,1
DETROIT JEWISH
Page 4
Detroit Jewish Chronicle
American ,Jewish Periodical a
CHRONICLE
'This Lad Is a Menace!'
Published by the Jewish Chronicle POfishing Co., Inc.
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SUBSCRIPTION:
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Entered as Second-class matter March 3, 1916, at the Post Office at
Detroit, Mich., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Thursday, April 20, 1950
Art of Humor
an Antidote to
Life's Troubles
By GERHARDT NEUMANN
YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR.
A GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE
by Julius Gordon (Didier, New
SEYMOUR TILCHIN
York).
Publisher
GERIIARDT NEUMANN
Our restless and unhappy time
EMILY SOMLYO
Editor
is as far from humor and harmon-
Business Manager
ious relationships as from peace
lyar 3, 5710
Thursday, April 20, 1950
and mutual understanding. It is no
wonder that all the books,rstart-
ing with Rabbi Liebman's "Peace
of Mind", which sought to teach
contentedness and alleviate the
In his recent report on the progress in the fight against dis-
fearslbf the average man, became
crimination, Judge Meier Steinbrink, chairman of the Anti-Defam-
best-sellers over night.
ation League of Bnai Brith, said that the greatest gains were made
Dr. Gordon, rabbi of Congrega-
in the field of sports, in employment and housing.
tion Shaare Emeth in St. Louis,
He revealed, on the other hand, that more than $1,000,000 was
Mo., walks in the footsteps of
collected by the "leading professional bigots" last year, whereas
Liebman, Oursler and Carnegie.
their political rallies generally showed a decline in attendance.
He also preaches peace of mind,
with the accent on smiling.
While Congress, according to Steinbrink, was in "complete
Humor, to Dr. Gordon, "is es-
default" on civil rights legislation, fair employment practice laws
sentially an expression of Mt-
in the states were on the increase.
maness . . . and a 'form of laugh-
Whereas in the introductory remarks to his report Stein-
ing-kindness."
brink points to progress, he later admits that there is still a pre-
The philosophy expounded by
valence of quota systems and other discriminatory practices in
Dr. Gordon stands somewhere in
American colleges for barring applicants on the basis of race and
the middle between Stoicism and
religion, that housing discrimination continues to be "shamefully
Epicureanism. In fact, he him-
widespread" and that the bowling and golf associations still ex-
self says that he would like to
clude Negroes.
see "a Stoic with a smile". His
It seems to us that the Anti-Defamation League is not quite
valid criticism of the Stoles is
honest with itself. On the one hand, it cannot deny the existence
that they take fate with cheerless
of a strong current of anti-Semitism; on the other hand, it would
acquiesence, whereas the crucial
like to assuage the shock by telling of "Progress."
question is: Can you take it
good-humoredly and cheerfully?
We are not so sure that progress in the fight against anti-
There is a lot of common sense
Semitism can be measured at all. Anti-discriminatory laws may or
and wisdom packed into this
may not work; only time will tell. If a college does away with
embarrassing questions on applications, it still has subtler ways
day the State of Israel was pro- book. Dr. Gordon speaks out
By ALFRED SEGAL
bluntly against the foolishness of
of getting rid of "elements not wanted."
THIS IS ALL ABOUT Mr. claimed, just as Mr. O'Brien felt our time. His thesis is that we
swelled
up
the
time
Ireland
was
There are people who are skeptical of the whole "fight anti-
O'Brien and Mr. Cohen. And
Semitism" theory. They argue that human nature cannot be what's the connection? How do separated from England, except have lost our sense of humor and
of proportions. We no longer are
for the northern part.
changed either by laws or by persuasion and that it would be more Messrs. O'Brien
sensible to devote our efforts to developing a greater group- and Cohen get
Mr. Cohen and Mr O'Brien able to laugh at ourselves.
Take, for instance, our social
are practically one in the way in
consciousness as a sort of shock absorber.
together this
life. "It is my impression," Gor-
which
each,
respectively,
cherish-
Another school of thought believes that anti-Semitism can be way?
writes, "that many people
es the land of his father. If Mr. don
Well, it's on
licked by exposing it frankly. In other words, education of the
climb the social ladder not be-
considers
Israel
holy
on
Cohen
account of the
cause they are anxious to look up
masses will bring about the downfall of the foes of brotherhood.
account of divinely-led people but because they are eager to
COUT1.
