THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue oPuly 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 865, Southfield,
Mich. 48075. Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $10 a
year.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
Business Manager
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Alan Hitsky, News Editor . . . Heidi Press, Assistant News Editor -
Rosh Hashana Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath is Rosh. Hashana, the first day of Tishri, 5737, and the following
. scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 21:1-
34; Num. 29:1-6. Prophetical portion, I Samuel 1:1-2:10.
_Sunday, second day of Rosh Hash.ava, Pentateuch& portion, Gen. 22:1-24; Num.
29:1-6. Prophetical portion, Jeremiah 31:2-20.
Fast Of Gedaliah, Monday
Prophetical portion, Exod. 32:11-14; 34:1-10. Prophetical portion, afternoon only,
Isaiah 55:6-56:8.
erandlelighting, Friday, Sept. 24, ",,g5 p.m.
VOL. LXX, No. 3
Page Four
Friday, September 24, 1976
Communal Glories and Duties
American Jewry may be under greater challenge than ever be-
fore in the months ahead. Both on the home front and in obligations
to fellow Jews overseas, the needs to be cared for are so immense that
no matter how great the desire to emphasize the cultural-spiritual
aspect of the Jewish People there are the philanthropic respon-
sibilities not be to ignored.
The duty to make Israel secure and to continue the task of
elevating the educational standards of the Jewish state remains
supreme. Israel's role represents a primary obligation to be faced by
Jews everywhere. The state must be defended and its spiritual val-
ues must be held aloft as much as those of Diaspora Jewry.
The economic factor in Israel's existence is one of major impor-
tance at this time. The inflationary effects on the economic life of
Israel have proven much more threatening than upon most com-
munities in the world. The imperativeness of large funds for defen-
sive purposes is understandable and the effects on the universities
as well as the primary and secondary schools are as grave as those
that have caused so much distress even in rich America.
Therefore, those who are obligated to share in assuring Israel
stolidity must take into account the philanthropic appeals that are
directed towards continuity of all actions leading to national- nor-
malcy for Israel.
Fulfillment of such obligations is a necessity in treating the
appeals that are made constantly for the United Jewish Appeal, for
the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, Tel Aviv, Haifa and the
Negev universities and the Technion which has earned the designa-
tion of a role similar to MIT, as the leading scientific center in the
entire Middle East.
Then there are the duties in the Diaspora, with the special
concerns for us in the United States. Scores of national agencies
need help. The settlement of Russian Jews, with a priority cor Israel,
has taxed the energies of local and national emigration agencies.
Primary in the obligations at home are the educational institu-
tions, the local schools and the national seminaries, universities and
other branches of the classification of higher learning.
The local and national educational needs must be met with un-
precedented generosity. This applies to the theological seminaries
which are not to be ignored if there are to be teachers in the Jewish
communities. Then there are the schools of higher learning like
Dropsie University and others.
On the home front there are the elementary schools, the high
schools which must be given renewed encouragement and the col-
legiate factors like the Midrasha in Detroit, Boston and other major
cities.
In the consideration of the local school systems added considera-
tion must now be given to the Day School system. It is from these
schools that students emerge with a maximum of Jewish studies.
Such schools must be strengthened. They must have encouragement
and, therefore, the financial assistance to assure a dignified exist-
ence and strength that will give courage to pupils and teachers alike.
Repetitive emphasis on education as the primary obligation by
this generation to the oncoming one contains the added factor of a
recognition of the urgency of adult education programs. Such
policies are common in Jewish tradition. It had been mandatory for
Jews gathering for prayers in synagogues, day in and day out, and
also on the Sabbath days, to precede the prayers with studies of the
Pirke Avot, the Midrash, the reading and interpreting. of Psalms.
Thus the adult studies are part of traditional Jewish dedications to
learning.
If New Year pledges are to be made, a desire to strengthen the
adult education program should receive due consideration.
The obligations are immense. They must not be shirked. They
must be met with the dignity that has made communities like Great-
er Detroit Jewry a responsive element in Jewish ranks. That role
must continue without hesitation.
"May you be inscribed for a good year"
,
An Accounting for the New Year
History's repetitive aspects are so definitely affirmed in human experi-
ence that whatever is judged whenever a new era occurs on the calendar is
mere redundance. Nevertheless, there always emerge concerns, curiosities
and dedications to certain needs for individuals and communities that compel .
an accounting whenever a new year approaches.
The year 5737 on the_ Jewish calendar follows on the heels of another
twelve-month period that was filled with so many anxieties and so much
turbulence that it merits consideration of what may be in store for Jewry and
mankind and how the incoming period is to be anticipated.
At the outset there is the compelling submission to the reality of an:
saying that "wie es christekt sich so judelt sich," that there are similar effeks
in human relations on Jews and their fellow men.
Indeed, if the incoming year were to be expected to be calamitous it would
be a prediction of terrifying expectations for all mankind. On the contrary,
there is cause to believe as 5736 is ending that the lessons of the past will be
guiding mankind towards better days, that there will be a new spirit that will
defy the terrorizing elements who have made life miserable for many. .
The past'years were filled with terror and with fears. In many areas there
is an awakening to the dangers and there is hope that the violence that
afflicted man's soul will be reduced to such a degree that fears will vanish.
Israel and Jewry undoubtedly will continue to experience the effects of the
insanities at the hypocritical United Nations, but the most serious of .attacks
from those quarters have been overcome. They will be faced with dignity and
courage again in the months ahead.
In 5737 there may be no panaceas, but the lessons of the past have pre-
pared a generation able to overcome many dangers. Therefore, it is to be
anticipated that 5737 will be a better year than those that preceded it. In that
hope goes forth the good wish for a very good year to readers and friends and
communities everywhere.