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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the eighth day of Shevat, 5743, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion. Exodus 10:1-13:16. Prophetical portion, Jeremiah, 46:13-28.
Candlelighting, Friday, Jan. 21, 5:16 p.m.
VOL. LXXXII, No. 21
Page Four
Friday, January 31, 1983
'VIGILANT' COMPLACENCY
In its 1982 audit of anti-Semitic incidents
in this country, the Anti-Defamation League
reports that the recorded incidents for the past
year show a reduction of 15 percent compared
with a similar study for 1981.
An evaluative comment on the report as-
sumes realism by declaring that the reduction
in bigotries "offers no room for complacency - or
relaxation of vigilance." The evaluation states:
The downward turn in anti-Semitic
vandalism and similar incidents reflected
in ADL's 1982 audit offers hope that the tide
of increase in such violations reported an-
nually by the League in recent years may
finally have turned.
There is room for encouragement. The
15 percent decline in 1982 sharply con-
trasted with the three previous years in
which anti-Semitic vandalism and similar
incidents doubled or tripled. In 1982, bom-
bings, attempted bombings, arson and at-
tempted arson, taken in the aggregate, de-
clined slightly and cemetery desecrations
did not increase but remained level.
While anti-Jewish harassments in-
creased, the rate of increase was far re-
duced when compared to 1981.
Eight hundred and twenty-nine acts of
anti-Semitic vandalism and similar viola-
tions around the country are still 829 too
many. The results of ADL's 1982 Audit of
Anti-Semitic Incidents offer no room for
complacency or relaxation of vigilance.
There is reason to hope, however, that the
surge of recent years in anti-Semitic indi-
cents has passed its peak.
It is not only the expression of hope that
hatred has "passed its peak" but the relevant
question whether the study is complete or if
much has been overlooked to cause some doubt
regarding the actual conditions involving the
attitudes evidenced in the ranks of extremists
in this country.
The reason for possible doubting is the re-
cording of only three anti-Seniitic incidents
accredited to Michigan, compared to 29 in 1981,
in the state-by-state analysis of the incidents
studied. There was one synagogue alone which
experienced that many anti-Semitic experi-
ences, and while in the main the reported occur-
rences may have been minimal and non-violent,
the fact is that the hatreds exist and are evi-
denced all-too-often.
There is need, supplementary to the task
well pursued by the ADL, to take note of the
frequent regrettable expressions of bias in the
ranks of the blacks. There have been incidents
of their joining, especially in this area, with
Arab propagandists in spreading the anti-Israel
venom, often to an extent that could affect the
relations between the Moslem and Jewish
communities. It is in this regard that even so
extraneous a factor as the Middle East situation
must not be overlooked in whatever studies are
conducted on the extent of anti-Semitism in the
current era.
The conclusion nevertheless continues to
be the guide provided by the ADL, that there is
"no room for complacency or relaxation of vigi-
lance."
UPROOTING THE EVIL
Christians, more than Jews, have often
pinned the evils of anti-Semitism on their own
sources as the guilt for the hatreds. Pope Pius XI
was the author of the phrase "the Sin of anti-
Semitism."
Such are the roots and their uprooting con-
tinues to be the responsibility of the non-Jewish
world.
It is no wonder that so much emphasis is
placed on the recognition of the conscientious
who are rated in Jewish traditions as the
"Hasidei Umot HaOlam" — the Saintly Among
the Nations of the World.
It is so timely, therefore, that responsible
Christians have undertaken to revive-an inter-
est in the life of one such Hasid, the late James
Parkes. The re-publication, 28 years after its
first appearance, of Parkes' "End of an Exile" —
the glorious acclaim of rebirth of Jewish state-
hood as Israel — yet to merit lengthy considera-
tion — attests to the justice of the Zionist
idealism, attests to the courage and self-esteem
of the Gentiles amidst atmospheres of hatred.
In an impressive introductory essay on the
James Parkes leadership in the struggles of de-
nunciation of the bigotries that continue to
emerge in this age of expected enlightment, Dr.