The decision as to which theory is true depends on the way American
like
Isaiah,
Mr.
O'Brien
vener-
you look at the problem. The belief in the purifying powers of edu- cil for Judaism
ates Ireland as a spot sancti- look down ...What compensates
cation is deeply anchored in democratic tradition. The skeptics (anti - Zionist)
fied by the great and good St us for being snubbed by those
who are 'higher up' is the reali-
on the other hand, point to the disappointing results of educational having its con-
Patrick.
zation that we can always snub
philosophies which have not succeeded in convincing people of vention in our
Under the spell of such emo- those who are 'lower down'."
town this week,
the advantages of harmonious relationships.
tions, Mr. Cohen, come Sunday,
you might say. Segal
Or take racial hatred. It is
This much, however, ought to be kept in mind: our type Mr. Cohen comes to my mind will attend a celebration of the fundamentally, like everything
of civilization is a creator of perpetual tensions, be they economic, quickly in that connection and second anniversary of the state else, lack of humor, lack of ability .
political or racial. Our methods of fighting anti-Semitism, there- Mr. O'Brien joins him somehow. of Israel. Like Mr. O'Brien's, to "distinguish between superfi-
' fore, do not go to the roots of the evil. Mankind itself needs a
Their respective cases help me when he thinks of Ireland on St. cial externalities and basic val-
spiritual revival and a return to saner ways of living.
toward the purpose of trying to Patrick's Day, Mr. Cohen's eyes ues." Prejudice, in Gordon's view,
What else do we expect to arise from the bedlam of our set the American Council for will get misty as he contemplates "based on color is a form of hu-
man hate at first sight—and it is
society than hatred, fears and bewilderment? It is human nature Judaism right. Maybe O'Brien the glory of Israel.
• • •
reserved for the humorless."
to blame one's troubles on convenient objects, such as scope goats, and Cohen can be of some as-
sistance.
Dr. Gordon defends with strong
HE WILL SNAP out of it the
sacrificial lambs, black magic or minority groups.
I have been invited to the next day and take up the stern arguments humor in the pulpit.
The educational philosophy hopes to erase slowly the idea of
"minorities" in the minds of people. People should think in terms Council's dinner and I shall go realities of being wholly an Religion is a "joyous affirmation
of individuals rather than groups, according to this theory, and just to try to understand just American citizen. He has a meet- of life and a triumphant renuncia-
judge the individual on his own merits, not on his belonging to any why the Council is bothering it- ing of one of the Republican tion of despair," as he puts it.
self so, considering that Mr. committees to attend. He is on He is in favor of "having more
group.
Cohen is like the large, mass of one of the committes that have pageantry in the service of the
Whether this educational goal can be achieved or whether it
large, have
church, a richer ceremonial con-
American Jews who
is a mere pipe-dream, that is the great question of our time. No to • be bothered with. They are to do with the U.S. Flag Day tent in which the people will be
celebration
which
is
being
plan-
decision is possible since this type of education has never been just like O'Brien in his relation
able to participate."
ned for June.
able to counteract the influence of prejudice in the home and in with Ireland.
Youth especially is in need ci
You
see,
Mr.
O'Brien,
lover
of
social relationships.
I know in a general way that Ireland and Mr Cohen, lover of a new outlook on life. Here is
For us Jews (and other minority groups) it is a question of the American Council for Juda-
Israel are pretty much alike in Dr. Gordon's viewpoint:
life and death within this society of free men.
"What our youth need is a new
ism is worried about dual loyalty their lives. What I can't under-
—that is to say, it is troubled stand is this: Their loves are not sense of values. They have been
lest the loyalty of American Jews held equally in esteem. Mr. sheltered and pampered to a point
be divided between the United O'Brien's love for Ireland is of devitalizing dullnesS. They
in
States and Israel.
applauded like beautiful poetry; need a sense of wonderment
The denial by the United States of arms to Israel did not
But, it seems to me, there's no it is cherished as one of the the presence of the daily miracles
come as a surprise. It is in line with the policy of our State De- reality in worrying that way. It's lovely adornments of the Ameri- in human life."
