2 • Friday, August 21, 1981
THE DETROIT JEWISH 'HEWS
Purely Commentary
Let the Arab Extremists Give
Their Platform . . . Perhaps
the Media Will Judge Well
What the Arabs Have to Say and a Plea for U.S. Officials
and the Media to Read, Listen, Judge How the Planners of
Destruction and Begin's Haters Operate in the Middle East
The battle goes on, and it is not merely a war of words.
It is a battle against civilians, but the Arab extremists keep
calling it a war. In spite of the hatred for Begin and the
antagonisms to Israel, much truth often crops up in an
American newspaper editorial, as witness this brief quota-
tion from an editorial, "The PLO and the Contempt Factor,"
in the Chicago Tribune, June 31:
The only persons who are exempt from attack
by PLO gunmen are soldiers who are capable of
fighting back. Israel may be the only war'zone in
history where it is far safer to be a soldier than a
civilian.
Bringing Israel and the PLO together would be
helped if the PLO would recognize Israel's right to
exist. It would be helped if Israel would recognize
the Palestinians' right to a homeland. But it would
be helped most of all if the PLO guerrillas would
fight like men.
Note to the White House and State Department and
the media:
The truth will come out. Will you read, listen and
judge?
By Philip -
Slomovitz
Yehoshua Ben Arieh makes a fine contribution to the
history of the Holy Land with his "The Rediscovery of the
Holy Land in the 19th Century."
Stanley Chyett's "Lopez of Newport" attracted wide
attention recently and is among the important WSU Press
books recorded in Judaica.
Additionally significant is the authoritative "Ameri-
can Protestantism and the Jewish State" by Herzl Fishman
and the "Chaim Greenberg Anthology," selected and with
an introduction by Marie Syrkin.
The extraordinary character of giving so much em-
phasis to a book catalogue is accounted by the home base of
the university press providing such a wealth of reading
material to English speaking readers globally.
It is also creditable to the wealth of a material prov
by a single publishing agency for utilization in educatl_
programming as well as for personal self-edification.
Under the title "Judaica" the WSU publishing branch
enriches literature generally, the Jewish bookshelf specifi-
cally and advances cultural aspects greatly to the credit of
those administering these creative projects.
Many Arab spokesmen, like so many of the haters of all
Jews, keep repeating the canards that Jews control the
press, Jews control Congress, Jews are listened to, Arabs
are not.
The most recent ganging-up against Israel in most
newspapers surely refutes the very last bemoaning of their
fate. If ever Israel's enemies had the newspapers and the
commentators in their corner it was in the Iraqi and Beirut
incidents and at every instance when the Menahem Begin
image irritated them.
A bit of summarizing is in order, and the Jerusalem
Post does it well under the heading, "The PLO's Truth":
This country owes Farouk Kaddumi, the head
of the PLO's "political department," a debt of
gratitude for the interview he granted the West
German weekly Der Spiegel. The PLO, said Mr.
Kaddumi, would never recognize Israel's state-
Turning to a Half-Century-Old
hood, not ever if it were allowed to set up its own
independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, nor
Page in This Area's History
Home-Based Wayne State University
would it ever let Israel live in peace and quiet.
Fortunately for archival history, many people retain
Press Dramatizes Publishing
This should help clear the air of the cant with
records
that have historical merit.
which it had been filled by wishful-thinking about
Jewish Books on Manifold Topics
The late Michael Michlin, who was among Detroit's
the PLO's "underlying" desire to come to terms
Catalogues issued by Jewish publishers — Schocken leading educators and an active leader in Zionist, notably
with Israel. Farouk Kaddumi, it should be
Books, Jewish Publication Society, Union of American He- Jewish National Fund, ranks, was especially adept at
stressed, is no spokesman for some especially
brew Congregations, Bloch, Hebrew Publishing Co., gathering such material.
wild PLO faction: he speaks directly for the main-
Behrman Sefer-Hermon, others — are replete with lists of
Now another personality emerges as a provider of re-
line Fatah, led by Yasir Arafat himself. The milit-
Jewish-interest books. These represent normalcy in Jewish cords that serve as reminders of important occurrences in
ant front he is putting on is no bargaining ploy,
publishing obligations. When, however, a university press this area. Isaac Knoppow, a respected citizen who remains
but a true reflection of the PLO's true sentiments.
commits itself to a most impressive collection of books of a devoted Mizrachist, has resurrected the program of a
It should also cause second thoughts for those
historic and current interest, it is a matter distinct in itself. memorial meeting held here -Aug. 28, 1929, marking the
Palestinian Arabs in the West Bank and in the
"Judaica" is the title of the catalogue of a large number 25th anniversary of the death of Dr. Theodor Herzl, founder
Gaza Strip who do seek peaceful coexistence with
of volumes so vital in the interest they invite that their of the political Zionist movement and of the World Zionist
Israel.
publisher, Wayne State University Press, earns gratitude Congress.
