As the Editor
Views the News ,
Throw It in the Deep Blue Sea
(Copyright, 1951, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
By SOLOMON KERSTEIN
Jewish Chaplains
Among the many° works of Hebraica accred-
ited to the veteran Mizrachi-Zionist leader,
Rabbi Judah L. Maimon—Fishman—now being •
acclaimed by religious Jewry on his visit to the
United States, is a six-volume compendium of
history and folklore entitled "Sarey Hameah."
In his own unusual Hebrew style the author has
included in these volumes his memoirs and es-
says, as well as biographical sketches of great
religious Jewish personalities.
To provide a thorough evaluation of the spir-
itual virtues of Rabbi Maimon and of his mani-
fold activities during the past half century, a
complete volume would have to be added to these
six. For it can be properly asserted that this
dean of Israel's first Cabinet, and of the world
Mizrachi movement, supremely merits inclusion
among the "Leaders of the Century" implied by
the title of his work.
A program of severe sanctions has been
adopted by the National Jewish Welfare
Board, in cooperation with all rabbinical or-
ganizations and theological seminaries, to as-
sure a full supply of Jewish chaplains for the
armed forces. It is announced that in ad-
dition to the 37 full-time and 205 part-time
Jewish chaplains now serving throughout
the world, there will be the need for at least
75 additional chaplains. In World War II
there were 311 full-time Jewish chaplains.
The new plan calls for a draft program
to be enforced by the rabbinical groups.
Draftees are to be selected by lot. While
thus far only single men and married men
without children have been drafted, there
is the possibility that this draft may be ex-
tended to married men with children as well
as to veterans.
Of particular interest in this program is
the request of the Jewish Welfare Board
that congregations whose rabbis have been
drafted should make up the difference be-
tween the chaplain's army pay—usually that
of a first lieutenant—and his civilian pay.
The sanctions which the rabbinical groups
will impose on a rabbi refusing to serve as
chaplain after being drafted include:
I. Young rabbis refusing to serve as
chaplains will find it difficult or impossible to
get new positions because of the moral stigma
attached to their attitudes; 2. Congregations
are informed if a rabbi refuses to serve. Be-
cause the sons of congregation members are
drafted by the Federal Government, ill feeling
is likely to develop against a rabbi who refuses
to go. 3. In extreme cases, a rabbi is sub-
ject to expulsion from the rabbinical organ-
izations to which he belongs.
The entire plan is, in the main, practi-
cal. There is no bias whatever in the selec-
tion of chaplains. The sanctions sound harsh,
but, as indicated, they are no harsher than
the draft of young men into the armed
forces.
It is the duty of all congregations to
cooperate with the rabbinical bodies and
with the JWB in the implementation of this
program. It is part of the significant service
rendered by the JWB to Jews in the armed
forces in time of peace as well as in war.
Speeding the UJA
The 1951 United Jewish Appeal opens
officially today, at the meetings scheduled
for the entire week-end in Miami Beach, Fla.
Taking advantage of the presence in
Florida communities of leading contributors
to the UJA, the national UJA leaders will
make an effort, during the coming few days,
to secure assurances that the large donors
will go along with the UJA program and
that they will not only renew or increase
their gifts to the important fund but that
they will return to their communities as
workers in local drives.
Leading Detroiters will be contacted
during these meetings and it is hoped that
their advance gifts will serve as an encour-
agement for a successful Allied Jewish Cam-
paign.
In a message to key workers, the na-
tional `UJA' chairman, Edward M. M. War-
burg, this week stated:
The fact that Israel's door is open is one
thing. It is another thing for those who have
yet to pass through it, who want to come, who
must come. The fact is: Tens of thousands of
Jews today face entrapment in Eastern Europe
and certain Moslem countries Unless they are
moved to Israel in the shortest possible time.
These deadlines on Jewish emigration to Israel
can be overcome in only one way: Speed in
financing their transfer to Israel—now.
The variegated activities of Rabbi Maimon
have followed a remarkable unity throughout
his career. In his philosophy, his thoughts,
and his conduct he has shown a rare harmony
of outlook and aim. Even in his literary en-
deavor he displays a harmonious and erudite
grasp of the ancient and the contemporary
literature of the Jews. He is as much at home
in the entire range of Hebraic literature up
to the present as he is in "the seat of the
Talmud." His output comprises legal works
Welcome Rabbi Maimon
,
The Jewish News joins with Mizrachi and its co-spon-
soring groups in extending a hearty welcome to the Minister
for Religious Affairs in the Israel Cabinet, Rabbi Judah L.
Maimon (Fishman).
Rabbi Maimon has displayed marked ability in mobiliz-
ing the religious forces in support of Zionism.
In dealing with the British mandatory power, he has
been firm in the stand that a people's rights can not be crushed
by the heels of despots. The position he took, his incarcera-
tion, his defiance of tyranny, have earned for him the re-
spect of world JeWry.
. His literary activities have placed him in the front
ranks of Jewish scholarship, and his devotion to the cause
of a rebuilt Zion has helped advance the ideals of Mizrachi
in whose interests he is in the United States.
