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As the Editor
Views the News
'Help Build on This Foundation-2
Reifenberg's Book a Guide
To Study of Bible, Israel
JNF's Conference
Approachine, its fiftieth anniversary, the
Jewish National Fund, Jewry's most popu-
agency which has been redeeming land
lar agency
in Eretz
to become the property of
the entire Jewish people, retains its fas-
cinating -influence in Jewish ranks.
As the land-holding agency in Israel, it
serves the important function of acquiring
non-Jewish owned land—with funds raised
by Jews everywhere—and of turning it over
for settlement by newcomers to the Jewish
state.
Thus, the new settlements in the Negev
and in the Jerusalem area are established
on JNF land. Hadassa.h hospitals, schools
and other institutions are built on land pro-
vided by this fund.
The JNF's functions will be outlined at
the annual conference of the Detroit or-
ounization to be held Sunday at the Fort
Wayne Hotel. It will provide an opportunity,
for the numerous interested individuals and
organizations, to become fully informed on
new projects undertaken by the fund.
Sunday's conference will also be an ap-
propriate occasion to honor Congressman
John D. Dingell for his numerous services
in behalf of the Zionist cause. Rep. Dingell
Will be presented with a certificate signify-
ing that his name has been inscribed in the
Golden Book of the JNF in Jerusalem. It is
an honor so well earned that it will surely
please all who vvill join in acclaiming the
Congressman for his liberal attitude on all
humanitarian issues.
Sunday's JNF conference will make plans
for Detroit's observance of the fund's fif-
tieth anniversary. This community has done
well by the land redemption fund—through
private gifts and by means of the large al-
lotment of funds provided by the United
Jewish Appeal which is supported locally by
the Allied Jewish Campaign. We greet the
JNF conferees with a feeling of confidence
that our people will continue to give strong
backing to the important Israel .land-acquir-
ing agency.
Transliterations
The American Association of English-
Jewish Newspapers, at its recent meeting in
Washington, adopted an interesting plan to
bring order out of the chaos that exists in
the transliteration of Hebrew and Yiddish
terms into English.
Thus, Rosh Hashanah is spelled a dozen
ways, depending upon individual whims.
Sukkot is spelled with k's, c's and h's, but
there is no set rule that would establish a
definite policy for use of this and other
terms in English. The Jewish Encyclopedia
published in 1905 uses a slightly different
method from the Universal Encyclopedia
that was published more recently.
By inviting the heads of theological semi-
naries and of Dropsie College to standardize
transliterations, the publishers are render-
ing another service to Jewish scholarship.
The task they propose to Jewish scholars is
an interesting one and well worth watching.
Good Will
Detroit Round Table has arranged for
an impressive event, next Monday evening,
in honor of Benson Ford.
The dinner, which will mark the 22nd an-
niversary of the Michigan branch of the
National Conference of Christians and Jews,
will bring together Catholics, Jews and
Protestants.
If previous similar events are an indi-
cation of the effectiveness of such gather-
ings we are inclined to take the view that it
will add value to the efforts to cement good
relations among all faiths.
We congratulate the Detroit Round Table
on its 22nd anniversary and wish it success
in all undertakings.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg.. Detroit 26. Mich.. WO. 6-1155.
Subscription $3 a year: foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office.
Detroit Mich.. under Act of March 8. 1879.
'Ancient Hebrew Arts'
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Demonstration' and 'Unity '
Prior to her departure for Israel, after her appearance
at the National Planning Conference for Israel where she
made a strong impression in her appeals for the Jewish
state, Mrs. Golda Myerson described the sessions at which
the billion dollar Israel program was approved as a "demon-
stratiOn of unity in behalf of Israel." -
Those who were impressed both by the conference itself
and by Mrs. Myerson's analyses of existing, needs share with
her the view that it was a remarkable demonstration of
Jewish loyalties to the most important needs of our time.
It remains to be seen whether that outburst of enthusiasm
will actually become a demonstration of unity.
