THE JEWISH NEWS
COULD I TROUBLE. YOU MA MATCH
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Dditorial Associa-
tion. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
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
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Business Manager
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 20th day of Av, 5733, the following scriptural selections will
be i ead in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Deut. 7:12-11:25. Phophetical portion, Isaiah 49:14-51:3.
Candle lighting, Friday, Aug. 17, 8:12 p.m.
VOL.
LXIII.
No. 23
Page Four
August 17, 1973
Lame Excuses From Oiled Propagandists
Already having created panic with energy
crisis propaganda, the oil interests blundered
into another area: the Arab-Israel conflict
with which they linked this country's oil
needs into a shocking campaign of mislead-
ing propaganda.
In spite of the apologetic claims made
afterward, when an outraged public opinion
and the united Jewish ranks condemned the
attitude expressed in an appeal that definitely
smacked of efforts to undermine the Ameri-
can interest in Israel, the attitudes that were
expressed to stockholders of an immense
corporation were destructive of good will.
The fact is that both Standard Oil of Cali-
fornia and Mobil, partners in the American
Arabian Oil Co.—Aramco—rendered harm
with their championing of Saudi Arabia and
by giving the impression that the United
States had not been working for peace in the
interest of all elements in the Middle East.
By innuendo, the Aramco partners sought to
leave the impression that there is a one-sided
interest in Israel by our government, whereas
the assistance given to the Arab nations has
overwhelmingly overbalanced the support re-
ceived by Israel. American policy favors sup-
port for Israel, to protect the security of the
major democratic nation ill that area. But it
has not been at the expense of the Arabs.
These facts must receive added emphasis
in the course of tackling the issues created by
panic-spreaders over an energy crisis. It was
shocking to read an oil executive's appeal to
his stockholders in behalf of a 40-year "cor-
dial and continuing relationship" between this
country and the Arabs, without indicating a
century-and-a-half American concern with
matters relating to the Jewish position in the
Middle East emphasizing a 25-year friend-
ship that has contributed rather than hin-
dered this country's all-out financial and
military aid to more than a dozen newly-cre-
ated Arab nations whose rise is historically
recorded later than the emergence of Israel.
Having exposed itself as a propagandistic
factor in the realm of destructiveness on the
Middle East issues, the oil combine has
created a new responsibility for Jewry and
America: to be on guard against the spread
of misleading propaganda that tends to un-
dermine good relations between friends on
the international front.
In the confidence the Jewish people has
in American firmness in assuring good will
in the Middle East while holding fast to a
policy of friendship for Israel, it becomes
necessary to those who would avoid another
Holocaust and to condemn genocide to keep
on the alert and to condemn every manifesta-
tion of bias, like the one we experienced last
week from the oiled messages on the issue.
Once again there is need for increased and
uninterrupted vigilance in the obligation to
protect Israel and its citizens.
Vilnay's 'Legends of Jerusalem'
Revives Folkloristic Treasures
Zev Vilnay has gained high status as author of Israeli guide books,
and his fame has been enhanced with his authorship of compilations
of legendary Jewish material. His "Legends of Jerusalem," among the
newest products of the Jewish Publication Society of America, is one
of the most fascinating collections of stories.
The first volume in a new series, "The Sacred Land," the new
Vilnay book contains more than 300 legends. Its significance lies as
much in the sources from which the stories were compiled as well as
the narratives themselves.
Vilnay's "Legends of Jerusalem" is folklore derived from Holy
Scriptures, the Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, Tosefta, as well as from the
works of writers in the Middle Ages.
The 319 notes on sources for these legends and the 92 illustrations
attest to the scholarly aspects of this notable work. An example of the
type of picture reproduced from folklore is this drawing, dated 1753,
showing "Messiah and Elijah Advancing Toward Jerusalem."
Ethics of Communal Exposures
Within a matter of weeks, as the Holy
Day period approaches, an active community
will be confronted with a multiplicity of re-
sponsibilities that will undoubtedly be tackled
with dignity and with an adherence to tra-
ditions that have given us a feeling of self-
respect and pride in many accomplishments.
While philanthropic duties will again be
on the agenda—and Detroit Jewry never fails
in its duties—there are many other tasks to
be performed. We have social welfare pro-
grams. There are the impoverished to be
helped, the elderly to be cared for.
