Purely Commentary
Purim's Jollity . . . Facing Threats Philosophically
Purim's Lessons . . USSR's
Matzo Plans . . Dialogues
and the Jewish Goals
By Philip
Slomovitz
For a Proper Dialogue: Know Thyself
There is no doubt that the new trend toward dialogues be-
Purim's traditions fit splendidly into the pattern of Jewish experi-
tween Catholics and Jews is a step in the right direction.
ences.
The time for fun, for a carnival spirit, masquerading, exchange
The latest guidelines by the Catholic Bishops eliminates many
of gifts, has arrived again. And as in ages past it again emerges shortcomings. Its admonition against proselytization should go a long
applicable to existing situations involving threats from the outside. way in removing suspicions. Its proposals for emendations. in text-
Seldom have we had a Purim when it did not coincide with a recurrence books is most welcome: it has long been among the most serious
of prejudice and of anti-Semitic threats. This year again Purim is obstacles to the road to amity.
marked by evidences of a re-emerging anti-Semitic and of the rebirth
When Catholics and Jews meet, however, for discussion of theo-
of hatreds.
logical subjects and for consideration of matters of mutual interest,
In Trenton, Mich.. in numerous other communities, in our own there is an internal Jewish aspect that must- not be overlooked. When
midst—in West Germany and in other lands—the swastika has re- Jews meet with their neighbors to review their historical differences
appeared. An old. "rather innocent emblem, has been given the aspect and to arrive at amicability, it must not be a one-sided project of
of bigotry and tyranny and is being shunned because it symbolizes Christians overwhelming Jews with their new-found kindness and
venom and hatred.
thereby enticing them into admiration. Jews who participate in such
Comes Purim, and Jews laugh at this symbol, at the anti-Semitic discussions must be well informed. They must know their history and
leaflets, at the poisonous attacks aimed at our destruction. Because traditions. They should he properly prepared to teach , the Christian,
Purim. like so many other Jewish occasions on our calendar, has just as the Christian undoubtedly will come to us with self-under-
a specific message: it reaffirms that Israel is indestructible, that the standing.
lunatic fringe that propagates against us with repetitious lies hasn't
Dialogues will be effective and productive if Jews will be ade-
a chance on the historic scale.
quately provided to meet their neighbors on equal ground. But if Jews
That's one of our most effective weapons: that we can laugh at will face their Christian friends as a puzzled party it will bring us trouble
adversity, that we can poke fun at bigots.
and greater confusion. We have heard many non-Jews address us with
Nevertheless, there is a lesson related to this philosophic attitude. the admonition that they know the Bible better than many Jews. There
It is easier to laugh at would-be enemies if we understand their motives have been reports of such vast ignorance of things Jewish among our
and are properly informed about our own position in the world. To college students that those who have conducted the tests have been
confront a liar we must he able to deflate him and his lies. If we horrified by the results of the surveys. How can we possibly have
are uninformed, we are weak and defenseless.
dialogues to elevate human relations unless both parties to the dis-
When, therefore, a new wave of anti-Semitism confronts us, we cussions are equally prepared for participation in an exchange of
have less to fear when we are prepared to meet it with facts—even if views, in evaluation of historic experiences?
it is for our own satifaction. Otherwise we are lost.
There is fear in some quarters that there may be "enticement" of
That is why our first concern is with our youth, with our aim to Jews by non-Jews who now are so friendly, so alluringly and tempt-
have an informed young generation which should be able to defy ingly hcrs
, pitable to an exchange of views with Jews. It these fears are
dangers by being able to face them with knowledge and therefore
to bp considered unjustified, they must be obviated by an assurance
with dignity.
thati Jews will know whereof they speak, the heritage they represent
And so every holiday has an educational lesson. If we can make the history they perpetuate, the traditions they uphold.
Purim an occasion not only for frivolity but also an occasion to learn,
This brings us back to the major duty we owe to ourselves: to
to know, to gain strength thereby to face all dangers, we will have assure that our people will be a well-informed constituency in a com-
glorious festivities, , able to challenge all adversaries, fortified with munity of Jews. That is why there is so much concern over the status
strength that will defy the worst of dangers.
of youth who often are indifferent to their past, unaware of the
Such a spirit for Purim will retain for it the jollity of a carnival present, lacking understanding of an inevitable future. That is why
festival and the spiritual power of a great traditional heritage.
the emphasis is on knowledge. With it we are safe; without it we are
*
*
*
in danger.
Jerusalem Drops
2,000-YearGrudg e
Against Athens
JERUSALEM (JTA)
The
Jerusalem Municipal council
Tuesday approved a cultukal ex-
change agreement with the
municipality of Athens over the
objection of the representative
of the Poale Agudat Israel -, who
cited the incident more than
2,000 years ago when the Greeks
defiled the Temple by slaughter-
ing a pig on the altar.
