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 48235 Mich..
VE 8-9364. Subscription $6 a year. Foreign $7.
Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
SIDNEY SHMARAK
CARMI M. SLOMOV1TZ
Advertising Manager
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE HYAMS
City Editor
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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath. the 4th day of Heshvan, 5726, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion; Gen. 6:9-11:32; Prophetical portion: Isa. 54:1-55:5.
Licht benshen, Friday, Oct. 29, 5:12 p.m.
VOL. XLVIII, No. 10
Page 4
Oct. 29, 1965
Balfour Anniversary—An Ideal Supremancy
While it is commonplace to refer too
frequently to routine anniversaries, there
are historic events that call for more than
passing interest. Annual Balfour Day, to be
observed on Nov. 2 for the 48th time, is such
an occasion because it calls attention to one
of the most revolutionary occurrences in
human history and because it retains an
influence upon continuing developments in
the Middle East.
Balfour Day has another significance: it
calls attention perenially to the status of the
Zionist movement, to the unending appeal of
Zionism even to the generation that has been
privileged to see the fulfillment of the dream
of a redeemed Zion.
Too much often is taken for granted. When
the Balfour Declaration was issued on Nov. 2,
1917, it marked the beginning of state-build-
ing as a realization of the Herzlian Basle
Platform which declared Zionism to be the
movement aiming for "a legally secured"
Jewish commonwealth. But the beginning of
statehood itself dated back to the formation
of the Zionist Organization.
In the years that intervened between the
formation of this movement and the emerg-
ence of Israel there were many debates, some
acrimonious, and Jews who were misled were
as vehement as some non-Jews who would
not condone Jewish national rebirth. But the
course of human events dictated against such
opposition, and the right of Jews to live in
freedom survived the obstacles that were
placed in Jewry's paths while hurdling over
grave difficulties.
Jewish antagonism was branded in the
early years of Zionism, by Dr. Theodor Herzl,
as "The Family Affliction." The founder of
the political Zionist movement had gotten
into arguments with anti-Zionists, and he
wrote a reply which was published on Jan.
3, 1899, by the Washington Post. A portion
of that reply, as reproduced in a new Herzl
Press volume, "American Zionism 1884-
1904" by Marnin Feinstein, reals:
I will not demean myself by telling how much
the Zionist propaganda that I have made has
already cost me in money. But it is not surprising
that our efforts should meet with reproach from
Jews, as though at best it were not in itself the
most unthankful and fruitless task undertaken
since the dawn of creation.
Zionism is a nurse for Judaism. We have
stepped in as such a volunteer corps of nurses,
and we want as patients the poor sick Jewish
nation which we wish to restore to a healthful
mode of life on the soil of our fathers. Were it
a business then just those people would have got
in ahead of us . . . We have never promised to
work wonders, and we will really not perform any.
Surely this will be believed by our opponents,
who are so pleased to liken me to Shabbetai Zvi
and other messiahs. Never was a more undeserving
man called to lead such a cause. I have never
uttered an extravagant word. I have simply said,
"My dear brothers, we are nowhere welcome.
We can help ourselves if we stand firmly to-
gether. Then are we in a position to obtain for
ourselves a beautiful, fertile land, where we will
be honored by mankind, where we will live and
work in peace."
No, those Jews who lack insight and therefore
will not join us . . . we can get along without
them. I am curious to know who will cure them
of their family affliction. But, if anyone can be
found to attempt the experiment, I doubt if a
cure can be effected. For they themselves are
ill with the family affliction, that is those Jews
who want to be all but Jews."
This statement now is outdated. There
already is a Jewish State and the Herzlian
hope was fulfilled.
Yet, there is a lesson in the above ad-
monitions even for our own time. There still
are family afflictions. There are divisions in
our ranks that are unreasonable and unde-
sirable. The affliction is not as serious as it
was in the past. Israel inspires a measure of
unity. Zionism is held in highest respect.
What needs to be retained as a basic fact is
that Zionism remains a valid factor for Jew-
ish action even in our own time.
On the occasion of the 48th anniversary
of the Balfour Declaration we have reason
once again to affirm that "Zionism is a nurse
for Judaism." As long as that inspiration
remains, as long as there are recurring needs
that call for action in behalf of and through
Israel, the Zionist idea persists as a dynamic
force in Jewry.
The Zionist Organization of Detroit, by its
honoring of the Balfour anniversary, through
its annual Balfour Concert, helps assure the
continuity of the great ideal that was not only
a nurse for Jewry but the most vital healing
element in re-establishing the people's
dignity, in assuring an end to Jewish home-
lessness.
That is why the ZOD annual Balfour Con-
cert so deservedly retains great popular inter-
est. That is why the Zionist leaders here
deserve the community's support and have
earned the encouragement that is due a great
movement.
Jewry's Indestructibility Schools and Will to Live
Like the lesson in the old Mark Twain •
anecdote that "everybody talks about the
weather and no one does anything about it,"
there is a lot of talk about Jewish education
and there is a lack of realism that accom-
panies the daze of ideas.
Everybody talks about education, no one
opposes it, yet we are in a state of confusion.
Learning ends at Bar Mitzvah — often the
youngster reaches the mythical adulthood
with little knowledge; there is a teacher prob-
lem, and it is most difficult to encourage
young Jews to enter the Jewish teaching pro-
fession: there is little knowledge of and there-
fore a minimum of interest in curricula.
