2 Friday, June 29, 1984
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
PURELY COMMENTARY
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Purifying the political
scene ... biased trends
in the current experience
A prevailing view that the 1984 Presidential election
has a first-time experience of an introduction of anti-
Semitism into the national political sphere continues to
oppress thinking and actions of leaders of many groups and
involved personalities. Republicans as well. as Democrats
may be affected by the developing conditions, but the latter
are especially vulnerable in the dispute.
Having instigated the controversy with his acknowl-
edged bias involving Israel, Jesse Jackson drew the major
rays of limelight. As a result, the black and Jewish com-
munities are encouraging dialogues to repair whatever
damage may have emanated from the animosities that
have embittered political campaigning. Spokesmen for im-
portant Jewish movements have not hestiated to call Jesse
Jackson an anti-Semite, a label he refuses to accept, and his
embracing of Arafat and movements antagonistic to Israel
remains cause for conflict.
Perhaps there will be some pleasant results from the
disputes. The black and Jewish caucuses in the U.S. House
of Representatives are treating the issue seriously. They
have cooperated ceaselessly in matters involving social
needs and in support of Israel, and they seek an accord for
the friendships that are so vital to many aims affecting
their constituents.
It should be noted that in the black caucus of 23 mem-
bers, only the two from Michigan have given encouragment
to Israel's enemies. Hopefully, out of adjustments in the
political thinking that may affect the oncoming President-
ial campaign, the Michigan Congressmen will modify posi-
tions that have given comfort to the enemies of the Jewish
state. In the meantime, the desire on the part of blacks and
Jews in Congress to erase bias and to continue an accord
that has been most creditable to both groups should lead to
a renewed embracing of fair play in inter-group relations.
Meanwhile, there is the continuing view that anti-
Semitism has, for the first time in this country's history,
besmirched the political scene.
Manifestations of bigotry, emergence of anti-
Semitism, are not new to any age, and are not lacking even
in the American experience. American Jewish Committee
representatives are among those who have assailed the
Jesse Jackson pro-Arafat-Palestinian attitude. It is there-
fore of interest to note that it was the AJCommittee that
warned of rising anti-Semitism during an earlier cam-
paign. The Committee Reporter warned of the rising tide of
anti-Semitism in the 1944 Presidential campaign, when
Franklin D. Roosevelt was running for his fourth term.
Under date of May 1944, the publication warned:
It does not take any great political wisdom to
anticipate that the approaching campaign will be
a bitter one, and in the light of recent events we
can expect that anti-Semitism will play a part in it.
The professional and amateur agitators who have
been partially repressed by war-time restrictions
will take advantage of political immunity to vent
their accumulated animosities.
During the 1940 campaign the major parties
and candidates had no part in spreading anti-
Semitic propaganda; nearly all of it was issued
anonymously or by irresponsible groups. We can
expect the same thing this year, but because of the
increased tensions and bitterness it probably will
be worse.
The most conspicuous agitator in the field is
Gerald L.K. Smith. It is hard to define his move-
ment which he calls the America First Party. Up
to now the Smith movement had had a certain
nuisance potential due to his bombastic claims to
which some uninformed politicians have given
credence. He has repeatedly stated, for instance,
that he has a membership of three million. Actu-
ally he has no membership at all, and the
attendance at his meetings has been steadily di-
minishing. The circulation of his magazine The
Cross and the Flag is not more than ten thousand.
The best proof that the Smith windbag is
rapidly being deflated is that during the past
month he has been publicly repudiated by Gover-
nor Thomas E. Dewey, General Robert E. Wood,
former head of America First, and Henry Ford.
Men conspicuous in public life realize that Smith
support is the kiss of death, and as the respectable
elements increasingly draw away from him it can
be anticipated that he will become more virulent
in his speeches.
A close liaison has been reported between
other openly or potentially anti-Semitic organiza-
tions, such as the Citizens U.S.A. Committee and
the group calling itself Constitutional Americans
and some of the r9actionary groups in the major
political parties.
So much for an incident in a national, Presidential
election. Gerald L.K. Smith was involved in many manifes-
tations of bigotry. There were other instances of bias bor-
dering on vile hatreds in other campaigns, and in many
state and local elections. Even more vulnerable than Jews
were the Catholics. Al Smith was a chief victim in such hate
propaganda and John Kennedy finally overcame anti-
Catholic bias.
There is a vast difference in the current Jesse
Jackson-motivated anti-Semitic tactics from those that in-
volved G.L.K. Smith. Then there was the single man of
prejudice to battle against. Now an entire community of
American blacks is drawn into a dispute which became
unnecessarily, unjustly, irrationally, a black-Jewish con-
flict. And on this score, too, the American way of sensible
judging must, as it undoubtedly will, predominate. With
blacks and Jews conferring honorably in the U.S. House of
Representatives, with motivations to retain the high level
of commitments to issues that benefit all citizens and reject
prejudice especially directed at blacks, the rational post-
election period can be anticipated. To attain it, there is the
necessity to reject totally that kind of bias which stems
from the Jesse Jacksonian endorsement of anti-Israel an-
tagonists. This applies also to the very few who share such
views. The rejection of them is a necessity for the Demo-
cratic Party. It is especially necessary for genuirie Ameri-
can fair play. Therefore, the anti-Semitism that crops up in
a political campaign must be viewed as temporary and
unacceptable to the American spirit.
