Purely Commentary
By Philip
Slomovitz
Hanuka as a Festival of Rededication to
the Glary and Dignity of Jewish ideals .. .
An Historic Record in New Orleans' Story
. 1 A Festival of Joy and of Admonitions to Libertarians
D matic Episodes in New Orleans History
Considered a minor holiday because labor is permitted during the 10 days of its observance, Hanuka
Research into the background of American Jewish history could
hardly be expected to take a scholar to Louisiana and to New Orleans. ' nevertheless has the role of major significance on the Jewish calendar. Like Purim, it is a festival of
Yet the work of a noted scholar in that area now emerges in such joy for the children, and because of the lessons that stem from its historic occurrences, it has merited
fascination, especially in view of tht emphasis placed on some of the and received the attention and adherence of adults.
Ilanuka emerged in an era of persecution. Its heroes, the Maccabees, fought against intolerance. The
sensational personalities in the story of the South and the nation, that
ic.asion to place emphasis on the right to worship asone sees fit, in
-
• -
"
Feast o f
we are enriched by a splendid volume,
accordance with his conscience. It rejects intolerance and defies anyone's attempt to foist upon him
publication of which was made possible
strange gods.
by the American Jewish Historical So-
the festival. There is the matter of individual freedoms, of national severeignty,
There is much more to
ciety.
of the right to assert one's views and to establish a free society. Maccabean valor defied the Hellenistic
Rabbi Bertram Wallace Korn has
tendencies of that time. The Hebraic ideals triumphed.
done more than merely provide us with
Oppressions like those of Hellenism, and cruelties that accompanied efforts to deprive the Jews of his
a charming story of the community
right to pursue his beliefs have been experienced through the ages. The Jew survived; because his
wider review in "The Early Jews of
ideals survived. Perhaps this is the basic lesson of Hanuka.
New Orleans." The facts he has gath-
ime While the religious factor is limited to the Soviet Union, the
ered. the detailed account of the experi-
But there is much more to it in our
as in the time of the Maccabees. Now, again, there is an effort to
ences of noted figures. the Jewish re-
national aspect has beco to as
deprive
Jewry
of
its
righ
t
the
established
homeland. Jews who have returned to Zion are under fire.
actions of the people under review—these
Neighbors are conducting a war to rob those who have escaped crematoria of their heritage inherent in
combine to make his history one of the
most exciting and interest-inviting in the
numerous similar works about Amer-
ican cities.
In a sense the information provi d-
Dr. Korn
ed by Dr. Korn assists in a deeper
study of Jewish history in the entire South. And' in a larger meas-
urt' it implements study material about American Jewry as a
redeemed statehood, and the battle for existence pursues.
Regrettably, the other nations, most of whom had supported Jewish national rebirth, have failed to
support the very idea they helped to materialize. They are condoning destruction while approving of such
that the appeals of old are renewed: it is a renewed struggle for existence
acts of tyranny and indecency
that calls for revival of klaccabearusm.
Hanuka's lesson is real: it is the reminder that freedoms can not be bartered. Israel surely is not
bartering it. If the Israelis did, it could well mean their doom. This is what they will not permit. This is
whole.
. the basis for our appeal to the free world not to abandon Israel or the remnant of Jewry that survived
Orleans, in the
holocausts.
Wh en i t sp eaks about an early Warburg in New
•
that distinguished many
of
the
first
member
of
person of. "Daniel Warburg,
That is why Hanuka is major on our calendar. That is why it is not only a festival of remem
estab-
German-Jewish
clan
of
bankers,
scientists
and
philanthropists
to
lish residence in the United States," he arouses wider than mere local • joys and the perpetuation of happy thoughts but one for redeciation to an ideal for continuity of Jewish
life steeped in honor and in dignity.
New Orleans interest. Such a chapter in American Jewish biographical
t e d fi ures
•
g
sketching. serving as part of a much larger tapestry o f no
whose names have resounded in the history of the American Jewish
community, gives credence to Thomas Carlyle's claims that "the his- not converted to another religion, at least not until he was on his
tory of the world is the history of great men." As an addendum to deathbed, and, in all likelihood, probably unconscious."
These are just a few details about a significant book. A brief re-
American Jewish history based on such names as Judah Touro, Judah
justice. Let it be suggested that study groups will
Philip Benjamin. the Harby family, the Gottschalks, Jacob Hart, Ben- view does not do it
jamin Levy who was noted as publisher and printer, Max Heller and find so much of interest to evaluate in this work that they will be en-
many others. the factual story by Dr. Korn assumes major importance. chanted by the details and will be led into more extensive study of
American Jewish history through its inspiration.
