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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 22nd day of A•, 5737, the following scriptural selections will be read in our
srnagogues:
&lila tench al portion,,Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 49:14-51:3.
Candle lighting . Friday. August 5.8:•8 p.m.
VOL. LXX1, No. 22
Page Four
Friday, August 5, 1977
A Hornet's Nest: Future Hopes
Some time ago, this editorial writer called at-
tention to a wish expressed by a prominent ex
pert on the media who said: "Let me write the
newspaper headlines and I don't care who
makes decisions or formulates government poli-
cies." A Free Press headline writer, over the
report of President Carter's news conference
on July 28, proved how destructive such power
can be. Carter had not said that Israel is the
peace obstructor. The article itself was cor-
rect. But the headline was, as often happens,
an invitation to misunderstanding, to increased
hatreds, to uncalled for prejudices.
Even worse is some editorializing. In that
same issue of the Free Press there was a story
about terroist bombings in Israeli areas—in
public markets ! —and the rewrite man as-
sumed to explain what had happened by stating
the Israel "as usual" blamed the occurrences
on Arab terrorists. Who does this rewrite man
think caused the damage and endangered the
lives of scores of Israelis, Jews and Arabs?
Does he think - a Jew might have done it?
It is not too much to ask of the media,- of
those who editorialize and those who ask chal-
lenging questions of responsible people when
they appear on televised programs, to discuss
serious issues involving this country and its for-
eign affairs to be knowledgeably prepared on
the problems involved. Is it too much to ask,
for example, of Sadat, when he rejects pre-
conceived notions by Israel, whether he treats
the Middle East problem also with pre-
conveived ideas?
If Israel's rejection of demands for with-
drawals are treated as preconceived, aren't the
Arab views similarly preconceived, and isn't it
'OM
logical for Israel to say that only at a negotiat-
ing conference can preconceptions be resolved?
Dropsie University Tribute
Yet the charge against Israel often stands unre-
futed and the logical demand that peace talks
be discussed at a conference of the disputing
forces is treated without respect. If Begin can
be queried forcefully, why not also Sadat?
Be fair, gentlemen ! Be just and rational ! A
bad headline and a hate-inviting poisoning of
A lifetime of creative literary works by Dr. Abraham I. Katsh in-
news reports is what causes the escalation of
cludes a collective documentary of immense historic value.
hatred and prejudice.
Major Katsh Literary Works
Collected in jubilee Volume
Copy Writing the Headlines
Legalization of three recently established set-
tlements in areas bordering on Jordan caused
an unprecedented rumpus in the press, at State
Department and White House, with rever-
berations at President Jimmy Carter's press
conference on July 28. -
With due respect to the President, he gave a
factual account of his meetings with Prime Min-
ister Menahem Begin and, anticipating a ques-
tion on what some view as a muddied issue,
stated that the views he expressed in opp-
osition to the establishment of new settlements
applied to what may be planned for the future
as well as those that already exist but have
simply been legalized.
This point is vital to the issue because it in-
dicates that what had happened under the ad-
ministration of Mr. Begin could have occurred
in the years of Labor Alignment rulership.
Extending of settlements is a problem in Is-
rael in relation to what must develop into rea-
listic negotiations for assured and protected
borders for Israel. me 'natter is one for a
peace conference, and while it could be a mat-
ter of major importance on the agenda of a re-
convened Geneva Conference it is not a prob-
lem for solution by the press or in government
circles outside the Middle East sovereignties.
While there were irritations, aggravations,
'name -calling and threats, perhaps the eruption
should be welcomed as vital to future dis-
cussions regarding Arab-Israeli relations. The
issue is inerasable from the agenda and must,
therefore, be accepted as existing and unavoid-
able. Let the fur fly where it may but let the
issues involving a future peace be viewed with
a sincerity that is vital and urgent in human re-
lations.
An Old Canard Universalized
The Russians have revived an old fable and
the Arabs are using it.
Almost simultaneously with the publication of
charges that Jews are in control of the press
and of financial institutions came the Arab con-
tention that Jews are dominating the adminis-
trative U.S. government sources.
Since the Russian claims come from the offi-
cial Tass sources, the anti-Jewish charges' are
understandable.
