THE JEWISH NEWS
Chronicle commencing with issue . of July 20, 1951
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish
of English—Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Associations, National
Member American Association
West Seven Mile Roaa, Detroit 35.
Editorial Association.
' Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co.. 17100
a year. Foreign $7.
Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription $6Seco
Second Class Postage Paid At Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ SIDNEY SHMARAK
Editor and Publisher
HARVEY ZUCKERBERG
Advertising Manager
Business Manager
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
Scriptural selections will be
This Sabbath, the twentieth day of Av, 5723, the following
synagogues:
in
our
read
Isaih 49:14-51:3.
Pentateuchal portion, Deut. 7:12-11:25. Prophetical portion
Light benshen, Friday, August 9, 7:23 p.m.
VOL. XLIII. No. 24
Page Four
August 9, 1963
Unnecessary Abuse of Humnitarian Cause
So much poison has seeped into Wash-
ington circles against Israel under the
guise of Zionism that the activities of
the movement that was responsible for
establishing the foundation for the Jewish
State now are being probed by the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
It is diffic.ult to understand why so
eminent a legislator as Senator J. W. Ful-
bright should have made it so pressing
an issue to examine the record of an or-
ganization that has_ functioned for many
years on humanitarian principles.
There is an established tradition in
this country of aid to the downtrodden,
of encouragement to those who seek to
throw off the shackles of oppression, of
assistance to people seeking equal rights
-in areas where they have submitted to
degradation.
One of the brightest chapters in
American history was written when the
Irish were given encouragement in their
quest for independence.
The foundation. for the Republic of
Czechoslovakia under the leadership of
Thomas Masaryk was laid in this country.
Other nations emerged when govern-
ments in exile were formed by their
leaders in this country and in other free,
democratic western lands.
These were inevitably political under-
takings.
Similarly, the endorsements that have
been given to Zionist aspirations in this
country by the most distinguished Ameri-
can leaders, by people of all faiths, have
been recorded in many published volumes
as evidence of America's deep interest in
the Jewish liberation cause, in the hu-
manitarian efforts to end the homeless-
ness of the Jewish people, in the evenutal
emergence of Israel as a sovereign state.
Because of the pressures that continue
to be exerted from many antagonistic
groups, it becomes necessary to continue
the Zionist activities, and the Zionist
movement retains the humanitarian ideals
which have distinguished it for more
than six decades as one of the great
revolutionary movements in behalf of the
most oppressed people on earth.
Because of the very nature of the
movement, it must be political. It be-
comes necessary so very often to seek
government aid in behalf of Israel, and
such f action has become recognized as
valid and necessary.
Zionist agencies have, when called
upon to do so, registered with the State
Department to indicate when their actions
were of a political nature in behalf of a
foreign government—in their instance,
Israel.
To be pilloried for it seems grossly
unfair. To have dragged world Jewry's
most important news agency—the Jewish
Telegraphic Agency—into the squabble
is additionally unjust. It is an operation
deeply to be deplored.
Sara Jenkins' 'Song of Deborah'
In an introductory note on the "Song of Deborah," pub-
lished by John Day Co. (62 W. 45th, NY 36), by Sara Jenkins,
the publishers make this explanation: •
"The little known about Deborah can be found in two
chapters in the Book of Judges in the Bible.
"We do know that over 3,000 years ago she became the
spiritual leader of her people and that she helped Barak save
her Israeli people from the Canaanite enemy. And we do know
that she sang the story of the great victory in a poem which
many feel to be the oldest piece of authentic writing — perhaps
the words of Deborah herself — in the Old Testament.
"Sara Jenkins, in this novel based on fact, tries to show
how the young Jewish girl might have grown into leadership,
first through her natural qualities, then through' the responsi-
bility .she felt for her family, her town, her nation and her
God."
Naturally, Sara Jenkins modernized her story, turned it into
a love tale and an account of patriotism and loyalty to the
Israelites. She makes her characters live and function with vigor
in a period of national challenge.
Indeed, Deborah emerges as a genuine heroine who is able
PWO is to labor Zionism what Hadas- to lead and to direct her people. There were doubts about her
sah organization is to the General Zionist in the hearts of her kinsmen and neighbors until she proved her
As a young girl she already showed courage, and when the
movement. Like the older General Zionist mettle.
the time came for her to assist the general, Barak, in his battle
Hadassah organization it rates high among against the Canaanites, where her girl friend Jael killed Sisera,
the builders of Zion and thereby has the Israelites' enemy, when she found it necessary to warn the
earned the respect of American Jewry.
weakening Barak that "a leader must have confidence," she
as the genuine Hebraic Joan of Arc.
