THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Aasociaton of Ingish-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
411075.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Putt.hleg Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 065, Southfield, Mich.
Phone 556-5400
Subscription is a year. FOreiye
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Meer
business Manager
and Publisher
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Yom Kippur Scriptural Selections, Saturday
Pentateuchal portions: Morning, Levit. 16:1-34, Num. 29:7-11; afternoon, Levit.
18:1-30.
Prophetical portions: Morning, Isaiah 57:14-58:14; afternoon, Jonah 1:1-4:11;
Micah 7:18-20.
Sukot Scriptural Selections
Pentateuchal portions: Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15 and 16, Levit. 22:26-23:44,
Num. 29:12-16.
Prophetical portions: Thursday, Oct. 15, Zechariah 14:1-21; Friday, Oct. 16,
I Kings 8:2.21.
Page Four
VOL. LVIII. No. 4
October 9, 1910
Yom Kippur: Sabbath of Sabbaths
Yom Kippur, as the Sabbath of Sabbaths, as the Great White Fast defined in the Prophetic
Reading for the Day of Atonement, is a dayof challenge.
It is the most sacred day on our calendar, and it is the occasion for interpretation of
man's duties to man, of nations' responsibilities one to another, to make the world we are part
of livable, to eliminate strife, to end wars, to seek peace in the interests of a common
security for all.
There has been too much insecurity and too little faith, and when people gather to atone
for sins, they may well ask themselves whether they share the guilt of hiving contributed to
the despair in which all mankind has been plunged in most recent years.
An entire world is challenged by the theme that currently calls for atonement. A uni-
versal need to correct wrongs, to amend human faults, to introduce new means to assure that
mankind's relations should be on the highest rung of humanitarianism, is imbedded in the
Yom Kippur theme that is never limited to Jewry.
Perhaps the ideology of the Day of Atonement could also be interpreted for mankind
as an obligation to honor human lives, that we should strive more diligently for an end to
wars which have become more destructive in our time and which in a nuclear age threaten
the very existence of all life on the entire globe.
Atonement for sins is not sufficient. The need primarily is for dedication to high goals
in life of ending strife, of seeking peace and sharing it. This is a goal all of us should dedi-
cate ourselves to as we mark the Sabbath of Sabbaths—Yom Kippur.
Canons of Fair Play for Our News Media
We are now in the process of concluding
the observance of Annual National Newspa-
per Week, and in the current celebration we
are marking a significant anniversary that is
described in this year's slogan:
"American Newspapers-200 Years
of Freedom— 1770s to 1970s."
The trials and tribulations of our genera-
tion whose daily routines are marred by so
many fears and threats to security have
placed notable emphasis on the news media,
on the interpretive instruments which guide
people to knowledge of what is transpiring
in their midst and in the nations of the world
whose fate affects all of us, and which inter-
pret the events. A responsible press therefore
remains the most important factor in creating
good will, and its functions should be prop-
erly understood.
"Canons of Journalism" were formulated
in 1923 by the American Society of News-
paper Editors, and they remain as construc-
tive today as they were nearly half a century
ago. They declare:
I
RESPONSIBILITY. The right of a newspaper to
attract and hold readers w restricted by. nothing
but considerations. of public welfare. The use a
newspaper makes of the share of public attention it
gains serves to determine its sense of responsibility,
which it shares with every member of its -staff. A
journalist who uses his power for any selfish or
otherwise unworthy purpose is faithless to a high
trust.
II
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. Freedom of the press
is to be guarded as a vital right of mankind. It is
the unquestionable right to discuss whatever is not
.explicitly forbidden by law, including the wisdom of
any restrictive statute.
III
INDEPENDENCE. Freedom from all obligations
except that of fidelity to the public interest is vital.
1. Promotion of any private interest contrary to
the general welfare, for whatever reason, is not
compatible with honest journalism. So-called news
communications from private sources should not be
published without public notice of their source or
else substantiation of their claims to value as news,
both in form and substance.
2. Partisanship in editorial comment , which
knowingly departs from the truth does violence to
the best spirit of American journalism; in 1 1.-
columns it is subversive of a fundamental p.
of the profession.
IV
SINCERITY, TRUTHFULNESS, ACCURACY. Good
faith with the reader is the foundation of all
journalism worthy of name.
1. By every consideration of good faith a
newspaper is constrained to be truthful. It is not
to be excused for lack of thoroughness or accuracy
within its control or failure to obtain command of
these essential qualities.
2. Headlines should be fully warranted by the
contents of the articles which they surmount.. .
V
IMPARTIALITY. Sound practice makes clear dis-
tinction between news reports and expressions of
opinion. News reporti should be free from opinion
or bias of any kind.
This rule does not apply to so-called special
articles unmistakably devoted to advocacy or char-
acterized by a signature authorizing the writer's own
conclusions and interpretations.
VI
FAIR PLAY. A newspaper should not publish
unofficial charges affecting reputation or moral
character Without opportunity given to the accused
to be heard; right practice demands the giving of
such opportunity in all cases of serious accusation
outside judicial proceedings.
1. A newspaper should not invade private rights
or feelings without sure warrant of public right as
distinguished from public curiosity.
2. It is the privilege, as it is the duty, of a
newspaper to- make prompt and complete correction
of its own serious mistakes of fact or opinion,
whatever their origin.
