THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of Jury 20, 1951
Wernher American Association of EnglIsh-Jewish Newspaper., Michigan Press Association. National Editorial Assoete-
lion. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 845, Southfield, Much. 48075
second-Clan Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Stalling Offices. Subscription ot • year. Foreign Se
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Rouse and gebilobet.
CARMI
SLOMOVITZ
•ustriese Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Madre.'
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 25th day of Tevet, 5733, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues.
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 1:1-8:1. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 27:8-28:13;
29 . 22, 23.
Torah reading for Rosh Hodesh Shevat, Sunday, Num. 28:1-15.
Candle Heating, Friday, Dec. 28, 441
VOL. Lill. No. 111
Page Four
December 29, 1972
1973: Impending Issues, Hopes for Peace
Unfortunately — tragically! — the new
civil year does not commence with peace. The
Vietnamese situation does not contribute to
good will among Americans and it does not
lend honor to the American image interna-
tionally. It is less serious in the Middle East,
which is still a powder keg, because Israel's
defensive position has asured reality for the
cease fire, no matter how uncertain the ces-
sation of warfare on the Egyptian border
may be.
The New Year 1973 is, therefore, being
welcomed with renewed anxiety. There are
serious renewals of tensions. There is certain
to be continuity in facing issues involving the
domestic situation. Even if it will be only the
issue relating to a free press we are certain
to be confronted by challenges that involve
the very basis of a major American principle.
Economic problems are far from solved. The
changes that have affected academicians who
may be the worst sufferers from unemploy-
ment are not to be trifled with. When men
and women with college degrees, some with
doctorates, are unable to secure employment
in their professions, it is sad and very dis-
turbing.
- One can go on, ad infinitum, recounting
past experiences and applying them to the
present in quest for solutions to the concerns
that affect the nation's status. We always view
them with confidence that a great nation can
resolve its ills. After all, we have so much
to be grateful for, so many good things that
mark our existence, that instead of complaints
there should be appreciation for the good
things in our lives as American citizens. The
freedom we possess to protest against indig-
nities or infringements upon our heritage
already lends glory to our role as citizens of
this land and as citizens of the world who
have the right to demand justice for ourselves
and for all peoples everywhere. Nevertheless,
whatever may be considered an impending
danger must be viewed in all seriousness.
It is heartening to know that those who
insist upon a free press, free speech, the right
to speak out in defense of oppressed, whether
they are in Russia or elsewhere, on the home
front and abroad, already should give us
courage, whenever we welcome a new year,
to say that with dignity we can approach
dangers unhindered by whatever reactionary
forces may stand in the way of progress.
Every year is a serious one for the Jewish
people. We haven't seen even a beginning to
the end of oppressive measures against our
kinsmen in Russia. The battle will go on, per-
haps with greater force than ever, because
freedom-loving non-Jews in and out of Russia
also are speaking out against oppressions.
The Middle East situation is certain to
affect many aspects of international planning
—and scheming!—which are certain to in-
volve this country. We can be prepared for
many rumors regarding the attitude of the
re-elected administration and especially of
President Nixon and the State Department.
The major need. in the best interests of peace
in the Middle East, is that Israel should be
kept strong and in a defensive position.
World Jewry's duty in this regard will be to
provide for the social, educational, health
and immigrant integration needs of the em-
battled country. Relieved of pressures to pro-
vide for such needs, with the aid of funds
Diaspora must provide, Israel will overcome
the dangers that may lurk on a threatening
horizon.
In the consideration of the problems that
will challenge us in the coming year, we must
not overlook the responsibilities to the cul-
tural needs of our people, to the educational
factors that are so vital to our existence; and
we must not overlook the fact that even
American Jewry is not devoid of problems
involving poverty, the needs of the elderly,
the growing concern over care for retardates
and other unfortunates in our midst.
Of course, the problems will be faced, the
difficulties will be overcome, we shall plan
for a good year. The socially-minded among
us will, surely, not be blind to realities. With
proper vision, we should plan for a happier
year, and we shall never give up hope for an
early peace everywhere.
American Jewry's Role in the Bicentennial
American Jewish historians have an im-
portant assignment as participants in the
planned four-year celebration of the Ameri-
can Revolution Bicentennial.
While the major facts regarding the his-
tory of American Jewry have already been
recorded, the dissemination of data, the edu-
cational processes of making the historic facts
known, sharing them with the non-Jewish
community while imparting them to Jews,
all become duties to our fellow Americans of
all faiths and all racial and national back-
grounds.
It is heartening to know that the Ameri-
can Revolution Bicentennary Commission is
determined to involve all elements in our
population in the celebration of the historic
event, that it is to be a non-discriminatbry
national festival, that not only will all faiths
and all racial groups play vital roles in
planning the many events. but there also will
be an invitation to the international commun-
ity. whence stem the many elements who now
make up the American community, to play a
friendly role in the Bicentennial.
