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 Miliaria' Associ-
ation Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co- 17515 W. Nine Mile. Suite 565. Southfield, Mich. 48075.
Second-Clans Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices.
subscription $ a year. Foreign DI
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARA4I M. SLOMOVITZ
tsushwa Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
DREW UEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 14th day of Tenet, 5732, the
following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 47:28-50:26. Prophetical portion, I Kings 2:1-12.
Candle lighting, Friday, Dec. 31, 4:32 p.m.
VOL. LX. No. 16
Page Four
December 31, 1971
IFs for a Peaceful 1972
We are on the threshold of a year "chat
could well spell peace for mankind. If so
many nations had not been engulfed in so
much trouble as we usher in 1972. we might
not have such hopes. But the very fact that
nearly every continent is threatened by war
seems to provide some rays of hope that
wars can be avoided.
In the coming months we shall no doubt
see the American troops recalled from Viet-
nam. The India-Pakistan struggles are near-
ing their end—due in the main to the superi-
ority of India's troops. There are numerous
international controversies and major among
them is the Middle East tragedy. There are
repeated threats of renewal of warfare be-
tween Israel and the Arab states. But indi-
cations are that Egypt cannot afford an-
other war, that Jordan certainly won't risk
its monarch's crown, that the Soviet Union
does a lot of threatening which may turn out
to be mere lip service—and - Israel certainly
would welcome continuing cease fire bless-
ings and a sit down with the Arabs to talk
peace .
Russia versus China, or the reverse?
That's anybody's guess. Yet, just because
they can call each other names in public,
now that Red China is in the United Nations
and at the Security Council table may well
add to the possibility that an all-out war can
be averted between them as well.
What does it all prove? That power is
the essence, that when a nation is weak it
can be destroyed: let East Pakistan be used
as proof of what is happening.
What does it prove in the Middle East?
If Israel had been unable to protect herself
she would have been doomed to extinction
long ago. There is no more valid argument
for U. S. assistance to Israel than the fact
that by giving Israel strength her enemies
are deterred from demolishing the small
state with such a minority in a sea of ani-
mosity.
All of which seems to point to the pos-
sibility that a year full of tension may turn
out to be a year of peace after all.
It is with such a probability in view that
we welcome 1972 and wish for us, all the
peoples of the world and especially those
who still are rattling sabers a Very Happy
1972.
Community Progress: Democratic Fashion
Budgeting discussions on a communal mand for a review of the conditions that af-
basis have been organized to serve as prepar- fect our aged. There is need for expansion.
atory steps toward an oncoming philan- It is urgent that the helpless in the ranks of
thropic campaign. The democratic approaches the elderly should not be subjected to an en-
have led the Detroit pre-campaign budgeting vironment in depressing nursing homes where
conferences to become inspirations for in- the facilities are far from adequate. It is to
creased labors toward new aims for the ad- the credit of our community that long be-
vancement of the needs of all elements in fore the issue was raised at our budgeting
Detroit Jewry. Discussions of this sort, and conference, responsible committees 'tinder-
the right to propagate innovations, have led took to deal with the issue. There is justifica-
to the establishment of Sinai Hospital, have tion for a feeling of confidence that the
given assurance of keenest interest in the needs will be fulfilled as a result of the
welfare of the aged, have encouraged the sense of responsibility that predominates in
establishment of day schools and may now the ranks of those handling the affairs in-
lead toward even greater progress in a volving the aged.
variety of other fields.
Of far greater challenge to our com-
There already exists a strong movement munity is the near-frantic plea that has been
in support of the day schools, and the plan- repeated for attention to the needs of the
ning that is now conducted on a national retardates, especially the children of aging
basis, as a result of the encouragement the parents who need a residential home in
day schools received at the recent sessions which they can be cared for and provided
of the Council of Jewish Federations and for in a Jewish environment. Parents of many
Welfare Funds, may give priority to this scores of Jewish children—some now are
movement. From the reports that have been aging and need attention speedily—are con-
submitted, it has become evident that after- cerned because their sons and daughters, or
noon schools are experiencing a decline in a bit more distant relatives, are being con-
enrollment. This may be due to the growth fronted with the problem of placement in
of the congregational schools. Apparently foster homes, not always in most desirable
there is need for a thorough study of the locations, but their placement will deprive
status of the communal school system which them almost entirely of any opportunity of
is now receiving vast sums for their upkeep engaging in Jewish religious or cultural ob-
c n what appears the basis of a much larger
servances or any association with their fel-
school attendance.
low Jews. The parents are anxious to avert
Perhaps the next move is in the direc- panic over the existing situation, and they
tion of the creation of a strong day school plead for a chance to establish a home in a
movement, to give assurance of a sound Jewish atmosphere for the retardates in-
school system out of which is to emerge a volved. The community can be very helpful.
