As the Editor
Views the News ...
Ile Who Betrays . .
The London Jewish Chronicle reprints
the following striking item from its issue of
Aug. 1, 1851 (Ab 3, 5611) :
To Further the Development of Israel
R3,- 4
?to Z r o misT
146 1 'Pe-
hi -„ s- August
co046
- a-
A Jewish officer, to curry favor with N
poleon, baptised himself. Relying on the privi-
leges he fancied he should acquire by em-
bracing the religion of the majority of the
French, he solicited a. preferment, of which he
considered himself certain. But the Emperor,
who despised all interested apostasies, admin-
istered the following rebuke: "I will give him
no promotion whatever; I have no longer con-
fidence in Iilm. He who has betrayed his God
will not hesitate to betray his country."
This story undoubtedly will interest stu-
dents of the life and attitudes of Napoleon.
But it is more especially interesting to those
who are concerned with the problem of loyal-
ties to one's people and faith, to family and
friends. Napoleon added weight to the view
that "once a betrayer always a betrayer."
Disloyalty received a jolt from the great
Bonaparte.
We Mourn 2 Losses
World Jewry has lost two great personal-
ities in the death, last week, of Rebekah
Kohut and Dr. Abraham Shalom Ezekiel
yahuda.
Mrs. Kohut was one of the very great
women of our time. She was an inspiration
to two distinguished scholars—her husband,
Dr. Alexander Kohut, and her stepson, Dr.
George Alexander Kohut. She was an inspir-
atiorito the women of America and a leader
in Jewish women's ranks.
For more than 60 years, this great wom-
an, who died at the age of 86, was in the
forefront of Jewish activities. It has been
pointed out that to her, more than to any
other woman of our time, the following,
words from Proverbs can rightfully be ap-
plied:
"Many daughters have done valiently,
But thou excellest them all"
Prof. Yahuda became internationally fa-
mous as a Biblical scholar. His fame, how-
ever, extended to other fields, especially his
repudiation of unjust claims made by anti-
Semites in dealing with problems affecting
the Jewish position in countries that were
under Spain's influence and in matters in-
volving Jewish-Arab relations.
A native of Jerusalem, one-time head of
the department of Biblical studies and Se-
mitic languages at Berlin University, holder
of a special chair in Hebrew language and
literature at Madrid University, he became
an authority on Spanish-Jewish and Arab-
Jewish questions. He lectured at Oxford and
Cambridge universities in England, the He-
brew University in Jerusalem and the Uni-
versity of Cairo, and in this country has
taught at Yale University and the New
School for Social Research.
His best known works include "The Ac-
curacy of the Bible," a translation of the
Book of Daniel from Aramaic into Bibli-
cal Hebrew, written when he was a boy of
10; a history of the Arabs before Mahomet,
published when he was 16, and scores of oth-
er important works.
Prof. Yahuda will best be known for his
powerful letters to New York and other
newspapers in defense of the Jewish position
in Israel and in -refutation of anti-Semitic
and anti-Zionist utterances by non-Jews. He
has earned great tribute from world Jewry
and his name will be written indelibly in
Jewish history in recognition of his scholar-
ship and his fighting spirit which refused to
permit libels to pass by unanswered.
Basic Cures for Anti-Semitism
Milton Steinberg's posthumously - published essays, which
have just been issued by Harcourt, Brace & Co. in a new
volume, "A Believing Jew," compiled by his widow, Edith A.
Steinberg, deserve more than a passing review. They merit
serious study in view of the frankness with which they dis-
cuss current Jewish issues, the position of the Jew in Ameri-
ca and the need for a practical approach to the issues created
by anti-Semitism.
The eminent scholar, who was called by death 17 months
ago at the early age of 46, in his discussion of Judaism on
the American scene, expressed sorrow over the fact that
our people have become "deficient in indignation" in matters
involving our people's dignity. He ascribed as the reason for
such a condition that Jews "lack as Jews a sense of worth,"
that "too many of us Jews have no God and no Torah, no
Jewish knowledge and no Jewish practices—only the penal-
ties of being Jews."
