Page Two
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Thursday, January 4, 1951
EDITORIAL TOPICS
Economic Aspects of Israel Probleiiis
THERE are two vital news stories in this issue of the Bulletin, both of which take up major questions relative to Israel. One is the story giving the background to the second loan to Israel from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The other outlines the plans for the convening of a national conference "for Israel in Canada along the lines of the national planning conference held in Washington recently. The first story tells of steps to cope with Israel's economic situation through accepted international credit channels. The second deals with efforts to develop greater aid and credit resources among Canadian Jewry.
According to official spurces the main cause of Israel's economic crisis is said to be due to the tremendous influx of immigrants which must still continue at the rate of 200,000 per year for the next three years.
There are some dissenting voices. from this view, however. In the December issue of Commentary, for example, Hal Lerman writes that Israel's real crisis "is not one of immigrant expenditure but of foreign exchange^—^hard currency to meet the requirements not merely of immigrants but of the entire country -and whole population. This is a cold and intricate problem which lacks the simplicity and resounding overtones of rescue, survival and global calculations. . . ." Lerman expressed the view that "without a rapid accleration of productivity, Israel's currency and economy will topple. . . . This failure to concentrate on purely economic developments," he says, "is due to the uncontrollable preferences of well-meaning organizations to raise money abroad." Israel must increase "its earnings by ampler and more efficient production from her own farms and factories,", this »writer says.
Another spokesman, Israeli correspondent (Robert Weltsch, writing in the London Jewish Chronicile, also says that Israel's crisis cannot be explained, on the basis of immigration alone because the total popula-! tion of Israel has not actually increased. He points to the fact that while 400,000 Jews have entered the country in the past two years, 700,000 Arabs have left. "Quite apart from the immigration issue, therefore," he says, "Israel stands in need of an economic policy which would remove deficiencies, and of sincere advice of genuine friends who â– irwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiii!
possess experience and expert knowledge."
(The argument about Jewish immigrants being less than Arab emigrants hardly seems fair.)
While the economic aspects of Israel's situation certainly require special consideration, this should in no way come to overshadow the immigration problem completely. The important thing to recognize is that in addition to the very special consideration of immigration, Israel is faced with all the very same problems as a:ny other newly emerging free enterprise state that has come up against a lot of older and more experienced competitor states. That's exactly what it amounts to.
It's not enough for Israel to obtain a loan from the Export-Import Bank, give special concessions to investors of capital, float a bond loan to attract still more capital, all to help stimulate production. Israel also . has to find markets for her current production as well as potential markets for her increased production of next year and the year after.
The latest Export-Import loan is supposed to help Israel develop its citrus crop, among other things. Meantime Israel citrus growers are on strike for government subsidies because they can't find profitable market for their fruit. ,
In its, broader aspects the problem is very much related to political considerations. Because if a full and formal peace, pact could be cohcluded between Israel and the Arab states, Israel's' most natural markets in the Middle East would be immediately opened up. The question of attitudes towards peace between Israel and the Arab states therefore becomes linked with the question of who Israel might ,be competing with for Middle East markets.
The problem could be more deeply analyzed in this way but the exaniiples thus far given will have to suffice. Cohces'sions may be valuable, up to a point. But. in the world of hard economic reality Israel wilL only survive if she, too, learns how to drive a hard bargain in her own best interest. And it would be in Israel's best interests to follow a free trade policy, trading with every nation on the basis of selling-its products for the best possible price ar>d getting its imports on the best possible terms. — A.J.A.
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The Jewish Western Bullefin
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VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA. THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1951
Max Braunstein Elected PresidenI Of Beth Hamidrosh
A well attended general meeting was held of the Beth Hamidrosh Rabbi Ginsberg bri Sunday, December 31, at the Synagogue.
Elections for officers for the forthcoming year were held, and the following slate of officers elected:
President, Max Braunstein; Honorary President,-Rev. I. Prasqw; 1st Vice-President, J. Raphael; 2nd Vice-President, H. L, Freedman; Treasurer, Ben Grand; Financial Secretary, Isadore Becker; Recording Secretary, Rev. Prasow; Gabbi, I. Tyre;. Trustees: H. Altman, D. Davis, N. Boxer, A. Shuer, K. Katz-nelson. Rev. Eisenstein, H. E. Da-shevsky.
Many members expressed their satisfaction with the past year's activities. Among those who were explicit in their belief that the function and well being of the Beth Hamidrosh was necessary and important to our community were Abe Rothstein and Hy Altman.
