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 Editorial 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 $10 a year.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
PAYEIN
BY HENRY LEONARD
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the eighth day of Adar, 5734, the following scriptural selections
will be ,read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 27:20-30:10, Deuteronomy 25:17-19.
Prophetical portion, I Samuel 15:2-34.
Candle lighting, Friday, March 1, 7:04 p.m.
VOL. LXIV. No. 25
Page Four
March 1, 1974
Israel's Problems World Jewry's as Well
Israel's multiple problems, most of them
yet to be solved,. spread out far into the con-
fines of the Diaspora. There is no escaping
the agonies of an era that demands drastic
changes in political developments and the
many related obligatory factors that involve
relationships between kinfolk.
In the process of cementing the kinships
that are vital to the survival of a nation that
has never really been at peace with her neigh-
bors, American Jewry had been at odds over
a vital matter after the rebirth of Israel's
statehood. Zionist ranks were split over the
issue of outside involvement in Israel's inter-
nal affairs. The Zionist Organization of Amer-
ica then suffered immensely from defections
—several of the past presidents —having left
the ranks to form another organization out of
a resentment of alleged ZOA involvements
in the political maneuverings of related Is-
raeli parties. Other parties had similar rela-
tionships, but the ZOA was especially selected
-for punishment on that score:
Now there are heard demands from Zion-
ist and other ranks that the Jewries which
provide so much of the sinew for the state's
sustenance should have some say in the polit-
ical implications. It is a complicated _issue,
nevertheless the incontrovertible fact is that
the Jewries of the world must play a great
role in such serious matters as the prisoners
of , war issue and in international involve-
ments related to the energy and Arab threat
aspects of the Middle East crises.
Whatever changes may be effected in the
future in world Jewry's relationships with
Israel, the internal political struggles are
limited for the Israelis alone to resolve. But
there is one aspect that invites the direct
concern of AmeriCan Jewry. There were pres-
sures upon the Israel government from two
sources with regard •to the religious issue.
The Reform and Conservative ranks demand-
ed that the , Golda Meir government should
not yield to the religious bloc in the matter
involving conversions. The religious groups
in this country, on' the other hand, urged the
religious faction not to abandon its insistence
upon strictest halakhic interpretations. The
result is well known. The minority govern-
ment formed by Mrs. Meir is a rebuke to the
religious. It is a refusal to submit -to pressures
that •have been firmly opposed by many Is-
raelis, primarily Mapam and the Independent
Liberal 'Party. It is 'known that the new Civil
Rights Party also opposed the extreme de-
mands of the religious elements.
The fact that Reform and Conservative
rabbis were ready to acknowledge halakhic
responsibilities—their major demand being
that they should be expelled from Jewish
ranks by the religious in Israel when they
perform conversions—is less material to the
issue than the solution arrived at. It may be
a temporary way of resolving the issue, but
the Meir government was saved by preventing
the withdrawal from its ranks' of the Liberals
and Mapam, in exchange for the National
Religious Party, in the event there was to be
a yielding to the latter.
Perhaps at this point further intervention
by outside forces with appeals to the Israel
government regarding religious matters may
be either entirely prevented or postponed
until there is a sensible solution to a problem
that has created much bitterness.
" There is no doubt that the Jewish forces
worldwide are overwhelmingly in the ranks
of the Conservative and the Reform. Yielding
to the Orthodox on an issue that should and
could be resolved could be interpreted as a
banishment of most Jews from interests in
Israel. This is a matter that should be settled
without procrastination. If a Sanhedrin is
needed to solve the issue, let it be convened!
If the Orthodox stand in the way, the pres-
sures should be increased to accomplish a
task that is so very vital to Jewry as a whole,
Israelis and their kinsmen alike..
How unfortunate that in the course of
disputing this vital issue it has been empha-
sized that most of the philanthropic funds for
Israel and the Israel Bonds investment dollars
come- from the ranks that are threatened with
alienation in Israel, as a result of these dis-
putes. It should be said to the credit of the
non-Orthodox that while protesting the indig-
nities hurled at them by the Israeli religious
forces they have never abandoned their finan-
cial obligations to Israel. On the contrary,
they said that they have a duty to Israel and
will fulfill it, while battling for justice to the
elements not represented in the world Jewish
Orthodox ranks. This is a mark of self-respect
and loyalty deserving of highest commenda-
tions.
These sentiments must be emphasized
anew in the present tasks of providing the
vast sums needed for Israel's educational,
welfare and immigration absorption needs,
and in assuring non-interruption in sending
investment dollars to Israel. The latter are
vitally needed for Israel's economic security
and to provide jobs for the thousands of new-
corners who keep coming to Israel.