There is our educational system, and its
high standards must never be tampered with.
Working together, community and school ad-
ministrations, faculty and students, we can
rise to even greater heights than we have in
the past.
On this score, too, there is much to be
considered. The school populations in large
cities are declining, and so is the Jewish
child age group. For those enrolled we must
provide the wholesome influence that is es-
sential for proper studies.
To guarantee such high standards, it is
necessary that inner conflicts be avoided.
When there are controversies, they should be
solved amicably. Struggles with teachers, on
a scale that was reached last year, should be
treated as intolerable.
In the latest issue that has arisen, a prob-
lem that should be solved within our ranks
has been taken into the courts. This, too, is
intolerable.
Time and time and time again we have
urged the resort to the traditional Beth Din.
There is need for a spirit of confidence that
our issues can always be resolved amicably.
If and when there is a dispute, there is no
excuse for failure to call upon a Jewish
method of the Din Torah to solve the prob-
lem.
Let us avoid tactics that may disgrace our
standards. Let there be an ethical approach
whenever there is a communal exposure that
calls for amicable solution.
'Bad Luck' Euphemized for Crisis
Unending crises in the Middle East, espe-
cially as they affect Israel, add immeasurably
to concerns in Jewish ranks. The latest inci-
dent, the downing of a Lebanese airliner in
search for terrorists, increases the tensions.
Some Israelis call the result "bad luck."
Would it have been better luck if Dr. George
Habash, the Communist who heads the "Pales-
tine Front for the Liberation of Palestine" and
his associate, Salah Salah, had been appre-
hended? Will this be equated with terrorism
during the abortive United Nations delibera-
tions? Does "bad luck" euphemize with the
struggle for security to which Israel's lead-
ers are committed?
It is the continuity of the crisis that is
tragic. Many Israelis would readily make con-
cessions in the interest of peace.
How unfortunate that the UN is so stymied
by,--pressures from anti-Israel blocs. If it had
not been for the bitterness these groups in-
ject, there might have been an avoidance of
incidents like the one that resulted in "bad
luck."
And all that can be done right now is for
all who seek an end to terrorism to pray for
logic and for peace.
This drawing follows this legend entitled "When Will Jerusalem
Be Restored," which is based on these sources: Talmud Babi, Berahot,
Rashi, Psalms, Martin Buber Commentaries, Midrash Tehillim and
Isaiah:
The rabbis relate: "Jerusalem will n.ot be rebuilt in its entirety
till all the children of Israel will be gathered from exile. • . . As it
is written (in Psalms): 'The Lord. doth build up Jerusalem, He
gathereth the dispersed of Israel.' "
"When does God build Jerusalem?—When he gathereth the
dispersed of Israel."
In the end of time, Jerusalem, the tent of God, will spread
forth the curtain of thy habitations, spare not; Lengthen thy cords,
exile and find rest and peace within her border, as it is prop' -sied
by Isaiah: "Enlarge the place of thy tent,/And let them ,
forth the curtain of thy habitations, spare not; / Lengthen, thy
cords, and strengthen thy stakes / For thou shalt spread abroad on
the right hand and on the left."
"God will gather the outcast of Israel in peace!"
"In the end of time, Jerusalem will become the metropolis for
all lands."
"In the end of time, Jerusalem will be a shining light to all
the nations of the earth, who will walk in its brightness."
In its totality, "Legends of Jerusalem" is replete with folkloristic
wealth. It is a volume that will enchant the reader. This is a book that
will prove of great value in schools, for study groups, and is an en-
riching gift to Jewry as a perpetuator of historic legendary treasures.
New York City Pictorialized
Included in the collection of 170 prints by Victor Laredo in "New
York City—A Photographic Portrait," published by Dover as a large
pictorial paperback, are scenes indicating the East Side with its
delicatessen and herring vendors and a matzo-baking factory.
There also are scenes of the garment district, the sewers and
their machines.
Most notable buildings are portrayed, but the Jewish Museum and
Theological Seminary are missing. Despite this shortcoming, the Laredo
volume, captions for which are by Thomas Reilly, is an interesting
book.