Some of the contentions are fantastic. Is one
of every five American millionaires a Jew?
Would that it were so, but these fantasies have
been refuted so often that it becomes ridiculous
to deal with them : except that the notoriety
given a Tass report could fall on many eyes
that are in search of grounds for prejudice
against the people that have been such avail-
able scapegoats when the bigots are rampant.
And the press, with all the difficulties encoun-
tered in securing a proper understanding of Is-
rael's aims as well as the state's program-
matic activities and the spread of the lies about
Israel torturing Arab prisoners .
r
Arab spokesmen went further. They charged
that Jews control Congress and some say they
have invaded the White House. The State De-
partment keeps making accusatory statements
vis-a-vis Israel's role in the Middle East and
the White House more often than not concurs
with State.
The one hope is that. Congress will retain an
attitude of friendship for Israel. That's whence
the most heartening support stems. Most of the
members of the House of Representatives and
the Senate come from areas with Jewish com-
munities so small numerically that they do not
count politically, yet Congress gives comfort to
JeWry and to Israel. That's the one blessing
that is accountable in the influence exerted by
Jews, and the Congressional influence stems
from a sense of justice.
Therefore, the canard is the Big Lie con-
cocted by enemies who are bent upon destroy-
ing Israel—and Jewry. All glory to Israel's de-
fenders—and may the influence in the press
grow so that the lie can be nailed mercilessly,
with great help, and forever.
Having just retired from the presidency of Dropsie University. in
Philadelphia, former chairman of the Hebrew department of New
York University, Dr. Katsh has to his credit many studies he con-
ducted in researching important literary treasures in the Soviet
Union, with an unusual arrangement made for him by the USSR au-
thorities.
As one of the country's most noted Hebraists and researches into
historical data, Dr. Katsh has written extensively on the Hebrew lan-
guage, the Bible and scores of related subjects.
A number of the very important essays from his writings are in-
cluded in the"Katsh Jublie Volume," titled "Halutz v' Maash" to
mark the scholar's are educational leader's 65th birthday.
This "Creative Pioneer" volume is bilingual, with 126 pages of
texts in English and 30 pages devoted to the Hebrew portion of the
treasured collection of valuable essays and commentaries.
As a Hebraist of great distinction, Dr. Katsh's role in the advance-
ment of Hebrew studies has given him a place of leadership in world
Jewry. The Hebraic essays denote all of that.
With a deep-rooted knowledge of the
Bible and of religious traditions, the two
aspects of Jewish devotionalism are
equally in evidence in this jubilee vol-
ume.
Then there is the scholar's knowledge
of the pioneers in Jewish life and of the
Zionist movement that gives him author-
itative status in these subjects. Thus, the
subjects covered in the English texts em-
phasize these priorities in scholarship, as
the titles of the following essays in-
dicate:
"Biblical Influences on the Literature
of America and England," "The Living
Tongue of the Prophets," "The Religious
Tradition or Traditions in a Traditionless
Age," "Nachman Krochmal and the Ger-
DR. ABRAHAM KATSH man idealists," "Krochmal's Philosophy
and Zionist—Thought," "Remember Not
To Forget," "Arabs and Jews" and "Hebrew Culture in Secular In-
stitutions of Higher Learning."
In the Hebrew portion there is such a vast array of topics that the
major scholarly aspects of Jewish life are covered with great di)'
gence and the knowledgeability of a leading teacher, researcher an
communal activist.
The scholarship and research in the variety of studies by Dr.
Katsh are an enriching contribution to Jewish knowledge. They have
great value for all faiths, as the impressive essay on the Bible in-
dicates. Exemplary of the significance of this scholarly collection of
notable dissertations are the following quotes on the Bible:
"In sum...the development of its Hebraic elements in particular
have been a constant and potent force. In all stages of our devel-
opment, in periods of peace and in times of strife, authors and poets
have turned to the Scriptures for guidance and inspiration. Many of
our ideas of government, of morality, numerous phrases, and many
of our daily customs and habits have their origins in the Bible. It
loomed large in the life of the early New England settlers. It is an
active force today. There can be little doubt that it will continue to
mold the shape of our civilization in the years to come."