A First Principle
As the Editor
Views the News
Gutkind's 'Choose Life
A Challenge to Individual
Bnai Moshe's School
The dedication this week-end.of the Bnai
Moshe Religious School Building is an oc-
casion of more than passing interest.. The
mere fact that this synagogue has erected a
modern school building is in itself worthy
of note. The major function of our houses
of worship is to train the youth, to prepare
them to accept- their heritage in full knowl-
edge of the importance of Jewish traditions.
But Bnai Moshe's school is significant for
another reason: the synagogue's cooperation
with the United Hebrew Schools in the es-
tablishment of an attractive center housing
school rooms and assuring a place of learn-
ing for hundreds of children.
Bnai Moshe. by merging its efforts in be-
half of this school with the Hebrew Schools,
followed in the footsteps of the Adas Sha-
lom Synagogue in accepting a cooperative
responsibility for its school. Instead of build-
ing alone, it joined with the Hebrew Schools
in sponsoring Hebrew classes. in addition to
continuing its own Sunday School classes.
It was a move in the proper direction for
which Bnai Moshe's rabbis and - lay leaders
already have received our community's com-
mendations. On the occasion of the dedica-
tion of the new building, we wish once again
to commend the synagogue and the United
I Iebrew Schools for merging their activities
—in the interest not only of economy but
also of efficiency in sponsoring their educa-
tional programs. We are confident that the
entire community joins with us in congrat-
ulating the two partners in this venture and
in thanking them wholeheartedly for a prop-
Vr step in the direction of community co-
operation.
Dr. Eric Gutkind, in his book "Choose Life:
The Biblical Call to Revolt" (Henry Schuman,
publisher, 20 E. 70th, NY21), presents a chal-
lenge. He asks some pointed questions regarding
the present world crisis, and his analyses are
aimed at stimulating the determined will of the
individual away from being ensnared in despair,
leading him towards the acceptance of t h e
Biblical idea and an acceptance of the God-like
reality.
Dr. Gutkind maintains that "the t w o
concepts, 'religion' and 'nation', are specific
patterns of the Gentile world." He prefers the
appellation "people"—giving priority to "am"-
people—over "goy"—nation.
Israel: Four Years Old
Next Wednesday, which will correspond with the fifth
day of Iyar on the Hebraic calendar, will mark the fourth
anniversary of the emergence of the state of Israel. It is a
significant day in history, marking the end of homelessness
for hundreds of thousands of Jews and inaugurating an era
of fulfillment of hope and Prophecy. For Jews everywhere,
it is occasion for rejoicing over the attainment of justice. It
is also a day for taking stock of accomplishments as well as
duties.
For, there are serious duties associated with Israel. In
spite of the shameful assertions by self-hating Jews and by
Newsweek's "Education" department last borderline anti-Semites that loyalty to the idea of encour-
week carried two items of related interest. aging the development of the Jewish state involves duty
The first, headed "Nu Sigma Chi," related loyalties, the obligation of helping the struggling young na-
tion is linked with a noteworthy humanitarian urge to assist
this story:
the downtrodden, to join in uplifting people who have been
"When Sigma Chi's at the University of
oppressed, to help strengthen the democratic principles in
Chicago made plans last fall to initiate a
backward areas.
Jewish student, a Chicago alumni committee
threate,ne,d_to sell their chapter house from
The great American heroes of our Revolutionary period
under them. On Nov. 30—one day before the
would have understood Israel. They would have known that
scheduled initiation—the 96-year-old national
the spirit which motivates young Jews to battle for freedom
frat e rnity placed the 54-year-old Chicago chap-
and for the right to citizenship is akin to the struggle in
ter on probation, stripping it of all powers to
which they were engaged at the founding of this great na-
pledge and initiate. The Jewish boy subse-
tion. Only the reactionary, the fearful, the backward people
quently dropped out of the controversy.
who begrudge others the rights they themselves enjoy be-
"Last week the remaining 20 Sigma Chi's
grudge liberty to others.
at Chicago dropped out, too. They established
True Faith
a new local fraternity, Nu Sigma Chi, without
racial bars. Said Paul Hanson, Jr., 23, former
head of the local Sigma Chi's and president of
the new group: 'The founders of Sigma Chi
said that "true brotherhood could only prosper
when men of unlike minds, talents, and per-
sonalities banded themselves together under a
common set of ideals.' We still believe in that
idea."
