N

00

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday, August 8,

r-4

Lengthy Senate Debate Marks Adoption of Harry Schumer at Israel's Acco
Humane Slaughter Measure; May Be Vetoed Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

WASHINGTON (JTA) —
President Eisenhower was
strongly advised to veto the
humane slaughter bill which
won Senate approval last week.
The House must first pass on
Senate amendments to the origi-
nal measure which - the lower
house had previously adopted.
Senator Allen Ellender,
chairman of the Senate Agri-
culture Committe e, who
failed in an attempt to defer
the proposed legislation for
two years, predicted that the
President would veto the
measure. At least two mem-
bers of the Cabinet, the
Secretaries of Agriculture
and Defense, are know to
have reservations about the
desirability of this legislation.
The bill would bar Federal
agencies from buying meat
products from any livestock
processors who failed to com-
ply with specified standards of
humane slaughter. The bill
specifically exempts Shehita,
Jewish ritual slaughter. It was
sharply opposed by Orthodox
Jewish groups despite this
exemption which held Shehita
to be humane and lawful. Sen-
ate sources asserted that the
meat industry has sought to
inject a Jewish religious issue
to block the bill.
Arguments against the bill

were aired on the Senate floor
citing Orthodox Jewish views.
The Orthodox group felt the
measure might interfere with
Shehita and undermine tradi-
tional religious freedom. But
testimony. of other Jewish
groups was introduced holding
that recognition by the original
bill of Shehita as a humane
method was satisfactory.
Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New
York Republican, offered an
amendment exempting from
the bill not only ritual slaugh-
ter, which is accepted as
humane, but also the "han-
dling" of animals in prepara-
tion for slaughter. He said
Orthodox Jews felt strongly
on safeguarding Shehita be-
cause of "the effort made
under the Nazis to suppress
ritualistic slaughter."
However, Sen. Wayne Morse,
Oregon Democrat, said the
Javits exemption would give the
impression that the Senate was
asking some sort of exemption'
to humane slaughter. "We could
perform no greater disservice
to Orthodox Jewry than to let
the legislation go through in
that fashion" he said, adding
that "basic in Jewish faith is
humaneness to the dumb beast."
The Javits amendment was
approved, as was one by Sen.
Clifford Case, New Jersey

