THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle coin meneing with the issue of July 20. 151:31
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Alan Hitsky. News Editor . . . Heidi Press, Assistant News Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 18th day of Tevet, 5737, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Genesis 47:28-50:26. Prophetical portion, I Kings 2:1-12.
Candle lighting, Friday, Jan. 7, 4:59 p.m.
VOL. LXX,No.- 18
Page Four
Friday, January 7, 1977
Humanism for the Handicapped
When the planners for community ac-
tion in support of more than 60 causes, in-
cluding the Israeli and the many local and
national and local social and educational
services, met a short time ago in an annual
budgeting conference, there was evidence
of a mounting concern over the needs that
must be provided for the handicapped, for
the retarded, for those who must have the
assistance of their fellow men in guiding
them to security and to a sense of dignity in
confronting life's challenges.
Concern for Israel retains priority in
philanthropic planning and the United
Jewish Appeal is the major beneficiary of
the Allied Jewish Campaigns. The 60 causes
in the drives are not being ignored. The Day
Schools will surely receive increased sup-
port. A new step in the direction of
humanism is the appeal in behalf of the re-
tarded in support of the handicapped whose
dignity must be protected, whose sharing
a good life must not be minimized, whose
right to work, regardless of the accom-
lishments they are able to achieve, must
_lave encouragement and should be pro-
vided for.
Two agencies relate to f;ie task ahead in
salving the co - .iscience of ',he citizenry in its
relationships with the 1 , _:ss fortunate in its
midst. The Jewish Vocational Service re-
nders an important service and its role must
be rated among the priorities in human ob-
ligationS. The JVS Workshop provides activ-
ity for the handicapped. It raises the spirit
of many who would have suffered greatly
from the indignity of unemployment and
boredom. Those who are cared for by the
JVS may produce the minimum, but the
satisfaction earned from the opportunities
to work provided by a responsible agency is
the height of compassion.
The JVS has opportunities to increase
its services, to care for many more, to get
into an Oakland County area for action
additional to the JVS workshop in Detroit.
The appeal for help in this sphere of activity
must be given the highest consideration for
a very vital program in dealing with human
needs.
The other movement that is related to
the JVS in its needs is the Association for
the Jewish Retarded. This association has
the serious duty of assuring a good home life
for the handicapped who depend upon it for
guidance. There is the need for activity and
employment, work opportunities being pro-
vided by the JVS. A wholesome home life
must be created for those who need the
human touch. Construction of new homes
for the adult retarded, planned by the As-
sociation for Jewish Retarded, will need
communal assistance.
While JVS is a leading agency of the
Jewish Welfare Federation, the association
that cares for the retarded is yet to become
such an affiliate. This can not come too soon.
Both groups are involved in one of the
most urgent tasks demanding the human
and compassionate response. It is one of the
major obligations for a community that
cares.
Federation Apartments: Progress
A decision of great significance, marked communal need.
by the announcement of the addition to be
Expert supervision is being provided
constructed to the Federation Apartments, the expanded project and the seriousness
is heartening to all who are concerned with with which the entire undertaking has been
the obligation to provide the best facilities treated deserves highest commendations.
for the elderly.
The leadership assumed for this work
The already functioning Federation by one of the community's youngest leaders,
Apartments provides comfort for so many Mark Schlussel, adds immensely to an ap-
who are able to care for themselves without preciation of the great values inherent in
the need of a home for the aged or a nursing the project.
home that added provisions became a vital
Many hundreds undoubtedly will file
necessity.
applications for admission to the new Fed-
Now with aid of HUD, with the assis- eration Apartments annex. It is to be hoped
tance that comes in such cases from the fed- that there will be a lessening of pressures in
eral government, there will be an extention filling demands for admissions as a result of
of the available housing and hundreds more availability of so many more apartments.
will benefit from the efforts made by the The needs are treated with caution, and this
Jewish Welfare Federation and its agency, is an aid to the applicants and a tribute to a
Federation Apartments, to fill the great community that does not forget them.
