Reform Rabbis Urge Quick End to Vietnam
War, Attack Viet Cong's Arab Collaboration

TORONTO (JTA)—The American rabbinate to be "particularly alert students have no such interests,
Reform rabbinate condemned Viet to the acquittal of Nazi collabora- and identification with Judaism is
Cong collaboration with personnel tors of charges of mass murder of seldom considered a serious • op-
of the Palestine Liberation Or- Jews" in West Germany and Aus- tion."
ganization army and assailed any tria and to "the anti-Semitic cam-
Mark Eli Saperstein, of Lyn-
action by the "iet Cong "calcu- paign waged in Austria by Franz brook, L.I., son of a CCAR mem-
lated to impair the security of the Olah, former Socialist Minister of ber and a recent graduate of
State of Israel and endanger peace the Interior."
Harvard University, agreed that
in the Middle East."
students are Jewishly illiterate
The rabbis urged the Austrian
and deplored that historic norma-
The stand was expressed in a government "to give form and
resolution approved by delegates
tive Judaism seems foreign and
meaning to the condemnation of
to the 77th annual convention of anti-Semitism its leaders have
repugnant to a student from a
Reform background.
the Central Conference of Ameri- expressed by taking effective
can Rabbis, which closed Sunday measures against those who raise
He said students also are re-
pelled by the "middle class vul-
with the re-election of Rabbi Jacob the barbaric cliches of anti-Se-
Weinstein as president.
mitism and by demonstrating in garity" about them. Religious
The rabbis in effect denied there deeds its rejection of its Nazi needs, he said, are not felt by the
students. Chairs of Jewish studies,
was any conflict between their past."
criticism of Viet Cong collabora-
The rabbis declared their oppo- he declared, will, however, attract
tion with the PLO in anti-Israel sition to the constitutional amend- men to top academic caliber who
activities and the insistence of the ment being pushed by Sen. Everett will draw Jewish students to their
CCAR on United States negotia- Dirksen, the Senate minority lead- courses and lead them to an under-
tions with the Viet Cong's Na- er, to allow prayers in public standing of their faith. For this,
tional Liberation Front.
schools. In a resolution, they as- all Jewish national organizations,
The resolution said that the serted that "religion abdicates its he said, must cooperate,
Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath, pre-
CCAR stand for such negotiations responsibility when it imposes on
"does not deter us from express- the institutions of the state the ob- sident of the Union of American
ing our concern over hostile pro- ligation to conduct religious exer- Hebrew Congregations, urged his
nouncements against the State of cises, and in a pluralistic society Reform colleagues "to be candid
Israel by NLF leaders and over a the state assumes unwarranted re- enough to confess that a new, more
recent disclosure that some Pales- ligious authority when it conducts revolutionary Refcrm Judaism is
tine Liberation Army personnel such religious exercises." They needed" and that "otherwise, we
are to be trained in China for pos- also criticized federal and state are frozen in a neo-Orthodoxy."
He deplored that Reform rabbis,
sible action in Vietnam." The rab- education grants to non-public re-
bis called "upon all groups seek- ligious schools as threatening a "once aflame with the fiery pas-
ing a just and peaceful settlement breach of the state-church separa- sion of Isaiah, are now concerned
with how best to observe Hamisha
of. the Vietnam crisis to express tion principle.
their concern and to call upon
The convention reaffirmed the Asar b'Shvat in January, or how
the National Liberation Front to Reform rabbinate's insistence that frequently to introduce Yizkor it
desist from support of anti-Israel the United States act for a quick services or to cling tenaciously to
aggression."
end to its participation in the Viet- the Bar Mitzvah as the sole reason
In the same resolution, the Re- nam war; assailed "the increas- for observance of the Sabbath."
He also said he opposed the
form rabbis also criticized "the ingly totalitarian and repressive
escalation of military prepara- measures with which the govern- trend toward "Jewish separat-
tions in the Middle East even as ment of South Africa seems to en- ism" in increasing numbers of
we applaud the persistent desire force its policy of apartheid;" Jewish day schools, Jewish coun-
of the government of Israel to urged support of a federal bill to try clubs and Jewish universi-
talk peace." 'The rabbis as- authorize the federal government ties. He called the trend a "mis-
sailed "the intransigence of to dispense birth control informa- guided response" to the "ad-
many Arab leaders and their tion and services as "essential in mittedly grave problem" of mod-
hate-inciting statements even as the war against poverty;" and ern social trends. He insisted
we commend President Bourgui- called for strengthening of the pro- that Jews "can not go home
again to the "shtetl" of pre-
ba of Tunisia for his effort to posed 1966 Civil Rights Act to pro-
introduce a measure of realism vide action in civil rights viola- Hitler Europe.
"We must recognize that inter-
into the public debate."
tions "by a federal administrative
The Reform rabbis condemned agency" and "civil indemnifica- marriage was always with us, even
discrimination against Judaism tion for victims of civil rights viol- in the closed societies of the past,"
he added. "We must accept this
and Jewish culture in the Soviet ence."
Union "as well as the denial to
The rabbis decided not to take painful reality and we must help
Jews of any possibility of mean- any action on the CCAR's 1936 our congregations wean our people
ingful community life or of fra- stand on Jewish religious con- away" from primitivism and pro-
ternal contact with Jewish com scientious objectors, which held vinciale motionalism.
"It is quixotic," he said, "to de-
munities outside the Soviet Union." them to be acting in accordance
The delegates expressed the belief "with the highest interpretation of lude ourselves into believing that
that "Soviet officialdom has been Judaism" and asked exemption of our rabbinic interdicting of inter-
responsive to wo:ld-wide protest, such objectors from military serv- dating and our more stringent re-
particularly to that which has ice as with Quakers, for example. solutions against intermarriage will
emanated from Communist Party The rabbis said the current de- deter those who are determined
circles in other countries" concern- bate on Vietnam might require to wed even if every rabbi within
this conference becomes a con-
ing Soviet anti-Jewish discrimina- re-study of that position.
tion.
Eighty per cent of all Reform scientious objector. We rabbis are
The resolution voiced hope "for rabbis in this country polled on not omnipotent. Indeed, the very
a liberalized policy in the Soviet the sentiments of their converts opposite is unhappily the case."
He said that rabbinic and Secu-
Union with respect to Jewish emi-
to Judasim replied that the con-
gration and for the removal of verts have been assets to Jew- lar leaders were "tilting at wind-
those restrictions which make any ish life, it was reported at the mills" if they failed to realize "the
reality that a certain amount of
meaningful Jewish religious and
convention.
cultural life presently impossible
The report said that free pamph- intermarriage, of drifting from
in the Soviet Union." The rabbis lets were in preparation, one by our fold is inevitable in an open
hailed the work of the American Rabbi Bernard Bamberger of New society."
Conference on Soviet Jewry and York, former CCAR president, di-
urged "our colleagues to give it rected to the non-Jew seeking a WJC Plenary Leaders
their continuing cooperation."
faith; the second is by Rabbi Rob-
The CCAR pledged full support ert Kahn, whose appeal will be to
of the American Jewish Confer- the unaffirmed Jew. The third
ence on Soviet Jewry and establish- already completed is by Rabbi
ed a special committee to work David M. Eichhorn of New York,
with the Conference and coordin- to interpret to the Jewish laity the
ate Reform rabbinic efforts in the philosophy of mission and the rea-
general Jewish community pro- sons for engaging in this sharing
grams to help Soviet Jews.
of religious insight.
The CCAR also called on the
The program is not necessarily
Johnson administration to "active- intended to win converts only for
ly support" the seating of Red Reform Judaism, the report said.
Samuel Bronfman (right) vice
China at the forthcoming session If applicants are more suitable for
president of the World Jewish
of the United Nations General As- admission to other branches of
Congress and chairman of the
sembly. They lauded the adminis- Judaism, such as Orthodoxy or
organization's North American
tration's efforts to foster economic Conservatism, referrals will be executive, will head a delegation
and cultural relations with Red made, the report said. For male
of about 80 Jewish leaders to the
China which "may pierce the bar- applicants over 21, circumcision forthcoming plenary assembly of
rier separating" the two countries. will not be required, the report the WJC in Brussels. Heading the
The rabbis also expressed con- stressed.
U.S. group is Dr. Max Nussbaum,
(left) chairman of the WJC's
cern over the fact that "far-right
Rabbi Maurice L. Zigmund, of
and neo-Nazi type parties are Boston, speaking at the conven- American Section. The plenary
showing signs of resurgence in tion, was pessimistic about Jewish
opens July 31 and will continue
West Germany, and neo-Nazi and campus youth. He reported that,
until Aug. 9. The WJC leaders
anti-Semitic sentiments were ex- despite the fact that there is an
will, Bronfman said, "take the
opportunity at Brussels to review
pressed in the campaign preced- acceptance of and cordiality and
ing the recent Austrian election." cooperation toward Judaism, the
our work and to plan in depth
The delegates urged the Reform overwhelming majority of Jewish and detail the way in which we
will tackle the problems that face
40—Friday, July 1, 1966
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Jewry today."

