Purely Commentary
`Very Bich Gas Well in Dead' Sea Area
Reported in Israel; Pipeline is Planned
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
the'.Crucial -1:cision at the Jewish Center
A Jewish community has too much to do, it has too many
serious responsibilities to be able to afford the luxury of
controversial diversions. We have too many duties to our
children, to our heritage, to our future, to be forced into a
position of debating an issue involving the incontrovertible
principle of respecting the Sabbath in publicly-supported institu-
tions.
Since a showdown is due next Wednesday on the issue -
created unwisely by the recent decision of the board of directors
of the Jewish- Community Center to open the Centers' facilities
on Saturdays, it is our sincere hope that a reversal of the earlier
action will be effected by an overwhelming vote.
Under no circumstances is the desecration of the Sabbath
-
to be condoned in a community agency.
We have indicated, at the very outset, that cultural programs
have traditionally been conducted in our synagogues where sacred
studies are part of the joys of the Sabbath. But such studies must
be pursued in accordance with established customs—not for the
propagation of a commercialized physical education program.
We were - concerned, in our frequent discussions of the issue,
that a public scandal should be averted and that the debate
should be kept within our ranks, without dragging it outside
the Jewish sphere.
In our hope for amity, we also proposed a compromise—the
introduction of a cultural program, to be carried out with the
cooperation of the community's rabbis, in strictest adherence to
Jewish traditional practices. That would call for complete aban-
area which
would be . about 18 miles in of oil in the Heletz
now produces about 120,000
l
length,
of four-inch diameter, tons of oil annually, some 10
an d would cost about 700,000
percent of Israel's consumption-
Israeli pounds.
If gas is used, Israel would. be
area just west of the Dead Sea,
A still more ambitious plan
18 percent of its
in Southern Israel, was an envisages the laying of a gas producing fuel
needs.
domestic
nounced by the Naptha Oil Corn- pipeline from the new gas field
Twenty percent of the
to Ashdot to supply the local
pany.
power station with fuel, as well Naptha National Oil Company
The new strike is the fourth as to provide fuel for large in- is owned by Solel Boneh, a
Israel's
TEL AVIV, (JTA) — Discov-
cry of a gas well described as
"very rich," in drilling in an
gas well brought up by the drill- dustries in Oron, where phos- division of Histadrut,
Federation of Labor; 25 percent
ing, and at least five more phates are produced, and for is owned by private investors;
drillings are now envisaged by the clay industry at Beersheba.
The new gas field will be 25 percent by the Mekoroth
Water Company, a joint venture
the company's geologists. The named "Zohar."
latest well yields gas of very
Other companies having con- by the Jewish Agency and the
rich, almost pure methane, con- cessions in the area will be Jewish National Fund and
Hevrat Ovdim as a non-profit
tent, the experts said. It may compelled, under the law, to utility for the development of
be usable for large industrial start drilling within - six months major irrigation projects; 10
enterprises like power stations, after the field has been officially percent is owned by various
or as raw material for the proclaimed, government circles kibbutzim, eight percent by the
petro-chemical industry. declared.
Ampal, American Israel Cor-
Following the announcement Discovery of the new, rich poration, and the remainder by
field
-
came
almost
four
gas
discovery,
Fi-
of the new gas
smaller shareholders.
nance Minister Levi Eshkol told years since the first discovery
a press conference that Israel
is now planning construction of
r--7,--------------------------i
a gas pipeline to the Dead Sea 1
potash works which are now 1
The members of the Jewish Community Center's board of
directors need not feel that they are faced with a serious
a simple task—of reaffirming
challenge. They are confronted by
Honor Joan Crawford
for Devotion to UJA
There is a tremendous interest in the United States in the
in the sudden discontinuance by the French auto firm, Renault,
to
of its. operations in Israel . • . Renault is now just trying
develop a market in the United States for its cars, and the
question asked is, whether this firm has broken its contract with
Israel under Arab pressure . . . The interest is especially stimu-
lated by the fact that the contract was with the Kaiser-Frazer
car assembly plant in Israel .in which American capital is
invested . . . All indications can leave no doubt that Renault's ac-
tion was connected with Arab boycott pressure . . . From private
information I learn that the announcement of the contract can-
cellation was immediately followed by the placing of an order
for Renault cars by Egypt . • . It may well be that the Arab car
market is more important than the Israeli, but there are markets
much more important than Egypt's . . . My guess is that the
public does not like boycotts or acquiescence to them . .. The
future may show that Renault's commercial consideration may
backfire . . . The Renault company has made its decision on
purely commercial grounds . . . Its belief is that it is more
important for the firm to open up the Arab market for its cars
than to retain the smaller Israeli outlet . . . This decision, I
Was assured, was not promoted by the French government, whose
policies in relation to Israel remain absolutely unchanged . . .