We join heartily in welcoming the emerges
murders of Jael's father and of Deborah's husband Lapi-
Pioneer Women's convention to Detroit doth The
spur the women on to action. Sisera's army was destroyed.
and to wish the movement success in its Barak and his men returned victorious. Then. "Deborah . . . walked,
deliberation here.
her feet high, her long hair loosened in the wind, her thin face
lifted against the rain which no longer fell so heavily. If Deborah
had never before been so beautiful, she was beautiful now. A sort
of exultation that came to her always when she turned aside to
worship Yahweh lighted her face more brilliantly than usual . . . "
Those who labor in behalf of their _ Thus Mrs. Jenkins describes the heroine of the Old Testament.
Then "she broke into the song":
community should not be forgotten.
The kings came and fought Then fought the kings of Canaan
The late Judge William Friedman
At Tannach near the waters of Megiddo. Spoils of silver they
surely will be remembered for his many
did not take; From heaven fought the stars, From their
courses they fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept
services to our nation, out state and city
them away, Confronted them the river Kishon, The Kishon
and to the Jewish people.
trampled his living, his living warriors. Then beat the hoofs
A native Detroiter, he was so com-
of his horses. Ran charriot races his stallions.
pletely linked with this city, while retain-
The selection from the Song of Deborah from Judges could
ing the strongest loyalties for the Jewish have been a more effective one, but the Jenkins tale in its en-
faith, that he was always considered tirety nevertheless is impressive.
Barak's wooing of Deborah concludes the charming moderni-
among Detroit's and Jewry's most dis-
zation
of the Old Testament story by Mrs. Jenkins.
tinguished leaders.
The novel "Song of Deborah," apparently written for younger
He was an inspiration to his fellow readers, is part of the Day Company's Daughters of Valor Series
men, and when he was elevated to the of books which will thrill the adults as well as they young for
Bench it was a mark of recognition by whom they are intended. Sara Jenkins, author of the current
daughter of a Methodist minister, has studied the Bible
Michigan to one of our state's most dis- volume,
and has mastered its tales. Her concluding note to her novel
tinguished personalities.
merits added quotations. "We like to think," Mrs. Jenkins states,
A leader in the Jewish community, he "that the status which women enjoy today is a new thing, invented
never faltered when it became necessary by the Western world. Yet the Old Testament pictures women
about independently, engaging in business, deciding what
to defend Jewry's good name and our moving
careers their sons should follow, even ruling the people and, in
people's status everywhere. He was un- their
wisdom, acting as judges. Such a one was Deborah, the wife
hesitant in his protests against anti-
of
Lapidoth."
Semitism, he defended Israel and would
Mrs. Jenkins adds this note: "Some authorities consider the
not permit abuse of the Zionist ideal, and song of Deborah to be one of the oldest pieces of authentic writing
for many years he was the sole repre- in the Old Testament. Many believe the poem to be the words of
sentative of the Anti-Defamation League Deborah herself. All agree that the ballad stands up well in con-
of Bnai Brith in Detroit. When ADL, in trast with anything which • has been written since. Its spirit is
spontaneous and simple in the best sense. The poet is possessed
its early years, needed a spokesman in with
literary inspiration. Deep religious and patriotic feeling
Michigan, it turned to. William Friedman runs true
through the entire song. The choice of expression is exqui-
for aid and cooperation.
site . . .
"Song of Deborah" by a Christian lover of the Old Testa-
He indeed was one of our most dedi-
cated leaders. Blessed be the memory of ment and one of its great heroines and her famous song thus
emerges as a meritorius novel on a Biblical theme.
Welcome, Pioneer Women s Organization
In their deliberations, during the ses-
sions of their 18th biennial convention
here next week, the representative leaders
of the Pioneer Women's Organization of
America will have a'n opportunity to re-
view and to evaluate the movement's
noteworthy contributions to Israel and
its influence upon tens of thousands of
affiliates in their association with one of
the most important Jewish women's
causes.
As the women's branch of the labor
Zionist movement and as the distaff ele-
ment functioning in behalf of Israel's
Histadrut, the Pioneer Women have
labored ardently to create media for the
improvement of the lot of the women
in Israel. and for the establishment of
social services that are of great help to
the women in various areas of Israeli
activities.
As the American arm for the Moatzot
Hapoalot in Israel, the Pioneer Women
were instrumental in providing the bulk
of the funds for a number of Israel's lead-
ing women's institutions, thereby assur-
ing that the distaff side of the Zionists
movement played a significant role in
the building of Israel.
The Pioneer Women also play an im-
portant role in American affairs. In their
devotion to the liberal American move-
ments, in their support of advanced so-
cial causes, in their aid afflicted of many
nations, they are among the leaders in
the great women's movements in the
land.
Pioneer Women's leadership has a
keen understanding of Jewish needs at
home and abroad. It has been unhesitant
in its support of all humanitarian causes
and has aided people of many nations
regardless of their race or creed.
In the Zionist movement, PWO has
been a leader and an inspirer of Ameri-
can Jewish women, while, at the same
time, cementing links of cooperation and
friendship with the women in Israel.
The Hebrew Joan of Arc
Late William Friedman
William Friedman.