knowledgeable constituency. There is no It is to be said to the credit of the Jewish
doubt that the concern for proper educa- Welfare Federation that, in this instance,
tional functions exists, and not only must the too, steps have already been taken to con-
Council of Federations and its educational tribute toward a solution of a very serious
committees study the needs, but the local need in our midst. An extensive analysis of
communities must as well. There is need for existing conditions already has been made
evaluation and deep study of existing condi- available, and with proper approaches and
tions and our needs, and this must not be de- dedicated labors another forward step can be
1 ayed. especially now that the demand for taken by Detroit Jewry toward solving a
day schools has grown into a great outcry most pressing problem.
from dedicated citizens in scores of Amer-
In the democratic process we are able to
ican communities.
make our definite gifts toward communal
Out of the discussions regarding corn- advancement. It is encouraging to witness
munq needs has grown also the timely de- the progress in that direction.
'Bene Israel of Bombay' Study
Reveals Conflict With Whites
Schifra Strizower, a lecturer at Monash University, Melbourne,
Australia, renders an important service with her research into and
her report on the Bombay Jewish community.
In "The Bene Israel of Bombay," a Schocken book, Miss Strizower
presents a thorough analysis of the life of Jews in Bombay, the his-
torical background of the Bene Israel and the conflict of this group
with the other Jews, the white Jews, as well as their relationship with
the Indian non-Jewish community.
The confusion that exists in relation to the Bene Israel and their
status has affected their acceptance in Israel, with the result that
directives have been issued by the Chief Rabbinate Council probing
their marriages and other practices before being given full Jewish
roles upon their settlement in Israel.
The thoroughness with which the author of this book has
delved into the Bene Israel background provides the fullest avail-
able account of this group of Indian Jews. She writes:
"Nowadays about 10,000 Bene Israel live in Bombay. Some 3.000
Bene Israel form small groups in various parts of the country. Until
very recently Bene Israel were divided into two endogamous units, the
Gora or White Bene Israel and the Kala or Black Bene Israel. Like
Jews everywhere, Bene Israel have adopted some of the customs of
the host society. Their mother tongue is Marathi, one of the main
languages of western India; but very many of them also speak English.
"The Jewish group on the southwest bank of India—reduced in
numbers from 2,500 to 250 by emigration to Israel—is known as
Cochin Jewry, although by no means all members of this group live
in the town of Cochin. Cochin Jewry is divided into endogamous sub-
groups: the Black Jews (formerly some 90 per cent of Cochin Jewry),
the White Jews and the Mesbuararim. The last are the underprivileged
descendants of the transmitted offspring of unions between Cochin
Jews and their slave concubines; they are also divided into two
groups, one of which is attached to the Black Jews and the other to
the White Jews, according to descent. In comparison to the Black
Jews, who resemble in physical features the people among whom they
have been living for over a millenium, the White Jews, who are rela-
tively fair-complexioned, are newcomers who migrated to India a few
centuries ago. Nevertheless, the White Jews,' claiming 'original and
genuine' Jewish status, maintain that the Black Jews are merely the
descendants of their converted slaves. Black and White Jews do not
participate in one another's worship. Malayalam,' the local language,
is their mother tongue, but virtually all the White4ews (and some of
the Black Jews) also speak English."
There is a thorough review of the social aspects in the Indian
Jewish relationships, as well as the conflicts over synagogue wor-
ship. The author points to the internal confusions, stating: "If
there is confusion about the Bene Israel, if they are a puzzle to
others and sometimes even to themselves, it is not in relation to
their fellow Indians but to their fellow Jews. It is the latter who
ask "Who are the Bene Israel?" Additionally, Miss Strizower com-
ments that "the question raised in connection with the Bette Israel
of India reflects the problems posed by the many divisions and sub-
divisions of Jewry—contributing to the preoccupation with the
problem of 'Who is a Jew?' "
Israeli consulate officials made no distinction between Bene Israel
and other Indian Jews, and the loyalty to Israel and the desire to
pursue a Jewish existence caused the large Migration of Jews to
the ancient homeland. Miss Strizower states that "though it would
be untrue to speak of the magnet of Zionism or messianic longings.
there was nevertheless a definite wish on the part of many Bene Israel
to link themselves to the Jewish state in the Holy Land." .
But there is resentment against the rabbinic investigation of their
background '-'as far back as is possible." Meanwhile, there is the social
rift between whites and blacks. This conflict has lost some of "its
significance in the changing social climate of contemporary India,"
but it has not disappeared.
The study offered in "The Bene Israel of Banbay" by Miss
Strizower is an interesting review of the status of a community, atten-
tion to which has been drawn of late with the India-Pakistan war.
Maj. Gen. "Jake" Jacob, a member of -Bene Israel, negotiated the
surrender of the East Pakistan forces. Other members of Bene Israel
who hold high military posts in India include Rear Adni. Benjainin
Samson; and Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Samson.