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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, September 2, 196 0 -7-

Purely Commentary

The Late Sir Lewis Bernstein Namier

Sir Lewis B. Namier, who died in London, Aug. 19, at the
age of 72, was one of Jewry's most distinguished historians and
one of the most brilliant Jewish scholars in the world. He and
Sir Isaiah Berlin were recognized in England as two of the
ablest analysts of Jewish historical developments.
His published works on contemporary history were among
the Most widely accepted interpretations of world affairs.
He was especially acclaimed for his evaluations of the Zion-
ist ideal. As political secretary of the Jewish Agency for Pales-
tine, 1929-1931, he played an important role in the presentation
of the Jewish case to the British government and to world
leaders. _ -
His "Avenues of History," published in 1952, included a
section of "Three Contemporaries," in which he described the
contributions towards the advancement of Jewish goals. in be-_
half of statehood by Jos Wedgwood, Wundham Deedes and Orde
Wingate. In these as in his many other essays he evidenced his
appreciation of the historic significance of Zionism.
As professor of modern history at Manchester University
and as a brilliant writer, he emrged as one of the great thinkers
of our time: In his early years, before he entered the British
army in World War I, he was in business in New York. He
came to Zionism later. He embraced the movement out of a
deep conviction in the validity of Jewish aspirations and he
rendered . great services to the cause of Jewish national re-
demption. His name will be recorded with great honor in our
history.

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Two Important Books by Maurice Samuel and Dov Joseph

Earned HonOrs fo'r
Maurice Samuel . .
Tribute to .Namier

By Philip
Slomovitz

retain loyalty to JeWish traditions.
The Jewish Christians, whose existence as a group extended
into the third century, were attacked by orthodox Christians, and
Ignatius wrote: "It is monstrous to talk of Jesus Christ and to
practice Judaism." Dr. Abba Hillel Silver quotes Ignatius in. his
"Where' Judaism Differed." Rabbi Silver follows - up the quotation
of Ignatius' statement with • the comment: "Some Rabbis, on the
other hand, like Simon the Pious - and Simon ben Lakish, defended
these Judeo Christians, and did not wish to exclude them from the
Jewish community."
The late Dr. Kaufman Kohler, in the article on the Ebionites
in the Jewish Encyclopedia (1905 edition), wrote: "Some Ebionites
accepted the doctrine of the supernatural birth of Jesus, and worked
out a Christology of their own."
Dr. Salo Baron, in his "A Social and Religious History of the
Jews," . published jointly by the Jewish Publication Society and
Columbia University Press, discussing the place of Peter in Judeo-
Christian records, states that "the apostle's traditional identification
with Cephas - (Kaipha) has been denied by such scholars as Lake
and Goguel, while a more recent attempt to identify him with Simon
Bar-Jona (Matthew 16:17- and Simon Zealotes (Luke 6:15) _'and,
hence, to make him both a member of the Zealotic party and founder
of the Ebionite sect, is more ingenious than sound."
In one of the explanatory notes in his Social and Religious
History of the Jews," Dr. Baron states: "Study of the early sects
of Baptists, Hemerobaptists, MaSbotheans, Nazarites, and Ebionites,
in the light of modern research in the history of religion, would
yield considerable new data for the understanding of Essenism."
The Ebionites used the gospel of Matthew, written in Hebrew
and Aramaic, 'as their authority. They are said to have come from
the Dead Sea area in the Holy Land. Maurice Samuel's historical
novel encourages the study suggested by Prof. Baron — in the
instance of "The Second Crucifixion" at least of one of the sects
he has mentioned.
It is as an inspirer of historical studies that "The Second
Crucifixion" becomes so vitally important. It suggests a new ap-
proach to story-telling: for the purpose not alone of entertainment,
but primarily as instruction, as teaching, as an encouragement to
learning more about a subject to which the author devoted valuable
years of his life.
In the months to come, cultural gatherings will be dull without
a discussion of Samuel's new • book. Therefore, Our Commentator's
advice: get the book.

