THE
JEWISH NEWS (USPS 275-5201
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
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CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
1, News Editor
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 29th day of Tishri, 5740, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Genesis 1:1-6:8. Prophetical portion, I Samuel 20:18-42.
Sunday and Monday, Rosh Hodesh Heshvan, Numbers 28:1-15
Candle lighting, Friday, Oct. 19, 6:27 p.m.
VOL. LXXVI, No. 7
Page Four
Friday, October 19, 1979
SUPREME RESCUE DUTIES
At the entrance to the Moscow Synagogue on
Arkhipov St. evidence is accumulating of the
justice of the Jewish supplications for exit visas
to leave the Soviet Union in search of havens in
Israel.
Their collective outcry also echoes the de-
mands of dissidents of many other faiths whose
protests against USSR discriminations cry out
to the nations of the world for aid in search of
other homelands.
These are not assertions of disloyalty to the
state: they are rejections of the bigotries that
deprive human beings of their just rights and
are the resort to an acknowledged human prin-
ciple of people asserting their rights to choose
the countries in which they wish to establish
themselves and to create new homes there.
Every Sabbath afternoon, on all Jewish holi-
day occasions, sometimes on mere weekdays,
hundreds, sometimes thousands of Jews are
seen demonstrating for the right to seek new
and freer homes.
Such demonstrations no longer are uncom-
mon. It is no wonder that in the free parliaments
of the world these appeals for justice are heard
and listened to, that in the U.S. Congress there
are demands for action and for recognition of the
appeals of the refusniks and dissidents. It is no
wonder that congregations and organizations in
the United States and elsewhere are "adopting"
many of the refusniks, interceding in their be-
half, pleading for them, asking the USSR to
grant them visas.
The human spirit is in evidence in the com-
bined efforts in behalf of these demonstrators.
The mere fact that these gatherings on Ar-
khipov St. at the Moscow Synagogue keep grow-
ing, in spite of KGB threats, is sufficient
endorsement of the labors exerted in their be-
half, in communities like Metropolitan Detroit,
and elsewhere throughout this land.
The visas of exit are granted to those applying
for the right to rejoin relatives inlsrael. Many
hoose to go elsewhere after their arrival in
Henna. Most of them come to the U.S. The
`remonstrations evidenced daily in Moscow
.serve as a plea not to begrudge them the right of
choice of residence.
It would have been cheering to world Jewry
and to Israel if the original intent, on the basis
of which-visas are secured, were to be adhered to
and the masses were to go to Israel. The first
consideration, however, is the saving of lives —
life being so utterly dependent on human liber-
ties. Therefore, the mass movement of rescuing
the oppressed must be pursued without re-
crimination.
The situation in the Soviet Union is too grave
to permit a blinding to realities. Young Jews are
no longer admitted to Russian universities.
Whoever raises a voice of protest against dis-
crimination is immediately -deprived of the _
normal right to work in one's trade or profes-
sion. The inhumanity of man to man is too dras-
tic there to be overlooked.
Therefore, the concession to those asking for
the right to choose a homeland.
Therefore, the sense of honor of the Jews of
this land, of the people in this community, to
assist in the rescue effort.
Many hundreds of Russian Jews have arrived
here and are aided in becoming established here
in dignity. It is always hoped that they will
become a wholesome factor in Jewish com-
munal life.
Hundreds more are expected here during the.
coming year. The community agencies are striv-
ing to assist them with housing, employment,
educational and health benefits. The hope is
that in good time, speedily, they will integrate
into the community and will never be an objec-
tionable burden to anyone. For . this purpose, it
is urgent that every effort be made to assist in
the newcomers' fullest participation in the
great tasks of a great community, with em-
ployment, with roles of dignity in the whole-
someness of American Jewish life.
The Jewish Vocational Service, the Jewish -
Family Service, the Jewish Community Center,
the Jewish Welfare Federation, individuals and .
groups, have joined in pursuing such an aim and
to make it a reality. Let it be carried out with
the dedication that makes the American Jewish
social services the causes that have gained re-
spect for all the constituents.
CENTER SYMP HONY'S 40TH
Observance of the 40th anniversary of the
Jewish Center Symphony Orchestra. occasions
well-deserved commendations to the musical
ceganization:s organizers and sponsors.
