THE JEWISH NEWS Ili SPS 275-520 cr` 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. _ 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 29th day of Iyar, 5742, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Numbers 1:1-4:20. Prophetical portion, I Samuel 20:18-42. Sunday, Rosh Hodesh Sivan, Numbers 28:1-15. May 28, First day of Shavuot Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 19:1-20:23, Numbers 28:26-31. Prophetical portion, Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12. Candlelighting, Friday, May 21, 8:33 p.m. VOL. LXXXI, No 12 Page Four Friday, May 21, 1982 -JERUSALEM DAY In Jewish tradition, on the Jewish calendar, Jerusalem is sanctified in prayer, in endless allegiance. There is no limit to the reference to Jerusalem in the prayers, thrice daily. Yet, a special day has been forced upon Israel and world Jewry in the name of Jerusalem. This is Jerusalem Day. It is so designated because after many years of abuses, of desecra- tions, Israel was able to liberate the city of Jerusalem and restore it to its former glory as the capital of Israel. It is because Jerusalem again regained the right to be administered by Israel, in 1967, that the occasion has been identified on the calendar as Jerusalem. Day. It is most unfortunate that the liberation of the Holy City was necessitated by warfare. It was because of the abuses of those who had ruled over it for many years that military action became a necessity. The actual result was that the freedoms that were denied to Jews in Jerusalem were restored and the rights of all the inhabitants of the city, the privileges of all worshippers of all religions, are guaranteed, are protected, are assured by regulations from the city fathers of Jerusalem, the duly elected ad- _ ministrators of its affairs, who guard her zeal- ously. Israel's antagonists have ganged up in an ef- fort to deny the historic association of the city with Jewish history, the Jewish people and the Jewish state. It is in answer to them that Jerusalem Day is observed by Jews everywhere. It is in a continuing appeal to the United States to transfer its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem that this day is being emphasized in a quest for justice. Jerusalem is Israel's capital on this day and always. Jerusalem is central to the entire issue in- volving autonomy talks and the reactions of Arab states to the Camp David agreements and the hopes for peace. Under the domination of the wealthiest and therefore the most influential of the oil-powered nations in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem has become the sym, bol of a jihad, a call for Israel's destruction. It is the root of Saudi power, the oil wealth, that has -caused the United States to deny Israel her right to choose her own capital and to make the historic legacy the choice. The Saudis have caused the withdrawal of other nations from Jerusalem as the seat of emabssies. Perhaps it is not all gloomy. In human rela- tions, as long as there is a single friend, one can feel more secure. George Eliot once remarked that no one need despair as long as there is a single friend in whom one can feel comfort and understanding. While it is pitiful that the United States has not established its embassy in Jerusalem, and that so many have refrained from giving Jerusalem the city's due recogni- tion in Israel's life, the return of Costa Rica to Jerusalem is heartening. Re-establishing its embassy in the Jewish City of Peace, Costa Rica asserted that a nation has the right to choose its own site for its capital. This is how it is. This is how it will continue to be in accordance with decent diplomatic policies. To retain the sovereign right to choose its capital therefore has become a chief defensive element in Israel's very existence, and Jerusalem Day — Yom Yerushalyim — is the rallying time for Jews everywhere to signalize the solidarity with Israel in the struggle _for justice for the embattled state. WELCOME TO ZAIRE An occasional bit of good news provides vitally-needed relief from the tensions that ag- gravate the Middle East crises. Zaire is resuming diplomatic relations with Israel. Nimyaidika Ngimbi brought this deci- sion to Jerusalem last week. It is a reaffirmation of a friendship that existed as a matter of previously-established Israeli policies of befriending Black African countries. Hopefully, this will mean the strengthening of relations which were regrett- ably interrupted in 1973 during and as an af- termath of the Yom Kippur War. Israel, during several administrations, espe- cially those of Golda Meir and Levi Eshlijol, ex- changed emissaries with the African nations. Israeli