THE JEWISH NEWS

Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of Jnly 20. 195/

Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515
. Nine Mile, Suite 5, Southfield, A, lich. -N/75.
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $10 a year.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Editor and Publisher

CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ

DREW LIEBERWITZ

Business Manager

Advertising Manager

Ilan tlitsky. Nelis Editor . . . Heidi Press. %ssistant Neu, Editor

Shemini Azeret Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the 22nd day of Tishri, 5736, is Shemin?.
Azeret, and the following scriptural selections will be read in our
synagogues..
Pentateuchal portion, Dent. 14:22-16:17 and Num. 29:35-30:1. Prophetical portion, I kings
8:54-66.

Simhat Torah. Sunday

Pentateuchal portion, Deut. 33:1-34:14 Gen. 1:1-2:3; Nom. 29:35-30:1.
Prophetical portion, Joshua 1:1-18.

Candle lighting. Friday. Sept. 26. 7:05 p.m.

VOL. LX.N III , No. 3

Page Four

Friday. September 26. 1975

Simhat Torah: Strength in Faith

Simhat Torah — Rejoicing in the Law — young Jews asserting their identification with
summarizes the strength inherent in Jewish their people.
spiritual continuity.
Similarly, the loyalties to faith have been in
Happiest of the festivals on the Jewish cal- evidence on this day of rejoicing in the syn-
endar, Simhat Torah derives its significance agogue. In the course of the years, during trying
from the joy inherited from the treasures of the times, and when the assimilationism stemming
creative Jewish spiritual values.
Simhat Torah is rooted not only in the faith from modernizations drew many of the youth
of the Jew but also in his devotion to learn while away from the Jewishness of home and house of
achieving that faith. Therefore the idealipm worship, there was a diminution of observance.
But the faithful remnant always carried the To-
demonstrated while rejoicing in the Law also is rah
high and proudly. It is this remnant, hope-
marked by a love for the Torah, for the sacred
fully
a growing.one, that gives solidity and
texts in the Sefarim carried in the procession of strength
of Siinhat Torah.
the Scrolls during the Festival's observance.
In the experience of time, the Torah Scroll
During the most trying days of the oppres-
sions suffered by Jews in the Soviet Union there has been imperiled. During the Inquisition,
were amazingly revealing reports of Simhat when the Czarist pogromists were massacring
Torah observances and demonstrations of Jew- Jews ilt Russia, in the brutal years of Nazism,
ish loyalty by Russian Jews, especially at the the Torah was defiled. Its glory was always re-
vived by spirited Jews who carried it high and
Moscow synagogue that was overcrowded with
endlessly rejoice in it.

Seeking End to Harvest of Doubts

In the two-year span of time since the Yom
lution of the inflated Middle East problems.
Kippur ,War the news media have been filled
Perhaps the near future will witness a mea-
with so many contradictions, intermingled with
sure
of good sense by Israel's neighbors in a
such a variety of despairing prophecies, that a
growing spirit of amity. Just as Egypt's Presi-
less stoic people than Israel's might have col-
dent Anwar el-Sadat has acted in the interest of
lapsed from fright.
better economic and human relations for his
Yet the agonies created by the inconsisten-
people
who are in great need of peace as a means
cies inflicted upon the concerned and the impa-
of obviating a decline in their standard of living,
tient have . not subsided. The prophets of doom
so, also, the other neighbors of Israel may come
are perched irremovably in editorial pages and
to
their senses and appreciate the preference of
television studios. - The search for sensations
persists. Every rumor is a source for more pan- good will to unending warfare.
If the process of attaining mutual respect
ic-inspiring auguries.
by the nations of
Mediterranean area is to
Certainly there is little cause for too much
optimism for the immediate future. Even if the become a reality, there will be a need for further
concessions. In the interest of peace Israel will
major dangers for Israel were to be limited to
be wiser to listen to the doves arid to reduce
the terrorists the cause for concern would not
whatever
hawkism has developed.
diminish. The suicidal aims of the followers of
The
aspired
peace is the vital need of the
terror-inspiring haters of Israel compels unend-
new
era
that
is
approaching
now that the first
ing vigilance. The terrorists, in the knowledge of
steps to an accord have been made under Ameri-
the hopelessness of their tasks in Israel proper,
can tutelage.
are extending their ruthlessness to foreign em-
Only an end to hostilities and an acceptance
bassies, to capitals of the world where their
of peaceful terms can provide the hope for good
aims are unsuspected. They remain, therefore, a
neighborliness; and only then will there be the
menace to.Israel and to mankind.
possibility of uprooting the evils that stem for
The negotiations with the three Arab coun-
Israel and for mankind from the inhumanities
tries primarily involved in Israel's status, Egypt,
of terrorism.
Syria and Jordan, undoubtedly will be long and
tedious. They will be marked by uncertainties,
they will demand concessions, they will be .the
cause of much bitterness.
The American role can not be ignored and
While Christians are fighting Moslems over
the Soviet Union may not remain as silent as the
the
horrors
imposed upon Lebanon by the ter-
Kremlin's rulers have been during the Israel-
rorists who have made that country their head-
U.S.-Egypt discussions of a pact involving the
quarters in an aim to destroy Israel, Egyptians
Sinai.
are
demonstrating in support of their presi-
Therefore, the tenseness which may abate
dent's
pact with Israel. The latter, too, is an act
for a while is certain to return.
of
protest
against the Arafat-inspired striving
Under such conditions of certainty about
for
terror.
Both protest obstructions blocking
repetitive agonies the necessity arises for a mod-
the
vitally
needed
Arab unity for peace.
icum of patience, for consideration of the issues
Can war be averted under such circum-
with calmness.
stances? In the struggle for amity between two
The pact with Egypt, under the aegis of kindred nations, history is being recorded — in
American leadership, must be viewed as more Lebanon it is in blood ;
in Cairo it will hopefully
than a sigh of temporary relief. It offers cause lead towards teaching war-mongering Arabs the
for appreciation of an approach to a hopeful so- need for peaceful relations with neighbors.
.,

