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December 16, 1983 - Image 4

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 1983-12-16

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

THE JEWISH NEWS

(USPS 275-5201

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 $18 a year.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

.....

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■ 111,1111,11111.. /Ilk

1111.11111. 111, 1111,1,11111.

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CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ

Editor and Publisher

ALAN HITSKY
News Editor

111

I

Business Manager

HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor

DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager

Sabbath Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the 11th day of Tevet, 5744,
the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:

Pentateuchal portion, Genesis 47:28-50:26.
Prophetical portion, I Kings 2:1-12. •

Candlelighting, Friday, December 16, 4:44 p.m.

VOL. LXXIV, No. 16

Page Four

Friday, December 16, 1983

OKING GENOCIDE CONVENTION

A seriously challenging anniversary,
which marks the 35th year of the adoption of the
Genocide Convention by the United Nations
and its proposal for adoption by the nations of
the world, revives the demand that the human
rights document be given the approval of the
United States Senate. As of this date, with 92
nations having endorsed, the ideal projected by
Dr. Rafael Lemkin remains rejected by this na-
tion.
More than 50 nations approved it 35 years
ago, when it received the UN endorsement.
President Harry S Truman commended it in
1949. President Richard Nixon again urged
that it be considered by the Senate in 1970. The
great document remains ignored, in spite of the
consistent proposals by U.S. Senator William
Proxmire of Wisconsin.
Renewed attention is called to the Genocide
Convention by the display of the Rafael Lemkin
paper including eight chapters of the history of
genocide and an unfinished autobiography of
the eminent author of the term genocide which
stems from two words: the Greek Genos, which
means race, nation or tribe, and the Latin suffix
Cide, meaning killing.
As Senator Proxmire has summarized his
appeals for adoption of the Genocide Conven-
tion by the Senate, it refers to the crime of bar-
barity which would include the extermination
of racial, religious or social groups; and the
crime of vandalism, which would comprise the
destruction of artistic and cultural works of
such groups.
It was on June 16, 1949, that President
Truman submitted the Genocide Convention for
action by the Senate. Although 92 nations have
already approved it, Soviet Russia being among

them, the U.S. is unaccounted for.
Now, with attention called again to the his-
toric document, it is important that Senator
Proxmire and all associated with him in the
campaign for U.S. approval of the document be
given the strongest possible support.
It is yet to be fully explained why the U.S.
Senate blocks the road toward international
unity to make genocide a proclaimed crime by
the world community.
Recognition now given to the genius of
Rafael Lemkin, who escaped the Nazi terror and
whose entire family was annihilated during the
Holocaust, and the courageous attempts to ac-
tivate the efforts to indict international crimi-
nals, combine to demand seriousness in de-
manding a U.S. signature to the Genocide Con-
vention.
With due appreciation for the consistency
with which Senator Proxmire advocates a
human decision, he must be given nationwide
support. It is urgent that the attention of every
member of the august senatorial body should be
told that all the emphases given to human
rights are meaningless as long as a document
like Lenikin's is ignored. Let there be action on
a national scale in support of the Genocide Con-
vention.
There is an opportunity now for President
Ronald Reagan to be the third President of the
United States to express his support for the
Genocide Convention. Perhaps, after
Presidents Truman and Nixon had failed to in-
duce the Senate to act favorably on the urgent
issue, President Reagan can add to his
achievements by securing favorable decisions
on an important aspect in mankind's striving
for just human rights.

