DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Legal
J u ly 19, 1940
Purely Commentary
Readers of Yiddish Books in Detroit
E. Korman, well known Detroit Yiddish poet
and literary critic, has compiled interesting sta-
tistics regarding the readers of Yiddish books in
Detroit, and has incorporated his findings in a le-
ant issue of "Kultur un Derziung," a monthly
journal issued by the Arbeiter Ring.
According to Mr. Korman's study, circulation
of Yiddish books in the Public Libi.ary of De-
troit made the greatest gains among 16 language
groups. The increase of Yiddish readers was 36
per cent over last year, the runner-up being
Spanish with an increase of 20 per cent.
Mr, Korman shows that in 1936-37 there were
1204 Yiddish books in the Public Library and
tha t these had a circulation of 1771. In 1937-38,
2304 books had a circulation of 2347, while in.
1938-39 there was a circulation of 3212 for 2464
books. Mr. Korman's study shows that Hebrew
books did not fare so well, the 195 books three
y ears ago having had a circulation of 101, the
231 books two years ago having circulated only
among 36 people, and the 242 books last year
having had a circulation of only 64.
Among the reasons ascribed by Mr. Korman
to the increased interest in Yiddish books is the
increase in Jewish consciousness as a result of
existing world conditions, the popularity of Jew-
ish writers like Singer and Asch whose books are
best sellers in English, and the formation of read-
ing circles, especially among women, thus encour-
aging the reading of Yiddish books.
The latter reason may be the most significant.
Certainly, it is the most constructive form of
achieving such a desired end, if an organized
effort were to be made to encourage the reading
of Yiddish books. The truth is that indifferenie
among the masses is the most powerful deterrent
to cultural progress. The Yiddish-reading and Yid-
dish-speaking groups, by forming reading and dis-
cussion circles, have aided greatly in creating an
interest in Yiddish that has been lagging until
now.
Mr. Korman's statistical analysis serves to draw
attention to the progress made by Yiddish in
Detroit. His figures are especially interesting in
view of the general belief that Yiddish is declin-
ing and that the Yiddish press and Yiddish books
are losing circulation. It would be interesting to
know the comparative figures for the country at
large in the circulation of Yiddish literature. In
the meantime the work of the reading and dis-
cussion circles stands out as a definite aid in
inspiring interest in cultural values among the
Jewish masses.
Mr. Korman's article also is a tribute to the
interest and conscientious cooperation with the
Yiddish groups in Detroit of the Yiddish Division
of the Detroit Public Libraries. Let it be recorded
that this division is responsible in great measure
for the gains indicated in Mr. Korman's study.
•
Palestine's Progress and Future
In discussing Palestine's future, one must take
into consideration the progress achieved during
a time marked by many difficulties.
It has just been reported that during the four-
year period ending April 30, 1940, 60 new Jew-
ish agricultural colonies were established, in ad-
dition to the 197 rural centers that were in ex-
istence in April, 1936. In spite of the riots and
the constant Arab attacks on Jews, the record
of Jewish agricultural accomplishment is as fol-
lows:
Beginning of
1937
1938
10:01
1910
Nm% Settlements Inhabitants
614
1,718
4,231
8,427
6
20
37
60
Dunning
12,800
40,000
93,200
160,100
In addition, there was an advance in industrial
pursuits, Palestine's manufactured exports having
exceeded a million pounds for the first time. The
record, over a period of five years, is as follows:
w ea r Foodstuffs
Total
Dead Sett
(ft her
VF,
193.1
1030
1937
19:19
£
110,000
137,0410
:474,000
323,000
327,000
Products
Minerals
272,000
249,000
348,000
317,000
337,000
99,000
168,000
211,000
323,000
128,000
£
£
£
481,000
554,000
939,000
963,0410
1,092,000
Another record was reached in the citrus in-
dustry, Palestine achieving first place in the world
in citrus exports in 1938, the growth of the citrus
industry having grown as follows:
l'erio41
1928-32
1933-31
1935-3ti
193749
World Exports
Tons
Palestine Export s
Percentage
Tons
5.0
90,000
9.6
168,000
13.8
243,000
22.7
391,000
These figures are the result of a powerful
economy that was created due to the aspiration
of our people to build a self-sustaining Jewish
commonwealth that should, once and for all time,
be free from humiliating tolerance on the part
of our neighbors, but should instead be built on
a basis of national equality with other peoples.
Until the outbreak of World War II, we boasted
of these achievements. Today these accomplish-
ments may be to our detriment, since they are
certain to prove tempting to the greedy totali-
tarian nations.
But, never say die. Had we despaired, we should
never have reached the present stage of progress.
Had we been panicky and pessimistic, we could
not have created that solid settlement in Pales-
tine which makes Jews the strong group in the
land in spite of their being only a third of the
entire population.
It is this never-say-die spirit that must pre-
vail today. We believe that no matter who rules
Palestine Jews will be the inalienable element
in the land. Arabs failed to drain the Emek. Ger-
mans were overcome by the malarial mosquito
when they tried to build agricultural colonies.
Chronicle
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Reorganization of
Vaad Hakashruth
Some Astronoine7
Only the Jew survived. The Jew, because he is
historically bound to the soil of Palestine, will
remain the only factor who can make Palestine
blossom again like the rose.
There is a greater obligation today than ever
before on world Jewry. It is towards Palestine.
Land must be redeemed NOW. The settlement of
more than 500,000 Jews must be sustained. The
institutions created by Jews must be given a new
lease of life. To guarantee the continued exist-
ence of all that we have created, we must extend
loans to the Yishub. A million dollar loan is being
floated by the Keren Hayesod. It should be sub-
scribed instantly.
