Let Us Heed the Call

As the Editor
Views the News

Mixed Marriage Theme

New Novel Touches Upon

ISRAELI,
DRI`J'

B-G In Detroit

Detroit will be privileged to welcome
Israel's Prime Minister, David Ben-
Gurion, Monday, at a reception at the
City Hall and at dinner, the major pur-
pose of the distinguished guest's visit
being to stimulate the sale of Israel
bonds.

Changing Trends In U. S.

, p is

Israel's great leader is not a .stranger.
to Detroiters. He has lectured here on
-platforms of his party, the Poale Zion.
He was here during World War I, when
he visited here and in Windsor prior to
enlisting in the Jewish Legion that
fought under. General Allenby for the
liberation of Palestine from the Turks.

But the affections for him are not limited
to the Labor Zionists. He is held in high es-
teem by the entire Jewish community, in ap-
preciation of his courage and his wise actions
which led to the establishment of the Jewish
state.

It is most unfortunate that Mr. Ben-
Gurion comes to us with his requests for in-
Creased cooperation in a time of danger for
Israel. A new round of warfare has been
started by the Arabs. The small state of Is-
rael remains in danger. Mr. Ben-Gurion's
visit here is not a social event. It is motivated
by the seriousness of his country's 'position
and the need of assuring security for Israelis
who are the saviors of hundreds of thou-
sands of oppressed and dispossessed Jews.

Israel not only is in the act of rescuing
Jews. The new state also is engaged in the
serious business of stockpiling food for her
citizens and newcomers who are subjected to
strict rationing . and who must also think in
terms of world dangers which may shut
them off from sources of supply in the event
of war.

The major task, of course, is to provide
the means necessary for Israel's independ-
ence. New industries must be established,
tens of thousands of housing units must be
built, the food supply must be increased. Is-
rael's economists have devolved an invest-
ment plan that will fulfill the industrial and
agricultural needs and will, at the same time;
offer sound investments to the country's
friends through the bond issue.

Mr. Ben-Gurion will be given hearty wel-
comes and there will be fine speeches in his
honor. There must be much more than that.
It is necessary that he take back with him
assurance from American Jews that they
will not falter in their loyalties to their kins-
men, that they will provide the free dollars
through the United Jewish Appeal and the
investment dollars through the bond drive.

Detroit Jewry has a good record for serv-
ice to Israel. We have an opportunity to say
to Mr. Ben-Gurion, when he comes here on
Monday, that we are determined to increase
our efforts, that we shall not fail the Allied
Jewish Campaign, that we shall buy bonds.
And we should be in position to report to him
concrete results in both fields of endeavor—
in behalf of UJA and the bond drive.

We welcome David Ben-Gurion, Israel's
great leader, with assurances that the masses
of our people won't let him down; that they
recall with .. pride and admiration his brave
stand against the fearful who opposed the
Declaration of Independence of the Fifth of
Iyar, 5708; that they will uphold him and
will carry on the work for Israel's upbuilding
on the highest principles of justice.

Chazak VeEmatz!

May your hands be strengthened, David
Ben-Guri on!

eX,41111

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EfrR

A4.4.

Community Honors Isaacs

At the annual meeting of the United Hebrew Schools of.
Detroit on June 5, the community will honor one of its most
distinguished citizens, Bernard Isaacs, who has served the
schools loyally for 31 years as superintendent.
It would take a complete, full-length, biography to eval-
uate all of Mr. Isaacs' Contributions to the development of
the Detroit Jewish community. He has not only guided our
educational system for 31 years, but during the three decades
has prepared young men and women for leadership, has
steered numerous groups along cultural paths, has worked
for the Zionist movement and has been an inspiration to
young and old.
Mr. Isaacs is more than an educator. Thanks to his ef-
forts, the Hebrew cultural movement here, Kvutzah Ivrith,
and its women's auxiliary; the Women's Auxiliary of the
United Hebrew Schools, the alumni of the schools and other
affiliated groups have prospered and have, in turn, been pow-
ers for good in advancing Hebraist projects in this country.
As an author and story-teller, as a teacher, as super-
visor of the United Hebrew Schools' faculty, Mr. Isaacs has
rendered invaluable services.
It is encouraging to know that his lifetime ambition—to
see Eretz Israel—is being realized and that, together with
Mrs. Isaacs, he will have an opportunity to study conditions
in the Jewish state and to live in settlements there for six
months. We are certain that all Detroit Jews rejoice with him
that a dream of many years is being realized.
We join in wishing him much joy in his new experiences
in Israel and in extending to him deserved gratitude for his
numerous contributions towards the advancement of Ameri-
can Jewry's highest ideals.

Urgently Needed: Free Dollars

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no. lo AI&

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44.

Facts You Should Know .. .

Why Is it customary to withhold the name
of a Jewish boy until the circumcision cere-
mony?
There are sources in the Bible which indicate
that names were given even before the circum-
cision ceremony. However, the custom developed
to assign the name at the circumcision ceremony.
Some point to the fact that Abraham the first
Jew, did not receive' his complete name until he
Israel's bond drive has taken root. Numerous organiza- was circumcised. Until that' time his name had
tions have assumed large quotas and Detroit undoubtedly will been Abram. Others claim that it was the in-
fulfill its obligations in the effort to encourage investments tention of those who spread the custom to have
in the Jewish state.
the name given in public. The first public ap-
In the meantime there is a major community effort that pearance of the child was at the circumcision.
must not be neglected: the Allied Jewish Campaign, the major Others claim that the child is not a complete
portion of whose funds represent the free dollars—given to Jew until the circumcision and thus does not
the United Jewish Appeal—that are urgently needed to assume a name in Israel• until he is complete.
sources explain the fact that early Bible
finance immigration in Israel, to support newcomers during These
indicate the assignment of the name
the first months of their residence in the Jewish state, their sources
earlier than the circumcision by saying that until
housing and feeding.
the sin of Adam all were born perfect and com-
While, in the course of time, investments may prove to plete, thus being able to take the name at birth.
be- the most important means of encouraging Israel's up- After Adam sinned, perfection was only accom-
building, the free dollars are among the most important ele- plished after the circumcision to show man that
ments in the great task of providing havens of refuge for he must perfect himself after he is born. Hence
his name is not given him until he was per-
the oppressed.
The Allied Jewish Campaign is progressing far better fected (physically) by the circumcision.