The second and much longer item is
printed under the heading "Technion Tech-
nology." It relates the thrilling story of the
40-year-old Technion in Haifa, Israel, and
describes Plans for the construction of its
new 250-acre campus to accommodate the
,growing student population. We are informed
hat—
"The men and women — Arabs, Jews
and Christians—from 32 countries who
study at the Technion are all selected on
the basis of academic quality."'
This is where the two stories are related:
that men of unlike minds. who hand together
under a common set of ideals, create true
brotherhood. The younger people who re-
fused to tolerate prejudice at the University
of Chicago and the builders of a new civili-
zation at Haifa are in agreement on this
point.
Now—page the bigots, the anti-Semites
and also the Conned for Judaism, and let
then1 eat crow.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
C0111111C7iCing with issue of July 20, 1951
Israel has attained the unexpected. Her Jewish popula-
tion has grown from 650,000 in 1948 to 1,425,000 at the end
of 1951. The new state's total population as of December
1931 was 1,600,000, including 175,000 non-Jews----120,000 of
them Moslems, 40,000 Christians and 15,000 Druzes. The
reason for the rapid increase in population is the Law of the
Return—"Every Jew has the right to come to this country
as an oleh (immigrant)" — which was inspired by Isaiah
(XLIII: 5-6) : "I will bring Thy seed from the East and
gather Thee from the West. I will say to the .North, give up.
and to the South, keep not back: bring my sons from far, and
my daughters from the ends of the earth."
The ne w settlers came from all corners of the globe.
from Asia and Africa, from Europe and America—from 20
countries. But the bulk of them came from Eastern Europe
and from Middle Eastern and North African lands. They fled
from degradation. They refused to -dedicate their lives to
shame and to being oppressed.
American Jews, too, came to help. True, they represent
only about 2 per cent of the total number of settlers. But
they came: 481 in 1948, 1,358 in 1949, 1,006 in 1950 and 671
in 1951. And they helped. It is to their credit: they followed
a sacred American tradition of aiding the strugglers for
liberty.
Our pro-Israel duties must be continued through our
UJA gifts, our bond purchases, investments and encour-
agement to Israel's educational and technological pro-
jects. It is not a one-sided coin: it also calls for coopera-
tion from the Israelis who must recognize that a partner-
ship in behalf of a sacred cause demands understanding
and a recognition of the offers of friendship that come
from kinsmen. By means of cooperation we can strengthen
bonds of kinship.
Now Israel is engaged in a terrific struggle—to continue
the work of redemption, to complete the task of assuring
freedom for those who have been and continue to be res-
cued from slavery. Having shared in the initial efforts of
paving the road to statehood for the dispossessed, American
Jews owe a duty to continue their sacred task until the goal
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
is attained—until the unhappy sons of. Israel are brought
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
back from the ends of the earth.
FRANK SIMONS, City Editor
It won't be easy. There will be accusations and abuses.
Vol. XX1—No. 7
Page 4
April 25, 1952 But the work must go on—if there is to be peace on earth
rooted in justice. And American Jews must lead the way to-
Sabbath Rosh Hodesh Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath. the first day of lyar, 5712. the wards that lasting peace which is acceptable only if it is
following Scriptural selections will be read in based on democratic ideals. In aiding Israel we build the
democratic way of life. We greet Israel with the prayer that
our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions—Lev. 12:1-15:33, - NUM. she may be blessed with fulfillment of her fondest hopes
based on the attainment of justice for that entire area, so
28:1-15.
that the ideal upon which the new state was built may spread
Prophetical portion—Is. 66.
Nlember, American Association of English-Jewish News.
pap,r, Th•llican Press Association.
Pul hed every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co 70810 David Stott Bldg.. Detroit 26. Mich.. WO. 5-1155.
Subseription $4 a year; foreign $5.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6. 1942 at Post. Office
,
Detroit, Mich . under Act of March 3, 1879.
Licht Benshen, April 25, 7:04 p.m.
'Biblical Call to Revolt'
worldwide.
