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Jewish

Thursday, March 23, 1950

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE

Page 4

Jewish Books
in Review

Detroit Jewish Chronicle

Published by the Jewish Chronicle Publishing Co., Inc.
WOodward 1-1040
2827 Cadillac Tower, Detroit 26, Michigan
SUBSCRIPTION:
$3.00 Per Year, Single Copies, 10c; Foreign, $5.00 Per Year
Entered as Second-class matter March 3, 1916, at the Post Office at
Detroit, Mich., under the Act of March 3, 1879.

SEYMOUR TILCIIIN
Publisher
GERHARDT NEUMANN
EMILY SOMLYO
Editor
Business Manager
Nisan 5, 5710
Thursday, March 23, 1950

Beth El Centennial

A hundred years is comparatively little against the back-
ground of Jewish history—and yet, in the life of American
Jewry, it is a milestone of highest importance.
Temple Beth El, Michigan's oldest Jewish congregation,
looks back at a century which, probably more than any other
period in modern history, confronted Jews settling in the New
World with problems of extraordinary scope.
Adjustment to a timber state that offered many oppor-
tunities and little civilization, the problems of the Civil War,
the absorption of the immigrant waves in the first decades of
our century, the transition of Detroit to an industrial city, the
first and second World Wars, the Hitler period and its after-
math, the reconstruction of Palestine and ''vie founding of the
Jewish state:
All these and many more questions had to be answered
and all sources of spiritual and material strength had to be
mustered in order to cope with the exigencies of the most hectic
era in Jewish history.
It is against this background that Beth El must be seen.
Did the congregation live up to its tasks?
It is, indeed, a rhetorical question. Temple Beth El is the
fourth largest congregation in this country. Its record of
religious and civic leadership speaks for itself.
Kaufmann Kohler, Leo M. Franklin, Martin Butzel, Samuel
Heavenrich, Israel Himelhoch, Morris Garvett, Joseph M. Welt—
these names picked at random show the quality of leadership
in the past. Such illustrious names as B. Benedict Glazer and
Nate Shapero prove that the congregation intends to keep up
this record of rati4ve participation in civic affairs and the
development of reform Judaism.
One of the outstanding accomplishments of Beth El is its
excellent record of relationships with the city's other congre-
gations. The rabbis of Detroit are working together harmoni-
ously on many committees.
While in other cities reform rabbis often keep aloof from
orthodox rabbis, and vice versa, Detroit is fortunate in having
worked out a system under which real cooperation between
the religious groups can be achieved. Beth El certainly deserves
at least part of the credit for this notable achivement.
Another important trait is Beth El's democratic attitude.
There are quite a number of reform congregations in this
country which are snobbish enough to be interested only in the
"upper crust."
Not so Beth El. Its attitude toward its members is not
determined by considerations of wealth or standing in the
community but their desire to do their part in the work of the
congregation.
And what about the future? After all, the congregation's
tasks are not finished. A new generation is growing up. It has
to be taught and, we are almost tempted to say, re-converted
to Judaism.
A new field of educational efforts is opening up, and we
feel sure that Beth El will again take a lead in such efforts,
as it did in the past.
We wish to extend our heartiest congratulations to Temple
Beth El on completing 100 years of service to the community.
May it always have the strength and the wisdom to lead and
inspire the young and the old, to rebuild and perfect the House
of Israel,.and may it see the day when brotherhood and toler-
ance are no longer mere words.
There is hope. The foundation has been laid. We pray it
may be strong enough to serve the many generations to come
as they continue the work of their fathers.

