THE JEWISH NEWS
Independence Day, 1965
htcorporating 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 48235 Mich.,
YE 8-9364. Subscription $6 a year. Foreign $7.
Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
CHARLOTTE HYAMS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the third day of Tammuz, 5725, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion: Num. 16:1-18:32; prophetical portion: I Sam. 11:14-12:22.
Licht benshen. Friday. July 2. 7:53 p.m.
VOL. XLVII, No. 19
Page 4
July 2, 1965
Perpetuated Religious Anti-Jewish Prejudices
While the proportion of Christians in-
dicting Jews for the death of Jesus is smallest
in the larger and the more liberal churches
than among fundamentalist and conservative
elements, there still are 53 per cent of the
congregants in the former classification who
blame Jews for the crucifixion as compared
with 72 per cent in the fundamentalist sphere.
These facts were offered to the National
Conference of Jewish Social Service at the
social workers conference in Philadelphia last
month by Rodney Stark of the University of
California Survey Research Center, who also
reported the following among his findings:
Seventy•nine per cent of the adult Christian
church members studied believed that Pontius
Pilate wanted to spare Jesus from the Cross.
More than 47 per cent of the total thought that
he failed to spare Jesus because "a group of
powerful Jews wanted Jesus dead."
Fifty-eight per cent of the total chose Jews
as the group "most responsible" for crucifying
Jesus.
Twelve per cent believed that Jews have been
persecuted because "God is punishing them for
rejecting Jesus." Another 27 per cent were unde-
cided on the issue.
Twenty-nine per cent agreed that "Jews can
never be forgiven for what they did to Jesus
until they accept him as the true savior." Another
28 per cent were uncertain as to whether or not
Jews could be forgiven unless they turned to
Jesus.
It is interesting to note in Mr. Stark's re-
port that all groups tended to remember
Judas as a Jew, not as a Christian, and the
connection is reinforced by the similarity
between the words "Judas" and "Judaism."
While Mr. Stark viewed the proposed
Ecumenical Council document, rejecting the
notion that the Jewish people were responsi-
ble for the death of Jesus, as "a significant
development, which could, if finally adopted,
presage a major and positive change in at T
titudes throughout the world," it is difficultT
l
to forsee how the quoted prejudices can be
overcome very soon.
The fact is that even the Ecumenical Coun-
Two very old books, both having been famous in two important
' statement • is not yet a cer • am y,h a he spheres one in Jewish fiction and the other in literary criticism-
cll
ultra-conservative elements remain poisoned ; have been reprinted as paperbacks. Both hold important spots in
by an age-old libel that appears to serve
creative writing, and both will be welcomed
eagerly.
the very root of their religious beliefs and
Dover Publications (180 Varick, NY14)
often, in the instance of priests and clerics,
has reissued "The King of the Schnorrers"
of their preachments.
by Israel Zangwill and "Curiosities of Litera-
James Michener's "The Source" contains
ture" by Isaac D'Israeli,
some of the severest indictments of the hor-
D'Israeli, the father of Benjamin Dis-
rible canards that have been perpetuated in
raeli, was a brilliant writer about whom Lord
Byron said: "A most entertaining and search-
the centuries-long persecutions of Jews. But
ing writer, D'Israeli, whose works in general
such a novel, like many of the vital and prag-
I have read oftener perhaps than those of
matic history records, is not read by those
any other writer."
infected with the virus of hate against Jews.
Everett Beliler selected and edited the
The battle for religious tolerance there-
essays incorporated in the new Dover paper-
fore continues. The solution to the spread
back. He prefaced the collection by inserting
in it the essay "On the Life and Writings of
of bigotry is visible but out of reach at the
Mr. Isaac D'Israeli, by His Son, Benjamin
moment.
wo CI ass i cs b by l srae IZ angwi II
D'Israeli Issued as Paperbacks
-
Appeasement and Nasser 's Gains
In an address he delivered in the U.S.
Senate a month ago, Senator Ernest Gruening
of Alaska charged that the supplies reaching
Egypt from Russian sources is most alarming.
Senator Gruening especially deplored the "ap-
peasement" of Nasser by our own govern-
ment and stated:
From 1952 to the present time—under three
different administration — both Republican and
Democratic — U.S. foreign policy in the Middle
East has been vacillation, weak, and ineffectual.
The lack on the part of the United States of
sound policies, firmly bedded in moral principles
aimed at bringing about lasting peace in the
Middle East, has contributed greatly to the tinder-
box situation existing there today.
U.S. appeasement, time and time and time
again during those years, of the dictator of Egypt,
President Nasser, has led to almost unbelievable
arrogance on his part, ever-widening aggression
against his neighbors, and a growing closeness to
communism, making his actions more and more
resemble those of any other Russian satellite.
I was in Egypt over two years ago on a study
mission for the Senate Committee on Govern-
ment Operations to observe the administration
of the U.S. foreign aid program in that country.
Upon my return I filed a report with the
Senate Committee on Government Operations to
which I made certain observations with respect
to happenings in the Middle East that are as
pertinent today as they were when the report
was filed on October 1, 1963. The report running
to 472 printed pages has been published as a
Senate document.
