THE JEWISH NEWS

WSPS 275 520)

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 each Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, MI 48075-4491
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Jewish News, 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, MI 48075-4491
Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $18 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 17th day of Shevat, 5744,
the following scriptural selections will be read in _our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 18:1 720:23. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6.

Candlelighting, Friday, January 20, 5:16 p.m.

VOL. LXXXIV, No. 21

Page Four

Friday, January 20, 1984

AMAZING INSENSIBILITIES

Recognizing that there really are very few
secrets in international affairs, that even with-
out leaks the truth sprouts forth quicker than
common imagination, it is amazing how impor-
tant facts get lost in the naive scramble fot
media sensationalism.
Jordan's monarch has been playing games,
necessitated by the urgency of retaining the
crown and avoiding frequently-threatened as-
sassination . Yet, when Hussein convened his
mythical parliament for the first time in nine
years, the purpose, apparently of mobilizing an-
other myth, aimed at harming Israel, the naive
kept bowing and sprouting sensationalism.
In spite of the ridiculous position of the split
of the PLO, and of the Don Quixotian posing by
Yasir Arafat, there are still those who would
think of him as a possible contact person for
peace negotiations. -
These are among the amazing develop-
ments that create paper diplomacy, magnifying
jests into principles, hiding the realities of a
tragic era. The tragedy has special evidence in
Lebanon, and that unfortunate country is in
danger of continuing as a fratricidal agony due
to failures that commenced with religious hat-
reds in that nation's divisiveness between
Christians and Muslims, and the selfish movti-
vations of forces seeking domination. The latter
could be, as it is, applied to Israel with a charge
of armed occupancy.
The reiterated declarations of readiness to
withdraw from Lebanon, declared by Israel,
should help to negate that charge. There re-
mains, however, the truth of continuing threats
to Israel's very existence, justifying a
semblance of defensiveness by Israel. A proper
approach to solving the Lebanon problems can
and must obviate this element of the accusatory
regarding territorial aims leveled at Israel.
Neither Yasir Arafat nor Syria's Hafez

-

Assad can or should be ignored in the treatment
of developing situations. Assad has not been
removed from the menacing elements seeking
Israel's demise, and Arafat's repetitive threats -
continue to enlist support in some ranks, just as
they often mislead many in the media.
The link between Arafat and Hussein is not
mythical. It becomes aparent with time that
their comradeship is aimed at confronting Is-
rael and the threats are ominous. Thus, on Dec.
26, in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Destur,
Arafat was quoted:
We will begin a defensive war for the sake
of this confederation (with Jordan); it will be
ourselves and Jordan against Israel and its
plans, based on a new reality . . . on all levels
including the military one. The PLO has shown
great fighting ability against the Zionist
enemy, and has waged the longest Arab war
against it . . . The war of attrition against the
Israeli enemy will never stop .. .
It is in my interest to have a war in the
region, because I believe that the only medicine
for the ills of the Arab nation is a true war
against the Zionist enemy . . . This desire stems
from a realistic analysis of the facts in the area."
That Israel is still the menaced in the Mid-
dle East is a fact too well known to need elabora-
tion. The misfortune is that many in the media
overlook the PLO threat as a continuity, and the
occasional glorifying of Arafat certainly does
not help alleviate dangers.
There are entirely too many insensibilities
to the occurrences, and myths have been mag-
nified while truth is often ignored. In the search
for practical solutions there remains a need for
firmness by the powers seeking control of a
tragic situation. While this is recognized, there
should be an end to glorifying terrorists and
lending them credibility. This is what has hap-
pened in the instance of PLO leadership. This is
among the errors to be avoided.

CULTURE WITHOUT BIAS

Plans for the establishment of an Arabic
Studies Center on the Wayne State University
campus may arouse anxiety over the possible
injection of prejudiced views in an American
university environment. Hopefully, there will
be an elimination of suspicion and the
encouragement that apparently is being given
to such a project in collaboration with Middle
Eastern countries — in this instance Arabic —
will be on the high level of cultural advance-
ment.
To be encouraged at all times is the teach-
ing and learning of languages, the benefiting
from historical lessons, the interchange of ideas
between peoples.
From earliest times in the history of
American universities, Hebrew has been part of
curricula. At Wayne State University, students
also have available for them courses in Arabic,
Polish, Russian and many other languages.
These are all provided on a civilized basis, the
study of languages, in addition to perfecting
knowledge of English, being a normal necessity
in educational processes.
In the instance of planning for an Islamic

center, there is the inevitable concern lest it
should become means for propaganda that is
vitriolically anti-Israel, with anti-Semitism de-
veloping in the process.
Such fears should be obviated for several
reasons. There should enter into the discussion
the assurance that comes from the reality that
in a community like Greater Detroit and its
environs, with an Arab-oriented population ex-
ceeding 200,000, serious conflicts between two
societies, the Arab and the Jewish, have been
avoided.
Then there is the fact of the university it-
self. WSU President David Adamany, himself of
Lebanese origin, has a record for fair treatment
of the many elements who make up the univer-
sity population.
Nevertheless, there is always the fear,
stemming from suspicion, that prejudice could
be injected in such a program.
In the best interests of cultural pluralism,
good assurances must be anticipated. The
American ideal remains rooted in the determi-
ation that there shall never be comfort here for
iogotry and hatreds.

Children's Prayer Book
With Inspired Messages

"Sidduri" as the title for a children's book is certain to arouse
wide interest. While "My Prayer Book," which is the translation of the
title, may also suggest curiosity, its contents at once dispel it.
"Tefila," prayer, is introduced here in a most interesting fashion.
It is a short book, and it is so lavishly illustrated that it captures the
imagination of the child.
The entire text can be read in minutes, not hours, yet every hymn
becomes inspirational and Tefila fascinates and bears constant repet-
ition.
The book was published by the United Synagogue Commission on
Jewish Education. Originated by Eva Pallay and illustrated by Mari-
lyn Hirsh, it has an accompaniment by a recording and on each
two-page spread a micro-groove record is laminated to the text.
It is the recording that is expensive, the total cost for the entire
package being $59, yet parents will find it worth while obtaining such
an appealing project.
The poems in this fascinating work are by Aliza Arzt. The first
one immediately invites cheering interest. Its text:

Sidduri

What can this be?
Let's open and see!
Come sing with me.
I'm Sidduri.

We pray with song,
We sing along.
Come sing with me.
I'm Sidduri.

Singing each day
This is the way we pray.
Come sing with me.
I'm Sidduri.
The entire text of "Sidduri" is like a hymnal. It contains these
poems: Modeh Ani, Yismihu, Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh, Etz Ha'yim
Hi, Ya'aseh Shalom, Havu Ladonai, Ein Kelohenu, Adon Olam,
Shabat Shalom, Shema Yisrael and Yigdal.
The concluding one also beckons for quotation:

Yigdal

Yigdal Elohim. Hai.
It's time to say goodby.
.Our songs come to an end.
They're here to sing again.

Remember Yismihu,
771 glad to be a Jew,
Shabat Shalom, Etz Ha'yrn Hi,
Adon Olam,
Modeh Ani.

1 7'70,1

um • • •
I learn there is one God
When I sing Adonai Eha.d.
I ask God for peace at home
With Ya'aseh. Shalom.

So when I want to pray
Just as I did today,
I look at pictures made for me,
I sing with Sidduri.

With the recordings, these songs, all relating to some of the major
prayers, there is genuine inspiration for the child. The parent will be
delighted in guiding the child towards absorbing the spirit of this
collected effort.