BEWARE OF BIGOTED TIDE

Israel's enemies do not rest. If they can't fully, the city fathers in that university com-
destroy the state by resort to terrorism, they
munity will recognize the attack on Israel and
seek to undermine the friendship with the the misrepresentations about using those funds
United States which inspires economic and cul-
for the poor in the U.S. The falsehoods will hope-
tural aid as well as military support. They also
fully
exposed by non-Jews so that the issue at
resort to the lie that philanthropy is used by hand be
should
be judged as an American rather
Israel as a military medium.
than a Jewish matter.
Thus, the campaign to undermine Congres-
That Ann Arbor should have been chosen
sional action, which has strong Presidential
as
a
medium to inject hatred into American
support, is resorted to with venom.
foreign policies as well as the social and charit-
\ At the same time, there are efforts to deny
able duties of citizens as individuals and as or-
Israel the right to benefit from philanthropic ganized groups is outright evidence of a spread-
funds. The organized effort to deny tax de-
ing movement to poison the minds of Americans.
ductibility to the United Jewish Appeal, the
The poison didn't fester nationally, there-
Jewish National Fund and other causes, have
fore
the attempt to spread it from a university
not succeeded. But the bitogry in the anti-Israel
city, thereby inviting for it the status that fair
movements continues.
There is no term other than bigotry appli- play denies in this country. That is why it is
doubly regrettable that some Jews should be
cable to some of the inhuman approaches to the
involved in the atrocious scheme. They will
hatreds when aiding social services, assistance
surely
merit the reproach that must come from
to the elderly and support for universities are all elements
in the American community.
linked in an effort to deny tax deduction
The
very
effort to introduce bigotry and
privileges to contributors to human causes. A
hatred
in
America's
domestic affairs and its
group has appeared on the scene advocating
electoral
system,
and
the aim to poison a
making an issue of U.S. aid to Israel and placing
populace
in
a
small
community,
call for con-
this as an issue on the Ann Arbor ballot. Hope-
demnation as well as rejection.

Jewish Ethical Codes
Affecting Business Deals

Moral teachings in Judaism are replete with ethical codes reg-
ulating all aspects of life. They relate to the family and to neighbors.
They influence relationships with non-Jews. They provide codes of
conduct in business and in trading.
Dr. Edward Zipperstein provides the definitions that link the
spiritual with the daily social and business duties as emphasis on the
Jewish demands for adherence to the highest moral principles in
business dealings and in industrial relations. The moral codes thus
outlined as Jewish obligations therefore emerge in his book, "Busi-
ness Ethics in Jewish Law" (Ktav) as an obligation for all mankind.
As an active accountant who has attained leadership in the
Young Israel ranks in Los Angeles, Dr. Zipperstein wrote his thesis as
a student who is well acquainted with the sources from which he drew.
He draws upon teachings in the Bible, rabbinical commentaries, the
Mishna, Gemara, noteworthy Responsa and applied interpretations.
The Jewish principles outlined in this inspired work are treated
as a legacy rooted in high goals, emphasizing that Judaism is con-
cerned with the conduct, "first as to man's actions relating to God and
his conduct as it relates to man."
It is especially noteworthy that the author deals with the Jewish
economic history and therefore provides in his analyses of ethical
codes a chapter relating to Jewish business experiences. From Dr.
Zipperstein's study the reader has a reconstruction of historic studies
how Jews through the ages earned a livelihood. Therefore, while
describing ethical codes based on rabbinic teachings there is also, in
this volume, an account of economic progress as well as struggles in
Jewish ranks.
The author's summation also is an admonition as the author
asserts:
"Man is an ethical being who is capable of making moral deci-
sions and of acting on them. Man is also capable of making wrong
choices. He may do justice and love mercy and is urged to do good and
follow the good life by Scripture, by the Prophets, and by the Rabbis. It
is man's obligation to practice justice in the sanctuary and in the
marketplace.
"Justice must prevail for the innocent and for the helpless poor.
Honesty must prevail among merchants, and integrity among
realtors. In dispensing justice, men who have the power by virtue of
wealth and position should use it with a strong feeling of obligation
for the common good."

Expert-Illustrated Israel Tour

Chaya Burstein earned wide recognition for her "Jewish Kids
Catalog," and has to her credit other instructive works. A mere 32-
page paperbacked brochure-like booklet adds more to her ac-
complishments. It is "What's an Israel?" It is typical of similar works
published by Kar-Ben Copies. It has a strong appeal for children, but
adults will find it worth paying attention to.
It is a guide pamphlet for children and takes them everywhere. It
encourages curiosity.
Little, if anything, is omitted from this descriptive travelogue.
Chaya Burstein takes her young reader-travelers through the cities
and their historic and modern settings — Jerusalem, Beersheva, Tel
Aviv, Haifa; through kibutzim, universities.
It stands to reason that Masada is emphasized and everything
that is historically famous is mentioned.
The descriptive accomplishments gain importance in the draw-
ings which thoroughly accompany the traveler on the reading tour.
Chaya Burstein is both narrator and illustrator of "What's an
Israel?"

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