THE JEWISH NEWS ..275520,
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
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 22nd day of Shevat, 5743, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal poriton, Exodus 18:1-20:23. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6.
Candlelighting, Friday, February 4, 5:34 p.m.
VOL. LXXXII, No. 23
Is
Page Four
Friday, February 4, 1983
'INFURIATION' JUSTIFIED?
U.S.-Israel relations may, indeed, have taken
a negative turn, if the repetitive comments in
the media are to be taken seriously. Since
every smell of smoke is accompanied by the
warning that there may be a flame somewhere,
the reports of a President "infuriated" with
Begin must be taken seriously.
It is most unfortunate that the attitude of
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak contributes
to such rumors. An antagonism sensed in Cairo
toward Menahem Begin does little to assure
adherence to the Camp David agreements.
Rumors involving State Department attitudes
certainly do not help to remove the smoldering
anger.
As long as negotiations continue, there is less
fear of a collapse in good relations between Is-
rael and the United States. Therefore, the need
to continue the dialogue and to make it work-
able.
Fortunately, Congressional attitudes are not
as disruptive. In evidence is a vital statement by
an influential member of the U.S. Senate. Er-
nest Hollings of South Carolina, in the New
York Times Op-Ed Page article titled "Israel,
Despite Begin," warned against ignoring Israel
"in vital defense planning."
Declaring that "Israel is strategically impor-
tant to us," he emphasizes that "both countries
share common interests." "Yet," he added,
"rather than embrace our special relationship
with Israel we apologize for it."
With a birdseye view of conditions in the
Middle East, the divisiveness and hatreds that
embrace its nations, Senator Hollings declares
that lack of proper treatment of the issues
"could be a peril" for the U.S. Taking into ac-
count the hatred for Menahem Begin that had
become the means for discrediting the Jewish
state, Senator Hollings made his piont in Is-
rael's defense, stating:
"Our policy makers have ignored stable,
democratic Israel, the logical storage depot for
the equipment. Israel is close to the scene of
possible military action. It is the only country in
the region where we could land military air-
craft. It is the only country there with air and
ground defenses that can protect the equip-
ment.
"There is no other country remotely compar-
able to Israel in its ability to help us project our
strength in the Persian Gulf, the Mediterra-
nean and in Southwest Asia.
"So, why do we ignore the obvious? The rea-
son appears to be the personality of one maii-
Prime Minister Begin. We permit our displeas-
ure with the man to deflect us from treating the
nation of Israel as a full-fledged ally. If we could
only overcome our obsession with him, Ameri-
can security would be inestimably enhanced."
With additional references to Menahem Be-
gin, and admonitions not to use the dislike for
him as means of destroying the vitality of the
Israel-U.S. friendship, Senator Hollings de-
clares:
"Israel is thus obviously central to our inter-
est in an independent, open stable Middle East.
Our view of Prime Minister Begin has no bear-
ing on our need for this dependable ally.
- "In fact, we should applaud a society that so
resembles ours, with a free press intent on fer-
reting out the truth about the Beirut massacre
and with a national conscience that will not rest
until the truth is known."
Could there be a better argument against "in-
furiation"? Thanks to Senator Hollings and his
friendly-to-Israel associates, drastic actions
against Israel will hopefully be avoided and an-
tagonisms rejected.
APOLITICAL 'NEW ZIONISTS'
Unity as a symbol of a cooperative spirit in proach is with an emphasis that it must be
Jewish ranks everywhere to assure the life and apolitical, that the basic principles involving
security of Israel. Her people owes a sense of immigration, aliya, the quest for increased ef-
dignity and devotion to a dedicated leadership forts to strengthen Jewish cultural aspirations
that cannot and will not tolerate any move are not to be ignored or avoided.
aimed at the Jewish state's destruction.
