2 Friday, anuary 14, 1977
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
A Legacy From a Great Scholar . . . Solomon Zeitlin's
Dedicated Tasks as Researcher in Historical Truths
and as Devoted Teacher . . . His 'Who Is a Jew' Credo
By Philip
Slomovitz
of the laws through new interpretations will arouse
great opposition from the ultra-Orthodox.
Undoutedly it will do so; this is to be expected.
The sages during the Second Commonwealth were
also confronted with great opposition from the Sad-
ducees who were the ultra-orthodox of that time.
To sum up: The answer to the question Who is a
Jew? is that anyone who is born of a Jewish mother or
one who has embraced Judaism regardless of
whether he observes or does not observe the pre-
cepts, is a Jew.
Judaism is a universal religion and no one can
exclude himself. The religious authorities have not
the right to exclude any Jew. This definition is the
verdict of Jewish history.,
This is like a warning to all Jews to take into ac
count the realities of life. Dr. Zeitlin was an ordained
rabbi and he certainly did not reject traditions. But he
did not write off the vast majority of Jews who are not
as geared towards complete observance. In essence, he
could have advocated the reassembling of a Sanhedrin
to revise many of the obscure laws. It was done in
ancient times, why not now?
In Israel, for example, it is said that 80 percent of
the people are secularists. They are not viewed. as
outcasts, just as the ecularists in this country must
not be outcast from Jewish society. A change in the
obscure can accomplish the wonders that extremism
does not achieve.
' Solomon Zeitlin was more than the world's out-
standing authority on the Second Commonwealth. He
was the man of courage who dared defy all, Jews and
Christians, on the question of the antiquity of the
Dead Sea Scrolls. He believed them to belong to the
Middle Ages, six or seven centuries later than claimed
by those who glorified the findings, and he said so. He
was as firm in his views as he was accurate in h'is
historical analyses. He left a legacy that will dominate
Jewish studies for generations to come, and for such
.gifts his name is engraved in the records of Jewish
scholarship.
The Legacy of a Great Scholar:
Zeitlin on 'Who Is a Jew'
A tribute to a great scholar like Solomon Zeitlin is
not a one time expression of appreciation for the per-
son's notable gifts to his people and to mankind. Sol-
omon Zeitlin merits more than passing mention of his
name now that he is gone.
He had his wish: there were no eulogies for him, as
he had requested in his final testament. But the ap-
preciative, those who knew of his creative work during
a rich lifetime, the knowledgeable who admired his
kindness, his lack of venom, his modesty, will not
forget and will not hesitate to pay honor to a name that
will long live in the records of Jews who were devoted
to learning and to teaching.
A significant tribute to Prof. Zeitlin was the
obituary article in the New York Times, Dec. 20, 1976.
Israel Shenker, the well-ii 'ormed writer on educa-
tional topics, authored an obituary that admirably de-
scribed Dr. Zeitlin's devotion to his students and to his
labors as a historian and brilliant researcher. It was
one of the most meritorious resumes of a life that was
dedicated to fact and not to fiction.
Dr. Zeitlin was a realist and an idealiSt. Only a
month before his passing, when he hosted a dinner in
Philadelphia for this commentator and his wife, he
was the same man of charm he was a decade earlier.
He was feeble, walked slowly with the aid of a cane, but
his ideas were firm. He then spoke of the importance of
survival by creative forces, of the importance to
Judaism of a strong Christianity, and he said he was
convinced Judaism will be strong only when there is a
solid Christian community.
He had his views on many matters, including the
so-called Good Will movement of which he was critical,
as was indicated in a book review on the editorial page
of the The Jewish News, Jan. 7.
His collected essays appear in three volumes enti-
tled "Studies in the Early History of Judaism." How
regrettable that all of his collected works have not yet
been gathered for appreciation by future generations.
In one of the reviews of his books, Jewish News,
June 28, 1974, he was quoted on the subject "Who Is a
Jew." He expressed an opinion which must be viewed
as a credo as well as an admonition to fellow Jews to be
tolerant of each other, to be realistic, not to submit to a
fanaticism. Here is that significant statement:
Unfortunately, the religious leaders in Israel have
the psychology and mentality which developed among
them in the ghettos of Poland, Lithuania and
Romania. They seek to preserve the Judaism and the
religious practices which were in vogue in Europe
without recognizing the fact that these religious laws
were once enacted as a safeguard for Judaism to sur-
vive in the ghettos, and some were used as a preven-
tion from assimilation with other people.
These laws have out-lived their purpose in the
free state of Israel. Religious life in Israel is indeed in
a chaotic state. There is not only a wide gulf but a
feeling of hostility prevails between the secularists
and the religionists. The religionists, who are a
minority of the population, want to enforce the reli-
gious rites of Eastern Europe on the young genera-
tion of the land.
The religious leaders of today should seek to
bring religion into consonance with life, emulating
the wisdom of the sages of the Second Jewish Com-
monwealth who did so. Although the Pentateuch was
the basis of the Jewish law and was the constitution of
the people, the sages did not hesitate to interpret and
amend the pentateuchal laws.
If the religious leaders of Israel would have the
foresight, wisdom and courage to make Judaism a
living religion it would have great influence on the
entire Jewry.
They should follow the principles of the sages of
the Second Jewish Commonwealth who interpreted
and modified the laws in order to make religion a vital
force. The religious leaders should strive to adjust
the halakhot by interpretation to the religious . and
social needs of the Jewish people.