It should not be forgotten that the Washington confer-
ence did not begin in a spirit of unity. It concluded in a spirit
of amity and the many hundreds of leaders—many of whom
are among the "big givers" in their respective communities—
were lifted to a high pitch of confidence that American
Jewry once again is commencing to play an historic role in
Israel's upbuilding. Since there have been differences of
opinion it would be the height of folly to assume that they
have disappeared and that they will not reoccur to plague
fund-raisers when the time arrives, in the coming few weeks,
to start upon the road of providing the necessary means for
Israel's existence and security.
Mrs. Myerson, who was thoroughly realistic in all her
approaches to the issues at hand at the conference, at which
she played a most important role, was practical in her evalu-
ation of existing conditions upon her departure for Israel.
Mrs. Myerson emphasized that the United Jewish Appeal
is of paramount importance in the gathering of funds for
the settlement of approximately 20,000 new settlers a month
in Israel. It is recognized that she is justified in urging the
immediate provision of $50,000,000 as advance payments
on UTA pledges to avoid "serious difficulties for the Israel
newcomers during the approaching winter months."
Those who remember the tragedies of last winter will
appreciate the point she makes about the needs of the 50,000
now in immigrant camps and the 40,000 more who are ex-
pected to arrive before the end of 1950. Action now will pre-
vent tragedy later. American Jews must keep in view the
fact that there is practically no unemployment in Isreal;
that 500,000 have been absorbed in the Jewish state's eco-
nomy since its establishment in May of 1948. Mrs. Myerson
additionally makes these important points in renewing her
plea for the fulfillment of the program adopted at the Wash-
ington conference:
"The $1,500,000,000 program which was first outlined by
Prime Minister Ben-Gurion and which was endorsed by Ameri-
can Jews at the National Planning Conference last weekend, is
a very concrete manifestation of the fact that Israel is on the
road to economic self-sufficiency. Israel is dedicated to the prin-
ciples of democracy, to the freedom of the individual and to the
ideals of social welfare and education. We must strengthen the
economic foundations of the country in order to develop its
democratic institutions on a solid basis. With the almost 500,000
who have entered Israel in the last 21/2 years, and the approxi-
mately 600,000 which we must be ready to receive by the end of
1953, the Government and people of Israel must very substantial-
ly expand their industrial and agricultural production to in-
tegrate fully as self-supporting citizens this very large portion
of its population in the next three years.
"We are confident that the working partnership which has
been established between the Jews of the United States and the
people of Israel as a result of the National Planning Conference
will not only result in solving the problem of the homelessness
of the overwhelming majority of the Jews overseas, but it will
strengthen the influence of Israel as a new democracy and
greatly enhance its contribution to world peace and human
brotherhood."
The question that must be posed is : Will the Washing-
ton conference remain in memory as a "demonstration" by
Jewish leaders or will it become a symbol of "unity" in sup-
port of the great program- in behalf of Israel's needs.?
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAR Advertisino Manager
If it is to be "a demonstration of unity," then the ob-
Vol. XVIII—No. 9 Page 4 November 10, 1950 stacles which were in evidence during early discussions about
solidified action in support of the billion dollar program
must be removed completely. Local needs need not suffer from
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
such action. On the contrary, local needs may be helped
This Sabbath, the second day of Kislev, 5711, by efforts in behalf of Israel. But the aim of American Jew-
the -following Scriptural selections will be read ry during the next three years must be to give priority to
in our synagogues:
Israel, in our thinking and action, in order that the historic
Pentateuchal .portion—Gen. 25:19-28:9.
occurrences of the past three years should be dampened by
Prophetical portion—Mal. 1:1-2:7.
indifference and a lack of understanding of existing needs.
A. Reifenberg's "Ancient Hebrew Arts"
(Schocken) is one of the most impressive guides
to Biblical history and to the background of
geographical and historical studies of the land
of Israel.
While the 200 pictures, with explanatory text,
deal with the remains of Jewish antiquity, this
book contains a wealth of material that has an
important bearing on present-day activities in
Israel.