Republican, which said that
nothing in the bill should be
construed as interfering with
religious freedom.
Sen. Humphrey introduced
before the Senate a letter from
former Senator Herbert H.
Lehman of New York who said
the bill with "adequate protec-
tion for Jewish ritual slaugh-
ter" and certain modification
"`not only represents no real
threat to the sensibilities of my
faith, : but is, indeed, consistent
with the objectives of humane-
ness which are honored in the
Jewish faith and tradition as
well as in others."
Also introduced by Sen.
Humphrey was a communica-
tion by Jewish groups to Rep.
W. R. Poage, Texas Democrat,
sponsor of the bill passed by
the House and Senate. The
communication, from Reform
and Conservative groups, sup-
ported the bill in that it spe-
cifically recognized the Jew-
ish ritual method slaughter
as humane and lawful.
Sen. Frank J. Lausche, Ohio
Democrat, told the Senate that
"we would be treading upon
dangerous ground if in any way
we were to imply that compli-
ance by the Jewish people with
their ritual was tantamount to
cruelty to animals, or to any-
one else. We must begin with
the premise that what they have
done is in conformity with
goodness, and with gentle treat-
ment of living things, and that
their religion has been founded
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
on that basis."
He said he would oppose any
Medieval Yemen Becomes a Military Power
measure that considered Jewish
A major cause for concern in the present world crisis created ritual inhumane "having in
by conditions in the Middle East, and by Soviet Russia's aspira- mind the historic background
tions for domination in that area, is the rise to power of a of their ritual, which contem-
number of medieval countries.
plates men of good character,
Andel E. Talbot, military and aviation editor of the New of cleanliness, of decency, and
York Herald Tribune, reveals the following about the new status men with a sense of protection
given to one of the world's most cruel monarchies, Yemen, by toward the things which they
the USSR:
destroy for food."
"The feudal kingdom of Yemen on the Red Sea, one of
the world's most backward nations, now federated with Nasser's
Eisenhower Pledges
United Arab Republic, is on the point of becoming one of
the world's most liberally armed nations on a per capita basis
to Keep Israel's
through Soviet bloc assistance.
Welfare in Mind
"Medieval Yemen, which is on the southwestern tip of
the Arabian peninsula and whose ruler, Imam Ahmad, retained
WASHINGTON, (JTA) —
his throne and absolute power over 4,500,000 subjects in the
President Eisenhower promised
political agreement with Nasser in March, is estimated to
to keep the welfare of Israel
have received nearly $40,000,000 worth of arms. These have
in mind as consideration of Mid-
been sent in several shipments through the Suez Canal mostly
dle Eastern developments pro-
from Czechoslovakia, starting before the federation."
gresses. The President made the
Such developments border on tragedy in the current inter- pledge in a letter to Rep. Albert
national confusion. Anyone who upholds the hands of oil mag- P. Morano, Connecticut. Republi-
nates or goes along with the Kremlin can get all the support can.
he wants. That goes for states like Saudi Arabia and Yemen,
Rep. Morano wrote Eisen-
where human beings still are sold in slave markets, and where hower on July 25 urging a sup-
the stealing of a loaf of bread is punishable by the amputation ply of modern U.S. weapons to
of an arm.
Israel. The Congressman said
Representatives of such backward countries now sit in the developments indicated more
councils of the nations of the world and possess voices as power- Russian arms may go to the
ful as the most democratic nations. It all stems from the power United Arab Republic and ex-
attained by medievalism when it is armed by communism. But pressed concern for Israel's
the humanitarianism of a small state like Israel loses its dignity safety. He termed it essential to
in the struggle for power.
muster all possible strength
Yemen is becoming a military power, while Israel is denied, against threats to Middle East-
even by those calling themselves her friends—Great Britain and ern countries which have shown
the United States—the basic needs for self-defense. France alone friendship to the United States.
remains Israel's staunchest friend. Israel's strength lies in the
In response to Rep. Morano's
pride with which she holds her head high—in defiance even of letter urging assistance in the
new developments of the unifying of all the Arab states into defense of Israel, Eisenhower
a single, Nasser-controlled empire. But the manner in which said: "This Government is, of
backward, slavery-condoning states are being armed to the teeth course, keeping closely in touch
by communists on the one hand, while being accepted and with the Israeli and other
dignified by the anti-communist democracies, hardly lends glory Middle East area and with all
to the powers who now control the destinies of mankind. History's friendly governments in the
chapter, now being written, is far from glorious. •
free nations concerned with de-
velopments in this region."
What Has Happened to the Shekel?
Emphasizing the efforts of
The Revisionist (Herut) Jewish Herald of Johannesburg, the United_States "to have these
South Africa, makes the interesting observation that the Shekel, problems resolved through the
which was the symbol of Zionist affiliation until very recently, United Nations have not ceas-
"has vanished out of our Zionist life and vocabulary."
ed," the President wrote: "I
This comment serves as a reminder that the Shekel was at can assure you the United States
one time a very important element in Zionist ideology.
will take whatever action is
The Jewish Herald makes the fantastic claim that if the found to be appropriate and
Shekel had been eliminated from Zionism 25 or even 20 years necessary. As consideration of
ago, there would have been a different situation in the move .- these matters progresses, I shall
ment; that Mapai would not have gained control of the organ- not fail to keep in mind the
ization; that Vladimir (Ze'ev) Jabotinsky's Revisionists would interest and concern you have
have risen to the top; that there would have been no "com- expressed for the welfare of the
promise and appeasement under Weizmann." These are, of State of Israel." Eisenhower
course, ridiculous assertions.
subscribed to a position that
But we agree with the Jewish Herald that "no one will the United States must support
shed any tears at the passing of the Shekel" and that "it just countries threatened in the
goes to show that habit and traditions die hard . ."
Middle East.