Moderation is the key to the
partment which follows the directives of the British Foreign like Mr. O'Brien being suspected can scene.
solution of life's problems. "Eat,
Office.
of double loyalty because on St.
But Mr. Cohen's equal love for
The State Department holds that Israel already is stronger Patrick's Day he was seen wear- Israel makes him, somehow, sus- drink and be moderate," is Gor-
than is should be and therefore needs no arms. Furthermore, the ing a shamrock; yes, and on the pect among some of his own non's advice. "One must find for ,
State Department says, there is no danger at all in the Middle East. evening of St Patrick's Day he people. It is feared that he be himself a temperate zone that
The Arabs are peaceful people—in the opinion of the U. S. policy 'was at a banquet with the regarded as one who is dividing partakes of both the cold and the
heat of life; one must discover a
makers—who do not wish to harm anyone, but cannot help but be Friendly Sons.
his loyalty. None of the Irish
afraid of that big colossus, called Israel, which seems to threaten
Mr. O'Brien, loving Ireland as ever has thought of organizing a moderate climate in which the
the whole Middle East with destruction and annihilation.
faithfully as he does, neverthe- committee to hold O'Brien's love elements of fire and frost blend
and create an atmosphere con-
No wonder that from such distorted notions strange political less remains an excellent Ameri- of Ireland in restraint.
•ducive to pleasant and enjoyable -
can.
decisions are arrived at.
So I just don't understand living."
• • •
The State Department reasoned that there were not enough
what the American Council for
Although there is no recipe for •
HE
IS
LIKE
Mr.
Cohen
I
heavy weapons available in the United States to arm western
Judaisni is driving at. I haven't the cultivation of a sense of hu-
know
Mr.
Cohen
well,
too.
Which
Europe and the Middle East at the same time. Strangely enough,
picked on Mr. Cohen as a shin- mor, Gordon advises that we find
this reasoning seems to be valid only when we deal with Israel. Cohen? Well, he is the Cohen ning example of a lover of Israel more intimate contacts with the
When it comes to arming the Arabs, western Europe seems to fade who has a tree in front of his who is first of all American. He sources of human love and human
house. Yes, the Cohen with the
is not alone. He is of the multi- laughter. Study the great hu-
out of the picture.
elm tree.
It must be stated unequivocally that the U. S. policy toward
Anyway, this Cohen has been tude of American Jews who are morists, the spontaneity of chil-
Israel is both discriminatory and dangerous.
a Zionist as far back as he can first-rate Americans and love Is- dren, the temperament of nature,
Discrimination against Israel in favor of the Arabs is an remember. He sings Hatikvah rael, just as O'Brien's heart share your joys with others—and
you will become "truly civilized."
indication of a psychological misunderstanding of the democratic will all the love for which Mr. bursts for Ireland.
We are in full agreement with
forces which are the main spring of the Jewish state. Instead O'Brien sings Kathleen Mavour-
Dr. Gordon's philosophy. The only
JERUSALEM BUILDING
of encouraging them, we are driving them away.
neen: and on his tongue the
The danger in the U. S. policy lies in the fact that it lays Israel Hebrew words when he recites -, 4?1211SALEM — (ISI) — Near- question is whether people are
strong enough to rise above the
open to political influences which may disturb its growth and its Kaddish are as sweet as the ly 2000 dunams of land have been occasion and relax instead of be-
allocated
for
government
build-
Gaelic
words
are
to
Mr.
O'Brien
relationship to the democratic world.
ings here, and plans for the capi- coming tense. The trouble with
This would be a terrible disappointment to Jews all over the when, on St. Patrick's Day, he tal site will be completed by the man is that his hide is too thick '
world, whose interests and destinies are closely interwoven with shouts "Erin Go Bragh."
so reason can hardly penetrate it.
Mr. Cohen's heart felt big that end of the month.
the rise or fall of democracy.
What Can Be Done About bias?
What Is All This Fuss
About Double Loyalty?
U. S. Versus Israel