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THE JEWISH NEWS
qgwAND PRIZE
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chi•onicle commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
Member American AssoCiation of English-Jewish Newspapers. Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite S65, Southfield. Mich. 48075.
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $10 a year.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
Alan Hitsky, News Editor . . . Heidi Press, 1ssist ant
NI`N• S
Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 20th day of Heshvan, 5736, the fallowing scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Gem 18:1-22:24. Prophetical portion, II Kings 4:1-37.
Candle lighting. Friday, Oct. 24, 6:19 p.m.
VOL. LX V111, No. 7
Page Four
Friday, October 24, 1975
Hadassah Returns to Mount Scopus
Hadassah has returned to Mount Scopus!
The rededication of the Hadassah central
medical services on the mount that became even
more important historically by the modern ac-
tivities instituted by the women's Zionist move-
ment nearly half a century ago assumes interna-
tional importance. The return of Hadassah, in
the form of renewed medical services on a large-
scale humanitarian basis, is in many respects a
negation of terrorism. It is a resumption of the
merciful work instituted by a great movement.
Banned from its quarters by the Jordanian
assumption of power over the territory in 1948,
Hadassah carried on its health activities, with-
out prejudice, for Arabs as well as Jews, in the
New City of Jerusalem. The Six-Day War re-
sulted in the redemption of that territory and
provided the opportunity for rebuilding and a
return to the basic Hadassah functions of pro-
viding healing for the people of Israel. At no
.
time was there evidence of discrimination, and
Arabs from neighboring lands who were in need
of medical aid were welcomed by the women of
Hadassah.
Now the work begins anew on Mount Sco-
pus. American women have a great role in the
rededication. They helped carry on the tasks in
New Jerusalem quarters and they are the back-
ers of the efforts for extensive activities in the
Old City of Peace.
Together with the Hebrew University,
whose 50th anniversary was symbolized in re-
cent events, Hadassah sponsors medical and
dental schools.
The rededication, therefore, is occasion for
rejoicing and for acclaim for the return to civi-
lized tasks in an area which will, hopefully, be-
come an inspiration for peace and for good will
among all the people that are destined to benefit
from Hadassah services.
Boycott Must Be Fought Firmly
Instances involving submission to Arab
pressures, demands that participants in tours of
the Middle East assert, with proof from clergy-
men, that they are Christians, inspire increased
action by the American Jewish Committee for
an end to any encouragement that may be given
to such practices by the U.S. government.
One of the firms which submitted to such
pressures, the Advent Investment Company, im-
mediately reversed the consent it had inadver-
tently given as a tour participant to the pres-
sures from Arab sources.
In its campaign to prevent continued dis-
criminatory practices, the American Jewish
Committee has appealed to Secretary of State
Henry A. Kissinger that the State Department
be on guard against such prejudices, and World
Bank . President Robert S. McNamara has given
assurance that "when the World Bank wishes to
send a staff member to Saudi Arabia, no ban
will be imposed to the issuance of a visa on the
ground of religion."
The demands for action by government as
well as private agencies against submission to
the boycott and religious discrimination pres-
sures must not be relaxed.
The Israel-Egyptian pact engineered by
Secretary Kissinger supposedly provides, al-
though not in the published text, for an aban-
donment of Egyptian support for the Arab boy-
cott of Israel and of Jews and others who do
business with Israeli firms'. But the new pact is
in no sense enforceable, and the Arab states that
are showing antagonism to Anwar el Sadat cer-
tainly will not adhere to the agreed-upon provi-
sions. Therefore the Arab boycott remains a se-
rious matter to contend with and anything
approaching endorsement by American agencies
must be fought in all seriousness.
•
Obligations for Historical Accuracy
For the next eight months, speeches and ar-
ticles angled towards the celebration of the
American Revolution Bicentennial will be a
dime a dozen. Theologians and historians will be
on the lecture platforms. The pulpits will be at-
tuned to the American historical experiences.
Since the events will necessitate research
into history, careful study of biographical data
and analyses of changing mores, there is the ob-
ligation not to confuse the glamor of celebra-
tions with the necessity for basic facts and
realism.
