'Watch Out . . .
THE JEWISH NEWS
Taking Red Pills'
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.,
8-9364. Subscription $5 a year. Foreign $6.
VE. Entered
as second class matter Aug. 6, 1952 at Post Office. Detroit Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and_ Publisher
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Circulation Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
Elul, 5717, the following Scriptural selections will
This Sabbath, the fourth day of
be read in our synagogues:
portion, Iasah 5-:12-
Pentatettchal portion ) Shofetim, Dent. 16:18 - 21:9. Prophetical
52:12.
Licht Benshen, Friday, Aug. 30, 6:52 v.m.
VOL. XXXI. No. 26
Page Four
August 30, 1957
World Zionist Congress' 60th Birthday
This Aug. 29 is a very important date
on the Jewish calendar. Marking the six-
tieth anniversary of the convening of the
First World Zionist Congress, in Basle,
Switzerland, by Dr. Theodor Herzl, this
date will remain indelible in Jewish
annals.
When Dr. Herzl first appeared on the
Jewish scene, with a- call to action for
the establishment of a Jewish State as
the solution to the tragic problem of our
people, Jewry's spirit was very low. There
were massacres in Eastern European coun-
tries. The hopes of those who believed
that emancipation carried with it a cure
for the ills that beset our people were
shattered. Anti-Semitism was rampant.
Herzl's call to action and the conven-
ing of the World_ Zionist Congress gave
new hopes to the oppressed Jews. It was
a ray of light on a dark horizon. It in-
spired Jews in the ghettos of -Europe to
have faith again in the ultimate redemp-
tion of Israel.
True enough, there were some who
looked upon Herzl and his movement as
the emergence of another false Messian-
ism. But to the Jewish masses, to the
millions who lived in shackles, constantly
in danger of being crushed under the heels
of tyrants, it provided encouragement
that hope was not lost, that those who
seek freedom have a chance to attain it
if they work for it. They accepted the
admonition of Theodor Herzl that "if you
will it. it is no myth!"
The rebirth of Jewish nationhood be-
ban on that historic day of Aug. 29, 1897.
The First World Zionist Congress adopted
these basic principles in what became
known as The Basle Program:
"The aim of Zionism is to create for
the Jewish people a home in Palestine
secured by public law.
"In order to attain this object the
Congress adopts the following means:
"1. The systematic promotion of the
settlement of Palestine with Jetvish agri-
culturists, artisans, and craftsmen.
"2. The organization and federation of
all Jewry by means of local and general
institutions in conformity with the local
laws.
"3. The strengthening of Jewish senti-
ment and national consciousness.
"4. Preparatory steps for the procur-
ing of such government assents as are ,
necessary for achieving the object of
Zionism."
The First World Zionist Congress was
not the first time that Jewish aspirations
for the redemption of Zion were enunci-
ated. But it was the first time that an
effort was introduced to secure statehood
for Jews "by public law," and to organize
Zionist groups everywhere "in conform-
ity with the local laws."
It was at this historic Congress, the
dignity of which drew the attention of
the entire world, that Dr. Herzl declared:
"The return to Zion must be preceded by
our return to Judaism" . . . . "A nation
can only depend on itself for help; if it
cannot do so. it is beyond help." "But we
Zionists wish to rouse the people to self-
help." . . . "We want to lay the founda-
tion for the house which is one day to
become the home of the Jewish nation"
. . . . "Zionism _is a home-coming to the
Jewish fold even before it becomes a
homecoming to the Jewish land" . .
Thus the foundation was laid for what
is now the State of Israel. The First World
Zionist Congress symbolized the first
bricks in the structure of statehood. Three
clays after the closing of this Congress,
Herzl wrote in his Diary: "I founded the
Jewish State in Basle." History has proven
that this man who was looked upon as a
visionary was a Prophet.
We pay honor on the 60th•anniversary
of the founding of the World Zionist
Movement, at the Fii-st World Zionist
Congress, to this man of vision and to the
men who worked With him for self-help
and self-liberation.
Synagogues' Labor Day Declaration
Taking note of "certain p r a c tic e
among labor leaders "which have dis-
tressed every right-thinking citizen, the
Synagogue Council of America, which rep-
resents the six Reform, Conservative and
Orthodox constituent agencies in this
country — three rabbinical and three con-
gregational — has issued an important
Labor Day declaration.
This statement declares that "what is
redeeming in the otherwise sorrowful
spectacle is the laudatory response of the
respected and trustworthy leadership of
the labor movement which unhesitatingly
rose to the moral challenge and, through
its forthright action, restored the confi-
dence of the American people in the labor
union movement and in its great humani-
tarian objectives." It declares that "the
greatest affliction besetting labor . . . is
that we have permitted our conception of
labor to become paganized," and it offers
this rcedo as a deterrent to "pagan self-
indulgence":
"The labor movement in the United
States should be an expression of an
opposite philosophy: namely, that labor
dignified man. that the work of the hands
contributed to. the enrichment of the in-
dividual and his- society. 'Love labor and
loathe lordship' . . . 'cherished is labor
with which all prophets occupied them-
selves' . . . is the conception of labor
defined in ancient Rabbinic writings and
first enunciated in the Bible. The United
States, a country founded on the ethical
and moral principles of the Bible, pro-
vided the moral impetus which led to our
present-day defense of the rights of the
Joseph Gaer's Splendid 'Jewish
Bible for Family Reading'
