This Passover—Exodus of Oppressed Jews Still Goes 0
EDITORIALS:
A New Exodus in Every Age
It has been the tragic lot of Jewry that we have had
need to provide for havens of refuge for oppressed Jews in
every age.
Our own generation has witnessed several major emigra-
tions. And it has been the good fortune of those of us who
are blessed to live in the age of Israel's rebirth that, through
Israel, we have been enabled to provide homes for the home-
less.
We are now faced with a new exodus — with the prob-
lem that affects the Jews of North Africa. It is estimated
that at least 100,000 of our kinsmen in 'Tunisia and Algeria
look to us for help and await opportunities to leave the lands
which have been their homes for centuries in the hope of
finding permanent and secure refuge in Israel.
From London comes the report of recent transmissions
of the "Voice of National Independence and Peace" — an
Arabic language broadcast for French Africa on Budapest
frequencies — which -made special references to attacks on
Jews in Tunisia. It • was reported that a group of armed
men assailed Tunisian Jews on March 2. The report stated
that these attacks "resemble in an amazing way the -racial
disturbances perpetrated by certain imperialist circles with
the object of throwing into confusion the Tunisian people's
struggle for their independence." Another report said that
machine-gun fire had been opened from a car on a Casa-
blanca cafe owned by an Algerian Jewess. Shortly there-
after, fire had been opened from the same car on the driver
of another car, an Algerian Jew named Is'haq ben Sabat,
who had died instantly. On March 4, the broadcast recorded
that three Jewish inhabitants had been slightly injured in
Casablanca when two mines exploded.
We make reference to these new outbursts of antagon-
ism against defenseless Jews in order to call to our com-
munity's attention the dire need for action so that the op-
pressed and persecuted may be given the relief they need
attention to the new exodus so
in an hour of need. We
that our communities may
may organize faithfully and devotedly
to strengthen the hands of those who provide the needed
relief through the United Jewish Appeal—in our community
through the Allied Jewish Campaign.
In recent years, some among us, "laden with iniquity,"
as Isaiah described them, have arisen to rebel against their
own people. They have dared to say that an effort to rescue
North African Jewry represents nationalistic "intrigue and
deception."
It is unfortunate that we must point to the danger
of pogroms in refuting their libels. It would have been
healthier if we were to state that even without such dan-
gers it is just and righteous for all of us to join in the effort
to assist all who desire to go to Israel to go there. But. tra-
gically, we must deal with a group of sinners who join hands
with those who have organized to destroy Israel.
Our responsibility, therefore, is two-fold — to aid those
who are forced into another exodus, and to repudiate every
obstacle, whether it is the work of a handful of sinning
Jews or of anti-Semites, that is placed in Israel's righteous
path.
Passover's clarion call to. all Jewry is to lend all strength
• Passover, to be ushered in with the traditional Seder next Wednesday evening, marks to the UJA and its allied causes for relief that spells free-
the anniversary of the deliverance of our forefathers from Egyptian bondage. It com- dom. We must dedicate ourselves to this sacred task in
memorates the first demonstration against human enslavement. It is the first Indepen- order that the words of freedom may illuminate the world's
dence Day on record.
horizon.
The late Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Dr. Joseph H. Hertz, thus evaluated
Passover and Freedom: "Passover is the Festival of Spring. Its human appeal, there-
fore, is as old as humanity, and as perennial as Spring. But it is an historical festival
The Spring election, next Monday; offers a more crucial
— Israel's birthday — as the annual commemoration of an event which has changed the
destinies of mankind, that it proclaims the man-redeeming truth. God is the God of Free- challenge than most people realize.
Traditionally, off-season elections draw such scanty
dom. Even as in Egypt He espoused the cause of brick-making helots against the mighty
royal oppressor, He forever judgeth the world in righteousness, and the peoples with votes that they place in jeopardy the offices at stake. Less
equity. There is an overruling Providence t hat exalts righteousness and freedom and effective candidates have lYetter opportunities of winning the
humbles the Dominion of iniquity and oppression. This teaching has been as a light unto contest than their abler opponents because of the lethargy
of the voters.
the nations of the Western world in their weary, age-long warfare for liberty."
