Purely Commentary

Praise for Hadassah in the U.S. Senate

An interesting reference to Hadassah was made a few days ago
on the floor of the United States Senate.
During the deliberations on the Foreign Assistance Act of 1965,
Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island offered an amendment to
increase an allocation for the Palish Children's Hospital in Krakow,
Poland, and the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center in
Jerusalem from $7,000,000 to $9,000,000. Senator Pell commented that
the chairman of the committee, Senator J. W. Fulbright of Arkansas,
"might be willing to accept it." The amendment was agreed to, based
on the assurance that local currencies accumulated in the respective
countries would be used, Senator Fulbright having protected his posi-
tion with this statement:
"The Record should show that if I take this amendment, it is on
the basis that I will take it to conference and subsequently we shall
receive comments from the administration. The Senator and his friends
can make efforts to persuade the administration that these are good
projects. If that is the understanding, I will take the amendment to
conference on the general principle that it is good policy to use local
currencies for worthy projects. I am in favor of that."
In the course of his plea in support of the two causes he advo-
cated, in Krakow and in Jerusalem, Senator Pell said:
"The Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusa-
lem has an already established record as a training center in the
healing arts. As its name implies, it is a teaching facility and part
of a university. Last year, there were 1,35'7 students enrolled in
the schools of dentistry, nursing and pharmacology.
'What is most impressive about this center, to my mind, is
the fact that it is rendering a valuable educational service on
an international basis. While its primary service is understandably
to the needs of Israel, it is playing an expanding role in training
the professional medical personnel needed throughout the de-
veloping countries of Africa and Asia. The center includes an
Afro-Asian Institute whose mission is to train persons from such
countries and send them back to serve their people. Last year,
the institute had an enrollment of 58, representing Liberia, Ethi-
opia, Ghana, Nigeria, British Guinea, Cyprus, Kenya, Mauritania,
Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Clearly such a project fully meets
the standards of the agency."
Hadassah can be justly proud of this encomium. It can be used
as a basis for appeals for unstinted support of the movement by its
friends in this country.
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Impasse for Immigration
.H.a.dmeahFaAncsciltim
te

By Philip

SIOMOVitZ

ribbon citizens committee" has been formed—the National Committee
for Immigration Reform—with headquarters at 1616 18th St., N.W.,
Washington, to cooperate with the Johnson Administration to urge
passage of pending legislation. Under the leadership of Nathan Straus
III and Robert Murphy, with Walker L. Cisler, Detroit Edison Co.
chairman, as an active member, the new committee emphasizes the
benefits that would accrue from the adoption of the pending bill. The
committee emphasizes the need to prove the humanitarianism of
America's foreign policy, an improvement in our relations with other
nations "by banning racial and ethnic bigotry in our immigration policy"
and the need to bring to this country "persons with scientific and tech-
nical skills that are in short supply."
While it was to have been expected that the Daughters of the
American Revolution would oppose liberalization of the existing
immigration laws, it is nevertheless a bit discouraging that the ladies
who have witnessed the great contributions made to this country
by newcomers from abroad should have had the lack of vision, in
testimony before the Senate immigration subcommittee, to express
fear about "potentially unassimilable aliens." It is part of the demo-
cratic process to educate the people, but how can one make a blind
bat see reality?
Will reason function against the prejudices that have set in
against any and all newcomers to our shores? The fears of newcomers
mark one of the saddest inheritances on our horizon.

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Against a Double Standard of Political Morality

World Federalists
Issue Pamphlet on
Strengthened UN

On the 20th anniversary of the
signing of the UN Charter, a pri-
vate American organization is at-
tempting to persuade opinion lead-
ers in this country to take the lead
in calling for a strengthened
United Nations.
The push is coming from United
World Federalists, a 20,000-mem-
ber grouping of U.S. citizens who
favor a stronger and more stable
United Nations which, they argue,
should then be able to undertake
peace-keeping operations in crisis
areas of the world. Federalists
claim this would lift the role of
"world policeman" from t h e
shoulders of U.S. policy makers--
a role they describe as "burden.
some."
The organization has issued a
32-page booklet, "No Longer(
Dream," to commemorate the
anniversary of the signing of the
United Nations Charter in San
Francisco on June 26, 1945. The
pro-
handsomely-designed and
fusely-illustrated booklet affirms
that the United Nations has taken
several major forward steps in its
first two decades, so "the story at
the UN in the first twenty years
. . . is one of the brightest chapters
in the history of the human race."
The booklet states that "as the
government of man, the UN has
dedicated its noblest efforts to as
sure .'peaceful change' so that
that individual men, women and
children in these societies may
know freedom from servitude,
want, illness, and illiteracy."
"No Longer A Dream" can be
purchased from United World
Federalists, 1346 Connecticut Ave.
nue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

