As the Editor.
Views the News.
There Must Be No Stalling
'World Over Story Book'
Illustrated Anthology
For Our Jewish Youth
Vote on March
It is not enough to criticize and to com-
plain about community functions. Unless.
the members of the Jewish Welfare Federa-
tion show a willingness to take .part in all
its functions and to share in the selection of
members of the board of governors, they
lose the right to be sulky.
The Federation's annual meeting will be
held on March 4 at Temple Beth El.
Nine members - at - large will be chosen
at that time to serve on the Fed e r a-
tion's board of governors. The list of can-
didates includes those chosen by the nom-
inating committee as well as an additional
list placed on the ballot by petitioners. The
democratic process makes it possible for the
Majority to select the preferred candidates.
It is urgent, therefore, that all eligible voters
—and every contributor to th-e Allied Jew-
ish Campaign has a right to cast his ballot—
should make use of their privileges as mem-
bers of our community.
It stands to reason that participation in
our communal affairs is not limited to voting
alone. It demands that we should show a
keen interest in the functions of our com-
munal agencies, in our efforts to support
the settlement of large numbers of home-
less Jews in Israel and to aid unfortunate
Jews in lands of oppression. When we speak
of Federation we also have in mind its fund-
raising effort—the Allied Jewish Campaign.
But on Tuesday we also will be given an
opportunity to act rationally and reasonably
on major issues which have arisen as a re-
sult of . the rift that has been in evidence
for several years between Federation and
the Community Council. Either the rifts are
eliminated from our midst or we shall suf-
fer for years to come from issues which
should not exist in a community that is
faced with so much responsibility in behalf
of local and world Jewries. Our major obli-
gation, therefore, at Tuesday's meeting, will
be to assure that this community is kept in-
tact and that any attempt to disrupt it
should be avoided.
Technicians for Israel
As an aftermath to Israel Prime Minister
David Ben-Gurion's pronouncement of new
currency and investment regulations comes
the warning from the Jewish Agency that
the course of Israel's development may be
affected by results of attempts to obtain
the participation of American technical and
professional personnel.
The Agency's • statement points to the
urgent need for skilled workers and indi-
cates that such a need parallels the urgency
of the financial assistance given Israel and
the foreign investments. In its analysis of
the need for technicians, the Agency states:
"Israel's greatest need now is for teachers
and medical personnel. This has been dram-
atically brought home by the fact that there
are only 458 teachers and 181 doctors among
the 174,706 immigrants who entered Israel in
the calendar year 1951. Israel also needs en-
gineers, architects and social workers. Indeed,
there is hardly a profession, for which Israel
does not offer vocational opportunitieS."
This is an urgent cry for help which
should receive a positive response from
American Jewry. But the call must be im-
plemented with practical suggestions. It has
been indicated, for instance, that there is a
shortage of housing which makes it difficult
for the Jewish state to welcome engineers,
medical men and scientists. A call of the
type just made by the Agency requires,
therefore, clear-cut advice to those desiring
to help Israel whether they would . be able
immediately to offer their assistance, with
assurances that homes - would be provided
for. Mere warnings are insufficient. They
must be backed up with definite information
for those who are prepared to lend their
skills to Israel.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 5-1155.
Subscription $4 a year; foreign $5.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
FRANK SIMONS, City Editor
Those who are acquainted with the splendid
children's bi-weekly magazine, World Over, know
in advance that material selected from this
periodical is certain to provide a thrill for young
readers. Therefore the omnibus book, ''The
World Over Story Book: An Illustrated An-
thology for Jewish Youth," carries with it a
great recommendation.
Culled from World Over, the stories incor-
porated in this volume—a Bloch publication—
were edited by Morton Belth. There are ap- •
proximately 130 stories in the book, and the
biographical sketches, the poems and fables, the
historical narratives, will fascinate the young
reader with their charm.
The world's ablest Jewish writers are included
in this collection. The more than 540 pages of
gems assure continuous reading and re-reading
for all young people in every Jewish family, and
many a parent will rejoice at the opportunity,
through -this volume, to be provided with the
proper literature for his children.
Interestingly illustrated, the volume is a gem
in its totality. It is a must for those who seek
the proper reading material for their sons and
daughters.
Hebrew Alphabet in
`Art for an old Religion
Good Beginning for Campaign
Initial contributions to•the Allied Jewish Campaign, an-
nounced at the United Jewish Appeal conference in Miami
Beach Sunday, represent an excellent beginning for the drive
which may be considered as having commenced with the
$876,000 gifts raised from a comparatively small group of
Detroiters.
While the first step in the direction of raising the 1952
goal is a heartening one, it should not be treated with over-
confidence.. To meet all obligations and to assure an alloca-
tion in excess of last year's drive for Israel, Detroit Jewry is
asked to give $5,200,000._ To raise this sum, last year's
contributors will have to give 10 per cent more than in
1951, when a total of $4,700,000 was raised. Anticipating
many increases, there is nevertheless only one way of as-
suring plus successes in solicitations: total coverage of • the
field by reaching the thousands who have not made any
contributions in paSt years and from whom it should be pos-
sible to secure gifts in large sums.
The basic need in the drive is as much for plus workers
as for plus giving. Only a large army of devoted workers
will be able to assure the success we are striving for. Given
the extra workers, we can be certain of gifts.
Our first move, therefore, is in the direction of enrol-
ing thousands of-workers: That must be done at once. From
that point on we must work together to reach _every person
Who can give to 'this great campaign. It is the major assur-
ance of A . flow of free dollars for the support of the new-
comers to Israel. It is our only means of guaranteeing sus-
tenance for the scores of local, national and overseas causes
supported by the Allied Jewish Campaign.
