Ohio Jewish Chronicle, 1959-04-10

              COLUMBUS EDITION
2][\\yy~^erving Columbus, Dayton and Central Ohio Jewish Commun
CIn; nisJ  J
I s.isiinit J
^^l^riii\',),X[U
COLUMBUS EDITION
VoL 37, No. 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 10,  1959
39
D«vottd to American And  Jcwtih   Ideals
Explanation Sought As U.S. Severs Further Aid To Israel
European families like this one prepare to celebrate their seder in Israel. Olassic prophecy ot "Next year in Jerusalem" comes true for 20,000 iramigrrants tills year with assist from United Jowish Appeal.
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Israel, which received a high of United States grant-in-aid assistance of $70 million In 1953 and a low of $7.5 million in such aid in fiscal 1959, was lopped off this week from the list of countries eligible for such foreign aid.
It was the first time since 1951 that Israel was omitted from the program and Congressional friends of the Jewish State asked State Department officials to ap¬ pear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to explain the action.
THE     DISOLOSUBB     of     the
omission of Israel from the 1960 fiscal year program emerged dur¬ ing a hearing before the House committee, the transcript of which was released this week. It was confirmed by tho International Cooperation Administration whose actbig director, Leonard J. Saccio,
ISRAEL STILL HAS TOUGH ROW TO HOE BUT SHE HAS THE 'HORSES' TO DO THE JOB
told the House committee that the grant program to Israel had been terminated. He snid future aid to Israel would consist of allowing Israel to. buy surplus foods at low prices and to obtain loans through the Development Loan Fund.
The request to the State De¬ partment, rather than to the iCA, to explain the action against Is¬ rael, reflected a feeling that the decision was a political rather than an economic one. Sources In Washington suggested that the State Department had decided on the elimination of larael for such aid as part of a broader State Department decision to "disengage" to some extent from United States identification with Israel.
Such "disengagement, these sources Indicated, was considered desirable in terms of giving the State Department more room for
maneuvering In the growing In- tra-Arab rift between Iraq and the  United  Arab  Republic.
THE REQUEST for a State Department explanation was made by Rep. James G. Fulton, a Pennsylvania Republican who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Fulton told Saccio that Israel was being hard pressed militarily and eco¬ nomically and that "it is a little hard for me to underatand why they, as a people so loyal to us, are being left out of these pro¬ grams."
He said he was considering an amendment to restore Israel to the grant program but Saccio Said tho amendment was unneces¬ sary because "if a country reaches a situation where It Is really in distress, it can be helped by the contingency fund."
THE GRANT in question Is en¬
tirely in the economic program since Israel has never received military grants from the Elsen¬ hower Administration. The Arab countries have received military grants, as well as economic aid. A number of Arab countries will again receive economic aid grants in  fiscal 1960.
Rep. Fulton said he did not feel Israel was receiving fair treatment. He contended Israel waa entitled to the same consid¬ eration given Arab states like Jordan which is to receive a multi-million dollar grant in fis¬ cal 198a He said State Depart¬ ment officials had assured him that a study would be prepared on the matter for a House com¬ mittee hearing to be held aoon. Rep. Fulton had asked that the study specify why each Arab Government was considered en¬ titled to receive aid and why Israel was omitted.
BY DRi ISRAEL GOLDSTEIN
(Dr. Goldstein, of New York^ Ohairman of the Western Hem¬ isphere Executive of the World Jewish Congress, Is on a world t«ur with Mrs. Goldstein marli- ing his 40th anniversary In the rabbinate)
Recently I enjoyed a new ex¬ perience—instead of arriving In Israel from the Pair West, as I had alwaj^ done before, I stepped off a plane that had brought me from the Far East.
When you journey to Israel from the United States, you ore aware of how much still has to be done economically, agriculturally and Industrially to bring Israel's standards up to those of America. Coming from the Far Boat, how¬ ever, the comparison, except for Japan, Is all In Israel's favor. It is indeed very understandable that Israel's practical cooperation Is being sought In some Asian and African  countries,
T h e relations between Israel and two of the smaller countries In particular—Burma and Ghana —are  especially   good.
Because Israel Is both small and young she Is In a better po¬ sition than larger powers to offer advice and assistance to some of the Asian and African countries. Hence 11 s popularity with the Burmese who, I noted, very much welcome Israel's technical assist¬ ance and advice.
I believe that something of the esteem in which Israel Is held In many of the Eastern lands does rub off on the small Jewish communities that exist In far¬ away places.
In Japan, for Instance, I found a conalderable Interest In Israel. Trade relations between the two countries are developing In a two-way exchange. Japan is Im¬ porting potash and phosphates from Israel and Is building, to IsraeU apeclflcatloiis, two large tankers each costing about $9 million.
The interest In Israel, obvious In Japanese trade and business areas, la fully shared by the Jew¬ ish community whloh numbers a- bout 300 In Tokyo and another 76 in Kobe. The community in¬ cludes former EJuropean refugees who made their way to Japan from Harbin and Shanghai, aa well as a number ot American businessmen.
