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As the Editor
Views the News ...
The Best Reception
A New Anthology Interprets
The Scientific Concept of Race
Arab Propagandist
)S RACE.
An anthology selected from the
International Literature on the Races of Sian. Edited by Earl
AV. (:ount. Henry Schuman, N. Y. '747 pp. $7.50.
American Jewry is warned to be on
guard against an Arab propogandist, .Yusif
El-Bandak, who is touring this country
with a story misrepresenting the situation in
the Near East and libeling Israel with dis-
torted and fantastic stories.
El-Bandak is spreading a tale that 70,-
000 Christian Arabs were driven from their
homes in Jerusalem. He fails to state that
the Arabs started the war on little Israel
which is compensating the aggressors for
abandoned and occupied property in the
Jewish state.
He seeks to give the impression that
Christians are unprotected in Israel, in spite
of the statement of Msgr. Antonion Ver-
gani, the Vatican's chief representative in
Israel, as quoted by Francis Ofner, Chris-
tian Science Monitor correspondent, that, in
Irsael: "Freedom of education and freedom
of religious courts are respected, as well as
freedom of religious activities, even external
ones like processions. Israel's government
has showed good will in giving financial
assistance to various Roman Catholic insti-
tutions to help them to repair damages
caused by war and rains. Israel Government
officials display special deference toward
members of the Christian clergy."
These are the words of a Catholic digni-
tary, quoted by a Christian correspondent
who was on the spot in Israel during the
entire Arab-Jewish war period and the era
of the formation of the state.
Christians have found peace and security
in Israel. But El-Bandak seeks to give the
impression that it is a question of "Chris-
tianity or Zionism in the Holy Land." In
reality, Christianity is stronger in Israel
because of the triumph of Zionism.
El-Bandak and other propagandists like
him may also seek platforms in our com-
munity. It is imperative that we should be
on guard against the spread of their vile
propaganda which not only is intended to
harm Israel but also to hurt the position of
Jews in America.
A Review by Avrum Schulzinger
Prof. Earl W. Count has compiled an anth-
ology of 60 selections from what he regards as
the outstanding examples of the writings of men
who in 200 years have helped to define the
"scientific concept" of race.
Subversives
A few Jewish names appeared in the news
recently in connection with movements which
have been distributing "peace petitions."
As we indicated in our columns two
weeks ago, in our expose of the crocodile
tears that were shed by the Chief Rabbi of
Poland in his "bakesh shalom werodfehu"
("desire peace and strive for it") appeal to
world Jewry, those who have become victims
of peace appeals, at a time when our gov-
ernment and therefore "every one of us is
involved in a war with an aggressor, have
become partners in a war against the United
States and the United Nations.
It is naturally disconcerting to read that
a few Jews are among the traitorous ele-
ments who are aligning themselves with the
pro-Soviet elements in the world struggle.
We are confident that this element will be
dealt with properly and promptly by the FBI
and by the police. The few who support trea-
sonable activities, stand repudiated by our
people, and even if they were born Jews they
are in no way considered a part of the Jew-
ish community. While they are a vociferous
few who are causing us embarrassment, we
look upon them as the country at large looks
upon their clan : as a deluded and corrupted
element deserving of the contempt that is
being heaped upon them.
As Americans—Jews and non-Jews alike
—we should be on guard against those who,
under the cloak of "peace-finders," even
though their weapons are mere paper peti-
tions, are disrupting our national unity. We
look upon them as the enemies of our coun-
try and therefore of each one of us individ-
ually.
Some of these essays appear in English for
the first time, as these selections were originally
written in nine different tongues and come from
the pens of such men as Immanuel Kant,
Thomas Huxley, Charles Darwin and Ernest
Albert Hooton.
The writings are not --meant to refute or
support arguments regarding attitudes on race.
Contrarily, they are concerned with the scientific
concept of race; its definition, shaped through
the years; it divisions (Caucasion, Mongoloid,
Negro, etc.)) and the scientific relationships of
race.
An essay by Comte de Buffoon, the man who
originally employed the term "race," in its
zoological sense, and sparked its spread through
scientific literature, leads off the volume.
Though the Jew is refuted as being a member
of the "Jewish race," the importance of properly
indexing him is shown by the inclusion of an
essay by Carl C; Seltzer, Harvard University
anthropologist, entitled "The Jew—His Racial
Status."
Class Struggle in Israel
Israel's most serious internal problem, revolving around
the issue of rationing, which last week resulted in strikes and
the shut-down of restaurants and groceries in Tel Aviv, ex-
poses a major issue in the infant Jewish state: the class
struggle which has been brewing since the labor movement
assumed governmental power.
"All Jews, whether they be Ashkenazic,
Shephardic or Orientaj, have modified their
The New York Times correspondent's explanation that
.original racial complex mainly through ad-
"the issue has been broadened into a test between the So-
mixture with other racial stocks throughout
cialist-controlled government and businessmen on the prin-
the many centuries in the different regions of
ciple of controlled economy" placers the finger on the root of
the Old World . . . however . . . underlying all
these conglomerate mixtures there still re-
the evil. A resolution adopted by the Israel General Zionist
mains a small remnant of the original racial
Party calling for new parliamentary elections "to give the
characters of the formative period of Jewish
nation the opportunity to decide on the country's future"
history in Palestine."
throws additional light on the conflict. The fact that the
Concluding his treatise, Seltzer writes:
General Zionist Party is one of the weakest groups in Israel,
deriving its strength mainly from the Manufacturers' Asso-
"In the anthropological meaning of the word
ciation, and the additional revelation that the General As- "race," it can be said with conviction that the
sociation of Merchants in Israel has called upon grocers Jewish people, taken as a whole, show no pre-
and pharmacists throughout the land to stage a strike, are ponderance, nor consistency, nor exclusiveness
of physical features which allow them to be
further indications of the source of trouble.
classified as a unified racial group. They are
Non-Jewish correspondents in Israel have expressed a conglomerate mixture of many races in dis-
the view that the Israel population at large-recognizes the parate proportions bound- together by common
sincerity of the government in enforcing rationing policies religion, familial, and historical traditions, but
in the best interests of the country. This is the best answer showing in many instances -varying amounts of
to those who seek to create a class struggle in Israel • in a physical distinctiveness."
