A Welcome Revision

THE JEWISH NEWS

Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20 1957

*ember American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association.
P:ohlished every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road. Detroit 35. Mich. VE. 8-9384
4111Ntription 34. s year foreign $5.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942. at Post Office. Detroit. Mich. under Act 61 March 3: 1879

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher

Vol. XXIV, No. 19

SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager

FRANK SIMONS
City editor

January 15, 1954

Page 4

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twelfth day of Shevat, 5714, the following Scriptural selection's will he rend in
our synagogues:
-Pentateuchal portion. Ex. 13:17-17:16. Prophetical porfinn. .IvriaPs 4:4-5:31.
-Hamisha ASCII b*Shevat Occurs on Tuesday.

Licht Benshen, Friday, Jan. 15, 4:52 p.m.

`Kindle a Spark:' Key Need in Educational Efforts \II

; American Jewish communities are plac-
ing • new emphasis on the importance of
planning for better educational , systems, for
expansion of our cultural programming, for
a re-embracing of our traditions and our
heritage.
There is no need for apologizing or ex-
plaining constant reference to these needs.
Most of our communities are presently en-
gaged in budgetary planning. No one dares,
in this critical 'hour, to suggest a reduction
in allocations to Israel or to funds that are
used to relieve the tragic plight of Jewish
communities in lands of oppression, On the
contrary, ways must be found to increase
our gifts to these causes,. to strengthen the
United Jewish . Appeal, to assure support for
local causes — while doing these things we
must strive to make edUcation the key word
in the vocabulary of communal planning.

What is needed is to re-kindle the spark
that is necessary for a strengthened educa-
tional system. Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel,
the able interpreter of Jewish ethical and
cultural values, explained this need in a bril-
liant address he delivered at a conference of
the Jewish Education Committee in New
York, and Jewish Education Magazine has
rendered a great service by printing his re-
markable paper in full.
Prof. Heschel, who teaches Jewish ethics
and mysticism at the Jewish Theological
Seminary of America, calling attention to
the "connotation of the word Melamed"
which has been made "a synonym for 'schle-
miel,' " charges it with being blasphemy, for
"I am a Melamed myself," and asserts that
"there is no higher distinction than that of
being a teacher." His thesis proceeds to out-
line our educational objectives. He questions
the helpfulness of arts and crafts in our ed-
ucational program, and makes observations
which should be taken into consideration by
parents as well as teachers.
Thus, he proposes, at the risk of "com-
mitting a heresy," that children be taught "a
phrase such as 'Ye shall be holy,' the vision
of a `neshamah yetherah,' the meaning of
`Schechinah' ... He offers this lesson in the

Mizrachi's Anniversary

Mizrachi's current 40th anniversary, to
be celebrated here on Jan. 19, has signifi-
cance not only for the members of the or-
thodox Zionist movement but also for those
who are affiliated with other branches of
Zionism, since the orthodox Zionists appear
to have retained greatest vitality among
Zionist groups.
The reason may be self-evident and ob-
vious when. we take into consideration the
strength that has been shown by orthodoxy
in recent years. Mizrachi ideals have been
factors in adding vitality to orthodox. Ju=
daism, and the . religious Zionists, by their
devotion to the basic ideals of their organi-
zation, have gained adherents and have
benefited from increased financial support.
An important factor in Mizrachi's
strength is the success that has been attain-
ed by the orthodox settlements in Israel.
Hapoel Hamizrachi, while it is separate and
distinct as a political. entity in the Jewish
state, has, by virtue of its effective cooper-
ative settlements, added glory to the name
Mizrachi.
Thus, the_ other Zionist organizations
have much to learn from the orthodox who
have been able to put into effect the ideals
preached by their platform. The entire com-
munity has much to gain from a strong
Zionist movement—especially if it will strive
for a stronger educational program.
We join in congratulating Mizrachi on its
40th anniversary and in entertaining the
hope that all supporters of Israel and Zion-
fists in all ranks will seek to put into force
the best advantages offered by Zionism—the
great jewish.movement whose pioneering . ef-
forts. ' we're' responsible 'the rise of the
Jewish state.