Israel, and world Jewish affairs in general, were fully aired in my meetings with Jewish leadera In Japan and other parts of the world, and I found, wherever I went, a keen desire to maintain contact with Jewlah communities everywhere. This feeling will have 118 visible manifestations when the World Jewish Congreaa holda Ita Fourth Plenary Sesalon In Stockholm this summer. The In¬
terest and enthusiasm of the smaller communities for partici¬ pation In this world meeting were most encouraging.
It was In Hong Kong that I thought back to Israel and her problems of Immigration, Hong Kong haa a tremendoua Immigra¬ tion problem. The refugeea pour¬ ing in from (Commimist China have swelled the population from 800,000 to 3 million.
Small as It is, the local Jewish community—no more than 150 souls—has done yeoman work In aiding the refugeea from China. One family in particular has done a great deal—the Kadoorie family. They have Initiated a seriea of experimental farroa for raising cattle, poultry and vegetables which are given to the widowa of the refugees to whom the co¬ lonial government grants a few acres of land. Hundreds ot thou¬ sands have benefited from the Kadoorie projects. The Kadoories are proud Jews, prOud of their tradition, proud of Israel.
While I was In Hong Kong I met a representative of Zlra, the Israeli mercantile company, who was at that time making arrange¬ ments for the shipping to that colony ot larael cement and phar¬ maceutical  gooda.   '
In Rangoon, the local Jewlah community of about 200 has been reinforced by the arrival of a large number of Israelis there on varioua mlaalons—building, shipping, pharmaceuticals and poultry raising. The Burmese Government la also very Inter¬ ested in Israel's method of estab¬ lishing and maintaining its chain of border aettlements.
The warmth of the welcome I received from Jewa everywhere testified to their desire—Indeed, their thirst—for contact with the world of Jewry. In some Instances I came across practical problems. In Pakistan, for Instance, the Jewish community is very short of Hebrew teachers; In Hong Kong I noted the need for a rabbl who could alao be a teacher for the children; In Bangkok the Jewish community of about 60 needa a S e f a r Torah, prayer books and other ritual articles.
In some Instances I was able to be of assistance, but I was made very much aware that the requests for help In personnel or In providing prayer books Is In¬ dicative of the struggle of theae communities for Jewish survival. We In the World Jewish (Congress recognize thla as one of our re- sponslbllitiea and I know that the whole iaaue will be thoroughly aired when the representatives of these smaller communities gather, with delegates from the greater areas of Jewish settle¬ ment, for twelve days of confer¬ ences In Stockholm this August.
NEW YORK SURVEY SHOWS JEWISH TEENAGERS WANT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Adolph Kiesler of Denver odds to Ills already generous philan¬ thropic total of Israel Bonds purchased by presenting $i!600 in bonds to Loretto Heights College, a leading Catholic institution in Colorado. Sister Frances Marie, president of the college, accepts the gift, to be used for a new dormitory building (und.
Arab Espionage Ring Is Broken
TEL AVIV (JTA)—Police dis¬ closed that the cooperation of an elderly Haifa Jew, serving as an undercover agent for Israel Se¬ curity Forces, made possible the smashing of an espionage ring In northern Israel.
TTie Haifa Jew was approached by an Israel Arab wl*o asked for Information. The Jew informed the Haifa police, who relayed the report to the Security Forcea. The latter. In turn, aaked the Haifa Jew to maintain the contact. The Security Forces supplied him with "information" which he passed on to the Arab, who was then im¬ mediately arrested.
The Arab confessed and told of contact with a Syrian Infiltrator who visited his home. The Syrian was arrested. He was armed with a submachine gun and a hand grenade. An Investigation led to the arrest of six more Arabs, on changes of passing information to the Syrian. All names have been withhold by the authorities.
NO TRAVEL COLUMN
Our truvel man, Richard Lewis, hOA gone on a- short hiatus him¬ self—down South for u few days to checl{ things first hand. There¬ fore,- Ills popular Column will not appear this week.
I   IN THIS ISSUE   I
Amusements   10
lEaitorittla   2
Society     7
Sports     It
Synagogued   13
MIDWEST REGIONAL HILLa INSTITUTE HERE THIS WEEKEND
The Midweat Regional Inatitute of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Founda¬ tiona will be held at the Ohio State Univeraity Hillel Founda¬ tion this weekend. Hillel directors and student representatives from Ohio, Michigan, and the Pitts¬ burgh area will participate In the institute which will begin Friday.
A Sabbath dinner and services followed by a lecture by Rabbi Monford Harris, assistant profes¬ sor of Religious Philosophy at Chicago CoUege ot Jewish Studies. "The Dominant Jewish Image of Man (Who Am I?)" Is the topic ot   his   first  lecture.
