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As the Editor
Views the News ...
'We Offer Our Hand in Good Faith'
Folklore of the Bible
Compiled by Jos. Gaer
Summons of Our Schools
The ringing school bells this week sum-
moned to classrooms and desks not only the
public school pupils but also the boys and girls
whose parents are sending them to Jewish
schools for acquisition of knowledge about
their people's history and literature and the
language of the Bible.
There is a vast difference, of course, be-
tween the two summonses. In the • instance
of our public schools, studies are compulsory.
Enrollment in Jewish schools is voluntary
and is predicated upon deep interest in and
devotion to Jewish traditions.
JewiSh education, unfortunately, has be-
come not a major necessity recognized as a
MUST in every Jewish home but a problem.
It has become increasingly more difficult to
secure consideration of priority for Jewish
educational efforts. Instead of recognizing
the importance of sending all children—girls
as well as boys—to our schools for the at-
tainment of Jewish knowledge, the parents*
have to be propagandized. It has become in-
creasingly more urgent to inspire
i
parents,
as part of the aim for dignified Jewish sur-
vival, to send their children to our communi-
ty schools.
Admittedly, there is no cause for panic.
Our schools, in the main, are functioning
well. While, , in many instances, _ our young-
sters' knowledge about their people and their
history is limited to the minimal training
acquired in Sunday Schools, there are many
who attend community schools either four
or five days a week, thus attaining a know-
ledge of Hebrew in addition to other subjects.
We would be blind to reality, however, if
we did not emphasize one point: that only
about 20 per cent of our children acquire
any kind of Jewish education; that most of
them end up with only a smattering of Jew-
ish knowledge. -
It is the obligation of the community to
plan for the edueation of ALL the children,
but it is impossible to force the youngsters
to cro to schools or to force the par-
6 to send them there. The problem there-
ents
fore remains a unique one: that of securing
voluntary interest in the cause of Jewish
'education. In times of stress, the problem is
less acute. In days of economic and political
progress such as is enjoyed by American
Jewry, the issue is serious because of the
declining interest in Jewish matters. Our
hope is that a healthy interest will be inspir-
ed in Jewish educational and cultural mat-'
ters among the prospering Jews of America
—for the sake of dignified survival of our
traditions and a wholesome contribution to
American ideals through the ideals we seek
to perpetuate.
Israel Bond Parley
On Sept. 20, national leaders will convene
in Washington for four days to plan expan-
sion of the Israel bond drive.
In Israel's best interests, it is of the ut-
most importance that from this conference
should emanate a program of action to as-
sure triumph for the bond drive.
While a good beginning has been made
in the bond sales, it must be considered only
a beginning. Unless the entire amount of
$500,000,000 of Israel bonds'is subscribed to,
there will, be added burdens which will
shackle Israel for Many years to come. Ab:
sorption of the entire bond issue will ease
these difficulties.
Old Testament Legends
Praise for American Jewry
From one of the most important newspapers in the
world—the London Times—comes significant praise for the
part American Jewry has played in the establishment of
Israel. The London Times editorial says:
"In making the new State of Israel possible, American
Jewry played the lead among the communities of the Dias-
pora; its spokesmen in a very real sense were the 'govern-
ment-in-exile' of the Jewish nation; and it looks now for
special recognition in Israel. The debt is large: The Jews of
America had a striking success in winning support from
Washington. Their tireless energy brought to birth the
United Nations resolution Commencing the Jewish State in
Palestine. Their political pressure secured the instant recog-
nition of Israel by the Government of the United States. They
gave financial and material support to Israel's struggle
against the Arabs; they mobilized world opinion so deftly
that even now the cause of the Arabs finds few supporters
among the Western peoples."
It was not so very long ago that American Jews were
taken to task for "playing politics," for using the influence of •
the United States in behalf of the struggling community in
the Holy Land which sought to save the lives of hundreds of
thousands of their oppressed and impoverished kinsmen.
Now comes this hearty acclaim of our efforts. Once again,
we have an occasion to make the shehecheyanu,—to praise
the Almighty for having made it possible for our generation
to witness the fulfillment of prophecy and *the enactment
of miracles. •
"Nothing travels faster and further than the
folk• tale," Joseph Gaer shows in his introduc-
tion to "The Lore of the Old Testament," his new
book which has just been issued by Little, Brown
and Co. (34 Beacon, Boston 6).
His introductory essay, "The Bible in Folk
Imagination," is a splendid evaluation of Bibli-
cal folklore, its sources,. the method of inter-
pretation, the values attached to Biblical tales
by the Cabbalists and the Chassidic attitude.
Chassidism's retreat' into a "fortress and
refuge, the Old Testament," is described as hav-
ing "either created new legends about those won?
derful Biblical times, or gave existing legends a --
new and joyful twist."
The legends, in this volume will fascinate the
reader. They will enlighten laymen, teachers and
rabbis. They will serve as new guides to the
Old Testament stories.
There are legends about the Fathers and
Teachers in Israel, the Prophets and the Kings,
_the Ten Lost Tribes, the Walls of Jerusalem, etc.
The notes, reading lists and basic sources add
to the merit of the eminent author's work.
A valuable chapter in "The Lore of the Old
Testament" gives interesting descriptions of the
Prophets.
Research on "The Lore of the Old- Testament"
involved the careful tracking down of 5,000 leg-
ends, allegories, fables and parables from the
literatures of several civilizations. This vast col-
lection has been distilled into the 300 which
best interpret and augment the Old Testament
itself. Mr. Gaer is now engaged in a similar
task for the New Testament and the Apocrypha.
The finished _work—the first such in English—is
expected to be a monumental contribution to the
world's religious literature.
