Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The Southern Israelite A Weekly Newspaper for Southern Jewry — E Vol. XL ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1965 US Rabbis Address Moscow Worshipers NEW YORK, (JTA) — Three not come on a political mission American rabbis addressed the but had come to seek our congregation of the Central brethren.” °T 40 * T^uujoufo *8AV UO^JfTO XjT3.iqj7 TOf\ UOTUf] NO. 31 Synagogue in Moscow at services last Saturday, and six other rabbis from the United States joined the Sabbath services there, along with 500 to 600 local worshipers, the New York press reported from the Soviet capital. All of the Americans repre sented the Rabbinical Council of America, which is composed of Orthodox rabbis in the United States. The three who had been given permission to speak to the congregation in Moscow were Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the Rabbinical Council of Amer ica; Rabbi Bernard Poupko, of Pittsburgh; and Rabbi Bernard Bergman, of New York. According to Rabbi Bernard Twersky, spokesman for the Council, and a member of the group that visited Moscow, the rabbis had asked Moscow’s Chief Rabbi Yehuda Leib Levin last Thursday whether they would be permitted to address the con gregation. Permission was grant ed Friday night, with the stipu lation that politics be avoided. Summarizing the three five- minute addresses, Rabbi Miller raid: We told them we were happy to be with them and gratified at the privilege of standing in the pulpit in which famous rabbis have preached. We tried to en courage them to speak up. The prayer before we spoke said, The Almighty should fulfill all the requests of the heart for good.’ We told them their re quests and ours were the same. "We said we were grateful to the Soviet Union for voting with the United States in the United Nations for the establishment of the state of Israel. There was applause at this, which the Chief Rabbi stopped. We said we had Hailed as Wise Choice , Goldberg Appointment tu UN Brings Worldwide Surprise After the three spoke, Rabbi Levin made a short speech in which he told the visitors to take home greetings from the Soviet Union and a wish for peace, par ticularly in South Viet Nam. According to Rabbi Twersky, members of the congregation wept, applauded, and otherwise showed great emotion over the participation of the Americans in their services. He said the delegation officially invited Chief Rabbi Levin to visit the United States. During the services, a Soviet Jewish boy officially celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. The boy was Shlomo Shapiro, of Dushambe, capital of Kirghizistan, a Soviet republic in central Asia. His public celebration of Bar Mitzvah was believed to be the first in Moscow’s Central Synagogue in 15 years. Original Record Of Eichmann Trial Given to ADL NEW YORK (JTA)—The orig inal visual record of the Adolf Eichmann trial—over 400 hours of testimony on nearly 1,000 miles of video-tape—was present ed to the archives of the Anti- Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and will be available as a research source for historians, lawyers, psychiatrists, writers, and all others interested in the proceed ings. The record was taped during the 14-week trial in Jerusalem by Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation, under an exclusive agreement with the Israeli gov ernment. According to Frank M. Smith, chairman of the board of Capital Cities, the value of the tapes is about $500,000. WASHINGTON, (JTA) — The appointment by President John son of Associate Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Goldberg as the new United States Ambassador to the United Nations, succeed ing the late Adlai Stevenson, evoked surprise in all quarters here this week as the move was one of Washington’s best-kept secrets until the last minute. It is the first time in American history that a personage of Jewish faith was accorded a diplomatic post of that impor tance. Mr. Goldberg will have Cabinet rank. In the United Nations and in many world capitals, mean while, the appointment was hailed widely except by the Russians, who were silent, and by the Arabs, who indicated that they were dissatisfied. Shortly after the appointment was announced by President Johnson at a hastily summoned press conference at the White House, the State Department initiated efforts to gain Arab understanding of the choice of a Jew to head the American UN delegation. State Department sources made known that Egypt and other Arab states were contacted with the request to withhold judgment of the allegedly par tisan attitude of Mr. Goldberg toward Israel until such time as the new U. S. envoy to the UN can demonstrate his objectivity and fairness at the United Nations. Reports were received here of an outcry in the Arab press against the Goldberg appoint ment. The Cairo Daily “Al- Gomhouria” ran a banner head line asking: “Why