THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating \ The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
tion.
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. Associa-
48076.
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $8 a year. Foreign $9
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 27th day of Adar -IL 5733, the following scriptural selections
. will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions. Levit. 9:1-11:47, Exod. 12:1-20. prophetical portion, • Eze-
kiel 45:16-46:18.
Torah reading for Rosh Hodes!' Nisan, Tuesday, Num. 28:1-15.
Candle lighting, Friday, March 30. 1973, 6:37 p.th;
VOL. LXIII,
No. 3
Page Four
March 30, 1973
Jackson's Warning: 'No Intimidation'
Anti-Semitic governments, in the years
when prejudice against Jews was part of their
official policies—dating back to the Roman-
ian and Czarist Russian eras of bigotry and
religious fanaticism—usually, in reply to pro-
tests against the tyrannies, laid claim to the
right to conduct their internal affairs without
interference from outside sources.
This had been a claim advanced by Soviet
spokesmen for a number of years, and it is
being repeated now, in view of the challenges
to the Kremlin in the measures pending in
both 'houses of Congress, introduced by Sena-
tor Henry M. Jackson and Representatives
Wilbur Mills and Charles Vanik. A Soiiet
propagandist was here a month ago to
threaten not only an expanded anti-Semitism
in Russia but also in the United States. Two
weeks ago, Soviet emissaries utilized the aid
of the American Manufacturers Association
in an effort to stymie the congressional meas-
ures which seek to prevent granting favored
nations status to the Soviet Union as long as
the excessive exit taxes that are equivalent
to blackmail are being imposed upon Russian
intellectuals who are seeking exit visas to go
to Israel.
Thus, while the excuse of non-inter-
ference by Americans in Russia's internal
affairs are sought in order to prevent protests
against the persecution of Jews seeking to
leave Russia, the Kremlin's representatives
are exercizing influence upon the State De-
partment, legislators and American manu-
facturing forces in order to secure privileges
in this country and to give the impression
that intercession for the persecuted is an in-
justice to the Communist regime.
Fortunately, Senator Jackson and his
associates in the Senate—his measure has the
support of 74 of his fellow-senators—and the
sponsors of the similar measure in the House
of Representatives see through the Russian
schemes. Senator Jackson has warned that
"the American people will not be intimidated
or deterred from our attachment to individual
liberty," in a speech in which he declared:
"The Soviets have gone to some length
to convey the impression that the question
of free emigration is simply a Jewish issue.
Their representatives, even as guests in
this country, have resorted to the cruel
incitement of anti-Semitic sentiments in an
effort to scare off support for our amend-
ment. Their broadcasts out of Moscow, their
English-language publications intended for
consumption here and their diplomatic rep-
resentatives have been pressed into service
for this most odious purpose."
Indeed, the manner in which the Soviets
have sought to defend their nefarious work
has been odious. But American legislators are
not to be fooled and the task of seeking just
international agreements is not being stifled.
The Kremlin propagandists are not helping
their own cause with the sort of pressures that
have been resorted to in recent weeks.
There is some confusion over the reports
that the USSR ransom tax is being ignored
and that applicants for visas to go to Israel
are being granted permission to leave the
Soviet Union. But it is emphasized that the
law, even if it is to be overlooked, will remain
on the books, and that the gesture aimed as
a blow at the Jackson Amendment is made in
order to overcome the protests and to influ-
ence favorable action on the favored nations
regulations. Therefore an additional state-
by Senator Jackson, made in a speech at the
National Press Club in Washington, must be
taken into consideration in order not to be
misled by a new diplomatic trick. Senator
Jackson said:
"This week we have seen some encouraging
signs that the Soviets ar being more generous in
implementing emigration regulations that they have
always claimed are consistent with free emigration.
"Terminating the collection of the Soviet ransom
tax would be a great first step in the direction of
removing barriers to free emigration. An end to
the Russian practice of firing visa applicants from
their jobs would be another. Now, I have heard it
said that the Soviets are going to keep the ransom
tax on the statute books but they won't apply it in
practice. I say that we are going to put the Jackson
amendment on the statute books but in the hope that
it won't apply to the Soviet Union because they will
be in compliance with the free emigration provision.
"I'm not against trade with the Soviet Union.
. . . But I believe that we ought to use our vast
economic power to help bring freedom and dignity
to thousands of individuals who have been willing
to stand up and fight for their right to leave Russia.
I am proud that America is fighting to help them
obtain their freedom."
*
While the members of Congress are striv-
ing for means of counteracting the devilish
Kremlin schemes, they must have the sup-
port of all Americans. The Jewish community
must stand solidly behind their efforts. It is
encouraging to witness the additional support
that is piling up for the Jackson-Mills-Vanik
amendments from Christian sources, from
labor and other ranks. Perhaps Russia will
avoid an even greater confrontation by end-
ing the prejudiced aim at blackmail taxation.
There is no face-saving other than abandon-
ment of prejudices.
