A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE . . . NOT TO DE MISSED Come to Israel with the people who know it best .. . The following is a response from Dr. Pool: Mr. Philip Slomovitz, Editor My dear Mr. Slomovitz: I have read with interest and appreciation the Rev. George W. Pare's letter about my review of Isabella of Spain. Nothing would be gained by entering into any discussion as to Isabella's character. Whether or not those who in- vestigate and look on the tor- ture of fellow human beings with gratification can rightly be described as sadistic, is a question of definition to be settled by the psychologist and the dictionary. It is not I that am violent, it is the word which must have a violent connotation to describe a violent condition. If Mr. Walsh has introduced the subject of ritual murder purely from an objective historical point of view, there could be no quarrel with him whatsoever. The quarrel with him is that he not only belabors the ritual murder question in a markedly tendentious way, but he com- mits himself to such astoun- ding statements as, "The charge here given legal sanc- tion cannot be dismissed as a mere evidence of fanaticism or propaganda, for the fact is that from time to time Jews actually were convicted of such crimes!' How does this accord with the Rev. Mr. Pare's kind belief that the subject of ritual murder "was introduced not because Mr. Walsh believed it to be true, but because Isabella believed it?" My suggestion that the Catholic Church in America should disavow this book which, though unofficial, that the Catholic Church which has produced Frank's refuta- tion of the ritual murder charge and Papal Bulls discrediting that charge, might in its own interest find it advisable to disavow a work which ostensibly, if unofficial- ly, seems to identify the Church with that charge. Sincerely yours, D. de Sola Pool . The following is an editorial in the Detroit Jewish Chroni- cle Jan. 2, 1931, by its then editor, Philip Slomovitz: A Catholic Replies to Dr. Pool We are very grateful to Rev. George W. Pare of the Sacred Heart Seminary of this city for his statement replying to Dr. David de Sola Pool's at- tack on William Thomas Walsh's Isabella of Spain, the Last Crusader. Even if it is not to be considered an of- ficial reply, as it cannot possibly be, it is a fair indication of what a Catho- lic scholar thinks of the matters involved — the In- quisition, the ritual murder lie, etc. It is clear that Reverend Pare has tried to be fair in his reply, even if he did call Dr. Pool's review of the Isabella biography "too violent" .. . Reverend Pare writes us that "if Mr. Walsh's book can be discredited by an impartial and painstaking refutation, it will be disavowed by every lover of justice and truth!' But every lover of justice and truth has already disavowed the sentiments of the book. History has condemned the Inquisition and the efforts to pin the ritual murder lie on the Jews. And joining in the condemnations were Catho- lics as well as Protestants and Jews. We continue to hope that the official Catholic Church will disavow this biography of Isabella. Dr. Pool's attack on Walsh's book was tempered with a feeling of friendship for the present Catholic Church, and his attack was limited to the cruel institu- tions which were created by fanatics and which were as abhorrent to truly religious• Catholic souls in the 15th century as they are in the 20th. ❑ THE 1991 CONVENTION IN ISRAEL OF THE ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA JUNE 27 to JULY 5, 1991 With an optional add-on to Budapest — June 23 to June 27 ISRAEL HIGHLIGHTS: • Gala Melaveh Malka Reception with Major Teddy Kollek & Israeli entertainment • Breakfast with Defense Ministry officials • Lunch at Ariel, Capital of Samaria • Gala Dinner with Prime Minister Shamir • Participate in swearing-in ceremony of Israel Defense Forces at Masada, Bedouin Dinner at foot of mountain, Sound CT Light Show • Six tours of your choice • Dedication of Meyerhoff Auditorium at ZOA House in Tel Aviv • Special programs for non-participating spouses and children • Tel Aviv Street Fair and Block Party with Tel Aviv Major Shlomo Lahat • 4th of July Picnic Dinner at Kfar Silver • Meet with Israel Government leaders $1.800 per person/double occupancy • $ 244 single room supplement JOIN DETROIT ZOA'S DELEGATION with tax-exemption privileges. ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA Phone: 569-1515 18451 West 10 Mile, Southfield, MI 48075 There's Nothing Like MASADA, an unmatched Israeli experience for High School and College Students. Phone for brochure today. SAME ITEM FOR 'I NEWS Palestinian Backs Peace Jerusalem (JTA) — A prominent Palestinian ac- tivist, detained in Israel without trial for the past five months, was released and may travel to Washington soon to meet Secretary of State James Baker. Radwan Abu-Ayyash, chairman of the Palestinian Journalists Association, told reporters he had a number of invitations from Washing- ton and European capitals to discuss the Middle East peace process. Abu-Ayyash spoke favorably of Baker's plan for a regional peace conference, saying, "If a regional con- ference is a step toward an international conference, the thing is worth a thorough study and review." It was rejected, however, by the six Palestinian leaders who met with Mr. Baker led by Faisal Hus- seini, the senior Palestinian political figure in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Budapest Add-on: $645 per person $190 single room 50% OFF ALWAYS LESS 50% OFF ALWAYS SOMEWHERE ELSE THEN FREE AT SUCH A DEAL! OUTLET BIRMINGHAM SOUTHFIELD CLAWSON LIVONIA The Corners 13 Mile & Southfield Rd. 645-0065 Lincoln Square Plaza 26135 Greenfield & 10% Mi. 557-1022 Bywood Plaza 560 14 Mile, E. of Crooks 280-4900 Livonia Plaza Opening Soon LINCOLN PARK ST. CLAIR SHORES ANN ARBOR/ SHELBY TOWNSHIP Lincoln Park Shopping Center Opening Soon The Shores Opening Soon WESTGATE Opening Soon Lakeside Hall Road Crossings Opening Soon THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 49