one congregation—Beth El. In 1862,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek was organized, and several
years later a number of orthodox congregations were formed.
Today, there are two Reform synagogues, three affiliates , of
the Conservative movement and nearly 40 orthodox congre-
gations.
The strength of the Zionist movement, the Bnai Brith,
the Jewish War Veterans and the numerous women's -groups
represent major factors in community organization. Pisgah
Lodge of Bnai frith is the oldest existing fraternal group,
now in its 92nd year.
The social service agencies are functioning under the
over-all supervision of the Jewish Welfare Federation which
also directs the Allied Jewish Campaigns. Although a com-
paratively new movement, the Jewish Comrhunity Council
has become an important factor in our community's life.
Zionisni, in all its phases, remains strong here and is an
important element in our community's structure. The up-
building of Israel retains a justified position of priority in
community planning.
The beginning of the second century in Detroit Jewry's
history is marked by strong interests and a spirit of devotion
to Jewish causes that is growing with time. Ay concerning
ourselves with the needs of the synagogue and the school, the
recreational anti social service agencies and the needs of
Israel we will continue to lend dignity and honor to our
community whose first 100 years of history are nobly re-
corded in the annals of- American and. world Jewries.
Israel's Settlers and the Rains
Heavy rains have caused havoc in the reception camps
for newcomers in Israel. A number of casualties have been
reported and more than 15,000 immigrants who live in . Beit
Lid and other camps near Nathanya are in a precarious
position as a result of the leaking tents, the prevailing damp-
ness, the deep mud into which the camps have sunk.
Mothers and fathers are sheltering their infants in their
arms to keep them warm, while they are themselves suffer-
ing from cold during the winter's difficulties. There is danger
of a pneumonia epidemic and even the 5,000 doctors who
were brought to Israel since the establishment of the Jewish
state are insufficient to care for the new settlers' health.
It has 'become necessary to remove 2,000 children from
the camps to nearby Nathanya and its surrounding territory.
Appeals have been issued to all Tel Aviv residents to create
homes for the immigrant children.
The settlements in the Negev are isolated from the'
north by the rains and.the sufferings are widespread. Search
parties had to be organized to locate missing people in the
valleys of the north and the south and a Mapai youth group
conduCted a.fruitless tour to find some of the Negev settlers
who were temporarily isolated from their groups.
These conditions emphasize the need for speedier effoils
in'building homes for the new settlers whose : numbers are
cOntinuously increasing. On Dec. 25 alone, 800 Polish Jews
arrived at Haifa. Israel is experiencing what is described as
an "agrarian revolution" and in the words of Levi Eshkol,
treasurer of the Jewish Agency, "in the next decade we
shall pin to the soil at least, a third of the population" of
Israel and the newcomers. This can be achieved by provid-
ing homes and jobs for the immigrants and by helping them
become rooted Into the Jewish state's economy.
.
In order _to help Israel achieve her objeatives, it is of
the utmost urgency that past pledges to:the. United Jewish
Appeal should be paid, that our people should assist the cur-
rent Histadrut effort, that we should decide now to surpass
our efforts for the the UJA. There. are no two ways about
it and there is no other way of our fififilling . our minimum
obligations save through The functions which help Israel
become secure.
Walt Whitman, great poet of democracy,
emerges the giant in the Simon and Schuster
"Inner Sanctum Edition of the Prose and Poetry
of Walt Whitman," edited by Louis Untermeyer.
The biographical introduction to this immense
book is in itself worth the price of this momen-
tous work. The eminent editor-poet, in his most
analytical study of the great poet of the last
century, portrays Whitman as "a challenging
and controversial figure, enigmatic, rough-hewn
and lop-sided, but overwhelming, a titan in his
times and in our own." "Moreover," we are told,
"the book is the man."
Praise and condemnation alike are quoted in
this book of nearly 1300 pages which contain
both the poetry and prose writings of Whitman.