Saturday morning Rabbl Harris will apeak on "Man and God (Who Am I and What Is God?)." His afternoon lecture is entitled "God, Man, and Jew (What ia a Jew?)."
Saturday evening at 8 p.m., Er¬ win Joape, director of mualc at the Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago, will present a lecture- recital entitled "Jewish Mualc Without Tears,"
Sunday morning Rabbl Harry Kaplan, director of the Ohio State Univeraity Hlllel Foundation, will make the introductory atatement on the Hillel Foundation, fol¬ lowed by round table diacusalons oi, the theme and Its practical application in the Hillel program. The Inatitute will conclude with a luncheon and summary.
NEW YORK (JTA)—The Bible, Hebrew language, and religious ritual are the subjects to which major attention is given in most Jewish schools in the New York area, with variations among dif¬ ferent types of schools. It was re¬ vealed in results of a survey con¬ ducted by the Jewiah Education Committee of New York.
The survey covered 40 percent of the 700 achools served by the Jewish Education Committee. The results were based on question¬ naires returned by the Jewish achools with 53 percent of the 145,000 pupils enrolled In Jewlah schools here. The overall atudy covered alma of instruction, sub¬ ject matter, activities provided, testing of achievement, and atti¬ tudea of youth to Jewish educa¬ tion.
In one queatlonnaire tilled out by 4,000 Jewish youth of high school and early college.age, it was found that Jewiah teenagers are intensely intereated In a re¬ llgloua education. The survey also showed a need for an organized effort to reach children earlier than is currently the practice via an information campaign ad¬ dressed to parents. The findings were described at a conference here today by Louis J. Ruffman, associate director of the Jewish Education  (Committee.
"A SERIES of studies Was con¬ ducted," Mr. Ruffman reported. "One of them, reaching close to 4,000 Jewish youth of high school and early college age, probed atti¬ tudes towarda a Jewish educa¬ tion. We found that 90 percent of those who attended a Jewish school felt that a Jewish educa¬ tion was important. Of the 900 in this group who attended no Jew¬ ish school, 56 percent felt that a Jewish education waa necessary and almost all indicated that they would provide one for their chil¬ dren."
Among these students, it was noted that the most popular sub¬ jects were Jewish history, cus¬ toma and ceremonies, and modern Hebrew language, in that order. "We found that tests covering Hebrew language, Jewish cus¬ toms, and Jewiah history revealed that all-day (parochial) schools, which provide the most Intensive program, achieved highest results In all three tests," Mr, Ruffman said, Other types of achools tested Include Yiddish schools, after¬ noon achools, and one-day-a-week- rellgious schools.
THE SURVEY alao discovered that all-day and week-day after¬ noon schools give greatest prior¬ ity to the alms of knowledge, ob¬ servance, and favorable attitudes to Jewish life. On the other hand. Reform religious schools and Yid¬ dish schools emphasize favorable
attitudes to Jewish life and self- identification with things Jewis|i. "What we found discouraging," said Mr. Ruffman, "was that a major reason for not attending a Jewiah school was lack of interest by parents." Findings of the study are now being subjected to a care¬ ful scrutiny and analysis by the board of directors and executive staff of the Jewish Education 0>mmittee. It is expected that the implications of the aurvey will determine direction and emphaaia to be given by the conaultation program of the Jewisli Education Committee to the variety of schools which it servea,
FALSE CALL-UP EXPUINED BY BEN GURION
JERUSALEM (JTA)—By a vote of 63 to 32, with 12 abstentlona. Parliament rejected a non-con¬ fidence motion criticizing the Government for the "false alarm" military reserve call-up, broad¬ cast by the Israel radio last Wednesday. The motion was In¬ troduced by four oppoaition groupa.
The vote waa taken after a lengthy statement by Prime Mln¬ later David Ben Gurion, who said that the blame for the mlx-up has already been fixed againat one high-ranking Army officer, while the reaponaibility of lower-rank¬ ing officers waa still under in- veatigation. The Premier provided no names.
Mr. Ben Gurion deacribed the circumatancea attending the inci¬ dent, but t61d Parliament he could not, for aecurity reasons, reveal the details as to how the mix-up had actually occurred. He emphaaized that nobody regretted the incident more than he and (3en. Chaim Laskov, chief of staff of the army. He added that both of them were "surprised and stunned" upon hearing the un¬ authorized   radio   announcement.
The Premier aaid he issued In¬ structions immediately that all foreign missions in Israel be In¬ formed that, actually, the army call-up order affected no more than 1,200 reaervea, and that a grave error had been committed. He also instructed Gen. Laskow Immediately to explain the error to Belgium's dowager (^ueen Mother Elizabeth now visiting Israel. Mr. Ben Gurion had heard that members of Queen Eliza¬ beth's entourage were exerting preaaure on her to cut short her vlait to Israel and to return to her home at once after the "false alarm" broadcast.
.-....; w»,>w*,,H^, .it,^