was a Jew Sniolar’s Comment on Page 4 Epstein Differs with JTA’s Smolar Over Involvement of Rabbis in Political Issues Contrary to the advice given by a prominent Jewish editor to labbis to stay out of "political issues” and stick to "spiritual guidance,” rabbis—and particu larly Conservative rabbis—must pd will interest themselves even more in all problems con cerning Jews collectively and individually. Rabbi Harry H- Epstein of Congregation Ahavath Achim said, in an interview. Rabbi Epstein referred to a recent column by Boris Smolar, Editor of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, who, in discussing the ongoing debate within the Con servative rabbinate on Zionism, wrote: “It is difficult to see why rabbis should indulge in political issues, instead of devoting them selves to the task of strengthen ing Judaism which shows signs of decline.” He suggested that " . . .there is no justification for them to divert their energies into fields other than spiritual guidance.” "I will not discuss at the pres ent moment, the so-called ‘Blue Paper’ on Zionism and Israel which was presented to The Rabbinical Assembly convention in May,” Rabbi Epstein said. • What was done at our conven tion was to put before us for a first reading' a draft statement concerning Israel, Zionism and the Jewish people in order to stimulate debate among us dur ing the coming year in prepara tion for our next convention. In the months to come, I intend to discuss the issues raised by this document with my colleagues and in our community. "What I am concerned with now is the challenge to our com petence to act or to state our views on such fundamental Jewish matters as the Zionist movement and Israel. No one is going to take that right from us and, frankly, I am astonished and disturbed that it has been challenged. “Anyone has the right, of course, to disagree with any ac tions we may take individually or collectively, and to criticize the ‘Blue Paper,’ although I must add, regretfully, that much of the criticism of it has been uninformed, leading me to the conclusion that it has not been read. But no one has the right to tell us in what areas of Jewish life we are to operate. To take such advice would be to resign our obligations as ‘rabbis and teachers.’ “I will not match competence with our critics—neither in edu cation nor commitment to Juda ism and the Jewish people. I would merely ask what makes an editor more competent to enter the arena of Jewish action than a rabbi? I would also remind Mr. Smolar that the most glorious chapters in American Zionism were written under the leader ship of American rabbis, like Stephen S. Wise, Abba Hillel Silver, Solomon Goldman. Israel Goldstein. Israel M. Levinthal, and would ask him whether he gave them the same advice, or whether they would have taken it. I would also remind him—al though as a journalist he surely knows it—that many rabbis have been drafted by the various na tional Jewish organizations for executive positions precisely be cause of their special competence as well as their deep commit ment to Judaism and the Jewish people. “No one will disagree with Mr. Smolar’s discovery that the prob lems facing the rabbis today- intermarriage, a weakening of traditional Jewish life—are in deed grave. But it is laughable to believe, as he gives us reason to think he believes, that these problems will or can be solved merely through ‘spiritual guid ance.’ What is needed is the cre ating of a better Jewish educa- t i o n a 1 system, a synagogue- centered Jewish community, a more meaningful Zionism, a deeper attachment to Israel— and involvement in every issue that faces us as Jews, Zionists and Americans. “This means, of course, that we as rabbis will involve our selves more not less, in what Mr. Smolar chooses to call 'political issues.’ This is not a departure from ‘tradition’ but a continua tion of the role historically as sumed by our rabbinical for— bears to lead, and not follow.’’ appointed U. S. Ambassador to United Nations?” The newspaper “Al-Akhbar” of Cairo charged that “U. S. Ambassador to UN is a Zionist!” Another Cairo newspaper, “A1 Ahram” quoted an Israeli newspaper which re ported that Mr. Goldberg was proud of being a Zionist. In Beirut, the newspaper “Al- Fafa” urged cancelation of the appointment. The Beirut news paper “Al-Shaab” termed the appointment “a challenge to the Arabs.” A newspaper in the Jordanian part of Jerusalem, “A1 Difaa,” said that “putting the Zionist Jew Goldberg in the post is an open challenge to all peo ples of the Middle East.” In Israel, on the other hand, the appointment was universally praised and high praise was ex pressed for Mr. Goldberg’s quali fications. Separate messages con gratulating Mr. Goldberg were cabled to him by Israel’s Presi dent Zalman Shazar, Prime Min ister Levi Eshkol and Foreign Minister Golda Meir. Justice Goldberg’s selection for the post by President Johnson was also hailed