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FrMoy, February 24, 1956 The Southern Jewish Weekly CMBblnlßg the Jewish Journal, The Jewish Citizen and The Jewish News An Independent Paper Serving American Citizens of Jewish Faith This newspaper seeks to serve the Jewish communities of the South with en ORTHODOX conscience, a CONSERVATIVE tone, and a REFORM outlook. Edited and Published by ISADORE MOSCOVITZ, B.SJ. Subscription, one year $3.00; two years, $5.00. Upon expiration, unless notified to the contrary, subscriptions are continued. F. O. BOX 5588 PHONE EX 8-1523 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA Entered as Second-Class Matter, at the Post Office, Jacksonville, Florida, Under Act of March 3, 1870 Member, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Sigma Delta Chi, Kappa Tau Alpha, Seven Arts Features and the Chamber ot Commerce. "The Oldest and Most Widely Circulated Jewish Publication in this Territory” Blackmailing Israel Kfev:>/o«». '• •■- ; >oßs^^^K v v '<£ .j.^^i^^agaßMi^gw. )k ' Lw > RffisvX-i;-: • -; -v■•■■• - mim KS§&:& >* ••-vV:'.:•; . .^gMgßy '. Jp^¥ fl . ' politics” has become the rallying cry of all the anti-Israel forces. A large advertisement published in the press by the “American Friends of the Middle East” proclaimed that the only way to assure “a proper approach” to the Arab-Israel problem “is for American voters to insist that the issue be taken out of domestic politics, that elective officials of what ever party refuse to commit themselves to a policy in behalf of either party to the Middle Eastern controversy.” At the same time another outfit, calling itself “Committee for Se curity and Justice in the Middle East” and comprised of indi viduals well-known for their pro-Arab bias, called upon the chairmen of the Republican and Democratic National Com mittees “to agree to take the issues of the Middle East out of the domestic political scene.” It is a curious coincidence that Secretary Dulles, too, should have expressed the view that it would be advisable “to keep the Israel dispute out of the debate in the presidential* campaign.” It is a measure of the objectivity and fair-mindedness of all these proponents of “friendship" and "justice" in the Mid dle East that in their lofty appeals to take the issue out of politics they explicitly demand that Israel be denied Ameri can arms for defense. They have nothing to say in criticism of .Egypt's acceptance of Communist arms and opening the door to Communist penetration and subversion, but they are fearful that helping Israel to defend itself against Arab ag gression would drive the Arab world "into the outstretched arms of the Kremlin." This tactic is nothing short of what an editorial in the New York Post characterizes as a “strategy of blackmail.” As the editorial notes, Indeed it might be said that the high-pressure drive to smother all debate on this issue remarkably dramatizes the strategy of international blackmail. As the so-called American Friends of the Middle East pul it in their latest pronouncement, the Arabs will undoubtedly seek more Russian arms if Israel gets American help. What would they say if the positions were re versed and the Israelis were openly bidding for Com munist munitions in order to frighten the West into diplomatic retreat? Fortunately there is every indication that the attempt to silence discussion of the Arab-Israel situation will fail. Democratic leaders, such as Senators Morse, Humphrey and Lehman, and Representative Celler, have already served notice that they would oppose Secretary Dulles’ suggestion to avoid debate in this election campaign. We have no doubt that Republican leaders likewise will oppose it. It would be morally indefensible to “exempt” this aspect of our foreign policy from public discussion. v TAMPA, FLORIDA BIUT ■ D J FUNERAL . Marion Reed directors 528 Plant Avenue / Phone 8-3737 TAMPA, FLORIDA During the past several weeks we have featured on our editorial col umns and on our front page warnings of the pro-Arab lobby here and abroad to stifle public discussion of American foreign policy in the Mid dle East and particularly to silence any public expression of political sup port for Israel in the presidential elec tion campaign. It is now evident that the slogan “take the Middle East out of domestic THE SOUTHERN JEWISH WEEKLY H Jlllf jB By Rabbi Samuel J. Fox (Copyright, 1956, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.) QUESTION: Why are certain verses of the Megillah read aloud by the entire congregation during the reading of the Megillah on Purim? ANSWER: The general reason given for this is to keep the chil dren awake and retain their inter est. A requirement to read certain verses aloud would awaken them if they should chance to fall asleep. The verses which are se lected deal with the honor of Mordecai so that the people keep in mind that it was his piety and constant