THE JEWISH NEWS
USPS 275-520i
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
Copyright
The Jewish News Publishing Co.
Member of American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, National Editorial Association and
National Newspaper Association and its Capital Club.
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CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
Business Manager
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 13th day of Sheuat, 5742, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 13:17-17:16. Prophetical portion, Judges 4:4-5:31.
Monday, Tu b'Shevat
Candlelighting, Friday, February 5, 5:33 p.m.
VOL. LXXX, No. 23
Page Four
Friday, February 5, 1982
MANY RAYS OF HOPE
A crucial date in April, on which the signers
of the Camp David agreement for a peace pact
between Israel and Egypt had set for _the Is-
raelis' final withdrawal from Sinai, provided
grist for the speculators who choose to act as
prophets for the Middle East.
Prophets of doom regretably gain public at-
tention sooner than the hopeful. Pessimism has
a way of drawing attention quicker than the
faithful who will not submit to the negative
approaches to human experiences.
There is greater reason to be optimistic than
even the conditions in Israel may seem to indi-
cate.
When the Arab mayors of communities ad-
ministered by Israel declare that the PLO is not
the totally-accepted spokesmedium for their
people, it should be taken seriously. When Is-
rael offers a hand of friendship with them and if
it is accepted even brifely, in discussions regard-
ing the moot question of autonomy, it should be
considered as a hopeful sign.
When the new Secretary General of the
United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar, de-
clares himself on the side of the Camp David
negotiators, contrary to what had always ap-
peared to be antagonism from his predecessor,
the horizon brightens.
The Israel-Egyptian cooperation, the cessa-
tion of warfare between the two nations, the
cultural tourist and economic exchanges, must
be viewed with satisfaction.
Last week, 60 Egyptian high school students
came to Israel for a cultural exchange. There
was an exchange of views at the welcoming ses-
sion in Jerusalem. There were some very hear-
tening comments, in a joyful atmosphere. One of
the Egyptian visitors, 17-year-old Ahmed Re-
fat, was quoted: "This is a very new and differ-
ent experience for me. I see that the Israelis are
good people because they worked hard to de-
velop a country."
Israelis have on many occasions expressed
their elation over the new relationship with the
previous chief opponent in the wars between
Arabs and Israel. "An end to war," was Anwar
Sadat's motto and aspiration. Hosni Mubarak
has echoed it.
These are the symptoms of a new spirit in the
Middle East. It is not easily pursued. Troubles
have not ended. All but Egypt continue to prop-
agate destruction. As long as there are a few
sparks of humanism and readiness to talk
peace, hope has not vanished.
HUMANISM THWARTED
The current situation is well known. There is
In a period of three years, the Soviet Union
piled up evidence of a policy to trample under a drastic decrease in the number of Jewish emi-
grants. In 1979, some 51,000 Jews left the
foot the basic principles of human rights.
The agreements at Helsinki have consis- USSR. That number decreased to less than half,
tently been ignored. The appeals of tens of and in 1981 it was a sixth of the 1979 figure. The
thousands of her citizens for exit visas have prejudicial Soviet system is in action. The de-
cline 4n the number of permits to emigres may
been treated with disdain.
Then came the Afghanistan situation. Now it in some measure be due to the U.S.-USSR con-
is the Polish crisis. The latter has drawn the frontation, with the Jewish applicants for visas
attention needed to negate the oppressive among those punished for the U.S. emphasis on
threats that emanate from the Kremlin. Per- the human rights issue. The perpetuated Com-
haps the earlier lessons of Czechoslovakia and munist bias plays its role. The anti-Soviet
Hungary will add to the encouragement in in- policies certainly contribute to the restrictions.
ternational quarters for action to protest and
The road to attaining justice is not an easy
invalidate the authoritarian.
The struggle on the part of a sizable portion of one. Constant hammering at the issues is im-
Russian Jewry to emigrate is, of course, an ele- portant. In the prolonged struggle for human
ment in the situation. There is a trampling rights there is the need to combat the anti-
under foot of the rights of Jews, with the conse- Semitism that has its roots in Russia. The battle
quence that tens of thousands have registered to attain some measure of human rights must
continue unabated.
for permits to emigrate.
TERRORI ST LINKS
Firm steps now being taken by responsible
authorities in this country and abroad offer the
hope that the spread of terrorism will be halted.
The murders of several diplomats in recent
weeks, the continuing threats to the lives of
men and women who have assumed roles in
foreign embassies, has been and continues to be
a matter of serious concern.
The greatest danger from terrorism stems
from submission, from yielding to blackmail.
The resolution of the most recent of the horrible
occurrences in Italy, provides assurance that
the yielding to blackmail is ending.
The links in the ranks of the guilty have been
established. They include the Beirut-based, the
German and the Irish underground factions and
the most destructive in other nationalistic
ranks.
Most depressing is the fact that most of these
elements have gained encouragement from the
Kremlin. Terrorism and destruction have a
common link in the Soviet Union. It is this
partnership that has made it difficult to conduct
a battle against blackmail. But that approach is
at-hand, and the rejection of the inhuman de-
mands and unified action will hopefully lead to
the drastic reductions in terrorism.
Day Schools' Anthology
Covers Scores of Themes
Day schools have attained priorities in educational Jewish aims.
They are increasing in the number of schools and therefore in
enrollments.
Out of them are beginning to emerge well-trained leaders who
are provided with the general schooling and an emphasis on Hebrew
and the Jewish historical backgrounds.
Thanks to the day schools' central organization, Torah
Umesorah, a notable magazine has appeared for more than 30 years
under the title Olomeinu. A series of selected stories that appeared
through the years in Olomeinu now emerge as a notable anthology,
"The Best of Olomeinu" (Mesorah Publications).
It is a notable work, meriting high recommendation because of
the basic themes covered in the collected stories.
The variety of subjects covered in the selected stories indicate the
totality of Jewish ethical and religious interests presented in this
volume.
Here are the five sections in the book: Limud Hatorah (Torah
Study), Prayer (Tefila), Charity and Kindness (Tzedaka Va-Hesed),
Faith and Trust in HaShem (Emunah u-Bitahon) and one of a general
nature.
It is clear from these destinations that the roots of Judaism are
treated in this anthology, that the basic knowledge of Judaism could
be acquired from the Olomeinu themes.
This is a volume that honors the movement that inspired the
magazine and its anthological theses. It is among the tributes earned
by the Torah Umesorah Hebrew Day School movement.
The Olomeinu anthology could well be considered a best seller in
view of the growth of the day school movement everywhere. From a
mere three dozen schools the full-day studies have spread to some 500
schools in this country. The movement has gained ground as well in
England.
All of which means that the audience addressed has become an
army of readers. This face, plus the quality of the stories and the
Torah teaching make the book applicable to home reading as well as
to its inspirational values in the schools.
An Album for Purim
With every festival comes an increased interest among pub-
lishers in producing works for the very young.
The Union of American Hebrew Congregations continues to ex-
pand its bookshelf for children. Its latest product is "Purim Album" in
which Raymond A. Zwerin and Audrey Friedman Marcus relate a
personalized tale drawing upon all the characters in the story of
Purim.
Marlene Lobell Ruthen's illustrations add interest to the story.
The large book, and therefore the extra-sized drawings, give
emphasis to the tale. All the elements in the story of Queen Esther,
Mordecai, Ahasuerus and Haman are in what the authors and pub-
lishers have chosen to call an "album." Out of it all, told in the first
person by a child narrator, is the personal reaction to the holiday
theme and an intimacy that will charm the very youngest for whom
the story will be read, as well as the youngest of readers.