'f-HE JEWISH NEWS
with issue of July 20, 1951
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing
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,
yE 8-9364. Subscription $7 a year. Fo•.eign $8.
Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
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CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 26th day of Sivan, 5728, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Num. 13:1-15:41. Prophetical portiom Joshua 2:1-24.
Rosh Hodesh Tamuz Tora readings, Wednesday and Thursday, Num. 28:1-15
June 21, 1968
Page Four
Candle lighting, Friday, June 21, 8:53 p.m.
VOL. LIU. No. 14
Page Four
June 21, 1968
Czechoslovakian Jewry's Millenium
Czechoslovakian Jewry will mark its mil-
lenium this year in a revived spirit of free-
dom which results from the Czechs' defiance
•of Communist Russia's domination and the
resumption of democratic practices.
It has been said that a nation can be
judged by the manner in which it treats its
Jewish citizens. Czechoslovakia was a land
of great opportunity for Jews after World
War I. The Masaryks coupled their craving
for justice with a friendship for the Jewish
people. While, in the history of the Czech
nation, there have been periods of inhuman
acts, of persecutions that compelled Jews
often to flee the land, in this century Jews
experienced just treatment.
The renewed oppressions under Com-
munist rule. until the very recent re-emer-
gence of a democratic spirit in the land,
interrupted the good relations. They have
now been reintroduced, and the observance
of the 1,000th anniversary of •active Jewish
history among the Czechs has official endorse-
ment emphasizing the resumption of a pre-
vious friendship among the peoples of dif-
fering faiths.
Under extreme ComMunist rule the plan-
ned 1,000th anniversary celebration was can-
celed last year. Now we have a return to
humanitarian approaches in Czechoslovakia
and the millenial celebration will be accom-
panied by the issuance of postage stamps
and the introduction of other governmental
means of sharing in the important historic
event.
It is worth noting in this connection that
President Ludvik Svoboda of Czechoslovakia
. stated emphatically at a public ceremony • a
short time ago: "We have set ourselves the
goal of democratic regeneration of our soci-
ety. We are setting out to create - a new type
of socialist democracy, a democracy which
will lend support to the full development of
the human personality."
There is much in Czech Jewish history
to. be honored, as even the previous biased
regime acknowledged by sponsoring a -Jew-
ish - section in the Czech Pavilion at the
Montreal World Fair. Now the recognition
is more normal. The Czech actions, coupled
with the friendship of Romania, provide hope
that there will be a restoration of justice even
behind the Iron Curtain.
New Era for Middle East Seen
/ /
in Laqueur s Road to Jerusalem'
spe-
Many - books dealing with the situation in the Middle East are
cifically devoted to the events last June. "The Road to Jerusalem" by
Walter Laqueur, published by Macmillan, reviews the events that pre-
ceded the war, emphasizing the conflict that grew to such large propor-
tions through May.1967, analyzing "the facts and forces behind one of
history's longest feuds—and shortest wars."
An authority on the Middle East and on the activities of the Com-
munist bloc, Dr. Laqueur, professor of politics at Brandeis University
and University of Reading, England, goes into detail to explain the
history of the Arab-Jewish conflict and draws some interesting conclu-
sions. He maintains that "on the present basis it is illusory to hope for
a meeting of minds between Arabs and Israel" but that it is at least
conceivable that some of the more developed Arab countries and Israel
will become more alike in coming generations:" and that while "affinity
in outlook does not necessarily make friends of individuals or nations
. . it will make at least rational discussion of common problems possi-
ble."
Laqueur holds to the view that there is a confirmation in the
lesson of the 1967 crisis that "with all their tremendous military
strength, Russia and America may be quite unable to control a
relatively small crisis," that even the smallest countries disregard
advice, and that: "The situation in May 196'7 was unique; nothing
quite like - it had ever existed; nor is just such a constellation of
forces likely to recu•."
Planning of future activities by a num- Center projects affirms the practicality of the
There is a brief interesting definition of the June events which are
ber of Detroit Jewish agencies points to a undertaking.
summarized by Laqueur as follows: "It began like a standard scene in
growing interest in the needs of the aged
Thanks to the support provided by the a Western: A game of poker in a sleazy saloon. I have compared the
and to an increased assignment of program- Jewish Welfare Federation, the community's moves in the conflict between 1948 and 1967 to gambits in chess; but
ming in the direction of the older citizens.
member agencies are enabled to pursue the escalation crisis in 1967 was of course much more like a game of
A review of projects already introduced, such vital tasks with the aid of skilled social poker. As the games theorists would put it this way a play of imperfect
information; and from the start the bluffing was overdone. Israel could
presented at the annual meeting of the Jew workers.