References to the JeWs is made throughout
crucial period in the young country's life. Impartial studies
indicate that the protests against rationing are normal but the volume, in one case the reference being anti-
Semitic; in the disappointing contribution of the
that in the long run those who are in power will be vindi-
19th century British physician, Dr. John Beddoe,
cated as having judged the situation correctly, in view of the ."The
Anthropological History of Europe."
challenge created by the Korean war situation.
Referring
to the Sephardic in terms to - set
Israel's government has acted wisely on the internation-
as superior to the Ashkenazic, he writes:
al front. There is good reason for believing that it is acting them
"Howevere that it may be, the Jews grow
properly in the present internal economic crisis. Israelis
not only in number, living longer and dying
and ,friends of Israel everywhere will undoubtedly back up
less readily than the Gentiles among whom
David Ben-Gurion and his associates, recognizing that their
they dwell, but they are gradually attracting
to themselves the whole moveable wealth of
program is intended to serve the best interests of -the in-
the earth; and wealth is power. and the world
fant state.
JTA'S Reorganization
With the election of Dr. Isadore Breslau of Washington
as president of the reorganized Jewish Telegraphic Agency,
the important Jewish news gatherino- instrument which has
been supplying our communities with b Jewish news during the
past 30 years, we are on the road towards seeing a solution
to a serious problem that has been a disturbing factor in
American Jewish life for more than a year.
Operating on numerous fronts throughout the - world
and covering completely the Israel scene, JTA was subjected
to burdens which involved tremendous costs in personnel
and telegraphic services. The income from Jewish periodicals
was insufficient to cover the budget and the Nazi propaganda
dating back to the late twenties virtually excluded the non-
Jewish press as a potential user of this service. It therefore
became necessary for American Jewish communities, through
Federations and Welfare Funds, to finance the work of JTA.
A personality issue that developed two years ago, in-
volving the president of the American Jewish Committee,
has resulted in nearly complete severance of Federations'
relations with JTA, Detroit being among the cities that has
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
stopped supporting JTA. This has reacted to the detriment
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
of Jewry's needs for an efficiently-functioning news service.
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 5-1155.
Subscription $3 a year: foreign $4.
The reorganization of JTA should bring a speedy solution
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
to this problem and there should be an immediate resumption
Detroit. Mich., under Act of March 3. 1879.
of assistance to JTA by our r (Immunities.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAR Advertising Manager
JTA's founder and managing director, Jacob Landau,
RUTH L. CASSEL. City Editor
whose name figured •prominently in the dispute that raged
Vol. XVII—No. 23
Page 4
August 18, 1950 in the past few months between JTA and the Federations,
has been the mainstay in efforts to assume continuation of
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the sixth day of Elul, 5710, the the Jewish news service during its years of struggle. His
following Scriptural selections will be read in our efforts will continue to merit appreciation in Jewish ranks.
It is sincerely to be hoped that the entire issue will end with
synagogues:
JTA's reorganization and that the news service to American
Pentateuchal portion—Dent. 16:18-21:9
and world Jewries will not be hindered again by personality
Prophetical portion—Is. .51:12-52:12.
problems.
TIIE JEWISH NEWS
Seltzer, in a clear, - interesting style, care-
fully guides the reader through a general
history of the Jews, regarding their disper-
sions and immigrations, documenting the
various racial stocks with which the Jews
came into contact; the various elements which
they absorbed, and in turn they themselves
modified.
must move or halt as wealth bids it . . . it
has been individuals from among the Sephard-
ic who have distinguished themselves from
the common herd of their fellow-believers,
and that in ways more noble tha.n that of
money-making."
Aside from Dr. Beddoe, and the racist in-
clination of another contributor, Prof. Henry
Pratt Fairchild, the anthology is a fine compila-
ton of important milestones in the development
of the scientific concept of race.
There is no progressive, dileanated order to
the writings; rather, they are taken as good
examples of the scientific formulation of the
concept, as man gained greater knowledge of
the sciences and through them gained more
tools with which to probe at the meaning and
constitution of race.
Facts You Should Know ...
Why • is it customary to throw a small piece
of bread into the fire when baking bread?
This sterns from the commandment in the
Bible (Leviticus 15:20) to give a portion of the
"first of your dough" unto the Lord. In Israel,
in the days of the Temple, this would be done
by taking off a piece and giving it to the priest.
Technically, this law applied only in Israel.
The rabbis ordained that this be kept outside
Israel for the preservation of an important cus-
tom. Even with the destruction of the Temple
this custom remained in force. Today instead
of giving it to a priest we throw it into the fire.
The prophet Ezekiel gives the reason for this
.observance as follows: "Ye shall also give unto
the priest the first of your dough, to cause a
blessing to rest on thine house." Thus, the cus-
tom was a forerunner to a blessing. There was
a practical purpose to this custom. The priests
in the sanctuary were not allowed to follow any
other occupation. Consequently some means had
to be made to provide them with sustenance.