VII
DECENCY. A newspaper cannot escape conviction
of insincerity if while professing high moral purpose
it supplies incentives to base conduct, such as are to
be found in details of crime and vice, publication of
which is not demonstrably for the general good.
Lacking authority to enforce its canons, the journal-
ism here represented can but express the hope that
deliberate pandering to vicious instincts win en-
counter' effective public disapproval or yield to the
influence of a preponderant professional condemna-
tion.
These are the responsibilities of those in
the news media who hold such vast powers
in molding public opinion. It is never too
repetitive to restate these canons, to impress
thein upon newspapermen, to call attention
to the duty to have public opinion formulated
on the basis of honor and dignity and espe-
cially on truth.
There have been too many abuses in re-
cent years. The public letter box,- for exam-
ple; has become a tool in the hands of the
makers of editorial pages. The voice of the
people is as vital as that of the editor. Yet
editors have on occasions selected for publi-
cation letters that are filled with hatred, ex-
pressions of opinion that are noted for un-
necessary bias. One local newspaper a very
short time ago gave a platform to a man
who advocated the liquidation of Israel. There
have been many such expressions which In-
v ted violence rather than encouraged 'good
will, and along such lines the Canons of Jour-
nalism serve as warnings against invitations
to hatred.
May the powerful news media emerge
again as great instruments for truth. The
200th anniversary of the American newspa-
pers again sounds a note that should lead all
Americans towards paths of positivism, whole-
someness, respect for the basic ideals which
are rooted in the truest forms of American
democratic principles. .
Hasidism Excellently Described
in Dr. Harry Rabinowicz's Study
Hasidism, having begun as a movement of great significance in
Jewish life in the mid-18th Century, has been marked by continuity
in interest among all Jews and also in the non-Jewish world. Its
influence has gained increased attention in recent years and the
numerous volumes published to analyze the idea and to introduce its
dynasties and their leaders have given it a measure of priority in
Jewish studies. .
To the several volumes on Hasidism published in recent years
has just been added "The World of Hasidism" by Dr. Harry Rabinowicz,
London rabbi, published by Hartmore House of Hatford, Conn.
Rabbi Rabinowicz's outline of the movement and its famous per-
sonalities is the result of intimate knowledge. Himself a descendant
of Polish Hasidic families, his research results from his personal
dedication as a Hasid.
"The World of Hasidism" by the London scholar attains
special importance became of its thorough review of the move-
ment's history and especially because it leads up to current
emphases, including a review of the Hasidic devotion to the Land
of Israel and the integration of Hiuddlm Into IsraeL
Dr. Rabinowicz takes his readers to the Israeli ramparts of
Hasidic settlers. He relates the activities in /Jar Habad, established
in 1949 by Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, the Lubavitch Rebbe.
Many personalities, from several countries, who have settled in
Star Habad, are enumerated, and their activities outlined. Rabbi
Rabinowicz states in relation to the Habad movement and its devotion
to Israel:"
"Now that the re-established Jewish State is a intraculons
faith accomplish, many Hasidim are among its staunchest sup-
porters, working as well as praying for its welfare and security."
In Dr. Rabinowicz's interpretations, the Hasidic is, presented in
modern form, appealing to the mid-20th century Jew as a cause with
substance, rooted in noteworthy experiences, based on the magic circle
that enveloped world attention, drawing into its ranks the devout
and the faithful.
There were the sufferings occasioned by the Holocaust. There
were the miseries that affected Hasidim as they did all Jewry. And:
"Out of the ashes, phoenix-like, a new Hasidism has arisen," the
author of this very interesting book writes. Pietists in long, silken
Kapok% (a long overcoat) and streaming side-curls add color and
character to Jewish life in London, New York and Jerusalem. Proudly
they identify themselves as Hasidim of Ger, Betz, Bobov, Lubavitch
and gatmar, euphonius names that linger lovely upon the lips. These
are the contemporary Defenders of the Faith, who have replanted
the traditions of their fathers in lands of freedom."
Such is the manner of resurgence of a movement that might
have suffered from obstacles in a world in travail. There is pride
in the Hasidic functions, and the evidence provided in this book
is of a cause that has gained rather than suffered from living In
an age of terror.
Dr.
While evaluating the movement and introducing its
Rabinowicz also delineates a family relationship, listing . be eminence
of his own kin, his ancestors, his parents and their kin' in the cause
that is—portrayed with great admiration, love and - devotion in this
book.
The volume has notable significance in the photographs- it - con-
tains, in the description of the Hasidic successes in England and in
Israel and in the United States, as well as the- background in Eastern
Europe.
There in his review of the activities of Hasidim in the United
States, Dr. Rabinowicz also refers to the anti-Zionist Satmar group.
He gives the proper description of the group pointing out that "most
other Jews deplore" their negative acts.
Dr. Rabinowicz's is an excellent description of Hasidism.
Holy Day Prayers for Youth
"Shaarey Tefila—The Gates of Prayer" arranged by Rabbi Chaim
Stern of Chappaqua, N.Y., contains religious services for the Holy Days
for young people. -
Abbreviated, containing specially -selected prayers, which appear
in this-104-page book, include many Hebrew passages that are among
the most important in the Holy Day rituals.
Since there are in this comparatively small prayer book two services
for Rosh Hashana, the compiler, as he states in his foreword, provides
means for choice by youth using it.
There are appropriate illustrations la this volume by Ezekiel
Schloss, indicating the modern approach to providing prayers for the
young_ _
book was yoblished by Ming.