This year, the electorate will be charged with the res-
One often wonders whether mankind recognizes these truths, whether the nations,
unto whom "this teaching has been as a light," have yet to learn the values of peace ponsibility of selecting the personnel of our Board of Edu-
that go with freedom and the urgency of assuring freedom for all if the segments of the cation, in addition to electing several judges. The vital need
of strengthening our schools, of assuring guidance of our
whole world are to enjoy it.
Passover, nevertheless, continues to teach this lesson. It challenges the whole world community's educational system by the • ablest people, who
to adhere to the basic principles of liberty and justice. And as Jews everywhere gather understand the need for constantly improving schools, make
for the Passover Sedorim, we reaffirm the n eed for adherence to the established and in- it necessary that every voter should make use of the fran-
destructible idea that every man must imagine himself as if he himself went forth from chise to cast his ballot.
There are good candidates in the field. A young man,
Egypt — so that we may never forget the Passover lesson — and that we continue to
teach this lesson to our children and our children's children. That is why, at our Sedorim a product of our civic and religious schools, Leonard Kasle,
this year, we shall make use of the soul-stirring Ritual written by the eminent author, is showing great interest in the advancement of our educa-
Rufus Learsi, paying tribute to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. This, too, is tional system. He and others who are novitiates in politics
a means of keeping alive the memories of a great tragedy — in order that we may be on have earned it that the citizens of Detroit should similarly
show an interest in civic needs by casting their ballots.
guard against its repetition.
We urge you to vote on Monday and thereby to continue
Freedom will live as long as we will it so. Passover is blessed because it demands the
to lend strength to our democratic institutions.
perpetuation of Freedom.
Passover's Lesson As a Light Unto the Nations'
Be Sure to Vote on Monday
Middle East. Moves for Peace
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, National Editorial Association
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co , 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35, Mich., VE. 8-9364
subscription $4 a year, Foreign $5.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
VOL. XXVII, No. 4
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Page Four
April 1, 1955
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the tenth day of Nissan, 5715, the folowing Scriptural selections will be read
ta our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Lev. 6:1-8:36. Prophetical portion, Mal. 3:4-24 or Jer. 7:21-8:3; 9:22, 23.
Licht Benshen, Friday, April 1, 6:37 p.m.
Passover Scriptural Selections
Pentateuchal portions: First Day, Thursday, Ex. 12:21-51, Num. 28:16-25; Second Day, Friday,
Lei). 22:26-23:44, Num.. 28:16-25. Prophetical portions: Thursday, Josh. 3:5-7; 5-2-6:1, 27; Friday,
Kings 23:1-9; 21, 25.
Sabbath Hol Hamoed Passover Scriptural Selections
Thursday, Az-
Arlon, .28 :1$-2.5; . iriclq .3. Ex...??....24-?411,.9 4..NY 7..n.. 2$
Rumors persist that there are improving chances for
peace in the Middle East and that even the adamant rulers
of Egypt will come to terms with Israel before very long.
On the eve of Passover, as we recall the ancient Egypt-
ian antagonism to the Israelites, we turn hopefully to our
Seder ceremonies with thoughts of peace uppermost in our
minds.
Israel's brilliant Ambassador to the United States, Abba
Eban, stated the case very clearly in his strong appeal for
amity, before the United Nations, last week. If his words
only could be directed to . the people of Egypt who live under
the rule of dictators whose lives constantly are threatened
by assasins! If the pleadings for peace could reach the Jor-
danians and the Lebanese and the Syrians and the Iraqi.
The task is not an easy one—but we must hold on to
hope that the appeals will not fall on deaf ears. But first
we must make sure that the ears of the statesmen who act
for the Western Powers are not deafened against Israeli
challenges for an end to the war status in that area of the.
wiald. The Approacb..tq the.,Arabs then will be an easier one.