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.