Key to the Kingdom
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member: American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, 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.
Vol. XXII—No. 24
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
•
February 20, 1953
Page 4
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the sixth day of Adar, 5713, the following Scriptural selections will be read in
our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 25:1-27:19; Prophetical portion, I Kings 5:26-6:13.
Licht
Benshen, Friday, Feb. 20, 5:15
p.m.
'The Summit of Charity': Allied Jewish Campaign
At Miami Beach last Sunday, a handful of Detroit Jews set a high mark for
liberality and kind-heartedness when they subscribed, in advance of the opening of the
1953 Allied Jewish Campaign, the sum of $1,100,000. By their noble acts, they established
a standard for Detroit's campaign, and, at the same time, encouraged the nationwide
effort in behalf of the United Jewish Appeal, at whose national inaugural conference
their gifts were announced.
The acts of the Detroiters are reminiscent of 'the great principles, the Eight De-
grees of Charity, as they were set down by the great Jewish savant, the Talmudic phil-
osopher, astronomer and physician, Moses ben Nlaimon — Maimonides, who was born
March 30, 1135, at Cordova, and died Dec. 13, 1204, at Cairo. These are Maimonides' Eight
Degrees of Charity:
The first and lowest degree is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the
hand, but not of the heart.
The second is, to give cheerfully. but not proportionately to the distress of the sufferer.
The third is, to give cheerfully, and proportionately, but not until solicited.
The fourth is, to give cheerfully, proportionately, and even unsolicited, but to put it in the
poor man's hand, thereby exciting in. hint the painful emotion of shame.
The fifth is, to give charity in such a way that the distressed may receive the bounty-, and
know their benefactor, without their being known to him. Such was the conduct of some of
our ancestors, who used to tie up money in the corners of their cloaks, so that the poor might
take it unperceived.
The sixth, which rises still higher, is to know the objects of our bounty but remain -unknown
to them. Such was the conduct of those of our ancestors who used to convey their charitable
gifts into poor people's dwellings, taking care that their own persons and names should remain
unknown.
The seventh is still more meritorious, namely, to bestow charity in such a way that the
benefactor may not know the relieved persons, nor they the names of their benefactors, as was
done by our charitable forefathers during the existence of the temple. For there was in
that holy building a place called the Chamber of the Silent, wherein the good deposited secretly
whatever their generous hearts suggested, and from which the poor were maintained with equal
secrecy. •
Lastly, the eighth, and the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing
poverty; namely, to assist the reduced fellow-man, either by a considerable gift, or a sum of
money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may
earn an honest livelihood, and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his
hand for charity. * * * This is the highest step and the summit of charity's golden ladder.
Detroit's representatives at the Miami
Beach conference reached the summit of
charity's golden ladder by their example to
the entire community that in time. of stress
they are ready to give liberally, to work for
the improvement of the status to their fellow
Jews, to strive for the elimination of want.
The response that was recorded at last
week-end's Florida meeting is significant be-
cause of the increases that were made over
last year's contributions by many of the don-
ors. It is significant because it was not giving
alone that was reported, but also a deterMin-
ed will to go back home and to work so that
others will give.
This is a year of crucial needs. The Nazi
atrocities of the '30s and early '40s are be-
ing emulated by Communist states which
find themselves in need of scapegoats to
cover up their iniquities. And the Jew, the
historic scapegoat, again serves a purpose
for the tyrants who are bent upon destroy-
ing human dignity.
The position of Jews behind the Iron Cur-
tain and in Moslem countries would be hope-
less, were it not for the generosity and the
interest of American Jewry. Our concern
gives them hope, our financial aid gives them
means of sustenance, our interest offers
them cheer.
Jewish lives -have been cheapened not in
Europe alone. In the Moslem countries there
is danger of total destruCtion of the surviv-
ing Jewries and their properties: The Jew
of Morocco must 'be rescued. There remain
opportunities • to take out many Jews from
other lands that are ruled by Moslem poten-
tates.
Election on Passover
The fact that the scheduled April 6 elec-
tion coincides with the seventh day of Pass-
over may mean the loss of the right to vote
for many Jews who do not write on the Sab-
bath and festivals.
Since a tradition has previously been es-
tablished, permitting observant Jews to make
use of absentee ballots, thus being enabled
to vote in advance, by mail, it is hoped that
this year the State Legislature again will
make provisions for such special grant to
Jewish voters.