'
At a time when Israel's own government is
Included in this four-page program is a major article, a
from American Jewry.
going out of its way to help the PLO's case, it is a
Under the scholarly super-
tribute to Dr. Herzl. Then there is a list of the movements
relief to find the PLO aiding Israel's cause.
vision of Dr. Bernard
that sponsored the event. They are listed in the program as
Let the Arabs speak again, as freely as they wish, and
Goldman, the WSU Press col-
follows, together with the participants in the event:
let it go into the record as to their actual aims regarding
lected works, publication of
PROGRAM
Israel's future. In a speech on Aug. 21, 1980, Iraq's
of the
many of them made possible
President Saddam Hussein stated, as quoted by the Foreign
Theodor Herzl Memorial Services
by the Morris and Emma
Broadcast Information Service:
Under the auspices of Mizrachi Hatzoir, Affil-
Schaver Publications Fund
When we reject the Zionist entity's decision to
iated Mizrachi Organizations, Zionist District,
for Jewish Studies, include
take Jerusalem as its capital, we do not mean that
Jewish National Fund, Young Israel, Kvutzah Iv-
important works on the
we recognize Tel Aviv as its capital. We consider it
Holocaust,
the
ideological
rith and other local groups.
a usurper of the territory of Palestine and of the
Rabbi A. M. Ashinsky, chairman; Rev. E.
concepts
of
eminent
Chris-
other Arab territories. We also consider it an
Zaludkowski,
memorial prayers; Greetings —
tian
academics
and
theolo-
entity founded to threaten the Arab nation's fu-
Chavah Powell, Akivah Dreznin Leah Wein-
gians, arts, religion and the
ture, sovereignty and prospects .. .
traub: Students of the Hebrew high School;
sciences, and personality
It was necessary to take an effective stand.
Philip Slomovitz, pres. of the Zionist District of
sketches
of
notables
in
What then is the effective stand? Any gradual re-
Detroit; Aaron Kurland, president of the Jewish
Jewish history.
sponse cannot represent a serious reply to the
DR. BERNARD GOLDMAN
National Fund; Joseph Haggai; Rabbi Moses
The
importance
of
this
Zionist entity . . . The states which have embassies
Fischer; spiritual leader, Hungarian Jewish
project is additionally evi-
(must move them) from Jerusalem, or else we will
denced by the co-publishing tasks of WSU Press with the
Community of Detroit; Rabbi Irving Miller, of Far
boycott them at the end of a 30-day ultimatum.
Hebrew University and the Jewish Museum of New York.
Rockaway, N. Y., student and prominent leader.
The world has begun to view this decision seri-
Wide attention was aroused by the two volumes co-
It is not this commentator's conceit that encourages
ously whether in international or regional organ-
published with the Jewish Museum, "Danzig 1939 — Trea-
review
of that occasion. Of importance are several facts.
izations. Why has the world taken this decision
sures of a Destroyed Community" and "Artists of Israel
In addition to the program, there is the list of organiza-
seriously? It is because it was serious and was not
1920 to 1980." Similarly, the record of achievements and tions, serving as an indication of the Zionist groups who
meant for publicity. We really meant by this deci-
human services by the Joint Distribution Committee, in then worked cooperatively and who were the predominant
sion to boycott the states that abide by or accede
"American Jewry and the Holocaust" by Dr. Yehuda Bauer factors in Detroit Zionist ranks 52 years ago. It is interest-
to the Zionist decision. We will do so. We believe
serves a significant need in perpetuating the outstanding ing to note that the leader in the group, Mizrachi Hatzoir,
that all the Arab brothers will do the same.
philanthropic activity performed by American Jewry.
in which Mr. Knoppow also was active, is no longer in
Some people may ask if this decision is the best
Two Works by Dr. Raphael Patai, "Gates to the Old existence. Does this signify a decline in youth interest?