1
Joseph Gaer, who already has gained recognition as an able
student and interpreter of the Bible in several books, including
two on the lore of the Old and New Testaments and his highly-
commended "How the Great Religions Began," has added to his
fine record another outstanding work, "The Jewish Bible for
Family Reading," published by Thomas Yoseloff (11 E. 36th,
N. Y. 16).
l
It is as interesting as it is valuable. Retaining the reverence
that is essential for Bible reading, the editor of this Famiti y
Bible undertook to remove the language difficulties th at
accompany many of the Scriptural passages in translation. Wi h
the aim also of eliminating duplication and of retaining the
enduring warmth . of the text, Joseph Gaer has achieved the
goal of producing a collection of the outstanding portions of the
Bible in most readable form.
As he explains it in the introductory chapter, "The Bible:
Our Inheritance," he undertook to prepare this Biblical version
"in the conviction that with most of the impediments removed,
the Bible would be read with ease and enjoyment by manly
who have turned away from it because of its obstacles, and
that they would find in it the spiritual sustenance it has given
generation *er generation."
By removinV. duplications, by summarizing genealogies in notes
at the end of ► the book and by omitting redundancies, the editor
has consider bly shortened the Family Bible, while accounting
hapter. In language, this Bible "approximates
for every
ing James Version more closely than any other
Authorized
glish." • Mr. Gaer explains that "the Hebrew
version in
Scriptures were compared word for word and sentence for
sentence with the Authorized Version: and preference was given
to the time-honored and familiar text, unless the difference
involved accuracy of meaning or clarity of thought."
The editor of this Family Bible assures us that it "is not
intended to displace or replace the traditional versions, but
rather to encourage, through easier reading, a revival of
family reading of this centuries-old work which so profoundly
affects our lives and shapes our moral behavior."
This objective is attained in his 570-page volume. The
historical background to each book and each group of books,
provided by Mr. Gaer in introductory notes. provides the reader
with basic knowledge about Biblical history. These introductions
clarify conditions that might otherwise be misunderstood.
In the introduction to II Samuel, for instance, Mr. Gaer has
an interesting note on King David. "the wise ruler and great
Psalmist—the man of abundant faith." A note to I Kings 12-22
and II Kings, under the heading "A Kingdom Divided," lists the
Kings of Israel and Judah and the dates of their rule.
Chronicles, I and II, are explained as "A Late Version of I
and II Kings," and the "markedly different approach" is
described so that it becomes understandable to the average
reader. There is a splendid essay, "An Anthology of Four
Centuries of Hebrew Prophecy," accompanying The Books of
the Prophets. Equally impressive are the other explanatory notes.
The excisions are indicated and the reader is provided with a full
understanding of the Scriptures, and a splendid compilation that
makes this truly "The Jewish Bible for Family Reading."
laborer, the protection of his health and
through the exemplary protective
legislation for improved working condi-
thous, income security, fair wages, and
insurance against illness and old age.
"In our present economy of abun-
dance. American society, and within it
the labor movement, too, must not suc-
cumb to the overwhelming enticements
of materialism; the. twentieth century
version of paganism,-Then will the repre-
hensible actions of a small number of
corrupt leaders in the labor unions who,
like their-ilk in certain fields of business
and government, no longer traduce the
glory of labor, the .dignity of the laborer.
and the rights of mankind for private Ilarness the Sun, Sweeten the Sea'
profit.
"If one is to judge by the expressions From Address of Israel's Premier DAVID BEN-GURION at
of moral concern voiced by the Ethical Exercises of Technion Awarding Him Honorary Degree.
Practices Committee of the AFL-CIO and
"In the presence of professors and scientists of the Technion, I do
their subsequent actions, designed to rem- not wont to expound on the importance of scientists and technologists
edy the abuses, the American people can in building our old-new country. That we can make use of this we
take heart that there is real prophetic demonstrated recently, at the end of October and beginning of November.
vision within the democratic leadership At a cocktail party we gave a few weeks ago, an American visitor asked
of organized labor, and that vision will General Dayan about the Sinai Campaign and whether we expected more
lead labor back to its early ethical, hu- trouble in Egypt. 'What!' said Dayan, 'it was no trouble — it was a
pleasure!'
manitarian. indeed, Biblical moorings."
life
There is vital significance in these
assertions. We live in challenging times.
There also are the manifold moral aspects
in situations that can be . directed towards
amity, provided there is a desire to avoid
strife and to aim for a common under-
standing.
We hope that the significant Labor Day
statement of the Synagogue Council of
America will be taken seriously by all
elements in our population.
"However, we have other pleasures — and bigger ones — namely,
the conquest of Nature. That is what we expect from a great institution
such as this. What I especially want is that you should solve as quickly
as possible the problems of distillation of salt sea water and the creation
of power from solar energy.
"We owe a great debt of gratitude to JeWish communities all over
the world — especially the Jewish community in America.
"We shall endeavor to build a high civilization, of which every Jew
throughout the world will be proud. It will rest on two things — the
ethical teachings of our Fathers and the discoveries of Science and
Technology. Our people will be inspired by high courage, love of peace,
efforts for social justice and the highest possible human standards."