I pointed out that it was Colonel Nasser, in
1956, who gave the Russian Communists their
first foothold in the Middle East—the fulfillment
of a dream that went back to the czars. I warned
that the police state being built by President
Nasser was modeled after that built in Com•
munist Russia, socially, economically, and politi.
cally, making it easy for a Communist takeover.
But most importantly, I noted with alarm that
"militarily Egypt is completely dependent on
Soviet bloc countries."
The charge by Senator Gruening is that
U.S. policies in the Middle East are "a tragic
failure."
Senatorial action was negated last week
by the release of food allotments to the UAR,
the White House claim being that relations
with Nasser have improved. This remains to
be seen. Past experiences have shown that
after Nasser has gained his ends he returns to
a policy of insulting America and Americans
and of threatening Israel's existence.
The overconfidence of our State Depart-
ment over Israel's position to defend herself
can not be overstated. To Senator Gruening
it is "a tragic failure." For Israel it is a mat-
ter of utmost urgency involving her security
in a life or death struggle. Admonitions like
Senator Gruening's go a long way in keeping
the issue of indifference in Washington alive.
It should lead to greater caution and more
Typographically impressive, well compiled, with historic photo-
serious concern over war threats for which graphs, the new Herzl Press volume, "John F. Kennedy on Israel„,
Zionism and Jewish Issues" emerges as historically significant.
Nasser and his cohorts are responsible.
Kennedy on Israel Zionism and
Jewish Issues' Published by ZOA
'
Reaffirmation of Democratic Faith
We need a new reaffirmation of faith in
our liberties and in the democratic processes
on the Independence Day we will observe on
Sunday and Monday.
There is an unfortunate shattering of con-
fidence as a result of the international com-
plications, because of the struggles we are
now engaged in as a result of the East-West
conflicts.
Many challenges face our nation. We are
engaged in what is tantamount to war in the
Far East, and our neighbors south of us
present us with frequent problems that often
undermine good will.
There is need for negotiation. It is vital
that every effort should be made to assure
continuation of the best relations with our
Disraeli," written in 1848. It is a tribute by
a son to his father. It is a pity that the
Zangwill essay did not mention the family's Jewish
background—Isaac having baptized his son Benjamin before his Bar
Mitzvah when he encountered difficulties with officiaLs in the Jewish
community.
The D'Israeli essays deal with feudal customs, anecdotes of
fashion, literary forgeries, destruction of books, drinking customs,
philosophy of proverbs. dethroned monarchs, etc., etc., etc.
The availability of this classic in its present form is a real treat
for discriminating readers.
Similarly, the reappearance of "The King of Schnorrers" is a
blessing. The Zangwill stories are always entertaining, instructive,
bring back to light the customs and the habits of Jews of the
first part of this century.
The Dover paperback edition of this new paperback is enhanced
by an introduction by Rabbi Maurice Wohlgelernter of the faculty of
Yeshivah University. Rabbi Wohlgelernter's lengthy study of zangwill
and his works was reviewed recently in these columns. His introduc-
tion adds considerably to an understanding of Zangwill's works and
particularly the Schnorrer.
Dr. Wohlgelernter points out that the theme of "disunity among
I Jews in the face of adversity, and their loss of a sense of values .
occupied much of Zangwill's mind and art, particularly in 'The King
of Schnorrers.' "
But it was the "comedy (that) heightened Zangwill's conscious-
ness of the tragic element in ghetto life" that made that life more
enduring, and Zangwill's narratives made it more understandable to
those not too familiar with it.
Dr. Wohlgelernter contributes towards the better understanding
of Zangwill and his works—leading to a full appreciation of his
descriptions of Jewish life in the ghetto.
neighbors and the strongest defense of our
democratic position. And while pursuing
these aims we must strive for amity.
Our government is faced by problems
that often appear to be insuperable. We must
have faith that the highest ideals in our tra-
ditions will be retained. For that we need
faith in our heritage. Independence Day ad-
monishes us not to lose faith and to have
confidence in the ultimate triumph of our
freedoms.
May the Fourth of July celebration this
year serve as a reassurance of America's
strength as the leading world democratic
force, and may we measure up to this stand-
ard in our dealings with the rest of mankind.
,
Published by Herzl Press for the Zionist Organization of America.;
the statements contained in this volume are the best proof of the dedi-
cated American position in support of Israel and the Zionist movement.
An in-memoriam preface by the ZOA president, Dr. Max Nuss-
baum entitled "The Statesman and Visionary," points to the late
President Kennedy's "staunch friendship for Israel, his concern
for its security and for its survival as a beacon of democracy in
the Middle East .. . " Dr. Nussbaum states that these "were nat-
ural outgrowths of his deep conviction that the rebirth of the State
of Israel represents the rectification of the cruel wrong done to
a people which suffered oppression and humiliation for 2,000
years."
Ernest E. Barbarash, the ZOA's veteran publicity director, per-
formed an excellent service by compiling the material for this book,
and the introductory notes were written by Gertrude Hirschler.
The first of the quoted statements by the then Congressman John
Fitzgerald Kennedy, in support of a Jewish Commonwealth, was made
June 19, 1947, when the Palestine issue was being debated by the
United Nations. Following it are many of the speeches delivered by
the late President as Congressman, as Senator, as candidate for the
Presidency. The last of his statements was the message he addressed
to the ZOA convention in July 1963. The complete collection is an
important addition to data on Israel-U. S. friendship.
—\