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Friday, March 29, 1946

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DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle

"—
s
'70UT, JOVIAL, PHILOSOPHIC Dr. Geza Schinagel, active
instructor at Wayne University and senior surgeon at the Liver-
nois Clinic, is saluted by the Chronicle and accorded honor as
the Ian
I of the Week.

Dr. Schinagel was born in Temesvar, then in Hungary and now
in Rumania. His mother was of Spanish descent and he therefore
spoke Spanish in addition to his mother tongue of German. Because
his was quite a polyglot community, he learned early to speak Serb-
ian, Hungarian and Rumanian. Tutors in his home gave him, some
Hebrew education.

(4.1For his medical education, he went to universities at Berlin,
• \ .- Bud apest and Lwow in Poland. When the first world war broke
OM,
he entered the Austro-Hungarian army in the medical corps where
he became a sanitary lieutenant. He spent forty-eight months in
service.
It was while he was in seree
ice that he was stationed in
Lwow and took medical courses in
the university there, learning the
Polish language quite proficiently.
While he was at the Univer-
sity of Budapest, he met a Turk-
ish imam who decided to teach
Turkish to students there. Dr.
Schinagel was one of the stu-
dents who was somewhat inter-
ested and he learned the alpha-
bet and a number of words. This
led him to quite an experience in
the war.
Stationed in Carpathians

He was stationed in the Car-
pathian Mountains where it was
bitterly cold. Word went about
that the commandant was look-
ing for someone who knew some
Turkish. Thinking that this
meant a transfer to warm Turk-
ish climate, Dr. Schinagel let out
the information that he had had
lessons in Turkish. He was im-
mediately put in arge of two
groups of Turkic troops who
had arrived in the Carpathians.
DR. GEZA SCHINAGEL
"It was terrib " he mourn-
ed. "I couldn't speak a word to them or they to me. They were brave
enough, being fatalists, and were willing to risk their lives at the
slightest provocation. But the kind of personal lives they lived was
). most disguSting I was chained to them for two whole months. Fin-
ally, the commandant who was a baptized Jew, took pity on me and
I was transferred." ..,
Next came Odessa, at the height of the Bolshevik Revolution.
There were sieges of cholera. The dead were everywhere. Dead people
were nothing new to Schinagel. While in the Carpathian Mountains,
he was in charge of a prison battalion where Italian prisoners from
the sunny south were stationed.
"The ground was so hard we couldn't bury them," he explained.
"I saw dead Italians stacked like cordwood for acres. There were
thousands of them. When spring came, the ground thawed out a little
and we buried them."
Surgeon in Budapest
When the war was over, he went back to Budapest and became
resident surgeon of the hospital there. But anti-Semitism had started
up and Was in full swing. He was offered a position as a professor in
the University of Budapest. There was only one catch. He would
have to be baptized. He refused the offer and there was no place for
him in Budapest. He left the country and came directly to Detroit.
From 1924 on, he served and now continues to serve as attending
urologist of the City Physician's office, always refusing to accept pay-
ment for his services.
In connection with hiS medical practice, he is very pleased at the
idea of a Jewish Hospital here in Detroit.
"A Jewish Hospital," he said, "will serve an excellent purpose. It
will act as a catalytic agent, that is, it will stimulate the social proc-
esses so that Jewish doctors will be more respected in the commun-
ity, especially in the medical world. It will give them power, some-
thing to fall back on. In a sense, it will accomplish much the same
for the doctors as having Palestine would do for the Jews here."
Al'ants Organized Community
Schinagel is a strong believer in an organized Jewish community.
"The Jewish Welfare Federation is a physical necessity," he said.
"It. is really necessary for the community to have one agency that
haPles all welfare for the Jews of Detroit. They are doing a good job.
"An organization like the Jewish Community Council is an abso-
lute moral necessity," he continued. "I would like to see the Council
have more teeth in their set-up. They would be in a position to com-
pel Jews, who are out of line and thereby do harm to all other Jews
and to the community, to alter their ways."
For twenty years, Dr. Schinagel was at Receiving Hospital here
and more than 60,000 patients passed through his hands. His experi-
ences with these patients and with the medical world in general plus
his own philosophic ideas have given him some very definite ideas on
anti-Semitism.
"In the presence of great griefs, one does not weep," he said slow-
ly. "After this great Jewish tragedy, it is now time to re-examine the
whole situation. We have to be clear on the whole situation and we
have to be very clear on our own tenets. One must keep in mind that
anti-Semitisrn and the Jewish question are not one and the same.
"Anti Semitism is a social phenomenon, a hate manifesting itself.
• It is crystallized around Jews but could easily manifest itself in som-
other form. The form is changeable though not the content. Hate is
an inherent part of the human being. Hate seeks justification. Now,"
he said soberly, "it is a human tragedy to be a Jew. The worst part
of the tragedy is that it leads to self-hatred on the part of the mal-
adjusted Jew."
Asked to give his recommendations for treatment of anti-Semi-
tism, Schinagel gave the results of many hours of careful thinking on
the subject both from the sociologist and the psychiatric point of
view.
Four Possible. Remedies
"There are four possible remedies," he began. "The first is full
assimilation and the total disappearance, if possible, of the Jew. This
not possible because the world will not permit it. It is also bad be-
cause it justifies the anti-Semitism and last of all because it loses to
the world the unique contribution of the Jews which they give as
Jews.
"The next possibility is a return to rigid orthodoxy and remaining
a foreign body in a hostile world. This is not feasible because the
whole American melting pot tradition would thereby be destroyed.
"The third possibility is a complete Zionism, a forceful one, like
the action and reaction of Newton's Law. Transport every Jew to Pal
estine. This is a dangerous theory. The diaspora saved Judaism. If
one community was exterminated, others could still survive.
"The last possibility is a kind of society of such high perceptions
that a Jew can be a human being with other human beings. This so-
ciety would accept the doctrine of a man's personal worth, regardless
of his race, color or creed. The Jew everywhere must work for that
kind of society. He must work for the kind of economic existence
where nobody has to hate anyone else.
"I foresee such an existence during the atomic age," he conclude/
"when the emancipation of the human being will occur. And this at-
omic age will Usher in the time of the Messiah."