sanctity of Jewish learning by declaring that
"if teaching spiritual attitudes is an impossi-
bility, then - all of Judaism is a mistake," and
by presenting this evaluation of Jewish edu-
cational objectives:

"The H.ebtew term for education means
not only to train but also to dedicate, to con'
serrate. And to consecrate the child must be
our goal; difficult as it may be . . .
"Our goal must be to enable the pupil to
participate and share in the spiritual experi-
ence. of Jewish living; to explain to them what
it' means to live as a likeness of God . . •
'The key-word is talmud torah. study. What
we glorify is not knowledge. erudition, but
study and the dedication to learning. Ac-
cording to Rabba 'when man is led in for
judgment, he is asked . . . did you fix time
for learning.' (Shabbat 31a) ..
BY NATHAN ZIPRIN
"What we need more than anything else
William Zukerman of Jewish News letter notoriety is entitled
is not text-books but text-people. It is the to his opinions no matter how thwarted they may be. We are
personality of the teacher which is the text even willing to concede his right to aspire to spokesmanship for
that the pupils read; the text that they wilt, the elements in our midst to whom assimilation is a faith greater
never forget. The modern teacher, while not than their to-order-made Judaism. But when that gent, who
wearing a snowy beard is the link in the chain has aptly been called a man with two typewriters, attempts to
of a tradition. He is the intermediary between pontificate that "Jews need the spirit of Christmas more than of
the past and the present as well. Yet, he is Hanukah" he needs to be told that he is a greater chutzpenik
also the creator of the future of our people. than we ever suspected him of being. What Jews need are fewer
Zukermans, particularly of the ilk who preach preference for the
He must teach the pupils to evaluate the past spirit of Christmas under the guise of concern for Jewish life and
in order to clarify their future."
Jewish living. We have no intention of deprecating the spirit of
In his fascinating style, Prof. Heschel Christmas, a welcome season of good will. We share it every year
teaches us also this great lesson: "We Jews with our Christian neighbors in a spirit transcending its secular
must not claim that we are better than oth- and religious character. Surely no sincere Christian would ever
us to abandon the spirit of Hanukah for the spirit of
ers. We only claim that we have experienced counsel
Christmas. Now, William, if you could' only supply us with visual
more than others. Experience passes, but proof that you set under Christmas trees and shared the holiday's
having experienced never passes. Let us re- true significance in the abodes and sanctums of these you advise
main true to our destiny, to the accumulated us to emulate, we might seriously be tempted to conclude this
experience of ages. A Jew once said 100 tirade with a tribute to your courage.

An Expose of a Bit of Chutzpenik

years ago that it is better to have Jews with-
out science than to have science without 'Footprints of Assurance'
Jews. How reactionary we -thought he was!
But today we have a great deal of science
and very few Jews. Let us try to save the Israel Emblems Among Fire Marks
Jews." And then he relates this story re-
We are indebted to Home Insurance Co. for the magnificent
corded in an 18th century Hebrew book:
record of fire marks used by insurance companies, as described in

"A young man once wanted to become a
blacksmith. So he became an apprentice to a
blacksmith, and he learned all the necessary
techniques of the trade — how to hold the
tongs, how to lift the sledge, how to smite
the anvil., even how to blow the fire with the
bellows. Having finished his apprenticeship,
he was chosen to be employed at the smithery
of the royal palace. However, the young man's
delight soon canie to an end, when he dis-
covered that he had failed to learn how to
kindle a spark. All his skill and knowledge in
handling the tools were of no avail."

