THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS -- Friday, October 13, 19 61 --
Belzec Massacre
Witnesses Sought .
On the Record
By NATHAN ZIPRIN
An investigation into Nazi
Editor, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate
crimes at Belzec concentration
camp, in Poland, is being con-
ducted by the German authori- Columbus and Ben-Gurion
We are faced with a dilemma. Oct. 12 is Columbus Day. A
ties, with the World Jewish
Congress in New York helping few days later—and this is based on the calendar not the luach
—the 75th birthday of Ben Gurion. What should a Jewish
to secure testimony.
columnist write about? Columbus or Ben Gurion?
Belzec was the scene of the
Perhaps the aphorism about killing two birds with one
death of 600,000 Jews at the shot applies here, but only metaphorically of course. This could
hands of a special S.S. Com- only be if the two have some relationship, but, as the Yiddish
mando unit. Witnesses to the
idiom has it, vie koomt a guh tzu goot shabos, what relevance
Belzec massacres are asked to is there between a cow and good Sabbath!
come forward to assist in the
What possible relationship can there be between Columbus
investigation..
and Ben Gurion of 1961?
of
1492
Any person who was an in-
Yet
a little reflection will show there is much to tie the
mate of Belzec arid' who has
any knowledge of the Nazis who two.
The times of Columbus bore a strong resmblance at least
participated in the Belzec
crimes is requested to get in in their Jewish agonies to our own days. Spain of Columbus'
touch with Dr. Nehemiah Robin- time had many analogies to the Germany of recent times. It
son, director, World Jewish was one of the most advanced countries of its day—with much
Congress Institute of Jewish Af- of its progress due the Jews—and yet it was in that - country
fairs, 15 E. 84th St., New York that persecution of Jews reached one of the most cruel peaks
in history until then. It was the time of the Spanish Inquisition
28.
which, until the coming of Hitler, represented the acme of
horrors for the Jew.
Want Ads get fast results!
There is not an inconsiderable school in history which leans
to the theory that Columbus was himself a Jew. There are many
facts which lend substance to the idea. We know that Colum-
bus' son, who wrote his father's biography, was evasive about
the origins of the family. If Columbus was Italian-born, as he
professed, how was it that his Spanish was so, much better than
his Italian, asked Prof. Madariaga of Oxford in a book whose
thesis was that Columbus was a Spanish Jew. Columbus himself
referred to his "constant associations with Jews and Moors."
We also know that he counted Jews among the strongest sup-
porters of his discovery project. Also, it is universally admitted
that it was a Jew, Luis de Santangell, who induced Queen
Isabella to approve the expedition.
In his diary, Columbus noted that he was taking off on his
voyage on the same day on -which the Jews were expelled from
Spain.
Could it have been in the back of his mind that he might
find some land to which the Jews might escape?
What was his ultimate goal?
To understand - Columbus, we must remember that he was
a mystic. He said Isaiah had inspired him. "In a wave of mystic
feelings," writes the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, "he - beheld
in himself the fulfillment of a prophecy that out of Spain would
come forth one who would render possible . the conquest of the
Holy Land."
He said his expeditions would bring him the means to con-
quer Jerusalem. His expedition was to him a• kind of Israel
bonds, an instrument for the ultimate _goal—Jerusalem.
I am afraid some of niy readers will write in saying: "What
are you trying to do—make Columbus a dues paying member
of the ZOA?" Possibly I have read too- much into some of his
sayings, and yet Jerusalem was definitely - in hiS rand as an
ultiinate objective. The only thing ,we can't be sure. about is
whether he conceived the reconquest of Jerusalem in Jewish or
Christian terms. But his basic feeling—that America should
provide -the means for the new Jerusalem—has been validated
by history.
Without Columbus, there would have been no Ben Gurion.
If you like
CHEESE
KREPLACII-1
-AR-DEE
E RAVIOLI
, guests, cheer for
tie
talian flavor created by
that
famed Chef Boy•Ar-Dee. Tender
little macaroni pies . .. filled with
'tangy Italian Cheese...simmered
with savory tomato sauce and
cheese ... seasoned the real Ital-
ian way. So much tastier and
easier than the frozen kind. So
much thriftier, too—costs only
about 15c per serving!
