10
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle
RETREAT
the violation of the holy tradi-
tions of our faith. All who dare
(Continued from Page 1)
worried.
On the next Sabbath morning,
the Synagogue was filled to its
capacity. The women's gallery,
espcially, was crowded, and an
unusual tenseness pervaded the
assembly.
When Rabbi Phillips arose to
deliver his weekly sermon, a hush
settled over the congregation and
a straining to grasp every . word
was noticeable among the gath-
ering.
"My friends," began the rabbi,
"I have a painful message to
deliver to you today. There has
arisen in our midst a certain
des:re which is not in accord with
the precepts of our faith. A cer-
tain gentleman in our community
has issued a proclamation for the
restoration of a new Zion. Such
an act can but lead to trouble
and affliction for our people. It
has been called to my attention
that many of our young people
are heeding th's call. Youth is
oft times impelled to certain acts
without prior consideration, and
we of the older generation can
understand the unthinking ambi-
tions and passions of our youth,
but we must not allow them to
commit a transgression. I hereby
warn all that it is a violation of
our holy precepts to partake in
this mad venture of Ararat and
all who poin therein are guilty of
"I object to those remarks,"
shouted young Judah Levy, who
had arisen from his seat while
his words burst forth upon the
startled congregation. His face
was pale and his lips quivered.
"I bel eve that Mr. Noah's scheme
should be praised instead of con-
demned and that the time will
come when all of you will be
proud to have known such a man."
And with these parting words,
Judah marched from the Syna-
gogue followed by several of his
.young colleagues who had grouped
themselves at his side.
That evening a storm raged in
the Levy household. Judah's fa-
ther, Jonas Levy, exclaimed that
he had been disgraced and ruined
and would be unable to face his
fellow men. Rebecca Levy wept
and sought cause for this calamity
which had been visited upon their
home.
"I will not have a heretic in
my home," decreed Jonas Levy to
It's son. "Either you apologize to
the rabbi, or leave this house."
"If this is your attitude, I'll
go," answered Judah.
Young Women's Mizrachi
To Hold Lawn Party
"Served
Wherever
Quality Counts"
THE STROH BREWERY CO, DETROIT, MICH.
Franks dropped his stare earth-
ward, hesitant, nervous.
"Speak, Joseph," urged Judah.
"We are ready for your message."
"It is all over, Judah," sighed
Joseph, "our dream remains but
a dream."
"What happened?"
The Young Women's Mizrachi
will hold a lawn party on Mon-
day, Aug. 17, at the home of
Mrs. Philip Cantor, 9237 Wilde-
mere. Mah Jong, bridge and
other games will be played.
"When Mr. Noah returned to
Prizes are to be given. Members New York," continued Joseph, "he
are invited to bring a guest.
expected that our people would
flock to his cause. Instead, he
was met with scorn and ridicule.
two generations.
Young Levy and his followers, The rabbis, not only here but
after a hurried conference, had also abroad, have denounced him.
decided that there could be no The Chief Rabbi of Paris wrote
compromise and there could be that any attempt on the part of
but one solution—departure for man to restore Israel's nation-
the new homeland. A hurried hood would be contrary to the
packing took place, and with their will of the Almighty. The Chief
meager resources pooled into a Rabbis of London have accused
common fund, the group boarded him of high treason against our
a north-bound boat for the ven- holy traditions, and the Rabbi
of Bordeaux has branded him a
ture.
On the morning of September fraud. The people laugh at him,
15, 1825, the village of Buffalo and he hesitates to show himself
was awakened by the booming of at public gatherings. Heinrich
cannon and the blare of martial Heine wrote a sarcastic article
music. Mordecai Manuel Noah about the whole scheme, which
had come to dedicate his Zion, the American papers have pub-
and to herald the creation of a lished. And to make the calamity
restored Hebrew home. Due to complete, Dr. Zunz of Berlin, who
the lack of adequate facilities, it had informed Mr. Noah of his
was decided to dedicate the co•- favor for the project, has changed
ne•stone in the auditorium of St. his mind and joined the opposi-
Paul's Episcopal Church. In the tion. No funds are available and
midst of the throng which packed there has been some talk that
the small office were Judah Levy the Island will be taken over by
and his band, their faces aglow a real estate company."
The next morning Judah's room
was empty and his bed untouched.
Inquiry revealed that similar
scenes had occurred in other
homes throughout the community.
D'sappearances increased and a with unbounded rapture as they
schism had appeared between the listened to the passionate speeches
of the occasion. The parade, the
music, and the festive spirit of
the day truly overwhelmed one
with a feeling of messianic pres-
ence.
"Stop!" cried Judah, and with
a sob he ran into his cabin.
The return to New York re-
minded young Levy of the return
of a funeral procession which
had just laid a beloved one to
rest. He questioned himself over
After the formal ceremonies, and over. Why had the Jews re-
Noah left for New York and the fused to support the project? He
hardy group of pioneers, after could find no answer.
Finally, when the shores of New
purchasing provisions and neces-
saries, journeyed across the lake York came into view, he knew
to Grand Island to settle their that his dream was to be forever
new home and await the abundant forgotten. If he must beg his
aid which had been promised father"s forgiveness and adjust
them.
himself to his old life, he would
The enthusiasm of the newly just have to dispel his desires
arrived pilgrims knew no bounds. and idealistic aspirations from his
Several tents had been purchased mind.