It should be noted that the activities of
Soviet emissaries who attempted to introduce
a fear of anti-Semitism in Jewish ranks did
not sit well with many in public life. Senator
Edward J. Gurney of Florida, in a Senate
speech, gave an example of the American
reaction, and declaring that the role of one of
these officials represented an "arrogance of
threats," stated with reference to Soviet den-
ials of prejudice and the reactions to the
Jackson amendment:
"What disturbs me even more than the
official denials of these occurrences is' the
aggressive, threatening posture of the Soviet
leadership. Indeed, officials of the Soviet
Union—in opposing this amendment—have.
recently raised the specter of anti-Semitism
on an international basis as a threat.
"In a recent meeting in Washington of
American businessmen and Soviet trade of-
ficials, Soviet official Vladimir Arbatov went
so far as to state that the approval by the
Congress of this proposal would produce an
increase in anti-Semitism not only in the
Soviet Union but in the United States.
"I submit that this will not occur and
that the American people are not interested
in bailing out a faltering Soviet economy so
long as that country continues to deny its
citizens the basic human right to emigrate."
It is this position that ust be upheld,
and Jewish citizens are in the front rank of
the battle for justice. With a sense of grati-
tude for adherence to the strictest American
rules of fair play, the supporters of the Jack-
son amendment, who have grown to three-
fourths the strength of the Senate, are up-
holding a basic principle. Yielding to it. Rus-
sia can regain her status as a cooperative fac-
tor in international affairs. By retaining the
discriminatory policies such amity among na-
tons is frustrated, to the detriment of world
unity.
Israel's Laugh-Inciter
Ephraim Kishon's 'Wise Guy,
Solomon': Enchanting Humor
Ephraim Kishon has become a household word in Israel and his
fame has spread wherever his works have been read not only in
Hebrew but in English translations and in texts in other languages.
Atheneum has just issued his newest work, "Wise Guy, Solomon."
Like his previous humorous collections, this book is filled with fascinat-
ing comments on daily events, on Israel's experiences, on the happy
and sad occurrences in Jewish life.
When he deals with problems involving taxation, new Israel settlers,'
the Russian situation, Mao's role, the American involvements, he is
superb.
In his newest work there is a charming story, "Grandmother, Why
Is Your Handbag So Big?" in which he portrays the impending arrival
of Golda Meir in the White House. Secretary of State Rogers, Henry
Kissinger as well as President Nixon play their roles in this hilarious
tale. Nixon is worried: "What am I. going to do if she starts crying?"
Whereupon Kissinger 'advises him:
"Don't look at her. If Golda ever catches your eye you're lost.
Shut your eyes at critical moments, Mr. President, and hum, mutedly,•
but pointedly, 'We Shall Overcome.' "
Rogers is equally puzzled. He is willing to drop the demand for
Israel withdrawls. Then there is a shriek: Golda is at the door with
her big handbag.
This is not all: Pursuant to this White House problem is an issue
involving basketball, and in relating the cage problem in a story "The
Oracle," Kishon has this introductory paragraph:
"Whether she likes it or not, Golda leaves her personal imprint
on all aspects of our life. For instance, during her last visit to the
United States, TV inquisitors asked her whether she would request
many weapons from President Nixon and she replied with great aplomb:
`I've brought along a large shopping basket.' Whereupon the Israel
Basketball Association got a bright idea."
That's how the basketballers entered into the scene with another*.
side-splitting Kishon story.
That's how it all -goes in Kishon's works—There is a laugh for
every occasion, and in "Wise Guy, Solomon" there are scores o tn.
There is no end to the Kishon humor.
Since 1952, Ephraim Kishon runs a daily satirical column in
Israel's leading daily Maariv and for 17 years his columns have
appeared in the Jerusalem Post. Art Buchwald calls Kishon, in his
lifetime, "The world's no. 2 humorist." About a dozen of his books,:
brought out under such odd titles as "Look Back Mrs. Lot," "Blow
Softly in Jericho" and after the Six-Day War, "So Sorry We Won," have
'been translated into practically all the Western languages with their
world-wide circulation passing the 5,000,000-copies-sold mark.
Kishon's latest book, "Wise Guy, Solomon," also will be available
for Turks, Dutch and Portuguese, while in Germany it has been at the
top of the bestseller list for six months.
Kishon's plays, like the acclaimed "Marriage License" and film *:
comedies, "Sallah," (1955), and "The Policeman" (1972), (produced and
directed by Kishon) have - scored all-time records on the Israeli stage
and cinema, and his works have also been performed on television.
Kishon has been awarded the Israeli Herzl Prize, Jabotinsky Prize
and Nordau Prize for Literature and the Sokolov Prize for outstanding
journalistic achievement. His films, written and directed by him, have
taken many international awards including two Golden Gate Awards.40
of the San Francisco International Film Festival, three Golden Globe
Awards of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and two nomina-
tions for Hollywood's "Oscar." -
Ephraim Kishon was born in Budapest in 1924. He studied at the
Art Academy and the Budapest University. After the Second World
War Kishon escaped from Germany and Russian camps and immigrated
to Israel. He now makes his home in Afika, near Tel Aviv, with his
wife and three children.