14 DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Legal Chronicle January 2, 1942 Father to Thousands Michigan Author Wins Country-Wide Praise for His Latest Jewish Novel Hadassah Appoints New York Neurosurgeon to Post in Its Palestine Medical Center: Dr. Henry Wigderson Flying to Holy Land Robert Gessner, Formerly of Escanaba, Hailed for His "This Is My Home"; Is a Variation From Earlier "Some of My Best Friends Are Jews" NEW YORK.—Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, announced that it has appointed Dr. Henry Wigderson, 35, instructor in surgery at New York University, to a newly- created post as head neurosur- geon in the Rothschild-Hadassah- University Hospital which is a part of the group's medical cen- te• situated on Mt. Scopus, out- side of Jerusalem, Palestine. Together with his wife, Doro- thy Marks Wigderson, 29, who has collaborated with her hus- band in neurological research and holds a master of arts de- gree in speech pathology from Columbia University. Dr. Wig- derson will begin a 22,000 mile air journey to the Holy Land on Oct. 24. The trip will be by way of Hawaii, Australia, India and Iraq. In addition to heading the neuro-surgical department in the hospital, Dr. Wigderson will also work with Hadassah's war emer- gency committee • which is co- operating with British and Jew- ish medical authorities "to safe- guard the Palestine population form health hazards which al- ways accompany war," a state- ment issued from Hadassah na- tional headquarters, 1819 Broad- way, said. To strengthen the Jewish Na- tional Home in Palestine, to make possible the immigration of ad- Much water has gone over the dam since 1936, and many ideas have changed in Live years of blood and sweat and toil. What was objectionable at the end of four years of Ilitlerism is accept- ance as pure in some quarters, and the simon-pure of that day now possesses a stench. By the same token, many Jew- ish ideas have changed, and "some of our best friends" have since become our worst enemies—and vice versa. Similarly, what was trivial then is important today; and the re- verse. These do not necessarily apply entirely to Robert Gessner, bril- liant writer who hails from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. But they have some bearing on his case, as it has shown trans- formations from his book "Some of My Best Friends Are Jews," to his latest novel, "Here Is My Home." The latter was just pub- lished by the Alliance Book Cor- poration, 212 Fifth Ave., New York. Son of Prominent Zionist The author is the son of the prominent Zionist leader, Herman Gessner of Escanaba, Mich. He is at present on the faculty of New York University, is the author of several important works, is an able poet and has made his mark as a novelist. That his latest work, "This Is My Home," is going over with a bang, is indicated by favorable reviews and by letters, among which is one by Rev. F. A. Mac- Callum, minister of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Rev. MacCallum wrote to Mr. Gessner: "I know that it is a serious defect in my mentality but I read relatively few novels. This is not due to any original limitation for once upon a time it was not true. It is to be explained as Darwin explained his lost interest in poetry. However, the adven- turous and romantic elements in my personality are not altogether atrophied as a careful reading of your "Here Is My Home" has proved. During the past year I have read half a dozen of the notable works of fiction, includ- ing "Grapes of Wrath, "Native Son," "How Green Is My Valley," and am fairly familiar with the works of Huxley, Cronin, Maug- han and Priestley. "I mention this only as a back- ground to tell you of the deep appreciation I feel for your work in "Here Is My Home" which has held by unflagging interest on every page. Because of the basic truth in human relations that it presents, I wish that some means could be found to draw it to the attention of the widest possible public. No man can read it with- out feeling ashamed of his intol- erance and his racial and relig- ious animosities. In telling the story of Bernard Straus and Mary Bolitho, you have attained a high artistic level. The value of the story lies in its objectivity and the absence of moralizing. There is no propaganda other than that which is inherent in an honest record of fact which is, of course, legitimate. In this respect I count it higher art than Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath." "These are my impressions and I give them for what they are worth, for I am in no sense of the word a literary critic yet there was a time when I ex; petted that this would be the field in which my work would be done." Robert Gessner's background is important. He acquired fame early when he emerged as a cham- pion of the cause of the Indians in his first novels, "Massacre" and "Broken Arrow." Later in "Some of My Best Friends Are Jews," he took an anti-Zionist stand and was markedly pro-Soviet. He was the subject of country-wide con- troversy in which he was both defended and condemned. Earlier Theme Modified "This Is My Home" is in a sense a modification of that early theme of 1936. He is not as un- sympathetic to Zionism, although he winds up with a resolution for his hero to fight the battle for the Jew right here in this coun- try. Not that such a conclusion Is necessary; but the Ku Klux Klan, Coughlinism, the various other manifestations ot anti-Senn-, tism have had their effects. The story is an