concern for his people that set the wheels of rescue in motion. The last verse is usually read together aloud so that the ending of the Megillah be shared by all present so that all shall be ready to pronounce the benedic tion at the end which gives our gratitude to the Almighty for saving us. * * * 4* * QUESTION: Why are the names of Hainan's ten sons mentioned all in one breath according to Jewish tradition when reading the Megillah? ANSWER: It is claimed that the Almighty saw fit for them to gasp their last breath in unison and die all at once. This may have been because of the fact that their fa ther decreed that the children of Israel living in his realm should all perish on the same day and so he was repaid with the tragedy of having all of his ten sons killed in the same moment. It might also indicate that their guilt was equal. It is possible that this was one of the ways in which the Al mighty sought to demonstrate that the revenge heaped upon the family of Haman was ordained by G-d and was not the object of personal revenge by the Jews. ***** QUESTION: Why is it custom ary to read the Megillah twice on Purim, once at night and once in the daytime of the next day? ANSWER: The Talmud (Megil lah 4a) makes this requirement emphatic and draws its proof from certain verses in the scrip ture. Rashi explains that the rea son is to remember that the Jews were in agony both day and night during the evil days of Haman. It might also be that the tradition called for its reading at night to remember how the King’s slum ber was restless at night and that provided the turning point. It is then read by day since the rescue came by day. It might also be taken to indicate that we should be loyal to the Almighty and thankful to Him not only at night when darkness troubles us; but also in the daytime when all seems well. Greetings and Best Wishes Lamps - Photo Frames Custom Picture Framing SHEPLER'S THE LAMP POST 821 N. Federal Hwy. (U. S,l) Phone JA 3-4652 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Jewish Quiz Box Between You and Me... by BORIS SMOLAR ‘ (Copyright, 1956, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.) :v:| However, other executive members of his group claim that they have no really concrete program of action yet.. . Almost every member of the newly-formed executive is said to have his own idea of the kind of work the organization should be engaged in ... In fact, some of the leaders of the group are still inviting suggestions on this matter . . . Many views have yet to be discussed before the policy of the organization is formulated and its program clarified ... It can be gathered, however, that for the present the organization will not seek mass membership and will probably concentrate on public relations activities .. . Meanwhile, Zionist groups in this coun try resent the fact that Peter Bergson—one-time leader of the defunct Hebrew Committee for National Liberation—has made a new appearance on the American-Jewish scene as leader of another organization . . . Mr. Bergson is an Israeli citizen and a former member of the Israel Parliament . . . The Israel Government has apparently been embarrassed by his forming of an organization in the United States . . . Furthermore, leading American Zionists feel that the func tions which Mr. Bergson’s new organization has undertaken to fulfill are ably carried out by existing American Zionist bodies . . . They claim that the establishment of a new body by Mr. Bergson will only create confusion and thus prove harmful to Israel’s interests in this country . . . Mr. Bergson has indicated that he has applied for United States citizen ship ... If this is the case, he still has to wait a number of years before he is naturalized . . . Whether he has, in the meantime, given up his Israeli citizenship is not clear ... How To Choose and Use a Hearing Aid Confused by all of the different hearing aid claims ? Wondering why there is a difference in performance, size and price? Would you like to know what to expect in amplification, power, wearing convenience... L *- wat *°n 20 important factors to look for in a hear ing aid? Mr. L. A. Watson, author of inter nationally known 600 page text “Hearing Tests and Hearing Instruments”, has THE AMERICAN SCENE Curosity pervades Jewish circles following the announcement this week by the “Montor group” that their organization—The Ameri can Friends of Israel—is ready for nation wide action ... I have been queried from all sides as to what is the nature of the action planned by this group ... Is it financial? Is it political? Is it based on mass membership? . . . Mr. Montor is mum on this subject . . . h just completed valuable booklet that is filled with information on how to select an aid. Send 25c in stamps or coins and it will be sent to you in a plain envelope. L A. WATSON, boom no. asw SI NORTH M STUST, NUNNCAPOUS. MMM. j I - ; l | j J ! - I Page Three