THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English•Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Hdttorial Associ-
ation Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 885, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices.
Subscription $8 a year. Foreign $11
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Editor and Publisher
Business Manager
City Editor
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath. the fifth day of Sivan, 5731, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion., Num. 1:1-4:20. Prophetical portion, Hosea 2:1.22.
Shavuot Scriptural Selections
Pentateuchal portions: Sunday, Exod. 19:1-20:23, Num. 28:26-31; Monday, Deut.
15:19-16:17, Num. 28:26-31. Prophetical portions: Sunday, Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12; Monday
Habakkuk 3:1-19.
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Candle lighting, Friday, May 28, 7:40 p.m.
VOL LIX. No. 11
Page Four
May 28, 1971
Shavuot and The Law to Guide Mankind
What an ideal time to speak of The Law!
Tomorrow night we commence the observance
of one of the three great pilgrim festivals-
Shavuot—and its basic themes emphasize the
Giving of The Law and the adherence to it.
Of course, the emphasis is on the Torah,
on the teachings incorporated in our sacred
literature. It is marked by continuity—by the
uninterrupted adherence to a legacy that has
marked us as the adherents to the teachings
that guide people toward the higher goals in
life.
Once again on this festival we repeat the
Decalogue and we speak of it as our code of
laws. As we propagate it again, it is as if we
were re-introducing the principles embodied
in our inherited laws. Perhaps this is why
the festivals are observed perennially, so that
the ideals preached should not be forgotten
or ignored.
As the Festival of the Giving of The Law,
Shavuot assumes a universal aspect. Aren't
we obligated even in these turbulent years
of the latter part of the 20th Century to keep
reiterating the ideals we have held in high
respect and to reintroduce the goals im-
bedded in the Ten Commandments?
These definitions are so elementary! If
they were to be uttered to the generations
of scholars they might have laughed at us—
that the basic laws should need re-defining.
Yet, in our time, they need re-emphasis. But
it may well be that those who fear lest the
teachings which are the basis for faith are
declining are unduly panicked, that the
younger generation is more devout than we
think, that there is greater respect for the
heritage of Israel than we imagine. Else, our
survival always would have been more diffi-
cult and the continuity would have been
marked by even greater obstacles than those
that bar a smoother path for us now toward
an indestructible Jewish unity.
There is no doubt about the problems
that confront us. Our ranks are in danger of
thinning because of assimilation, of increas-
ing mixed marriages, of indifference that is
harmful to our cooperative tasks. But we
always have had assimilation, we have been
battling indifference in many ages, and we
survive in spite of obstacles. That is the les-
son of Shavuot and of the loyalties to our
codes of ethics that give us the strength to
carry our message, as it is embodied in The
Law, within our ranks and to the peoples
among whom we live. It is the message of
Shavuot as the festival that emphasizes our
role as the bearer of the ideals that have
made the Decalogue the basis for law in
civilization.
Inequity in Israel: Protest of impoverished
Israel would have had the same trouble
that is experienced in many other countries
where youth are demonstrating and rebelling
against existing conditions if it were not for
the loyalties that induced those who are less
affluent to devote themselves to the defense
of state and people.
There is a lull in the fighting, and the un-
derprivileged — and they are to be found
everywhere — have begun to demonstrate.
They even copy a notorious American title,
calling themselves "Black Panthers."
How else could they attract attention?
They are impoverished, they represent the
majority in Israel who live in poor quarters,
few of them are able to study beyond the ele-
mentary courses.
These unfortunate conditions among the
Oriental Jews do not justify the tactics they
resort to in their protests against the Occi-
dentals. Battles with police do not solve any
problems, threats to members of the Knesset
will not help, interference with government
policies does not contribute toward progress
or the nation's security. But they certainly
will compel speedier action to solve the ser-
ious problems.
And these issues certainly are being con-
fronted in all seriousness. As far back as the
premiership of David Ben-Gurion the govern-
ment of Israel began to make plans for com-
pulsory studies, in secondary schools. That
called for the establishment and financing of
more high schools, and the movement for the
expansion -of secondary educational efforts
commenced, primarily with the aid of Ameri-
can Jewish philanthropists, about 10 years
ago. Efforts are being made to provide better
housing for the less fortunate, and the large-
family aspect continues to create obstacles in
that direction. It is doubtful whether Israel
would ever permit hunger, and the impover-
ishment must therefore be dealt with on the
basis of assuring elimination of difficulties
caused by the many lower-standard conditions
which affect the majority in Israel— the Jews
from Oriental countries. •
The charge has been made that Russian
Jews who are arriving in Israel are being
given special privileges. There is no doubt
that the new element that is escaping from
the USSR comes to Israel with higher stand-
ards — many are academicians, engineers,
physicians, professionals in many categories.