Some may be apprehensive that the modification
Philip Slomovitz, Jewish News
Publisher, Gets El Al Award
'Postponement of the World Zionist Congress
Has Accomplished Several Positive Aspects
By YITZHAK SHARGIL
TEL AVIV (JTA)— The
Zionist Congress Court's
ruling last year that elec-
tions must be held for all
delegates to the next
World Zionist Congress
embarrassed those ele-
ments in the Zionist
movement who wanted to
avoid the costly process
by allowing individual
Zionist federations to
agree to a single slate.
It also forced post-
ponement of the Congress
In recognition of "distinguished service in the
promotion of air travel to Israel," El Al Israel Airlines
presented an award to Jewish News editor and publisher
Philip Slomovitz on Jan. 5, on the eve of his 20th trip to
Israel with Mrs. Slomovitz. The award was made on
behalf of ihe -Israel airlines by El Al district manager,
Ami Spector.
the people of Israel and
Amos Turin, El Al
senior vice president for American Jewry. The
support and promotion of
North and Central
America stated at a re- El Al during these years
should be a source of
cent presentation honor-
great satisfaction to you
ing Philip Slomovitz:
"Permit me on behalf of and your newspaper.
"On this, your 20th
the management and
flight to Israel via El Al,
employees of El Al to ex-
may we express our
press to you our most pro-
deepest thanks and most
found gratitude for your
loyalty and support in all- profound appreciation."
the years you have stood
* _* *
by us.
Bicentennial
Group
"The spirit displayed by
people like yourself is the Honors Slomovitz
secret of our success in
The American Revolu-
good times and gives us tion Bicentennial Ad-
confidence and strength ministration has
when the events of the awarded Philip Slomovitz
day tend to discourage us. a Certificate of Apprecia-
"The people of Israel tion "for the personal
are proud of their airline contributions made in
and its part in gathering molding our nation's
in our people from the Bicentennial."
ends of the earth.
The certificate was sent
"For a quarter of a cen- Dec. 31 from John W.
tury El Al has played a Warner, and Jean McKee,
major role in the inspir- Bicentennial adminis-
ing partnership between trators.
Maccabia Games
Will Attract 2,000
RAMAT GAN, Israel —
At least 2,000 sportsmen
from 32 countries will
participate in the 10th
Maccabia Games, to be
held in Israel July 12-21.
Four new sports will be
added this year to the
traditional Olympic-style
list of events: badminton,
squash, mini-football and
karate. Another innova-
tion is a bridge tourna-
ment, and chess will re-
turn to the program after
an absence of 40 years.
The opening ceremony
will take place at the
Ramat Gan Stadium,
near Tel Aviv, and for the
first time, the closing
ceremony will be held at
the Western Wall in
Jerusalem, after a march
of the athletes through
the streets of the city.
In addition, a number
of countries will send
folklore groups, who will
perform between the ath-
letic events and at special
gymnastic displays in
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and
Haifa.
which was to have opened
in Jerusalem this month.
But those negative as-
pects have been more
than overshadowed by
the new zest and en-
thusiasm of Zionist
groups all over the world
as they prepare for the
democratic process of
casting ballots.
There has been a re-
newed momentum of ac-
tivity related not only to
the Zionist Congress but
in the areas of Zionist in-
formation and educa-
tional activities abroad
and plans to bring large
groups of overseas Jews,
especially youth, to Israel
in the coming year.
Avraham Shenker, head
of the World Zionist Or :
ganization's information
and organization depart-
ment, said that the WZO
Executive will recommend
the last week of February,
1978 as the date for the
next Zionist Congress.
The Executive ap-
- proved that date this
week in a 8-1 vote.
The Congress elections
in various countries are
expected to be held bet-
ween September and De-
cember, 1977, thus avoid-
ing any conflict with Is-
rael's national elections
scheduled for May 17.
The central office of the
WZO in Jerusalem and
the various regional and
national federations ab-
road, are concentrating
their election prepara-
tions among several sec-
tors of the Zionist consti-
tuency. One is the party
level, including the world
unions of various Zionist
parties.
Another, Dor Hahem-
shech, involves the
younger generation of
adults, those between
ages 30-40. A third group
is made up of students
and other youths, espe-
cially those now aged 17
who will be eligible to vote
for Congress delegates
when they turn 18.
Finally, there are the
commmunity organiza-
tions and synagogues ab-
road affiliated with the
WZO.
Shenker reported on the
success of seminars held
in Israel for executives of
JeWish communal organi-
zations in smaller cities
and towns abroad where
AVRAHAM SHENKER
there are significant
Jewish communities.
Seminars are also held for
Jews in the communica-
tions media, especially
suburban and regional
newspapers.
About 700 persons, rep-
resenting 21 groups in
six countries, attended a
special seminar series in
Israel this year for
Jewish academicians,
Shenker reported.
In the field of informa-
tion, he noted that Israel
desks were established in
Boston and Denver last
year. A special Cana-
dian-Israeli teachers'
course was introduced at
Bar-Ilan University.
Shenker reported on
the progress of negotia-
tions with the world or-
ganization of Conserva-
tive Judaism which will
affiliate with the WZO
along the same lines as
the Reform movement
did earlier.
He also reported that
Brazilian authorities have
approved of the Tapuz
Plan which brings
Brazilian-Jewish youth to
Israel during the citrus
picking season. The Brazi-
lian Minister of Education
and his aides are due in Is-
rael shortly to view
citrus-picking at kibutzim.
Shenker reported that
some 1,800 Jewish yout' -
from Latin America
countries came to Israel
last year in the
framework of the Tapuz
Plan and their number is
expected to double this
year.
In addition, an experi-
mental project will get
under way this year to
bring young Jewish
couples to Israel to work
at kibutzim. The plan was
initiated by the Maccabi
World Union.
The first 34 couples
from the Hebraica-
Maccabi Club in Buenos
Aires are expected in Is-
rael this month.