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DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Legal Chronicle

July 12, 040

P urely Commentary

Distinct Honor for Otto A. Silvers

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the State
o f Michigan have conferred a distinct honor upon
Otto A. Silvers, Detroiter who has been active
fo r years in numerous veterans' organizations and
the Jewish War Veterans of the United States.
By elevating him to the post of Commander of
the State of Michigan, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars have given eloquent proof that there is no
bigotry in veterans' ranks and that they live
u p to the ideal of preserving democratic prin-
c iples. More power to the V. F. W., and sincerest
congratulations to Otto A. Silvers.
0

Defeatist Attitude on Palestine

A defeatist attitude is being adopted by some
Je ws on the future status of Palestine. They
take seriously reports that the Axis Powers plan
to turn Palestine over to II Duce, who is said to
b e pledging the country in turn to the Vatican.
These defeatists assume that Great Britain is
licked and that the British Empire is doomed.
Such an assumption is, at this time, premature.
Even the most pessimistic observers believe that
Great Britain will survive the present crisis. But
granted that the result of the war will be the
dismemberment of the British Empire, we believe
that Italian control of Palestine by no means
spells destruction for the Jewish National Hens, .
On the contrary, Mussolini, as a practical poli-
tician who would be anxious to see Palestine
built up as an important colony, will surely recog-
nize that he can do little without the aid of
Jews. It is reasonable to assume that he may
even invite Jewish cooperation in the upbuilding
o f Palestine, and may grant us concessions of
importance. But we doubt whether it will ever
come to such a pass, and we rather believe that
the present status of Palestine will continue for
many years to come.
The prediction of Catholic control of Palestine
is ridiculous. In the first place, Palestine is the
Holy Land not merely for Catholics, but also for
Protestants. Secondly, in addition to Christians
and Jews the Mohammedans have something to
say about Palestine. It is to be assumed that
the Crescent will never consent to the rule of
the Cross over the Holy Land. Therefore, we
believe that Palestine will retain its present
status, with a guarantee of freedom of life and
worship for all faiths.
We urge the defeatists to be practical, to
take advantage of opportunities now available
for the upbuilding of Palestine, to participate in
the loans of the Jewish National Fund and the
Keren Hayesod, and to create for the future while
the creating is possible. Without Palestine there
is little hope left for tens of thousands of refu-
gees. Build now for the post-war period, and
you will be a practical person; listen to the de-
featists and you stop progress.