PITTSBURGH, (JTA) — Pio-
neer Women, the American
women's labor Zionist organiza-
tion, has urged the United States
to encourage the Arab states to
end their war against Israel and
to enter into direct negotiations
to settle outstanding differences.
In a series of resolutions
adopted at the organization's 17th
biennial convention, the dele-
gates also called on tl* U.S. to
OSHER
"1.,11rIL
e i
o
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)
loan will carry four per cent in-
terest, and repayment over a
JERUSALEM — The Finance 10-year period will start in 1968.
Committee of Israel's parliament
approved Wednesday an Israel
Treasury proposal for an in-
crease of 40 pounds ($22.40) in
the foreign travel tax.
The increase will replace the
40-pound fee charged for exit
visas, a source of revenue which
will terminate when abolition
of exit visas becomes effective
next Sunday. The Treasury acted
to avoid loss of the revenue.
Israel's parliament approved
Tuesday night an absorption loan
bill requiring Israeli taxpayers
to make a loan to the govern-
ment during the next six months
equal to about 12 per cent of
their income. The loan will pro-
vide an estimated 25 million
pounds ($14 million) to be used
to absorb the increased number
of immigrants.
Persons whose annual income
tax is less than 162 pounds ($90)
will be exempt from the loan.
Such person constitute about half
of Israel's wage earners. The
always
GREENFIELD'S
"Accustom thyself to habitual
goodness, for a man's character
is what habit makes it."
in the Soup
Unmatched
For Delicious Flavor!
Pioneer Women Ask United States to Seek
End of Arab War, More Mid-East Aid
Ely *mit TAVEREPTRaik
N
Israel Parliament Okays Foreign
Travel Tax, Absor ption Loan Bill
or d like Wilno Kosher salami
nd so good for you! All pure
ade the famous Wilno way
he finest of skilfully blended
wi
spices. Tempting, tantalizing—
that's why Wilno is so
famous. Try it,
today!
At Leading Delicatessens,
Supermarkets & Restaurants
WILNO KOSHER
SALAMI. FRANXFURTERS - CORNED !LEE ; BOLOGNA
Distributed in Detroit & Michigan by:
Julius Pollak, 7522 Fenkell, Detroit
Tel: UN 2-5822
continue economic aid both to
Israel and the. Arab states and to
re-emphasize that this country
will do all in its power inside
and outside the United Nations
to resist aggression.
The delegates to the four-day
convention also urged the U.S.
to: 1.. Encourage the resettle-
ment of the Arab refugees
among their own people in Arab
countries; 2. Challenge the boy-
cott . and blockade by foreign
governments against Americans
on the grounds of race or reli-
gion; 3. Encourage good relations
with Israel by the world com-
mwnty of nations.
-In a • cabled message to the
convention, Israeli Prime Minis-
ter David Ben-Gurion told the
more than 600 delegates: "I wish
you success in your deliberations
and hope that both Jewish edu-
cation in America and American
perscinal• participation in Israel
will advance as a result of your
meetings. The themes of your
convention are central in Jewish
life today."
Israeli Foreign Minister Golda
Meir, in a message to the dele-
gates, lauded the "outstanding
accomplishments" of Moetzet
Hapoalot, the Israeli working
women's organization sponsored
by Pioneer Women. "We are all
proud of your share in our
work," she said.
Mrs. Sidney A. Leff, president
of the organization, told the 600
delegates that Pioneer Women
has contributed more than $2
million in the past two years to-
ward the programs of Moetzet
Hapoalot.
E UP, APPETiltg1
Time for good Wing with
ready
to serve
romedar
made with crisp, chunky walnuts
and the world's choicest dates!
Served plain, it's just plain delicious—
a satisfying, energy-rich snack for your
family. And topped with fruit, with
cheese—with whatever you please—
Dromedary Date-Nut Roll makes a
delightful dessert in a jiffy! Stock
up , • and keep it handy!
You know it's kosher—the label has the
Also enjoy DROMEDARY CHOCOLATE-NUT and ORANGE-NUT ROLL
MS= Mil SE in titi MIMI XIII INA Illa NUN IN MEMO= NM MN US 6111111110111101111/11111