THE JEWISH NEWS ,
Incorporating
The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20. 1951
Member American Association of Engitsh-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile. Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices.
Subscription $8 a year. Foreign $9.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the seventh day of Kislev, 5731, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion. Geb. 28:10-32:3. Prophetical portion, Hosea 12:13-14:10.
Candle lighting, Friday, Dee. 4, 4:42 p.m.
VOL. LVIII. No. 12
Page Four
December 4, 1970
Histadrut's Historic Role in Israel
In this era of hopes for peace and a clam-
oring to an end to warfare and a commence-
ment of cooperative labors for the benefit of
all the peoples of the Middle East, there is
always the factor of cementing the best rela-
tions between Jews and their Arab neighbors
within Israel and Israelis with Arabs in the
territories that fell under Israel's administra-
tion in the war of 1967.
The pattern for high social, economic
and ethical standards has been set through
the years. There are no double standards in
Israel, and the labor conditions have been
on a par for Arabs and Jews, thanks to the
Israel Labor. Federation which, under the
name Histadrut, has gained the admiration
of world Jewry and the acclaim of labor
movements throughout the world. In demo-
cratic countries where it is recognized that
good will is tantamount to survival and where
the ideals that link people together in a com-
mon bond are paramount in workers' ranks,
Histadrut has guided its fellow workers
toward an understanding of creativity.
Histadrut's role becomes apparent at this
time when Arabs are being drawn close to-
gether in the area that remains embattled
due to so many misunderstandings. Yet, in
spite of the enmities, Histadrut retains the
standards that have given Arabs parity in
employment and in wage scales with all ele-
ments in the population.
A convincing factor in the Arab-Jewish
relations that have been influenced by His-
tadrut is the manner in which many Arabs
are reacting toward the state of Israel in
the expanding sale of farm products from
Israel-administered territories to Amman.
There are no restrictions on such trading,
which has been encouraged by Israel and
assisted by Histadrut, and the gains Arab
farmers now in Israel are making by trad-
ing with their fellow Arabs in Jordan have
given cause for consideration of the urgency
for peace between the contending forces.
Then there is the question of employ-
ment. All of the good will between Arabs
and Jews in the labor market is ascribable
to Histadrut's strict adherence to equality
in assigning jobs where it is the prerogative
of the Israel Federation of Labor and in
securing livable wage scales.
Histadrut has been a vital factor in as-
suring the best relations between Israel and
the African states where the Israeli labor
movement has assigned skilled representa-
tives as guides in developing industries.
The progress attained through Histadrut
is impressive and has earned for the labor
movement the respect of Jews everywhere.
and labor counterparts on a global scale. It
is an appreciation that will undoubtedly make
itself felt when Histadrut seeks the support
of Detroit Jewry in its current appeal.
Bnai Brith's Vital Youth Program
At the dinner of Bnai Brith on Dec. 6, at
which J. L. Hudson will be the honoree, the
Detroit Bnai Brith Council will be chalking
up another chapter of activities in support of
a vital youth program.
It is already on record to that effect, hav-
ing drawn the interests of our boys and girls
to Jewish ranks. These are the young men
and young women whose affiliation with our
major causes make them important partici-
pants in the efforts to advance Jewish cul-
tural aspirations as well as the defense of
Jewish rights and protection of existing com-
munal functions. The emphasis on youth
given by the largest Jewish fraternal organ-
ization in the world is a most welcome sign
of vitality in Jewish life.
The Bnai Brith Youth Organization al-
ready has registered its determination to
be a part of the larger community. The inter-
est in Jewish learning appears to be growing.
Devotion to Israel is paramount_ The sincer-
ity with which all manifestations of prejudice
are fought provides proof that the young
people are part of the communal family.
Greater Detroit Bnai Brith Youth Services
already have established a new mark with
the Milan Center near Windsor, which serves
as headquarters for activities of young people
both here and in Windsor.
By honoring Hudson and linking him
with the roles in support of youth programs
of leading personalities like Max M. Fisher—
who, as president of the Council of Jewish
Federations and Welfare Funds, makes his
interest in youth a major obligation — the
event on Dec. 6 becomes an important one
on our calendar. Bnai Brith Youth Services
thus gain immensely from efforts that spell
dedication to Jewry, to America and to Israel.
With Sholem Aleichem's granddaughter, Tamara Kahana, as
translator, two paperbacks containing the great humorist's stories
assume a most important role. Published by Collier Books, the two
collections are among the most noteworthy of Sholem Aleichem's
books to appear in English.
In the popular-priced edition, we now have Miss Kahana's English
text of "Adventures of Mottel, the Cantor's Son." This is an especially
impressive collection of stories about one of the noted writer's heroes
because it contains the experiences of Mottel in Kasrilovka as well
as in his adopted country, America.