The representative of the Na-
tional Religious Party who also
serves as a deputy mayor ab-
stained from the vote with the
explanation that while the past
should not be forgotten, this
was a new Greece and that the
modern city of Athens had no
intention of carrying out any
offensive acts in Jerusalem.
Rustin Accuses
Soviet Secretary •
on Jewish Issue
Bayard Rustin, Negro rights
leader, has accused the first secre-
tary of the Soviet Embassy in
Washington of "dogmatic denials"
and "evasion" of the "stubborn
facts" of anti-Jewish discrimina-
tion in the USSR.
The charge was contained in an
exchange of correspondence be-
tween Rustin, chairman of the Ad
Hoc Commission on the Rights of
Soviet Jews, and Igor D. Bubnov,
second-ranking member of the So-
• • •
Detroiters and the Weizmann Institute
viet Embassy in Washington.
Meyer W. Weisgal's all-too-hurried visit in Detroit brought back
Soviet Russia's Matzo Baking Program
Last Dec. 5, Rustin sent to So-
memories of earlier associations with him.
Granted
that
the
report
submitted
to
us
by
the
USSR
Embassy
viet Ambassador Anatoly F. Dob-
He was here for a comparatively long stay when he supervised
about
the
commencement
of
large-scale
matzo
baking
in
Russia
is
rynin
a copy of a report by the Ad
the presentation here, for an entire week, in 1934, at the Olympia,
correct, several puzzling questions remain.
Hoc Commission based on documen-
of "The Romance of a People."
Major
among
the
doubts
regarding
the
solution
to
the
problem
of
tary and analytic studies and testi-
He was executive secretary of the Zionist Organization of America
mony given at a public hearing
when the national ZOA convention was held here in 1929. Nahum restrictions on providing Passover foods for Russian Jews is whether
there will be sufficient courage to apply for matzot. In view of the earlier in the year on' Jewish con-
Sokolow was the distinguished guest at those sessions.
existing
condition
of
a
perpetuated
anti-Semitism,
and
the
injection
ditions in the USSR.
And his present officials status as president of- the Weizmann
The report, an 11-page document
Institute of Science brings back memories of the time when Detroiters of fear among Soviet Jews not to flaunt their Jewishness, will they
entitled "Judgment of the Ad Hoc
were hosts to Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Weizmann who came here in 1940 even dare to apply for matzot that are being baked?
Furthermore,
even
on
the
basis
of
the
released
statement
from
Commission,"
concluded that "the
to. ask for aid for the Daniel Sieff Agricultural Experiment Institute
in itehovot—the forerunne'r of the present immense Weizmann Institute official sources and the Moscow Jewish community's leaders, it is future of Soviet Jewry is in grave
doubtful
whether
the
reported
100
tons
of
matzot
to
be
baked
in
jeopardy" and called on the leaders
of which Weisgal may well. be called the major architect. Nate S.
Shapero was the president of American Friends of the Sieff Institute. Moscow could possibly fill the Jewish community's needs. This possibly of the USSR to restore full cultural
When he hosted the Weizmanns' visit here, a group of distinguished applies to the other listed communities where there is matzo baking. and religious. rights to the Jewish
It remains to be seen whether the news released to us, which can community and to permit large-
Detroiters were among the guests and participants in the effort in
serve as a vindication of Russian aims in behalf of the Jewish popula- scale emigration of Soviet Jews
behalf of Weizrnann's scientific labors in what was then Palestine.
At that time. Dr. Weizmann was presented with a testimonial. Its tion, will similarly be broadcast among Russian Jewry. But there is to Israel.
Bubnov replied for Ambassador
signatories were the community's leaders. As an historic record it that continuous official USSR assertion that religious freedom is pro-
vided for those who seek it but that Jews and other Russians do not Dobrynin on Dec. 30. The Soviet
is part of Zionist history and we reproduce it here as such:
crave it. In such fashion the Soviet .auhorities are able to explain away diplomat rejected the commission
all evidences of prejudice. Such a portrayal of attitudes in a sense findings and declared: "Had this
forces that type of attitude upon the population whose fears mount in letter come not from you but from
gt%-,
proportion to government propaganda.
some other person it would have
Naturally we hope that the Moscow matzo baking report is correct been taken as just another prickle
in every respect and that the availability of matzot will be unre- in the routine of anti-Soviet activ-
stricted. We must await final judgment in the matter of. Russian ities constantly carried on by cer-
We from fribu+o +o *tour Oaf &lemons/hip, ,fo
facilitation of its Jewish population's request for unhindered religious tain groups in this country."
pourunkafisla deAsofionfo fnunarignrisn en-deo:08,0e
freedom and Passover observance until there is evidence that responses
Rustin replied in a 600-word let-
and fo +put-, in'oexrfiVe. Ara And ve-nityl....