widely in Israel’s press. Leading newspapers em phasized editorially the “high qualities” which Justice Gold berg possesses, and his reputa tion for fair judgment. The Jerusalem Post saw Justice Gold berg’s appointment to the high post as a tribute to the standing achieved by the great body of American Jews, and their in creasing service to their coun try’s public life. The press in New York, Wash ington and other major American cities was also highly laudatory of the appointment with edi torials praising Mr. Goldberg’s qualifications as a skilled medi ator and negotiator. Justice Goldberg’s self-identi fication as an active Jew was not overlooked here. He is an hon orary vice-president of the American Jewish Committee; honorary chairman of the Jewish Center for the United Nations, a synagogue to be built in this area, near similar Protestant and Catholic churches devoted to UN principles; and a man in whose honor a special library has been created at this Center under the title of “Judaism and Peace.” In an address last spring be fore the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Justice Gold berg declared “I am a Zionist” and outlined his philosophy of deep identification with Israel. Mr. Goldberg has been a lead ing force in recent efforts to alleviate Soviet anti-Jewish pres sures. He visited Israel in May to address the international con vention of B’nai B’rith, an or ganization in which he holds membership. He stressed the need for close American support of the independence and security of the State of Israel. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court by President Kennedy, Mr. Goldberg served as Secretary of Labor and before that as Special Counsel of the AFL-CIO. In that capacity he negotiated with the State De partment on the Arab Boycott and blockade discrimination against American ships affecting American seamen. Senate leaders of both parties showed enthusiastic acceptance of the Goldberg appointment thus asuring rapid approval of the nomination by the Senate. Chairman J. W. Fulbright of the Senate Foreign Relations Com mittee, commented that the selec tion of Mr. Goldberg was “an excellent appointment.” President Explains Why He Chose Goldberg for UN Post In announcing the appoint ment, President Johnson said that Mr. Goldberg will always have direct access to the White House and the full respect and confidence of the President and the Secretary of State.” The ap pointment was interpreted Im mediately as a move showing that the President has vast respect for the United Nations and confid ence in its viability. President Johnson revealed that he urged Mr. Goldberg to resign from the Court to take the UN position. He called Mr. Goldberg “a man of courage, conviction, and humanitarian- Since America is seeking a B ’nai B’rith Institute Opens at laurel. Miss. AupustS Jewish leaders from Missis sippi, Alabama and Louisiana will gather at the Holiday Inn, Laurel, Miss., August 8-9-10 and 11 for the 15th annual B’nai B’rith Mississippi Institute of Judaism. The theme and program for the 1965 Institute is “Judaism and Evolving Religion: The Biblical Era,” according to G e o r g e Mitchell District 7 chairman of the institute. Dr. Henry Albert Fischel as sociate professor of Asian Studies at Indiana University, and Dr. Norman E. Frimer, Metropolitan Regional director of B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundations, will be guest lecturers at the sessions. world based on law, designation of a judge to the UN was termed logical. President Johnson stressed there was no more important task than achievement of a “world where all men may live in peace with hope of justice un der rule of law.” He said that “where Gov. Stevenson was des cended from some of America’s oldest settlers, Justice Goldberg was born of some of our new est”—a reference to Goldberg’s Jewish immigrant parents. Mr. Goldberg will be the voice not only for an administration but for an entire nation, President Johnson said. Justice Goldberg, aged 56, said he felt his new post was an as signment “to the greatest ad venture in man’s history—gov erning relations between sover eign nations by law.” “It is with great humility,” he said, “that I undertake the role of our na tion’s advocate of peace in the Council of Nations.” He promised to pursue the Stevenson message to the world of “man’s ancient supplication.” He asked, “grant us peace, Thy most precious gift.” Informed quarters in Wash ington said Mr. Johnson was especially eager to replace Mr. Stevenson with a known liberal such as Mr. Goldberg to help sell unpopular American policies in Viet Nam and the Dominican Re public—issues which caused re bellion by many liberals against current American policies. The general feeling in Washington was that Mr. Goldberg’s qualities as a mediator and negotiator, evident in many complex labor disputes, might help gain great <■ success and acclaim at the United Nations.