5

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Leg Chtenicle

March 6. 1942

THE JEW WHO LAUGHS

local auxiliary, with reference
Rabbi Jacob J. Nathan to
the number of patients, sent,
and the amounts of money for
To Be Main Speaker warded
to the sanatorium.

By DAVID WOLFSOHN

Editor's Note: Those who do not know the Jews say they are a dour folk.
But for hundreds of years, their sense of humor has been one of the pillars of
their equilibrium. Their humor was never cruel or bitter; nor was it self-degradinff,
a s is much of what passes for Jewish humor today. Mr. Wolf sohn here brings
together a few of the old stories which serve to reflect the nature of old Jewish
humor.

Schulsinger and Diamond
Soloists at Sanitarium
Celebration

Tourists for a Day

The Women's Committee of
the Detroit Round Table of Cath-
olics, Jews and Protestants has
arranged the third in a series
of educational tours at Central
Woodward Christian Church on
Friday, March 13, at 1:30 p. m.
Dr. Edgar DeWitt Jones will
speak on the liturgy and sym-
bolism of the Church and there
will be liturgical music. Tea and
a social hour will follow.
All are welcome to attend.

Rabbi Jacob J. Nathan, young
associate Rabbi of Congregation
Bnai Moshe, eloquent speaker,
will deliver the principal ad-
Elaborate theories are woven about the Jew- more discredit on the Jew than on the Greek.
-
ish sense of humor, and very scientific categories In fact, it shows that both have a good sense
are devised by which this humor is classified. of humor.
Originally the tale had another setting, but
The fact seems to be, however, that the Jew
has as much wit as his neighbor—no more and it might well be applied to modern Palestine,
no less. The subject matter differed. The joke where thousands of Greeks have found refuge.
was less likely to be cruel. At times, it was a One of these welcome Greek refugees struck up
jibe at one's self. It ought to be said, however, acquaintance with a Jewish fellow guest in
that most of what passes as humor today as a Jerusalem hotel. Eventually they began to dis-
dished out by alleged comedians who happen to cuss Hellenic and Hebraic origins of culture.
The Greek bragged about his land and said
be Jews has no relationship whatever to the
that excavations made near Athens disclosed deep
historic channels of Jewish humor.
Whether it is Harry Hershfield basing his wit underground a long telegraph line. "That just
on an exaggerated desire of Jews to become shows you that as long ago as our early an-
Window Shade Co.
assimilated or Lou Holtz delivering himself over cestors the Greeks had installed telegraphy."
To
which
the
Jew
replied
:
"But
that's
nothing.
the radio of his painfully cruel vulgarities or
WINDOW SHADES
Benny Rubin masquerading in the ol' clo's cari- An expedition recently digging in an outer part
MADE TO ORDER
of
Jerusalem
went
way
down—and
discovered
cature which the Jewish movie producers seem
bent on perpetuating—all of these are Jews in- not a sight of a line. That proves, of course,
Cleaned and Repaired
that as long ago as two thousand years the Jews
viting laughter from the audience by mocking
LINOLEUM
already had a wireless telegraphy."
at themselves.
An old and rusty story, to be sure, but ac-
Inlaid and Battleship
But enough of theories. Here are a few of
the stories. Since Passover is fast approaching, tually the o•igitlal of scores of tales that have
Rugs and Furniture
sprung up in its image.
this is appropriate for the occasion.
VENETIAN BLINDS
A poor Orthodox Rabbi approached one of the
rich men of the town who fancied himself a SHE DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT
Drapery Hardware
The
vaudeville
or
minstrel
gag,
"That
was
no
local Maecenas as well as a scholar. The rabbi
net Our PrIces and Save
tried to sell him a new edition of the Haggadah lady ; that was my wife," was being told among
Free Eetirnatee Furnished
Jews in Poland hundreds of years ago. In a RABBI JACCOB J. NATHAN
which contained two new commentaries.
"But surely these new commentaries aren't different frame, naturally. It ran like this:
8625 LINWOOD
Chaim's wife was pretty sick. Every day she dress of the evening at the 5th
necessary, what with all the explanations of the
CALL TYLER 5-1230
seemed
to
be
getting
worse.
He
met
his
friend
anniversary
celebration
of
the
Haggadah we already have," the wealthy one
Hennoch and complained: "I don't like the way Detroit Auxiliary of the Los
complained.
Angeles Sanatorium, at the Fort
"But I assure you it is necessary," the sup- my wife looks right now."
"Say, I never like the way my wife looks," Wayne Hotel Ball Room, Cass
plicant replied. "Because despite all the com-
and Temple Ayes., on Sunday,
mentaries already written I still cannot celebrate was Hennoch's response.
* * *
For
March 22, at 5 p. m. Cantor
Passover."
Since poverty was the lot of most of these Hyman Schulsinger, of Congre-
European Jews, the stories of beggars and of gation Beth Tefilah Emanuel,
SILENT LEADER
Those who conceive of the Talmudic students their prowess took up predominant space. Al- will appear in a program of
of old as musty explorers of dry texts who never ways the poor man was consoled. A typical "rich selected Yiddish Folk songs.