-

Page Five

So They Tell Me---

Box

By LOUIS W. ENFIELD

In a little town in Russia, a
stranger came to town. When he
appeared in the local synagogue,
the nabobs all vied for the privi-
lege of having him as a Sabbath
guest. The honor went to Mr.
Yakovsky who took the guest
home in triumph.
The Friday night meal was of
the best. The stranger ate and
drank and sang. The family all
made him welcome. The same
service was continued on the Sab-
bath day.
Saturday night, the stranger
said it was necessary for him to
stay two more days and asked to
be taken to it hotel. Yakovsky
would not hear of it. The strang-
er must remain as a guest.
So eassed Sunday and also Mon-
day. The stranger was wined and
dined. He had the time of his
life. At long last, he was ready to
go. He started to say his good-
byes when to h's utter astonish-
ment, Yakovsky spoke up.
"Your bill," he said, "will be
forty-four roubles."
The stranger was aghast.
"I understood I was your guest,"
he spluttered. "It's had enough
you deceived me. But forty-four
roubles. That's a tremendous price.
I won't pay it."
"You'll have to pay it," was the
reply. "And it's a fair price for
what you have had. If you won't
pay it, I'll have to take you to
our rabbi here."
The stranger decided to go to
the rabbi and agreed to abide by
his decision. The two went there
and the rabbi listened and much
to the stranger's disgust, sided
with Yakovsky. Having 'agreed to
pay, the stranger was helpless.
"Come to the bank with me,"
he said finally% "I'll have to cash
a note of credit I have."
The two went to the bank and,
after a great deal of trouble, the
stranger finally got the cash and
pushed it over to Yakovsky, who
refused it.
"I don't want your money," he
said. "You were my guest and I
enjoyed having you with me."
The stranger was completely be-
wildered.
"Then why did you put me to
all this trouble?" he asked.
"Because you wouldn't have •be-
Keyed me otherwise," was the re-
ply. "I wanted to show you be-
yond any dispute what a no-good
bum of a rabbi this town has."
*
*