This volume about New Orleans is marked by so many interest-
-*
*
*
ing episodes, so much comment about assimilation, Jewish par-
ticipation in farming and in industries, the indifference of Jews to-
nit 's early Moslem Kadis Prove Not All Arabs Are Terrorists
wards the synagogue and Jewish • e in
It is no wonder that the El Fatah are disturbed by Israel's success-
years, that it is, in a sense, a commentary on Jewish loyalties. '
counterattacks, that their attempts to prevent whatever peace talks
Especially interesting in that regard are the accounts of the lives ful
true that they
could possibly be set in motion are entirely fruitful. It is
the
of Judah Touro and Judah Benjamin.
the are continually planning to bomb Jewish installations in many of
It is not generally known "the kind of Jews they were," as
major cities, as they did again on-the El Al office in Athens last
indicates, Dr. world's
Continuity?"
these are isolated instances of terrorists bravado. They do
subt'tlo to the chanter "Assimilation or
and courageous individ- week. But
Korn describes the early settlers as "strong
"independent men" who were not have the total Arab support.
uals." It credits them with having been
Moslem religious court leaders known as the Kadis last week de-
hardy and determined pioneers. But they had no Jewish interests and !
Four of the
b ome" i n the flounced the terrorists , especially those residing in Israel.
full
Jewish
life
at
-
of
a
shelter
t t"
it p ain
left •• h
th
Kadis who have jurisdiction over Moslem courts in Israel made
communities whence they came.
teachings
in a firm statement that the terrorists are violating Koran
A typical example is that of Judah Touro. Here was a man who. and that their activities "are bound to hurt the Arab minority and to
in Jewish history, is referred to as one who financed Jewish institu- harm Arab-Jewish co-existence." Their appeal was for action "to mete
background was one of
out just punishment to the perpetrators of these crimes." Israeli Arabs
tions and who was a dedicated Jew. Yet his
assist in the building of a
total indifference, of refusal at first to
were called upon by the Kadis "to take positive and effective steps to
synagogue. The famous Rabbi Isaac Leeser noted after Touro's death dissociate themselves from destructive activities."
that "It was late in life when Mr. T. became impressed with the neces-
The Kadis did not hesitate to brand the terrorist acts "crimes." If
sity of being an Israelite in more than mere words" and Dr. Korn
proper action is taken to prevent these crimes in the world's capitals,
states that "It was net until about 1847 that Touro took any genuine
we may never again have the murderous acts that were perpetrated in
interest in Jewish life."
Athens, Zurich and London where planes and Israeli offices were at-
A truly dramatic turn took place, through the efforts of Isaac
tacked.
Leeser and his disciple Gershom Kursheedt and Touro's identifica-
*
h
tion with Judaism, his subsequent generosity, his naming of Jewis
Arab Admission of High Cost of Genocide
his
gifts
for
the
cultivation
of
the
Hebrew
Ian-
causes in"his will,
An unusual admission has come from the Arab sources. In a recent
guage—all because he "became amenable to Kursheedt's plead-
Judah Congregation of which issue of the Tunisian periodical La Jeune Arique the Union of Free
ings." lie joined the Dispersed of
Kursheedt was president, he helped finance the synagogue build- Arabs was quoted as follows:
gave assist-
"The war budgets of the Arab countries are today ten times
ing, he established the Touro Hospital in New Orleans,
higher than fifteen year ago. The war effort against Israel since
ance to the poverty-stricken Jews in Palestine ansupported ,
many other causes. As Korn concludes: "Touro became in death
what he had never been, never wanted to be, in life: a local and
national hero; a leader of men; a dignitary; a man of inspiring
presence; an exemplary Jewish philanthropist . . ."
Equally exciting are the revelations about Judah P. Benjamin, one
of the great figures in the Confederacy. He was married to Natalie St.
example
Martin. He is introduced "as an
Dr.
of the process of assimilation." and
Korn writes t'lat "It is interesting here to
note that he was married not as 'J. P. Ben
ja min.' the name he always used in public:.
or as 'Judah Philip Benjamin,' his full
name, but as 'Philip Benjamin.' Was it
the priest who bridled at entering the name
'Judah' ('Judas?') in the church's n arriag ,
register. or did Natalie refuse to c 11 him
J. P. Benjamin
by his first-name? We shall never b able
her his first nam nor e ven his first initial was
to discover why neither
s this occurrence w as symp-!
document, but per
e we
used d in thdding
tomatic of a problem with which he had to deal all through his life as1
1950 has cost us 9.5 billion dollars.
