THE JEWISH NEWS

Happy Birthday, Israel

Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951

Member American Association of English—Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Associations, National
Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35,
Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription ;5 a year. Foreign $6.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under act of Congress of
March 8, 1879.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Editor and Publisher

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SIDNEY SHMARAK CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ HARVEY ZUCKERBERG

Business Manager

Advertising Manager

City Editor

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the first day of lyar, 5722, the following scriptural selections will be read in
cntr synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Kedoshim, Levit. 19:1-20:27. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 66:1-24.

Licht Benchen, Friday, May 4, 7:15 p.m.

Vol. XLI, No. 10

Page 4

May 4, 1962

Israel's 14th Anniversary: New Challenges

Israel - 5; 14th anniversary, which will
be marked next Wednesday by celebra-
tions not only in Israel but in Jewish
commu nities throughout the world, occurs
at a time when new challenges face 'Israel
and when the kinsmen of the citizens of
the Jewish State are called upon to re-
evaluate their position as allies in the
cause of protecting the status of the
young nation.
Renewed threats from her neighbors
again cause Israel to be on the alert and
to be on guard against the renewal of
threats to Israel's existence by hostile
neighbors who are lowering their stand-
ards of living and are keeping the masses
of their people in subjection and in ignor-
ance as part of their determined desire
to destroy the smallest of their neighbors.
The newly-developing conditions cre-
ate an equally challenging situation for
the Jewish communities in the demo-
cratic countries. Israel needs the encour-
agement and cooperation of Jews in the
English-speaking countries. But the West-
ern nations, with the exception of France,
saw fit only three weeks ago to join hands
with the Arabs and the Soviet Union in
chastising Israel. Yet, justice-loving peo-
pies must stand by the small nation that
is fighting for its existence, and even
though the Jews in the English-speaking
countries must criticize their own gov-
ernments for the one-sided actions taken
against Israel, the Jewish communities
are conscience - bound to protect their
kinsmen and to demand fair treatment
in the United Nations and on the part
of the United States, Great Britain and
their allies.
*
*
Jews are not alone in pursuing a
policy of criticism of the UN and of the
United States for the recent censure
resolution against Israel. Distinguished
Christian leaders share their feelings of
disappointment over the stand that was
taken against Israel. Hope, therefore,
' is never abandoned that fairness will
emerge and that Israel will not be
abandoned.
These things must be said on the
occasion of Israel's 14th anniversary—
to indicate to those who either aim at
Israel's destruction or who condone it by
their one-sidedness that a partnership in
defense of an embattled people can not
bo disrupted by injustice. Similarly, the
partnership that has been cemented be-
tween the Israeli and American peoples
also can not be disrupted by unwise
resolutions.
Thus, on the occasion of Israel's 14th
anniversary, there is a reaffirmation of
solidarity in behalf of Israel among her
kinsmen and friends. There must also
be a new dedication to the causes that
function in Israel's behalf.
Israel's anniversary occurs also at a
time when a new wave of immigration
is compulsory—due to renewed persecu-
tions in many lands — trekking towards
Israel. Therefore this is another occasion
for world Jewry to assert, through gen-
erous gifts, that they won't let the wan-
derers perish, that they will provide
homes for them in Israel, that they will
strengthen Israel's hands in the process
of welcoming and integrating tens of
thousands of newcomers to the shores
of the Jewish State.
*
*
*
This is the time for every Jew to
declare that he will not permit his name
to be omitted from the honor roll of
those who are providing the means for

rescue work through the Allied Jewish

Campaign. Although the Detroit Allied
Jewish Campaign has ended, there still
are many who are unaccounted. for.
This is the time for them to speak up,
to be heard from with their belated
contributions.
On the occasion of Israel's 14th
anniversary, Jewish communities every-
where must also think in terms of assist-
ing in the economic upbuilding of Israel
—by supporting the Israel Bond cam-
paigns and by encouraging private invest-
ments in Israel. The Jewish State pro-
vides for its own defense, but Jews
everywhere must cooperate in aiding in
the state's economic defenses.
, In spite of the crises that arise from
time to time, Israel carries on valiantly
in defense of the people who always face
dangers from hostile neighbors. Israel's
kinsmen know how to respect the cour-
age of the Israelis and they know that
Israel's fate is bound up with the fate
of Jews everywhere. A free Israel means
a free world, since anything disrupting
the peace of Israel also will undermine
the peace of the world. All of us are
partners in this great task of assuring
peace and security for Israel, and as we
congratulate the Israelis on their 14th
anniversary we also offer them our
blessings for a secure existence.
*
*
There are many encouraging elements
in the current status of 14-year-old Israel.
In spite of the difficulties still to be en
countered, Israel places a premium on
learning, retains a sense of pride in its
educational system and strives to make
scientific advances.
Israel's great Hebrew University. its
highly advanced Technion in Haifa, the
remarkable Weizmann Institute where
much research is being conducted to in
crease scientific knowledge, Bar-Ilan Uni-
versity which has grown considerably as
the youngest school of higher learning in
Israel—these great educational centers
form a bulwark of strength for a state
whose foundation is rooted in cultural
and spiritual values. They emerge greatly
enhanced on Israel's 14th birthday.
*
•
The traditional Detroit observance of
Israel independence day again assumes
community-wide significance by virtue
of its co-sponsorship by both the Jewish
Community and the Zionist Councils.
Once again, it is expected that a large
audience, representing every element in
Detroit Jewry, will join in hailing Israel's

