THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English-Jewish Ic.ewspapers, 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. Su;,Iscription $5 a year. Foreign $6.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
SIDNEY SHMARAK CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Circulation Manager
Advertising Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twelfth day of Sivan, 5 718, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pe_ ntateuchal portion, Naso, Numbers 4:21 7:89. Praphetical portion, Judges . 13:2-25.
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Licht Benshen, Friday, May 30, 7:11 p.m.
Page Four
VOL. XXXIII, No. 13
May 30, 1958
Imperative Duties Toward Israel Bond Drive
Returning from conferences in Israel uled for June 11 in honor of Israel's
with government officials, Dr. Joseph J. Ambassador to France, Yaakov Tsur, and
Schwartz, executive vice-president of the the women's function on June 2, should
Israel Bond Organization, pointed to the be utilized for increased Bond sales.
Detroit continues to serve as a barom-
important role played in Israel's up-
eter indicating the country's trends in
building by the funds loaned through
providing assistance to humanitarian
Bond purchases in this country, and
causes. Our community has acquired the
stated that "Israel must continue to con-
role of a guide in relief efforts and in
centrate on economic development as the
investments in Israel's economic de-
central ingredient of undiminished prog-
velopment projects. Especially now,
ress in her second decade of independ-
with a recession frightening people
ence."
into making their first cuts in spending
This is the central theme of Detroit
in their philanthropic interests, it will
Jewry's plans for the sale of an additional
be especially valuable for the entire
million dollars worth of Bonds during
American Jewish community to witness
the current year. -
the worst-hit city coming forth with
As Dr. Schwartz has indicated, in his
great loyalty in support of the Israel
evaluation of the "t ow e r i n g achieve-
Bond drive. It is sincerely to be hoped
ments" of Israel, "regardless of the
that Detroit Jewry will recognize the
breath-taking scope of its accomplish-
spotlight that is flashed upon it and
ments on the social, cultural and eco-
will set the pace for generosity and
nomic level, it would be most unrealistic
for wisdom for the entire country in
making investments in Israel with un-
to assume that all problems have been
solved and all tasks. in development or
precedented Bond purchases.
immigrant settlement have been ful-
These are trying times for all demo-
filled.
cratic nations, and it is an especially
So much remains to be done, that it challenging period for Israel, in its
is imperative for all of us to increase the struggle to retain her liberties in the
tempo of activity in behalf of the Israel midst of Middle Eastern upheavals. By
helping her economic development we
Bond drives.
With the Allied Jewish Campaign assist in her security. That is the main
activities practically concluded, our com- task of the Israel Bond drives. We should
munity should concentrate its efforts in dedicate our major efforts in advancing
assisting the Bond organization's aims these campaigns during the coming
for the coming months. The dinner sched- months.
Differences in Civilizations--Story with a Moral
Tel Aviv?'
" 'Y es,' replied A bramovitch. 'He's
my cousin.'
" 'Hah,' the MVD man said. 'I thought
you didn't have any relatives abroad.'
"Abramovitch replied sadly: 'I don't
have any relatives abroad. He has rela-
tives abroad.' "
In his report on his findings in
Russia, the columnist Art Buchvvald re-
lates a number of incidents, and among
them lists the following which he calls
"the only good story" he heard in the
USSR:
The only good story we heard the
entire time we were in the Soviet
Union was told to us by a little Jewish
man in answer to a question as to how
he liked living in Russia.
"They tell the story of Abramovitch,"
he said, "who was told to report to the
MVD.
"The MVD man said to Abramovitch:
you have any relatives abroad?'
"Abramovitch said he didn't.
" 'Don't lie to us, Abramovitch,' the
MVD shouted. 'Do you have any rela-
tives abroad?'
swear I have
"Abramovitch said:
no relatives abroad.'
"The MVD took a folder off his desk.
'Do you know Jacob Abramovitch, of
-
This is more than an anecdote. It is
a commentary on conflicting conditions
in two conflicting civilizations. In Russia,
Jews live in fear lest contacts with
"relatives and friends" overseas should
subject them to suspicion and to scrutiny
from the secret police. In Israel, all Jews
are the concern of their brothers who
desire to come to their aid!
This difference in civilizations re-
flects the very basis of the causes for the
conflict between East and West. When
the Russians begin to recognize the
merits of human relationships, perhaps
the entire East-West issue will be solved.
Free Society of Slaves :Impute to Ghetto Heroes
•
'
"Free Society of Slaves" is the term Journal, Sloan indicated that "the 0. S.
that was applied by Emmanuel Ringel- was a brotherhood." . . . ". . . truly an
blum, the archiver of the records avail- order of brothers;' on our banner we have
able about the heroes of the Warsaw inscribed the motto: 'Be ready to sac-
ghetto, to his fellow-strugglers for liberty rifice. Be loyal to one another. And serve
against the odds that hurled against them society.' "
This is a remarkable slogan. In time
under Nazi rule in Poland.