Growing Up Jewishly

No Problem for Ellen

JEWISH SURVIVAL by Trude
Weiss-Rosmarin. (Philosophical
Library, New York.)
The complete annihilation of
Jews in Europe confronts Juda-
ism with a new situation, and it
is still difficult to fathom the
consequences of the radical
change which took place during
the last 15 years.
Mrs. Weiss-Rosmarin, - who is
well known as the editor of the
orthodox magazine, The Jewish
Spectator, approaches her prob-
lem from a philosophical view-
point. However, we know only
too well that this is not a theo-
retical question but a matter of
survival.
The author believes in what
she terms "the eternal Jewish
future." This, of course, is the
only possible approach and justi-
fication for writing such a book.
Tracing the development of
Judaism through the centuries,
Mrs. Rosmarin comes to the con-
clusion that Israel, the state as
well as the people, is destined
to make a major contribution to
the solutibn of the problems
posed by the atomic age.
Essentially, the author sees the
way to Jewish survival in a re-
turn ' Jewish traditional values.
Judaism, to her mind, is an op-
timistic religion which does not
look backward but forward. "Ju-

even to the time of life when in daism is progressive and conse-
quently committed to the fu-
By ALFRED SEGAL
many people the heart has be- ture,",the author says.
OF
THE
MORE
faithful
NE
come poisoned by prejudice and
readers—a lady—takes me
"The real cause," according to
suspicion and the eyes seared by
back 10 years—to this season of
the author, "is doubt in the
the year 1940. "And so," she distrust.
worthwhileness of Judaism. This
says, "the other day I came across IN MARCH, OF 1960 I should is why 'the rationale of Judaism
a column of
like to write a further chapter of must be taught, expounded and, •
if need be, 'glamorized,' so that
March 1940. You
the Ellen story in these words: it may become again the corn-
were announc-
There has been no separation of mon and treasured possession of
ing the birth of
Ellen and Toni. To this day they
your first grand-
know each other as worthy peo- our people."
The "rationale" is the sum
child, Ellen, in
ple and neither makes anything
February of that
of the other's inherited ethnic or total of the achievements of the
year.
religious label. You see, they are Jewish genius. It is this belief in
"As Ellen's
our own creativeness which will
well educated girls.
biographer y o u
I am aware that there are those keep the Jewish people alive and
useful member of the
owe us more of
who are saying Ellen would be make it a
—G.N.
the Ellen story
better off without a grandfather family of nationg.
Segal
now that she
who doesn't know what being • •
has come to a good, sound num- Jewish really is, and God save ISRAEL DIARY by Bernard M.
ber of years-10! At her birth her from him and his ideas. He
Bloomfield (Crown Publishers,
you told us the kind of Jewish
New York).
doesn't seem to know that being
person you would want to see
The most difficult task for an
Jewish is many other things be-
her grow up to be. Is she fulfill-
sides being good. It is to be the American Jew is to understand
ing your program and how?"
body of holy laws, a the new culture and environ-
Well, there are happy signs, I heir of a national identity. He ment of the people of Israel. No
a
culture,
might say. I remember writing doesn't seem to know that and is matter how much political news
I hoped Ellen would turn out to
content to call Ellen Jewish if is carried in the newspaper the
be Jewishly as broad as the
real story of life in Israel is
world— one who would know she is merely good and keeps on difficult to obtain.
loving
Toni.
there is nothing exclusive in be-
Therefore it is welcome news
Yes, that's precisely my idea.
ing Jewish. She would know that
that a Canadian citizen, a Jew,
Ellen,
I
hope,
will
be
greatly
her place in the world was not
has written a simple, non-pro-
separate in a ghetto, whether a Jewish in the sense that Rabbi fessional book, "Israel Diary,"
ghetto built by others or made by Hillel gave to the heathen. The which records his day by day ex-
heathen said to the rabbi that he
herself.
would embrace Judaism, provid- periences during his visit to the
I
said
she
must
not
be
a
child
in
Why Not a Butzel street?
new state.
a separate racial or religious ing Hillel could declare to him
His observations and discus-
the
entire
Torah
while
he,
the
We are delighted with the decision of the Detroit Common
compartment, like the varieties
sions about the small land make
heathen,
was
standing
on
one
Council to name a playfield at the corner of Lyndon avenue
of poultry in a fancier's store.
interesting reading, for the au-
