Plea for Peace and Security
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20,195/
. National Editorial. Association
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association -
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co, 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35, Mich., VE. 8-9364
Subscription S4 a year, Foreign S5.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Office, Detroit., Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
Page Four
VOL. XXVII, No. 1
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
March 11, 1955
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the eighteenth day of Adar, 5715, the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions, Es. 30:11-34:35, Num. 19. Prophetical portion, Ezek. 36:16-38.
Licht Benshen, Friday, March 11, 6:14 p.m.
The Unfortunate Berlin Philharmonic Visit
It - may be too late to do anything about
the impending visit here of the Berlin Phil-
harmonic Orchestra under the leadership of
two former members of the Nazi Party.
But the sentiments of the Jewish community
of Detroit are on record: we are shocked
by their appearance in our community, we
resent the place given them in our Masonic
Auditorium, and we want it known that we
consider a public appearance here by former
Hitler aides as an insult to Americans who
bled and fought and sacrificed lives and
property in a fight against the German
menace.
The Nazi murders were forgotten too
soon. Millions of men, women and children,
people of all faiths, perished at the hands
of the German murderers. We fought a war
against the world menace. There were
many trials, and the guilty Germans could
not stand the test of public testimony.
Surely, it was hoped, public opinion would be
a means, for generations to come, of coun-
teracting the brutal ideas which were pro-
mulgated . by. Hitlerism and which would
have been imposed on the entire world had
the Nazis triumphed in the last war.
But public opinion has weakened. Ex-
cept for the Jewish War Veterans, a few
Community Councils, handsful of indivi-
duals, there have been only limited protests
against the tour now made in this country
- by a triumphing Nazi-led Berlin Philhar-
monic Orchestra. Music critics offer the
lame argument in behalf of "cultural free-
dom" in supporting the tour. "Kultur" is
triumphing over democracy.
We protest against the recognition that
is being given here to former Nazis, even if
the emphasis can truly be placed on the
word 'former." The very appearance here
of men who stood by the Fuehrer is repul-
sive to the American idea of fair play and
of repudiation of tyranny. Perhaps the only
weapon the protesting elements have is that
of staying away from the concert. But a
protest can not be uttered in silence. Our
sentiments must be made known. Let it go
on the record that we are repelled by the
very idea of a visit here by people who stood
by silently, many of them approvingly, when
millions of people were being murdered.
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The Histadrut
.
Within a few days, the local Histadrut
Campaign will wind up for the year, and the
friends of Israel's labor ranks entertain hopes.
that the 1955 effort for this important move-
ment will more than match those of previous
years.
Those who have consistently supported
the labor movement have the satisfaction of
knowing that their cooperation. has made it
possible for the most important group in
Israel, represented by the Histadrut, to be
a factor in assuring adequate defense of the
Jewish state through the manpower gathered
in Israel's cooperative settlements; that
Histadrut's health centers have rendered im-
portant services to the newcomers to the
Jewish state; that the integration of immi-
grants has been speeded by the efficient
Histadrut cooperative agencies.
Histadrut workers, most of whom usually
enter the ranks of the Allied Jewish Cam-
- paign upon the completion of their traditional
drive, have reason to be proud of an effort
which serves to strengthen Israel's position.
eadership has
The Detroit Israel Histadrut leadership"
earned the assistance given it here and the
success with which its efforts are crowned.
The 50th anniversary of Labor Zionism,
now being celebrated by Poale Zion, adds
significance to the current Histadrut cam-
paign. It calls attention to the accomplish-
ments of a great movement, many of whose
members have been among the pioneers in
the several aliyoth of settlers in Israel. From
their ranks came Many of the defenders of
Israel and of the creators of the Jewish
state. .Socialist-Zionism was elevated to high
standards by the Poale Zion. From its ranks
came Israel's first Premier and its present
Minister of Defense, David Ben-Gurion, and
the present Premier, Moshe Sharett. Its
members have made lasting contributions to
Jewish literature and have assisted in con-
structive efforts for the advancement of the
status of American and other Jewries in the
world. Poale Zion has earned the hearty
anniversary greetings from all elements of
our . people..
The Jewish Community Council of Detroit, in
its protest against the appearance of the Berlin
Orchestra, made in behalf of its 331 member or-
ganizations, rightfully stated that "von Karajan
voluntarily identified himself with the Nazis as
Study of Tannaitic Times
early as 1933, and in then democratic Austria.
His craven adherence was additionally revealed
when he fled to Germany, where he enjoyed the
favor of the reigning Nazi leadership, after his
The study, "The Doctrine of Election in Tannaitic Literature,".
own country had banned the Nazis. We do not
presume to set for him the standards of a so by Benjamin W. Helfgott, published by King's Crown Press of
eminently - genuine musical genius as Arturo Columbia University (2960 Broadway, NY27) seeks "to determine
Toscanini who, under the Fascist dictatorship of the effect of Christian challenge to the Jewish concept of election
Italy, refused to corrupt his artistic integrity br in the early tannaitic period and the reaction on the part of
an act of political expediency. We do hold, how- Rabbinic thinking toward that challenge."
Leading authorities, Christian as "Inelt as Jewish, are re-
ever, that von Karajan's record of eager iden-
tification with the Nazis nullifies his claim to . ferred to in this scholarly study to evaluate the doctrine that
musical eminence and forfeits for him the im-
God chose Israel as His people, and in reviewing the chal-
munity which traditionally distinguishes between
lenges, especially those that came from the time of Paul and
the artist and the exponent of an abhorrent
thereafter.
