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An Important Page

'Agenda for American Jews'

A Critical Analysis of
U. S. Jewry's Position

New Era for UJA

Eli Ginzberg, associate professor of economics .
A new era begins for the United Jewish
at
Columbia
University, is well qualified to dis-
Appeal, with the decisions that were reached
at the national conference in Atlantic City
cuss an "Agenda for American Jews," in his
last week-end. Launching the 1951 cam-
thought-provoking essay published under this
paign, national leaders gathered in a serious
title by King's Crown Press of Columbia Univer-
mood to re-dedicate themselves to the task
sity, 2960 Broadway, New York 27. The son of
of assuring Israel's security and of rescu-
Prof. Louis Ginzberg of the Jewish Theological
ing the lives of remaining Jews in Europe
Seminary, he has held research positions with
and Africa. There is no mistaking the de-
the UJA and was a Truman appointee to the
Five Power Conference on Reparations for Refu-
termination of the spokesmen for Jewish
communities to pursue the tasks ahead with
gees.
vigor and to enroll the cooperation of the
While his essay does not offer an outright
millions of American Jews in behalf of the
solution to the problem8 facing American Jewry,
causes whose needs are greater today than
he raises enough challenging questions to at-
they have been since the establishment of
tract wide attention to his book of less than 100
Israel.
pages.
He makes a natural subdivision of American
Change in directorial leadership of the
Jews into those who are intensely interested in
UJA 1951 drives in no way affects the status
Jewish issues, those moderately interested and
of the fund-raising efforts for the coming
the peripheral group; and shows that their en-
J.
Schwartz
has
been
as-
-
years. Dr. Joseph
vironment reveals a greatly weakened religious
sociated with UJA as director general of
foundation and disregard of Jewish law.
the Joint Distribution Committee. Besides,
He speaks bluntly. Thus: The fact that so
the retiring director, Henry Montor, will re-
large a proportion of American Jews have had
main active in UJA in an advisory capacity.
at best only a _moderate interest in Jewish
The two men have worked in harmony dur-
affairs helps to explain why it has been rela-
ing the 12 years of UJA campaigning and
tively
easy for many mediocre leaders to main-
this cooperative effort continues.
tain themselves in power. Many Jews were
It is fortunate for the UJA—and there-
pleased that certain individuals were willing
fore for those who depend upon its agen-
to devote themselves to the management of
cies for sustenance—that it again will have
Jewish activities. They were willing to sup-
port these leaders as long as the leaders did
able direction, Dr. Schwartz and Mr. Montor
not make too many requests of them."
possessing the same qualities of leadership
A policy inaugurated by daily metropolitan newspapers
which have distinguished them in the caus-
He continues his argument by asserting that
es to which they have devoted themselves. during the past two years of publishing the story of Jesus "until a much larger number is willing to par-
It should be recorded, at the same time, around Christmas time has inspired numerous requests from
. ticipate actively in Jewish life, which implies
-that Israel's financial program will benefit our readers that we should publish authoritative Jewish that they acquire a reasonable background of the
from the direction of the impending bond views on the story of the crucifixion.
facts and issues, and until they are willing to
make a sizeable personal investment of time and
issue assigned to Mr. Montor.
*
*
*
The Jewish News has been fortunate in securing per- effort, it is inevitable that a largely second-rate
The selection of Edward M. M. War- mission from Prof. Solomon Zeitlin, author of "Who Cru- leadership will remain safely ensconced."
burg, one of American Jewry's most dis- cified Jesus ?", and from his publishers, Harper and Brothers,
Mr. Ginzberg directs some of his warnings
tinguished young leaders, to succeed
against the so-called civic-protective groups. He
Henry Morgenthau, Jr., as general chair- to print serially outstanding excerpts from this book which states that it is dangerous for Jews to become
man of the 1951 campaign, will surely be has received commendations from important Christian as preoccupied with influencing the behavior of the
Gentile majority "because there is no basis for
hailed with satisfaction everywhere. Mr. well as Jewish quarters.
believing that it is likely to succeed in this ef-
Warburg is tireless in his efforts for Is-
This series, which begins with this issue, is presented fort . . . In spending its limited resources for
rael and in causes dedicated to rescuing
as
a
public service, in a sincere effort to dispel misunder- these purposes, the community will inevitably
oppressed Jews. His selection assures con-
tinuation of a vigorous policy for UJA.
standings and to encourage clear thinking on the subject. have to neglect the support of other institutions
which would yield higher returns in values and
Actually, the UJA machinery remains
in basic security." He declared that it would
the same. The numerous trained staffs, on
When this book first appeared, it was hailed by the seem the better part of wisdom for Jews rather
the national scene and in the local fields, Christian Century as "a fresh and original contribution" and to cooperate directly with like-minded citizens
who are concerned with improving the structure
remain intact. The reinvigorated spirit of
devotion to the cause lends new strength to by the Protestant Voice as "a splendid antidote to anti- of American democracy . . . The true strength of
Semitism." The New York Herald Tribune wrote about this democracy is its highly diversified culture which
the great-fund-raising organization.
permits each subgroup to develop its maximum
The unanimous endorsement of UJA book : "Combined with more detailed studies of Jesus' trial potentialities and thereby to contribute to the
plans for 1951 by the Council of Jewish and crucifixion, this book is an answer to the dread accusa- whole."
Federations and Welfare Funds, at the re- tion against the Jews. The shout, 'Christ killers,' should
The basic aspects of the synagogue, the
cent Washington assembly sessions, offers never be heard again."
school, welfare agencies, our relation to Israel
assurance that there will be no changes in
