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. Order your Quilts NOW at Summer Prices For Fall Delivery Free Storage on Repair Jobs - Call Us For an Estimate 8823 J. TRAURIG 12TH ST (our only store) TYLER 4.6728 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?" " ----- HOME COOKED MEALS IN PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS BLAINE KOSHER RESTAURANT HARRY S. DERMER, Mgr. 8737 TWELFTH STREET EAT AT HARRY DERMER'S! You'll like our fine foods, our large variety, our efficient and courteous service, our modest prices. An assortment of delicatessen and dairy dishes always on hand. DERMER'S KOSHER REST AURAN1 60 CADILLAC SQUARE HARRY DERMER, Prop. 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