Mr. Johnson naa just bought a
new car and was taking it out for
its first ride. The air was balmy
and Mr. Johnson felt good. He
cruised around and lifted his
voice in song.
About a block away, a little
newsboy was strolling along, cry-
ing his wares in a loud voice.
The driver was idly aware of *the
newsboy but suddenly he was
much more intimately acquainted.
Without any warning, the news-
boy dashed out in the middle of
the street.
Johnson slammed on his brakes
but it was too late. He hit the
newsboy hard enough so that tiler"
was a dent in the new fender the
exact shape of the boy's head. The
papers all dropped to the ground
and were ruined. The boy sat up
and wept bitterly.
Johnson got out of his car with
fear and trembling. He could see
himself a defendant in a trial for
manslaughter. Shaking like a leaf,
he approached the lad and lifted
him off the ground.
"You did it on purpose," sobbed
the boy. "And now look at all my
papers. I can't sell a single one."
"I'll pay you for the papers,'
said the man. "I'll buy every one.
But are you hurt?" •
"Naw," said the youngster. "But
pay me for those papers. Pay me
right now."
Johnson took some change from
his pocket and paid the boy full
price for all the papers. The tears
on the lad's face dried up like
magic and a big smile took their
place. He ran away smiling and
Johnson slowly got in his car
and drove away, marveling.
•
*
Readers of this column are in-
vited to send in stories of odd
occurrences which they have seen
or heard. You may use your
names or omit them. Where a
story is used that is sent in, the
writer will be credited with it
if he so desires.
The only requirement is that
the occurrence be out of the
beaten path or about some odd
character. Send your story to the
editor of the Detroit Jewish
Chronicle, 623 Woodward, Detroit
26, Michigan.

Forgotten People

Dear Editor:

Ordinarily I would ask you merely to print the following item in
your paper.

"On March 24, the Julius Rosenwald Unit No. 218, American
Legion Auxiliary gave a Purim Party for the feeble minded
Jewish group at Lapeer, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sipkins,
Mr. and Mrs. David Mitchell, and Mrs. Nathan Mogill brought
refreshments, gifts and entertainment. Rabbi Herman Rosen-
wasser of the Downtown Synagogue is the Chaplain and he had
the group recite prayers, sing hymns and relate the significance
of the Purim Festival."
But it is time that the Jewish people of our city realize that there
is a group of "forgotten people." '1'114. rabbi, for the Past live years ,
has laugh( these subnormal people the true etitiellee of our faith.
These people are not neglected in the sense of Moe; properly
clothed or fed, but with few exceptions, their next of kin have
neglected them. 1 have been there about twice a year for the past
four years, each time with a group of ladies from the Rosenwald
Auxiliary, and the joy of these patients in having . people .show a
friendly interest, not professional, is pathetic. They give one ad-
dresses of their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, pleading to have
them come In see them. They are not imbeciles, and certainly not
unfeeling.
Perhaps your publishing this will make these relatives more mind-
ful of this forgotten group. And to Rabbi Rosenwasser, "God" will
bless this man, who has been their teacher, friend and benefactor these
past five years.
Respectfully,
(Signed) PAULINE PEPPER SIPKINS,
Past President Julius Rosenwald Lad. Aux.
5776 Berkshire Rd.