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

of Infants'
JEWISH PRESS Moonlight
Service and Home
CLUB FORMED
Relief July 13

Zionist like H. L. Meites devotes close to a
page of space in his newspaper to a rehashing
The American Jewish Press
The moonlight sponsored by the
of a nasty political battle that was conducted
Club
was established this week Home Relief Society, Infant's
in time of crisis for our people, it is time that
he be called to order and that he be advised that to represent editors and writers Service Group and the Steinmetz
the convention was not the "poorest" by a long in the field of English language Electrical Contractor's Club will
shot. As a matter of fact, the "poor" Pittsburgh Jewish newspapers and periodi- be held on Saturday, July 13, at
convention was saved by three people: Eliezer cals as well as publicity counsel- 10:30 p. m., on the Steamer Co-
Kaplan, treasurer of the Jewish Agency for lors and research directors of na- lumbia, leaving from foot of Wood-
Palestine; Dr. Stephen S. Wise, former president tional Jewish organ izati ons Wit I'd Ave. Dave Diamond and his
of the 'LOA and master peacemaker who often throughout the country. The aims orchestra will supply the music
fails to make peace, and Henry Montor, national of the American Jewish Press for dancing and an additional
director of the United Palestine Appeal. Mr. Kap- Club as outlined in its provisional program will be provided by tal-
Ian's address at the convention banquet was the constitution are to promote the ented entertainers. All proceeds
most impurtant single utterance at the conven- editorial standards of the Eng- will be used for various charitable
tion, and it is not the fault of the Jewish Agen- lish-Jewish press as well as to interests of these organizations.
Tickets are still being sold by
cy's treasurer or of Palestine that the banquet provide a common forum for the
audiu,ice was discourteous and impatient, and discussion of basic issues and all members of these organizations.
perhaps concerned more with the political contro- problems in Jewish communal, Tickets will be delivered upon
versy than with the problems of Palestine. Mr. cultural and philanthropic activi- request made to the following:
Kaplan's address led up to the single significant ties in the United States. The Home Relief Society, Mrs. Ralph
action at the convention—the launching of the American Jewish Press Club is Levy, To. 8-•590, and Mrs. David
million dollar emergency loan for the Keren the only organization of its kind Roland, To. 6-9090; Infants Serv-
ice Group, Mrs. Louis Fried, To.
Ilayesod. Dr. Wise made the initial appeal and in the country.
Mr. Montor was an excellent advocate for his
Membership of the American 5-2(187, Mrs. Harry Margolis and
cause.
Jewish Press Club will be drawn Mrs. George Zelman, Tr. 2-4933;
Steinmetz Electrical Contractor's
It would be unfair, therefore, to claim that the from the more than 100 English- Club, Charles Capp, To, 8-2928.
convention was the "poorest" in 36 years. It was Jewish periodicals and scores of
not the best convention, but at least it set the Jewish organizations in various
pace for important action in behalf of Palestine. parts of the country.
Malcolm S. Leventen Com-
Applications for membership
It may even be safe to assume that the conven-
pletes Building of His
tion could have been the best in years if only are now being received by Hi
Own Boat
Wishengrad
at
the
Jewish
Tele-
a certain group were amenable to reason in con-
sidering the peace proposals. Two days of wrang- graphic Agency, 1560 Broadway,
Malcolm S. Leventen announces
ling could thus have been avoided and the dele- New York. All other communica-
gates could have concerned themselves with im- tions should be addressed to .Miss the completion of his boat "The
F. R. Adlerstein at the Joint Dis- Cielily" and invites his relatives
portant problems rather than personality issues.
H. L. Meites of the Chicago Jewish Chronicle tribution Committee, 100 E. 42nd and friends to see it on Sunday,
July 14, at 3346 Tuxedo Ave.
is just a bit inconsistent in his evaluation of this St., New York City.
The launching will take place on
convention. Closer scrutiny and keener analysis
Study the past if you would Tuesday, July 16, at the Bingham
will convince him that the few "jobs at stake"
Boat Works.
about which he speaks were not bait for the divine the future.—Confucius.
losers alone, but were also important objects in
view for the winners.

•

The New Zionist President

Many interesting sidelights are now revealed
about the new president of the Zionist Organiza-
tion of America, Edmund I. Kaufmann. Detroiters
will be especially interested to learn that he was
born here; that his grandfather came to this
country in 1848 and was Detroit's first kosher
butcher; that when he was past 5( lie began
to study Hebrew and that his teach . was Prof.
Chaim Tchernowitz who is known as "Rav Tzair."
Mr. Kaufmann is especially interested in spon-
soring a program of Jewish education and activi-
ties among the Zionist youth. He has the blessings
of all Zionists in his aspiration, and he should—
as he undoubtedly will—be given the cooperation
of all elements in the movement.
•

