Page Pour
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, September 29, 1967
DAmv
Authentic li
religion
THE YEAR 5727 is drawing to a close. In many ways it has been a momentous year for the World Jewish Community.
The Middle East crisis has turned the eyes of the world towards the needs and accomplishments of the Jew. The courage and dedication of so small a people, in the face of what would normally appear to be overwhelming odds, has transformed the world*s image of the Jew. Certainly, we should look back with pride to the strength of our Israeli brethren.
At the same time we should look forward. What will the coming year bring? We ask this question, not only with regard to the international picture, but also with regard to our own lives.
We hear the strident sound of the Shofar, heralding the commencement of the Ten Days of Penitence. This is, indeed, a most unique period. It is a time for reflection, introspection, and projection: reflection of one's acts during the past year; introspection, carefully examining one's motives and intentions; and projection of one's intentions into the coming year.
Rosh Hashona, the first day of this period, is also unique, in that it is the one holiday among all the religions of mankind that celebrates the creation of the world. Unlike the religionists of other faiths, whose principal holidays recall significant events in the lives of their founders, we celebrate the creation of the univerae, which was created for all mankind, regardless of credal differences.
WE RE-AFFIRM MAN as a co-worker with God, hoping, praying, and certainly working for a Messianic era, in which conflict will cease, and, to paraphrase the words of the Psalmist, brethren can dwell together in unity.
Let us reflect: Have our acts in the past year been unifying or divisive. Have we separated (or segregated) ourselves from our fellow man by erecting intellectual or social oi* personal, ghetto walls? Have we spoken words of peace while holding weapons of war in our hands?
On a more immediate level, have we daily striven to give the best of ourselves, whether in terms of our intellects or our spirits? Have we attempted to come to grips with the meaning of our faith, coherently and authentically?^Ii^ve we dealt honestly with our neighbor, our friend, our business associate, our family?
Introspection leads us to the question: "Do we truly wish to re-direct our lives into holier paths? What are our true values, our sincere commitments? Is our response to our finite state, which conflicts with our infinite craving, an authentic one? Do we seek to avoid definition of our beliefs because we fear to find out what it is that we truly believe? Do we delude ourselves by acting in ways that are not consistent with the philosophies we espouse?
THE ANSWER TO these questions leads us to projection. We should look to the future, striving for greater understanding: of ourselves, of our universe, of our faith. This projection should lead us to truth, the highest value of any mature religion.
This search for truth, this search for definition, can be indeed a painful experience. But at what point in history has the Jew taken the easiest route?
Twentieth century man stands at the threshold of a new era, when, if properly used, the tools of the scientific method, coupled with the values of religion, can lead us to a world in which every person can attain a true Sabbath of the soul, a state of full meaningful being, in which the justification and significance of one's being is no longer subject to question.
DURING THIS COMING High Holy Day season, when the Shofar call awakens within us memories of ages long past, may we also come to a new awareness for the future through our processs of reflection, introspection and projection.
May the year of 5728 be a year, ih Vhich divisiveness shall cease; and through the combined efforts of God and man, Unity shall prevail.
NASSER IS NO MODERATE
The Toronto Telegram
THE UNITED NATIONS resumes its debate on the Middle East in the wake of President Nasser's efforts to persuade the woG:ld that he has adopted a reasonable attitude in his dispute with Israel.
His campaign began with the Khartoum conference last month, when he seemed to pair himself with King Hussein of Jordan and other so-called moderates against Syria and Algeria, the current self-acknowledged militants in the continuing belligerence against Israel.
Mr. Nasser called for a political solution of the Arab-Israeli quarrel, a term which by itself seemed to herald a posture of peace.
But even a cursory examination of his plan for a political accommodation reveals the kind of bellicosity which was responsible for three Arab-Israel wars in less than two decades.
IF ISRAEL WILL RELINQUISH the territory she gained in the June war, he says, Egypt will agree to the passage of Israeli ships through the Straits of Tiran and of Israeli gocxis, carried by other ships, through the Suez Canal.
His representatives have been knocking on diplomatic doors in Washington, London and Paris in an effort to set in motion influences that would persuade Israel to accept these terms.
This is not a gesture toward peace, as some are arguing, but a means of freeing the Arabs from the necessity of making peace.