Robert Kalechofsky recalls the international
Christian student conference in Switzerland in
1925 which Parkes chaired on the discussion of
the Jewish question. She relates:
"One lone Romanian Jewish student had
been invited to state the case for the Jewish
people. In 'Voyage of Discoveries,' Parkes de-
scribes the opening Christian's position:
" The Christian's speech was so venomous,
contained so many accusations and innuendoes
that I was sure were false that I took the un-
usual step of saying from the Chair that I could
not accept the speech as the introduction to a
discussion among Christians of the problem. I
would invite no one else to speak until the
speech was withdrawn. I then sat down, and a
deathly silence ensued.' "
Dr. Kalechofsky comments at this point
that this is "a model, surely for UN members!"
But it has nevertheless not served as a les-
son either for UN members or for many of the
states they represent in the world organization.
Appended to "End of an Exile" are the
names of the Hasidei Umot HaOlam: Reinhold
Niehbur, Carl Hermann Voss, Walter Lowder-
milk, Roy Eckardt, Robert Everett and, fortu-
nately and gratefully, numerous others.
Meanwhile, the problem remains — in-
deed, for Christians who, like Franklin Littell,
continue to expose the disgrace of the anti-
Semitic virus.
Indeed, the struggle continues, that of up-
rooting the roots of the ancient hatred.
4 1 1
Comic Books Can Serve
as Guidelines to Knowledge
This column is reserved for reviews of books devoted to the sci-
ence of historical record and the traditional interpretations of Jewish
values, and as well as studies of current Jewish interest.
This one is a kind of variation, because it takes into account a
series of comic books. It takes into account resort to the anecdotal, to
the lighter vein, yet they are filled with so many traditional, so
factual, so definitively applicable to the effort to teach while retaining
the entertaining, that they merit recognition.
"Mendy and the Golem" is the title of the series, and three new
comics have been issued under this title. They appear on the first
anniversary of the series and the publishers, Mendy Enterprises,
deservedly take pride in the task undertaken by means of telling
stories, quoting Scriptures, providing a source for learning for young
and adults.
Torah is a central theme and the legacies embodied in the Bible
and Talmud are enumerated.
So is piety represented, prayers are defined, the inspiration to
synagogue services and traditional home observances is encouraged.
Historic events are recalled and noted personalities are biog-
raphed. Exemplary is the life story of Rashi, the 11th Century French
Jewish scholar, whose commentaries are vital to Jewish studies as
they have been through the centuries.
Then there are the factual, the ordinary and the unusual that are
featured in each issue under the heading "Did You Know . .," the
following serving as examples of the tid-bits incorporated in these
"comic" accumulations:
"It's mitzva to learn some Torah every morning and every night.
A good way to learn is to keep saying the words out loud. If a friend is
near try it together.
"There is a written Torah and oral Torah . . . Both were given to
Moshe Rabbeinu on Mount Sinai. The written Torah consists of the
Humash — (Five books of Moses) . . . Neviim — (Prophets, like Isaiah,
Shmuel and Daniel) . . . and Ketuvim — holy writings such as
Megilat, Esther, the Song of Songs and Tehillim (Psalms) .. .
"The oral Torah explains the written Torah and includes the
Mishna and Gemora, which together make up the Talmud . . . In fact,
it includes all the teachings of our sages from the time of Moshe until
today!"
"Mendy and the Golem," published six times a year, mix jokes and
Judaism in a zany off-beat way, designed to educate children and
adults while entertaining them. The theme of each issue is a mitzva
which is significant as'a learning experience in a child's development.
For example, "Mendy and the Golem" has already covered the impor-
tance of hospitality to guests, giving charity, visiting the sick and
returning lost objects, to recite just a few.
These comics provide many happy and constructive hours for the
young and are a meaningful but inexpensive gift.
The publisher, Mendy Enterprises, is located at 450 Seventh
Ave., New York 10001.