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REMEMBERING WHEN...
From the archives of the Detroit Jewish News
DETROITER FINDS THE JEWISH NEWS IN NEW GUINEA
Parshat Balak: Numbers 22:2-25:9;
Micah 5:6-6:8.
E
arly tomorrow morning, 80
13-year-olds will descend
from their bunk beds and
walk half-asleep out of their tents,
joining together at the entrance of
their belt tefillah (house of
prayer), where they will be
greeted by a remarkably
energetic song leader who
will try to coax the singing
of "Mah Tovu" out of their
croaky morning voices.
It is a scene that is
likely occurring all over
the country this summer,
but I have the privilege
of watching it as a faculty
member at Olin Sang Ruby
Union Institute (OSRUI),
the Reform movement's
summer camp in Wisconsin.
The words they sing are drawn
from this week's Torah portion, Balak,
which includes the story of Balak and
Balaam. Balak hires Balaam to curse
the Israelites; however, when Balaam
opens his mouth to do so, it is words
of praise that come from his lips. This
happens not just once, but three times,
much to Balak's frustration. Balaam
simply explains that he speaks God's
words, not his own.
Included in Balaam's words are
"Mah Tovu ohalecha Ya'akov, mish-
kinotecha, Yisrael" (Numbers 24:5),
which the Jewish Publication Society
translates as "How fair are your tents,
0 Jacob, your dwellings, 0 Israel!" It is
an expression of awe and delight, and
it is magnificent to hear today's young
Jews, dwelling in tents themselves,
speak words of wonder.
Their unit of camp focuses on liv-
ing in the outdoors and recognizing
God's creation around them. It is their
custom during Shacharit services
each morning to read a part of Yotzeir
Or with particular joy — Mah rabu
ma'asecha Adonai! — "How amazing
are Your works, Adonai!" It is a way
they connect to the world around
them, and it is a way they connect to
God.
In addition to the message of recog-
nizing blessing, parshat Balak reminds
these young adults about positive
presumption. They are living in a
community of their peers, and they
need to learn to trust one another.
Assuming the best about
each other is critical, both
in their daily tasks together
and in their rock climbing or
hiking excursions.
We live in a world in
which we are quick to blame,
but positive presumption
means assuming that other
people are doing what they
are doing for a good reason,
until we learn otherwise.
Balaam, as he is riding
to the Israelite camp, grows
increasingly incensed with
his donkey, who refuses to continue
because she sees an angel of God
in their way, standing with a drawn
sword. Balaam, who is blind to this
vision, beats the donkey each of the
three times she tries to prevent them
from moving forward. Finally, when
God allows the donkey to speak to
Balaam and allows Balaam to see
the angel, Balaam is humbled by his
mistake.
Inspired by our text and by the awe
and positive presumption of these
young Jews, tomorrow may we greet
the morning with words of praise —
for the beauty of the world, for God
and for one another. May they flow
from our lips each and every day. I]
Ariana Silverman is a rabbi at Temple Kol
Ami in West Bloomfield.
September 22, 1944
From New Guinea, Wallace R. Rosner, S 2/C, writes about picking up a newspaper
on the island and discovering that it was The Jewish News of July 21. He writes:
"You really don't know how I felt when I saw it. To think that 12,000 miles from
home I should find The Jewish News! It was just like being with the folks and the
old gang for a few hours while reading it."
He also writes that 16 Jewish soldiers there had Sabbath services every Friday
evening in the chapel and that on the transport over, "there wasn't a man, Catholic,
Jewish or Protestant, who didn't pray fervently for their safety."
DANNY RASKIN'S LISTENING POST
September 24, 1949
DISA 'N DATA ... Most tickets sold for that charity wrestling
show given with entire proceeds to Aid to People of Israel
drive were by the wrestlers themselves ... who also received
nothing for their grunting efforts ... special affair by Saturday
Nite Dance Committee of the Jewish Center September 25 ...
titled "Out of Towners Frolic" ... has reached wide attention
in cities within radius of 60 miles ... and huge crowd of visitors is anticipated ...
Mrs. Charles Averbach is the first woman in Detroit to become a life member of
Bnai Brith ... Dorothy, as she is better known, is from Louis Marshall Women ...
and donated the $100 given her from hubby as birthday gift ... for the lifetime
membership.
AMERICAN PRISONER OF ZION
In an exclusive interview, Jonathan Pollard's family
breaks its silence
DAVID HOLZEL, Staff Writer
June 26, 1987
South Bend Indiana stands in the middle of farm country, just across the Michigan
border. The town's best-known landmark is undoubtedly the University of Notre
Dame, an enclave graced by sand-brown buildings, two small lakes, pleasant drives
and shady walkways. It is here that Dr. Morris Pollard has spent the last 26 years
working as a microbiologist, and where he and his wife, Molly, raised their three
children, Harvey, Carol and Jonathan Jay.
The Pollards tried to instill their passionate love of America in their children, and
their equal pride in being Jews. "We are firm believers in the security of the United
States and in the necessity of the State of Israel," Dr. Pollard says with conviction.
"The two are interrelated." They also wanted their children to be cognizant of the
many examples of indignities heaped upon Jews" throughout history.
It seems Jonathan Jay, their youngest son, took these lessons to heart and, as a
civilian analyst at the U.S. Navy's Anti-Terrorist Alert Center in Suitland, Maryland,
sought to act on his convictions.
"
The Detroit Jewish News Foundation's goal is is to digitize every issue of
Conversations
• What inspires us, like Balaam,
with awe and wonder at God's
sacred works?
• When have we felt regret for
assuming the worst in others?
How would our community be
different if we treated people
with positive presumption?
the Jewish News, dating to March 27, 1942, and make them available and
searchable to the public. The Foundation will also support and sponsor
forums, town hall meetings and other educational events to best utilize
and share this historical community resource.
To assist the Foundation in its work, simply go to
the website www.thejewishnews.com and
click on the word "donate"
at the top right portion of the home page.
The Detroit Jewish News Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
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