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, Mich. 48235.
VF: 8-9364. Subscription $6 a year. Foreign $7.
--
Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
- - -
------------
-- —
CHARLOTTE
HYAMS
SIDNEY
SHMARAK
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
City Editor
Advertising Manager
Business Manager
Editor and Publisher

Sabbath Hanuka Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the 27th day of Kisle•, the following Scriptural selections Will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions, Gen. 41:1-44:17, Num. 7:24-29. Prophetical. portion,
Zaellariali 2:14-4:7.
Hanuka Tora readings: Sunday. Num. 7:30-41: Monday, Num. 7:36-47. Ilanuka and
Rosh Ilodesh Teret Tora readings; Tuesday, Num. 28:1-15, 7:42-47; Wednesday. Num.
28:1-15. 7:48-53. Final day Ilanuka Tora reading. Thursday, Num. 7:54-8:4. •

Candle Lighting, Friday. Dec. 9. 4:43 p.m.

N'ol. L, No. 16

Page Four

:!1

December 9, 1966

Hanuka ' s Role: Learning From the Past

Past experiences in the Holy Land are ap-
plicable to our own time. The valor of the
Maccabees of old can be applied to the cour-
age of the modern Israelis in the present
struggle for freedom—and for peace.
Hanuka is the festival of the Maccabees
who fought for faith and for spiritual sur-
vival. They conducted a battle for religion.
The late Dr. Morris Joseph aptly described
that role of Hanuka when he described the
Maccabean story. as follows:
— it is good for Jewish lads to include
warriors of their own race in their gallery of
heroes. to be able to say. 'My people has pro-
duced its brave men equally with the Greeks
and the Romans.'
"But still better it is for them to feel that
these brave ?nen drew their courage from the
purest of all sources, from a passionate love
for their religion. from a veneration for the
good and the true and the morally beautiful.
The Maccabees boldly faced overwhelming
odds. not for their own. selfish ends, but in a
spirit of self-sacrificing fidelity to the holiest
of all causes. They threw themselves upon
the enemy in the temper that takes the mar-
tyr to the stake: they did not for gain or
glory. but solely for conscience's sake. They
felt that God was calling to them. and they
could not hold back. Theirs was a unique ef-
fort. Others had. it is true. displayed an equal-
ly noble courage on the battlefield. But what
they had fought for was their fatherland and
ji.eir mother tongue, their hearths and
lion , cs. To fight for religion was a new thing.
'.*The little Maccabean band was like a
rock
tl , e midst of a surging sea. Standing
ahnost alone in their day, the heroes beat
back the forces that threatened to involve- all
7 ∎ 7i- 1n1:i ► d in a coinion demoralization. They
c,.. - ner of the world sweet in an impure

Thr . , held aloft the torch of true religion
rhen thick darkness was covering

,

t;

-

But N% idle fighting for that aim the Mac-
cabees also defended their lives, they strug-
gled for the retention of the rights of the•
Jews of that time to t heir basic existence.
This is what. in truth. is happening today.
Jews arc' battling for their existence in Israel.
It they were to rose the battle. it would mean

an end to their religious rights. And linked
with these rights as the very basis of Jewish
existence is the survival of the people and
the protection of the center of Jewish life.
*
a
*
A footnote is in order in view of most
recent developments. There are new attacks
on the Israelis, their existence again is
threatened, their friends are being boycotted.
the governments that are aligned with them
in diplomatic relations do not hesitate to re-
buke Israel's actions while going soft on those
who wage war upon the small state that is
surrounded by vast enemies.
Under these conditions, Hanuka • again
emerges as a festival with a military objec-
tive. as a time for inspiration to those who
are attacked to be ready for self-defense and
to stand firm against intruders. All this could
have been averted if the nations of the world,
especially the big powers, had the courage to
speak firmly on matters involving the peace
of the Middle East. But the UN's leaders are
involved in promoting expedience rather than
in seeking truth. That's why the great
spiritual festival of Hanuka so often becomes
an inspiration for those who must seek mili-
tary defense for their security. What a pity
that it should have come to pass that we
must write such a sad footnote to a comment
on Hanuka'
*
*
*
The new Israeli crisis places added respon-
sibilities upon world Jewry and especially on
the Jews of this country. It deMands in-
creased activities in behalf of all Israeli
causes and especially in support of the
United Jewish Appeal and the investment
tasks which assist in Israel's •
The current United Jewish Appeal con-
ference. to be held this week-end in New
York. should serve as a call for action in
Israel's behalf. Our aid to Israel's causes
must increase as a mark of solidarity with
the Israelis whose very existence is constantly
threatened.
Israel Bond efforts must mount. and the
current drive. during which Abraham Borman
will be honored here. should be given the
community's wholehearted support.
These are tasks that place serious duties
upon world Jewry in a time of crisis for Israel

Histadrut's Role in Current Crisis

•

Israel's Labor Federation — Histadrut —
emerges anew as one of the basic defense
factors ess;mtial for Israel's existence.
. During the trying pre-State years. when
Palestinian .Jews were struggling to establish
the foundation for independent statehood.
when all available forces wer.e needed to
protect the Jewish settlement. Histadrut was
the pivotal factor in Zionism.
NoW, in an era of new challenges. with
the economic conditions evolving from a
Nvorld crisis affecting the .Jewish State. Hista-
drut again plays a vital role—that of assuring
sustenance for its members and the retention
of the confidence that is so essential for the
people's survival.
Histadrut currently is striving to protect
its large m6mberShip—which numbers nearly
the total Israeli population—against despair=
in:; sentiments that result from a recession
that follows ■ ..ears of prosperity. It is not by
providing relief alone that Histadrut, like
other movements in Israel. can he of greatest
assistance 111 assuring Israel's security. Pri-
marily. it is the morale of the people that
counts. zinc! Histadrut is best fitted to provide

•

1. 4 % s
. e Art0'

:

■ :•••

••

.

