As the Editor
Views the News

Hanukah

The keynote of the Festival of Lights
is to be found in the Haftarah reading for
Sabbath Hanukah, in Zechariah 4:6: "Not
by might nor by power, but by My spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts."
Although the festival's foundation is in
the military victories of the Maccabees, it is
the spirit of the Jews of that day that made
possible the triumph of the fighters for re-
ligious liberty, for the right of the Jewish
people to self-expression.
The iVfaccabaeans rebelled against dic-
tatorship. They also acted in defense of the
spiritual values which distinguished Jewry
in a world that was dominated by Greek
Paganism.
Our observance of Hanukah calls for re-
dedication to Jewish ideals, for reaffirmation
of faith in the ideals which inspired victory
over godlessness.
It is natural, therefore, that this month
should have been selected by American Jew-

A Happy Hanukah

7

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History of the Confederacy

The Stellar. Role of
Judah Philip Benjamin

Lamont Buchanan is compiler of the re-
markable set of photographs and author of the

very interesting text, "A Pictorial History of
the Confederacy," published by Crown (419 4th,
NY16). A valuable contribution to American his-
tory and folklore, this volume tells the dramatiO
story of the attempt by the Southern States to
dissolve the Union, the battles that raged during
the Civil War, the personalities who figured in
the struggle.
Among the noteworthy leaders of the Con-
federacy was the Jewish Cabinet member who is
described as follows:
"First, Attorney General, then Secretary of
War, finally as Secretary of State on to the end
of the war, Judah Philip Benjamin of Louisiana
was sometimes referred to even by those who
were not overly fond of him as the 'brains' of
the government. His talents lay largely unused
in the Attorney General's office, but Benjamin,
was content to bide his time while other more
impatient men were scrambling for political
power and thus, figuratively, losing their heads
in the scuffle with those as ambitious. Both an
ry for observance of Jewish Book Month.
immensely able lawyer and an adroit politician,
It is just as natural that our educational
Benjamin was wealthy and had made his wealth
agencies should utilize the Hanukah week
by virtue of the system the South represented.
as an occasion for presenting the needs of
He had no reason to question slavery or the
our schools to the community.
right of the Southern states to secede, though
he considered that a last resort. It has been
Properly to interpret Hanukah, the Fes- .
suspected that Benjamin always realized the
tival of Freedom and Enlightenment and
An unnecessary controversy has been created over a limitations beyond which fervor and devotion
Spiritual Advancement, The Jewish News
statement
in the Israel Knesset by the young state's Prime could carry a cause so handicapped in material
dedicates this issue to the educational agen-
resources. Regardless of his private thoughts,
cies in our midst. May their work expand Minister David Ben-Gurion who, actually, _merely repeated Judah Benjamin served well and loyally in all
an
earlier
sentiment—that
American
men
with
know-how
so that the Maccabaean spirit may continue
posts. Between Davis and him there was a
have failed to assist in Israel's upbuilding. There is nothing his
to triumph.
bond of affection stemming from the time when,
in Mr. Ben-Gurion's statement to indicate that he and his
members of the U. S. Senate, an unimpor-
associates are anxious for a mass movement of Jews out of as
tant argument between them almost led to a
the United States into Israel. But sensational radio news duel."
There is encouraging news regarding the broadcasters and columnists have selected a couple of sent-
The text and the hundreds of illustrations ill
issue that has arisen over the possibility ences from a very practical statement for expression of "A Pictorial History of the Confederacy" will hold
the reader glued to the pages of this book
that "The Desert Fox," which glorifies Gen- amazement. They picked on the following:
American Zionists, Mr. Ben-Gurion said, "went bank- which we recommend highly.
eral Rommel, may be shown in Germany.