The very basis for the Bicentennial celebra-
tion on a national scale seems to have been un-
dermined by plutocratic approaches. Had the
original plans been turned over to responsible
academicians and historians there might have
been proper planning for authoritative interpre-
tation of the nation's social, economic and politi-
cal developments. But the politicians took over
and from all evidence there is more confusion
than order in the overall planning.
This Ants to haphazard approaches, to
more or less undisciplined planning for observ-
ances of the nation's 200th anniversary of na-
tional independence. This means that whoever
lectures and interprets poses as the authority,
and unless there is basic and dedicated responsi-
bility to truth there may be distortions that will
prove harmful to historical truth.
Much is planned and promised in Jewish
ranks during the Bicentennial year. Rabbis will
sermonize, teachers will introduce special class-
room programs, efforts will be made to review
the legendary and to recall the humorous. All
of this is to the good, but the obligations remain
for all participants to adhere to truth and not to
attempt historical interpretations unless they
are truly based on confirmed facts.
There is great danger that misinterpreta-
tions may result in such dire confusions that it
will take another generation to correct misstate-
ments of realities. Much is certain to be pub-
lished during the Bicentennial year, and it is dif-
ficult to erase what has been printed. What is
said can be forgotten, what is written some-
times remains indelible.
Therefore the obligation: truth must prevail
in dealing with history during the approaching
eight months of American historical recapitula-
tion.
4•0%.717:k
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New Reform Siddur Nears
Totality of Traditionalism
If proof is needed for the claim in some quarters that Reform
Judaism is turning to the right and is assuming a traditional pose, it
will be found in the new prayer book published by the Central Confer-
ence of American Rabbis.
It has the title "Gates of Prayer," and the portals open a vast
Hebraic field of hymns and prayers which have been enhanced by
time.
The publication of this volume for Sabbath, weekday and festival
worship follows a plan for more extensive similar worship books, the
first being the Passover Hagada which became a best seller. Edited by
Rabbi Chaim Stern of Chappaqua, N. Y., the new siddur is the result
of extensive preparation.
Hope is expressed by the Central Conference of American Rabbis
that the new "Gates of Prayer" will become the standard Reform
prayer book, although the one presently in use will still be available
if the demand for it persists. Vast changes have been instituted since
the Reform prayer book of 1894. The current experiences, the Nazi
Holocaust, the rebirth of the state of Israel — all had their impact on a
new prayer book that is filled with traditional prayers and has the
value of an all-inclusive work whose 780 pages are packed with the
traditions that have dominated Jewish life through the ages. The serv-
ices in "Gates of Prayer" include specially arranged selections for Is-
rael's Independence Day and Holocaust Day, and authorities whose
creative literary works were utilized include such Orthodox-minded as
Prof. Abraham Heschel and Elie Wiesel.
The volume contains nine services for Sabbath evening, six for
Sabbath morning, and a variety of services for weekdays, festivals and
special occasions.
A major innovation of "Gates of Prayer" is the alternation of He-
brew and English on each page, rather than on facing pages as in other
prayerbooks. Formally indicated rubrics are kept to a minimum, and
different type styles are used as suggestions for reading and singing.
Congregations have the option of ordering either left-to-right or right-
to-left versions, and more than 40 percent of the 70,000 pre-publication
orders placed were for books with the traditional Hebrew opening.
The translations are new too, faithful to the Hebrew text yet sen-
sitive to contemporary English usage, as in this passage:
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your mind,
with all your strength,
with all your being.
Set these words,
which I command you this day,
upon your heart.
Teach them faithfully to your children;
speak of them
in your home and on your way,
when you lie down and when you rise up.
Bind them as a sign upon yourshand;
let them be a symbol before your eyes;
inscribe them on the doorposts
of your house, and on your gates.
Be mindful of all My Mitzvot, and do them;
so shall you consecrate yourselves to your God.
The editor, Rabbi Stern, comments: "We are a liberal Jewish
movement in a liberal environment. Refdrm Jews differ on many is-
sues, but agree that diversity offers opportunities. This prayerbook
reflects where we are spiritually and, I hope, where we are going."