An Israeli spokesman, insisting on Israel's right to retaliate against
the invasion of his country's territory by saboteurs from Arab coun-
tries, pointed out that there is a question of whether the borders
should be closed for all alike. But if they are to be open, the opening
must be available for all.
He was referring to the Arab assumption that their El Fatah
marauders can invade Israel, cause damage, commit murder, interfere
with the Israelis' peaceful pursuits, while objecting to Israel's actions
to destroy the nests of these marauding gangs.
Israel feels otherwise. If Arabs invade Israeli territory, Israel's
defenders will retaliate. It means keeping the borders open for all
alike.
But the State Department and the UN Mixed Armistice Com-
mission (MAC) seem bent upon adhering to a double standard of
political morality. They don't like the Arab tactics, but they won't
approve of counteraction. Israel won't stand for an attempt to prevent
introduction of a single standard of morality. Fair-mindedness is on
Life Reporter Fans Embers of Misunderstanding
the side of Israel's claims to the right to self-defense: that's what
The very title of the article "An Ancient Hatred Builds Toward her retaliation spells and no one should dare to interfere with it.
War," by George De Carvalho, in the current issue of Life Magazine,
denotes a prejudice. Instead of dealing with the peace-making instru-
ments, with the elements that are vital to amity in the Middle East, World ORT Union
Boris Smolar's
the Life writer definitely fans the embers of hatred by giving promin-
ence to the most negative, most hate-inspiring sentiments of war- Marks 85th Year at
mongering Arab leaders.
Congress in Rome
One would imagine that it makes no sense, in a serious approach
ROME (JTA) — The interna-
to a grave issue, tO draw upon unnamed spokesmen and to depend tional congress of the World ORT
on anonymity. There is a real case of horror emanating from the Union was held here marking the
Arab border cities in the threats to Israelis and their families. Yet organization's 85th anniversary.
(Copyright, 1965, Jewish
the Life reporter makes all efforts to belittle the new El Fatah threat.
Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Dr. William Haber, president of
The poor Arabs whose spokesman he attempts to be claim merely to the World ORT Union, presided
COMMUNAL CURRENTS: The involvement of Jewish agencies in
be stealing a few oranges: how naive can a reporter for an important over the opening session, which
community anti-poverty activities is now being studied by the Count
magazine be?
was addressed by Zalman Aranne,
Jordan was the first to utilize the Jordan River waters, possibly to Israel's minister of education; of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds . , . There is general agree•
Israel's detriment, contrary to advice that came from this country Rome Chief Rabbi Elio Toaff; and ment that Jews as individuals must participate to the fullest extent
for an equal utilization of available water supplies by Israel and the Daniel Mayer, chairman of the ORT possible in the war on poverty declared by the government . . . There
is also agreement that leaders of Jewish health and welfare agencies--
Arab states. Yet the Life article charges Israel with "draining off executive.
lay and professional—should participate in anti-poverty programs of
water which would otherwise be shared with Jordan." This is untrue,
Among the guests attending the
it spreads an unfair accusation and is dishonest reporting, since the session with the delegates from 30 their local communities . . . However, there are differences of opinion
impartial recommendations of the late Dr. Eric Johnston, in his study countries and representatives of among Jewish organizations as to whether Jewish health and welfare
made as an official of the United States government, were rejected Israel, France, Sweden and other agencies should accept funds for new projects from the $800,000,000
appropriated by Congress for the nation's anti-poverty program . .
by the Arabs who would not give recognition to Israel's existence,
ocuntries, and representatives of This is because of the requirement that new projects for which such
and not by the Israelis.
the Italian government. Eulogies
An Arab propaganda line is followed throughout by the Life were delivered for Moses Leavitt, funds are available must function on a non-sectarian basis . . . This
writer. The oft-repeated ridiculous as well as hate-inspired arguments late executive vice chairman of the can create issues affecting separation of church and state .. . It may
that have been used by Arab antagonists of Israel are imbedded in Joint Distribution Committee, by also have effects on the core purposes and program of sectarian
what should have been fair reporting. It is everything but that and Dr. Haber and by Charles Jordan, agencies . . . It is the view of the Council of Jewish Federations and
Welfare Funds, however, that Jewish agencies can make a contribution
it lends discredit to a great magazine.
overseas director of the JDC.
to the general community without abandoning their primary purpose
*.
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The achievements of ORT in of meeting Jewish community welfare needs . . . By doing so, they do
Obstacles to Immigration Law Revisions
its work for providing vocational not necessarily decrease their ability to serve the Jewish community,