Conflicts Over Reparations
Bitter controversy has arisen over the impending re-
parations talks with Germany which are scheduled to open
somewhere in Europe in mid-March. While the overwhelm-
ing majority of Jewish organizations, speaking for more
than 90 per cent of world Jewry, have consented to the
talks. there still is a vociferant minority which is making it-
self heard in protest against any dealings with the land
which has produced Nazism and the murderers of 6,000,000
Jews.
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the Conference on
Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, has made it clear
that the negotiations in no sense mean a vindication of Ger-
many; that all talks will be limited to securing the just in-
demnifications for the horrible crimes; that the intention is
to prevent the murderers from also holding onto the loot.
A hard road lies ahead in the task to secure the indem-
nifications. There will be difficulties on many fronts. Some
Jews are protesting against the negotiations, and in Germany
voices already are heard against payments. Aachener Na-
chrichten of Dusseldorf last week challenged the right of
Israel to claim reparations, pointing out that the Jewish
state was non-existent during World War II and therefore
was not at war with Hitler. But while this paper asked
whether Israel has been commissioned by world Jewry to
demand a billion dollars in reparations, it added that in the
eyes of the Jews "Germany will never lose the stigma of
unforgiveable crimes and is 'doomed to remain the eternal
debtor of Jewry."
As long as there are Germans who admit guilt and
express sorrow over the Hitler-made tragedies, there is a
chance that the reparations sought for the survivors from
Nazism will be secured. But, as the Dusseldorf paper an-
ticipates, the stigma of the crimes will be in evidence for
centuries to come.
Welcome, Welfare Minister Lewin
A. Raymond Katz, eminent artist whose works
are well known to Detroiters who have seen
them on exhibit at the Jewish Center here,
again is in the forefront of interest with his re-
vised "A New Art for an Old Religion," publish-
ed by Russell F. Moore Co. (475 5th, N. Y. 1w).
The new edition's 27 original motifs, its 15 added
reproductions, the introduction by C. J. Bulliet,.
art critic of the Chicago Daily News and the
explanatory notes on the Hebrew alphabet by
Prof. Shlomo Marenof of Brandeis University
combine to make this an outstanding book.
It is an art work on the alphabet. Each of the
Hebrew letters is illustrated to show the author's
interpretation. It is a pioneering. work which un-
doubtedly will inspire all who read it and study
it. It is a sythbol of love.- for an idea and is
mixed with spiritual
notes that are inherent
in. every one of the 27
letters.
Here, for instance, is
his "Resh." The 20th
letter in the alphabet, it
represents the head. As
explained by the artist
"it is the first part of
the word 'reshit'- mean-
ing 'beginning' or 'crea-
tion.' "
In his interesting de-
scription of "The Ro-
mance of the Alphabet,"
Prof. Marenof states:
"How did it begin? It
might be that the prim-'
itive was sitting his
. The "Resh"
cave at night near the
fire. He had had a good day for he had hunted
and slaughtered the wild ox. After skinning the
animal, and feasting on its carcass, he was re-
laxing in the warmth of achievement and well
being. The inedible remains of the animal lay
on the floor as witness of his success. Suddenly
he discovered on the. cave wall the reflection of
the head and horns and he was intrigued by it.
He took a piece of charcoal from the fire and
outlined the shadow. The next day he saw the
drawing on the wall that reminded him of the
animal and called out: `Aluf,' which to him
meant 'Ox.' From this drawing there developed
the pictograph of the ox and it came down to us
as the `A,' first letter of the alphabet."
The artist sees many visions and through
his work he symbolizes the Hebrew characters
by connecting them with Torah,•the Tefillin, the
"Bayit" (house) in the Beth, the angel Gabriel
in the Gimmel, door in Daleth, Hallel (praise)
in Heh, etc. The result is a most inspiring work
that will thrill artists, laymen, and all who love
creative work and imagination.
'Jewish Design for Living' :
An Analysis of Our Ethics
"The Jewish Design for Living" (Bloch) by
Dr. S. M. Lehrman, rabbi of the New Synagogue,
London, England, is a book of and on Jewish
ethics—ethics as an ideal, as a way of life.
The book itself is best explained by the au-
thor himself in his preface: "I have tried to
show that man testifies to What he is by what he
does; showing by his .readiness to serve others
the vigor of his own religious faith."
His book deals with applied ethics, and he de-
votes a large portion to an historical perspective
of the subject. In • the latter section he reviews
ethics in the Bible, Talmud, medieval and mod-
ern times.
The Jew's approach to God, ethical instru-
ments in character building, the Jewish con-
ception of man and "what' is Judaism" are
among the subjects ably analyzed in this inter-
esting book.
In his definition. of Judaism he states that
"all honor is due to the faithful Jew who sac-
rificed so much to preserve the continuity of
the legacy of idealism handed down to him by
,unforgettable . deeds
ancestors who performed,
-
Detroit Jewry will be privileged to welcome to this com-
February 29, 1952 munity, on Sunday, the Israel Minister of Welfare, Rabbi
Vol. XX—No. 25
Page 4
Itzhak 'Meyer Lewin. Coming here under the auspices of
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fourth day of Adar, 5712, Agudath Israel, his . brief stay nevertheless presents an im-
the following Scriptural selections will be read portant occasion at which all elements will have an oppor-
tunity to hear an authoritative opinion on the religious
in our synagogues:
situation in Israel. As a member of Ben-GuriOn's Cabinet,
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 25:1-27:19.
he
holds one of the most important positions in the Israel
Prophetical portion—I Kings 5:26-6:13.
of heroism,
government. We join in welcoming him to Detroit.
Licht Benshen, Friday, Feb. 29, 6 p. m.
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