-

imommailliarommorp.

Israel Irked by News Leak That U.S.
Sent A-Energy Team to 'Visit' Reactor

(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)

JERUSALEM — Israel's govern-
ment instructed its embassy at
Washington Wednesday to ask
American authorities to investigate
a news leak to the press about an
alleged "inspection" of the atomic
reactor at Dimona by engineers of
the U.S. Atomic Energy Commis-
sion.
The report was confirmed by
the State Department. Government
officials here pointed out that the
leak of an American visit to Di-
mona, which was termed a "visit"
and not an inspection, was con-
trary to an understanding with the
United States that such visits must
be kept secret.
The foreign ministry here con-
sidered Wednesday the possibility
of expressing its "dissatisfaction"
to the Department of State in
Washington. Officials here pointed
out that the original report about
American visits to Dimona was
inaccurate.
The reports had stated that the
first American visit to Dimona was
made in 1964. Actually, Israel in-
sists, that first visit occurred in
1961. The dates are considered
here as important because David
Ben-Gurion_ was prime minister in
1961.
Political circles here stressed
Wednesday the fact that no regu-
lar arrangements for American
visits to Dimona have been made
by Israel. The visits, it was
pointed out, were permitted "ex
g•atia," or only as a courtesy
from Israel to the United States.
It was emphasized that, since
1961, occasional visits have been
made, not only by American
scientists but also by nuclear ex-
perts from other countries, and
not only to Dimona but also to the
Israeli Research Institute at Nahal
Sorek, the Weizmann Institute of
Science at Rehovot and other in-
stallations.
Hayom, the organ of Gahal —
the political fusion of Herut and
the Liberal Party — declared its
strong opposition Wednesday to
"American visits, which are
nothing but inspections." The news-
paper wrote that, in spite of denials
by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol,
"There are U.S. inspections." It
added that such inspections were

