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. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Jewish News, 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. SUbscription $15 a year. 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.