Purely Commentary

The Psalmist's 'Lo omut ki ekhye' Principle Deviated
by Disillusioned Youth . . . Trumpeldor Legacy
Challenged by the Newly-Developing lsraelism

By Philip
Slomovitz

'Tov Likhyot' as a .Guideline in the Will to Live Self-Protectively

Joseph Trumpeldor, who was killed in defense of the •
Jewish settlement of Tel Hai against Arab attackers in
1920, is constantly quoted for his impassioned declaration:
"Tov lomut b'ad artzenu" — "it is good to die for our
country."
Last week, in a chat with five Israeli high school
graduates, in Jerusalem, the New York Times correspond-
ent quoted pessim-
ism from some of
the youths who are
about to enter Is-
rael's armed
forces. One of
them, a chap who
was born in New
York of Israeli
parents, and who
is to enter a Nahal
military border
settlement to fill
his army duties.
said in the course
of the session "held
in a small cafe
over coffee and
cake," as recorded
on tape:
. "I think the at-
Joseph Trumpeldor
titude before the
war was 'Go into the army and maybe you'll get a
chance to die for your country, too.' That's very nice,
but I don't, feel like dying for my country."
Another of the participants in that discussion, an
Israeli born of Libyan parents, said he believed the Arabs
also want peace and added: "I think the man who is
willing to give up his life for his nationality is a stupid
one. I was brought up to give up my life for my nation.
What a stupid thing — to give up your life for anything!"
Then there was a girl discussant, a member of the
left-wing Siah, who, because of her pacifist views, will be
doing alternate rather than regular army service. She said
she was glad that as a girl she won't have to do regular
army service and commented: "Boys I know have real
hesitations. They've stopped seeing it as an army of de-
fense and started seeing it as an army of occupation,
maintaining the status quo."
Such views provide food for consideration of the basic
issues affecting not only the Israeli nation and sorely-
tried administration, but also the Jewish people that is so
intimately allied with the Israelis in the tasks of .protecting
the security of the people of Israel and the very existence
of the reborn state of Israel.
This method of learning the attitudes of the young
people of Israel relates to the recent similar seminar - held
by academicians and businessmen in Israel. Out of these
discussions have emerged views of both extremes—those
who would not demobilize for a second, insisting on re-

tention of Israel's secure borders; and the growing num-
bers of those who would concede, who would abandon
territory for the sake of 'an accord, who are willing to
come to terms on Jerusalem's status as long as the city
remains undivided in a complex of international guaran-
tees for the holy sites of all faiths to be reached in an
understanding mood by responsible leaders of all faiths.
Very normally, the question arises: if the idea of dying
for one's country is to be abandoned — (and this=should
be an ideal for mankind, not for Israeli ,sabras alone, else
those who fail to defend themselves and country are
doomed!) — will the idealists strive for the supplementary
slogan "Tov likhyot b'ad artzenu" — "it is good to live
for our contry" — and in that spirit labor for the peace
that will protect all lives — those of aggressors and at-
tacked alike?
In the ranks of the academicians and the youth who
are now speaking firmly against territorial annexations
and in favor of concessions to Israel's enemies, there has
been a distressing measure of unrealism. Admittedly,
great blunders have been committed since the Six-Day
War. In the seven-year period that elapsed between it and
the Yom Kippur War there may have been many occasions
for negotiations. That was the period in which to concede,
during which to abandon some gains and to strive for
understanding with enemies who are historically kinsmen.
Since there is no turning back of those pages of history, it
is necessary to encourage new approaches, and the new
tasks may involve American Jewry more seriously than
ever.
There are three major factors in the situation: The
people of Israel, the state of Israel and the Jewish people.
The first needs protection against disturbing odds. The
human element is at stake, and the duty to protect the
people challenges all nations and therefore especially the
Jews who are kinsmen of the endangered. Any one who
defects from such duties, especially an Israeli, is inhuman.
The state of Israel has an historic role, inseparable
from the annals of mankind. A long exile separated people
from land •but not the people from its heritage. People
and land have been reunited. There are territorial and
other •problems. They must be faced courageously, real-
istically, providing for concessions through agreements.
But the state must survive!
Stepping in as the third element of importance - and
influence, the Jewish people's role is vital. Diaspora Jewry
has been criticized, _the American Jewish press has been
condemned, both allegedly for not speaking out against
Israeli tactics. Some even demand American Jews' inter-
cession into Israel's internal government affairs. The Zion-
its Organization of ,America, at -its recent convention,
resolved to suggest to Israel the resort to a National Unity
Government. An otherwise fairly constructive convention
thils blundered into a stance of dictating to Israelis how
to govern their country. There are other ways of cooperat-
ing with Israelis. World Jewry undoubtedly would be blun-
dering- if it did not serve in an advisory capacity,