and the Gentile world are touched upon realis-
It is our sincere hope that publication of this book in tically in this thought-provoking book. What
campaign plans in the months to come.
*
*
*
this series of articles will help attain the latter goal and are to be American Jewry's answers to the de-
There is no reason to doubt that in De- that it will influence the establishment of better relations clining religious spirit, to the lessening of cul-
tural interests, to the domination of welfare -
troit the UJA will continue to receive ever- between Christians and Jews.
funds, to Israel's influence?
increasing support from our annual Allied
"Agenda for American Jews" provides a course
Jewish Campaigns. Our community has been
The publication of a book like Dr. Zeitlin's serves to of study for all Jewish adult schools in this
among the most progressive cities in Ameri-
ca in the allocation of funds for, Israel and emphasize the need for well-reasoned approaches to the en- country. If all who are interested in Jewish
overseas relief and in providing necessary tire issue involving the crucifixion story. Through presen- life will try to answer the questions posed by Mr.
tation of facts, noted scholars like the author of "Who Cru- Ginzberg, we may speed solutions to the many
support for local causes.
cified Jesus ?" should be in better position to emphasize the issues facing our people.
During the coming year, we shall again right of all faiths to worship as they please and to remain
face mobilization of all our resources for friendly within the scope of our democracy. Within their
the great drive which challenges every re- own sphereS, the different religious groups functioning in Facts You Should Know ..
sponsible American Jew. A major task will this country should be able to advance spiritual values with- Who were the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes?
be the educational program linked with our out imposing on others in their own ideologies.
At the time otlhe second temple in Jerus-
drives, made more urgent because it is so
alem, there were three major divisions among
On the eve of Christmas, it is in place, at this point, to the Jews—the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes.
necessary to inform our people of the urgen-
cy of the current needs. It may be hack- call to the attention of our readers an interesting opinion The larger and more influential group were the
neyed to repeat that an informed communi- expressed by the Rev. Karl M. Chworowsky, a noted Uni- Pharisees who constituted the overwhelming
ty will be a strong and loyal community ; but tarian leader, who, writing in a Brooklyn newspaper, pointed majority. The term conies from the Hebrew
it needs to be said again and again—in the out that it is even worse than "bad taste" for Jews to ac- term "Perushim"-,:which means "those who
themselves." From the time of Ezra
best interests of the UJA and the local aims cept invitations to celebrate Christmas with Christians. He separated
to the time of the Maccabees, the priestly dy-
states
that
when
a
Christian
invites
a
Jew
to
participate
in
and needs.
the Christmas ceremony and the singing of religious hymns nasty was in absolute control over all religious
It is not too late to start gathering our "he is asking him to participate in something which is funda- matter. This pOwer rose to its height after the
strength for the 1951 Allied Jewish Cam- mentally alien to Judaism as well as offensive to Jewish dig- victory of the Maccabees over the Graeco-Syrian
enemy. Rabbis, scholars and teachers formed a
paign, as an assurance that UJA will be nity and self-respect."
popular
party and broke away or "separated
more successful than ever in the months
themselves" from the rule of the priest, insisting
to come.
the role of traditional learning to interpret.
In a broader sense, this view means that church and upon
the laws and customs of the people of Israel.
state should be kept separate, that Jews and Christians owe It is this group that introduced regular daily
it to their mutual American ideals to cooperate in all move- prayers in addition to the sacrifices and insti-
ments for the advancement of human ideals; but that their stituted the custom of having representatives
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News.
Impers. Michigan Press Association.
religious practices should be reserved for their churches from the people during the sacrifices lead in
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg.. Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 6-1156. and synagogues.
prayer and service.
$4,
Subscription $3 a year: foreign
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
The Sadducees were the priestly dynasty
To achieve the goal of cooperation and mutual under- whom
Detroit Mich.. under Act of March & 1879.
the Pharisees opposed. Since they stemmed
standing, myths must be destroyed. Prof. Zeitlin contributes from the priestly family of Zadok, they were
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
towards the elimination of the myth of the crucifixion with called "Zadokim" in Hebrew or "Sadducees" in
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
his scholarly work. Once this problem of fear and suspicion, English. Their influence ended with the destruc-
Vol. XVIII—No. 15 Page 4 December 22, 1950 injected by the spread of the false charges against Jewry, tion of the Temple since with that ended the
definite role of the priest to a large extent. The
is solved, inter-faith cooperation will be strengthened.

VELI,Pi+PH AGG4.1.

Jewish Authority on Jesus

THE JEWISH NEWS

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fourteenth dair of Tebet,
5711, the following Scriptural selections will be
read:
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 47:28-50:26.
Prophetical portion—I Kings 2:1-12.

The Jewish News entertains the hope that this series
will be read not only by our Jewish readers but that it also
will be distributed among non-Jews and that it will encour-
age the reading of the entire book, the publication of which
is a compliment to the good judgment of its publishers,
Harper and Brothers.

Essenes were the extremists of that time. The
term Essenes is derived from a term meaning
"pious," "modest" and "humble." Historians dif-
fer as to the .point of origin of the terms,
whether it is Greek or Hebrew. It is universally
agreed that they were the most pious sect Jud-
aism ever had. • • '

