THE JEWISH NEWS
(USPS 275-5201
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commenting 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
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Jewish News, 17515 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
HEIDI PRESS
Assistant News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 18th day of Adar, 5739, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 30:11-34:35: Numbers 19:1-22. Propheticalportion, Ezekiel 36:16-38.
Candle lighting, Friday, March 16, 6:21 p.m.
VOL. LXXV, No. 2
Page Four
Friday, March 16, 1979
Solidarity in the Ranks
The Current Allied Campaign
Formal opening of the 1979 Allied Jewish
Campaign, next Wednesday, is marked by a
spirit of devotion and concern of such mag-
nitude that the Greater Detroit Jewish commu-
nity is justified in a sense of pride that estab-
lished traditions for generosity continue to keep
this community in a position of leadership in
this country. It is evident from reports of ad-
vanced gifts already made to the Campaign that
the high level of giving is in a state of constancy
and that the generosity of Detroit Jewry will
continue to serve as an inspiration for the rest of
the country.
For some weeks now, campaigners have been
mobilized, industrial, professional and service
divisions have been meeting, the women's and
junior groups are showing progress and the
interest is in the acceptance of the new obliga-
tion to provide funds for Project Renewal which
is viewed so vitally as means of providing the
necessary additional assistance for im-
poverished Oriental Jews in Israel.
It is heartening to have these indications of
recognition of the responsibilities that confront
this community. The duty to assure Israel secu-
rity, to provide for the homeless and dispos-
sessed who may- be knocking at the door of the
Jewish state, is so great and provisions for those
settled there must similarly be assured.
There also is the Diaspora. There is the home
front. There are the local and national agencies
not to be ignored. There is the sacred obligation
to assure maximum assistance to the educa-
tional agencies.
While a good beginning apparently is on re-
cord for the 1979 Allied Jewish Campaign, it is
only a beginning. There are many thousands to
be solicited, many hundreds are needed to con-
duct the soliciting, the generosity of those who
have yet to be reached must be on a high level of
partnership with the community and the
Jewish people.
The major, the basic duty confronted by all
Jews, young and old, women and men, organiza-
tions and congregations, now must be accepted
as imperative. Generosity also spells loyalty.
Good giving will spell communal solidarity.
This is something to be made real as the annual
Campaign becomes the chief effort here for the
coming weeks.
Realities in Danger-Laden Peace
Secrecy in Middle East relations may have
been abandoned for a time. The facts of life as
they have been recorded in the past week are a
matter of record. No one can delve into the
hearts of the participants in the major tasks for
a peace between Israel and Egypt, yet, the es-
tablished fact is that the spokesmen for. Israel,
Egypt and the United States acted out of deep-
rooted anxieties to assure peaceful relations in
the area.
Equally factual is the attitude of a number of
other Arab states in the Middle East. They are
antagonistic to a point of being ready to risk
their own injuries for the sake of undermining
Israel's existence.
Contrary to what may appear to be Arab un-
ity, it is reasonable to believe that there are
Arab leaders who in their hearts hope for an end
to the debacle called anti-Israelism. They would
welcome and encourage peaceful relations.
They know the beneifts from cooperative oppor-
tunities with Israel. Their own fratricidal
policies — and they are many! — could vanish in
an environment of peace.
Israel must be prepared for all eventualities
under conditions which dictate caution, which
assert that under the most impressive peace
conditions the Middle East always gives the
impression of a powder keg. Didn't Hilaire Be-
lloc, many years before anyone could imagine
an independent Jewish state in the Middle East,
say that it was "the battleground of the world?"
It is in such an aspect that Israel has the role
of a peoplehood always under duress, ever
pleading for understanding, straining to rescue
the oppressed, wherever they may be.
What had been the destiny of the United
States, to welcome immigrants and to provide a
haven of refuge for them, is now the role of
Israel for oppressed Jews. Non-Jews seeking
asylum also have found it in Israel. Such a role
calls for sacrifice on the part of the nation's
residents, for more money as aid from the out-
side, for vision in planning social services, edu-
cational opportunities and liberty in the highest
sense of the word.
