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THE JEWISH NEWS
'ME PoSTMAS KIWIS 1W10E
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of July 20. .1951
- Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by the Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Office,. Subscription $12 a year.
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 11th day of Adar I, 5738, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 27:20-30:10. Prophetical portion., Ezekiel 43:10-27.
Candle lighting, Friday, Feb. 17, 5:49 p.m.
VOL. LXXII, No. 24
Page Four
Friday, Feb. 17, 1978
The 29th World Zionist Congress
The World Jewish Parliament
World Jewry's attention will be focused on
liament is, therefore, a time for renewed dedica-
Jerusalem as delegates from all corners of the tion to occasion for reaffirmation of the obliga-
globe will participate in the deliberations of the
tions that mark world Jewish unity.
29th World Zionist Congress for eight days,
The World Zionist Congress will be con-
fronted by innumerable challenges. There is the
commencing on Monday.
Tracing the history of the political Jewish
matter of priority to be given to Jewish educa-
libertarian cause to the First World Zionist
tion. Aliya to Israel, with emphasis on the great
Congress held in Basle, Switzerland, in 1897,
need for the settlement of larger numbers of
the current sessions will mark continuity in the
Jews from the free countries of the world, will
tasks of ending Jewish homelessness, of restor- continue as one of the major needs in Zionism • ■ ••43T74
ing nationhood to the homeless and stateless
and in world Jewry's kinship with Israel.
and of striving for security for the three million
Mixed marriages have become a concern of
New Volume by Detroiter
Jews who, in the realization of the Zionist ideal,
the
utmost
seriousness
for
Jewish
communities
have gained a haven of permahence in the
everywhere, and if an inspiration can emanate
Jewish homeland.
from
the World Zionist Congress to stem that
In the process of redemption, the rebirth of
trend
it will lend even greater significance to
the state of Israel is emphasized in the
the
Jerusalem
---
--
— sessions.
sovereignty that is governed by the Knesset, the
Interlinked
with this problem is the declined
modern Jewish parliament. This is in itself a
Former Detroiter Lawrence Kushner is an ordained rabbi. He is the
mark of continuity in the historic process of interest in Jewish affairs among the youth, the
son of Aid and Miriam Kushner of Detroit and a grandson of the late
redemption. It commenced with the World diminution of identifications and the indiffer-
Max Edwards who was a distinguished Bnai Brith leader and was
ence to Jewish needs in many quarters.
Zionist Congress which was called into being as
known here as a book reviewer.
Hopefully, from the World Zionist Congress
the First World Jewish Parliament since the
Rabbi Kushner gained fame three years ago for his "Book of Let-
commencement of the Exile and the end of will come new messages of cheer to Jews
ters:
A Mystical Alphabet." It gained much acclaim for scholarship in
everywhere. Out of the Jerusalem deliberations
Jewish national independence in the year 70.
the treatment of- the Hebrew letters and their application to Jewish
must
come
encouragement
for
a
reinvigorated
The World Zionist Congress, therefore, has a
experiences.
global Jewish significance. It symbolizes the Jewish communal experience and for
Adding to Rabbi Kushner's devo-
adherence to a great ideal, to the hope for rede- strengthened unity in world Jewry.
tional interests in his newest work,
"Honey From the Rock: Visions of
mption, to the reaffirmation of faith in Prophecy
There is great significance in the role of the
Jewish Mystical Renewal" (Harper
that "Zion shall be redeemed with justice."
World Zionist Organization and its parliamen-
and Row).
Next weeks's World Zionist Congress sessions tary force, the World Zionist Congress. Both
- -
As in his first work Rabbi Kushner
will be conducted in a period of great gravity for have the interest and support of the overwhelm-
is
the mystic. He applies Jewish learn-
the Jewish people. Israel is a reality as the ful- ing numbers of Jews everywhere. From world
ing to the mythological, but also to the
fillment of prophecy and the realization of an Jewry, therefore, goes the message of-cheer to
realistic.
historic dream. But it is not without obstacles. It the Zionists convening in Jerusalem, with
Actually his work is an appeal for
is in constant need of the interest and concern of hopes for success in all their deliberations and
knowledge among the youth and their
world Jewry. It is dependent upon Zionist devo- with friendly hands of support across the conti-
elders._
tions. The reconvening of the World Jewish Par- Inents.
he expresses the hope that there
Kushner's Mysticism:
'Honey From the Rock'
The Unified Community
Whenever there is a crisis and some con- that had begun to circulate. A study of the dis-
troversies over Israel and the Middle East, pute which is now apparently being healed indi-
there also are the jitters. There is always some- cates that if there was ground or criticism it was
one who becomes panicky, who fears the "mah earned as much by the Egyptians as by the
yomru ha-goyim — what will the non-Jews Israelis.
say." As if truth needed juggling and fairness
The main factor in the situation, however, is
depended on unanimity.
the responsibility that rests upon the Israelis'
The path to justice is always strewn with kinspeople not to permit divisibility to obstruct
thorns, and while there are many occasions progress. Any attempt to split the Jewish corn-
when Israel's leaders earn criticisms, the fate of munity over views on Israel's current role in the
the nation that is constantly under threat of Middle East and Mr. Begin's -leadership can
destruction is much more important than dif- only contribute to obstruction of peace and
ferences in views which can be adjusted.
harm to the Jewish state. If ever there was need
When Menahem Begin assumed authority in for unity it is now.
his government he was the target for many at-
Not only in fund-raising — and this is vital —
tacks. Before very long the eminent leader but in political matters there is an urgency for
earned the adthiration of his own people and of united action. In Israel, it has become evident
the reasonable elements in the world at large. that Mr. Begin would, if there were an election
But the Egyptian move for peace,_ while it now, receive the overwhelming endorsement of
strengthened the hands of Israel's prime minis- his people. He and the Israelis must be given
ter, soon developed into another conflict, and that unity by Diaspora Jewry. This is the time
once again Mr. Begin was targeted for attack. to reject divisiveness and to assure a
The record speaks louder than the suspicions strengthened unity in Jewry in Israel's behalf.
RABBI KUSHNER
will be the devotion that is so vital for
Jewish dignity. He wants the iden-
tified also to be the devoted and the
knowledgeable. Therefore, his selec-
tions are impressive.
Typical in his approach are these
few selections from his book:
In the beginning there was light. The Holy one's urge to create and
our eternal yearning to behold creation. But if no one was present at
creation, then each of us must know of God's world-making from
within ourselves. In which case everyone, including you and me, wer-r
there. And are there. To the extent that we are spiritually conscious
Such is the holy mystery of awareness.
Shine it out into space and, As our visionaries are beginning to
understand, It will ultimately define a perfect circle, Which will return
undiminished to its Creator. Each one of us at each moment stands
between the beginning and the end, At the center of a circle. In the
middle of a sphere of light. (To the extent that we are aware) Light is to
unawareness what Holiness is to the profane world.
x*
The cycle alternates between grand cathedrals and meditation
amidst the trees of the forest. When people become convinced that the
places and the things are themselves holy or that only some people have
the spiritual power, then it is time once more to set out for the fields and
rediscover the fundamental truth: Entrances to holiness are
everywhere and all the time.
*
Entrances to holiness are everywhere. The possibility of ascent is all
the time. Even at unlikely times and through unlikely times and
through unlikely places. There is no place on earth without the Pre-
sence.