THE JEWISH NEWS
Incormwoting The 1)•t•oit Jewish (711 .0111'•• commencing with thi• issue o•.lnly
19.5!
NIember American Association Of English-Jewish Newspapers. rMichigan Press :V.:SM . /al i on , Natifinal Editorial Associal:on.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co.. 17,1:, \V. Nine :11ile, Suite
\rich. 1`07:).
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Adilitional
/flices. Subscription SI2
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
MAN
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
iirrsto.
l'ItESS.
Nevs, Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This, Sabbath, the third day of Heshvan, 5738, the following scriptural selections will be read in
our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Genesis 6:9 11:32. Prophetical portion, Isaih 54:1 55:5.
-
-
Candle lighting, Friday, Oct. 14, 6:35 p.m.
VOL. LXXI, No. 6
Page Four
Friday October 14, 1977
Holding Aloft Torch of Learning
American Jewish communities can take heart
in the knowledge that the distressing factors in
world Jewish affairs are not obstructing the cul-
tural aims and that the concerned elements are
devotedly pursuing the tasks of encouraging
increased interest in educational matters.
On a worldwide scale there is much to be
upset with. The Middle East situation is always
challenging. In many lands there are fears for
the future, specifically in Argentina. South
Africa. Quebec. as well as behind the Iron
Curtain.
Yet, the positives take shape. Interest in
Israel is not waning. Protective measures for
those affected by decline in freedoms in several
countries would surely arouse the interest and
receive support for amelioration from Ameri-
can Jewry.
Then there are the strictly cultural factors.
The Greater Detroit experience in the
advancement of cultural projects is exemplary.
So much is being accomplished in the support
provided for educational institutions that this
community is earning recognition in the cul-
tural as well as the philanthropic spheres. The
support that goes to the several theological col-
leges links this community with the important
religious duties from which responsible con-
stituents can not shirk.
The interest shown here in Israel's univer-
sities continues as a heartening involvement
and a commendable dedication. The American
Technion Society, which aids the Technion-
Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. has the
longest record of responsiveness by engineers,
scientists and technicians to the great Israel
institution of higher learning. Bar-Ilan Univer-
sity in Ramat Gan has become a very strong
factor here in behalf of traditional Jewish
spheres in study and research. The Weizmann
Institute of Science and the Hebrew University
are high on the list of needs that inspire support
here.
The cultural aspirations at home now are
gaining new ground as a result of the com-
mendable planning of the Conservative Inter-
congregational Adult Education Institute. The
motto of the current season's classes to be con-
ducted by this institute. "And the bush was not
consumed." draws inspiration from historical
experiences and advises the community to pur-
sue, to never abandon learning, to make study
the chief aspiration of one's being, to encourage
others to study and to make enlightenment that
comes from honoring one's being, to encourage
others to study and to make enlightenment that
comes from honoring one's heritage the greater
part of one's life.
The Conservative task of continuity in spon-
soring the current year's cultural program
draws added appreciation in the fact that last
year's enrollment in a similar venture exceeded
400 and a larger number is anticipated this
year. The rich program already prepared. the
scholarship aspect assuredly anticipated, earn
the cooperation of all elements in the commu-
nity in the courses to be conducted in behalf of
all Conservative synagogues at Ong. Shaarey
Zedek.
Indeed, "And the bush was not consumed."
Reform and Orthodox congregational groups
also combine their efforts frequently for joint
tasks in support of educational programs. These
efforts are commendable even if building a
community culturally must be considered a rou-
tine obligation.
The numerous classes arranged by the com-
bined Reform congregations. to be conducted
jointly for all their memberships at Temple
Beth El, is a certain sign of continuity of inter-
ests. They embrace every aspect of Jewish spir-
itual legacies and undoubtedly lead towards
greater identification of congregants with syna-
gogue and community.
Israel's Literary Treasures
Jewish Community Put to the Test
American Jewry was put to the test during
the several days of tensions caused by an utex-
pected joint statement issued by the United
States and the Soviet Union which gave empha-
sis-to an endorsement of Palestinian enrollment
in negotiations with Israel in a resumed Geneva
Conference on the Middle East.
Without doubt, it was the pressure that was
exerted in the form of protests against that
statement by pro-Israeli elements in this coun-
try, non-Jews as well as Jews, that forced a
resumption of meetings involving President
Jimmy Carter, Israel Foreign Minister Moshe
Dayan and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.