The functions of this group have added glory
to the cultural aspects of the Jewish Commu-
nity Center activities.
Julius Chajes, organizer and conductor of the
.rchestra, dedicated himself to its growth and
progress. In its ranks have been included the
ablest musicians. Encouragement thus was
given to aspiring musicians to have a role in this
community's functioning symphony which
.served for many as a stepping stone into greater
achievements for the aspiring musicians.
Julius Chajes proved his skill as organizer as
well as conductor. He exercised judgment in the
selection of guest artists.
Himself an accomplished composer, he gave
dignity to the programs he directed with the
selections he had made.
His .compositions are heard in concerts in
many communities in this country and in Israel,
as an indication of the recognition he has
earned. Holding distinction among leading con-
ductors for length of service, the more than four
decades of leadership and direction of activities
in organizing and managing the Jewish Center
Symphony Orchestra gives Julius Chajes spe-
cial status in this community.
Detroit's Jewish Community Center has
cause to be proud of its symphony as an aspect of
merit in its educational programming. The 40th
anniversary of the Center Symphony is both
cause for congratulations to the sponsors and
encouragement to the Jewish Center to aim, at
keeping the musical organization among its
very important functions.
•
Edited by Neugroschel
The' Shtetl in Literature:
An Anthological Treasure
So rich is the literature of the shtetl, so impressive the memories
of an old world now extinct, that those who reminisce about it remain
enthralled by the legacies stemming from the age of piety amidst
oppression.
The most impressive in shtetl literature has been compiled in an
anthology entitled The Shtetl." Translated and edited by Joachim
Neugroschel, "The Shtetl" (Richard Marek Publishers) is replete with
the most noteworthy selections by noted authors dealing with Jewish
life in EaStern Europe.
While the title represents the village, the small town in the Jewish
communities of Eastern Europe, there is something indestructible in
the creative literature dealing with the symbol of Jewish life in the -
demolished kehillot, the Jewish communal structures whence came
the inspiration for federations in this country.
The most distinguished of Jewish writers are represented in this
volume. It is understandable that the texts should commence with the
religious factors. The opening essay, "The Creation," by Jacob Ben
Isaac Ashkenazi, is a portion of the author's "Tsene Rene," a Bible
reader in Yiddish.
The tales of the Baal Shem Tov, the founding genius of Hasidism,
and the stories about Prophet Elijah, keep introducing the vast
variety of topics that make "The Shtetl" a significant anthology,
replete with the historic and the legendary. -
The shtetl was filled with pathos. It also had humor. The lighter
vein, the parody, had its influence. They became evident during the
Haskalah Period, the Period of Enlightenment.
Mendele Mokher Seforim, I.L. Peretz and their famous essays,
"Travels of Benjamin the Third" and "A Woman's Fury" feature that
era.
Then there is the era of tradition and modernism in which Dovid
Bergelson, Avrom Reyzin, Sholom Aleichem, Lamed Shapiro ap-'
Y.M. Weissenberg are represented.
Noteworthy in the selections included in The Shtetl" are those
dealing with war and revolution. This brings the village experience
up to date with the inclusion of stories and essays dealing with the
most recent eve- in Russia. In this section are included the works of
Peretz Markisl Binko, Avrom Reyzin, Moyshe Kulbak and
Mi Mister.
Joachim Neugroschel is the translator of more than 80 books from
several languages. In his ,introduction to The Shtetl" he wrote: "De-
spite the features common to all Eastern European Jews, no two
shtetls were truly alike. The personal and public dynamics, the inter-
relations with non-Jews, the climate, the economy, the politics, all
varied sufficiently to produce sharp differences, of 10 contradictions
— a crazy quilt through time and space." This summarizes this in-
teresting anthology.
It is the all-inclusiveness of the themes that makes "The Shtetl"
so valuable as a contribution to the literature defining the Old World.
The editor-translator utilized the Hasidic as well as the secular, the
ultra-traditional as well as the latter-day topics influenced by the
radical developments in Russia. ,
Thus, as an addendum to Yiddish literary studies this is a volume
of particular interest.