Apparently the major obstacles to revisions of the existing dis- training for Jews during the 85 because the boards of the Federations and other Jewish agencies can
criminatory immigration laws are being interposed by Senator East- years of its existence were empha- see to it that services made possible by public funds add to and do
land in the Senate and Congressman Feighan in the House of Repre- sized Monday by Mayer, "The not replace ongoing services . . . The CJFWF points out that the
sentatives.
ORT," he said, "is working to pull Jewish communal services are, to a large extent, protected by the
The most revealing facts about the status of the struggle to out of the modern ghettos those availability of new funds for employing new staff for the new projects
liberalize the present laws are contained in the New York Times edi- Jews who are still confined there. . . . Thus, in making their additional contribution to the general conk
torial, "Immigration Impasse":
To achieve this task much dedica- munity welfare, the Jewish agencies are also creating a situation
This country's immigration law, based upon racially angled tion and perseverance is needed." where Jews also may be better served.
national origins quotas, makes a strange counterpoint to its pro-
Aranne, addressing the dele-
gressive laws against racial discrimination here at home.
gates, said that Israel, where ORT
GUILTY CONSCIENCE: The American Council for Judaism is nc
immigration nowadays largely serves the humanitarian pur- maintains vocational t r a i n i n g
pose of helping refugees and reuniting separated families. For schools, would have to concen- obviously realizing its mistake in participating with articles in ti
this purpose the rigid quotas frozen into the law more than forty trate on establishing 100,000 new anti-Jewish Deutsche Natonale and Soldaten Zeitung — an extre
published in West Germany . . Sensitive to the criticism
years ago have proved unworkable. Two-thirds of all immigrants school places within the next sev- I newspaper
leveled against the Council for Judaism, in this column, for feeding
to this country since World War II have entered under special en years to meet the educational the
anti-Jewish newspaper .with material which the paper uses against
refugee and displaced persons legislation, not under the regular needs of recent immigrants from Jews, an official of the Council admitted the matter was "unfortunate
North Africa.
quotas.
In order to create the needed . . . However, he tried to excuse the Council by stressing the fact that
President Johnson, like Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and
a number of Reform rabbis had also given interviews to this right-wing
Kennedy before him, has urged Congress to repeal the quota facilities, A r_anne said efforts newspaper . . . Among those rabbis he mentioned Dr. Maurice Eisen-
system and to grant administrators of the law reasonable flexibil- would be directed at increasing the drath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations ...
ity in administering it. Unfortunately, Representative Michael A. training of primary and secondary He also mentioned Rabbi Julian Morgenstern, honorary president of
Feighan, Ohio Democrat, who heads the Immigration subcommit- school teachers and to provide the the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and other rabbis . . . It
tee in the House, is unsympathetic to the administration bill and initial added space for youths 14- was, of course, wrong also on the part of the rabbis mentioned to
17 years of age of whom only 60
is pushing a more restrictive version of his own.
have involved themselves with the German anti-Jewish paper which
Senator James Eastland of Mississippi, presiding over hear- per cent now receive adequate opposed Germany's diplomatic recognition of Israel and the extension
schooling.
He
emphasized
that
ORT
ings on the bill in the Senate, has lined up more than 40 hostile
of the statute of limitation for punishment of Nazis . However, two
witnesses. With only a minimum display of parliamentary in- would be very helpful in these ef- wrongs do not make a right, and the Council for Judaism is guilty not
forts
.
genuity, he can stalemate the bill through most of the summer.
(Michigan delegates at the con- only of the interview given to that paper by its leader, Rabbi Elmer .
Under these circumstances, the House will have to act first if
ference
in addition to Dr. Haber Berger, but also of indulging in the publication there of a number of
a bill is to be adopted this year. In a time when this country
are
Harry
Platt and Mrs. Harry articles . • . The impression was given of the Council for Judaism being
is attempting to wipe away ancient wrongs against Negro citizens
eager to provide the German anti-Jewish newspaper with material .
Becker
of
Detroit).
its conscience will not permit a sign at all ports of entry read-
Now that the Council seems to atone for what he has done, it may serve
ing: "Only whites from Northwestern Europe are welcome."
as a lesson to this organization to be more careful with his propaganda
Apparently the obstacles are difficult to hurdle. Yet, serious THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
also in this country since the Council's "literature" reaches not a few
efforts are being made to overcome them. Thus, a so-called "blue 2—Friday, July 2, 1965
anti-Semites also in the United States.

'Between You
.,and Me'

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