Bicentennial programs are planned for
people of all ages, with emphasis on educa-
tional programs on all levels in our school
systems. It is in this sphere that Jewish
schools must make special efforts to acquaint
the Jewish youth with the background of
early settlers in this country, the immense
contributions that have been made to Amer-
ica's growth by their coreligionists, the in-
fluential role of American Jews in many
fields of activities in this country.
Noted historians have already rendered
great service in gathering data about Ameri-
can Jewry. Dr. Jacob R. Marcus has been
among the most important leaders in the
ranks of Jewish historians. His numerous
books on American Jewry, the great person-
alities, the gifts they made to Jewry, America,
the world, remain outstanding. They must be
popularized during the Bicentennial celebra-
tion among non-Jews and especially in the
Jewish communities. The American Jewish
Archives which Prof. Marcus has directed
for many years contain a vast amount of
material on American Jewish history, and they
must be utilized to the fullest. Other archival
treasures are available for this purpose.
Great significance can be and should be
attached to the Bicentennial. American
Jewry's role in the national festival already
is assuming proper proportions.
'Understanding Jewish Prayer
Defined by Prof. Petuchowski
There is historical merit to an evaluation of "Understanding Jew-
ish Prayer" by Prof. Jakob J. Petuchowski of Hebrew Union College.
The new Ktav volume touches upon many interesting questions in
relation to the synagogue and prayer. Dr. Petuchowski asks, for
example, "Can Modern Man Pray?," and by developing a theme based
on historic experiences states frankly and realistically that some
can and some can't. It is in reviewing problems that trouble man that
this essay assumes interesting proportions.
The author, who teaches rabbinics and theology, defines many
aspects of his subject, explains traditions, includes, to draw upon one
of the factors related to prayer, the meanings he gives to Kavana:
Direction, attention, concentration, devotion, inwardness.
On the subject "Hebrew and Vernacular Prayer,"
makes this Interesting observation:
Dr. Petuchowski
"When prayer in Hebrew was insisted on in non.Hebrew-
speaking Babylonia. the Jew's love for Hebrew was clearly demon-
strated. But he paid for it by giving up the greater variety and
flexibility which used to be available on Palestinian soil. One
may argue that the price was well worth paying. But one may
also wonder whether rigorous standardization may not, after
all, have been • distinctive Diaspora phenomenon. And one may
hope, if one is so inclined, that the combination of land, people
and language, as we find It in the Land of Israel today, may
again open up the wellsprings of Jewish liturgical creativity and
spiritual regeneration. If that should come to pass, Hebrew will
indeed have bad the decisive say."
On the dynamics and the petitions of prayer, the author offers
this explanatory note:
"Petition-ail' prayer . . . Is • human need rather than some-
thing required by God. God knows our needs before we utter
them, and He will do what is good in His sight, But man was
afforded an opportunity of rehearsing his wants and his con-
cerns before God. It was the genius of Judaism to turn man's
petitionary prayer into a praise of God. Duce we understand
this, we may also understand the daring statement in the Talmud
that 'the Holy One, praised be He, is longing for the petitionary
prayers of the righteous.'"
Implementing his study on the subject of prayer, the author has
drawn upon noted scholars for their views which are contained in
an anthological section of the book entitled "Meanings and Directions."
Included in this grouping are the following authors and their essays:
"On Prayer," the late Abraham Joshua Heschel; "Speech and
Silence Before God," Steven S. Schwarzchild; "On the Meaning of
Prayer," Ernst Simon; "The Limits of Prayer: A Rabbinic Discussion,"
Gerald J. Blidstein; "The Efficacy of Prayer," Dudley Weinberg; "From
Temple and Synagogue and Back," Eliezer Berkovits; and "Going to
Shut," Milton Himmeifarb.
'Judaism and Human Rights'
"Judaism and Human Rights," edited by Prof. Milton R. Konvitz,
published by W. W. Norton Co., adds immeasurably to the value of
the Bnai Brith Jewish Heritage Classics.
Basic American traditions, the classic Jewish heritage, the demo-
cratic ideals, the pursuit of peace, the principles embodied in the
proclamation "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" and related
ideas are covered in the score of essays by Dr. Konvitz and the fol-
lowing whose writings compose this impressive work: Dr. Robert
Gordis, Samuel Belkin, Norman Lamm, Richard G. Hirsch, Louis R.
Finkelstein, Ben Zion Bokser, Emanuel Rackman, William A. Irwin,
Henri Frankfort, Eric G. Freudenstein.
Incorporated also in the collection of notable views is an essay
from the writings of Moses Mendelssohn and excerpts from the writ-
ings of Lord Acton and Samson Raphael Hirsch.
Appendices include the texts of the Universal Declaration of Hu-
man Rights and Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution.