Page 4 - The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, September 7.1973
Editorial page
An independent Community Newspaper serving as a forum for diverse viewpoints.
Directors: Donald Carr. Q.C. Murray B. Kof f ler Albert J. Latner Ray D. Wolfe
Lditor, Ralph Hyman Assistant Editor. Lewis Levendel Director, Quebec Bureau. Mark Medicoff Advertising ahd.Businiess Manager, Douglas G. Gibson
VOL XIII No. 35 (760)
Published by The Canadian Jewish News (A corporation without share capital) at 27 Balliol St., Toronto M4S ICI,Ont. Toronto 481.6434.
Queliec Bureau-
5257 Queen Mary Kd.. Suite S
Montreal, Que. Montreal 481 ^2731
Subscriptions S6 per year.- SIS- 3 years. U.S.A. S8.S0 per year. $22.50 - 3 years. All other countries S12 per year. S30 years. ■
10ELULKISEZE CahdWi^itint: Tonmlo 7:26; MonttMl 7:06
Second aass Mail Postage I'lJd at Toronto Resistration NumbeM 683
Average paid circulation, 20,758; average^^tal dbtribution^ 21,258. Publidier's sworn statement.
March 31. 1973.
The Canadian Jewish News assumes no responsibUity for the kashruth of the products advertised.
Israel must design long-term policy reflecting new trends in the world
Oil is now being used in the Middle East to fuel political tensions between Israel and nations who depend on it for their economic suvival.
Oil-producing Arab countries and their supporters are setting aside the more traditional forms of warfare and are experimenting with the far more threatening and long-term strategy of economic violence. Arab countries are in a position to play havoc with the world's economy — and particularly the United States'. Their currency surplus is a powerful blackmail weapon, and the countries are able to weaken or render less worthy foreign currency they use for their reserves of liquidity. Moreover, their large holdings of funds are being invited for investment purposes in North America, further strengthening Arab presence and their political leverage.
Some weeks ago, the United States was the only—and less than enthusiastic — country to speak against the United Nations' resolution condemning Israel, while Britain and 13 other nations supported the motion. The pressure that the Arabs are exerting on the U.S. is already taking its toll, and it a;ppears unlikely that the government will want to face the experience of another round of UN veto in the future. This is one explanation for the U.S. support of the more recent Security Council condemnation of the diversion by the Israeli government of the Middle East Airlines Caravelle.
The United States is being urged by other foreign governments to, soften its policy ih the Middle East lest Saudi Arabia, the largest and least vociferous of Arab countries, interrupts the world's supply of oil. Egypt and Lybia have al-
ready undertaken a campaign to urge Saudi Arabia to cool relations with the U.S. until America becomes more appreciative of the hand that feeds the country fuel. Moreover, one of the largest American oil comiMuiies laid their cards on the table and issued an outrageous statement urging their sharehold-ers to sui^rt Arab aspirations for peace.
In view of this marked trend, the U.S. has embarked on a "fresh idea" policy in the Mid-East, with Assistant Secretary of State Joseph J. Sisco visiting Israel and appealing to the population to exja-mine new aH)roaches to the predicament. This was a low-key affair without U.S. presidential endorsement, but Sisco did make it clear that American interests in the Middle East go beyond any one nation, and that the U.S. has economic, political,, and strategic interests in the "entire" area.
There is little likelihood that the Sisco visit caused any real shift in Israeli attitude, but Israelis should not ignore the temper of our times. Over the last 25 years, Israelis have displayed a courage and resourcefiilnesis that is unequalled in modem history. The last six months, however, have witnessed world trends that have not occurred since the Second World War, ahd as a result, Israel must redesign a long-term policy that reflects these developments.
In the United States the bitter exchange between the hawks and the doves over the Vietnam war has come to a close. In the months to come the people of Israel should recognize the stateness of the hawk and dove debate, and the split it causes among the people. Israeli leaders should attempt to unite the country in a common direction for a peace settlement.
to
makes airlines terrorist' partners
Yielding to blackmail is a craven act-and usually produces the very trouble the victim tried to avoid in the first place. One has only to examine what is happening in some Soiiti) American nations where kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative way of life for terrorists. - Now we have a report that at least four European airlines are paying large sums of money to Arab terrorists to prevent hijacking of their planes. The usually reliable Jerusalem Post says these airlines t- five are named ^- have decided that it is cheaper to pay protection money instead of employing effective, expensive security measures. AH f^y to Israel.
If nothing else, this yielding to blackmail makes these airlines partners of the Arab terrorists. By paying put millions' of dollars to obtain immunity, the airlines are providing the terrorists with the money to carry out their nefarious plots elsewhere.
The European carriers that reportedly have capitulated to Arab threats could have done what Israel is doing to protect the lives and property of passengers travelling on El Al planes. The national airline employs a security screen that the terrorists have been unable to penetrate.
It is obvious that international action to curb hijacking is^ long overdue and the
Israeli government time and time again has pointed out that unless the nations stop dragging their feet and do something more than ypice protests, hijacking would continue to menace the air routes.
The EctHiomist of London says that since the United Nations came into being, no individual country is entitled to take the law into its own bands because there now exists international machinery for putting things right. The trouble, says The Economist, is that when it comes to "this new sort ofterrorism," (aerial hijacking), such international machinery as there is has plainly got its fl]rwheel knotted up with its crankshaift. Says this most re-:spected journal: "If the problem of ter-. rorism is to he left to internatlphal controls, those controls have got to be seen to work, and they have got to work even-handedly..."
In other words, condemning Israel for acting illegally in its: national self-interest is fair amugh, as long as other nations equally blameworthy are given similar treatment. Getting the United Nations to act responsibly with respect tO: hijacking is a forlorn hope. If this ni^t-mare is to be removed, the individual nations will have to bypass the world body and act on their own. Paying blackmail to Arab.terrorists isn't going to do the job. - -
Members off 16 UUmtzim kiult.'ili Heyderddil Kdn--Tiia^le rafts and l»bii^t11|emt Kinnnet to float; IPPA Photo
Help given to ISKi^l^b^ exceeds by far aid extended to them
ByMOSHERON JERUSALEM-
Jewish Agency Treasurer Arye Dulzin believes that new immigrants bring Israel more advantages than the help which Israel extends to them.
I recently discussed with Diilzin the arguments which arise among the Israeli population concerning the care given to the needs of new immigrants rather than to those of citizens of longer standing. Some people feel that new immigrants from the Soviet Union receive maximum help and that this imposes a heavy burden on the state.
Dulzin thinks that this point of view is, in fact, incorrect and is spread with the mischievous intention of damaging immigration and the state. The help which new immi^nts contribute to Israel, far exceeds the help extended to them by Is-
rael. Had there not been an immigration of over 30,000 workers in the years 1971 and 1972, Israel would have been compelled to bring workers from Cyprus, Greece and Yugoslavia. The employment of tens of thousands of foreign workers would have been a major problem to Israel.
Dulzin added that in 1971, over 40 per cent of the immigrants were intellectuals and professional workers. Forty-three per cent of the immigrants during the last year were academicians, whom Israel badly needed. They all received jobs quickly and the immigration turned out to be a blessing to the economy and society of Israel.
Whenever Israel receives a large number of immigrants, world Jewry makes great financial efforts to help the new immigrants. The older standing popula-
tion of Israel certainly profits from this help, Dulzin says. The best proof of this is that with the help of world Jewry, Israel was able to liquidate the deficit in the balance of trade of over one billion dollars. The Jewish Agency last year collected over 400 billion dollars from the U.S. and 270 million dollars from selling bonds. New immigrants have brought with them over 300 million dollars during the last two years alone.
Fifty-three per cent of the expenses for higher education in Israel are covered by the UJA, which also covers 42 per cent of social aid and 17 per cent of health expenses. From the Jewish Agency budget for the year 1973, amounting to 470 million dollars, 120 million dollars were spent on housing for new immigrants as well as 80 million for other building purposes.
Fought for Syrian Jewry
Remembering Dr. Ronald ( Rubin) Feld
This is a letter written to Kayla Armel to . Elizabeth Feld, threeyear-old daughter of the late Dr. Ronald Feld. Mrs. Armel is a member of The Canadian Committee For The Rescue of Je¥a In Arab Lands, which was founded by Dr.Feid
Dear Elizabeth:
Although you are only three, this letter is for you about your wonderful father who died at the age of 40 on June 7, 1973. Your brothers, Alan at 11, andGai7 eight, will recall many fond memories. Your father was a rare and unique person whose deeds and compassion for humanity are part of the heritage he left his children.
Dr. Ronald Feld (or Rubin as he was called) was bprn in Toronto and worked his way through medical school, having lost his own father at 18. As a family practitioner, he helped establish a nursing home which used the newest innovations iii nursing care. Concerned with the dignity and quality of lifej he wa^ attentive to even the smallest detail. The poem he placed in the foyer: "Come grow old along with me. The best is yet to be," (Browning) he hoped would comfort older people and make them feel wanted.
Conscious of his Jewisbness, Rubin lovingly asseinbled a collection of Judaica for use On religious occasions. His Judaica coUection was on loan to the Beth Tzedec Museum at the time of his death.
During bis work {or Soviet Jews, Rubin discovered that the Jews of Syria were being held as hostages. R^eadiiig all he could find, corresponding with anyone who : might have information, questioning escapees and refugees, Rubin soon became the Canadian authority on the situation of Syrian Jewry. He liefriended Toronto's ^rian Jews and attempted to unite divided Syrian families. In Ms speech durr ing the Shabbat for Syrian Jewsfrom the pulpit of Beth Tzedec Synagogue he stated: "We must not abandon them.... their per-. secution is reminiscent of the darkest days of the Nazi terror." The Syrian Jews became his special concern.
Rubin's_energies were expehdedrin~dr-
Dr. Ronald Feld
ganizirig and chairing the non-sectarian Canadian Committee for the Rescue of Jews in Arab Lands; lecturing to many organizationis land synagOigues, and writing numerous articles. His correspondence with many Canadian members of Parliament -as a concerned Canadian citizen, sent through some synagog|aes and as chaiirman of the Beth Tzedec Committee for Jews in Arab Lands, urged "huniani-
:tariah intercession on behalf of the Syrian Jews." Many replies from the members of Parliament to Rubin showed their support for his efforts. Elizabeth, I am glad that your mother is going to copy those speeches, letters, and articles for the Beth Tzedec library.
Donations he received for speeches were sent to Syrian Jews; he also sent Hebrew readers, kippot, tallitot, books,
.money,'siddurim and cables.
During your parents' recent visit to Israel, they met leaders of the Israeli government. At their hotel, Syrian refugees and escapees from Arab countries
wanted to talk to "the great doctor from Canada'' believing that Rubin alone could help free their relatives. Every escapee emphaticaUy emphasized the need for public protest.
Recognition of Rubin's efforts had so many different voices: the chief justice Of the Supreme Court of Israel, Haim Cohen, wrote to your mother of Rubin: "...his selfless devotion to a good cause has earned him the well-deserved love and admiration of many great men and women not only in his owr^ country, but all over the free world — the pity is only that so many of the objects of his beneflcence never learned of the precious heart and vivid mind of the great doctor, far away in Canada who made it his foremost job to rescue them.... You cannot erect a worthier memorial for him than by continuing his work in his spirit."*
His friends have shown their deyOtipn by establishii^ The Dr. Ronald Feld Foundation for Jews from Arab Lands at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue. Your mother, who hais helped him in this cause, will work with the foundation.
The purpose of the Dr. Ronald Feld Foundation for Jews in Arab Lands is to purchase religious articles and books for Syrian Jews; to communicate with the Jews in Syria; to secure their release; to assist their settlement in Canada; to educate the refugee children in day schools and universities in Canada by scholarships, and to publicize the plight of the "Jews of Despair" in an effort to free them.
The Dr. Ronald Feld Foundation for Jews from Arab Lands is jRicontinuous fund and will raise money 6y donations and contributions. The community can have donation cards sent for joy or sorrow, in honor or in memory of a loved one through Beth Tzedec. ,
If the Jews of Canada work together "to speak out against this oppression and injustice" then Rubin's work wiU continue. These Jews may yet live in a free land.
Rubin was a privilege to know; Elizabeth, he was your Daddy.
Recalling Bond St.,
By DORIS NEWMAN
Do you remember No. 115 Brad Street? This building is now occupied by the congregation of St. George's Church and is the religious headquarters of-the Greek community of Toronto. From 1897 to 1938 this was the spiritual centre of the Holy Blossom Congregation.
the purpose of this column is not to relate the interesting history of Toronto's first Jewish congregation. "This has already been well told t>y others. It is rather our purpose to take the reader on a tour of several interesting locations In our city connected with this congregation, before they are completely forgottm. By the way^ we should like to see some responsible Jewish organization in Toronto assume the responsibility of erect-^ ing suitable plaques to mark the places-of historical interest to our community,
Let us begin with a glaiice at the south-, west comer of Richmond and Yonge Streets, now the hub of downtown Toronto. This building houses a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada. I wonder if any one of our readers has ever been told by their grandfather that he "davened" (and in those days they did not "conduct services," thSy "davened" in strictly Orthodox fashion) on this spot in rented quarters above Coombs' Pharmacy. The congregation remained there from 1856 to 1875.
Let us turn the comer and walk down-Richmond Street to Victoria Street. There's little there now, only a parking lot. In 1875 there stood on this spot an attractive new synagogue --the second home of Holy Blossom. There they remained until 1897 when the magnificent structure on Bond Street was built.
Incidentally, drive up Beverley Street to the corner of Baldwin Street where now stands the Chinese Church. Many a reader will remember on this spot the Scheuer House, named in honor Of the late Edmund Scheuer. It was for many years the centre of the various social services for our Jewish community. Edmund Scheuer was primarily the most prominent layman of the Holy Blossom Congregation for a period of more than 60 years. He was one of the moving spirits in the transfer of the synagogue to its present quarters. His interests were not confined to synagogue activity only, but to the community in general; thus, "The Scheuer House." He was one of many members who began his communal activity in the temple but went far beyond its confines.