Mr. Geer's first published work was a novel
which appeared in 1926. Since then, he has
published many books, most of them non-fiction,
ranging in subject matter from a history of
Jewish legends and folklore to works on popular
meteorology and farm security.
Mr. Gaer, born in Bessarabia, arrived in this
part of the world at 15, attended school in Win-
nipeg, studied at the Universities of Minnesota
and Southern California and later taught Eng-
lish literature at the University of California ex-
tention courses. In 1923 he married Fay Ratner,
London-born sculptor and painter. They have
two children. Their daughter, Gay, who was
graduated from Radcliffe in June, has had two
of her short stories published in the Atlantic
Monthly.
'Show Business l s No Business'
'
Hirschfeld's Mighty Witty Book
Give the week's bouquet to Al Hirschfeld, the
bearded artist, for his sharp-witted, penetrating-
ly-illustrated book, "Show Business Is No Busi-
ness," and to his publishers, Simon and Schuster.
Writer-illustrator and publisherS share glory for
a truly-entertaining, at the same time informa-
tive, volume.
Russell Crouse, in his introduction, states: "If
had read 'Show Business Is No Business' before
I plunged like a mad thing into the theater back
The instability which exists in the handling of world in the Polk administration, I probably would
affairs by the powers which comprise the United Nations have taken up covered-wagon repair work and
has become apparent again in the matter involving the Egyp- would today be a happy mechanic instead of
tians' refusal to abide by the UN Security Council's request neurology's pet."
Yet, Average Reader will thrill at the con-
that the blockade against Israel, at the Suez Canal, should
tents of Hirschfeld's hilahous story. Is his wit
be lifted.
"razor sharp" because he wrote the book "sitting
Enlistment of the aid of all Arab states in support of in
a barber chair?" The reader must judge for
her stand merely emphasizes Egypt's attempt to defy world himself. While judging, he will learn a lot about
public opinion. The Suez blockade happens to affect the producers, playwrights, directors, agents, design-
struggle for peace and the western powers' battle against ers, rehearsals, angel auditions, New York and
communism. Egypt's restrictions jeopardize the flow of oil out-of-town openings.
There is a special thrill in the section of
supplies needed by General Eisenhower for Europe's defense.
Although Russian delegate Tsarapkin's threat of a Russian drawings, one of which portrays the "dance of
veto of the resolution for the lifting of the blockade did not the beggars" of Habimah Theater of Israel, with
Rovina.
materialize, it is clear that the Arabs, while uttering lip Hanna
You'll laugh and laugh—and read on—and
service against communism, secretly but perhaps to the you'll emerge better informed about the theater
Soviets' knowledge covet Stalin's aid against Israel and after reading "Show Business Is No Business." In
the UN.
fact, you may even be convinced that it is a.
Proof of the extent of the danger of Egyptian obstruc- mighty important business after all.
Arab-Created UN Crisis
tionism to peaceful economic relations in the Suez area was
provided last week in a special report from London to the
Journal of Commerce dealing with the closing of the Abadan
refinery in Persia. The report stated:
"Shipping authorities point out that obtaining oil from
THE JEWISH NEWS
unusual and uneconomic sources is almost certain to increase
the cost of ship operation. Long hauls are certain to bring
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
about a rise in tanker charter rates. It is pointed out that if
commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Egyptian intransigence had not prevented the capacity op-
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
eration of the refinery at Tel Aviv in Israel, much of the
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
derangement which is now inevitable could have been
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Rich., W0.5-1135.
Subscription $4 a year; foreign $5.
avoided."
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
• The serious question now troubling the world is whether
it will be possible for the UN to overcome the instability
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
which disrupts attempt to enforce justice in matters akin
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
to the Suez Canal issue. For the western powers it is a vital
— FRANK SIMONS, City Editor
issue involving a problem of defense; for Israel it is a costly
September 7, 1951 matter of survival, the blockade having interfered with the
Vol. XIX—No. 26
Page 4
Jewish state's economic development.
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
Egypt's defiance of the UN spells trouble. The Egyptian
This Sabbath, the seventh day of Elul, 5711, UN delegates, in the course of the debate at the sessions of
the Security Council, insisted on speaking in terms of "war,"
the following selections will be read in our contrary to the attempts of the Israelis to welcome peace.
synagogues:
If Egypt should persist on such' a course, the Middle East
will remain a powder keg constantly threatened with explo-
Pentateuchal portion—Dent. 16:18-21:9.
sion and Israel will be compelled to be on the defensive, un-
,Prophetical portion—Is. 51:12-52:12.
interruptedly building a war machine.
Facts You Should Know . .
What is the Jewish Population of Canada?
It is estimated that there now are approxi-
mately 180,000 Jews in Canada. Montreal's Jew-
ish population exceeds 65,000; Toronto's is ap-
proximately' 60,000 and Winnipeg's 18,000.
*
*
*
What is the "Hernt" party in Israel?
"Herut" is the extreme nationalist political
party in Israel. It is an outgrowth of the original
dissident group, "Irgun Zvai Leumi," and the
Revisionist Party. The term "Herut" means
"freedom."
*
*
*
What is the meaning of the name "Petaek.
Tikvah?"
"Petach Tikvah" is a combination of twe
terms: Petach meaning the -"opening" or the
"door" and "Tikvah" meaning hope. Since
"Petach Tikvah" was the first Jewish settlement
in Israel, it was properly named the "door to
hope." It was. originally founded iii 1878 and
then abandoned to be re-established in 1882. It
was originally a tiny settlement on a malaria
infested swampland. It is now a flourishing town
of over 30,000 people. Its inhabitants engage in a
combination of vocations including mixed agri-
culture, citriculture and both heavy and light
industry.