Dave Diamond, master violin-
thought of current affairs are not familiar with and poor" tale goes as follows:
A very wealthy Chassid came to his rabbi, and ist and celebrated orchestra con-
their wry sense of humor, their mastery at puns.
with him. In the ductor, will be featured in vio-
The seemingly stilted Biblical verses which were the latter spent several hours
had arrived and was lin selections. Other artists of
their daily fodder were related directly to the meantime, a poor Chassid
kept waiting. Finally he got in to see the rabbi, note will participate in the mus-
foibles of the day.
who spent only a little while with him.
ical program. This portion of
There is one famous story centered on Rabbi
As he went out, the poor Chassid looked hurt. !the celebration will begin
Jacob Mazeh, who used to be Chief Rabbi of
Apartment Hotel
Moscow. He was reading the text which said He asked why the rabbi seemed to prefer to promptly at 5 p. m.
A strictly kosher, full course
of Moses: "He was slow of speech and of a spend his time with rich people.
Smilingly, the rabbi said : "You know, it takes chicken dinner will be served
Collingwood at Third
slow tongue." This was Rabbi Mazeh's commen-
me only a short time to discover that you are Following the program. Dave
tary:
I to 4 room suites,
"It was essential that Israel be led by a man a poor man. But that fellow must talk to me Diamond, in person, and his
furnished or unfurnished,
slow to speech. Had he the gifts of an orator, about many things until I realize that—he is celebrated band will furnish din-
Hots!
service optional,
even
poorer
than
you."
ner
and
dance
music.
He
will
he would never have been finished with his
dining room, garage in
also act as Master of Ce•e-
speaking; and Israel would still be in Egyptian KONRIED OF THE MET
connection.
bondage." And Rabbi Mazeh added : "Today the
Jewish changes of names, usually to meet the monies.
During the course of the eve-
orators seize the leadership and that is a mis- needs of the particular country in which they
TOWNSEND 8-2680
ning a report will be given,
fortune for the people."
lved,
were
the
subject
of
stories
long
before
* * *
Harry Hershfield tried his hand at them. Many summarizing the activities of the
The story is told of the death of one of the years ago the Metropolitan Opera Company had
Viennese Rothschilds, who was carried to his a director named Heinrich Konried.
grave with the pomp that befitted this leading
An applicant appeared before him and an-
Jew in the pre-Hitler days. At the far end of nounced that his name was "Rosen".
the procession was an obviously poor fellow, who
"And where did you leave the 'Feld?'" Kon-
cried with a bitterness that seemed greater than
ried demanded.
that shown by any of the other mourners.
"In the same place you picked up your Tied,' "
One of the others in the cortege came back the singer replied.
The utmost care is exercised in planning our
to the end of the line and asked : "Was the
The story has historical value, too, for it in-
menus to insure sufficient variety to please the
Baron a relative of yours?"
dicates that some thirty years ago a Jew in
most exacting taste.
"No," was the answer. "That's why I'm cry- America who called himself "Rosen" instead of
ing."
"Rosenfeld" was suspected of trying to evade his
VISIT OUR COCKTAIL LOUNGE
The story is so told that there is nothing origins.
incongruous nor even mercenary in the tale. In
Your favorite drink mixed by experts
neither reviles the dead nor shames the living. BAPTIZED JEW
Jews who want to escape being Jews are not
That avoidance of the barb of ridicule is one
of the distinguishing marks of truly Jewish hu- new. Books could be compiled of the stories, all
in amused tolerance, told by Jews in various
mor.
European countries who saw their fellow Jews
Despite the fact that Ludwig Borne, famous
German author was an apostate, Jews took de- trying to better their own or their children's
light in repeating a famous bon mot of his. fate by taking to Christianity.
PHONE TRINITY 2-9366
12TH and HAZELWOOD
One day a Protestant came to a Catholic priest
13rne once described a gathering at which he
was present in which the Jews were mercilessly and said that he wanted to enter the Roman
maligned. The audience of German bluebloods Catholic Church. The priest looked through the
was stunned when Borne arose and said : "The candidate's papers and noticed that the man had
Jews are hated, not because they earn it—but originally been a Jew and only a week before
"THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A LONDON"
had been accepted into the Protestant faith.
because they earn."
"But why idn't you get baptized immediately
GREEK AND JEW
as a Catholic? You don't seem to know exactly
Delicatessen
Sometimes the swivel-chair sociologists (more what you want," the priest said.
KOSHER PRODUCTS
Featuring
WILNO
The Protestant replied :
correctly referred to in modern terms as Nazis)
All Kinds of Sandwiches
"I did that so that later I wouldn't have to
accuse the Jews of undue pride of race or
Be Entertained with Sweet Music While You Eat
achievement.. But the following story throws no say I was formerly a Jew."

LASALLE

Economy
Comfort
Convenience

THE WILSHIRE

• t. r

FOR A QUARTER CENTURY
—DETROIT'S FINEST FOOD

HARRY BOESKY

LONDON'S

MEET YOUR FRIENDS AT LONDON'S

J. N. F. Auxiliary to
Hold Final Rally
For Donor Event

The final rally for the 11th
annual donor event of the La-
dies' Auxiliary of the Jewish Na-
tional Fund was held on Wed-
nesday, March 4, at the Rose
Sittig Cohen Bldg. Rabbi Eric
Friedland of Pontiac was guest
speaker. Mrs. Philip Cutler,
chairman of the donor event,
announced that arrangements for
the affair to be held at the Ma-
sonic Temple on Wednesday,
March 11, at 1:30 p. m., are
complete. Dr. Israel Goldstein,
President of the Jewish National
Fund of America, will be the
guest speaker. In addition there
will be the following famous ar-
tists: Saul 111 eisels, character
singer; Benjamin Zemach, danc-
er, and Joseph Golan, 10-year-
old viol in prodigy.
Mrs. William Kiefer, chairman

of reservations, will be at home Warsaw Club to
all day Sunday at 1886 Oakman
Blvd. to accept last minute reser- Hold Card Party
vations. Mrs. Klafer's telephone
The Warsaw Club of Detroit
number is To. 6-5537.
will hold a charity card party
Sunday evening, March 8, at
its club rooms, 10036 Holmur,
Burstein and Lux Continue near Collingwood. Ben Silber,
As Guest Stars at Littman's president of the organization,
invites the various Jewish or-
Paul Burstein and Lillian Lux ganizations as well as the gen-
will continue as guest stars at eral public to attend. Proceeds
Littman's People's Theater, and of the affair will be donated to
this Sunday will appear in a the "Geverkshaft Fund." The
musical comedy, "Gypsy Love". evening will be spent in enter-
Performances will be given af- tainment, games, etc. Admission
is 25c with refreshments served
ternoon and evening.
Both Miss Lux and Mr. Bur- free.
On Sunday, March 15, the
stein were warmly received last
week and played to capacity club will celebrate the 16th an-
houses. Their response to re- niversary with a banquet and
peated encores indicates an ex- entertainment for the members.
tremely successful stay for them The officers of the organization
at the Littman playhouse. They are : President, Ben Silber; vice-
will again be assisted by the en- president, Ethel Golden ; treas-
tire Littman company featuring urer, Sam Dronzek ; financial
Lily Liliana, Leon Liebgold, secretary, Rose Fidler; record-
Abraham Lax, Ethel Dorf and ing secretary, Abraham Bigel-
man; manager, Max Shusterman ,
Mischa Fishzon.

12133 LINWOOD
Beer & Wine to take out and served -

TO. 8-0545
We Deliver

EXPERIENCE
ABILITY — SERVICE
APPROVED F.H.A. MORTGAGES

We invite your mortgage business.
It will receive our careful considera-
tion from inception to completion.

•

General Discount Corporation

1605 Barium Tower