Mrs. Meir and her new government have
the good wishes of Diaspora Jewry, to the
same degree that any Israel government
would have the blessings of fellow Jews every-
where. These messages of good will to Israel
are accompanied by the hope that problems
of major seriousness that involve all Jews
will be settled without hesitation. To resolve
these issues, the Orthodox must provide co-
operation that also spells the honor and the
dignity even of the extremest in Jewry's
religious ranks.
Hope for Realism in Second Exodus
Civilians in Israel and the men defend-
ing the borders, have learned alike that there
is no glory in war.
Therefore, the withdrawal of Israeli troops
from across the Suez was marked by rejoicing.
If it leads to peace, it is worth abandon-
ment of glory. Israeli troops had scored a
triumph when they practically encircled the
invading Egyptian armies in the Sinai. When
measured by losses in war, "the paths of
glory" lead only to horror and to suffering.
It is with the hope for an-end to misery that
Israel's warriors left Egypt with aspirations
for amity.
The one rational problem is the need for
an answer to the question: "Do the Arabs
recognize"this realism as much as the Israelis
who are abandpning occupied territory in
the Second Exodus?
It is in the hope that there exists such
realization of realities that Jewry's hopes ac-
company Henry A. Kissinger on his missions
to the warring nations.
'Olam Gadol' Text Emphasizes
UAHC Aid to Hebrew Studies
Emphasis on Hebrew studies in Reform congregational schools
gains momentum in the new publications issued by the Union of
American Hebrew Congregations.
An impressive example of the creative efforts of the UAHC is
the second edition (Bet) of "Olam Gadol"—"A Big World"—by Adaia
and Abraham Shumsky: Accompanying it is a large workbook con-
taining vocabulary and word structures.
Splendidly, illustrated by Leo Glueckselig, there is also--a running
story—all combining to encourage knowledge of Hebrew and to facil-
itate acquisition of thorough appreciation of the language.
Adding. to the merit of the undertaking and of the Reform move-
ment's efforts to advance Hebrew studies a two-sided small record
with the songs "Hev- einu Shalom Aleihem" and "Lo Yiso Goy el Goy
Herev"—"Nation shall not lift up sword against nation."
There are three Hebrew stories in this magnificent book, with
Charlie Brown cartoons.
For the authors this was undoubtedly a labor of love as a dedi-
cation. The editor of the UAHC works, Rabbi Jack D. Spiro„ states
in his introduction:
"The goals adopted by the Commission on Jewish Education are
imbued with the ideal expressed in the Commission's Guiding Prin-
ciples: 'The sacred tongue, the language of prophet and teacher, is
the only language common–to our brethren all over the world uniting
the most far-off recorded past through the ages with our own day.
The knowledge of the Hebrew language in its various forms has always
been, and still is today a religious road to Jewish spiritual brother-
hood.'
"Hebrew is the 'road' not only to akhava—brotherhood—but to a
genuine understanding of Jewish values. Conceptual and experiential
meanings are expressed primarily through language. The Hebrew lan-
guage, more than any other subject, conveys the unique meaning of
Jewish values with all their cognitive nuances and emotional associa-
tions.
"Our major concern is the comprehension and appreciation of
Jewish values through Hebrew. Hence the authors of the series have
concentrated not only on fundamental linguistic growth for beginning
students but on the Hebraic expression of those values in the Jewish
tradition, which - are embodied in the biblical passage: 'The earth is
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell
therein.' (Psalms 24:1)."
There is fulfillment of these aims, as proven by the songs in the
text of "Olam Gadol," like the closing one, "Hinei Ma Tov," and the
"Emek Avoda," as well as resort to holiday explanations that em-
phasize traditions.
Adaia Shumsky is director of psychological services in the GT
Neck, N. Y., school system. Abraham Shumsky is professor of eth.
tion at Brooklyn College.
'Ten and a Kid,' Newest JPS
Weilerstein Stories for Youth-
Sadie Rose Weilerstein gained fame with her children's stories
and her "The Adventures of K'tonton" remains a classic in Jewish
literature for youngsters. She has written many splendid tales for
Jewish youth and she enriches the children's library again with "Ten
and a Kid," a new Jewish publication Society Covenant Book.
With excellent illustrations by Janina Domanska, her newest book
of 21 stories merits acclaim and deserves widest distribution.
Well told, written with skill to reach young Jewish readers, Miss
Weilerstein's stories deal with Jewish experiences, with traditional
observances, with the wholesome factors in Jewish life.
Young readers will enjoy these stories and parents should share
it with them as means of introducing Jewish books in the Jewish homes.