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
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
CHARLOTTE HYAMS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 16th day of Tevet, the following scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion: Gen. 47:28-50:26; Prophetical portion: I Kings 2:1-12.
Licht benshen, Friday, Jan. 7, 4:59 p.m.
VOL. XLVIII, No. 20
Page 4
January '7, 1966
South African Jewry's Tragic Position
A report to the New York Times from its
Johannesburg correspondent, to the effect
that the South African Jewish community "is
resisting pressure on its representative organ-
izations to take a clear stand for or against
the government on its racial politics" has
caused resentment in Jewish circles in Africa.
The JTA's Johannesburg correspondent
maintains that it was a "misleading impres-
sion of a simple exchange of views in- the
South African press." But the issue revolv-
ing around the action of the Israel delega-
tion to the United Nations in voting con-
sistently to condemn apartheid remains
grave, and no matter how extensive the
denials, the Jewish position in South Africa
is far from pleasant, even if they are given
assurances that there is as much security for
Jews as there is for other whites in that
troubled country.
A "don't rock the boat" viewpoint report-
edly in evidence, as indicated in the New
York Times report, and the quest for secur-
ity, based on concessions to the government
of South Africa, may not be very logical,
'in the basis of past experiences. The fact
is that in a land which is overwhelmingly
black the very term security becomes indefi-
nite. Africa will undoubtedly remain grave
as long as there are different laws for whites
and blacks.
While there is a large element in South
African Jewry that supports the government,
the fact remains that Jewish writers and a
number of Jewish libertarians who managed
either to stay out of jail or to get out of
'nil have left the country and are fighting
for just rights for the oppressed colored pop-
ulation from their homes in exile.
Furthermore, the former Chief Rabbi of
South Africa, Dr. Louis Rabinowitz, who is
believed to have given up his post there in
protest against apartheid, while affirming
faith in the security of South African Jewry,
has warned against the persecutive govern-
ment position.
"I have a respect for South Africa as a state,
and South Africans as a people, whether English
or Afrikaans, who are entitled to their language
and culture and national achievements. I do not
share the prophecies of doom we hear from some
people about the future. I believe that South
Africa has an assured future. But, when it comes
to the question of apartheid, my conscience will
not let me rest. I cannot acept that the color of a
man's skin shall dictate what privileges he may
or may not enjoy. I know that color discrimina-
tion here is not confined to one party, but has
formed part of the policy of every South African
Government. I know that there is a historical
background to it, and that it will not disappear
overnight. I am nevertheless convinced that it is
ethically wrong, and that it is my duty as a rabbi
to say so."
And a bit earlier, in a declaration that
certainly analyzed the South African position
with clarity and with a sense of realism,
Rabbi Rabinowitz declared:
-
Anyone who thinks that this abnormally large
participation of Jews in the unequal struggle for
equality and the abolition of racial discrimination
is viewed with anything like satisfaction by the
official Jewish community, as an outstanding and
heart-warming expression in practice of Jewish
ethical values is woefully mistaken. On the con-
trary, it is almost universally viewed with anxiety,
and there is much wringing of hands at something
which is regarded as deplorable.
In order to understand this aberration, the atti-
tude of South Africa to the color problem must be
clearly understood. There is no point in closing
one's eyes to the sad but undoubted fact that color
prejudice is as deep-seated as it is widespread.
Since that prejudice is "the inheritance of the
white population of South Africa as a whole" those
who oppose it actively are not regarded as "Her
Majesty's Opposition" but as dangerous dema-
gogues and revolutionaries who are out to destroy
"white civilization" in South Africa. The word
"liberal" is a term of abuse in the country, even
equated with "Communists." And what in any
other country would be regarded as justifiable
political propaganda is here regarded as sedition.
In circumstances such as these the official com-
munity regards those Jews who participate in
these activities as imperiling the security of the
community regards itself as being much more
vulnerable than in actual fact it is. With the ex-
ception of one or two irresponsible outbursts of an
anti-Semitic nature in the House of Assembly by
Nationalist backbenchers, the attitude of govern-
ment towards the Jewish community has been be-
yond reproach.
There have been no instances to my knowledge
of discrimination against Jews, and the support
consistently given to Israel has afforded cause for
the greatest satisfaction.
What is, however, resented is the criticism of
the South African Board of Deputies for the pas-
sive attitude which is officially taken up by it on
these burning questions.
When at the official synagogue service in con-
nection with the last Congress of the Board of
Deputies I pleaded that surely there was a speci-
fically Jewish attitude towards discrimination on
account of race or creed, and that it was as rea-
sonable to suggest that it was wrong to denounce
theft because some Jews are thieves as to suggest
that it was wrong to denounce discrimination be-
cause some Jews favor it, I was mercilessly at-
tacked, again for "indulging in politics" and for
"trying to drag the Jewish community into poli-
tics."
This attitude cannot be ignored. Five
years after it was uttered, it remains real in
its clarity, it continues to serve as a warn-
ing that the Jewish position dare not be
veiled in apologetics for the sake of satisfy-
ing a government that discriminates. This
has been Israel's position, this is the view
of Jews in exile from South Africa.