A strong Mizrachi movement will add strength to the
effort for Israel's upbuilding. The Jewish state must be en-
couraged by all groups, and the religious force must play
an important role in this effort. Rabbi Maimon has come
here to help strengthen Mizrachi. We wish him God-speed
in his undertaking in extending to him a hearty welcome to
Detroit.
The visit in this country of Rabbi Maimon helps clarify
many mooted questions. The distinguished orthodox leader,
during his brief stay in this land, already has provided im-
portant proof that there is religious freedom in Israel and
that all faiths enjoy the right to worship as they choose.
RABBI JUDAH L. MAIMON
and history, biography, and bibliography; he
is also distinguished as an editor of literary
compendia, historico-biographical anthologies,
and occasional writings.
I have before me a "Bibliography of the Writ-
ings of Rabbi Fishman," published in Jerusalem
on the occasion of his seventieth birthday. It
was edited by Naphtali ben Menachem. Under
the name of Fishman, and several pseudonyms,
347 items are recorded—written from 1897 to
1946. It is difficult to comprehend, wherr -one
leafs through his book, how a single person
could have accomplished so much in the cultural
Rabbi .Maimon made this statement: "As Minister of Re= realm within the space of half-a-century. the
ligions, 1 am primarily interested in the preservation of the
fact is rendered more extraordinary when one
religious rights of all the citizens of Israel. I can give full as-
realizes that the writer was devoting much of
surance 'that nothing is being dope that in any way infringes his time and effort during the same period in
upon the religious life and liberties of any citizen of Israel."
upholding the standards of religious Zionism
This assurance is of the utmost importance, in view of throughout the world. As public propagandist
fears that have been expressed by Jews that church and for Mizrachi he was traveling over the seas and
state may be fused in the JeWish state. All available proof wastelands of the earth, everywhere waging the
battle against the oppressive rulers of the Holy
emphasizes that such fears are groundless.
At the same time, Rabbi Maimon emphasized that "there Land, from the Turks to the British.
.is an intense reverence in Israel for every Christian who is
permeated with Christian ideals." He denied that Arab
Catholic priests have been refused admission to Israel and
reiterated
"1 wish to give assurance to Christians the world over that
the greatest security for the Christian Holy Places in what was
formerly known as Palestine lies in placing'sthem in the trust-
worthy hands of the state of Israel . • • I can say with full
assurance that Christian Holy Places and churches have been
given absolute priority out of desire to impress Christians with
the good will and friendly intentions of the Israel government."
Events of the past two years have proven the sincerity
of these assertions. The eminent led.der's visit in this coun-
try helps • reassure Jews that religious liberty is a principle
with the infant state, and emphasizes anew to Christians that
their rights will be fully protected at all times. His visit
Mr. Warburg's sincerity inspires admir- therefore serves the double purpose of helping the Mizrachi
ation and should encourage increased efforts and of re-establishing the determination of Israel to .enforce
for the great cause for Israel and the over- freedom for all.
seas rescue activities.
The plan is to complete the UJA drive
as quickly as possible. Each one of us must
Taking a "serious view" of the deteriorated relations
resolve to help achieve the task without with Jordan, the government of Israel last week fated a new
delay.
crisis. The murder of two Jews, the dispute over the Negev
road and the refusal of Jordan to abide by decisions of the
United Nations Mixed Armistice Commission combined to
Member: American Association of Englisb-Jewish News- create added problems for the infant Jewish state.
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Situations like these compel Israel to be on the alert, to
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Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 6-1155. be constantly on guard against attacks from hostile neigh-
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Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office, bors who refuse to enter into peaceful arrangements with
Detroit. Mich.. under Act of March 8. 1879.
the young Jewish nation.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
In the course of time, these problems will be solved. In
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
the interim, however, Israel must be prepared against all
Vol. XVIII—No. 23 Page 4 February 16, 1951 eventualities and Jews everywhere must mobilize their own
ranks and those of the democracies in defense of the state
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
that stands out as the best functioning democracy in the
This Sabbath, the eleventh day of Adar I, entire Near East. That is why the success of the UJA. is so
5711, the following Scriptural selections will be important—to ease Israel's financial burdens—and why it
read in our synagogues:
is so urgent that all our resources should be made available
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 27:20-30:10.
to assure success to the fOrthcoming Israel $500,000,000 bond
Prophetical portion—Ezek. 43:10-27.
drive.
Trouble With Jordan
THE JEWISH NEWS
An Israel Minister in U. S.
The story of the internment of Wanton
and his colleagues of the Jewish Agency in
the latter days of Britain's rule, is known to
everyone. When the officers sought to compel
him to ride in the police car on the Sabbath,,
he fought his captors with characteristic
obduracy. Proudly he addressed the arresting
officers: "Even the Turks never dared to force
me to ride on the Sabbath; and I will not per-
mit you so-called Bible folks to subject me
to that indignity . . . You people came to
the land long after I did, and my grandchil-
dren will still be in our land when no trace of
you will reMain."
Since his acceptance of the post of Minister
of Religions he has electrified religious Jewry
with his proposals for revival of the ancient
Sanhedrin. To him this project is not a revolu-
tionary one, but a mere expansion of his lifelong
ideals. He has always advocated a Jewish na-
tion existing on the basis of Torah.
All God's Children