and Meyers road after the late Fred M. Butzel.
Her Judaism must never be a foot.
The Jewish Chronicle has been asking for action bn this
Hillel replied: "Do not unto thor is concerned with the simple
line of separation but an open
everyday experiences that mean
issue for a long time.
way by which she could find as- your neighbor what you would so much to the average person.
We especially wish to express our gratitude to Councilman
not
have
him
do
unto
you;
this
is
sociation with all kinds of chil-
Bloomfield was in Israel from
Edward Connor who took a deep interest in this matter and
dren, in accordance with the the whole law, the rest is corn- March 29 to May 16, 1949, and
whose initiative finally was crowned with success.
mentary."
American idea.
his work is a perfect Baedecker
• • •
However, the question may be raised whether the solution
• • •
visit the
of the Common Council is satisfactory.
IN THAT WAY I want Ellen to for those who wish to
ON HER 10TH BIRTHDAY I
country.
He
includes
such
home-
Fred M. Butzel was a man of unusual importance to Detroit.
find that being Jewish is not yet a continue to be Jewish. It is a ly things as the customs of taxi
His efforts to bring the city's racial groups together and find a
way
of
the
heart
whose
education
heavy identity on Ellen's mind.
drivers, the accommodations at
common denominator in their endeavors is hardly equaled by
This is to say, she takes the fact should be the main purpose of hotels, interesting places to visit
anyone else. His name is engraved in the hearts of the thous-
of being Jewish in the way of a our teachers. All the rest is out- and life among the various
ands who came to knoW him and who admired his wisdom.
normal child. Her Jewish educa- ward decoration.
—H.C.
We believe that our city would only honor itself by naming
He is a Torah Jew in the high groups in • Israel.
tion has not been directed toward
• •
a street after Butzel.
making the Jewish identity an sense of Leviticus that tells him PASSOVER: ITS HISTORY AND
A precedent has been set with the renaming of Six-Mile
to love his neighbor as himself.
obsession in her.
TRADITIONS by Dr. Theodor
road to McNichols road.
He is a Jew who does not wrap
good friend—Toni
a
Ellen
has
H. Gaster (Henry Schuman
Several streets suggest themselves immediately. Twelfth
—who is Christian. Ellen goes to himself in isolation. His Jewish
street or Fourteenth street could be named after Butzel for the
New York.)
her Sabbath school and Toni to teaching is a mandate toward
Gaster's book probably is
reason that that district is now becoming a mixed area in which
brotherhood,
to
carry
the
ethical
hers and they know their re-
known
to a number of our read-
Jews and Negroes try to work out a pattern of good neighborly
light
of
Torah
and
prophets
be-
spective religions as equal ways
relationships.
toward being good girls. Neither yond the ghetto. It was the same ers. It was published last year,
Equally, Seven-Mile road could be renamed Butzel road;
of them has been touched by any Rabbi Hillel who said: "Do not although it came too late for
it would be very appropriate since the Seven-Mile area will be
of the hates, fear and prejudices separate yourself from the com- the Pesach season. Now it has
heavily settled by Jews within the near future.
which later in the lives of people munity . . . loving thy fellow been reissued in good time for
In any case, we feel that the Common Council should have
Passover, and we recommend it
make them feel they don't belong creature."
gone further in honoring the memory of Fred Butzel. The first
strongly to all those who have
This
is
Ellen
as
I
want
her
to each other.
step in the right direction has been taken. We see no reason
Ellen's grandfatherly biograph- Jewishly to be. It is being Jewish not yet seen it.
The book not only gives an
why Detroit should stop now and not pay homage to a man
er
hopes to give a later chapter enough. As for her loving Toni
the Passover
who during his long lifetime did so much to make the city a
of the Ellen story-10 years unto late in life, I have -men- excellent history of
Passover
customs
better place to live in. s
and
festival
tioned
Toni
not
sentimentally
but
hence—in which he can report
In honoring Fred Butzel, Detroit will honor itself. What
by way of setting up a symbol of but also contains many illustra-
that
Ellen's
and
Toni's
apprecia-
could be greater and more thoughtful than making Butzel's
Pass-
tive understanding of each other the brotherhood that only chil- tions and translations of —G.N,
ideals ours? He preached democracy and lived it. Wg would do
over
songs.
dren
know.
continued through the years—
well to follow in his footsteps.

O

• • •

