Purely Commentary
A Salute to Dr. William Haber
World Jewry will take note, on March 5, of the 70th birthday of a
man who has truly earned the designation of one of the great personali-
ties of our time. Prof. William Haber has earned so much gratitude
from us, the services he has rendered are so immense, his courage has
been and continues to be so pro-
nounced, that there are not
encomia enough to shower upon
him.
It is not as world leader of
ORT alone that he has emerged
as a guide for the most creative
efforts in Jewish ranks. He did
not and does not limit himself to
the program of vocational train-
ing. He is a defender of Israel,
an outspoken pleader for the
rights of all men and he in the
process never hesitates to speak
of himself as the Jew who is
concerned with the fate of our
people.
He has helped students and
has inspired academicians. He
does not hide when there is dan- Dr. Haber
ger. He has associated himself
publicly with the sacred causes of Israel and Jewry and has let his
voice be heard when there was danger and when there is need for
action.
And on the American scene he has contributed so much to Ameri-
can life! Presidents and governors have called upon his for advice. He
is one of the great economists of our time, he has risen high as dean
of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts of the University of
Michigan and he retains a high position on the U-M faculty.
An offer by Governor Milliken that Dr. Haber should become
the director of the State Department of labor was not a mere
gesture of flattery: it was a recognition of the brilliance of the
distinguished economist who ranks among the ablest men in his
field.
Beware of the Bogey of Anti-Zionism That Spells
Anti-Semitism . . . Tourism to Israel, Faith in
Kinsmen ... Need for Communal Knowledgeability
BY
Phili p
SiOMOV ► tZ
Loyalties, Humanitarian Concerns, Criteria for Intellectual Aristocracy
If conditions weren's so sad and tragic -- they might even be funny at times in this turbulent age
College freshmen demand the right to select science professors. The hate-thy-father-and-thy-mother hs.
become a credo for contemporary writers who are being enriched by their fiction on the couch and loyalties
have been reduced to fears.
Are we too pessimistic about the development in an age in which the murderer of one of America's
most honored families is being defended not on the basis that capital punishment is wrong (haven't we said
it even in the case of Adolf Eichmann?) and instead resort to "diminished capacity" defensive methods,
(How inglorious the role of the American Civil Liberties Union is in such cases!).
We are concerned, of course, about Jewish reactions to anti-Semitism, to the outrageous occurrences on
some campuses, and while we should be elated over the sudden emergence of interest in Jewish matters
and in defense of Israel, we are puzzled and often skeptical: because, all-too-often, some in our ranks have
become concerned about "the enemy" and as soon as anti-Semitic incidents evaporated (as a result of
pressures in which these concerned participated), the libertarians of the moment vanished into thin air.
A very wise comment was made here by the very distinguished Jewish scholar, Dr. Abraham I. Katsh,
presently president of Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning and previously head of the Semitics
department at New York University, when he spoke here last month at Temple Beth El.
Dr. Katsh was asked whether, if such permission were given, large numbers of Jews would really
emigrate from Russia. His explanatory reply was that if the persecutions continue half a million Russian
Jews would wish to leave the USSR immediately; but if the restrictions were removed it would mean an end
to the "spiritual genocide" and that half million would find no reason for leaving Russia.
Isn't this how it has been all along in Jewish experience? Under anti-Semitic pressures we have had
an avalanche of loyalties. When Israel is subjected to threats of extermination and the most despicable
tactics are resorted to by murderous gangs, there is an outcry. As soon as dangers are overcome, the
-
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"libertarians" disappear.
There is a serious lesson in this. If defensive methods are to be adhered to, they must be enforced even
in times of tranquility and security. Else our forces become weakened.
There is, therefore, the serious question of loyalties. They have been confused with the distorted fears
that emanate from shocking and untrue charges of "double allegiance." Nothing is farther from the truth.
Zionist libertarians are often more loyal to this country than those who attack them and question their
motives. It is because we, as Zionists adhere to a just ideal of seeking a safe home for our kinsmen that we
rise to higher levels of humanity by adhering simultaneously to the most vital needs in the struggle for civil
rights, for fairness to peoples of all faiths, all races, all nationality backgrounds.
When Robert Briscoe visited Detroit some years ago, he took occasion to condemn the Council for
Judaism and explained that the reason he wins in elections in Ireland is because the Irish know and
understand his Jewish loyalties: "The Irish know that if I were not loyal to my Jewish people I could
not be loyal to the Irish as their fellow-citizen. One who is disloyal to his own can not be loyal to
his fellow men."
This remains a lesson to be respected by all generations to come.
But a lesson implies knowledge, and we suffer from a lack of information. The impressive students rallies
now being held here are the best indication of what is lacking. Some of the professors, many of the students,
are groping in the dark. They need basic facts. They crave for them. But they don't possess them.
A good example of how Jews approach current issues was shown here a few days ago when a respected
member of the Detroit City Council, who is of Jewish descent, chose, when invited to write on a Lenten
theme, to go to John. He is such a dedicated devotee of universalism that it was almost a natural for him
to show that he could go to the New Testament. If we could only assume that he knows so much about
Tora and our Holy scriptures that he also needed to give vent to his knowledge about the scriptures of his
Iraqi Crimes
Despicable Under Any and All Circumstances non-Jewish fellow-citizens! But he'll forgive us if we express doubt whether he really is fully acquainted
Newspaper reports about the executions of alleged spies in Iraq, with Isaiah and Malachi and the Psalms. Indeed, it has been said that many Christians know the Bible
last week, carried the legend that "it appeared unlikely that there (our treasure which they inherited from us) better than we do. Is that why the Honorable Councilman
would be a repetition of the storm of foreign protests which followed leaves the Old Testament to those who also worship with the New Testament? _
The occurences in our time undoubtledly are spurring new interest in Jewish life by Jews, a renewed
the execution last month of nine Iraqi Jews and five Moslems as spies
devotion to our heritage by our youth. Now there is a renewed duty devolving upon the elders: to teach
for Israel."
properly,
to restore priority to learning, to make knowledgeability the criterion for a genuine Jewish intel-
Why such an assumption? A crime is a crime whether committed
lectual aristocracy.
against Jews or Moslems or Christians.
It is not easy to pay deserved honor to a great man: there is always
the handicap of not saying enough. Suffice it to state that he is one of
the great Jewish leaders of our time—one for whom the appellation
leader is not exaggerated—and we have cause to be grateful that in the
years of so many crises he is with us, has always been available for
action and—how blessed we are!—remains available for the many
duties that continue to tax our energies at this time.
—
And if the above quoted assumption is a truth then it is an indict-
Satire ... Self-Respect,
ment of humanity that fails to protest against all crimes.
There is something very distressing about public opinion that rises Knowledge, Practical
up in indignation against indignities and then becomes immune to Confrontation With Facts
horrors. Do people really get used to bad news and to the international
In the process of facing up to
crimes and then begin to ignore the outrages?
What a danger is inherent in this experience: that those who are issues that were injected in the
Wayne
State University periodi-
moved to express protests against indignities suddenly become tired
cal, there were wiseacres who un-
liberals!
dertook
to kibitz and to resort to
•
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•
what they considered satire. The
Israel Needs Tourists' Encouragement
result in many instances was ir-
There is no doubt that one of the aims of El Fatah and PLO terror- responsibility in dealing with
ism is to destroy Israel's second largest industry—tourism. It is in this major issues.
area that there is a vital need for world Jewish support for Israel. Last
When, in the resort to what the
year more than 180,000 Americans — Christians and Jews — visited self-judged wise in our midst con-
Israel. They were a source of encouragement and an expression of con- sider satire, they drag in religion,
fidence in a great effort. That number represented 10 per cent of all the Papacy, the libels with which
American tourists abroad and it meant a great deal to a state Struggling we have been treated, they do not
for security and survival.
help in the least.
Now there is need to reaffirm the faith in Israel, the confidence that
They will no doubt say that we
tourists will be as safe in the future as they have always been in the do not possess a sense of humor.
nearly 21 years of Israel's existence. A tourist in Israel is safer than in There is no humor in anti-Semi-
any Arab country and as safe as in any free land on the face of the tism or in any form of bigotry.
earth. There are times when you can
Attacks on planes can occur anywhere and it is now hoped that the laugh off barbs. But one must
conscience of the world will be fully awakened to the need of uprooting know how to use them. In the
terror and of making it known that it will not be tolerated. WSU issue they were misused.
But tourism will not end, El Al will function, security measures will A bit of knowledge won't hurt,
be taken. and we pray that our young
May Israelis and Jews from all free lands continue to bless their people especially will learn the
kinship in a spirit of faith that freedom will triumph and that justice value of being acquainted with
will rule everywhere—and may we continue to hear of Jews from every- history, with basic facts, with
where visiting their fellow Jews in Israel so that the hands of the build- realities. Only then will they corn-
ers of Zion may be kept strong! mand respect. But before there is
•
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respect there must be self-respect.
The New Bogey of Anti Zionism and the Roots of Anti Semitism
The new anti-Semites may be clever, but their tactics cannot function. Surely, public opinion is
better informed than to fall for the tripe that stems from the USSR and Poland, from those who would
create a new cause for anti-Semitism under the guise of anti-Zionism.
Pope Pius XI had spoken of "the sin of anti-Semitism" and it had, indeed, beeme a mark of dis-
grace to be an anti-Semite. The bigots and haters need excuses to spread their venom. What better ex-
cuse than to resort to a new term, "Zionism," especially since the Arabs, from whose ranks now emanate
the worst type of propaganda (renewal of the falsified Protocols of Zion, the ritual murder libel and
other outrageous accusations), also are Semites!
So—the hate spreaders are having a new heyday and only the misguided fall for that sort of propa-
ganda.
Those who are acquainted with the Zionist idea know better than to fall prey to an anti-Zionist
campaign. Zionism represents libertarianism. It is the peaceful movement that aimed at redeeming the
Land of Israel in accordance with Prophecy, in adherence to the basic hopes of an imperiled people that
would not be destroyed.
Nevertheless it is necessary that people should not be misled, that they should understand that Zion-
ists are Jews, that the idea predominates in Jewish ranks, that Israelis are the benefactors of an historic
dream and when they are attacked as Zionist aggressors they are merely victims of a new type of anti-
Semitism (even when it stems from our Semitic Cousins).
And whatever form anti-Semitism may assume we must stand united—all lovers of justice, Chris-
tians and Jews—in the battle against that sinful attempt \to destroy Israel and Jewryl
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An Insult to Truth at Oakland University
Our fear, expressed in these columns on Jan. 17 — soon after the
announcement that a series of lectures was to be given by Arab scholars
(sic!) at Oakland University — was not groundless.
All the venom that rankles in the hearts of haters sputtered in
the lecture hall a week ago Thursday. An Arab propagandist, who
promised his audience the truth resorted to such appeals to hatred
that he reportedly misled an audience of about 100 women and the
remarks approving of his appeals to unreason might have created
a new atmosphere of anti-Semitism.
Oakland University has undertaken to provide supplementary
lecturers who will outline Israel's role in the Middle East. We welcome
this desire to correct errors and to eliminate misunderstanding. We
are not so certain that this is sufficient because, after The Lie has
been spoken we are not so certain that those who were misled by it
can be reached or will have an ear to The Truth.
We challenge anyone, whether be is a director of libraries at Wayne
State University, or a dean at Oakland University, to prove that we, as
Jews and as Zionists, have ever resorted to an anti-Arab campaign.
What we have done, what we do, as kinsmen of Israel, is to plead
for peace, for the right for two and a half million of our coreligionists
to live. It is being denied to them and there is a battle for survival. But
we can not bow our heads when, in the process of spreading anti-
Israelism, guest lecturers are abusive of being guests of a great uni-
versity and are injecting anti-Semitism in an American atmosphere.
There is no room in this great state, or in any other state — in the
universities of this land — for The Lie that spells Adolf Hitler. Let
such indecency end quickly!
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No Reason for Rifts Between Jews and Negroes
Both the editorial (Anti-Semitism Is Both Tragic and Dangerous)
and the article by Louis Martin (Anti-Semitism? Hogwash . . .) in the
Michigan Chronicle, the organ of the Negro community, are elements
in the rational approaches to issues Zwhich threatened to disrupt
established friendships between our and the black community.
There was a series of articles in the Michigan Chronicle by the
Rev. Albert Cleage which pointed to a deplorable lack of understanding
of major issues and which indicated that the wrong facts were utilized
in criticisms of Jews, Israel and related subjects. The articles in the
Michigan Chronicle add immensely to good will.
A statement just issued by Benjamin R. Epstein, national director
of the Anti-Defamation League, reviews the problem inherent in Negro
anti-Semitism and points both to the gains made by Negroes and
equally forcefully to the handicaps suffered by Negroes. His statement
concludes with these assertions:
near
"While Jews wilt not, indeed, cannot, tolerate Negro anti-Semitism,
can they pull back from support and participation in the civil rights
strugg
We have said it so often that it is almost a cliche, but the future
of aii
Americans is intertwined. The American apartheid preached by vocal a bides
the
extremists — and applauded by far too many whites — is not the
for the Negro or the white citizen. The isolation of Negroes fernn
_
mainstream of American life is the problem, not the solution to it.
2ent
"We have worked too Long_ and come too far to see the American Drea
CS
dwindle to a struggle between the two groups that have been most
to discrimination."
and
The responsible Jewish community shares in these views rela-
aspires to cooperation, to good will, to friendship and to peaceful
tions. The Michigan Chronicle aids this approach and has earned the
commendations it is now receiving.
2—Friday, February 28, 1969
THE DETROIVIEWISHAHAMS