"Our expenditure on purchase of weapons since 1955:
$4,300,000,000
From the Soviet Union
2,400,000,000
From Great Britain
From the United States of America 1,350,000,000
TOTAL $8,050,000,000
"These sums would have been sufficient to provide:
I. 100 modern industrial enterprises, employing 100,000 workers.
2. 100 model agricultural farms.
3. 1,000 schools for 1,000,000 pupils (54 per cent of our Arab chil-
dren receive not elementary education; only 12 per cent re-
ceive secondary education).
4. Development of tourism in Arab countries.
5. Employment for 1,000,000 people.
6. Twenty new universities—at 850,000,000 each (the number of
Arab students today is only 213,000.
7. A complete slum-clearing programme.
8. 50 new hospitals—at 820,000,000 each."
During the 21-year history of Israel's national redemption the em-
a public figure."
in appeals for reasonable approaches to
There is this added reference to Benjamin in Korn's descriptions Oasis that has been placed
of the Confederate hero and his "indifference to Jewish life": "While Jews and to Israel are that the most vital need in the Middle East is to
elevate the standard of living of the oppressed Arab peoples, that
to accept Jews as clients in his law practice, and
he was quite
instead
of pouring in so much wealth and so much hatred to continue
i
probably had a few social friends among Jews, Benjamin took no part
a war against Israel, it is much more vital that the peoples should be
at all in Jewish religious or philanthropic activities. Even when a mat- educated and that illiterary should be reduced to a minimum; that
ter of Jewish significance was brought before the United States Sen-
better health standards should be introduced; that labor's role should
ate, as for instance, the question of discrimination against American
Jews by the Swiss cantons, Benjamin continued to follow what can he elevated to the highest rank of dignity.
But the Arab rulers by means of fomenting hatred against Israel to
only have been a conscious policy of aloofness. The vicious attacks
years of create scapegoats and thereby to remain in power. The Tunisian state-
which were directed against him as a Jew during the trying
evoke from him any ment in La Jeune Afrique proves that not all Arabs are blind to reality:
his leadership in the Confederate cabinet did not
or warm memory of the heritage into which he that some know the truth and do not hesitate to pronounce it.
expression of pride in
Added proof of the manner in which Arab politicians are harming
was horn. There was no ambivalence in Judah's decision to ally him- I
self with the larger world in which he played so conspicuous a role: People with their aims was provided by UNESCO. The UN agency
reported that there is an annual increase in illiteracy in the Arab
he was a Jew only in the sense that he was born one, and that he was
world by 1,300,000. Will the lesson ever be learned that the first obli-
2 — Friday, December 5, 1969
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS I gation of governments is to raise their peoples' standards of living?
Canada to Protest
Egypt's Censorship
of News Reports
OTTAWA (JTA) — Canada will
protest censorship by Egypt of
news reports of a press confer-
ence conducted in Cairo recently
by Mitchell Sharp, secretary of
state for external affairs.
Sharp told the House of Com-
mons here that his department
will lodge an official protest with
the government of President
Gamal Abdel Nasser. He added
that he might follow up by ex-
pressing his personal displeasure
to the Egyptian Ambassador in
Canada.
The Egyptian government ap-
parently did not want comments
attributed to Col., Nasser by Sharp
published from Cairo. It was par-
ticularly concerned that Sharp's
remark that Col. Nasser did not
rule out a peaceful settlement
with Israel might be misunder-
stood by other Arab nations.
The censorship of reports of
Sharp's press conference, held
recently in the Canadian Em-
bassy in Cairo, has reportedly
caused a furor among foreign
press agencies in the Egyptian
capital. Three news agencies
there — the Associated Press,
Reuters, and United Press In-
ternational—told the government
that it was the most "flagrant
and insulting case" of censor-
ship yet.
Credit for censoring the reports
was claimed by Mohammed Abdel
Gawad, chief censor for all out-
going foreign press reports at the
official Middle East News Agency.
All such reports must be filed
through the agency's wires. There
the censorship is "blind"—mean-
ing that reporters have no way of
finding out how much the reports
have been altered or slashed be-
fore the agency sends them out.
W. German President
Lays Wreath at WWII
Dutch Deportation Site
Dr.
AMSTERDAM, (JTA) —
Gustav Heinemann, president of
the West German Federal Repub-
lic, laid a wreath at a former
theater here which the Nazis used
during World War II as a staging
area for Dutch Jewish deportees.
Queen Juliana of the Nether-
and her consort, Prince
Bernhard, attended the memorial
ceremonies, the first event of
President Heinemann's official
visit to Holland. Also present was
Prof. No Samkalden, Amster-
dam's .Jewish mayor... .
lands