On the deck of the boat, he
and these served as shelters until
a clearing could be made and found himself standing beside Jo-
cabins erected. The few Indians seph Franks.
"You know, Judah," said Jo-
who inhabited the island proved
to be friendly and helpful, espe- seph, "I don't think we are de-
cially in the matter of procuring feated. Somehow, somewhere, I
believe others will carry on."
food.
"You may be right, Joseph,"
A week passed and as yet no
answered Judah. "After all, it
word arrived from Noah. "He is
takes time to gather strength."
probably very busy getting mat-
"Then you don't think we have
ters arranged," declared Judah,
"but I am sure that we shall lost?" questioned Joseph anxi-
hear good tidings very soon," and ously.
"No, my dear Joseph," an-
in this thought his comrades con-
curred.
As the days rolled by, provi-
sions began to become noticably
scarce, and a hitherto absent un-
easiness manifested itself in the
' colony.
Judah Levy attempted his ut-
most to uphold the spirit of his
fellow pioneers, but to no avail
Arguments and bickerings broke
out among the group, and the
former united colony now became
a divided camp.
After a heated meeting was
held, it was decided to send one
of their number to New York to
see Mr. Noah, and Joseph Franks
was chosen for the mission.
On the day that Franks de-
parted, a gloom settled over the
group. The enthusiasm which had
been abundant in the settlement
gave way to despair. The wait-
ing proved to be an ordeal and
even young Levy had no desire
to dispel the gloom for a more
optimistic environment.
As he lay awake that night, he
thought of his parents, and their
admonition. Their warning re-
turned to burn his very thoughts
and he wondered if he were being
punished for his disregard of
their counsel.
He was awakened from his
reverie by shouts from the shore
of the lake. He heard the voice
of Joseph Franks calling across
the water and he knew that the
moment had come. His hands
shook as he dressed and the blood
pounded his temples, and he felt
as if the next moment were about
to foretell his entire future.
As Judah emerged from his
cabin, he noticed that the shouts
had died down. An awful stillness
pervaded the newly arrived dawn.
Only once before could he recall
a similar tenseness when a great
silence had enveloped his very
soul. When a young child he had
been present when his father ar-
rived to inform his mother of
the death of her father. He could
recall vividly the strain and quiet
of that moment.
He did not know why Joseph,
at that moment. brouehf hark
memories of his father. Was it
because of bad news he brought?
"Well," he stammered, the word
dropping from his quivering lips.
Augw.. ,
4 1941
TEMPLE BETH EL
(Continued from Page
the associate editor of ,
he
brew Union College Mol:.nly. H
e
is co-author of a book ., n p ro.
gramming of youth
" ties to
be published this fall. de wa:
the first seminary stud••! to be
assigned the directorshq., of th e
Bnai Brith Hillel Foundatio
n a t
Ohio University, where he
served
from 1940 to 1942, an(: as such
was the youngest dire•l., r o f a
Hillel Foundation.
ounyu
L di ato n
ion.
it) Beth
Rabbi
El highly recommended by the
Hebrew Union College for
his
scholarship and especiall y
for i ll;
qualifications in the field of r e.
ligious education and youth
work. Under the direction of Dr.
Glazer, he will supervise the
Religious School of Temple Beth
El, the College of Jewish Studies,
youth activities, and will also
assist Dr. Glazer in a number
of rabbinic duties. He will as.
some his position here Aug. 17.
Dr. Weizmann's Local
Supporters Praised
Abraham Cooper, chairman of
the Detroit Committee for the
Chaim Weizmann Research Foun.
dation, announces the additional
appointment of the following to
this committee:
Albert Kahn, Simon Lubarsky,
Eugene Greenfield, Hyman and
David Safran.
In commenting on the sup.
port that Detroiters are giving
Dr. Weizmann, Mr. Cooper said:
. "Dr. Weizmann is especially
pleased with the generosity of
our local Jewish leaders and he
personally appreciates the man.
net • in which they have once
more conic to the front with
their contributions to make it
possible for the Foundation to
carry out its important research
work."
Invest With Uncle
Sam—Buy Bonds!
swered Judah. "You must remem-
ber that this is not the end.
We have suffered an attack and
have only retreated to gather our
forces. And some day, someone
will arise to lead those forces
back and turn our retreat into
a glorious victory."
How the I.D.C. Brings Aid to Refugees In Latin America
•:„:6
GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY IN ACTION. The abm e scene(
typify the varied aid which the Joint Distribution Committee pro'
vides to help become self-supporting the 123,000 immigrants wit°,
have come to Latin America since Hitlerism. Above, c hildren 01 .
Jewish immigrants in Brazil are shown at their noonda meal
in a nursery in Rio de Janeiro. Such nurseries give parents
chance to look for work or learn a trade. Below, refugees in the
J.D.C. - supported colony of Buena Tierra .(Good Earth ), high in
the Bolivian Andes, are improving a road so that they ma} be a!)1e
to transport coffee, tangerines, bananas and pineapple ,. whic
they grow.