They also hoped that the community as a whole would wholeheartedly support the Beth Hamidrosh and take an interest in its activities in the coming year. Rabbi Ginsberg expressed his thanks and in a well rounded speech thanked his loyal followers and was optimistic that more adherents would join the ranks of Beth Hamidrosh Rabbi Ginsberg. The president. Max Braunstein, closed the meeting ^with his pledge that he would do his utmost to make this a successful year for the synagogue.
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The Orihodox Outlook
By Rabbi Leon M. Mozeson v.
Northwest Synagogue Conference
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jyUMERICALLY, Orthodox synagogues are in tlie.majority on the, conr tinent and the world over. Despite their great number, however, they have been the least vociferous in Jewish life.' There are two explanations offered. First, they have not organized properly. Secondly, a greater percentage of the poorer classes have identified themselves with the Orthodox synagogues. Money talks in our society and conversely the poor people, comprising the main body of Orthodoxy,'have not been influential. - .
Naturally, the latter obstacle can not be easily overcome. Unfortunately, the wealthy Jew has generally been the first to assimilate with the dominant culture and nation, in his security and arrogance, the rich Jew frequently felt no need to turn to G—d and tradition. As a means of acquiring acceptability in his non-Jewish milieu, he was tempted to forsake the religion of his forefaihers. This is how it happened that the opulent Jew selected the synagogue that most resembled the church, if he did not seek to sever relations with his faith altogether, te this day those who are born to wealth or desire higher social standing tend, as a rule, to drift to the Temple. Features found in the church like organ playing, mixed choir and pews, bareheaded worship, black pastoral gowns and a dignified decorous service are the deciding factors determining their choice of a synagogue. And so it' came about that the Orthodox synagogue with its "heimish", warm atmosphere and traditional service has < usually been scorned by the upstarts and the aristocrats. —
Fortunately, there are sufficient wealthy Jews affiliated with traditional synagogues" to give their leaders some say in the community, in addition, there are uiftapped resources of dollars and power in united Orthodox Jewry. Slowly, the religious Jew is learning how to consolidate his strength. . ^
The Jew has not been the pioneer in matter of organization and science. While he gave the world the "good, book", the Greeks have laid the foundation of modern science. They commenced the study of the composition of matter and its laws of ^change and movement. The early Greeks were naturaSists who systematically studied the universe. Jewish scientists are indebted to non-Jewish^ thinkers for discovering the methodology that has made the world technologically different.
The essence of science is really organized study. This seems to be the basic contribution of the non-Jew..Even Moses subscribed to the organizing ability of Jethro, the Midianite, to arrange a'sound legal structure.'Organizing is historically, pefhapsra"hon-Jev*ish virtue.*^
Orthodox Jewry seem to be the exponents of our inability to expertly organize. At any rate, the art of organizing can be learned. The Northwest Synagogue Conference for traditional Judaism, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Orthodox Bloc in Israel are all symptomatic of the gradual development of Torah-true Jewry into an organized group, who will attain their aims through democratic procedures.
Jahuary 12 to.,14 inclusive will be historic days for Orthoclox Jewry of British Columbia, Oregon and Washington. The Northwest Synagogue Conference for Traditional Judaism will be held in Seattle at this time. It is the first attempt of traditionally-minded Jews of the Northwest to meet each other, seek a comrhon solution to their problems and organize for the advancement of tradifional Judaism.
' Seattle Chapter of Hadossoh
proudly presents the^
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Sundoy, February 25, 1951
at 8:30 p.m.
SEATTLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Conducted by Izler Solomon
Mail Order Reservations now being accepted
DR£SS GIBCLE (patrons): two for $26,000 and up
(patrons invited i}i> reception after concert) FIRST BALCONY LODGES: $(8.26 each OBCHX:ST3iA and BIBST BALCONY: $5.00 each GROUND FLOOR (remabider): $8.75 and $2.00 each SECOND BALCONY: $2.00 each
(All prices include, tax)
For immediate reservation .fill out and mail attached coupon with remittance.
Mrs. Sidney Weinstein, 1029 Sumitt Ave. N.,
Seattle (2), Washingtoh.
Dear Madam:
Please send me...........tickets at $.
each.
• •••.........•............location (or closest), for the concert
of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seattle Ovic J Auditorium, Sunday, February 25. I am enclosing my remit-
I taiice for $.............. (bank money order certified cheque
payable to Seattle Chapter of Hadassah).
I
Name . Address
Phone No...................
Tour Sponsors: American Fund for Israei Institutions Tour Manaerement: S. Hurok. J.w B.