While such a practice tests the willing-
ness of many voters to take the trouble of
applying for absentee ballots and of voting
by mail, the effort will be worth it for the
sake of protecting the rights of a religious
group that will not otherwise make use of
its franchise.
The United Jewish Appeal is the major
philanthropic fund for the relief of the per-
secuted and their transfer to Israel. There
are other means of aiding the needy—by as-
suring economic stability for Israel through
private investment, through economic- de-
Velopment, through the purchase of bonds.
. But relief funds come mainly from the
UJA—and this fund must be strengthened,
its income increased, its force as a philan-
thropic agent made potent.
The Detroiters and their associates at
last week's conference- signified their readi-
ness to do these things. Now it is for the
communities which they serve to echo a re-
sponse in the spirit of. the pace they have set
for all American Jewry. -
We are, indeed, on the road to reaching
the highest rung on charity's golden .ladder.
H ISTOR I ETTE:
`
Sea
of Glory' and Its Heroes
JOHN P. WASHINGTON
Catholic priest
ALEXANDER D. GOODE
Jewish rabbi
GEORGE L. FOX
CLARKE V.-POLING
Protestant minister
Protestant minister
Dr. Abba Hillel Silver
In his message of greeting to Dr. Abba
Hillel Silver on his 60th birthday, President
Eisenhower expressed "deep appreciation of
the cultural, spiritual and humanitarian
leadership which Dr. Silver has contributed
to our country. and the entire world." Sec-
retary of State Dulles wrote about Dr. • Sil-
ver's "broad and sympathetic understanding,
his ardent patriotism and dedication to the
spiritual enrichment of America". which
"rank him with this nation's outstanding re-
ligious leaders."
These are true evaluations of Dr. Silver's
position as an American leader, as a great
spiritual guide who has contributed towards
the uplifting of American thinking into high-
er spheres.
We are in the habit of thinking of Dr. Sil-
ver as a great Zionist leader. But he has not
limited his efforts. He has fought for social
ideals, has interpreted spiritual values for
all faiths and has rendered great service to
this country as a master of Hebraic culture
and as a guide in political and social spheres.
His 60th birthday was a proper occasion
for Zionists, for Jews of all shades of opinion,
for Americans of all faiths, to honor him
for his tireless efforts, and to express the
hope that he will carry on his courageous
work for many years to come. We share in
these wishes and join in greeting Dr. Silver
on the important anniversary which, happi-
ly, finds him strong physically and mentally.
He is among the giants in Israel, and his
kinsmen are proud of his many roles in his
interesting and inspiring career.
THE FOUR CHAPLAINS AND THE U. S. STAMP
ISSUED BY OUR GOVERNMENT IN THEIR MEMORY
Ten years ago, a tragedy that occurred on the high seas
gripped mankind and placed all Americans in mourning.
It was on Feb. 3, 1943, when the supreme sacrifice was made
by four U.'S. Chaplains—the Methodist Rev. George L. Fox, the
Catholic Father John P. Washington, the Rev. Clark V. Poling of
the Dutch Reformed Church and the Jewish Chaplain Rabbi •
Alexander D. Goode. •
They went down with the troopship :Doi-Chester which sailed :a .
at the time in the icy seas off Labrador. : • •.
The four chaplains removed their : own lifebelts and gave •
. .•
them to GIs who. were unable to swim.
Their deed now is told in a deeply moving. story, "Sea of
Glory,"—a full-length book by Francis Beauchesne Thornton, pub-
lished by Prentice Hall ('70 5th Ave., NY11).. The book's sub-title.
is "The Magnificent Story of the Four Chaplains."
The author, a Roman Catholic priest, himself a wartime chap-
lain, became intrigued by the dramatic story of . the four chap-
lains. He examined the accounts of the : occurrence, interviewed
families and friends of the four men and the result of his re-
search the accumulated anecdotes, the description of the char-
acter traits of the four men, the stories of their hopes and ambi-
tions—are presented in the impressive book now under review.
The last note written to his wife by Rabbi Goode expressed
confidence that he would be "coming back much sooner than you
think." It was accompanied by kisses for the entire family. Tide
last letter appropriately ends his story.
In every instance, the life stories of the four men are related
with an intimacy and an understanding that will leave a lasting
impression and will cause the book to be highly treasured by the
families and friends of the deceased and the communities them :
represented.
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