In time of crisis, when tens of thousands of
expatriated German and Polish Jews clamored for
homes, Zion did not fail Israel. Now, when Zion
is in need, Israel must not fail Zion.
•
At a mass meting of represen-
tatives of most of the Orthodox
Synagogues, the Vaad Hakash-
ruth was re-organized.
Rabbis M. Fischer and I. Stoll-
man and J. Lacher were elected
as a presidium and M. Kaner as
treasurer.
The Vaad Hakashruth consists
of two committees and an advis-
ory board of seven, which will
hold its meetings every Thursday
at 8:30 p. m. at Lachar's on 12th
St., with the executive committee
meeting every fourth Thursday
at Congregation Bnai Moshe, Dex-
ter and Lawrence.
The congregations are urged to
participate by sending their auth-
orized representatives.
The temporary headquarters
are in the building of the Lachar
Kosher Catering Company on
12th St.
Two members of the Detroit
Council of Rabbis are meeting
every Tuesday and Thursday from
12 to 3 p. m., ready to deal with
every kashruth problem arising
daily.
What About an Outright Gift?
In reality, an emergency like the present.shoulth
have called forth a spontaneous effort to raise a
million dollars outright to meet Palestine's needs, •
instead of making it necessary to ask for a loan,
thus mortgaging a part of the future income.
It will be little short of disgrace if a community
like Detroit raises less than $50,000 towards the
loan. And yet, it would not be asking too much
for Detroit Jews to subscribe such a sum towards
the program for the building of air raid shelters,
the evacuation of children, the relief of unem-
ployed, in Palestine during the present war period.
During the riots of 1929, more than two million
dollars was raised, and Detroit alone subscribed
over $75,000 in a period of a few weeks. But the
current need is vastly greater. How, then, is the
contrast in popular response to be explained?
Surely, with a multi-millionaire as president of
the Zionist Organization of America, it ought to
be easier to enlist other support of wealthy Jews,
thus eliminating loans. The answer, it appears
to us, lies in a state of apathy, is a spirit of
despair, in a lack of faith, in unjustified discour-
agement. In spite of all hullaballoo at conven-
tions and caucuses, we have yet to find that
dynamic leadership that will drag us out of the
mire and will give us courage to carry on in time
of darkness and despair.
•
-Frorn Mucha of Warsaw.
"And now I will put the terres-
tial sphere on Its proper base."
Junior Hadassah Sends $1,500 to
Aid Palestine School
NEW YORK. (WNS)-Junior
Hadassah, young women's Zionist
organization, has cabled $1,500
to Dr. Maya Rosenberg, founder
and director of a school for
Yemenite children in Jerusalem,
to insure the school's continuance.
It was Washington Irving who
told Sir Walter Scott all about
Rebecca Gratz, who became the
prototype for the Rebecca of
"Ivanhoe." • . . Rebecca's fa-
ther, Michael Gratz, at one time
owned Kentucky's Mammoth
Cave.
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M. Georges Mandel-Hero of France
To M. George Mandel, minister of the Interior
of the late French Cabinet of M. Reynaud, goes
the credit of having been the most uncompromis-
ing Frenchman during the crisis that preceded the
rise to power of the Fascist regime of Marshal
Petain. The London Daily Mail recently described
M. Mandel as "the man who shepherded France's
homeless millions from the battlefield to the evacu-
ation zones." The Daily Mail continued to state
about M. Mandel, the Jew who tried to save the
honor of France:
No one in history has ever had to face
up to such an avalanche of human misery.
Mandel was the man for it. Mandel saw
that the children, the old folk, and the sick
were housed so long as it was humanly pos-
sible . . . When Paris was being surrounded,
Mandel, as Minister of the Interior, was the
last to leave. The rest of the Government
had gone long before . . . Mandel was the
French Government's rearguard, and there-
fore Democracy's rearguard. He symbolizes
that c ombination of fairness and strength
which is the very essence of democratic gov-
ernment. Mandel, above all others, stood out
for resistance to the end; total and unflinch-
ing resistance.
History will know how to honor this great
French Jew. But in the meantime another French
Jew, Leon Blum, is being maligned and is blamed
for the weakness in which France found herself
against the formidable Nazi enemy. In this case,
too, there will be vindication. It was not Blum
who brought about the downfall and disgrace of
France. It was a series of cabinets that refused
to be firm in the struggle for freedom. It was a
s.:ries of betrayals, by enemies within who are
now referred to as the Fifth Column. Leon Blum
the French patriot will be vindicated; but the
Lavals and the Petains will be presented in their
true light when the complete story of the present
collapse of so-called European democracies is
finally written.
•
A True Story-With a Socio-Ethical Angle
Trudy Sarasohn vouches for the truth of the
following story.
There was a reception here in honor of the
engagement of a young lady. After the formali -
ties, card games were suggested. The men ad-
journed to the home of the groom-elect, the ladies
to the home of the bride-elect. The next morning,
tl* bride-to-be came to her mother with a heavy
heart and expressed regret that such a solemn
occasion should have wound up with card games.
It was too holy an occasion to her, and she did
not think it was right. Whereupon her little sister
spoke up and said: "Mother, and The Chronicle
did say No Cards"!
•
Explanation for Old Age
Those who worry over the war situation may at-
tempt to steel their nerves after reading this
story:
A Jewish woman boarded a street car with her
little boy and dropped a single fare into the box.
The conductor looked at her, and at the boy, and
said, "Lady you'll have to pay another fare, for
the boy." Whereupon the woman said, "But my
boy is only four years old." Said the conductor,
"He looks like seven," which brought the mother's
reply: "Can I help it if he Worries?" " -----
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