Well-wishers of Israel-French relations have, therefore, no cause
for - concern.
-*-
We ask for normal action—similar to a position that would
surely be taken by any Young Men's or Young Women's
Christian Association to whom it would be unthinkable even to
gymnasium, swimming pool
hear of any proposal of keeping its -
and allied physical education facilities open on Sundays.
We gave the Sabbath to the world, we respect the YMCA
and YWCA for honoring their Sunday • Sabbath; yet there were
misguided men and women in our community who were ready
Sabbath that
to go along on a program of desecrating OUR
established the principle of a rest day for mankind.
can be only one action at the meeting of the Jewish
There
Center's board of directors next Wednesday: Complete reversal
ANY stand leading to the desecration' of the Sabbath.
of
*
*
Chief U.S. District Court Judge
Judge Theodore Levin
Judge Theodore Levin last week earned the high honor
of becoming Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court in this
division. It is an occasion for sincere congratulations to a
distinguished jurist and an outstanding community leader and it
is our joy and privilege to join his many friends in extending
heartiest good wishes to him on his having attained so high a
-
position.
We wish to subscribe- to the encomia
that were uttered
in the following editorial, under the heading "An Honor
Earned," in the Detroit News:
the position of
"Elevation of Judge Theodore Levin to
chief judge of the United States District Court here brings
to the , forefront in. the administration of justice a man
peculiarly qualified, for the task.
Levin knows the law, so much so that in his
"Judge
the
(Copyright, 1959
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
The Renault Case:
our community's position of honoring the sanctity of the Sabbath.
—
'Between You
• .. and Me
using large quantities of oil-gas l
and other fuels. The pipeline
donment of the plan to open the physical, education "department
before nightfall on Saturdays.
Boris Smolar's
Zionist Expansion:
JOAN CRAWFORD
The first step toward the projected expansion of the World
Zionist Organization by acceptance of non-Zionist groups into
its ranks will be made next month in the United States . . . The
issue will emerge at the convention of the United Synagogue of
- - -
Joan Crawford,
noted motion- America, central congregational body of Conservative Judaism
picture star, was honored by the
. Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organi-
-officers of the United Jewish
who is now. in Israel, will come to the United States in
Appeal for devotion to the work zation,
time to address the convention on joining the WZO . . . Should
of UJA.
the United Synagogue convention decide to join the World Zionist
A silver-mounted Bible was movement, this decision will pave the way for enlisting the entire
presented to her by Rabbi Her- membership of the World Council of Synagogues into the WZO
bert A. Friedman, UJA execu- This may be followed by the World Union for Progressive
tive vice-chairman.
Judaism—representing Reform Jewry—joining the WZO . .
In making the presentation, Since Orthodox Jewry is already represented in the World Zionist
To these sentiments must be added additional facts — the Rabbi Friedman said that Miss Organization through the world-wide Mizrachi movement, a possi-
many notable civic
recognition of Judge Levin's share in
Crawford's efforts in behalf of bility may thus develop whereby all three religious denominations
enterprises, his leadership in the Jewish community which was newcomers to Israel and of Jew- in Jewry would become part of the World Zionist Organization
heightened by his services as president of the Jewish Welfare ish men, women and children in . . . This would mean that the Zionist movement will be com-
Federation; his share in many years of efforts in behalf of trouble in other parts of the mitted not only to work for Israel but also to the perpetuation
newcomers to this country during and after the Nazi holo- world "have been of great in- of Judaism in countries Outside of Israel . . . In addition to the
United Synagogue of America, the Order Bnai Zion is now con-
caust; his encouragement to Jewish educational efforts; his spiration."
participation in the work of the Jewish Publication Society of
The photo shows Miss Craw- sidering joining the World Zionist _Organization as a boy .. .