the very comprehensive and extensively illustrated book by Alwin
E. Bulau, "Footprints of Assurance," published by Macmillan.
The marks of insurance companies in 63 countries are deline-
ated by Bulau. His splendidly-told story is spiced with anecdotes
and historical incidents.
Israel is included among the countries whose fire marks are
described here. Included among the illustrations and descriptions
are the tin Royal Exchange tab used in Palestine, the Jerusalem
Alfred Saltzman Co. tin plate, the Waterloo agency in Palestine,
the rectangular Cornhill Insurance Palestine tab.
Others shown are the Hebrew rectangular gold-lettered -Gen-
eral Insurance Palestinian sign; five other Hebrew-lettered Marks
of the Palestine Lloyd Insurance Co. in Tel Aviv, the Hassneh Co.
in Tel Aviv fhe Palestine General Insurance Co., Migdal in Jeru-
salem and Zion in Tel Aviv, and a vari-colored crest, reproduced
Concludes.Dr. Heschel: "I am often em- from a Palestine building.

barrassed when I discover that I am myself
like that apprentice—that I know facts and
I know techniques, but I have failed to know
how to kindle a spark. I conclude, therefore,
with the hope that you who work in the
royal. smithery of Jewish education will each
of you be able to kindle a spark."
This, therefore, is our problem: to have
the proper text-people, to produce trained
personalities who will be able to serve as in-
termediaries for our children between past
and present and the future, to inculcate the
key-word of talmud torah that is so vitally
necessary for Jewish survival. May all of us
be_ blessed with the ability to kindle the
spark!

Reality About Refugees

Speaking in the Netherlands Parliament
at. The Hague, in reply to a question during
a foreign policy debate, the Dutch Foreign
Minister, Dr. Josef Luns, defended Israel's
position in the Arab refugee issue by declar-
ing that Israel is too small a state to read-
mit the Palestine refugees.
While he added that. Holland could do
nothing about this situation and that "time
alone will bring a solution," the mere fact
that he has publicly pointed to the justice of
Israel's position should be helpful in calling
attention to the injustice of the efforts that
are being exerted' against Israel in - some
quarters;

Leo N. Levi: A Historic Name

In his book, "Nor by Power," Dr, Morris D. Waldman calls
attention to the genius of Leo N. Levi, in whose honor Bnai
Brith established the Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital. Dr. Wald-
man recalls:
Leo N. Levi was a big, impressive, handsome. youngish middle-
aged Texan with the head and countenance of a Roman Consul.
His ability as a lawyer and his engaging personality immediately
Won for him the respect of the upper level in JeWish leadership
who had, up to that time, been prone to regard the lower bour-
geoisie of the Independent Order Bnai Brith with indifference, if
not with disdain. Levi helped to change that attitude measurably.
He it was who was responsible for transforming the I.O.B.B. from
what was little more than a mutual insurance fraternity into a
great philanthropic and educational institution. Although of Ger-
man Jewish parentage, nourished on the silly snobbery prevalent
during those days that looked down the nose upon Jews from
East Europe as uncouth, Levi opened up the doors of the German
Jewish Order of Bnai Brith to the newcomers from East and
Southeast Europe. As a result of his broad socially-minded ad-
ministration the Order gave up its childish secret lodge - ritualism
and changed from a federation of fraternal lodges into a notable
social service enterprise. Some of. us youngsters in Jewish cam-
inunal work were very close to Leo N. Levi and virtually idolized
him. Under his dynamic leadership we obtained the collaboration
of Bnai Brith lodges throughout the country in the work of dis-
tributing unemployed immigrants from New York among many
industrial centers all over the U. S: We were broken-hearted
When Levi died at the Memorial Hospital., then located on Central'
Park West. The Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital established by the
Bnai Brith in Hot Springs; Arkansas,' for sufferers from skin and
blood diseases, was an inappropriate and inadequate tribute. to
this exceptional personality. It would not .have. bsim going too •
r far to have changed the name of 111-1e' OY.4ici`.13nAl Brith , 4r fOrcter • • (
I Leo N. Levi."

