On Ice for Another Year
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English—Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National
Editorial Association.
Published. every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35,
Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription $6 a year. Foreign $7.
Second Class Postage Paid At Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ SIDNEY SHMARAK HARVEY ZUCKERBERG
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fifth day of Tevet, 5724, the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our synagogues:
Pentatechal portion: Gen. 44:18-47:27. Prophetical portion: Ezekiel 37:15-28.
Licht
VOL. XLIV., No. 17
Benshen, Friday, Dec. 20, 4:46 p.m.
Page Four
December 20, 1963
Legacy for Youth Left by Lehman
Several years ago, it was our privilege
to call to the attention of the Jewish
youth a proud declaration by the distin-
guished American, Herbert H. Lehman,
who advised a young correspondent never
to be ashamed of being a Jew and never
to hide his religion, no matter what pur-
suit he seeks.
The late Mr. Lehman has responded
at the time to an inquiry by a Jewish boy
whether being a Jew had helped or harm-
ed the former Governor of New York,
U.S. Senator and holder of many posts
that involved U.S. and world responsi-
bility.
When that letter first was made public,
we shared it with our readers as an
example of great self-respect and dignity.
Now, as we continue to pay tribute to
the memory of the great American Jew,
we offer that letter again as one of
valuable legacies that were left by the
courageous man who never faltered when
he was called upon to battle for just
causes.
In his reply to the young Jewish cor-
respondent, Mr. Lehman had written:
"I have just received your letter of
Nov. 16 and even though my desk is piled
high with work, I hasten to answer it
since I believe the questions you ask are
of importance.
"I believe that all religions play a use-
ful and very necessary part in people's
lives and I respect all religions that teach
belief and faith in God. I am a Jew both
by birth and conviction. It satisfies my
spiritual needs and I have a strong faith
in its teachings.
"I do not believe that being a Jew has
either helped or harmed me in my public
life. I believe that generally speaking the
American people choose their public offi-
cials by their impression of the man or
woman and although, of course, bias and
prejudice still exist to some degree in
this country, in my opinion, it is far less
than it was 30 or 40 years ago.
"Yes, I have found prejudice; both as
a youngster and as an adult, but I believe
to a very great extent these can be over-
come by an individual or group by show-
ing that they are not justified. As I have
strid there is no doubt that social preju-
dice still exists, but I do not believe that
it greatly handicaps a person in taking
an active part in the worthwhile things
of life.
"Whether a boy or a man may join a
particular fraternity or club is of no im-
portance. The important thing is to dem-
onstrate that you are a good citizen, will-
ing to bear your share of the responsi-
bilities of citizenship as well as its bless-
ings.
"You ask whether I have a comment
to make to my fellow Jews who may want
some day to become publicly known and
feel that Judaism may hold them back
because of either discrimination or preju-
dice. My answer is that I think any man,
who is seeking public office and allows
his ambition to affect his religious affili-
ation, is not worthy of the confidence
of his fellow citizens.
"I know of very few instances in
which a man was looked down upon be-
cause he was a Jew. On the other hand
I know of many instances where a man
sought to hide his religion lost the respect
of his fellow citizens.
"I am glad you have asked these ques-
tions. Apparently you are a very young
boy and have your whole life before you.
Mine is rapidly coming to a close. My
advice in a word is: Never be ashamed
of being a Jew. Never try to hide it. Never
try to compromise with your convictions
because they may not agree with those
of the group in which you find yourself.
"Thank you for your letter. I hope
that what I have said may give you some-
thing to think about now and in later
years."
In this age of uncertainty, when so
many of our young people are uncertain
of themselves and do not know how to
value their heritage, Mr. Lehman's letter
serves as a clarion call for a reaffirmation
of faith in the treasures that have been
handed down to them by the generations
of sages and heroes.
Mr. Lehman had faced many chal-
lenges. He conducted a battle in the U.S.
Senate against discrimination. He op-
posed Arab prejudices against Israel and
demanded that our Government should
not be a party to it. He faced a hostile
Senate when he fought against the Mc-
Carran-Walter Immigration Act. During
two world wars, he was a leader in
humanitarian efforts. He was one of the
most generous supporters of the United
Jewish Appeal, he showed a deep interest
in Israel, he was an ardent admirer of the
work of Hadassah and the Hebrew Uni-
versity. All his activities were a combina-
tion of interests that stemmed in great
measure from his Jewish lineage. He did
not and would never apologize for his
Jewishness.
He proved during his lifetime, as so
many more in public life do when they
proudly adhere to their heritage as Jews,
that one need not, in a free land like
ours, hide identity or apologize for faith
or loyalty to an inherited tradition.
Let it be said in tribute to the great
man—he belonged to those who could
truly be called great: he left a great
heritage and he proved that Jews can
survive with dignity in freedom.