All the existing problems contribute to-
wards a continuing discussion of the negative
elements in Jewish life. Just because a na-
tional magazine spoke of a "vanishing" Jew,
there are more sermons on the assumed van-
ishment, there is greater debate motivated
by fear, than there is confidence in Israel's
survival and pride in our existence.
The fact is that indestructibility of Israel
is more apparent than vanishment. The un-
dying certainty of our existence is more real
than the threats—whether they are inner, due
to indifference and a desire to disappear by
merging with others of differing faiths, or
outer, marked by an anti-Semitic spirit —
by the lies that have been the weapons forged
to destroy us.
Indeed, we are here to stay and we are
indestructible. This is our fate: this is our
desire.
The reasons?
Why enumerate them when only one is
needed: the will to live!
And that will is expressed in the institu-
tions we cherish, in the causes we support, in
the devotion that is inherited from birth and
is carried on without apology for existence.
Chief among the devotional instruments
in a continuing Jewish existence is the school,
and the Hayim Greenberg School, which will
mark its 50th anniversary on Nov. 14, is a
symbol of such creative living.
Half a cenutry is so brief a span in our
life! We who speak of "elef shanim be-einekha
k'yom etmol" — the Psalmist's declaration
that "a thousand years in Thy sight are but
as yesterday and as a watch in the night" —
may not be impressed with a 50th anniver-
sary. But in a community that is itself young,
in a city like ours where, 50 years ago, there
were less than 10,000 Jews, such an event
is historic. It represents progress. It means
hemshekh — continuity. It fulfills the great
obligation of giving priority to learning.
That is what the Hayim Greenberg School
has done through the years. This is what its
dedicated educators, have been engaged in.
They have earned our congratulations and
blessings.
'Letters to College Students,'
'Judgment and Destiny', Latest
2 Volumes by Rabbi Friedman
Rabbi Theodore Friedman, recent president of the Rabbinical As-
sembly of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, already the
author of several books, has just produced two new volumes—"Letters
to Jewish College Students" and "Judgment and Destiny"—both pub-
lished by Jonathan David (131 E. 23rd, NY 10).
His "Judgment and Destiny" is a collection of 29 sermons devoted
to a variety of topics. Ethical values based on Jewish teachings, festi-
vals, the importance of the synagogue in Jewish life. guides to good
living and advice on basic issues affecting the destiny of mankind —
among these topics the reader will find much to provide comfort and to
give encouragement in Jewish living and thinking.
Rabbi Friedman's "Letters to Jewish College Students" will
be especially welcomed at a time when serious efforts are being
made to encourage the university men and women to affiliate
with Jewish movements and to take an interest in Jewish life
and aspirations.
There are 26 letters. and the topics are interesting. The rabbi-
author deals with faith—with the God-idea and rituals. He advises stu-
dents on the preciousness of health, on organized religion, on religion
and science and the functions of religion.
Dietary laws, the Jewish calendar, repentance and atonement, "the
ritual and the ethical," how God is to be conceived, Judaism as a
philosophy, what ought a Jew believe and many other subjects are
commented upon impressively.
The students, and the readers of this book will be especially inter-
ested in the letter the author entitled "The Troubles of the Atheist."
"Actually," Rabbi Friedman states, "the average self-profess-
ing atheist lives and acts on a faith he refuses to acknowledge.
He manifests morale and moral indignation, as if the nature of
things truly justified these. Let me put it this way: the average
atheist is a man who lives beyond his philosophic means. The
average religionist refuses to live up to his means. If he did, he
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would find his religion a source of strength and moral life that
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wou:d move him to joyous deeds of doing rectitmi.e. The atheist
;
would, upon candidly examining his position, either have to Him-
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as an atheist should—what's more natural than a meaningless
in a meaningless world—or else abandon his atheism."
"Letters to Jewish College Students" is a timely volume that serves
a valuable purpose.
15 Heroes of Jewish Thought
Evaluated in Mrs. Karp's Book
Deborah Karp, the wife of Rabbi Abraham J. Karp, daughter of
Rabbi Abraham Burstein, has joined biography with the basic teachings
and wise sayings of the personalities she has chosen for her "Heroes
of Jewish Thought," published by Ktav (65 Suffolk, NY 2).
It is a well compiled work, and credit for advice and encouragement
is given to former Detroiter Eli Grad.
Mrs. Karp selected as her heroes the leaders of the Talmudie
age—Hillel, Akiva, Judah Ha-Nasi, Rav and Samuel; those of the Golden
Age of Judaism—Saadia Gaon, Rashi, Judah Ha-Levi and Maimonides;
three who are described as "preservers of the faith"—Meir of Rothen-
berg, Isaac Abravanel and Joseph Caro; and three who emerged at
the beginning of the modern age—Israel Baal Shem Tov, Elijah the
Gaon of Vilna and Moses Mendelssohn.
In each instance, Mrs. Karp described the age in which heroes
lived, their life histories, the challenges they faced in Jewish Mel
and appended to the story of each are selections of his sayings.
Commencing with an introductory essay in which she explains
the purpose of her book, Mrs. Karp presents a bird's-eye view of Jewish
history to indicate the power of Jewish survivalism.
Every section is preceded by an essay describing the era in which
the respective heroes lived. It begins with the article on the age of
the Talmud; a chronological table of the Talmudic age and maps,
illuminate the chapter.
The other essays similarly contain valuable historical material.
The photographs and illustrations add merit to the book. It is a
splendid source book for home use in becoming acquainted with gr eat
in Jewish history and their thoughts, and the volume could
well serve also as a fine' textbook. • • • • " • • •
`well