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14th birthday.
There will be other community

events marking Israel's anniversary,
and added significance is assumed by
the youth celebration co-sponsored by
the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish
Community Center and a score of youth

groups in Detroit, and by this Sunday's
children's Center - JNF co - sponsored
event.
The linking of the youth celebration

with an exhibit of Israel-published He-
brew books lends even greater import-
ance to that event because of the recog-
nition it gives to the high cultural aspects
of Israel's existence.

The 14th Israel anniversary, in spite
of its challenges, has many happy aspects,
It is a time for rejoicing over the emer-
gence of autonomy for Jews who were
stateless, dispersed and hounded by bigots.
It is another occasion to acclaim the
values of liberty for our kinsmen and
the hope it holds forth that the home-
lessness of many Jews is nearing its end
because there is an Israel.

Seventy-Two Exciting Hours

/
'Three Days Accounts for End
of British Rule in Palestine

Zeev Sharef, who was secretary of the Israel Provisional
Government that commenced autonomous Israeli rule in the Land
of Israel on May 15, 1948, speaks with authority when he describes
the end of British rule in Israel. He sat in on the meetings that
marked Israel's inception. He was associated with the government
from its earliest days and with the creators of Israel in pre-state-
hood era, and his account is well documented.
That is why his "Three Days," published by Doubleday, has
historic significance. Even the oft-repeated stories of well known
occurrences during the days that preceded the Israel Declaration
of Independence assume added importance when told by an eye
witness to the proceedings and by a man like Sharef who was in
the thick of battle for Israel's liberation.
It is the intimacy of the Sharef description of the historic
three days that lends special importance to his book. He was
there, and what he says and the manner of his reporting is
that of a witness who retraces all the experiences that have
led to the amazing triumph of a handful of Jews who fought
against great odds to emerge free and to attain sovereignty as
a nation.
The attitudes of the British and the Arabs again are revealed
here in all their cruelties. There were all sorts of rumors and
exaggerations, but there also were under-estimations of Jewish
strength. Among the fantastic stories told of the three-day period
is the one relating to Arab preparations for the war against the
Jewish State. Telling about the preparations, Sharef states, in his
analysis of The Second Day":
"The Military Committee of Damascus had arrived at a
remarkably sober assessment of Jewish strength. They esti-
mated it to be 50,000 trained Jewish fighting-men, comprising
the Haganah, Irgun Zvai Leumi and Fighters for the Freedom
of Israel. But they believed that the firearms available sufficed
only for one-half of that establishment. At a later time, close
to the British withdrawal, they believed that the Jews had
already acquired enough arms to equip the entire force, which
had in the meantime risen to 60,000-70,000 trained combatants.
Their estimates were correct insofar as pertained to rifled and
light arms. On the other hand, their estimates were exaggerated
when it came to heavy equipment, tanks and airplanes . . .
"But the peak of exaggeration was reached by Brigadier-
General Ismail Safwat who, in a report submitted at the end
of December 1947, referred to a Jewish plant manufacturing
atom bombs. It was a 'Thousand and One Nights' fable in a
colorful circumstance and convincing in its precision of detail.
He asserted that one of the scientists working on the A-bomb _
in the United States, Professor Baruch,' had arrived in Pales-
tine and was 'already' working with 150 engineer& in a
factory 20 to 30 feet underground in a citrus grove . He did
not repeat the story, but the legend of the Jewish A-bombs .. .
persisted among the Arab people until their armies invaded
Palestine."
Scores of other interesting tales are related in "Three Days."
There is a full account of Jewish activities, and the author inter-
jects data about the actions of the UN, the consultations and con-
ferences held prior to Israel's rebirth, the activities of Ben-Gurion,
Weizmann, Sharett and many others who rose to leadership in the
Jewish State.
Sharef's story is not limited to successes. He gives a full
account of Israel's losses, of defeats that had to be converted into
victories in order that Israel should survive.
Part of the account is the story of Israeli leaders' trips to the
United States to plead for funds to enable the young state to
carry on its work of defense as well as the resettlement of refugees.
He tells about the mission performed by Golda Meir—then Meyer-
son—to secure much larger funds than were ever raised for Israel.
Loans as well as contributions were secured with which to uphold
Israel's hands, and the fact that Jews were ready to advance loans
for a new-born state that was fighting against such great odds was
an indication of the faith kinsmen had in one another.
Sharers "Three Days" adds much knowledge to the history
already recorded about Israel's acquisition of sovereignty. In a
splendid translation from the Hebrew by Julian Louis Meltzer, this
book will be among the authoritative reference works dealings with
Israel's emergence into autonomous statehood.

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