to matzo provisions and retention of Jewish traditional practices come ter to the Soviet spokesman chal-
trIcaval4i
4.. ./,...rd aria 1,44set mad Ana,. t 44 44
iZ
in a normal way, devoid of fears. But as long as there will be evidence lenging him "to accurately report
huoisidirt ova /...pewo (ha how ea* taw yowl oloodeie omege eloiesoot.
that Russian Jews hesitate to assert themselves out of fright of a re- the true contents of the judgment
..a /wad iallelea:4 aloof oria rola alaa.a.1 ComarveGoe, Mt
emerging anti-Semitism, the suspicions of USSR sincerity in spiritual p
e. superiors and to the Soviet
toeoypolur
..mad,' yomi ooduireirosaY and looty ac Moor& gal a. hard/sine. .16
and cultural matters will remain.
ea. **taw .ad tett et/Gasiaa off art Oaf. ladorout kat, eloweit4.1.atn
t o maul
Tr. Maim Ittleizmann
&a aejadgagral of ace alma At of doi .ig:toi
awl if 6.44.1 he 4, ode 1,
tae i. 4/4".aa".4.
iajela d. anaadi‘ad
ens...k *atoned' etifin. At dey ate .144f
Mini. lion.
241.11.4 GL,,. aniahm
W. or ALCioc1.62..
ea sklee.1
gem In .y./4
tiai 4s•th sad Aath:cal..../y. mite( IA&
otikek mita, .....4.alatala4y. at &arid.
9/ la dw ovratedame feu ...24 -was or#telaws Arend ace l'ciavate•
,/aoayat
4 11 saaleat ~my yew- rod koala. ...grid
eeerdineetet 1.4 eice
an. 'aria ce.
Sister City Conies to Aid of Trenton
Trenton, N.J., expressing sym-
pathy for the desecrated Trenton,
Mich., synagogue, Beth Isaac, has
formed a committee to aid the con-
Veffoitillictipan.
gregation.
ilnifod.Sfa4c$ of,Puserice.
•
Beth Isaac's sanctuary was
lionoory.t
ETA
risp.f
Arse
gutted in a fire set by an unknown
arsonist last month. The immedi-
ate goal, according to the Trenton,
N.J. committee, is to replace one
of the Tora scrolls lost in the fire.
Other gifts have been reported
by Cong. Beth Isaac, including a
•...914.••=.
"free-will
offering" raised during
eitac
ti •
services at St. James Episcopal
Church in Grosse He, a gift from a
Southgate church Sunday school
CCt'..g°%`4/e
0
7/7
-xit.,
and equipment from an anonymous
donor.
The Metropolitan Detroit Coun-
cil of Bnai Brith has recorded a
total of $230 in gifts and 275
books for the Trenton congrega-
tion. Bnai Brith has pledged to
replace the Beth Isaac library
sr
destroyed in the fire. The latest
gift of books is from Beth Sha-
lom Synagogue.
In its bulletin, Beth Isaac print-
ed excerpts from letters it has re-
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS ceived from sympathizers around
2—Friday, March 24, 1967
,/
e„,
-44-
7094ire-
the country. Among them were the
following:
". . . The desecration of your
synagogue is an outrage to all peo-
ple who have any sense of brother-
hood and decency. I read with
interest the great effort that was
involved in the establishment of
the synagogue by your small con-
gregation.
It is only coincidental that I
have been reading something of
the history of the Jewish people
and the Jewish religion; and al-
though this is superficial, I think
that I have some inkling of the
Jews' weariness of persecution and
abuse.
"Please let me extend to you
and your congregation my support
and sympathy. Enclosed is a check
in the amount of $100 to assist
your congregation in rebuilding."
• • •
".. . This morning I read with
great sadness of the terrible
thing that some demented person
(or persons) did to your Syna-
gogue. There can be no excuse
for an act such as this, and is
something that only God himself
could ever forgive. . . . If your
fire could dispel the prejudice
from the mind of just one nar-
row-minded person, then some
good will come of it. . . . Many
years have passed since the writ-
ing of the 74th Psalm. It is ap-
palling bow many times, in the
intervening centuries, this Psalm
could have been written anew.
But in this 20th Century, while
striving far real ecumenism and
good sound human relations, to
find it can apply to our own com-
munity Is more than a little hor-
rifying. We hope you can and
will rebuild very soon. The com-
munity needs Beth Isaac Syna-
gogue because it needs to be able
to respect itself."
• • •
"... I am ashamed that such a
thing could have happened in this
country. All we know of God and
religion we owe to the Jewish peo-
ple and it makes my heart sad to
know that such a thing could have
happened here . . . to assist In a
small way in erasing the marks of
a mad man from the House of my
Father."