They are now the select. This will add to the
challenges since Israelis do not permit special
privileges.
As soon as the slums are eradicated in
Israel, it will be reasonable to expect the
demonstrations to end, as they did quickly in
Haifa some eight years ago. But there still
will be another issue to be met—that of the
Matzpen, the obstructionist little group that
is causing trouble in Israel. Matzpen is not
satisfied with merely propagating total with-
drawal of Israeli troops from all occupied
territories: apparently this destructive ele-
ment also was responsible for instigating
"Panthers" to rioting that resulted in the
arrest of 99 persons, most of whom undoubt-
edly reject, Matzpen instigations to anti-gov-
ernment rioting.
Many of the problems can be solved only
if American Jewry will double its contribu-
tions toward elevating the social conditions
in this country. This, based on experience, is
inconceivable. Therefore, American Jews
should be prepared to hear more and more
about Jewish Black Panthers. As in other oc-
currences, we have greater confidence in the
good sense of the people and government of
Israel. We believe they will solve the prob-
lems of inequity. But it will take time, and it
will cause much aggravation.
L am,
Unbroken Historic Continuity
Evidenced in 'Israelis and Jews'
,
Are there the strong bonds between Israelis and Diaspora Jews
that were envisaged by Zionists and were hoped for by Israel's leaders?
How strong is the tie between Israel and the Diaspora?
Illumination of the • attitudes reflected in the. relationships that are
so vital between Geulah and Galut, between redemption and exile,
shows that there is much to be learned from the exceptionally interest-
ing study conducted by Prof. Simon H. Herman of the Hebrew Uni-
versity's Institute of Contemporary Jewry and the university's depart-
ment of psychology.
So vital is this work, which was published under the title
"Israelis and Jews: The Continuity of an Identity" by Random
House, that the Jewish Publication Society of America became its
co-publisher, making it available as a membership book in JPS.
Furthermore, the study evaluated is considered of such signifi-
cance that it was financed by a grant from the Israel office of the
American Jewish Committee.
Peculiarities of Jewish identity are researched together with studies
of attitudes on "being Jewish," and the responses of those queried are
of great interest and of major importance in viewing the relationships
under consideration.
It is important to note that most of the Israelis queried by
Prof. Herman expressed the view that being Jewish and being
Israeli are interdependent, and while there were varying views,
more than 80 per cent of the students said their fate is bound
up with that of Jews generally, in or out of .Israel.
Interesting samples of replies throw light on the study results of
the volume by Prof. Herman. Here are some samples:
A religious student said: "A Jew and an Israeli as I understand
it, are essentially one and the same thing. A Jew is more completely
such in Israel."
Others questioned and their views are:
A non-religious student: "These customs (Jewish) have in effec,t.L.,. :
become Israeli customs, observed in practically every home, with no;-,
connection to religion . Faith is the private affair of the individual."
A traditionalist student: "What is important is to feel oneself
isli; to consider oneself part and parcel of the people, and to obiejive
at least some of the Jewish customs which symbolize the special
character of the Jewish people . . . I consider myself to be a link";in
that chain of Jewish life which has remained unbroken through so
many vicissitudes."
A Yemenite student: "I am Jewish all day, every day of my life.
My feeling of being an Israeli is stronger in times of crisis—as when
there is a threat on the borders."
Markedly, Prof. Herman's "Israelis and Jews" indeed indicates
"continuity of an identity — an unbroken historic continuity," with
isrealis regarding themselves as full members of the Jewish people.
Because 3,000 students were contacted in this survey and their
parents also were queried about their views, the Herman study is
special significance.
Universality of Hebrew Psalms
American Bible Society has issued as a popular paperback "The
Psalms for Modern Man." It contains all the 150 Psalms in what is
styled "in Today's English Version."
While marked by a Christological approach, especially in the
attractive line drawings which illustrate this work, it nevertheless has
a general interest.
The publishers' preface notes:
"The book of Psalms is the hymnbook and prayer book of the
Bible. Composed by different authors over a long period of time, these
hymns and prayers were collected and used by the people of Israel
in their worship, and eventually this collection was included in their ,
Holy Scriptures."
It then proceeds to point out that many of the psalms are quoted
in the New Testament—in Luke especially where psalms were utilized
as Mary's song of praise, Zechariah's prophecy, Simeon's thanksgiving
prayer. Thus the psalms "became the treasured book of worship of
the Christian church from its very beginning."
This' text, therefore, serves as a reminder of the universality of
the Hebrew Psalms.