His essays must be read in their totality for an under-
standing of this viewpoint. It is important, however, to in-
dicate, even in their brevity, his conclusion, in which he as-
serts:
"We never enjoy Judaism—we only suffer for it and even
that not only heroically. The Jew who knows Judaism has his
head and heart too full of positive healthful values ever to be
invaded by self-contempt. But the Jew who is a hollow shell,
a Jewish Zero, a Hebraic cipher, a vacuum, is flooded inevitably
with hostile notions about Jews. The anti-Semite convinces
him. He comes to doubt his work and to despise Judaism, Jews
and even himself."
Dr. Steinberg offered a program of action against anti-
Semitism. But what concerned him mainly is that Jews
should utilize the advantages derived from a knowledge of
Judaism which gives them "a high, clear religious faith."
"It can supply them with a system of ethical values, per-
sonal and social, idealistic and practical at the same time. It
can grace their lives with poetic observances and with the
treasures of an ancient tradition. It can make them nobler,
stronger, better human beings and more valuable citizens."
"This," he stated, "is the last and climactic contribution of
a living Judaism to the Jew—it delivers him from being a
worm; it guarantees that he will be a man."
In his indignation over the loss of the Jewish virtue of
indignation, Dr. Steinberg proposed seven measures as cures
for anti-Semitism: 1. A sustained campaign of education
against all forms of group prejudices; 2. the encouragement
of friendship and cooperation between Jews and non-Jews;
3. preservation of political democracy; 4. economic justice
for all; 5. establishment of Fair Employment and Fair Social
Practice codes; 6. promulgation of legislation "which, while
protecting legitimate freedom of _expression, would make it
a crime to incite hatred against a group because of race,
creed, or color; 7. development of increased co-ordination
among Jewish civic defense agencies.
Rabbi Steinberg, whom many of us considered-"the fore-
most Rabbinic figure of his generation"—a tribute paid to
him by Maurice Samuel who assisted Mrs. Steinberg in
THE JEWISH NEWS
editing and rearranging the essays in "A Believing Jew"—
believed that this program provides the answer to our prob-
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
lems. "But in the meantime," he declared, "let us be sure of
commencing with issue of July 20,1951
one thing. Whenever anti-Semitism raises its head and we are
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
certain it is the real thing, after every device of reason and
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
persuasion has been tried and has failed, then let us hit it as
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., W0.5-1155.
Subscription $4 a year; foreign $5.
hard as we can. Let us, as lawyers say, throw the book at it
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
in every way permitted by the Constitution, the Ten Com-
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
mandments, and the Marquis of Queensberry."
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
These are more observations. They form a credo for
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
action by American Jews. The advice was given by a man
FRANK SIMONS, City Editor
who was thoroughly imbued with American and Jewish
August 24, 1951 spiritual values—by a teacher who, admitting that the tactics
Vol. XIX—No. 24
Page 4
he proposes "may not stop the anti-Semite," nevertheless is
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
willing to wager that "it will exert a salutary influence on
This Sabbath, the twenty-third day of Ab, him too—it will in any case be very good for American de-
5711, the following selections will be read in our mocracy and very good for our self-respect."
synagogues:
"A Believing Jew" is at one and the same time a great
Pentateuchal portion—beut. 7:12-11:25.
tribute to a noted scholar and a splendid lesson in democratic
Prophetical portion—Is. 49:14-51:3.
Jewish living for American Jewry.
McDonald's Mission in Israel
Book Tens How Truman
Differs with State Dept.
Dr. James G. McDonald, the first U. S. Am-
bassador to Israel, is confident that the Jewish
state's future is substantially assured. He says
so emphatically in his book "My Mission in Is-
rael" (Simon-Schuster) the closing words of
which are: "The future of Israel as a spiritual
force is not without danger but it is pregnant
with splendid hope. After two and one half re-
warding years, I close this account of my
Mission, confident that
Israel will triumphantly
vindicate the faith of its
builders!