In the first section, the Kasrilovka Mottel, we have the famous
tale about the Old World character who shouted "Hoorah, I'm an
Orphan!" Readers of the Yiddish classic will recall the Mottel of
the shtetl and his travels through Europe on the way to America.
Then come the American episodes and the title of Mottel in
America is subheaded with the other. famous assertion: "Try not to
love such a country."
Because of this combination of experiences, we have in this paper-
back a classic that best denotes the Sholom Aleichem who continues
to inspire readers of all ages, all climes, all faiths.
In Kasrilovka, Mottel faced many situations, tackled numerous
problems; so, also, in America, he searches for a better life, looking
for a shop, finding it under the dire circumstances of shop life,
confronting a strike and other challenges.
Then there is the second paperback issued by Collier Books—
"The Great Fair—Scenes From My Childhood." This, too, was trans-
lated by Tamara Kahana. It is autobiographical and that aspect is
explained in the salutation as a preface, "For My Children—A Gift,"
addressed to "Dear, belosed children," and signed "Your father, the
author, Sholom Aleichem." It was written in New York in February
1916, and its text is:
"To you I dedicate my work of works, my book of books, the
song of songs of my . soni. I realize that this book—just as any man's
handiwork—is not without defect. But who knows better than you
what it has cost me! I. have given to it of my best: MY HEART.
Read it from time to time. Perhaps you, or your children, will learn
something from it—to love our people and to appreciate their
spiritual treasures which lie scattered in all the dark corners of our
great Exile, in this great world. This would be the best reward
for my faithful, more-than-30-years' labor in our mother tongue
as is the case with the "Second Israel."
and literature."
These changing conditions serve to in-
The affection Sholom Aleichem has gained has made all of us
dicate the vastness of the ORT program.
his children to whom this book, like his other works, is dedicated.
Now there are new approaches. ORT con-
In "The Great Fair" there really are 60 stories, splendidly trans-
tributes towards the advancement of science.
It builds technologically. It assures a link be- lated, presented to the English reader by a granddaughter who honors
a
great
name by perpetuating in another language stories that were
tween the novitiate and the skilled scientist.
written with love in Yiddish.
As Dr. Haber put it:
"We have to eliminate the image of ORT
Collier Books also is to be credited with another excellent paper-
as school for the poor—who have no other
place to go. The new technology and the back, "The Wise Men of Chelm," by Samuel Tenenbaum, a psychologist
opportunities that are linked to it are science- and writer who teaches at Long Island University.
based, demanding a broad, comprehensive
Who hasn't heard about the Chelmer Naronim, the fools of the
fund of knowledge. Such an education is not Polish town of Chelm—not really fools but legendary creators of folk-
tales
that have become so popular in Jewish life? They are the side-
poor—it cannot afford to be. Quite the con-
trary, ORT schools which aim to prepare splitting stories about the naive, the lovers of a good life who must
youth to live in the latter part of the 20th face many trials and tribulations, whose adventures have become the
of expanding ability to laugh at themselves' by Jews in the
Century will have to be enriched in the largest means
Old World ghettoes.
sense, within a Jewish milieu that anchors
There are 45 Chelm stories in this book, and each is a gem, each
our youth to a resilient and ever-changing
points to an era where life goes on and is cherished jn spite of
tradition."
difficulties.
The advances made are tremendous, the
To the author of these tales, "Chelm is the center of a living,
outlook for greater accomplishments is good.
With the support of Jewry, especially the thriving community," not as some believe, "fixed and frozen in time."
. American eeInninnitY, great athe.verne,nts are. ...Tenenbaum. has -collected . and -preserved these stories and he
in view as the 10th decade of service com- narrates them splendidly. His work gains value in the illustrations
mences for a great movement.
by Zevi Blum.
ORT's 90th Year of Creativity
Delegates from 30 countries appropriately
marked the 90th anniversary of ORT at the
sessions held last week in Geneva, Switzer-
land. The movement's great accomplishments,
its continuing services in many lands and
especially in Israel, the determination with
which the ORT leadership pursues new tasks
and faces rising challenges — all contribute
toward serious efforts to enlarge upon the
training of the unskilled and of turning them
into productive workers in the worldwide
rehabilitation effort.
Dr. William Haber, as the president of
World ORT Union, gave an important analy-
sis of the movement's basic tasks and pointed
to these changes that affect Jewish life every-
where:
I. Israel, our ineluctable commitment to it, as
it faces a crisis decade, the centrality of Israel in
ORT, and the priority accorded ORT to Israel.
2. The measure of modernization of the "Third
World" communities.
3. Massive migration which has created a new
Jewish geography—and migration that continues.
4. The formation in France In a matter of a few
years time, of a largo and. growing _community, -
whose majority has brought with it to - France
those same burdens of centuries of backwardness,
3 Paperbacks: Sholom Aleichem
Narratives and Chelm Stories