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 ..... Mk,. 1M Ma ■ 111,1111,11111.. /Ilk 1111.11111. 111, 1111,1,11111. h 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?"