Vigilance Urgent Aga inst Arab Boycott
Boycott activities launched by Arab
leaders in a number of countries are the
main objectives of the plan to destroy
Israel economically. Unable to cope with
Israel's superior military courage, the
Arabs are making every possible attempt
to undermine Israel's security in eco-
nomic spheres.
Scores of firms in this country and in
Europe refused to be pressured by Arab
obstructionists, but one British Jewish
leader fell victim to the Arab campaign.
It is no wonder that public opinion in
England is outraged by the treatment
that was accorded Lord Mancroft, and
it is equally natural that a counter-boy-
cott should have developed against the
insurance company that has yielded to
the Arab boycott. After all, injustice
can prove to be a two-edged sword, and
this shocking Arab boycott is quite
naturally inspiring otherwise avoidable
vengeful action.
The protests that have been made
against the pressures upon business firms
in England are not enough. There is
need for vigilance in this country against
the emergence of other Arab pressures.
The way has been shown to oppose
the boycott and to condemn its objec-
tives. Let there be continuous vigilant
action against any effort to destroy the
State of Israel whose people must always
remain on guard against hostile sur-
rounding nations whose populations over-
whelm her 40 to 1.
Impressive Biographies
Noted Jewish Personalities
in 'Leaders of Our People'
Such a vast variety of personalities, commencing with the
Maccabees and brought down to the Middle Ages, is represented
in "Leaders of Our People," by Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner, pub-
lished by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, that the
30 sketches will delight the young readers and will provide a
method for their parents to bring to the youth Jewish knowledge
through biographies.
The author apparently shares the views of Thomas Carlyle
who believed that the history of the world is "the history of
great men." He states in his preface: "The only way to introduce
boys and girls to the marvelous world of Jewish history is
through stories about the great men and women who have
shaped its course."
*
*
*
He starts with Mattathias, and because the father of the
Maccabees was able to rally his sons into battle for Israel "his
fight for freedom did not die," and since it had only just begun,
Rabbi Gumbiner proceeds to introduce Judah Maccabee in two
tales, the war's beginning and the first Hanukah.
These stories are not about military men alone. Scholars
and saints, authors, acrobats and men in all walks of life are
depicted in well written sketches which are followed by ques-
tions for students to be answered in classrooms.
Hillel, Yochanan Ben Zakkai, Joshua and Gamaliel of the era
of the Sanhedrin, Akiba and later scholars are included in this
series of biographies.
Rabbi Meir who continued Akiba's work, Resh Lakish of
circus fame who fought in Roman arenas as a gladiator, Yehudah
Ha-Nasi who was a great scholar and leader who made many
friends among the Romans, Ray who drained swamps while
learning Torah, Rabbi Joshua Ben Levi who dreamed the Mes-
sianic dream, Rav Ashi who was among the scholars at the
Academy of Sura—these and others figure among the noted
personalities in this book.
Saadia Gaon is interestingly depicted, and so also are Moses
Ben Enoch who traveled from Sura to confer with the Jewish
kinsmen in Spain; Bashi, the great commentator; Samuel Ha-
Nagid who rose to great scholarship and to a role in the Spanish
palace; Yehudah Halevi the great poet ,who wrote poems dedi-
cated to Zion; Moses Maimonides, Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg,
who died in prison and who became known as the Light of the
Exile, and Don Isaac Abravanel, the hero of the Spanish Inquisi-
tion period.
This is a fine collection of stories about great men and it is
certain to inspire the youth in their search for Jewish knowledge.
Jewish Ethical Teachings in
Kahn's' Lesson for Life'
Jewish ethical teachings and their application to every day's
occurrences in people's lives comprise the numerous lessons that
are realistically outlined by Rabbi Robert I. Kahn, of Houston,
Tex., in "Lessons for Life," published by Doubleday.
Rabbi Kahn draws upon all important Jewish sources for
his texts, and his aims are summarized in his concluding sen-
tence: "To live, to love, and to leave life with blessing ought
to be the goal of every man."
To guide towards that goal, the author evaluates faith,
tells where it begins and how it is being tested; he outlines
the values of prayer and the spirituality that leads to peace of
mind, and he especially places emphasis on the imperative need
for a person to be able to live with himself—with wisdom,
beauty, conquest of self, humble acceptance of one's role in
life, courage and acceptance of grief by making tears the price
of love.
Living with one's family, neighbors and "in time and
eternity" are the author's evaluative subjects that provide
much food for thought. High ideals in Jewish ethical codes
are drawn upon to encourage good neighborliness and to
inspire emulation of the highest principles taught by our sages.
The essence of true humility and the basis for hope in life
are among the subjects that receive emphasis in this impressive
rabbinic work.