Dislikes Sally Fields

Dear Editor:

I itm one of the Six-Mile "rich-tocrats," as your writer, Sally Fields,
expresses it, and I feel that Miss Fields is very wrong in the way she
is constantly referring to the people in this section.
It is one thing to kid about a Jewish accent burshe seems to take
great pleasure is using it to ridicule our people.
At least, this woman had a couple of bushels of clothing and wasn't
stingy as to keep them and deprive the needy.
I feel safe in saying that if Miss Fields will look around at her
neighbors on Twelfth St., she will find a great number of them cloec
the doors on the representatives of the clothing drive.
I have discussed Miss Fields' article of the fifteenth with other
women living in this section and all of us are disgusted with Sally
Fields.
Sincerely,
THE "RICH-TOCRATS" SECTION.
(Editor's Note: Sally Fields replies to this letter in her column.)

Likes Sally Fields

Dear Editor:
We have been the readers of the Detroit Jewish Chronicle for over
fifteen years and in all that time we have never enjoyed reading a
better and more sincere column than "Hittin' the Hi Spots," written
by your Sally Fields, whoever she may be.
Does she know everybody in town? If so, she must be a wonderful
person. Her criticisms of up and mighty people who forget that the
dollar is liquid warms the cockles of my heart.
Please let us have more of her witty sayings, and please extend my
congratulations to her for a human view of everything.
Subscriptionally yours,
JACK ROBINOWITZ

Book Review

By LEON SAUNDERS

•
Stories by Feuchtwanger

Ever since reading "The Jew Suss" or "Power" as it is known
in this country, I have been an admirer of Lion Feuchtwanger. His
ability to take a subject of the medieval times, an ugly duchess, or a
drunken duke and create an absorbing novel which kept me entranced,
is something to admire.

I have now before me a hook published by the Viking Press, en-
titled "Stories from Far and Near" by Lion Feuchtwanger. I believe
it is his latest collection of stories and in a note he indicates that,
though varied in form and content, "they are animated by a common
principle" to "observe the instant of f ruitifIn." He also states that his
stories do not "aim primarily at relating an anecdote which is the
chief function of the Anglo-Saxon short story" according to Henry
James.

There are fifteen stories and they certainly vary. They include
"The Death of Nero," "The Revolt of Potemkin," and "The Bullfight,"
Ancient Rome, Russian Revolution and Spanish Bullfight.
With all the independence of mind and spirit which years of study
and thinking engender, the spirit of "authority" is strongly imbedded
in one's conscience. Like a well-advertised article, one is more apt to
pick up a book by a well-known author than by an unknown.
After a quick perusal of the pages for the contents, I would have
put the hook back but the magic name of Feuchtwanger guaranteed
the quality of the goods, so I read the stories.

Shades of Maupassant and 0. Henry. It is not that the stories are
just "anecdotes" against which the author warned us in his note, but
that there is no "common purpose" except of collecting them in one
book.

Had they been written by anybody but Feuchtwanger, I would
have read them, for the anecdote is there, albeit not funny and not
absorbing, but to sell them under the name of Feuchtwanger is like
selling a balalaika under the firm name of Stradivarius.
It is not absolutely necessary that a story have a point, a climax
a punch finish, or a surprise end, like 0.
Henry's. It may express a
mood, a picture, a landscape. The author claims the stories are dif-
ferent from the Anglo-Saxon and not merely anecdotes. We could not
detect any subtle idea hidden in them or any of Feuchtwanger's vigor
or punch.

The longest story in the collection, enitled "Venice," is about a
real estate operator in Kansas. What does Feuchtwanger know about
Kansas? It tells how this Babbit decided to build a Venice in Kansas
because he dreamed about Venice, Italy; how he failed and changed
Venice to plain American cottages. Search as we might, we could
not find any "instant fruition."
In the "History of the Brain Specialist" the author tried to bring
this specialist as anti-climax when he contacted the "Dictator" whose
brain he examined and all the reader gets out of it is that had the
d'etator not had any power he might have been a great man, a dictum
subject to great doubt and lacking in logic. "The Death of Nero" is
nothing, but a bit of historical fact known to all high school students,
and when one compares the puerility of the character description of
Nero with his "Pretender" one can come only to
one conclusion, that
. (Continued on page 1 6)