experts helped in the industrial, agricul- tural and culture planning and the raising of the standards of living in the many countries. Arab pressures caused the break. The Zaire action is expected to be followed by other Afri- can countries. • As the Zaire representatives have indicated, the good-will evidenced by Israel in the with- drawal from Sinai is an indication of an aim for cooperation between nations. More deeply- rooted, it may well be believed, is the manner in which Israel had built friendships with under- developed countries. The Zaire announcement was greeted by a call from Kuwait to Zambia President Kenneth Kaunda urging him to work with African coun- tries for the continuation of a boycott of Israel. The challenge is thus to the conscience of people of good will, and the resistance of Zaire to pres- sures from Israel's enemies will surely provide renewal of adherence to just aims for all peoples in the areas involved. It is not unexpected that the PLO should be among the first, together with Kuwait, to pro- test the decision of Zaire. Hopefully, such oppo- sition will be an added reason for resumption of Israel-African states' friendly relations. After all, justice can not be sacrificed forever. Therefore the Israeli welcome to Zaire must re- ceive a global echo. New Volume from JPS Hershele Ostropoler Back to Life After 200 Years Hershel lived in Ostropol in the Russian Ukraine 200 years ago. He told delightful tales and they live after him. So famous has that name _become, thanks to his narrative wit, that he has remained immortal in the history of Jewish folklore under the popular name of Hershele of Ostropol. "Hershel of Ostropol" has also become the name of a series of delightful stories for the young and has been included by the Jewish Publication Society in its folktale series. Prof. Eric A. Kimmel of Portland State University, the editor and coordinator of this volume, which contains four of the humorous Hershel tales, renders a great service to Jewish historical records with this collection of folktales. In an introductory, explanatory preface, Dr. Kimmel traces the Hershel background. Born in Batla, in the Ukraine, he was a wan- derer from village to village, always empty-pocketed. Hershel is de- picted as a luft-mench, as one "who lives on air." How could he live in such fashion? Prof. Kimmel explains: "His sense of humor and his good sense kept him alive. The stories of his clever tricks and sayings have become so popular that, even though they may not all be true, they are still being told today." The proof of it is in the four stories, "What His Father Did," "The Bandit," "Hershel Thinks Deep Thoughts" and "A Thousand Wor- ries." The jests represent, as so much in shtetl literature does, an expression of faith and laughing off one's troubles. Exemplary is the concluding tale about a thousand worries. Hershel's friend Yekel talks about his many worries. Thereupon he gets advice from Hershel: " 'You only think you have a thousand worries.' What do you mean, think? I do!' You don't,' Hershel insisted. 'I'll prove it.' He took a pencil and paper from his pocket and began making a list. "Let's see, a new horse costs how much?' Thirty rubles,' said Yekel. Hershel wrote down '30 rubles.' Now how much to get the coach fixed?' Another 30.' Hershel wrote down '30.' " 'New clothes for your wife and children — 25 rubles. The rent — 15 rubles.' Hershel wrote it all down. 'Now let's add it up. Thirty and 30 are 60 . . . and 25 makes 85 . . . and 15 more makes an even 100. Is that right?' Yekel nodded. " 'Then that proves it!' Hershel exclaimed. 'You don't have 1,000 worries. You have only one.' What's that?' Yekel asked. 'Where a-- you going to get 100 rubles?' So? Where?' That I don't know,' Hers: said. 'But I do know this. I don't have 100 rubles either, but Gou always takes care of me. Have faith, Yekel. I'm sure He'll do the same for you.' "And He did." There is no doubt, as indicated by Prof. Kimmel, about the au- thenticity of this character's existence. His stories and appended recollections of him confirm it. The significance of the Hershele role which made him a personality is the craving for humor in Jewish life. He contributes towards adding a lighter vein to the people who strug- gled, who were affected by economic ills and their isolation at the same time in an antagonistic society. The Hershel book is delightfully illustrated by Arthur Friedman, who has an' interesting background as an illustrator of children's books, textbooks and films. The combined Kimmel-Friedman effort lends charm to the revi- val of interest in a personality whose name retains fame in Jewish memories.