It lacks the key to the pacification of the area, a settlement of all outstanding issues through direct negotiations.
SO LONG AS NASSER and his
Arab colleagues refuse to accept the fact of Israel and live with it, the differences among them are simply degrees of extremism; they are not, as the Egyptian leader would have the members of the .UN believe, a contrast between moderation and extremism.
The only way he can convince the Israelis—^and he will have to make up his mind that they are the ones to be persuaded—^that he means to be reasonable is to accept the reality of Israel and to deal with her.
Israel is rightly determined not to return to the pre-June 5 conditions with the cycle of incursions and retaliation.
AS MATTERS NOW STAND,
she can maintain her security with greater ease because border incidents no longer endanger her population; they now occur on the Suez Canal and the lower Jordan River, with plenty of territory to act as a buffer.
If the Arabs want to move the Israelis, they need only assure Premier Eshkol's government that they intend to be non-violent neighbors.
If they refuse, they should not expect the UN—a clear majority of which voted for the principle to connect Israel's troop withdrawals with her border security —^to reward them for their bellicosity.
SOUTH AFRICA BROKE ITS RECORD
JERUSALEM — South Africa] broke the record in its fund-raising efforts for Israel during the recent crisis. Its Jewish population of 117,000 raised $30 million. A record was also broken in Switzerland where its 20,000 Jews raised $10 million. The average raised during the Israel Emergency Campaign was 15 times greater than amounts raised in previous years.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
^G8SB 3ck&GwIsuy8S aiiraciG year
Dear Mr. Kaplan:
A year to remember is passing away, But in G\ja hearts it is going to stay As the "MIRACLE YEAR",—let's thank God in heaven—: "FIVE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN' In that year our Israel had to fight again Against vast Arab countries, which concentrated in vain. Supported with arms by an Outside Nation, To fulfill ABDEL NASSER'S old conspiration Of planning and dreaming the felony To push our Israel into the sea. But it was a disastrous miscalculation. Which brought Nasser frustration and humiliation. As the "New Maccabees" with heart and with hand Fought fiercely to save our Holy Land. And they achieved a glorious victory, Without precedent in our history!
So let us pray for those, who gave their life
In order that all of us and our State may survive.
Let's also remember with sorrow and tears
The fate of the Six Million martyrs,
Who were condemned to suffer the most dreadful end,
Defenceless and totally innocent.
And may our effort not be in vain
To prevent that horror from happening again.
Now let me conclude and take opportunity
To wish my friends and our Community
A NEW YEAR OP GOOD LUCK—implementation.
And peace in ISRAEL with FREE NAVIGATION,
With borders adjusted, also some in Mitzraihn,
And including the TOTAL of JERISHULAIIM.
HELIOS.
Saudi-Jordai union reported
BEIRUT, Lemanon — Jordan and Saudi Arabia are reported to be engaged in negotiations for establishment of a imified Federation of both coimtries. According to the Lebanese newspaper "Al Twadt", initiative for these negotiations came from Jordan as an outgrowth of its difficult economic position fol-
RABIN SLATED TO SPEAK
JERUSALEM—General Itzhak Rabin, Commander of the Israel Defense Forces, was guest speaker at the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the First Zionist Congress, held in Basel, Sept. 24. The "Casino", where Herzl presided at the First Zionist Congress in 1897, was the scene of this 70th Anniversary Celebration.
Indors&fions Granted
B'nai B'rifh Women Tom Tov Seal Campaign _____Sept.4-Oct.4
lisrael Bond Campaign ....Sept l$-Oct. 15
lowing Israel's liberation of the West Bank.
JEWISH CALENDAR (LUACH)
Candle Lighting SEPTEMBER 29, 6:38
1967
Rosh Hashona____Oct 5
Yom Kippur__Oct 14
Snccot____Oct. 19
Shmini Atzeret ._. Simchat Torah .... Chanuka ______
_ Oct 26
___Oct 27
___Dec.27
All holidays begin the preceding eve at sundown.
m mm msTatu BuuniH
Offislal Organ of the VaRcouver iewlsh Community Council
Friday, September 29, 1967
Published weekly every Friday at 3285 Heather Street, Vancouver 9, British Columbia.
SAM KAPLAN Editor and Publisher
WILLIAM GELMON President
ALEC BECKER Publleations Chairman
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