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.