Were these pressures justified? Not only were
they in fullest accord with American principles
which demand fair and open consideration of all
issues affecting this nation, but they were com-
pulsory for liberty-loving people.
If it is right for people to demonstrate for or
against issues involving school busing, the ERA
for women's rights, abortion, the Panama Canal
and other matters, it is doubly necessary to be
assertive when the fate of an entire nation is
involved. It is dutiful for citizens to assert their
views, even to protest against their own govern-
ment, when there is the danger of an injustice
being imposed upon people in distress. The
pressures on the President and State Depart-
ment were necessary. It would have been crimi-
nal to be silent.
The taunting of Israel in many quarters, the
regrettably antagonistic views that have
become evident in many newspapers, represent
an additional challenge which can only be
answered by expressions in the public forums
and in messages to government leaders who
must be alerted to the viewpoints of the Jewish
community. These feelings cannot be hidden.
.
Israel's leading novelists, short story writers and poets are repre-
sented in an anthology of their works in English translations emerg-
ing as one of the most impressive of the recent books issued by the
Jewish Publication Society of America.
More than 30 writers are represented in "Contemporary Israeli
Literature," and the works selected for inclusion in this volume offer
the English reader a fuller understanding of what had been achieved
by the growing cultural community of Israel since statehood.
Excellent editorial guidance has been given the anthologists who
gathered the works for this volume. The book was edited by Elliott
Anderson. Robert Friend edited the poetry.
An introduction by Shimon Sandbanl and an afterword by Robert
Alter add immensely to an appreciation of the extent of the progress
that has been made in • the literary field in Israel.
Then there are the impressive illustrations by Oded Feingersh
which serve well in lending value to a work filled with literary gems.
The fullest appreciation of the merits of this book is provided in
the impressive list of authors represented in it. The poetic section,
for example, incorporates the writings of the leader in that field in
Israel, Yehuda Amichai, whose seven poems in the poetry section
are among his best known, including "We Shall Live Forever" and
"Lament."
Other poetic works are by David Avidan, T.C. Carmo, Raquel
Chalfi, Moshe Dor, Anadad Eldan, Amir Gilboa, Zerubavel Gilead,
Haim Gouri, Uri -Zvi Greenberg, YaLir Hurvitz, Abba Kovner, Dan
Pagis, Gabriel Preil, Esther Raab, Dahlia Ravikovitch, David
Rokeach, Tuvia Ruebner, Avner Treinin, Yona Wallach, Meir Wiesel-
tier and Natan Zach.
Yehuda Amichai, with his story "The Orgy," and Haim Goury
with an excerpt from his "The Crazy Book," also are represented in
the fiction section. Others whose works of fiction are quoted here in-
clude Aharon Appelfeld, Yoram Kaniuk, David Shahar, A.B. Ye-
hoshua, Yitzhak Orpaz, Uri Orley, Amoz Oz and Pinhas Sadeh.
Many of these names have already become famous in this coun-
try, their writings having been published in English translations.
"Contemporary Israeli Literature" first appeared under the im-
primatur of Northwestern University and then was issued as a Jew-
ish Publication Society volume. Its editor, Elliott Anderson, is the edi-
tor of TiiQuarterly, a Northwestern University literary magazine.
Of special interest in this volume is a brief note on the page list-
ing acknowledgements which states: "Special thanks are due to
Irwin T. Holtzman without whose generous support this anthology'
re would not have been possible." This is a tribut'
Israeli literature
a Detroiter who notably assists Israeli authors and publishers and
who constantly assists American authors as well.
Economic History of the Jews
"Economic History of the Jews," already widely acclaimed as
an authoritative work by noted scholars, appears as one of the new-
est Schocken paperbacks.
Edited by Nachum Goss, this volume has the distinction of fea-
turing the analyses of the economic roles of Jews through many peri-
ods by Profs. Salo W. Baron and Arcadius Kahan with additional
data provided by other writers.
Prof. Baron's contribution to this volume commences with the
First Temple Period, reviews exile and restoration experiences be-
fore turning to the Second Temple Period, and then develops the con-
ditions in the talmudic period, those in the Moslem and Middle Ages
and the Medieval Christian period.
Prof. Kahan's studies are devoted to • the modern periods.