THE JEWISH NEWS
IUSPS 275-520)
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
Copyright (la) The Jewish News Publishing Co.
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 17th day of Adar I, 5741, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 30:11-34:35. Prophetical portion, I Kings 18:1-39.
Candle lighting, Friday, Feb. 20, 5:53 p.m.
VOL. LXXVIII, No. 25
Page Four
Friday, Feb. 20, 1981
COMMUNITY STRUCTURING
An old dispute is in evidence. It involves in- the best interest of human accomplishment.
terpretation as well as search for identifica-
Therefore, the negatives must be discounted
tion with either unity or uniformity. The former
and when there is bitterness it should be con-
involves cooperation and strength of the ranks. fronted with compassion. What is urgent at this
The latter could be interpreted as submission time is to give emphasis to a major concern: that
even to the disagreeable. Both terms could stem
whatever is vital and necessary in criticism
from the manner of treating criticism. There- must be in the direction of constructive aims. As
fore the necessity of encouraging the type of long as the human need, the communal aspira-
rebuke called criticism that is constructive and tion, is to strive for the positive, for the progress-
avoidance of Whatever could threaten the un- ive, for the creative, the critic's aims should be
ified tasks of wholesome communal creativity.
applauded. This also necessitates caution lest
This issue emerges from a variety of proposals the destructive should be the result even of the
affecting Israel-Diaspora relations, and they
most serious approach to Jewish needs.
also have a relationship with many other mat-
A stage has been reached of demands for
ters involving communal services. There is an greater American Jewish participation in Is-
old saying attributed especially to the Yiddish rael's social, economic and educational aims.
philosophy that came into being as a result of This could be accepted by those who aspire for a
oppressions in the shtetl that when there is ex-
link in Israel-Diaspora relationships. The mo-
treme poverty in the home love flies out of the ment an attempt is made intrude into Israel's
window. These are inflationary times. There
politics, such tactics must be condemned.
are great demands for the support of vital
It is of special interest at this time that the
causes and social services, and the inflationary
daily press, the local and the national, when
trends have affected American Jewish com- viewing conditions in Israel, presume to advise
munities as well as Israel. Is it because the Israelis on their political choices. Many com-
demand is so great and is more difficult to
mentators and newspapers have gone so far,
adhere to that the criticisms of leaderships and especially in their shocking treatment of
administrative forces have mounted so rapidly?
Menahem Begin's role, of glorifying the prime
The lengthy report issued after a two-year minister's opponents, of dealing with the on-
study by the World Jewish Congress is espe- coming election in Israel, on June 30, as if
cially provocative and is symbolic of the em- Americans had a right either to judge the Israeli
phasis that is being given in some quarters to statesmen or to assume a right to advise Israel.
the necessity for criticism. It is a wholesome
It is such an approach, akin to the critical,
trend, provided it is not mutilated by prejudices that must be condemned, whether it is resorted
and suspicions. In the instance of the WJC to by non-Jews in the American press or by
lengthy statement containing the critical and
Diaspora Jews on a global basis.
the advisory it is especially deplorable that
The point is that criticism must become con-
commentators in Israel should have branded it structive, that there must be respect for the
as a product of the "wealthy figureheads" in objects of attack, that it is easy to attack leader-
Jewish life. This is deplorable because it fails to ship and it is much more. important to sit with
touch upon the issues and resorts to personality leaders and view the issues objectively with an
bias. It is not because the wealth even of fig- aim at creating a sound communal structure.
ureheads is so urgent, but because it harms Destructive critics can become an abomination.
participation in Jewish services of people of all
strands, including the wealthiest as.well as the IRRATIONAL MINDS
poorest.
In one of his memorable poems, Lord Byron
In-a speech in the House of Commons, in 1860, wrote about the "unleavened hatred of the
Benjamin Disraeli admonished his parliamen- heart." In this age of increasing hatreds he
tary colleagues: "It is much easier to be critical might have attributed them to the "irrational
than to be correct." This must not be overlooked, minds" that are poisoning mankind.
but it must not be accepted as judgment of criti-
How else- is one to judge people who speak as
cism. David Ben-Gurion was impressed with a authorities for governments who are motivated
comment made by the first U.S. ambassador to by venom, as in the latest instance of branding
Israel, James McDonald, who, in his "My Mis- archeology as a- political instrument?
sion to Israel," wrote: The test of democracy is
In- the human rights studies and the U.S. re-
freedom of criticism." This is a guide that should port, Israel's treatment of her Arab citizens is
be acceptable even when the critics turn bitter. commended, but bigoted propaganda, ignoring
Therefore the bitterness in the Israeli newspap- fratricide among Arabs, makes wild charges
ers over the WJC report should be treated with a against the Israel government.
grain of salt.
