THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle
commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English - Jewish News-
papers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Assn.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co., 17190 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 SIDNEY SHMARAK FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Editor and Publisher Advertising Manager
VOL. XXVIII. No. 2 Page 4 September 16, 1955
Rosh Hashanah Scriptural Selections
Scriptural portions: Saturday, Gen. 21, Num.
29:1-16; Sunday, Gen. 22, Num. 29:1-16. Prophetical
portions: Saturday, I Sam. 1:1-2:10; Sunday, Jer.
31:2-20.
Fast of Gedaliah Scriptural Selections, Monday
Pentateuchal portions, Ex. 32:11-14, 34:1-10.
Prophetical portion, Is. 55:6-56:8.
New Year Introspection
Rosh Hashanah is a time for soul-searching
and for introspection. It is a time for self-
examination.
As we usher in the New Year 5716, tonight,
we are moved to review the past year and to be
guided by the experiences we have acquired
during it.
The year that has passed_ can not be con-
sidered a "bad year" on our calendar. We have
had some tragedies, but we also have had many
accomplishments. We have had disappoint-
ments, but we also have been blessed with
joys and with the satisfactions of seeing the
materialization of truly creative efforts.
But the final weeks of 5715 had begun to
add to our responsibilities and troubles. The
occurrences in North Africa have forced a re-
newal of ingathering operations for Israel. We
may well express gratitude for the existence of
Israel, without whom no avenues of escape
would have been open for the unfortunate
Jews in Morocco and Tunisia who are pleading
for immediate settlement in the Jewish state.
The frightful Egyptian infiltrations into
Israel have created a new crisis for Israel. It
necessitated a firm stand by the Jewish state.
All men of good will and of peace are praying
for a just solution- of this tragic problem that
is affecting the peace of the Middle East.
On the home front, there has been evidence
of a keen interest in educational developments,
in Israel's upbuilding, in the extension of pro-
grams of all our social service agencies. We
have begun to build at a rapid pace and the
facilities that have been provided for schools,
.for centers, for other communal movements,
are expected to create greater interest in the
spiritual and cultural works of our com-
munities.
Israel has shown progress, and the relation-
ship between world Jewry and Israel remains
on, a. high level. Similarly, world Jewry's' con-
cern in the welfare of Jews who still reside in
lands of oppression — especially in Moslem
countries, and behind the Iron Curtain — re-
mains vndiminished.
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On the other side of the coin, however,
there is evidence of negative developments
which should cause grave concern among all
who are interested in the most dignified striv-
ings for Jewish survival.
We dare not be overconfident. There are
new obstacles to be overcome in an era of pros-
perity and security—obstacles that arise from
being too complacent and too self-satisfied,
from false ideas of spiritual security, from a
diminishing knowledge about Jewish affairs.
In spite of the progress we have made in the
construction of new synagogues and public
buildings and in the extension of our philan-
thropic activities, - there are certain apathetic
developments that should cause grave concern
over the future of our communities.
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There is very little proof to indicate that
the good things that have come to us have
inspired a greater interest in Jewish affairs.
We are good campaigners, but we are not
always the well informed men and women
who make up .a strong community. We need
new shots in our arms—spiritual shots that will
give us strength to carry on efforts for the
good of faith and country. Our arms will wither
unless the strength we aspire to spiritually
is derived from knowledge, from an under-
standing of our position as Jews and as citizens.
This is a major task during the year we are
ushering in solemnly tonight. If we succeed,
during 5716, in improving our spiritual re-
sources, then we shall emerge strong and
secure. But if we fail to fortify ourselves, and
our children, with a knowledge about our
position in the world, our history and our heri-
tage, then we may not be so secure within
shells that thereby may become thinner and
weaker.
In the hope. of strong spiritual developments
in the months to come, we extend our sincerest
wishes for a happy 5716 to the entire com-
munity.
Major 5716 Problems: Education and Public Relations
It may be much easier to preach than to prac-
tice. Surely, it is easier to offer advice than to
take it. It is less difficult to find fault than to
incorporate into our communal programs methods
of eliminating shortcomings. Nevertheless, it is
important that such risks should be taken, in the
hope that those responsible for the making of
good communities should be guided along paths
of creativity and the practical effectualness of
our needs.
_ There are several major problems which must
be tackled with determination. Major among
them is a need to which we are forced to make
reference time, and time, and time again. It is
the need for strengthening our educational sys-
tems. Good steps have been taken in that direc-
tion. The increases in our schools' populations
are indications of progress. The new schools that
. are being built will facilitate our programs. There
remain several other responsibilities in two areas:
in the field of teacher-training, and in retaining
unfaltering interest among parents in their -chil-
dren's education.
Neither of these responsibilities is minor.
Each is vital to our cultural needs.' The training
of new teachers is one of the most important
duties of a community, and it must receive pri-
mary consideration in the planning that taxes the
energies of American Jewry. The second point—
the interest to be retained among parents—is too
obvious to require detailed discussion. Already,
there is in evidence so much laxity in Jewish sen-
timents, there is so much assimilation, that the
strengthening of their interests in their children's
Jewish instructions among parents is most vital.
*
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There is another responsibility about which
very little is said: that of creating stronger pub-
lic relations methods in tackling problems affect-
ing Jews, in this country and abroad.
This issue is closely related to the problem
of education, except that it belongs in the sphere
of adult education. While we have several large
agencies that are primarily concerned with facing
issues directed at the Jewish people, it is our con-
tention that our laity has shown itself incapable
of tackling them. We have in view primarily the
increasing amount of anti-Israel Rropaganda, the
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frequent attacks upon Zionists and Zionism by
Arab propagandists and their cohorts attacks
that react unfavorably upon all Jews — and the
occasional outbursts of anti-Semitism.
Whenever such outbursts become evident,
Jewish lay leaders and students Of Jewish affairs
should be available with facts, figures and sub-
stantiated truths to counteract falsehood. But
when the need for such people, who are fortified
with knowledge, arose on several occasions during
the past year, they were not available. We
maintain, therefore, that we have begun to fail,
completely, in the public relations sphere. Even
if professional staff members representing our
public relations agencies were always available to
tackle such problems, we believe that it would
not be desirable and that the most effective way
of handling such matters is by assigning them to
laymen.
• How is the problem to be solved? An ex-
panded adult education program, placement of
greater • emphasis on acquisition of knowledge
about Jewish affairs rather than on fund-raising,
and the relegating of responsibilities to laymen
should go a long way in warding off dangers that
are associated with ignorance of Jewish affairs
—an ignorance that is responsible for a weakened
public relations program. •
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The advent of a new year brings to mind
duties that are countless, but we believe that the
two we have listed are the most serious ones that
face us at this time. Will responsible Jewish
leaders and agencies accept them seriously?
If we do not begin to solve the issues we have
enumerated in 5716, we will be losing a valuable
year of communal programming. Let us see if
those who are in responsible positions are able to
face them, and to emerge at least partially vic-
torious in re-establishing a well-informed and a
thinking constituency whose chief concern should
be the retention of a dignified Jewish life. When
we refute falsehoods spread about Israel, we
assure dignity for American Jewry. By establish-
ing truth whenever Jewry is attacked we defend
our position as Jews and as citizens. The duty is
clear and an approach to the problem's solution
must be made a major 'aim in • 5716. -