Current Challenges to Zionism

The 'Fox' and Germany

rupt since the establishment of the Jewish state. There
Zachariah Schuster, direct or of the
were not five leaders who got up to go to Israel after the
American Jewish Committee's European of-
'Cream of Year's Crop'
state was established. I don't maintain they would have
fice in Paris, reports that the producers of
been followed by masses, but they would have proved that
this controversial film have agreed not to
Zionism was not void of meaning at least in the eyes of the
show the film in Germany for "some time to
leaders."
come." Mr. Schuster, who learned of the
agreement from German and American of-
Mr. Ben-Gurion never was the type of Zionist who said
ficials in Germany, quotes them as stating that Zionism is a movement whose leaders tell the other fel-
that they feel strongly that exhibition of the low to give money so that a third fellow may go to Israel.
From the press of Henry Holt & Co. (257 4th
film in Germany at this time is not pro- Therefore he spoke consistently. And he did not speak un- ' Ave., NYIO) comes a volume of incomparable
pitious, in view of the picture's glorification reasonably. He has been asking for Jewish technicians to merit—"The Best Humor Annual," edited by
of a Nazi general. It will be recalled that come to Israel to assist in the state's upbuilding. We see noth- Louis Untermeyer and Ralph E. Shikes. It is
the U.S. State Deparement, although avow- ing irrational in it. Americans of all persuasions have helped exactly what the jacket describes it to be: "The
the year's crop of humor and satire—
ing disproval of the showing of a film in Ger- many lands attain higher standards. The Kahns were not cream of from
magazines, books, and newspapers
many, claimed that it was not in a position questioned when they went to Russia on an industrial mis- selected
and arranged for perfect reading enjoyment."
to prevent it.
sion. Herbert Hoover did not lose his countrymen's respect
The works of 47 authors are included in this
Thus, the first step has been taken in because he spent most of his adult life, before becoming volume. Repeating a definition in the foreword
the direction of averting further complica- President, in engineering tasks abroad. American students to the first volume in the series, the co-editors
tions in the event of the showing of "The are not abused for studying in European colleges. What's state: "Humor is something which leaves you
feeling lighter in spirit, a little less harassed
Desert Fox" in Germany. Perhaps the film wrong with Jews helping a Jewish state?
can be scrapped altogether. Anything glori-
Bewildered newsmen have made much of this statement and a little more eager to face the difficult
fying a uniformed Nazi indirectly also ap- by Mr. Ben-Gurion: "I am sure they (teachers, nurses, en- problems of the day. It may be uproarious and
proves Nazism itself and the murder bt gineers, chemists and other technicians from America) will side-splitting; or it may be sly and subtle; or it
may be the geniality that gives you nothing more
Nazis of 6,000,000 Jews and millions more come. There are economic factors to induce them. A Jewish hilarious
than a warm glow. That, we insist is
of Catholics and Protestants.
engineer in America will not easily obtain employment in a inclusive enough. It is also good enough for us."
non-Jewish firm and there are not enough Jewish firms to They add that this "it still is" and maintain that
absorb all intellectuals."
"in a world of exposed nerve-ends" humor still
serves as "a necessary relief." Their collection
Mr.
Ben-Gurion
is
not
totally
uninformed.
True,
he
A JTA report from Washington states
proves it.
that the Fair Employment Board of the speaks only out of his knowledge of events in this country of stories
A typical example is "So Take Your Diamonds
prior
to
World
War
II.
Jews
in
the
categories
he
mentions
U. S. Civil Service Commission has ordered
With You" from Ethel Rosenberg's "Uncle Julius
every Federal agency to report on what it can easily be placed now. But it remains difficult for Jewish and the Angel with Heartburn", a volume that
is doing to give minority groups fair treat- chemists and engineers to secure the jobs they are best fitted was reviewed here when it first appeared. It is
ment in training programs and promotion for, and in some measure, Mr. Ben-Gurion ir right. And for wholesome fun. S. J. Perelman's "Low Bridge—
opportunities. The JTA correspondent points being right a person is not punished. Nor should truth create Everybody Down," from "Swiss Family Perel-
out that this survey marks the first *infra- amazement. But it did—and the amazement of the non-Jews man" is additional evidence of the volume's
worth.
governmental check-up since July, 1949, in- created panic among some Jews.
Samuel Grafton, John Wallach, James Thur-
Why
the
panic?
Because
even
at
this
late
hour,
when
dicating that agencies have been asked to
