THE JEWISH NEWS In•nipo•atinsi The.l.letmit Jewish Chmilicie coin inehring with the issue (,1•.1hly .20, 19.51 'Alenrher American Association of •nglish-Jewish Ne‘vspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial .1ssociation. Puhlished every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing - ( . o., 17;;15 \V. Nine Mile, Suite ,G;,, Southfield, IS075. Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, .Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $10 ;t :sear. PHILIP SLOMOVITZ CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ Editor and Publisher DREW LIEBERWITZ Business Manager AIX\ New. •ditor...11•1Di PRESS. 1.siquitt Advertising Manager Editor 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."