-
totalitarian political creed."
learn at the outset that the challenge did not originate
In Baltimore, Dr. Israel M. Goldman, in a with We
rise of Christianity and that as early as 300 BCE a Greek
powerful sermon, made this important declara- living the
in
Egypt, Hecataeus of Abdera, "represented the Jews as
tion: "I Can understand the American foreign
policy of military rearmament of Germany, toit Egyptian outcasts."
Mr. Helfgott points out, in his review of the Christian chal-
does that call for a parallel program of moral
disarmament for America?" He proceeded to lenge, that the intense hostility to the Jews which permeated
state: "When von Karaj an raises his baton at the Gospels corresponds with the conviction.of God's rejection ,of
the Lyric Theater here, let us remember that it Israel. Jesus' severe criticism in the Gospel narratives of alleged
,
was that same hand which was raised in the Pharisaic hypocrisy develops in the later Crucifixion stories into
Hitler salute . . . I would drape the proscenium Jewish guilt- for the death of Jesus and the furious anti-Semitism
arch of the Lyric in black as a memorial of the of the Fourth Gospel. ThUs the early Patristic literature tends to
forgotten martyrs for freedom. I would remove speak of the Jews not only as rejected, but as never elected."
It is pointed out in this study that Christian claims of being
the Stars and Stripes from the building because
the American flag has no place near a conductor the true Israel were strengthened by the Destruction and Dis-
persion. The ideals of Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai, his•words of
who once proudly wore the swastika."
The Baltimore Jewish Community Council comfort to the people in captivity and his reassurance that in their
similarly issued a statement of protest and sufferings they remain God's people, are subjects for interesting
Baltimore experienced a humiliating return. to historical review.
The views of the teachers of Jabneh therefore also follow • 1
medievalism when the German Radio Hour, in
reply to the Jewish protests, broadcast a "dif- in natural sequence. The teachings of important Tannaim are
•
ferentiation" between "good and bad Jews"—a incorporated in a special chapter. Promises to Israel are credited
typically anti-Semitic approach to human issues. to their observance of the Sabbath, and throughout it is empha-
If the "triumphant" - appearance of the Berlin i sized that the Torah is considered the basic security for Jewish
orchestra spells a return to bigotry, all the more ipreservation.
reason for protesting against it. Should it be-
Especially interesting also is the chapter devoted to the
come necessary once again to conduct a cam-
Bar Kochba Revolt. The author finds "in Rabbi Akiba a
paign against a new form of- German-made
clear attempt to reconcile the concept of the unity and uni-
anti-Semitism, it will be a sad day for our land
versality of God with the belief that Israel is His Chosen
and a mark of reproof for our Government for
People.
having made it possible for a Nazi-led orchestra
Many of the .Tannaim are described as universalists, and the
to tour our cities.
views of some of them were that Israel has been elected for the
purpose of advancing the idea of universalism.
While, as a result of the political crisis during the war against
Rome (66-70 CE) "the purposes of Israel's election became insep-
the arably associated with the state and Sanctuary,". the author points
An old and cherished tradition
pre-Passover Mo'os Hitim appeal — once out: "R. Jochanan ben Zaccai emerged from the despair that
again occupies an important place on our gripped the people as a result of the destruction of the Temple
with the conviction that the national and religious existence did
communal calendar.
not depend upon the state and the Sanctuary. He recognized the
The unselfish consideration of the needs divine calling of the Jew in Torah and love for mankind, which
of the less fortunate in our midst has are not limited by national boundaries and political independence? ,
The views of the Christians were that Israel was chosen but
prompted the establishment of this tradition
that
the Church was the true Israel in accordance with Old Testa-
as means of assuring a pleasant Passover,
ment teachings. But the Rabbis preferred to avoid direct debate
without want, for all in the community. of the question, recognizing "the futility of such intellectual acro-
The Hagadah declaration in the Ho Lakhmo batics."
`Doctrine of Israel's _Election'
The Motos Hitim Fund
—kol dikhfin yesei v.eyekhol—let all who are
hungry enter and share our food with us—
is the background for this admirable senti-
ment. It means, in essence, that while the
affluent are provided with all the means
necessary for the preparation of sumptuous
Sedorim and Passover meals, the poor are
not to be forgotten.
Mo'os Hitim is one of the most commend-
able traditions in Jewry. There are always
some among us who depend upon our kind-
ness in order that they may share the joy
of Passover with the rest of the community,
and Mo'os Hitim is the means of making
that possible. There are many families in
our own community who look to us for up-
lifting gestureS at this season of the year.
Let us. provide that encouragement with
our aid for the Mo7os Hitim fund. .
An Adventure With Patriots
Robert Garvey has hit upon an interesting idea in writing
"The Ghosts of Camp J - -", published by the National Women's
League of United SynagOgue of America (3080 B'way, NY27). He
has turned it into an 'exciting adventure with American Jewish
patriots.
Youngsters attending a J ewish camp, while listening to their
counsellor's narration of the story of the early Jewish settlers iiY
America, are suddenly visited by ghosts. It is a dream, but it
serves the important purposes of meeting Asser Levy, Benjamin
Nones, Major Mordecai Manuel Noah, Haym Salomon, Commo-
dore Uriah P. Levy.
There is action in the story—when the youngest in the group
of campers supposedly is "kidnaped" by one of the heroes who ; it--
was feared, believed he had captured Indians and wanted to scalp-1
his victims who are rescued by the other children.
Out of this fantasy emerges a good story about the early
American Jewish patriots. It is a -fine Tercentenary story, ably
told and illustrated by Lawrence Dresser. •