excellent one. It is especially good—and authori- tative—when Gessner deals with the pioneering activities in the northern territory and the activi- ties of those who denuded the country of trees for profit. It is the story of Bernard Straus who comes to Chippewa City with the pioneers, marries a Gentile, raises his children in the community, builds up a business, fights for political and social reforms, at- tempts to stop the tree-denuding process. His father-in-law, who never forgave him his marriage, is the leader in the movement that caused him his troubles. The Ku Klux Klan stepped in, made him a tar-and-feather victim and brought about the changes in the entire family's thinking. The younger son, as a result of the horrifying anti-Semitic experi- ences, was prepared to go to Palestine. He gets to New York, visits the Jewish sections and at the last moment gives up the steamship ticket, returns to his native city to hurdle over the difficulties created by intolerance. "This Is My Home" is the im- plied answer he arrives at. Dr. Samuel Wolfenstein, be- loved superintendent of the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Home, the first of the philanthropic agencies founded by Bnai Brith, from, 1878 to 1913, whose cen- tennial was celebrated on Dec. 10, by the thousands of gradu- ates of the Home. Jews as Pioneers Robert Gessner's book is a magnificent story in many re- spects. For instance, there is the old Jewish mother's affirmation to her future daughter-in-law, "The Jewish people have always been pioneering . . . " Then there is the reaction to "the first Jew you ever saw" in the wilds of lumberland. Actually, there is a good ac- count of Jews as pioneers. Also, there is an excellent record of inter-faith activities when hon- estly approached, and the Straus intermarriage works out well. The Gentile wife's interest in the Bible and Jewish history denotes a tolerance that is not strange, and the manner in which it is described is good. An entire community's reactions to a Jew and his Christian wife are reflected in the story, which also reveals the inner struggles in both religions. Of course, the children's problems are there, and the fact that the father comes very close to Zionism is a direct result of these conflicts. The rise of a rabble-rousing priest—the counterpart of Cough- lin—indicates how Gessner was affected by the new wave of in- tolerance. Of course, there is the conclusion of the need for inter- relating all racial and religious groups in the melting pot of America, and the adherents to the American way of life are the heroes—often they are the mar- tyrs in the struggle for decency in Chippewa City. Robert Gessner has written a good American-Jewish story, even if the approach to the Zionist angle is still somewhat strange to the position of his own father and to realities within Zionism and in Palestine. "This Is My Home" is a fine contribution to American-Jewish novels. ditional refugees and to sustain the morale of "a community which is the backbone of pro- British strength in the Middle East," there was spent in Pales- tine by the national funds sup- ported by the Jews of America the sum of $7,586,411.40 from Oct. 1, 1940, to Sept. 1, 1941, it was announced by Charles Rosenbloom of Pittsburgh, treas- urer of the United Palestine Ap- peal, American Jewry's central instrument for the upbuilding of Palestine. In this eleven-month period, there was an average monthly immigration into Palestine of ap- proximately 1,000 Jews, half of them registered immigrants and the other half refugees without certificates. The total Jewish population of Palestine is now said to have risen to 550,000. The issuance of the report by the United Palestine Appeal, whose national chairman is Dr. Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland, coincided with the launching in Palestine by the Jewish Agency for Palestine, which receives its funds from America through the United Palestine Appeal, of a drive to recruit 10,000 additional Palestine Jews into the British Army of the Middle East. Over 10,000 Jews of Palestine are now with the British forces, many of them having served in the North African, Greek and Mid- dle Eastern campaigns. Hadassah "Parcels for Pal- CONTRIBUTIONS Tef THE JEWISH HOME FOR AGED estine" Meeting Jan. 13 Featuring the work of the Pal- estine Supplies Committee, the next meeting of the Detroit Chap- ter of Hadassah will be held at 2 o'clock, Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the social hall of the Shaarey Zedek. "Parcels for Palestine" is the slogan of the meeting to which members are asked to bring those things which are most needed such as sheets, pillow cases, tow- els of all types, sweaters and garments of all types—anything new which can be bought or made, according to Mrs. Saul J. Benyas and Mrs. Morris Wayne, local chairmen. Jewish Congress Delegates from South and Central America Are Tendered Impressive Reception at Manischewitz Bakeries Delegates from South and Central America visit the B. Manischewitz Matzo Bakery in Jersey City. Those present were : From Argentina, Dr. Jacob Hellman, M. Rogalsky, editor of Yid- dishe Zeitung, David Grossman. Tillia Grossman and Dr. Moses Goldman; from Colombia, Dr. Salvador Rosenthal : from Cuba, E. Aronofsky; from Uruguay, David Resnick; from Peru, Dr. Wek- sellman: from American Jewish Congress, Mrs. Schnieberg, Miss Leona Schwartz, Mrs. Dworkin and Mr. Posansky. The following have made con- tributions to the Home for Aged: August family, donation; Mrs. Emil Baron, in honor of Bar Mitzvah of Ruthven Simons; Harold Biller, in memory of mother, Hansah; Daniel Birn- baum, Wyandotte, Mich., in mem- ory of brother, Norbert Birn- baum; Jack J. Brown, donation; Mrs. Etta E. Cohn, Brookline, Mass., in memory of husband, Louis M. Cohn, and father, Isaac Elbinger; Louis Cooper, Chicago, Ill., in memory of moth- er, Bella Cooper; Rose and Leon Friedman, donation; Gertrude Glaser, in memory of David Rayman; Mrs. Hurwitz, dona- tion; Mrs. J. Imerman, in mem- ory of brother, Morris Baum- garth; Geo. L. Kahn, Auburn, Mich., in memory of brother, Itzhok Kahn; Mrs. Lillian Kaye, in memory of David Rayman; Dr. Albert Krohn, in memory of parents, Moses and Theresa Krohn; Izy Levy, donation; Mrs. Etta Morris, in memory of moth- er, Annie; Mr. and Airs Geo. M. Roberts, in memory of William Elson; Mrs. B. Sarasohn, dona- tion; Mrs. Dora Shimberg, in memory of mother, Rayzel; Mrs. Jacobb Simon and family, Pon- tiac, Mich., in memory of Ben Robinson; Mrs. Minnie Stein- berg, in memory of husband, Jacob H. Steinberg; Mrs. Mollie S. Stern, in memory of husband, Jacob H. Steinberg; Mrs. Mollie S. Stern, in memory of sister, Sarah Rosenzweig; Jacob E. Stocker, in memory of wife, Pauline Stocker; Mrs. Eveelyn Theil, Hunter, N. Y., in mem- ory of mother, Yeetke; Mrs. Sarah Wolf, donation. Jewish Fund-Raisin g Up 2.8%, Council Report Shows Delegates from South and Cen- arose to greet the guests and tral American countries who at- to introduce the important speak- tended the Hemisphere Conven- ers of the afternoon. tion called recently by the World Mr. Goldberg introduced Mr. Jewish Congress in Baltimore, Regalsky, delegate from Argen- were tendered a colorful and im- tina, and editor of the important pressive reception at the Jersey newspaper "Die Yiddische Zei- City plant of the B. Manische- tung," published in Buenos Aires. witz Company. Transported in a Speaking for the rest of the specially chartered bus, from delegates, Mr. Regalsky told of New York, the delegates were the fame of the Manischewitz welcomed in Jersey City by the name throughout South and Cen- Manischewitz brothers and by tral America. Rabbi Ilochstein, chief dietary A warm message was delivered supervisor of the huge Manische- by Mr. Katz, secretary-treasurer witz Matzo Bakery. Rabbi Hirsch Manischewitz of Local 170, who spoke for the first conducted the guests on a employees of the company. He was unstinting in his praise of tour of the entire plant. After the tour, the delegates the high-minded labor relations were invited to luncheon in the which prevail between employers spacious dining hall of the plant. and employees at the Manische- The hall was elaborately deco- witz company. The celebrated journalist and rated, Jewish and American flags adorning the walls, and in the Yiddish columnist, Mordecai Dan- center, a colorful array of the zis, also addressed the gathering flags of South and Central Amer- briefly, adding his tribute to the ican Republics whose representa- Manischewitz firm, with which he tives were present. The luncheon has had close association for was served amid a happy spirit many years. of festivity and Jewish fellow- Max Manischewitz then deliv- ship, after which the noted jour- ered a greeting to the assembled nalist and Zionist leader, Abra- delegates and guests. He spoke ham Goldberg, as toastmaster, of the inspiration and the grati- tulle which he and his brothers felt at the privilege of being able to meet with their Jewish brethren of neighboring Amer- icas, and to extend the hospital- ity of the firm to the representa- tives of South and Central Amer- ican Jewry. He ended his remarks with the fervent hope that all would soon witness the downfall of Hitler and Hitlerism. Final speaker on the program was Rabbi Hirsch Manischewitz. "What is of paramount interest and importance to me at this his- toric moment," asserted Rabbi Manischewitz, "is the tragic plight of our Jewish brethren across the seas." He stressed the importance of unifying and co- ordinating all the efforts and en- ergies of the Jewish people, and hailed the Pan-American Jewish Congress just concluded in Bal- timore as a vitally significant step in this direction. Mr. Goldberg brought the im- pressive afternoon to a close by calling upon Rabbi Segal of Jersey City to lead the saying of Grace. Cantor Kantaroff rendered appropriate selections of litur- gical and folk music. NEW YORK (JPS) — A com- parison of the amounts raised by 68 American Jewish communi- ties in 1941 with those in 1940 shows an increase in giving of 2.8 per cent, it was stated by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds in a preliminary report on the sums obtained dur- ing the first 9 months of 1941, when a total of $15,895,697 was registered in 132 cities in cam- paigns for local and non-local needs. The Council estimated that the approximately $16,000,000 fig- ure represented 60 per cent of the total to be raised during the cal- endar year 1941. Nazis Close University Doors When Anti-Semitis m Protested GENEVA. (JPS)—Students of Holland still have guts — which explains why the Nazi Commis- sioner for the Netherlands order- ed the closing of the ancient Uni- versity of Leyden. Arthur Seyss- Inquart had dismissed a Jewish professor, one of the most dis- tinguished scholars of Holland, which action immediately pro- voked a strike among the student body. In retaliation, the sturdy Dutchmen will be deprived of their university training.