Middle

as Tragedies

3 Behrman-Printed Volumes • •
Worthwhile Educational Aids

Israel's many faces, its language, minorities, modern cities, war
experience and varied religious denominations have been presented in
a noteworthy textbook "The Jews of Israel: History and Sources."
Published by Behrman House, the paperbacked volume was com-
piled by Nora Benjamin Kubie, with its sources section edited by Marc
R. Silverman. Photographs, both historical and current, and maps
and sketches highlight the easily read and conveniently subdivided
textbook geared for children in the upper elementary school grades. In
the margins, the reader is referred to related readings which appear
in the sources section and throughout the rest of the book.
Beginning with the biblical period, the book traces the history of
Israel, creation of Zionism, developments in housing, science and
,dustry and its current problems and hopes for the future.
Describing the relationship of the Palestinians to Israel, the au-
thor states:
"On the whole the Arab population was law-abiding and-coopera-
tive. Rut the resentment of the refugees who had fled Israel earlier,
, during the War of Independence, only increased with time. Most of
them still lived in the squalid refugee camps. Very few had been reset-
tled or given employment in the host countries or the rest of the Arab
world. Israel, for security's sake, could not afford to take back so large
a group of poteaial enemies. The number of refugees through the
addition of non-Palestinians eager for United Nations aid, plus a high
birth rate, had swollen to over a million. Out of their bitterness, the
Palestinian movement was born. Exiled Arabs of Palestinian birth or
descent formed the Al Fatah guerrillas, the Marxist Popular Front for
a Free Palestine, and other militant groups, most eventually repre-
sented by a central council, the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO). Proudly thesp Palestinians claimed responsibility for the mas-
sacre of civilians in market places, on the streets, in the crowded inter-
national airport. Often the victims were fellow Arabs."
The student is then referred to the sources section of the book
which, in a related reading, describes the Palestinian claim to Israel.
Its companion volume, "The Jews of America" was printed simul-
taneously with a workbook of sorts, "Student Inquiry Book"-designed
for use with that volume. Edited by Frances Long and also published
by Behrman, the workbook, a valuable study aid, asks the students
questions about what he has read in the text and for his opinions and
reactions. The workbook is illustrated with maps and sketches and
photographs relevant to the topic of discussion.
In the chapter on tzedaka, the student is asked to respond to the
following: "Can some of the aims of tzedaka be fulfilled even through
paid professions? Would it depend on how one was placed in that pro-
fession? How he conducted himself in it? What is your opin;. off-
hand?"
A third, valuable Jewish educational tool is Laura Karp's "Stu-
dent's Encounter Book" to be used with the text, "When a Jew Prays."
Published by Behrman, the encounter book is filled with puzzles, pic-
tures, drawings and games to test the elementary school-age child's
knowledge of the meaning of prayer..
As in the inquiry book, the child is asked to respond with his
feelings to a number of questions. A section on thunderstorms reads
as follows: "Thunderstorms cause feelings within us. One way in
which we express our feelings about the universe and its power is
through prayer. Make a list of feelings you've had which have led you
to pray."
Later in the book, the student is challenged to use his creativity
and reason with the following assignment: "Write your own prayer
below. Try to reflect in the prayer something very important to you as
an individual — important enough to pray for."
Amply illustrated, the three new booklets provide students with
an excellent opportunity to learn, utilize their creative abilities and
apply what they have learned to their own lives.

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