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.