John Burroughs is quoted: "It (Leaves of Grass)
has been not inaptly called the bible of democ-
racy. Its biblical features are obvious enuogh,
with the darker negative- traits left out. It is
Israel with science and the modern added."
On the other hand, Dr. Max Nordau stated in
1893: "Walt Whitman, one of the deities to whonl
the degenerate and hysterical of both hemi-
spheres haVe fOr some time been raising altars
. . . For his fame, he has to thank those bestially
sensual pieces which first drew to him the at-
tention of all the- pruriency of America. He is
morally insane, and incapable of distinguishing
between good and evil, virtue and crime."
History's verdict is against Max Nordau and
Whitman remains one of the giants in the liter-
ary world.
Untermeyer rightfully points out that "The
Biblical music was echoed in Whitman's ca-
dences; to compensate for the lack of rhyme
Whitman, like the Hebrew psalmists, relied on
repetition, parallelisms, balanced metaphors and
heightened symbolism."
Whitman was aware of . the JeW's yearning
for national rebirth. We read in "Aalut Au
Monde!": "You Jew journeying in your old age
through every risk to stand once on Syrian
ground! You Other Jews waiting in all.lands for
your Messiah!"
There are numerous similar references in
many of Whitman's other poems, and we wonder
Whether he would not have been among the
singers of ,great paeans to Israel's rebirth if he
had lived in our day. His great poem "Pioneers!
0 Pioneers!" is partial proof of such an assump-
tion.
It is _a great experience once again to read
the works of Walt Whitman and to be enlight-
by the explanatory introduction of Louis Unter-
meyer. The Sitnon-Schuster Inner Sanctum edi-
tion of Whitman is, indeed. another great con-
tribution to lasting literature.
Facts You Should Know .
What is a "Leirirate Marriage?"
A "LeVirate marriage," called "Yiburn" In
Hebrew, is the situation mentioned in the Bible
where a brother is obligated to marry the child-
less widow of his deceased brother. The follOW-
ing is the textual case: "If Brethren dwell' to-
gether, and one of them die, and have no child,
the wife of the dead shall not be married abroad
unto one not of his kin; her husband's brother
shall go to her and take her to him as a wife."
The term "levirate" comes froin - the latin "levir"
which is a huSband's brother. such marriages
are generally not performed today.
The Bible indicates the purpose of these mar-
riages as a safeguard to prevent the "brother's
name from being blotted out of Israel." This
actually means that the marriage is entered in-
to so that the first child of the new marriage
established an heir for the deceased brother.
Some sources. regard the marriage as a means of
preserving the family's property rights with the
widow, lest she marry out of the tribe and trans-
fer the late husband's property.
What is perhaps the most humanitarian reas-
on is offered by writers who claim that the mar-
riage was originally -ordained to provide a place
for the childless Widow in the family.
The famous "serer Hachinuch" offers yet
an-other interesting reason. The latter claims
that a married woman is like a part of her
husband, tracing thiS claim back to the early
story of - Genesis where Eve is taken from one of
Adam's ribs. Thus, the widow, a part of her late
husband, is joined by levirate marriage with his
brother, who is also a part of his late brother
and a seed is established to develop into an off-
spring which shall continue the memory of the
deceased.
*
•
*
Why doesn't a Jewish boy put on Tefillin
(rhylaeteries) until the age of 13?
A lad under 13 is not considered mature and
thus not responsible for the obserVance of the
commandments, one of these commandments be-
ing the requirement to put on the Tefillin. Besides, •
Tefillin are holy objects and a lad under 13, not
being quite mature, might abuse the holy objects •
by not handling. them properly. Where the boy
is exceptionally mature at an earlier age, it is
not uncommon to see him putting on the Tefillin.
'Why is the word "ShatItiai" found . on the
outside of a "Mezuzah?" •
"Shaddai" is one of the names of God. The
reason for His name on the Mezuzah is thought
to be the tact that the Mezuzah symbolizes the
fact that the power of God protects the indi-
vidual crossing the th.reshold over which there
is a Mezuzah.