The entire story of
his stay in Israel, the
dark and the pleasant
days, the periods during
which there were con-
flicts between Jewish
leaders and the State
Department, is replete
with action and is
marked by a- deep-root-
ed interest in the coun-
try's upbuilding. Dr. McDonald
Of special importance, however, is the tension
that was created at the outset by the attitude of
the State Department. It is the first problem
touched upon by the noted friend of Israel and
it is referred to time and again throughout his
book.
It is clear from Dr. McDonald's story that
President Truman often acted "against his
experts' advice." The State Department want-
ed to reduce the American office in Israel into
a small Mission. Nevertheless, it grew into an
Embassy.
Given "inadequate briefing," Dr. McDonald
never was given a chance to learn what the State
Department's attitude towards Israel actually
was. From the story of his Mission we learn who
were the good friends of Israel and who were
the hesitant or the obstructive. Later in the
volume, in his report on the regional conference
of the U. S. Chiefs of MisSions at Istanbul, some
old fears are confirmed, fears about enemies
in Arab countries who conspired against Israel.
In the course of his report, Dr. McDonald
refers to the anti-Zionism of U. S. Ambassador to
Turkey George Wadsworth and states that "in
comparison to Wadsworth the Mufti is a Zion-
ist." But at the conference Wadsworth gave no
intimation of his traditional anti-Zionist attitude.
However, William C. Burdett, Jr., Acting Consul
General in Jerusalem, is exposed in a rather un-
favorable light. Dr. McDonald includes the fol-
lowing in his report on the Istanbul conference:
"We canvassed a great number of issues,
coming back again and again, in the discussion
of Israel and its neighbors, to the familiar
headaches: territory, refugees and Jerusalem.
And of course, as was inevitable, someone
suggested sanctions. In this case, it was Bur-
dett, who asked why United Jewish Appeal
contributions could not be stopped. Someone
pointed out that such an attempt would -be
illegal; and Burdett's venture in the higher
Realpolitik came to an early end."
This book leaves the reader without doubt
that the late British Foreign Secretary Ernest
Bevin was an anti-Semite. Dr. McDonald refers
to his "arrogant distortions." Bevin emerges as
one of the ugliest characters in view of his vile
and passionate hatred for Israel and Jewry. In
fact, Dr. McDonald compares him to Hitler and
Mussolini.
"My Mission in Israel" will serve, in many re-
spects, as an important reference work for ali
who desire to know the attitude of governments
towards the Jewish state. The noted scholar-
statesman will be quoted in his references to
David Ben-Gurion and other Israeli leaders. The
chapter on the Israel Premier will draw special
attention. He speaks of B-G as "one of the few
great statesmen of our day." The intimate stories
about the Jewish leader will aid to the interest
of the book. It is a story well worth reading. -
New Novel Describes
Refugees' Adjustment
"Room for a Son," a novel by Robert D. Abra-
hams, is the latest book of the Jewish Publica-
tion Society of America, (222 N. 15th, Philadel-
phia 2). It is the story of a refugee boy who
was brought to this country by a Pennsylvania
couple whose only son was killed in the U.S.
army's battle against the Nazis.
Aaron Levy, the young boy, is a namesake
of the foster father. He comes to America with
suspicions. Abrahams' story leads him through
the adjustment periods into an acceptance of
the American way of life.
While the younger Aaron's early experienceS
interestingly view the integration of a new-
comer into this land and his acceptance by non-
Jews as well as Jews, the wholesome attitudes
of the foster parents, who were crushed by the
death of their own son, forms an important
part of the story. Their gifts to the community,
their willingness to cooperate in building a bet-
ter society, win for them the respect of their
neighbors.
The fairy tale about a mysterious trunk
which arrives prior to Aaron's coming and is
taken away unopened when he finally fits into
his new environment is not very convincing.
But the dreams about the Levy's hero son who
offers advice to the refugee fit in well into the
story.
"Room for a Son" is a worthy addition to
fiction literature about refugees.