THE JEWISH NEWS Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of Jill!! .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 \V. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield. .Lich. Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Suliscrilition $10 a year. PHILIP SLOMOVITZ Editor and Publisher CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ Business Manager NEW OLYMPIC PITT DREW LIEBERWITZ Advertising Manager Alan Iiitsky, News Editor . . . Heidi Press. .kssist alit News Editor Sabbath Scriptural Selections This Sabbath, the 11th day of Av, 5736, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 40:1-26. Candle lighting, Friday, Aug. 6, 8:27 p.m. VOL. LXIX, No. 22 Page Four August 6, 1976 Alarmists Need Confidence Injection Conceding that he may sound alarmist, Secretary of Commerce Elliott L. Richardson nevertheless made comments last week that do not contribute to confi- dence in an eventual American emergence into new strength economically, despite whatever threats may come to it from the oil-infested Arab domains. Richardson sounded especially fright- ful on possible effects of another oil em- bargo that may match the near-calamitous experiences of 1973-74. He overlooked the fact that even then the danger to the United States was exaggerated and the tragedy was in the submission to Arab pressures by most European countries and by Japan. The disturbing factor in the latest Richardson statement was his comment on possible effects of another oil embargo on American-Israel relations. He described a new embargo as being "literally catas- trophic," throwing millions of Americans out of work and in relation to the effects on American friendship for Israel he declared: "But, perhaps more seriously, it is reasonable to imagine that pressures would mount for a prompt international 'solution,' " Richardson said. He said some would counsel abandoning Israel while others would "de- mand forceful intervention against the Arabs." "Whether political leaders could resist irrational pressures, in such circumstances, and chart a rational course is highly uncer- tain. Given the risks and behavioral uncer- tainties involved, these are exactly the cir- cumstances which responsible policymakers must seek to avoid. "Yet these are exactly the circumstances toward which we may be headed." Immediately some news commentators quoted Richardson as predicting an Ameri- can "abandonment" of Israel, and the views of a member of President Ford's cabinet could at once be interpreted as a prediction of an antagonism evolving in the present Administration. This is both an apparent untruth and a panic-mongering that is de- plorable. What is needed is a firm principle of faith, a sense of confidence, that the Ameri- can position is not at the mercy of oil mag- nates. Also, there is need for confidence that the traditional friendship and coopera- tion between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. There is no other way for an American official, for any one in govern- ment and for responsible Americans to treat a major issue involving this nation's decencies in its foreign policies. Middle East: Augury of Moderation A revolt against authoritarian rule and effendi domination appears to be in evi- dence throughout the Middle East. Even in Uganda the military has com- menced efforts to oust the dictator, Idi Amin, whose buffoonery and inhumanities have made his country the laughing stock of the world. Operation Thunderbolt, the sen- sationally courageous Israeli rescue act of July 3, so well recorded in William Steven- son's "90 Minutes at Entebbe," may have speeded the Uganda revolution, but it was imminent in spite of it because of the dic- tator's insane mass murders of his oppo- nents. Then there is the Arab resentment at the actions of the ruler of Libya, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. The fact that Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sudan are involved in a pact aimed at getting rid of the Libyan tyr- ant proves that even in undemocratic areas there are limits to senseless dominations. Then there is the manner in which Yasir Arafat's arrogance was reduced and the terrorist leader was cowed by his very associates in previous operations, the Sy- rians, in the course of so-called peace moves in Lebanon. Arafat lost ground in his oppos- ition to the Christian factor in the Lebanese struggle, and his new pact with Syrias' President Hafez Assad spells his submis- sion to a measure of moderation. A Syrian official who preferred not to be identified even said, "Arafat really is a fool — any Palestinian leader who stands against Syria is not only a fool but is acting against the Palestinian cause, for without Syria there is no Palestine." The entire