The able author presents the Bible as the
original, Manifesto of revolutionary optimism,
which, through its invincible affirmation of
total, radical change, gives man the key to
overcoming his frustration and accompanying
anguish; the key to achieving a more meaning-
ful individual existence.
While the author's approach is through the
ancient Jewish wisdom of the Old Testament, he
has reinterpreted the Bible in terms of startling
modernity. Moreover, he has brought together in.
this volume some of the most advanced thoughts
of our time in natural science, philosophy, psy-
cho-analysis and sociology. His basic premise is
the universality of Jewish experiences and
their applicability to all men; revealing the
habits of thought and action that are the
enemies of mankind's advancement.
Dr. Gutkind is a philosopher, teacher and
writer with an international coterie of influ-
ential followers. His conclusions, for the first
time integrated in this work, are the result of
a lifetime devoted to the profound study of
Man. his origin, his evolution and his ultimate
direction.
Harold Robbins' Brilliant
Novel: 'Stone for Danny Fisher'
Harold Robbins, who already has made his
mark with two noteworthy novels, proves his
ability anew with his latest story, "A Stone for
Danny Fisher." 'Alfred A. Knopf, publisher,
501 Madison, NY2.21.
Splendid writing a n d excellent sequence
mark this well-molded work. It is a sad story—
revealing the tragedies of New York's East Side,
the pressure that comes from poverty-stricken
youth in search of ill-gotten dollars. the hor-
rors that accompany struggles for existence. But
it is well told. and its realism will win acclaim.
Danny Fisher—whose story begins with the
placing of a stone over his grave and then pro-
ceeds to review his life that led to collapse
is a normal fellow_ who thrilled in the acquisi-
tion of a home for his family. He was 8 when
his father said that the house was purchased
for him on his birthday. But when economic
conditions drove his father to bankruptcy and
he was driven into unsavory associations, Danny's
life was angled towards the underworld—to box-
ing, to a hold-up, to fights, to black marketeer-
ing in cigarettes during the last war.
There is a fine love story interwoven in this
novel—Danny's intermarriage with the Italian
Nellow Petito. There is strong devotion in this
love affair. But Danny is unable to tear himself
away from the rackets—once in it. The end
was inevitable. on the very eve of his reconcil-
iation with his family, with his father with
whom he feuded. "To live in the hearts we leave
behind is not to die," are the story's conclud-
ing words,---fridicating that Danny had learn-
ed that all was not hatred, that his racketeer
brother-in-law had come to his rescue, that his
father retained a love for him.
"A Stone for Danny Fisher" is an excep-
tionally well-written novel. It is an expose of
the racketeers and it is full of wholesome notes
of truly human aspirations.
'Great Jews I Have Known':
20 Noteworthy Biographies
"Great Jews I Have Known" (Philosophical
Library, 15 E. 40th, NY16) contains 20 biographi-
cal sketches of the greatest figures 'of our time
by an able writer who has known his heroes and
has developed their careers with an understand-
ing that reflects their own personalities as well
as their ideals.
Rabbi Max Raisin, the author, reviews the
careers and accomplishments of Ahad Ha-Am,
Max Nordau, Simon Bernfeld, Nahum Sokolow,
Menahem Ussishkin, Shmaryahau Levin, Vladi-
mir Jabotinsky, Chaim Nachman Bialik, Saul
Tchernochowsky, Sevi Hirsh Masliansky, Isaac
Mayer Wise, Gotthard Deutsch, Solomon
Schechter, Henrietta Szold, Abraham Joseph
Stybel, Sholem Schwarzbard, Jacob Klatzkin,
Judah Leib Magnes, Stephen Samuel Wise and
Elisheva.
As will be noted, he deals in his collected
biographies with eminent Zionists as well as
anti-Zionists, with authors and rabbis, with the
Christian by birth Elisheva Bychowsky and the
militant Jabotinsky—and so on down the line.
In every instance, Rabbi Raisin has developed
his character sketch with great skill, reflecting
his personal knowledge of the personality. He
has added to the information about his heroes
and heroines—some of whom are unknown to
the present generation and whose stories there-
fore should prove of special interest to American
Jews. "Great Jews I Have Known" is a good
addition to English books about Jews.