Resistance to Nazis_ Told in 'Not as a Lamb'

economically, culturally, in the integration of immigrants
— all as means of assisting a terribly distressed people.
The press has not been as indifferent as has been
assumed. On many occasions the Israelis and their gov-
ernment have been rebuked for lack of vision, for poor
judgment, for failure to strengthen relations with world
Jewry.
So—it is easy to criticize, it is not so easy to be
responsive to duties and to challenges. The first obligation
in a time of crisis is to protect the people. That's the duty
of American Jewry; that's the obligation of Israelis to
themselves and their state. Never to be forgotten is the rills
admonition in Psalms: "Lo omut ki ekhye" — I shall not
die but live! Will the distressed Israelis be able properly
to implement "Tov likhyot b'ad, artzenu"—it is good to
live for our country—with the "Toy lomut . . . " in the
Trumpeldor legacy, and to apply it by striving for peace
and an end to wars, even if concessions will be saddening
and heart-rending? That's the challenge of the hour to the
Israeli youth, to their academicians, to their government
-and to all Jews everywhere!

'Charlotte Dubin Speaking'
Continues as Aliya in Israel
This is the timely occasion and proper place for an
editorial addendum to a discussion of Israel's will to live.
"Charlotte Dubin speaking" had been a signal, 'from
the city room of The Jewish News to the community, that
the City Editor was responsive, ready to cooperate in
assuring the good news coverage for which this news-
paper has earned the coveted respect of American Jewry.
Now Charlotte is transferring her response to another
sphere, to an ideal to which she and her husband Harold
have been dedicated for many years.
They are going on aliya — and their decision is a
defiance of the pessimism that often creeps into the annals
of a people that is struggling to retain and to strengthen
an historic legacy.
Israel has been pleading for this type of young people;
at the same time, American Jewry is in dire need of the
brainpower this quality of youth generates.
We need these young people_ as much as Israel:
American Jewry is not that enriched that it can lose the
best of its youthful leadership.
There is competition for such manpower: we must
yield to Israel in a time of crisis. Israel needs these
young people; we need them as well. We share with our
Israeli kinsmen.
Meanwhile, the loss is ours. Charlotte Dubin leaves a
journalistic tradition that will be carried on relentlessly.
She will be missed; her desk will continue to operate in
the best interests of this community.
To Charlotte and Harold go the good wishes of The
Jewish News staff and an entire community. Out of pio-
neering like the Dubins' the community will await the
gifts that come from the people's best minds to the glory
of a nation that can inspire dedication like theirs.