not afford to lose a single game. The Arabs did not have enough money
Assistance given to the aged after the for the stakes and should never have played, still less issued a chal-
ish Family and Children's Service, indicated
that extension of activities among aged and sad disturbances of last July, especially to lenge, in the first place. Indeed, this game should never have taken
but no one could withdraw once the play had started."
infirm in nursing homes already has emerged those who still reside in the affected areas, place,
One wonders about the Arab lack of funds—with the oil incomes,
was among the accomplishments of note in with the aid from the Soviet Union! But we are told here anew that
as a genuine contribution to this purpose.
this area of endeavor. The planned housing "Nasser stumbled into it," that "only the Fatah and perhaps the Syrian
At the Jewish Community Center, the units for the elderly also will supplement leaders wanted the war," that: "They were impatient with many anti-
activities allocated for the aged already have the activities in their behalf. giving assur- Israeli resolutions that had been adopted over the last 10 years and had
assumed significant proportions. Almost ance that they reside in a community that not brought the liberation of the homeland any nearer. They were genu-
inely convinced that a 'people's war' would do the trick; it would harass
daily, the large number of aged who join in cares.
the Israelis, compel them to engage in massive retaliation and thus,
sooner or late, involve the regular armies of the Arab countries.
In Laqueur's view, the Arabs believed their combined might
to be superior to Israel's and that Jews would lose their nerve and
eventually give up Israel with an escalation of harassment.
While indicating the Soviet pro-Arab position. Laqueur also empha-
In the midst of revolts on many fronts, selves in Jewish cultural activities. The sizes that neither the Soviets nor America wanted. the war. President
and U Thant's roles are evaluated. The author shows how
in the course of experience of growing fer- courses co-sponsored by the United Hebrew Johnson's
Israeli restraint would have been insufficient to avert a war and also
ment, the Jewish community may have spe- Schools of Detroit and the Jewish Theolog- that the assumption that "peace between Israel and the Arab states
cial cause for concern. ical Seminary, at the University of Michigan, could have been won by a different foreign political orientation on the
should receive wide community support and patt of Israel seems ill founded." But the pioneer Zionist, reading the
While our young people, especially in the encouragement.
•
Laqueur observations, will be puzzled by this prognostication:
universities, are involved in the protests
"Israel will not remain what it is. The Zionist phase of Israel
that have embroiled our nation in many
•It is heartening to know that the Near
is about to end or is already over: the Arab fears of mass immigra-
areas, there is an evident withdrawal from Eastern Department at Wayne State Uni-
tion into Israel are misplaced. The Zionist mystique born out of the
suffering and longing of East European Jewry is gradually replaced
Jewish ranks in the surge towards the new versity is assuming new significance with a
by a different concept of modern statehood as the first native-barn;–
left.
series of courses being offered by Profs. Max
generation takes over the political and military leadership. IV
Kapustin,
Jacob
Lassner,
Jacob
Landau
and
We are again experiencing a return to in-
implications of statehood are .dawning only gradually upon Israeli , _
Daniel
Reisman
include
courses
in
Hebrew,
difference, an unconcern for Jewish crea-
The Jewish Agency was ZioniSt in character, a modern state Con-
taining a substantial minority needs -a different basis . . . The new
tivity and there is therefore a lag in studies. Mishna, Midrash, Medieval Commentaries,
country will offer, one hopes, much of interest and value to the
Jewish knowledge is on the decline in the history of the Arabs, classical Arabic, Jew-
ish history and history of ancient Israel.
outside world. But it will not be necessarily 'Or Legoyine—a
ranks of the college youth.
They provide opportunities for advancement
spiritual light to the non-Jews. A normal state does not mean an
end to tribulations and danger, but it is the end of the idea of a
What we need, therefore, is another re- of knowledge about Jews and their history
Jewish mission as it was preached by the prophets."
volt in Jewish ranks—a revolt against ignor- and related subjects.
Thus, many of the conclusions by Laqueur will arouse discussion.
ance, a protest condemning failure to be fully .
Enrollments both at the U. of M. and at And it has special value in the numerous appendices which include:
informed on Jewish developments today and
Wayne
State are small, but even if they are a U Thant's report on the UNEF withdrawal, Hammarskjold's memor-
on the course of Jewish historical experi-
andum on the peace force, several of Nasser's speeches that are rele-
ences.
mere beginning they encourage us in the vant to the discussion, Nasser's resignation broadcast, Eban's and
and the important article in the Cairo newspaper Al
Ft is encouraging to know that some hope that ground is being broken for greater Rabin's speeches armed
clash • with Israel is , inevitable—why?-"•
Abram on "An
young people have begun to interest them- advancement in higher, Jewish learning.
Community's Interest in Needs of Aged
An Inspired Revolt Against Ignorance
-