These are aspirations applicable as well to the
Arab neighbors of Israel, to the entire area. Oil
is not the permanent factor in human relations.
It is dominant today, it may be reduced tomor-
row. In the humanism now sought by Jews and
their friends in the Middle East and the United
States, in the best interests of all, for the secu-
rity of that area which depends so much upon
Israel-U.S.-Egyptian friendships, it is neces-
sary that the standard of living be elevated
among all peoples, that literature, science, ethi-
cal codes should guide all towards a better fu-
ture.
The road toward such aims is strewn with
difficulties. This is what must be considered in
hopes for peace. Even under the best of circum-
stances, the dangers always lurk on the horizon.
Therfore, there is realism in admonitions to st-
rive for the best and to be cautious of possible
pitfalls in the quest for peace.
Every quest for peace, especially in an area as
embattled as the Middle East, is laden with
obstructions. The efforts initiated by President
Carter will always be rated among the most
historic. Many Presidents had striven for peace
during periods of war.
President Carter's may rank among the most
dramatic of all efforts in diplomacy, and his
appeal to Israel's legislators, in the Knesset, on
Monday morning, deserves a place of honor in
diplomatic oratory. The hope for its application
to the human appeals of this era remain signifi-
cent in this crucial period in history.
A Party Book That Enhances
Jewish History, Traditions
"The Jewish Party Book" ("A Contemporary Guide to Customs,
Crafts and Foods") by Mae Shafter Rockland (Schocken Books) is
filled with so much fascination, is so replete with historic Jewish
material, that it rises to first rank as a modern Jewish classic.
Already widely acclaimed for her earlier three books, "The Work
of Our Hands," "The Hanuka Book" and "The Jewish Yellow Pages,"
also Schocken publications, her skills as a graphic artist are im-
plemented by a knowledge of Jewish traditions, her ability to guide
the readers towards an appreciation of the Jewish festivals and her
achievements as guide for young and old in combining adherence to
customs, observance of holidays and application of Jewish historical
merits in the process.
As a "party book" the new Rockland volume has the special
significance of including all factors in Jewish life, starting with birth.
"Babies" is the title of the first chapter, proceeding with the sugges-
tions for Bar Mitzva functions, continuing with ideas for all the
festivals.
Mrs. Rockland is distinguished as an artist and therefore every
calendar item in her new book, as in her previous works, is marked
impressively with the appropriately suitable illustrations, with He-
brew lettering, by introducing the crafts that emphasize the tradi-
tional in Jewish life.
Purim, Passover, Tu b'Shevat, Sukkot, Simhat Torah, Hanuka —
all the festivals, family observances, weddings, anniversaries —
there are guides for all occasions.
While preparing for the parties, the planners learn the meaning
and backgrounds of the observances, and in such fashion the guide
book becomes a source for learning.
Since it is a guide book to Jewish customs, this volume has its
merits for non-Jews as well, because of its pragmatic approach to all
periods of the Jewish calendar and their interpretive elements.
Typical in Mrs. Rockland's guidelines is the suggestion for gift-
giving for' Hanuka. By giving a penny the first night, two the next,
etcetera, making a total of 36 cents for the eight days, she points out
that it accounts for twice Hai, twice 18, Hai representing life.
In connection with the
Hanuka observance she
suggests a "Velvet Warrior
Elephant" as a grab bag for
adults as well as children
attending a Hanuka gra
party and her illust
elelphant is among the ). cas-
trations that add interest to
her stories and guidelines.
To each holiday evaluation
are added recipes and in the
Hanuka section is this one for
"Flaming Tea:"
"It is just as gratifying to
prepare a special treat for
adults as it is for children. An
old Russian Hanuka custom
1,74
,F
Vag 'al: was to provide each guest
with a glass of hot tea and several lumps of brandy-soaked sugar in a
teaspoon. While songs were sung, a candle was passed around to
ignite the spoons of sugar. When all the cubes were aglow, the burn-
ing brandy was poured into the tea. Since it is difficult to duplicate old
customs in large groups without being stagey and artificial, this
might be nice to try at dessert, with just family or a few friends."
The value of Mae Shafter Rockland's "Jewish Party Book" thus is
self-evident.