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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the ninth day of Sivan, 5740, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Numbers 4:21-7:89. Prophetical portion, Judges 13:2-25.
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Candle lighting, Friday, May 23, 8:35 p.m.
VOL. LXXVII, No. 12
Page Four
Friday, May 23, 1980
THE WILL TO LIVE
Because so many obstacles keep piling up on
Israel's road to security, to normal living for a
people, the term "survival" has gained a new
place in the vocabulary of the many who are
testing Israel. Perhaps much too often the ques-
tion is posed, "Can Israel survive?"
Which, in turn, brings the reaction repre-
sented by a stiffening of the inherited resistance
and the unchallenged will to live.
Marvin Cetron, who heads Forecast Interna-
tional Ltd., conducted a study which lasted a
year, digesting 63 basic indicators of Israel's
stamina, including population trends, nutri-
tional levels, employment, energy and natural
resources, water availability, scientific and
technological developments, internal religious
conflict and international standing.
Cetron computerized his 63 conjectures and
the conclusion is that Israel can crumble in a
decade or two.
Eliahu Salpeter, the distinguished Israeli
foreign correspondent, who was among those
responding, commented that a 64th point was
overlooked, that of the Jewish "will to live."
Unless this factor is taken into consideration,
all conjectures are false, and the computer fails,
no matter how powerful the mechanism.
Objective studies of the Jewish experience, of
the historic trials and tribulations of a people
that had been reduced to a million a century ago
and defied all obstacles to survival, should con-
vince others that the people tried by many
forces is not so easily removed from the world
scene. This is the only way of judging the new
prophecies: that the test is not for Israel the
state alone but for Israel the People. Whatever
happens to Israel is an affectation for the entire
Jewish people.
Jewry did not battle for national redemption
in vain. It sought a role of freedom and a Return
to Zion. It is the Return, the Redemption, that
made the Zionist ideal the leader in world liber-
tarianism.
Therefore, the logic that responds to a com-
puter's judgment of crumbling — that a people's
will to live is powerful enough to overcome all
obstacles, to confront all enmities, even to cor-
rect the people's errors. Even these are many
and they won't last. It is the accumulation of
errors that must eventually vanish so that the
people's best judgment will spell out in the
fullest measure the reality of the will to live.
THE BONDS WITH ISRAEL
Diplomatic blunders abound everywhere.
Embassies and the lives of statesmen have be-
come insecure. The quest for power is wide-
spread and the oil magnates seek and. appear to
be acquiring greater domination.
In spite of it all, Israel remains the scapegoat.
Regardless of the shortcomings on all fronts, the
moment Israel's role is portrayed there is the
negation in sentiment, the criticism, the attack.
The Middle East is seething with horror, yet
there is always the danger that the moment any
member of the Soviet or the Arab bloc intro-
duces a resolution of condemnation of Israel it is
a near-100 percent certainty it will be adopted.
Only the United States remains a factor in
rejecting the abounding prejudice.
This was in evidence again two weeks ago
when, ignoring all other dangers to the peace of
the world, the UN Security Council acted on an
anti-Israel resolution. Four of the Western na-
tions, each of whom should have voted in opposi-
tion, abstained. The United States vetoed the
proposal. The American voice could have been
stronger and more outspoken.
All of which proves how fragile is Israel's role
on the international scene. It emphasizes anew
the obligation of Jewish communities to stand
firm in Israel's defense.
One element in Jewish actions in Israel's be-
half needs special attention. It is the Israel Bond
movement, the need to provide the Jewish state
with funds for industrial development and for
the strengthening of the internal position of the
Israelis economically and socially.
Israel's life and security, her role as a creative
force in the world, entail international obliga-
tions to keep her influence vital as an assurance
of civilizing prospects in an area that had be-
come devoid of progress for many generations.
For the Jewish people everywhere that duty is
uppermost.
It is not enough, therefore, to treat the needs
merely philanthropically. It is important that
the economic needs not be ignored, that all as-
sistance be given the state in the advancement
of its industrial enterprises which can well be a
boon for the entire area.