America and the American Friends of the Hebrew University ford receiving the silver-mount- Dr. Goldmann's appearance at the convention of the United
in Jerusalem, and a score of other movements; and by his ed Bible, made in Israel—the Synagogue may tip the scales in favor of American Conservative
Judaism joining the World Zionist body, although there seems
personal generosity shown by his contributions to meritorious gift from UJA.
to be practically no opposition to it in Conservative ranks .. .
causes.
This in turn may eventually make the World Zionist Organization
He has, earned all these honors by his devotion to duty
his
determination
to
bring
his
and by his sincere participation in . all efforts to improve the dream to reality. A sum ap- the kind of a representative body which could justifiably claim
that it speaks in the name of the large majority of Jews in
lot of his fellow men.
proximating $7,000,000 w a s all free countries, and not only of Zionist groups.
* * * -
willed by him for the advance-
*
*
Gerard Swope's Bequest to Israel Technion
ment of the Technion programs
Interest in Israel on the part of many distinguished leaders and for the extension of Tech- Meet Your Leaders :
You can safely predict that Irving Kane, of Cleveland, will
has taken many forms. Some have become intrigued with nion graduates' educational ef-
Federation
Israel's health program that is expressed in the important forts on a. graduate basis in this be elected new president of the Council of Jewish Newark,
who
and Welfare Funds to succeed Herbert R. Abeles, of
program of Hadassah. Others have shown a deep interest in country.
has excellently guided the CJFWF during his term of office
Israel's educational and industrial activities, in scientific re-
The eminent industrialist thus both as president and chairman of the executive committee ...
search and in other important enterprises.
has left an imperishable monu- It was under Mr. Abeles' administration that the relations
Was
a
former
president
of
The late Gerard Swope, who
ment to his memory with his
strengthened
General Electric Corporation, a noted electrical engineer and large bequest. He had thereby between the Israel, Government and the CJFWF were
is
Kane,
who
steps
into
Abeles'
shoes
as
CJFWF
president,
. .
a prominent industrialist, became enchanted with the oppor-
in not only given great encourage- . also
no
newcomer
to
American
Jewish
communal
life
.
.
.
He
is
tunities that were offered by the Israel Technion, in Haifa,
ment to one of Israel's major a former chairman of the National Community Relations Advisory
and
scientists
in
a
number
of
related
training of engineers -
educational achievements: his
fields. During his lifetime, he gave encouragement to the final testament paves a path to Council . . . He was associate chairman of the American Jewish
Con-
Technion. He visited the school in Israel and he made it one be trodden by others who have Tercentennary and vice-chairman of the American Jewish
American
He
is
a
member
of
the
National
Council
of
of his major interests in his life.
the means with which to per- gress ...
The late Mr. Swope also was interested in encouraging petuate the good things to Hebrew Congregations . . . In Cleveland he is a member of the
Community Relations Board, and is active, in many
-further studies
Mayor's
Technion students and graduates in pursuing in
which they are devoted in their , Cleveland Jewish groups.
this
country.
Technology
at the MaSsachusetts Institute a
A transfer tax appraisal, made public last week, evidences lifetime.
courtroom there is always _avoidance of the diffuse and
doubtful. More than that, he is a man endowed with the -
qualities of kindliness, human sympathy, depth of conscience,
sagacity and patience. He is very nearly the ideal judge, both-
in temperament and ability.
is only 61
"It is fortunate, further, that Judge Levin
give guidance
years old. That means that he will be able to
to the federal court, locally, for nine years before it becomes
compulsory that he step aside. The administration of justice
will be the better for his services."
-