than in past years. A large percentage of the contributors
have increased their gifts and large sums are available from
contributors of former years.
THE JEWISH NEWS
By reaching those who have not yet been solicited, we
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
can assure triumph for, the drive. By covering the field we
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
can assure the flow of fred dollars.
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., W0.5-1155.
Subscription $4 a year; foreign $5.
This requires complete coverage and an unrelenting ef-
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
fort to finish the most important community job in support
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
of the United Jewish Appeal and in behalf of the local and
PHILtP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
national agencies that are included in the drive. • ,
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
Many thousands of people are yet to be solicited. These
Vol XYX—No. 10
Page 4
May 18, 1951 Must be seen at once. Those who have not been reached
should call the campaign office, at 250 West Lafayette-
WOodward 5-3939 and make their contributions without
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
delay.
This Sabbath, the thirteenth day of lyar,
Israel needs the free dollars as much as the investments.
5711, the following Scriptural selections will be
They represent objective Number One in the Four-Point-
read in our synagogues:
Program adopted last year in support of Israel. Let us make
PentateuchaZ portion—Lev. 21:1,24:23.
the flow of free dollars possible without hindrance. It is an
Prophetical portion—Ezek. 44:15-31.
important way of aiding Israel as well as our on the,spot
Lag b'Onier occurs on Thursday.
causes.

APP

"Some Are Friends" by Lewis T. Apple (Crown
Publishers, 419 4th, NY16) offers food for
thought. This new novel deals, with the theme
of intermarriage. It is the story of a pretty
Jewess and a handsome and popular non-Jew
in Chalmers City who fell in love, pledged them-
selves to one another, even had their sexual ex-
perience ; but dissolved the plan for marriage
because of religious differences. That was in.
the days of World War I.
The Jewess, Elizabeth Milner, married Sam
Berman. The non-Jew, Brian Winchester, in
turn wed Merle Rutherford. Thus ended the
first chapter in a drama that is being enacted
every day in our time because of pressures that
interfere with intermarriage. But times are
changing—and Mr. Apple's novel indicates it.
The children of these two normal marriages--
normal in the sense of their union within res-
pective folds—also fraternized, fell in love, mar-
ried. This time, in the days of World War
there were no objections.
There is nothing especially profound about
this novel, although it is well written. The
author, a retired business man who is turning
novelist, has a good style and his work reads
easily and attracts attention. But he falls short
in discussion of the Jewish attitude on inter-
marriage. Take this argument, for instances
When the Milners debate the question, the
thought is expressed: "The ban on intermar-
riage ... Just another cover-up for our inferi-
orities ... They don't want us so we don't want
them! We live ostentatiously, load ourselves
with gaudy jewels, talk loudly in defiance to an
order, unconsciously lending it strength. Then.
complain about it."
Such profundity hardly enlightens anyone on
anything. There is 'something deeper about the
entire subject that involves Jewish survival. But
our author falls short, as we have pointed out,
in his presentation of the Jewish attitudes. But
the author falls short elNwhere. When young
Davey, son of Elizabeth, gets ready to enlist in
World War II, he tells Julie, daughter of
Brian, that he -naturally does it because he
feels "a special obligation"—Hitlerian persecu-
tion of Jews, and adds: "But more as a human.
being." Somehow, the impression is left—since
the novel was written long after the Nazi men-
ace was supposed to have been defeated—that
the 6,000,000 victims of Hitler are being forgotten.
Surely, the special reason should remain upper
most: the 6,000,000 must never be forgotten.
Yet, this emphasis is necessary: that Mt.
Apple's novel does point a finger on a new con-
dition: increasing approval of intermarriage
even by those who formerly were in bitter oppo-
sition to it. The danger from intermarriage
among our youth is rising. Unfortunately, Mt,
Apple's novel gives approval to mixed marriages.
That does not justify acceptance of this damag-
ing view. "Some Are Friends" at least reminds
us of the menacing condition.

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411,44. *it.

. Why do some people tear up grass and
throw it over their shoulders after visiting the
cemetery, while some rub earth on their hands?
The grass is believed to represent the grass
that was thrown into the liquid mixture together
with the ashes of the Red Heifer which was
used to cleanse one after contact with the dead.
The same could be said of the earth which might
represent the ashes. Others consider this as a
representation of the Psalmist's contention in
the very first chapter of the psalms that "Man's
days are 'as grass." Plucking the grass would
symbolize the action of the angel of death who
plucked a life from our midst. Others see in this
ceremony a representation of the Psalmist state .
meat (Psalms 72:16) which spoke of the resur-
rection of the dead as follows: "They shall blos-
som out of the city like the grass of the earth,"
indicating that the dead shall spring to life at
the grass that grows upon the field. Plucking .
the grass is thus our symbol Of our faith in the
resurrection of the dead.

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