Two books that are certain to be discussed for a long time—
both being assured of places of priority on all book lists—are
due off the press during the coming two weeks.
Maurice Samuel's "The Second Crucifixion," a novel of first
rank, published by Knopf, should make the best seller list and
should remain in that category for many months. It is a great
work, by the man who — in this Commentator's view — is the
ablest Jewish writer of our generation.
The other book, published by Simon and Schuster, is "The
Faithful City — The Siege of Jerusalem, 1948," by Dov Joseph,
one of • Israel's leading personalities, who was the military gov-
erifor Of . Jerusalem during the trying months when Israel was
fighting to retain the Holy City as part of the new state.
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Both books will be reviewed at some length during the
Recognition
for
Maurice
Samuel
coming weeks.
A visiting rabbi asked a pertinent question: why is it that none
- They are, however, of such vital importance, that we deem
of the theological seminaries and schools of higher learning ever
it necessary to advise our readers about them in advance.
has thought of awarding an honorary degree to Maurice Samuel?
For that matter, why is it that our seminaries have been
Dov Joseph's Book Already Subject of Controversy
Dov Joseph, a Canadian lawyer who settled in Israel after concentrating on those who are able to make large contributions
serving, during World War I, in the Jewish Legion, with Vladi- in their selection of laymen for honors? There are many distin-
mir; .!Jabotinsky, David Ben-Gurion, Itzhak Ben-Zvi and other guished scholars who have earned doctorates, but men like Samuel
notables, played one of the most important roles in Israel's and others have been ignored in these selections.
Maurice Samuel certainly has earned recognition from our
development.
Ben-Gurion, when he announced the composition of the new universities. His "The Second Scroll" is so outstanding a result of
governmeni of Israel, at the 19th session of the' third Knesset, scholarship and research that it has earned great honors.
With Mark Van Doren, Samuel is delighting radio audiences
Nov- 2, 1955, said about Dov Joseph: "He was one of the few
volunteers (in the Jewish Legion) who came from Canada, and in interpreting the Psalms, on Sunday night broadcasts during the
I believe he was the only Canadian who settled in this country summer months. The two men have drawn wide attention with their
after his release from the army. Dov. Joseph secured his place comments on Biblical subjects for several years, under auspices of
in the contemporary history of our people' in the days of the the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. This achievement is
siege of Jerusalem, when the capital was cut off from the rest another reason for honoring Samuel. Perhaps the Seminary will
of the population, shelled and starved. He was appointed by soon extend an honor where it is rightfully due by giving Maurice
the Provisional Government as Military Governor of Jerusalem, Samuel a doctorate.
and by his organizing skill, his energy and his devotion he
saved the city from the danger of starvation and the peril of
destruction. ... As Minister of Development he displayed con-
siderable initiative - in many directions and was rewarded during
WASHINGTON, (JTA)—The and Kuwaiti firms. Rather it
his term of office with the discovery of the first oil well. His
Department of State said it had appears to have been directed
activity has not ended even though he will this time remain
protested orally to Kuwait against certain American and
outside the government... • ."
perhaps other firms, whose
Joseph's "The Faithful City" already has aroused contro- against the blacklisting of
American firms trading with business associations with Israel
versy in Israel, with his critical references to Moshe Sharett,
Israel, but did not consider such were cited in a recent Israel
former Israeli Foreign Minister, and General David Shaltiel.
Arab pressure an "unfriendly publication- which was distri-
It is as an over-all picture of the city and its fight for life
act" since "this action was not buted by various Israel missions
and the people in the Holy City that Joseph's Jerusalem story directed against the United abroad."
is vitally important. Even before issuing the review, in this States as such."
Nevertheless, the Department
advance announcement, we recommend that all who are inter-
William B. Macomber, Jr.. requested Kuwait to stop send-
ested in the history of the Middle East and of Israel should Assistant Secretary of State, ing "unwarranted letters" to
acquire this valuable book.
wrote Senator Jacob K. Javits, American business firms. Such
The Ebionites and Maurice Samuel's impressive Novel
New York- Republican, that letters have inquired= into
Maurice Samuel's novel, "The Second Crucifixion," will be Arab blacklisting affecting some whether firms are "Jewish" and
the subject for serious discussions among non-Jews as well as United States companies did not whether they trade with Israel'.
The State - Department com-
among Jews.
appear intended "to disrupt the
His new book is superb as a novel. Maurice Samuel once substantial and mutually bene- munication resulted from in-
again appears on the scene as inspiring story-teller. By delving ficial commercial intercourse quiries by Sen. Javits. He cited
into the problems of anti-Semitism, tracing the roots of the now carried on between con- instances in which American
hatred to the source—to the first century of the Christian era— siderable numbers of American companies were threatened by
he gives his creative work the merit of historicity. He arouses an
interest in the exciting period during which Christianity made
strides, when some Jews became the founders of the new religion,
viewing Jesus as divine, while another group of Jews accepted
Jesus as a prophet, as a teacher, but as the Son of Man (Joseph)
rather than as the Son of God.
Since the Jewish New Year ■ quest- of Rabbi Max Kapustin,
Around this conflict there were many controversies, and "The
Second Crucifixion," on which Samuel labored for a decade, deals falls during the registration director of the Bnai Brith Hillel
with them with great frankness.
period at Wayne State Univer- . Foundation, has agreed to per-
This exciting novel accomplishes one other thing: it brings to sity this year, the Registrar's mit these students to register
on Monday, Sept: 26. They will
light the position that was occupied for more than a hundred years
by a Jewish sect known as the Ebidnites. It is around the Ebionites Office is making special ; ,ar- not be charged the $5 late reg-
rangements to waive the fate istration fee if they obtain a
that Samuel develops his theme.
The Ebionites formed a communistic society. It was a Jewish- registration , fee for - those • stu- form, signed by Rabbi Kapustin,
Christian group that interpreted literally the glorification of poverty dents who must wait until Mon- at his office, 4841 Second.
Only those studentS : whose
in the Psalms and in portions of the Bible, and the name Ebionites day, Sept. 26, to complete their
first scheduled time for regis-
stems from Ebyanim—Evyonim—meaning the poor. The Christians registration.
Students affected are sched- tering is on Thursday . or „Fri-
who believed in the divinity of Jesus considered them heretics.
The Ebionites observed Jewish laws, honored the Sabbath, practiced uled to register Thursday and day, Sept. 22 and 23, and. who
Friday, Sept. 22 and 23. This are unable to register on those
circumcision and the laws of purity.
It has been said by some that the Ebionites as a sect stem includes all' students whose last days because of the holidays or
-
from a group that was organized by a man named Ebion. This, name initials range from Can on Saturday, Sept. 24, because
to , GZ as well as all entering : of the Sabbath, may avail them-
however, has been rejected as pure fiction.
Paul was rejected by the Ebionites as an apostate from tradi- freshmen' and • trial program selVei of . this -privilege. -The
special arrangements will be in
tional Jewish Law. At the same time, these Judeo-Christians con- students.
The university, upon the re- effect only on Monday, Sept. 26.
sidered it consistent to believe in the Mgssiaship of Jesus and to