The Consistency of a Columnist

Our good friend 11. L. Meites of the Chicago
Jewish Chronicle devoted a lot of space in his
"Jottings" column last week to his impressions
of the 43rd annual convention of the Zionist
Organization of America, held in Pittsburgh.
There is no mistaking his attitude in the recent
conflict over the presidency of the organization.
He was "sold" on Kaufmann and "down" on
L. msky. As a matter of fact, his hatred for Lipsky
is more vehement than his love for the new
president. He speaks of "professional Zionists,"
shutting his eyes to the fact that the Kaufmann
group was not devoid of the "professional" ele-
ment that toured parts of this country to enlist
support for their candidate. He fails to state
that this is the first time in a generation that
the so-called Lipsky group did not put on a cam-
paign in the course of a controversy, and that
his opponents proved apt pupils in winning by
means of emulating their antagonists.
. But the pay-off in 11. L. M.'s column comes
in the final paragraph which reads: "Construc-
tively speaking, the 43rd annual convention of
the Z. 0, A. was the poorest of the 36 conven-
tions it was our privilege to attend. Nothing of
an outstanding nature was accomplished—be-
sides, of course, the election of a new president.
That was, in itself, a great achievement and a
move in the direction of progress. We sincerely
hope that all factions will unite and work har-
moniously, cooperating in the spirit of the Zion-
ism of old. The hour is grave and the work
before us Dressing and imperative."
, Well, now, H. L., this is a bit confusing. We
elected a landsman of your two years ago, in
Detroit. Was it fair then, and is it fair now, to
say that the gathering of Zionists from every part
of the land becomes an achievement upon the
election of a new president? Why should it have
been less of an achievement to select a collegium
of five or seven to direct Zionist activities in
time of crisis, when our responsibilities, indeed,
become "pressing and imperative"? Furthermore,
Why not revel in the harmonious closing of the
convention, and the pledges of cooperation given
the new administration by Israel Goldstein and
Louis Lipsky?
Perhaps this is too much space wasted on a
post- convention comment. But when a pioneer

•

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For Fall Delivery

Advice to Non-Citizens

Non-citizens are in a real predicament. Having
fled from countries where they had to comply
with rules of a passport system, they must now
think in terms of being registered and finger-
printed.
Theodore Levin, an authority on immigration
matters, has given us a statement in which he
urges all non-citizens to comply with the new law,
to cooperate with the Government, to obey the
latest Federal regulations. We endorse his view-
point and strongly urge obedience. When in
doubt about their status, non-citizens should con-
sult reputable attorneys in order that they should
best be able to comply with the latest regula-
tions.
But by all means, non-citizens must make, it a
point to become naturalized as soon as possible.
It borders on the criminal for aliens to fail to
apply for American citizenship. The sooner they
do that, the more honorable will their status be
in this country.

•

Keep Your House—and Lawn—In Order

It has been said that one of the ways of fight-
ing anti-Semitism is to keep our own house in
order.
What, exactly, does this admonition mean?
It calls for the most careful upkeep of one's
home,—exterior as well as interior. It means
that Jews, like other citizens, should take pride
in their homes and in their lawns. It demands
that our people should beautify their residences
and should take pride in their landscapes.
Admission must be made that in many instances
Jews do neglect the appearances of their homes,
especially their lawns. That is most regrettable.
In order to be above reproach, and for the sake
of defying the charge that we spoil whatever
neighborhoods we move into, we must take pride
in our lawns by giving them the best of care and
by devoting our attention to them as much as
some of us do to the appearances of the golf
courses on which a great part of the summer is
spent. We would be resentful if the front of a
public building did not have an attractive lawn.
But some of us nevertheless ignore the appear-
ance of the approaches to our own homes. We
endorse the appeals for better care of our lawns
wholeheartedly, and we urge that this plea be
taken seriously. It will not hurt the men to devote
a bit of time to their homes, and it will espe-
cially do the women some good to take time off
from bridge and mah jongg to be out a few
minutes a day watering the lawn, pulling the
weeds and even planting a few flowers.
Our people should remember that we were not
always tradesmen; that our background is that
of an agricultural nation; that today, too, in
many pits of the world and especially in Pales-
tine tens of thousands of Jews are engaged in a
back-to-the-land movement. We will be honoring
a tradition of old by injecting this spirit in our
own lives here.
Take pride in your home, and your neighbor-
hood will be proud of you!

•

An Anti-Hitler Publisher

James E. Dunne, publisher and editor of the
Insurance Index of Louisville, Ky., prints the
warning "Stop Hitler! Save Civilization!" at the
bottom of every page of his magazine. The inter-
esting angle in this case is that he inaugurated
this warning in March 1939, and that at that time
he was threatened by "fifth cvolumnists."
It will be recalled that in 1938 Mr. Dunne
wrote an interesting book "Heil Hebrew—A Gen-
tile Salute," in which he warned against the en-
croachment of the Nazis and defended the posi-
tion . of the Jew. He is a daring publisher and a
ss American, and we salute him in turn for
fearle
his spirit of fairness.

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