Quakers and PLO Absolution
Is the absolution of the PLO for the
many crimes which have stained their re-
cord of terrorism a step in the direction of
peace? Are those whose platform has called
for Israel's extinction to be trusted prior
even to the basic guarantee of Israel's un-
challenged security?
The American Friends Service Commit-
tee — the Quakers — compel the raising of
this issue with the call for a conference to
impel President Carter to grant recognition
to the PLO and to give it status in all tasks
related to Israel's future.
If this is to be the path on which the
liberals are to direct consideration of the
serious issues affecting the Middle East,
there is cause for much concern. That a
prominent Israeli should be the authority
for such concessions is a matter calling for
explanation by Israel's authorities and pub-
lic opinion. For those anxious that Israel
should not be harmed the Quaker move is
cause for great apprehension.
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Historic Disputations Mark
Notable Disputes Anthology ;
Zeitlin on Good Will Tasks
Editor's Note: This review was written before the
death of Prof. Zeitlin in Philadelphia on Dec. 28.
Through the centuries there have been many encounters
between Jews and Christians which involved disputations and
dialogues in the course of which the differing theologies were
discussed. Many of the disputations called for Jewish refuta-
tions of anti-Semitism and of antagonisms from Christians
ranks.
The history of such confrontations and the texts of decla-
rations by leaders of the two faiths who espoused Judaism and
Christianity are included in an anthology, "Disputation and
Dialogue: Readings in the Jewish-Christian Encounter," (Ktav)
edited by Rev. Frank Ephraim Talmage, member of the de-
partment of Near Eastern studies of the University of Toron4o.
An informative preface is appended to the book by the Rev.
Edward A. Synan, director of the Pontifical Institute of
Medieval Studies of Toronto.
The new Ktav volume provides great significance in the
names of the participants who represent both the Jewish and
Christian notbales who were or still are among the most noted
authorities en the question of famous disputes as well as the
dialogues which made history in the most recent years. .
The participants include such notables as. Martin Buber
and the very important essay under his name, a never-before
published document, "An Open Letter to Gerhard Kottel," and
is a reply to a Nazi. Such eminent historians as Joseph
Klausner, Moses Nahmanides, Solomon Schechter, Maurice
Samuel, Judah Halevi (the Kuzari classic), Abraham J. Heschel
and Moses Mendelssohn represent the Jewish scholarship.
Among the Christians included in the disputations are Reinhold
Niebuhr, Martin Luther, Augustine, Karl Barth, Frank Ep-
hraim Talmadge, Francisco Machadl, A. Roy Eckard and others.
The very names attest to the historicity of these collected
works.
In his scholarly introduction to his fifth edition of "Who
Crucified Jesus?";•Prof. Solomon Zeitlin questioned the value of
Christian-Jewish dialogues. He stated:
"In the Guidelines, dialogues between Christians and Jews
are strongly urged; this is certainly desideratum. The Jews and
Christians live on one planet, are members of one human soci-
ety, and have a common interest in the welfare of their country.
There is a great need for discussion between Christians and
Jews on moral and social issues besetting our civilizatio
"Other problems which might be discussed by both
are such issues as energy, unemployment, and sex. But not
religion. On this the Jews and Christians remain divided.
"However, originally, Christianity was essentially a sect of
Judaism. Frank discussions on the essence that now separates
the two could give offense fo one another, and this certainly is
neither healthy nor desirable. Such a situation may lead to a
monologue rather than a dialogue.
"The Jews throughout their history have shied away from
dip.logues with the Christians. It is true that during the Middle
Ages there were dialogues between Christians and Jews, but
these were forced upon the Jews, who were compelled to defend
their faith.
"Dialogue between Jew and _Christian on religion is con-
trary to the history of Judaism. The Jews follow the maxim of
the prophet Michah: "Let all the people walk each one in the
name of his God, but we will walk in the name of Adonai, our God
for ever and ever.' The words of the prophet are quite applicable
to our own days."