2 Jewish Adult
Courses at WSU

"Cultural Patterns in Israel"
and the "History of the Jewish
People in Modern Times (1700-
1950)" are two new courses adults
may c.hoose from the Division of
Adult Education, Wayne State
University-University of Michigan
fall program. Meeting on the
campus of Wayne State Univer-
sity or_ in the Rackliam Educa-
tional 'Memorial Building, regis-
trations for these courses are
from Sept: 2 to 16.
Dr. Shlomo Tadmor, graduate
Cum Laude in history from the
Hebrew University, Jerusalem,
now director of adult education
at the Jewish Center, will con-
duct the eight week course, "Cul-
tural Patterns in Israel" 1-2:30
p.m. on. Tuesdays, starting Sept.
20.
This course will concern itself
with the impact of new develop-
ments on Israel's social structure.
Such topics as "Hebrewization,"
and "The East and West in Israeli
Society," "The Process of Integra-
tion," and "The Component Parts
of Israeli Culture" will be dis-
cussed. "An extensive bibliogra-
phy has been prepared for the
registrants," states Dr. Tadmor.
Starting Sept. 28, 8:10 p.m.,
Dr. Alfred A. Greenbaum, assist-
ant librarian of Wayne State Uni-
versity, will offer a course in
"History of the Jewish People
in Modern Times (1700-1950)."
A survey course of Jewish his-
tory, Dr. Greenbaum will include
in the course the Zionist move-
ment, Enlightenment, and the
Demography of World Jewry Post
World War H. The philosophy of
Jewish history will be encom-
passed as well as the historical
developments.
Registrations will be accepted
in the Division of Adult Educa-
tion offices, 60 Farnsworth. For
information or a catalog, call TE
3-1400, Ext. 371 or 608.

Deadline Today

On' account of Labor Day,
the deadline for next week's
issue will be at noon today.
The regular deadline for
all news copy submitted to
The Jewish News is at 2
p.m. on Mondays.

State Department Protest Arab Boycott

WSU Waives Late Registration Fee
for Observers of R osh Hashanah

Kuwait with blacklisting unless
they responded by a given date
to offensive questionnaires.
Macomber informed Sen. Javits
that, allegedly, Kuwait "did not
participate in the hostilities
against Israel" and therefore
was not -governed by any
armistice accord.
Commenting generally on the
blacklisting issue, Macomber
made known it is the Depart-
ment's view that "in the absence
of a definitive settlement be-
tween Israel and the Arab
states, including settlement of
such vital matters as the plight
of thousands of refugees who
have had to leave their homes
in Palestine, the establishment
of permanent boundaries be-
tween the Arab states and Israel,
and freedom of transit through
the Suez' Canal, various mani-
festations of the Arab-Israeli
tensions are unfortunately likely
to continue."
Macomber asserted that the
U.S. Government "does not con-
done the Arab boycott, par-
ticularly so far as , it adversely
affects American. firms and
citizens. It has sought through
all feasible ways and means,
within the context of main-
taining friendly relations with
other members of the free world
community, to eliminate '-such
boycott practices?'
Citing the Javits - Morse
amendment to the Mutual Se-
curity Bill, Sen. Javits said "it
will -be our job to see to it that
international law is fully com-
plied with in this situation, and
that this Offensive_ action is die-
Con ti nued?'