question of Palestine and the reality of a Palestinian entity are under question, but the designation of Arafat by a Syrian is of importance in the evolving Middle East crises. The test will come in the event of the creation of an independent Christian state in Lebanon. Will such a state break away from Moslem domination sufficiently to form a peace alliance with Israel? If it will remain a partner in strife with Israel then another hope for an accord will be de- stroyed. Once again the civilized must wait for time to know how the problems created by saber-rattlers are solved. Felon Spiro the Hater Spiro Agnew says he is not an anti- Semite or a bigot. He only claims the right to hate Israel and his new role is that of distor- ter of truth by means of misquotations in a bulletin he is issuing in behalf of an anti- Israel (undeniably anti-Jewish) hate sheet. So, Spiro the confessed felon, who has already disgraced the Vice Presidential re- cord, keeps spouting hatred and does not wish to be labeled a bigot. But as a hater he emerges unchallenged. The American people whose trust he has sullied has al- ready learned how to judge the felon-hater. Yet the communications media give him a platform. It's a platform for hate as much as for the hater. Additional Ktonton Story Enriches Weilerstein Series Ktonton, the Little One, had become a legendary figure in Jewish juvenile literature, thanks to its author Sadie Rose Weilerstein. With the appearance of the new Jewish Publication Society title by Miss Weilerstein, "Ktonton on an Island in the Sea," the Weiler- stein Ktonton series gains new fascination. In this latest adventure, Ktonton, owing to a fortuitous mishap, is transported to a secret island. Like Robinson Crusoe, he demon- strates his imagination and resourcefulness. The thumb-sized boy manages to feed himself on grasses, seeds, and berries •(all kosher, of course), find clothing and shelter (showing great ingenuity and pluck), properly observe all Sabbaths and festivals (including a Shavuot cele- bration), and make friends with the local wildlife. He even solves an ancient dispute concerning the swallows and the destruction of the Temple in ancient Jerusalem. Most important of all, before he is safely returned to his parents, Ktonton uses the occasion of his adventure to instruct his readers in the ways of Jewish tradition and folklore. The minuscule hero made his first appearance in "The Adven- tures of Ktonton" (1935), a book that has gone through repeated print- ings and is considered a classic of Jewish juvenile literature. This vol- ume was followed, in 1964, by "Ktonton in Israel." The author describes "Ktonton on an Island in the 4' Sea" as "a hitherto unreported episode in the life of the Jewish thumbling" that took place "before Ktonton went to Is- rael." The book is illustrated by Michael Berenstain, whose black and white drawings effectively capture the spirit and charm of this island tale. Berens- tain, a young artist who lives in the Phil- adelphia area, is the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, noted illustrators of chil- dren's books. This is his first published work. Mrs. Weilerstein, who is 81-years- old, makes her home in Atlantic City, where her late husband, Benjamin, served for many years as the rabbi of the Community Synagogue of Atlantic City. Mrs. Weilerstein has been the recipient of a special Jewish Book Council of America award for her "cumulative contribution to Jewish juvenile writing" and of the Yovel Award given by the National Wom- en's League of the United Synagogue of America (now the Women's League for Conservative Judaism) "in recognition of her outstanding and pioneer contributions to the world of books for Jewish children." , In addition to her Ktonton series, Mrs. Weilerstein is the author "What the Moon Brought," "Little New Angel," and "Ten and a K.. Concerning Ktonton, the author has noted: "Ktonton came into being one evening when my husband found a story by the Hebrew writer S. Y. Agnon in a periodical and read it aloud to me. In the story, the hero, Rabbi Gadiel Hatinok, a tiny rabbi, finger-sized but adult, saves his people from a blood accusation . . . 'What is Daddy reading to you ?' our little son asked. Rashly, I answered, 'About a tiny person, so high,' sticking up my thumb. Of course, he insisted on hearing the story. How could one tell a five-year-old a story about a blood accusation? I turned the tiny person into a thumb-sized boy much like himself except for size, who took a ride on a chopping knife and wished he hadn't. Four generations of children have laughed at the escapade." Now, with the appearance of "Ktonton on an Island in the Sea," a new generation of children can take pleasure in the latest-adventure of Ktonton.