It is to the credit of the Fisher statement aim-
It commenced with some limitations with the ing at strengthening the movements in support
Zionists and it grew into great strength in all and defense of Israel that is was not marred by
Jewish ranks, and while obstructionists have obstacles to Israel evident elsewhere. His plea is
gained hearings in the press and from pulpits, for unity, and it is made without apologetics, in
unity has emerged as a solidifying force. a spirit of dignity, as an honorable approach to
Max M. Fisher, never a dues-paying Zionist,
the responsibilities inherent in efforts to retain
was the creator of the term "New Zionists," and the reality of redemption.
in the leadership he maintains in such ranks
Hopefully, the proposals now in the making
has developed a force for justice on a scale em- under Max Fisher's leaderhip, will have a re-
bracing mankind and responsibility enveloping sponsive and cooperative Jewish leadership in
world Jewry.
the official Zionist quarters and its cooperative
Diaspora representative bodies. In an apolitical
The devotion with which the eminent De-
app roach the aim is commendable. It merits
troiter pursues that role became especially evi-
,
dent in his statement, as chairman of the appreciation, respect and fulfillment.
Jewish Agency Executive, in which he affirms
Implication by Mr. Fisher of the "apolitical"
the priority to be given Jewish unity, while in- obligations involves both Israeli and Diaspora
dicating a determination to direct efforts to as- Jewries. Whatever is done for Israel philan-
sure an avoidance of splintering in Jewish and thropically must be on the highest level, em-
Zionist ranks.
phasizing the ideological and at the same time
It is to the credit of Max Fisher that his ap- obviating the obstacled.
3 Hannah Senesh Books
Now Readied for Staing
Few of the stories about the heroes of the war against Nazism,
and in the Jewish resistance to the barbarities, are as deeply moving
as that of Hannah Senesh.
Three books and scores of articles have been published, dealing
with her life, her Zionist devotion acquired during an era of vile
anti-Semitism in Hungary, her pioneering as a youngster in Pales-
tine, her life in a kibutz, her poetry, her courage and resistance which
ended in martyrdom at age 23 when she refused to reveal the names of
her associates on a dangerous mission to rescue victims of Nazism.
Her name is glorified by the children in the Israel that was reborn
after her death.
Hannah Senesh is a
name to be equated with that
of Raoul Wallenberg and the
great heroes who were in the
resistance and the rescue
forces. Yet, it is unknown to
many, perhaps to most, in
this country.
It was not until 1978 that
' the choreographer Anna
Sokolow first learned about
her. Reading the story of
Hannah's life, her poetry, the
account about her mother,
Catherine Senesh, who
struggled in Budapest where
Hannah was being tortured
by the Nazis and herself es-
caped while en route to a
death camp, Sokolow was so
deeply moved that she is now
HANNAH SENESH
preparing the stage produc-
tion about the Hannah Senesh dr ama.
Together with Israel Eliraz, an Israeli writer, the production is
now being previewed for staging at the Harold Elurman Theater in
New York.
The first of the three books about Hannah Senesh was published
as early as 1947, thus adding to the amazement that the name of the
Heroine will not gain that deserved fame until the production of the
stage play about her. It is "Blessed Is the Match" (Jewish Publication
Society) by Marie Syrkin. The cover of the book contains a poem by
Hannah Senesh from which the title of the book is taken. It reads:
Blessed is the Match that is consumed
In kindling flames.
Blessed is the flame that burns
In the Secret fastness of the heart.
Blessed is the heart with strength to stop
Its besting for honor's sake
Blessed is the match that is consumed
In kindling flame.
The other two Hannah Senesh books are:
• "Hannah Senesh — Her Life and Diary" (Schocken Books),
with an introduction by Abba Eban, reviewed in The Jewish News,
March 31, 1972.
• "The Summer That Bled" (St. Martin's Press) by Anthony Mas-
reviewed in The Jewish News Aug. 23, 1973.
It is in this unusual way of utilizing a book review spot in this
newspaper that the Hannah Senesh life story is called again to wider
appreciation, leading to respect for an heroic name.
.