Archeology is glorified by all nations as a
Two of the world's most noted historians had necessary means of finding the roots of nations
important definitions on the subject. In 1888, and of learning about the past. But for Israel's
Heinrich Graetz said: "Criticism is much more enemies, digging into the past has become a
sharp and incisive among Jews." In 1907, Simon crime. UNESCO's important role as a major
Dubnow declared, We do not hesitate to United Nations agency was damaged by Arab
criticize Judaism . . . for we believe in the in- propaganda to such an extent that at one point
vincibility of its higher ideals."
U.S. subventions to it were abandoned.
The contemporary experience and the wis-
That's how irrational hatred operates, and
dom of the ages are not only endorsements of the disgrace is that the enlightened nations do
criticism but an encouragement to resort to it in little to subvert it. ;
,1 ?
1 7
Recipes for Knowing How
to Enjoy Jewish Living
Rabbi Morris Golomb has made it a labor of love to teach Jews
how to enjoy Jewish observances and Jewish living.
His first book on how to appreciate and enjoy the Jewish festivals
has proven a marked success since its publication in 1973. Now comes
an addendum to fortify the manner in which he provides knowledge
and encourages enjoyment of it by young and old.
Rabbi Golomb makes another important contribution towards
inspiring Jewish studies with his latest book, "Know Jewish Living
and Enjoy It" (Shengold Publishers).
While it is intended for youth of 11 and older, it is definitely a
collection of instructive material that will enlighten•readers of all
ages.
From birth through every experience in Jewish life, every con-
ceivable aspect is defined and authoritatively explained. By calling in
the most knowledgeable to confirm the studies in this volume, such as
kashrut, marriage laws, various ceremonials, this book becomes a
guide for students and is suitable for classroom and home studies.
From birth and circumcision to Bar Mitzva, marriage and the life
styles in Judaism, the collective subjects in the Golomb volume pro-
vide answers to questions that may be puzzling to the uninformed in
Judaism. To emphasize the importance of this volume as a textbook,
the author appended a section of 34 pages containing questions based
on the text and the answers to the vital questions regarding Jewish
customs and observances.
Attention is given here to the Jewish calendar and its various
aspects, including the manner in which the leap year is ascertained.
Then there is a summary of the Jewish festivals, thus addi-
tionally adding to the significance of a book aimed at providing
knowledge about Jewish living and by knowing how to enjoy this life.
The introductory comments by the author emphasize the substance of
his devotional aims in an instructive work about Jewish living and
observances:
"There is a legend of a man who walked through a dense London
fog and saw a big dark mass looming before him. As he came closer he
saw that the mass was a man like himself. When finally he was face to
face with the man, he saw that it was his own long-lost brother.
"This legend could serve as an analogy for the situation of many
of our young Jewish people today. Stumbling through the fog of
ignorance, they see the dim outlines of their Jewish heritage, I - hey
will not be able to behold it clearly in all its beauty until the . _ nas
lifted.
"My desire to help lift the fog of ignorance that surrounds so much
of our heritage has prompted me to undertake this work on Jewish -
customs and ceremonies. I have long felt the need for correcting many
commonly held misconceptions about the observances of the Jewish
religion and for presenting the laws and customs of Judaism in a
manner that would be meaningful to our younger generation."
Rabbi Golomb's definitive portions of his book, dealing with
ceremonials, synagogue observances and the holiday spirit, also gives
due attention to observances in the home and strengthening family
life by Jewish observances there.
He explains how this has given strength to Jewish existence and
he declares that "a home strongly fortified with wholesome Jewish
living will be a source of constant enjoyment and deep pride. Since the
home is the birthplace of the Jewish ways of life and of education,
religious observance, human contacts and family relations, it is to be
expected that such a place will likewise have an impact on the whole
of Jewish society." •
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