Aside from outstanding laymen, the tem -pie had some outstanding spiritual leaders. Rabbi Solomon Jacobs came to the -synagogue on Bond Street in ISOI where be remained until 1920.
In that year the well known Zionist leader, social service worker and orator. Dr. Barnett Brickner, was called to this pulpit at the age of 26, remaining there until 1925. He was the first Reform rabbi engaged by Holy Blossom.
Many will remember the fomous Clarence Darrow vs. Brickner debate held at Massey HaU on the subject Is Man a Machine?— a question still debated in our day.
Our readers may recall that in the '20s numerous young immigrants attended Friday evening services at Bond Street. If the services were too foreign for their accustomed leaning towards Orthodoxy, there were easy converts to Zionism. This was also tiieir classroom for excellent literary English. Bond Street was the first synagogue in Toronto where any portion of the service was conducted in English. As early as 1890 they engaged Rabbi Barnett Elzas, the first English speaking;rabbi in TOronto a graduate of Jew's College, London. This innovation was readily imitated by other congregations who mistakenly interpreted rejection of Yiddish as "enlightenment."
ask the rcibbi
returns next week.
Syn^ogues are urged to cut membership fees for senior citizens
Dear Editor:
I would like to suggest to Torontosyna-gogues to give special rates to senior citizens 65 years and over by reducing membership fees to members and to non-ni^mbers, a reduction on tickets for the High Holidays, same as the TTC and the ^movies.
^I do hope^they-^wiU consider and do something about it. Thanking you for giving me the space in your good paper.
\ Arthur Cooper
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Editor:
I have read with great interest the Rick Kardonne article from August 17th regarding the ''Jewish air shows." )As a per-son^ who has been fighting for the last three years for the establishment of a good Jewish radio and/or TV short I must say that I agree whole-heartedly that soine-
thing should be done and right away: ; I knocked on many doors including GHIN, CFTO and other media ouUets to try and get something good going; There were many-and^^varied kinds of obstacles along th/way. ^
I wa^ given air tinie^on CFTO but couldn't, furnish the sponsors, on CHIN I couldn^teet "air Ume" because of the existing programs which are in my opinion and many people I've spoken to, "mediocre" to say the least. .
I agree with most of what Kardonne said in his article. Zeldah Young should learn to pronounce the names of the art^ ists that she is introdaciog. Lately, the records have beoi more op to date than lorevbut they are not as recent as ne claims they are. Commercials seem to be\ the feature attraction of the Jewish honi] and not the colture, heritage
or entertainment. In a 90-minute show, I counted 40 commercials.
There are so many sources available, to make the Jewish hour important the* way it should be. The New York (WEVD) show and the Montreal (CFMB) show with Nachum Wilchesky, who is an educator "sBd principal of the "folk-shulei" are both great and a joy to listen to.
And why do other nationalities present their shows in the language of their people, "farvos nit a vort ^^ddish?'^WhJ not at least in part some Hebrew.
I agree, Kardonne — the time.bas coine to do something, I'm reftdy!! Is there anybody else???
_ Midiad Givon Toroi|to, Ontario
Dear Editor: \
Why not have in our syniigogues and temples ah ^opportunlUes tor/youth pro-
gram Do Not Separate Yourself from the Jewish Community.
During the High Holy Days not everyone who has a desire to participate in a congregational religious worship can afford to pay to do so.
On the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur;-qualified young people may be engaged to' conduct the traditional ot>servances andto open the door to a bouse of free prayer for all who are in need of this service iii the Jewish community.
H. MaxSeiden ^Toronto, Ontario
' ' / ■■• ' Dear Editor: f ^ >
I read with much interest youi* recent
article pertailiing to a coarse opreligious:^
education In elementary public schools.
As my three: and five-and-a|-half-year-
old chilclren are relatively new to the
system I am unaware of what this "course"
involves.-I can however give you a very simple experience on the subject thus showing, from our point of view, where negative feelings do have their foundations..
It was a Chanukah time • atime when ray junior kindergarten son delights in . the family dinner parties, special foods, stories and games of the occasion. We were having lunch just upon his return from school one day and he was telling \ of the morning's events, which were mean-ingfuito him. '
I discovered from his disclosures that he was in wonder as to why his junior kindergarten teacher (his first love of the L^school system) refused his wish to draw draydels (just as they did in nursery school the year before). Fortunately she di(| ask what it was before dismissing the issue;'but certainly her decline to get
involved left him with a negativeness about it.
As a parent who cares 1 wish you an early success in your (the Canadian Jewish Congress) endeavors to convince the controllers of our public school system the importance of making available the religious information and necessary "teaching people" to accommodate each < different group who so desiros; Or aS; would be in keeping with the public edu-catioD financial realities; leave these efforts of; teaching, how to need and give Ipve, to the knowledgeable religious professionals and their respective family units.
Mrs. Doris Sky v Torooto, Ontuio