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.