Carter slur, Kollek challenges
cause a serious problem
Teddy Kollek
Jimmy Carter
The History of Great Men':
the legends of Zev Vilnay,
Moshe Davis' documentaries
If, indeed, "the history of the world is the history
great men" (Thomas Carlyle), then even the conte
poraries must not be ignored. Historians should not wait fs
memorials to perpetuate appreciation for notable achiev
ments.
Interesting personalities who are leaving their mar
on Jewish history.are not necessarily the aged. Some
comparatively young. Exemplary is Dr. Moshe Davis, th
founding head of the Institute of Contemporary Jewr
functioning at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I
celebration of this important institute's 25th anniversary
which provides an opportunity to honor its founder, a
important symposium is to be held at the Hebrew Univer
sity on July 1.
The Jerusalem func-
tion is not limited to an Is-
raeli acknowledgement of
an eminent scholar's con-
tributions to Jewish history
and literature. His accom-
plishments, especially as a
commentator of records re-
lating to the history of
Zionism and American
Jewish history, led him to
Detroit. From Wayne State
University Press have
emerged impressive
documentaries which he
has personally compiled
and the works of numerous
scholars which he has
Dr. Moshe Davis
guided for publication.
The WSU Press series of works, entitled Jerusalem
Cathedra, are especially noteworthy among the very im-
portant Jewish historical records published in recent years.
To Dr. Davis goes deep appreciation for his share in produc-
ing these works.
Dr. Davis is under 70 and his contemporaries look
forward with appreciation to the scholarly works which are
planned for the years to come under his tutelage.
Another unforgettable name is of a man more than a
decade older whose contributions inspire youth and fasci-
nate his followers. He is the grandfather/doyen (senior
ranking) of Israeli tourist guides Zev Vilnay.
He turned octogenarian two years ago and for his ad-
mirers he is the youth in spirit whose researched Israeli
legends, which have become international best sellers in
his numerous works, acclaim him among the great
folklorists of all times.
Many Israeli tourists have earned the admiration of
Jewish tourists from many lands. In appreciation for their
knowledge, some tourists were brought to this country as
guests of the people they guided on the Israeli trips. It is
thanks especially to the guidance provided by Zev Vilnay
that the enthusiasm that generates from such guides has
developed.
Zev Vilgay was brought to Israel by his parents, from
Russia, at the age of 6. His entire life became linked with
the most notable aspects of Jewish culture, and the patriot-
ism that marks his life is a remarkable aspect.
He was to be a teacher, having graduated from the
David Yellen Teachers Seminary in Jerusalem. In more
than one sense, he was always a, teacher.
And he was a linguist as well. His first volume of
Legends of Israel was published in 1932, and he wrote it in
English.
It is to the credit of the Histadrut labor movement that
gave him employment and enabled him to pursue his re-
search because he had means for a livelihood.
Receiving his master's degree from the London Uni-
versity, where he was on a mission for the Palestine Jewish
community, he came to the United States to study at Drop-
sie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning in Philadel-
phia, and earned his Ph.D. from Dropsie. But he was also a
devoted member of Haganah and he returned to the Jewish
Homeland to participate in the defense of the Jewish set-
tlements in Palestine and eventually of Israel. That i's why
he refers to himself as "I am a Ben HaEretz" — "I am a son
of the Land (of Israel).
So creative is the compiled record of Vilnay's achieve-
ments that he is not only the great folklorist who has
enriched Judaism with his compiled legends. He is histo-
rian and geographer, and as story-teller he is also a
humorist of merit.
Therefore, it is important to Israel and to Jewry that so
fascinating an octogenarian should be remembered with
pride. '
(Honoring the accomplished notables must lead the
A Kuwait newspaper was credited early this month
with quoting former President Jimmy Carter as stating
that Jerusalem has become "a home for killing, hatred,
provocation and misunderstanding." Shocked by the impli-
cations in this quotation and the importance of the person-
ality who is credited with having made this statement,
Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem wrote to Carter:
You were our guest in Jerusalem during
March 1983, and walked freely and openly
through the streets of Jerusalem and in the mar-
ket places, jogged on the Old City walls and ate in
all parts of our united city. You saw with your own
eyes what we have done and how, despite the
turmoil that dominates the Middle East today.
Jerusalem remains tranquil, its residents liv-
ing in neighborly coexistence, with freedom of
access to all holy places and with each ethnic and
religious community having equal religious, cul-
tural and educational control of their own daily
lives.
Never in the history of Jerusalem has such
freedom existed and we are making every effort to
ensure that this situation is maintained. It is dif-
ficult to understand how you, who observed this
from close by, could describe our city in such
terms.
While there has been no reply to Kollek as of this date,
there could be skepticism over the shocking quotation
when the source is taken into consideration. After all, a
Kuwaiti newspaper could be judged as a questionable
source.
Nevertheless, a former U.S. President owes the cause
of truth, especially in a period of dispute over Jerusalem, to
clarify his actual impressions of his visit to the Holy City
which is the capital of Israel. When truth is tampered with
in his name, so prominent an American spokesman as
President Carter should not permit his name to be associ-
ated with the dissemination of a massive lie. Hopefully, the
former President will yet speak out.
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