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. - 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.