New 'American Popular Songs':
Revolutionary War Till Now

David Ewen is one of the most noted authorities on music and

musicians. His many books on music—popular and classic—and his
biographies of noted musicians are among the best available factual
records in the field in which he specializes.
his newest work, "American Popular Songs: From the Revolu-
tionary War to the Present,". published by Random House, is ency-
clopedic. It contains lists of more than 4,000 of the outstanding Amer-
ican songs related to wars patriotic endeavors, and the noteworthy
comedy lyrics, popular vaudeville and minstrel songs, etc.
with more than 1.000 cross references to composers. lyricists,
motion picture and numerous plays. this large work will be most
helpful to musicians and students of music, and it especially serves
the needs of historians.
A foreword by Sigmund Spaeth pays high honor to Ewen. It points
to the chief factors in American popular music.

"Humor and love." Spaeth writes, "have been staples of our
popular-song literature through the years, the former most fre-
quently appearing in nonsense syllables, a technique that goes
back to the madrigals of Elizabethan days, to those •hey-nonny-
nonny• our songwriters have added a 'hot-cha-cha.' Hardly a year
passes without its novelty hit of the nonsensical type. Meanwhile
our sentimental ditties have progressed . . . The subject is still

Love, explicit or implied."

In his introduction .to this encyclopedic work, Ewen makes • • the
the songs in this encyclopedia are 'standards—a .
standard being the• popularsong equivalent of a classic in serious
music: music that has Stood the. test of time; that gives promise of
permanency in the repertory. A good many songs, while not standards,
art of historical: social or political interest; others, While torgotton
today. were immensely popular in their own day. For these reasons
they Might invite .curiosity for source material, and for these reasons
they have been included. A certain amount of space has been allotted
to rock 'n' roll.. and its progenitors. I do not know if any of these
numbers has a.. - eliance of survival. but I do know that this song style
domioatcd- the - - popular-music literature of over a dui.:,d4. , and
a
cannot be ignored:"

comment: "Most_ of

The annotation- to the songs listed by Ewen. the many c`.:
ere , . turn :his \ :,st work. into a most informative volume
i , -come a must for music lovers and esP ,
nts.
-•

--

'The World of Norman Salit'

the sense of self-confidence that is so vitally
needed to' overcome an economic decline.
There is need for similar confidence
Salit was a distinguished leader in many movements.
while facing the dangers that stein from the lie w
as a rabbi. His scholarly works were widely published.
horrors, that have been perpetrated on Is-
II:s
activities were marked by' dis-
rael's borders. The defense of the border tinct contributions- to the Jewish • nationalist
communities is dependent upon the workers ino‘ement.
Abraham 'Burstein collected many of his
who populate the security areas. and a con-
fident Histadrut is essential to these - needs. papers and edited them. and they have been pub-
Besides. Histadrut has a peace program: lished postliumously• by Bloch. Under the title
an educational series of undertakings. proj- "The World of Norman Salit," the impressive
work contains the sermons of the eminent rabbi,
ects aimed at providing scholarships. tasks 1:!-
nap•rs and addresses.
for the integration of the various elements
There Is a 'varm tribute to Dr. Salit in a
that make up the population • of Israel. Hista-
Ly Dr. Louis Finkelstein. and an im-
drut on occasions is best able to cement good
has been written by Rabbi
relations between the Occidental and Oriental En ut-1 liziaman
There
factions. This is as vital as the economic as-
are many very valuable essays in
z
this collection. A, leader iii scouting, there
sistance that goes to newcomers and to those
are his reports as chairman of the Rabbinical
who must live in good neighborly relations.
Dr. Salit
Issembly scouting committee. There are his
Such is the role of Histadrut. Because of
speeches as head of the synagogue Council. Speeches on psychia-
these aspects of the labor movement's role in
.
,1 •■ •• PsYcliology. Masonry and religion and a vast variety of other
Israel's upbuilding, Histadrut retains its
subjects add %able to this accumulated collection of noteworthy
strong appeal not only in Israel but also
documents by an eminent thinker.
among the Jewries of the world. That is why.
Dr. Salit., -- ernlOns and radio talks. and the miscellaneous paper s ,
the current campaign of assistance to Hista- form a repos:101-y of
rabbinic wisdom. The sermonic vveckly portions
drut which has just been launched here, de-
especially impressive. In its entirety, this collection is a tribute
serves the wholehearted support of Detroit are
to an eminent scholar and will surely serve as a guide for students
Jewry.
of Jewish :or( in our generation.

o