ber, Philip Hamburger, and other writers of
report on efforts to achieve non-discrimina- the Israel situation should be well known and fully under- good humorous stories are among the more
tory practices in the recruiting, training and stood, too many Jews are totally uninformed about existing - than two score other authors' selections from
conditions. At no time has Israel, through David Ben-Gurion
appointment of new employees.
works help make "The Best Humor An-
anyone else, asked for mass migration of Jews from this whose
nual" a noteworthy volume.
Added to President Truman's recent or- or
der banning discrimination against minori- country. The new state asks for know-how, and that we are
ties in the hiring of employees by firms car- obligated to provide the struggling new land.
Facts You Should Know:
rying out government contracts, this is an-
Is it true that it is customary among some
The Jewish community, the Zionist organization, our ed-
other step in the direction of achieving a
ucational media, have an important task to perform: to pre- Jewish sects to pour wine on the floor after the
fair employment practices code.
sent the facts as they are, to enlighten our people in order wedding ceremony? If so, why is this done?
a custom is mentioned in a few sources.
that panic should be avoided, and to assure avoidance of mis- The Such
famous
considered this an omen
representation in non-Jewish ranks. The Council for Judaism of plenty. A "Tashbatz"
THE JEWISH NEWS
source for this custom is traced to
has
found
a
new
excuse
for
action
in
the
Ben-Gurion
state-
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
the Talmudic statement which claims "He who
ment and a new debate has commenced.
does not have wine spilling in his house like
commencing with issue of July 20,1951
Because the needs for enlightenment exists, the Zionist water is not included in benedictions" (Talmud
Member: American Association of English-Jewish . News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
movement retains an important place in American Jewish Babli, Tractate Erubin 68). It is well known
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publisning
Co. ':98-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., W0.5-1155.
life. But Zionist leaders are unrealistic when they seek solu- that many symbols used at weddings are used
Subscription $4 a year; foreign $5.
as omens of plenty. Thus, such fruitful grains
tion not through education but by attacking Ben-Gurion.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
as wheat, and rice are customarily thrown at the
bride and groom. This is also the reason for the
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
In
Detroit,
next
week-end,
the
Zionist
Organization
will
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
trend of throwing confetti which might
dedicate its new home on Linwood and Lawrence. Would that modern
FRANK SIMONS, City Editor
be taken as a symbol for grains of plenty.
such a building had been made available years ago, in order
The Talmud mentions that wine was run
Vol. XX—No. 15
Page 4
December 21, 1951 to gather within it Zionist discussion groups, educational pro-
through pipes before the bride and groom and
jects
and youth movements. It is better late than never. In that nuts and sweets were thrown at their feet.
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twenty-third clay of Kis- the new building, Zionists should stimulate interest in the Some sources claim that pouring the wine
lev, 5712, the following Scriptural selections will movement's objectives. They should expand youth activities. stemmed from a time when the wedding bene-
They should send forth factual information to the community dictions were made over glass goblets and that
be read in our synagogues:
at large for the advancement of American Jewish educational the residue of the wine was poured on the floor
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 37:1-40:12.
needs as well as those affecting Israel, in order that truth and the very glass of benediction broken in the
Prophetical portion—Amos 2:6-3:8.
customary conclusion to the ceremony. Today,
should prevail about vital Jewish issues, and so that state- when
Hanukah Scriptural selections: Monday, Nunn.
metal goblets are used, a glass is broken;
7:1-17; Tuesday, NUM. 7:18-29; Wednesday, ments like Ben-Gurion's should not be cause for p nic.
but among some sects the wine is still poured as
ZOD's
Zionist
House
has
an
important
function
to
per-
Num. 7:24-35; Thursday, Num. 7:30-41; Friday,
a token of plenty and achieving the Lord's bless-
form in our community. We wish its leaders well in their ing of "My cup runneth over" (Psalm 23), as
Num. 7 :36-47.
Licht Benshen, Friday, Dec., 21, 4:43 p.m.
search for fulfillment of their ideals.
it was expressed by King David.

Untermeyer, Shikes Edit

The Best Humor Annual'

Fair Practices

a