Purely Commentary

Honoring the devoted services of Harry Schumer in
behalf of the Histadrut Campaigns and many other Israeli
causes, the Harry Schumer Cultural Center soon will be
completed in Acco, Israel. • Schumer is shown here at the
recent groundbreaking ceremonies in Acco. He attended the
event with Mrs. Schumer and a host of friends from Detroit
and other communities who were in Israel at the time.
Schumer made a generous contribution for the construction
of the Acco Cultural Center, above his normal Histadrut
gifts.

r

0010.0 ■ 1111 ,411 ■ 0411 ■ 411 ■ 4* ■ -0/11/1~111M0.11

01•111.04 ■1■4■ 11-11 ■ 1•0!..ims

Boris Smolar's

Between You
and Me'

...

(Copyright, 1958,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

The Diplomatic Scene

Israel is now more interested in securing submarines, jets
and other modern arms from the United States and other West-
ern countries than in the much-discussed question of whether
she will be invited to the summit conference. . . By now it
I seems pretty certain that the conference will be held within the
framework of the UN Security Council and that Israel will ap-
pear there, if the Arabs do. . . . This does not mean that Israel
Will appear also when the heads of governments meet in closed
session. . . . Biit the Arabs will probably not be present either,
despite the fact that Nasser has been tak'en under Khrushchev's
wing. . . . What Israel is really worried about now is that an
arms embargo on the Middle East may be agreed upon. . . .
This would put Israel at a tremendous disadvantage vis-a-vis
Nasser who all along has been receiving modern weapons from
Soviet Russia. . . . Not to speak of the fact that he is practically
in control now of the American weapons which were lavished on
Iraq before the recent pro-Nasser revolt. . . . With the possibility
that Jordan and Lebanon may within a short time also become
part of Nasser's empire, Israel faces the likelihood that she will
be entirely surrounded by Nasser forces . . . Even access to
Israel by sea—the route upon which Israel depends for the im-
portation of foodstuffs and other commodities—may be blockaded
by Nasser's submarines .. . It is; therefore, a matter of utmost
urgency for Israel to increase its defense power and to acquire
as early as possible modern weapons, including submarines,
which Nasser has and Israel has not. . . .Up to now Israel has
acquired arms and some jets from France, but in the event of
an East-West agreement to ban arms to Middle East countries,
France, too, would be obligated to halt weapons shipments. Ef-
forts are, therefore, being made by Israel in all capitals of the
Western Powers—including Washington—to secure permission
to buy modern arms before it is too late. . . . Washington is
especially under obligation to Israel in this respect, since an
Israel application for arms has been held up without action by
the State Department for several years.

Summer Culture

Jewish summer camps for children have reached a new high
this season. . . . They have become a basic educational institution
which attracts Jewish children to a greater extent than the Jew-
ish city school. . . . In some camps the children receive a more
consistent Jewish education during the summer weeks than they
get in the city schools during the entire year. . . . This is be-
cause the child is entirely under the influence of the JewiSh
surroundings in the camp. r . . At present there are five types
of summer camps. . . . There is the Jewish cultural camp, where
everything is conducted in English in an environment of Jewish
group living. . . . The program of such camps contain definite
religious elements and the food is kosher. . . . Formal study is
not an indispensable element in the program of a Jewish cultural
camp . . . However, the program includes periods for the study
of Jewish history, current Jewish life in America and abroad,
the Bible, and achievement in Israel. .. . The second type of
Jewish camp is the school camp, where emphasis is laid on
formal study, in addition to other informal educational elements
in the program. . . . The campers there, mostly students of Jew-
ish schools, are organized- into classes as well as camp groupings.
. . . They devote from one to several hours daily to formal study
of the usual subjects of the Jewish school curriculum. • .. The
third type of camp is the Hebrew language camp, where every-
thing is conducted in Hebrew. • . .The Zionist youth camps,
where stress is laid on Zionist education, is a fourth type of
camp. . . . These camps are conducted by Young Judea, Habonim
and other Zionist groups. . . . Then there is the fifth type—the
home camp—which is usually conducted by the Jewish com-
munity centers . .. The home (or "day") camp differs from the
other camps by virtue of the fact that it is in the city and only
during the clay ... The children live at home and come to the
camp for the day's program.

7