In Ringelblum's Journal, "Notes from of danger, their lives practically already
the Warsaw Ghetto," just published by worthless, these martyrs spoke of the
McGraw-Hill, the story of the heroism loyalty of human beings to one another,
of the martyrs to the cause of justice for of serving society. Nowhere is there an-
the Jews and their fellow-sufferers is other similar instance of people looking
graphically told. Heavenward for the highest ideals while
A very moving analysis of the back- facing death.
Ringelblum's Journal is a memorable
ground of this Journal was written as an
introduction to this book by Jacob Sloan. record of events and of people in the
He points out that Ringelblum had called most tragic period in history. It is a
his report simply "The 0. S.", explaining chronicle of unmatched h e r o i s m. It
that the initials stand for Oneg Shabbat should serve as a rallying call to future
—Sabbath celebrants—"the secret name generations to hold on tightly to the
of that 'society of brothers' that he had banners of liberty, while, at the same
gotten together to preserve the record of time, protecting the human and spiritual
his time and people for posterity." values without which mankind can not
Again quoting from the revealing survive.
/
'Israel Argosy Introduces
Writers to English Readers
"Israel Argosy" volumes hitherto have been published in
Israel. These anthologies of literary efforts by contemporary
Israeli writers have attracted so much attention in recent years
that the fifth volume now has an American publisher. Thomas
Yoseloff (11 E. 36th, N. Y. 16) has just issued it in attractive
form.
A short novel by Mordecai Tabib, a member of the Yemenite
community, opens this interesting book. Entitled "Yossy's
Fiddle," it mirrors life of a certain group in Israel. It is well
written and is representative of the new leadership that is
arising in Israel's literery ranks. The story was translated into
English by Batya Abbady.
Miss Abbady also translated into English a famous story,
"The Slander," by one of the great pioneering leaders in the
labor Zionist movement, Yosef Chayim Brenner (1881-1921).
It is especially appropriate that the Brenner story should
be preceded by an essay, "Memories of Brenner," by the late
David Shimoni (1886.1956), who was one of Israel's best known
writers.
Of special significance in the fifth volume of "Israel Argosy"
is the collection of poems from "Joy of the Poor" by Nathan
Alterman, in Hebrew, with the English translation on parallel
pages. The translations are by Sholom J. Kahn, who also wrote
a valuable introduction to the poems, evaluating Alterman's
talents. "The mercurial significance of Alterman for the He-
brew-reading public in Israel" is emphasized by the translator
of his poems.
Yehuda Hanegbi translated another fine story in this book,
"A Warm Hike" by S. Yizhar.
The well known and able Israeli-born Moshe Shamir is
the author of the historical, oue-act play, "The Strong Hand,"
which evaluates some of the philosophic thinking of Alaimon-
ides. This episode in the life of the great Jewish philosopher
and physician was translated by Dov Vardi.
Isaac Halevy-Levin, the able editor of this volume, trans-
lated "The Scroll of Tulchin," by Ya'agov Cahan. It is a story of
Russian anti-Semitic cruelty.
There is an art section in the book, the pictures having
been selected by Dr. F. Schiff, curator of the Haifa Museum
of Modern Art. Sketches for the various stories were drawn
by Irit Grunfelder, Marta Ribas, A. Berlyne and Abba Penichal.
"Israel Argosy" is a very impressive anthology. It reveals
the skills of Israeli writers and brings the English-reading
public closer to them through the appreciation it is certain to
arouse for their works.
Annual NFTS Art Calendar
The National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods has estab-
lished a tradition of issuing impressive art calendars_ for the
Jewish New Year.
Although Rosh Hashanah does not occur until Sept. 15-16, the
5719 calendar has already been made available, in order that
members of Reform Temple Sisterhoods may procure them in
advance and arrange to secure additional copies as gifts.
Indeed, they make good gifts, and the 5719 calendar is
especially attractive.
Containing the sculpture reproductions of Nathaniel Kaz
and Erna Weill, the pictures are most illuminating. They begin
with Kaz's "Exodus" and include Miss Weill's "And She Put
Moses Down at the Brink of the River."
There is a photographic reproduction of a sculptured work
for each month, including: Kaz's "Powerline" and "Daniel and
the Lion" and Miss Weill's "Jacob's Dream" and "Martin Buber."
Biographical sketches of the artists are included and there
is ample room in the calendar for daily engagement notations.