We concede that it is much easier to give
advice than to accept it, that it is simple for
those of us who are many thousands of miles
away to suggest that a large Jewish popula-
tion which has made great progress in a
country should suddenly become the most
rebellious element in that country in defense
of a basic social principle. Nevertheless, by
denying the truth of an existing situation,
by overlooking facts which are accompanied
by grave dangers, that vital part of world
Jewry may have turned entirely too blind to
take into account the real dangers that may
emerge when the apartheid issue finally is
resolved—and the resolution of it inevitably
must be in behalf of the oppressed.
It is with deep concern for the status of
South African Jewry that we thus evaluate
the existing problem which may well be de-
scribed as a tragedy.
Peace Moves a Good Start for 1966
There is vindication for the Johnson ad- step in the direction of universal participation
ministration and for our spokesmen at the in efforts to end warfare and to assure coop-
United Nations in the continuing efforts for eration among all peoples and all faiths.
peace in the Far East.
Regrettably, the encouragement our gov-
The assignments that have been given to ernment is giving Jordan and Saudi Arabia
Ambassadors Harriman and Goldberg, the be- by arming Israel's enemy-neighbor adds an
hind-the-scenes moves in the direction of a other tension to the existing troubled areas
cease fire and a permanent armistice could be in the world.
the next step to the much-desired peace.
Such divisiveness can tend to disrupt
Assignment of American emissaries to rather than solidify unity and it is to be
Soviet and religious capitals is interpretable hoped that peace moves will materialize
as part of the earnest desire to make the im- quickly, and by means of negotiations that
pending peace an international aim and a are so vital on all embattled fronts.
'The Wise Men of Helm': New
Collection of Satirical Tales
"Helmer Naronim" has become a term for humor at the expense
of a town in Poland. One hesitates to resort to this derisive reference,
the Helmites having being wiped out by the Nazis. But the legendary
and the proverbial connotations of tomfoolery related to Helm probably
will remain in Jewish folklore as imperishable parts of humor.
Prof. Samuel Tenenbaum of Long Island University has made a
deep study of the subject and has collected a series of Helm stories
which he has incorporated in a new book, "The Wise Men of Helm,"
published by Thomas Yoseloff. (11 E. 36th, NY16). Expressively illus-
trated by Zevi Blum, who, like the author, has caught the spirit of
the Helm narrations, this book contains many delightful tales.
There are several stories in the Tenenbaum book that typically
delienate Helm. Here's one of the "Lost Money" items:
A man lost a $20 bill and that is a lot of money. He asked
everyone to help him find it. He saw a man pick up something.
"Did you find my $20. bill?" he asked.
"No, not all of the $20," said the man, "I have, however,
already found 60 cents of it."
Several "The Czar Is a Great Czar" anecdotes include the following:
When you drink tea, you put sugar into the cup of tea.
Not the great Czar, No ! No !
When the great Czar drinks tea, he pours the tea into his
enormously big, gold sugar bowl.
Another delighful tale, "Eggs and an Empty Stomach," further
illustrates the Helmites' humor. Here it is:
A man asked Mr. Wimplepuff: "How many eggs can a man
eat on an empty stomach?"
Mr. Wimplepuff thought hard, very hard, and very long.
"Four," he said.
"Stupid," shouted his questioner. "If you ate one egg, Wrt-
wouldn't have an empty stomach."
Mr. Wimplepuff laughed and laughed. He thought it was
wonderful question. He, smart and clever, this man is! I'm going
look around and find someone to ask the same question."
He went from street to street and at last he found someone
he knew. "Now I'll show him hole smart I am," he thought.
He asked his friend: "How many eggs can a man eat on an
empty stomach?"
Without hesitation, his friend answered: "One."
Mr. Wimplepuff's face fell: "If you had only said four, what
a wonderful answer I would have for you," he said sadly.
In such fashion, Prof. Tenenbaum retains an interest among Jewish
readers in an important element in Jewish "shtetl" folklore.
Jane Bearman's Two Fine Youth
Books — 'David' and 'Jonathan'
Two Bible Series Literary Books just published by Jonathan David
Publishers (131 E. 23rd, NY 10) serve an excellent purpose in advanc-
ing the education of very young Jewish children—and they are suitable
as well for children of all faiths.
Jane Bearman is the author of the two books, and as the titles —
"David" and "Jonathan" — indicate, they complement each other.
Miss Bearman not only narrates each of the stories, but also has
illustrated both with great skill.
A native of Minneapolis, a graduate of the University of Minnesota,
Miss Beannan, who is the wife of Dr. Saul Frances, a microbiologist,
has illustrated children's books and has been commissioned by syna-
gogues to do some paintings for them.
Her stories show that she has a good background in scriptural
knowledge. Her David is based on the Bible story. It is not the com-
plete story of David and does not bring it up to his kingship. It leads up
to the threat on his life by Saul and the role of Jonathan as a friend
who went to warn David and to divert the harm that was schemed
upon his life. The David-Jonathan friendship is emphasized in this story.
In "Jonathan," Miss Bearman impressively describes the mean-
ing of friendship, which is thereupon illustrated by the David- Jona-
than story of a great and friendly loyalty between two youths.
Supplementing each other so well, the two Jane Bearman stories
will be enjoyed immensely by the very young readers.