that can be taken. No, a better decision would be
City" and "The Messiah Texts" are valuable for historians
Then there is a major factor: the memorial meeting
to destroy Tel Aviv with bombs. But we have to
and lovers of the traditional and the legendary.
having
been conducted at Northern High School. What an
use the weapons available until it is actually
Eminent Christians figure prominently in "Judaica." interesting reminder of earlier neighborhoods in a commu-
possible to respond to the enemy with bombs. The
Due to be published soon are "Long Night's Journey Into nity that has since evidenced numerous changes in popula-
other Arab brothers can help us in this respect.
Day — Life and Faith After the Holocaust," by Roy and
Begin's enemies, who have shown a great ability to Alice Eckardt, and "The German Church Struggle and tion migrations!
The participants in that program also remind the
hate, keep saying Prime Minister Menahem Begin is re- Holocaust," edited by Franklin H. Littell and Hubert C.
community
of personalities who were then notable here,
sponsible for all the trouble. Pitifully, some Jews fall into
with special interest attaching to the names of Rabbi A.M.
that trap. Would it have mattered if Labor had beaten Locke.
An unending interest in one of the most dramatic
Likud in the June 30 election? Note what Bassam Abu events of the century is recounted in "The Dreyfus Affair Ashinsky, Rev. (Cantor) E. Zaludkowski, Aaron Kurland,
Sharif, a spokesman for the PFLP (Popular Front for the and the American Conscience, 1895 to 1906," by Prof. Egal Rabbi Moses Fischer, Joseph Haggai and Rabbi Irving Mil-
ler, who later was elevated to the presidency of the Zionist
Liberation of Palestine) said on June 24, a week before the Feldman of the University of Wisconsin.
Organization of America.
Israeli election:
Meriting attention in the WSU Press "Judaica"
As a reminder of people who were then prominent ID
the
Arab
people
the
give
They are attempting to
catalogue is "Moses Jacob Ezekiel." It was co-edited by the the following from that memorial program also is valuable
impression that there is a difference between the
eminent WSU professor of art history Rabbi Joseph Gut- as a reminder of those who served here and were important
Zionist Labor Party and the Zionist Likud bloc. I
mann with Dr. Stanley Chyett.
contributors to the progress made in the Jewish commu-
would like to say here that there is absolutely no
nity:
History
and
legendary
are
recalled
in
"The
Golem
Re-
real difference between the Labor Party and the
These Memorial Services were made possible
membered" by Dr. Arnold L. Goldsmith.
Likud in terms of policy and the Likud in terms of
through the generous contributions of the follow-
An interesting record of Jews who turned to farming in
policy and thinking.
ing patrons:
Perhaps President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of this country is presented in "Jewish Age icultural Utopias
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. H. Ehrlich, Mr. and Mrs.
State Alexander Haig should be alerted not only to the in America, 1880-1910" by Uri D. Herscher.
Henry Wineman, B. Seigel Co., Frank & Seder Co.
Science
students
will
be
greatly
enlightened
in
above but also to the manner in which Saudi Arabia could
of Detroit, Parisian Co., Jos. Wetsman, Mr. and
use the AWACS as menacing instruments against not only "Reality and Scientific Truth: Discussions with Einstein,
Mrs. David Zeman, Mr. and Mrs. M. Prussian, Mr.
Israel but also the United States. Prince Sultan Bin Van Laue and Planck" by Ilsa Rosenthal Schneider, edited
and Mrs. David Oppenheim and Mr. and Mrs. Is-
Abdul-Aziz, the Saudi defense minister, was quoted in the by Thomas Braun.
rael Zilber.
A bilingual volume Yiddish poems and their English
Wall Street Journal on June 29, 1981:
Collectively, these resurrected facts provided an im-
translations as well as transliterations, "Onions, Cucum-
Let me be very clear. If we had AWACS (Air-
portant page in Metropolitan Detroit history. It would be a
bers
and
Plums,"
edited
by
Sarah
Zweig
Betsky,
exten-
borne Warning And Control Systems radar
sively reviewed in The Jewish News (April 17, 1981) will pity if the details were listed and an early experience for-
planes) on June 7 and we saw the Israelis on their
gotten.
always be valued as an outstanding work.
way to attack Iraq, sure we would tell Iraq.