The Israel _Bond movement provides means
for economic participation in the life of Israel.
The dollars provided have been and continue to
be fully protected. They are investments. Their
flow must continue. The United Jewish Appeal
funds already having been provided by this
community through the Allied Jewish Cam-
paign, the time is ripe for increased interest in
and support of the Israel Bond effort. The in-
vestment is as vital as the contribution and
should be treated with equal devotion in the
best interests of Israel's security and dignity.
AVOIDING PANIC
Every antagonistic sound berating Israel
makes the headlines and raises the voices of
radio-TV commentators. Simultaneously, Jews
who hear it begin to panic.
Hasn't the lesson sunk in — that attaining
justice for Israel, that arriving at a solution
leading to peace, cannot come easily?
Hasn't the Jewish experience been that the
road to liberty for the downtrodden and justice
for the embattled in the cause of freedom is
always strewn with thorns?
Anwar Sadat first agreed to pursue negotia-
tions with Israel, then renegged, and a few days
later began talks for new talks.
That's how it works. If obstructionists would
stop spreading suspicions the situation would
never be as harsh as it often appears.
Primarily, however, it is vital that there
should be less panicking. It is when Jews submit
to fears that the situation becomes threatening.
The advice: avoid panic!
British Publication
Zionist Year Book Features
World Jewish Documentation
World Jewry's current status is documented in the current
"Zionist Year Book" published by the Zionist Federation of Great
Britain and Ireland.
While the directories are primarily of Zionist groups, agencies
and their status, the Year Book for the year 1980, 5740-41, includes
data about Jews everywhere. The volume again was edited by Jane
Moonman.
Listing Jewish population figures, the Israeli diplomatic and
consular corps, related factual material, this volume has noteworthy
merit in the special features that give it status as a literary factor in
evaluating Zionism and the problems affecting Israel.
Shimon Peres, the leader of the opposition in Israel and the
titular head of his country's Labor Party, authored the leading article
for this volume under the title "After the Peace Agreement." His
hopeful comment merits the attention it deserves in his declaration:
"The peace we seek is not aimed at gaining an advantage nor at
overriding the freedom, independence or security of our neighbors.
We would far rather fulfill these aims without bloodshed, enmity,
sacrifice or refugees so that neither Arabs, Jews, nor anyone else will
be forced to live in fear or submission.
The peace which is materializing before our very eyes can and
should be a turning point for World Jewry as well. The realization of
this precious goal can create new depths in the relationship between
World Jewry and Israel.
"The artistry of peace has just begun. Now its scope must be
strengthened, broadened and deepened. This is an historic opportu-
nity which must not be missed."
Jane Moonman's interview with the new Israel ambassador to
Great Britain, Shlomo Argov, is among the major features in this
Year Book.
A chronology, "The Zionist Year: A Digest of Significant Events,"
by Josef Fraenkel, has special merit.
A genuine contribution to demographic studies is contained in
the article by Dr. Roberto Bachi entitled "The Demographic Evolu-
tion of World Jewry in Modern Times: Expansion and Decline." Re-
viewing Jewish population figures since 1750, Dr. Bachi projects a
decline in the Diaspora Jewish population, although he believes there
may be an increased fertility in the latter part of this century.
Michael Gurfinkiel is the author of an important essay, "The
Situation of the Jews in France Today," touching upon the anti-
Semitic trends there.
A revived list of "Who's Who in Zionism" is among the importan
listings in the book.
The Year Book contains a 42-page section entitled "Who's Who in
Zionism." This is like a miniature encyclopedia, listing the names of
all the prominent personalities in the British ranks in the movement.
This list will be of great value to British Jewry, since it contains the
basic facts, no matter how brief, about the enlistees in Zionist leader-
ship. What this list suggests is that if it could have been expanded to
include the national leaders it would have additional merit.
While it is a product of the British Zionist Federation, the current
Year Book has much value for Jews and Zionists throughout the
world.
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