"contrary to Israel's sovereignty,
and a blow to Israel's defense."
Engineers on the staff of the U.S.
Atomic Energy Commission found
"tentatively" that the plant is not
being used for producing atomic
weapons.
The "tentative" nature of the
AEC conclusions is due to the
fact that an inspection once a
year is thought to be incon-
clusive. Israel's facility at Di-,
mona is a 24,000-kilowatt plant, ,
of the natural uranium, heavy-
water moderated type, particu-
larly suited for the production of
plutonium.
While Israel has always insisted
that it is using the Dimona facility
for peaceful purposes only, the
reactor is said to be capable of
producing enough material for twa
relatively small atomic bombs
every year.

Hebrew Corner

ShalomAsch House

Shalom Asch, the well-known Jewish
writer born in Poland, wandered about
a great deal during his lifetime. Since
1906 he even visited Eretz Yisrael about
At the end of
immigrated to
Israel from
Am and
built himself
America
a home in Bat Yam. He lived in that
house until his death in 1957. The
writer's widow donated the house and
all its contents for the purpose of
converting it into a Cultural Center
and Museum in his name.
The atmosphere of the House has
been preserved as it was at the time
the writer lived in it. Both the living
room and the study remained just as
they were during his lifetime. In the
living room _there is a collection of
antiques and art objects collected by
the writer, photographs, a bust of the
writer, and other things. In the study
the writer's desk can be seen, his docu-
ments, medals of distinction, his li-
brary, Scrolls of the Law, and a col-
lection of antiques. The third room
is a Museum containing the writer's
archives, including letters, manuscripts,
newspaper clippings in many languages,
and the manuscripts of his own works.
The administration of the House is
in the hands of a Board of well-known
public figures. From time to time.
lectures take place there on literary,
historical, and art subjects. Each year
there is a meeting there in memory of
the writer.
In the Guest Book of the House, one
can find the signature of tens of
thousands of tourists from all parts of
the world. High School students come
here to use the House's rich library,
and students come to study and ex-
amine the books of Shalom Asch.
(Translation of Hebrew column
published by the Brit Ivrit
Olamit, with the Assistance of
the Memorial Fund for Jewish
Culture )
Material in
i vowelized easy Hebrew
can be obtained by writing to the Brit
Ivrit Olamit. P. 0. Box 7111, Jeru-
Kt' salem, Israel.

r 1 1;Pr: 711 ;9 1.1

n 4

1
. 41n •`q 442?iD l'1 77 47117i nirrn npion ,trht
1 j
;1;1;3 Litz 190611,TV
1r.44
11' . 2 i17 N.41 17k. nir. LP
riL. ?1,7 1954
•
IrZ71 r1i3 7i7r1r)
r11.'. ?tt .1957 r1Itti. nop4tg 11711i111 1
iintg Ln7
rnlin rr4t?
717n'? ,i4 ltgtt
'717.
npion
7,74, nitz r in4 n1.744 ;Jr rr).n4 rirtirTi
11n4
I1kitg4
n -rni n,riiit.trj
na
'717 lopx4tg 1'1127Zi
nirr .)1.7 17tp ripix tt47?4 0 ,rr.01.trr,
ntt?pt:;
n -rnz . - riv, npion '7pp ,trp1L14 ,npitori -17
ryirrirt
'7tig
TriL?tg nz3 nitviz?
ig,t?tgri
1ri;7? ,rnin
,r3 , 4rpr? L2L21n ► ;
IT Tpri t.t31.1 14 • ritvrin
1:7 —, r)p)
r1iDtt)
min Irpi?

■

T

.ntg - Try -114„
'7tg Tinitnip ,T4 x*ps
'71;14
trktt, .713 '717 nitTin iz ninTr37? t117.4,
7i1 ~ i S1`1 s7 iz rvnr?
"VP •zrr. )1 a. 7 Pril • nnivtrl

niwr.11

71- 34 rr,nr7 t2tg
o74p4
n'kz4 tv.4inT 1 PC? T4 " 7 '?'?, r 1 • 4713 '147 27 ? r11:n
trkt4 trtprr3t)yi
t7tg 71rtti1771 nrIppz tz9netir.0?

.Vtt MLA!" ,79tq rivp

rrpE?ir r14 i;s71141 ntlim4)
nizl.tt Tin?! r,),1?