Syria, Egypt Communists Hit
Governments' Alliance With U •s•

Germany, one until 1942 and of heroism. Steinberg notes:
another until 1944. Herbert "In spite of indisputable her-
By EHUD YAM
who are still respected mem-
and Marianne Baum, were oism, Pechorski received
(Copyright 1974, JTA, Inc.)
bers of the National Pro-
the leaders of one of these no extraordinary distinction.
The recent dramatic events
groups. Considerable atten- This was indirectly advant- of the American-Arab rap- gressive Front.
On April 23, the central
tion is given to the Baums ageous to him- for it meant prochement already have had
and their associates, ,their al- he was 'forgotten' during the their mark on the internal committee of the party is-
sued a blunt statement warn-
liance with Communists, but latter period of Stalin's, life,
political scene in 'both Egypt
some of the group later a period marked by ruthless and Syria. A sudden strain ing against the strengthen-
joined the Zionist ranks. persecution of the most of relations between the of- ing of the private sector in
the economy and rejecting
Then there was the action prominent Jews."
ficial regimes and the in- the idea of disengagement on
led by Heinz Israel Rotholz,
There are chapters on the digenous Communist parties the Golan Heights.
who was executed by the Treblinka and Auschwitz
is apparent.
Shortly afterward, the
Nazis, and his group of re- tragedies and on the courag-
Egyptian
Communists (not
Arab
Communists
were
ac-
sisters. There were Charlotte eous who resisted. Interest-
Paech and other heroes and ing data is recorded on the cepted some years ago as organized as a party sin(
formal partners of the Ba'ath 1965 but still active as a
been
recorded.
mitted
The author
indicates
that • suicide rather than heroines in the battle for jus- capture of Auschwitz by the party in Syria and of Presi- fled group) followed suit. -
Red Army and on the news dent Anwar Sadat's govern- They published a series of
to the list of Jews who re- continue as a Judenrat chair- tice.
sisted Nazism had been add- man, and others are listed
Interestingly, some of the about it submitted to Hitler. ment in Egypt. Both coun- three booklets wider the title
ed the fighters against fas- among the self-respecting.
emphasis by Steinberg is on
There is glory for the re- tries have two Communist "The October War and the
Was there resistance in Jews in the leftist ranks, and sisters in the conclusion:
cism, the Italians as well as
ministers in their cabinets. Dimension of the Future" in
Germans who joined the Germany proper? Steinberg there is this comment re-
revolting against the Today, this partnership which many points of Sadat's
"By
ranks of opponents of the tells about a choral society garding the resisters within Hitler regime which intend- faces the risk of disintegra- line came under fire.
brutal movements that op- called Anon in which Felix Germany: "In every town of ed to exterminate the entire tion. Angered by the pro-.
Besides attacking the alli-
pressed Jews and Christians Jonas and two of his accom- the German Democratic Re- Jewish population, the Jews American switch, the Com- ance with the U.S. and the
alike. An extensive resume plices were Jews. All were public one comes across were not engaging in an act munists of Syria and Egypt encouragement of private in-
of the role of Jews as vic- arrested in 'May and June of streets named after heroes of heroism, they simply voice ever-bolder criticism of vestments, the booklets criti-
tims places emphasis on the 1937. Other groups of former of the Resistance. Herbert wished to preserve the mat- the new orientation and of cized both the goals set by
Jewish communities whose Social Democrats also oper- Baum Street in East Berlin erial and moral substance of the concommitant economic Sadat for the war and its
destruction was aimed at by ated against the Hitlerites. leads to the cemetery of their people. Their success development plans. Sooner or conduct.
Among those convicted' by Weissensee, where he and won them immortality."
Hitler.
There are hints that the
later, Presidents Sadat and
The author takes into con- the Nazis was the Jewish his comrades rest."
Hafez Assad are bound to Syrian and Egyptian Commu-
Therefore
"
N
o
t
as
a
sideration the role of the militant, the musicologist
nists contemplate a switch
The Sobibor camp tragedy Lamb" add substance to the take counter-steps.
Judenrat the Jewish Coun- Rudolph Israelski.
First to voice "reserva- into open opposition., Appar-
record that defiance was
is
recorded,
and
among
those
Special
attention
is
given
cils, which have often been
chosen for special tribute in real, that resistance existed, tions" about the swing toward ently they await a signal
accused of collaboration to two Jewish groups that the
resistance here is Alex- that the Nazi crime met a the capitalist West was the from Moscow—a signal which
with the Nazis. There were operated in the resistance in ander (Sasha) Pechorski, measure of reaction now be- veteran leadership of the is not yet forthcoming and
leaves them in limbo.
THE PETROIT JEWISH NEWS whose exploits are a record ing nobly recorded. —P.S. Syrian Communist Party,
2—Friday, July 26, 1974

Did Jews resist the Nazi those who submitted to Ger-
terrorists? There was de- man demands and followed
fiance and active opposition, orders in enforcing the op-
and a new work by a French pressors' rules on Jews, but
Jewish writer, Lucien Stein-
berg, adds to the record of there
labored
also
to were
gain advantages
many who
heroism against great odds for the - Jewish sufferers.
There were, some who com-
in World War II.
mitted suicide in order not to
In "Not
as a Hitler,"
Lamb —
the be collaborators, others ask-
Jews
Against
trans-
ed the Germans to shoot them
lated by Marion C. Hunter so that they might be rescued
and published by Atheneum, from the taskmasters' roles.
many hitherto unknown The names of heroes of the
names
of activists
and have
of resistance
like Adam
Czerni-
noteworthy
incidents
kov of Warsaw,
who
com-

,