"Ancient Hebrew Arts" deals with coins,
ceramics, seals, stamps„ ossuaries, stone amulets,
glass, mosaics and manuscripts. But in the
course of the explanations it directs the atten-
tion of the reader to important events in Jewish
history.
For instance: The Maccabean period is re-
viewed in a new light, through the explanations
of the "Tomb of Zacharias," the judges' tomb in
Jerusalem, the Jehoshaphat tomb and memorial
tablets.
We learn more about the battle of Masada,
the Roman period in _Palestinian history, the
discovery of gold glasses in Christian graves. We
acquire new knowledge about the manufacture
of glass: "Jews took a prominent part in bring-
ing the art of glass making into Europe. They
had learned glass painting from the Phoenicians
and Egyptians, and carried on the craft in their
homeland as well as in their settlements in Syria
and Italy."
Covering a span of 2,000 years, Mr. Reifen-
berg's scholarly book enlightens the reader on
facts regarding the remains of Jewish antiquity
and gives an interesting evaluation of Biblical
archaeological research.
The lists of Bible references, Palestinian arch-
aeological chronology, archaeological sites and
museums prove helpful.
In its totality, this is a most enlightening
book which will be received with joy by histori-
ans, archaeologists and all students of Jewish
history. •
'Best Humor' Includes
Works of 50 Authors
Selections included by Louis Untermeyer and
Ralph E. Shikes in their -collection "The Best
Humor of 1949-1950" may not really be the
very best, but they are excellent and entertain-
ing essays.
It is evident that the two editors of this
pleasant book made a thorough study, of their
subject. Some new names are included among
the authors they chose to honor as authors of
"best humor." For instance. they selected Sam
Levenson's "Meet the Folks" for inclusion in
their volume. Sam Levenson is the NeW York
school teacher whose humor is attracting wide
interest on radio and television.
Among the authors whose works appear in
this volume is Ethel Rosenberg whose piece "Mrs.
Rivkin Grapples With the Drama" is taken
from her book '`Go Fight City Hall."
S. J. Perelman's "Pain Counterpane" is from
his '`Listen to the Mocking Bird." Leo C. Rosten,
whose "Education of H*y*m*a*n K*a*p*l*a*n"
still makes people laugh, is author of the piece
"Groucho—the Man from Marx."
Billy Rose's selections. works by Lee Heiman,
Arthur Kober, Newman Levy, Leslie Lieber, Louis
Zara and Maurice Zolotov are included in - "The
Best Humor."
The editors make an interesting point: "This
anthology is not imperishable, though some of it
may possibly be read years hence." But literature
need not be permanent to be entertaining.
Untermeyer and Shikes have done an excellent
job compiling well written, amusing pieces by
50 authors. They and the publishers of their
book (Henry Holt & Co., 257 Fourth Ave.. N. Y.
10) are to be commended for producting this fine
volume.
'We Gather Together': Biblical
Influences on Thanksgiving
"We Gather Together: The Story of Thanks-
giving" by Ralph and Adelin Linton is a charm-
ing book and is one of the highlights of the
Great Religious Festival . Series published by
Henry Schuman, 20 E. 70th St., New York 21.
. This well-written book is a compilation of
stories giving the historical background of
Thanksgiving. It includes the finest poems about
the festival and a set of very interesting pic-
tures.
Tracing the development of harvest festivals,
the author, a noted anthropologist, and his
wife, open their story with quotations from the
Bible, to show the earliest beginnings of Thanks-
giving. They continue to relate about the fes-
tival's development in this country as well as
harvest thanksgiving observance in England.
Traditions, songs, folklore and legends are
included in "We Gather Together" to enhance
its value. Heroes connected with Thanksgiving
are described, the first National Thanksgiving
Proclamation issued by President Washington is
quoted in full and the story is told how the
festival became a legal holiday.
The opening pages contain the Biblical quo-
tations,.from the Books of Judges, Deuteronomy
and Nehemiah. The Prophet Moses' proclamation
of the Feast of Tabernacles is referred to as the
festival of gladness on the occasion of harvest
time. -
"We Gather Together" is a fascinating story
about. • the great . festival we are to celebrate
again,