American ,newish Periodical Cem
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE
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Helping the Displaced
Detroit Jewish Chronicle
Published by the Jewish Chronicle Publishing Co., Inc.
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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, June 22, 1950
ZOA. Leaders
Revolt Against
Israel Dictate
By WILLIAM ZUKERMAN
The eve of the' nrd convention
of the Zionist Organization of
GERHARDT NEUMANN
SEYMOUR TILCIIIN
America in Chicago early next
Editor
Publisher
month finds the organization on
the threshold of what seems to be
Tammuz 7, 5710
Thursday, June 22, 1950
a serious revolt such as it has
never before faced in its history.
Three of the top leaders of the
ZOA, Benjamin Browdy, the in-
A little more than two years ago, the Twelfth street area
cumbent president, Dr. Emanuel
Neumann, the former president,
was gripped with a selling panic. There was a general feeling
and Rabbi Irving Miller, last
that the whole area would be settled with Negroes within a few
or
week delivered speeches which
months and that Jews would have to move out immediately
indicated a strained relationship
see their property devaluated.
between American Zionist lead-
Under the leadership of the late Fred Butzel and other
ership and the Israeli leadership
leaders of the Jewish community this panic was finally quelled.
which can no longer be glossed
Residents of the area were asked to weigh the situation in the
over and is dangerously near to
light of facts and figures, and not let their emotions run away
Bernard Baruch, America's elder statesman, and Jinx Falken- a breaking point.
with them. The appeal to reason was not lost. •
The occasion for the speecheo
burg
McCrary, film and radio actress, greet Mrs. Abraham Herman,
However, it seems that in recent weeks the panic has started
was
the annual convention of the
president of the women's division of HIAS, the Ilebrew Immigrant
all over again, if not in the same proportion as two years ago.
Aid Society, at a luncheon. Last year, a total of 26,043 Jews were Manhattan Zionist region, the
The Jewish Community Council is alarmed and has put out a
largest in the United States with
helped by IIIAS to leave Europe and re-establish themselves.
leaflet which asks residents of the area to consider whether they
a membership of 10,000.
are not "being panicked by some unscrupulous real estate dealers
Browdy delivered a remarkably
into leaving a good home neighborhood near the downtown area
strong address for a mild, con-
for another of very doubtful value, and probably overpriced."
servative and conventional man
whose highest ambition is to in-
The Jewish community has a tremendous investment in the
herit the mantle of the late Daniel
12th street area. The overwhelming number of our larger con-
Frisch. Browdy demanded"an
gregations and other social and communal institutions are
autonomous ZOA without inter-
housed in the area. Should all of this be given up because some
Holy Days when we meditate on ference from outside, even from
people consider the time ripe to make a big profit?
By ALFRED SEGAL
in the world and Israel."
HE NOVELIST, Arthur Koest- man's duty
Aside from the financial angle, Jews have no right to create
what's he here for.
Speaking of the plans for the
ler,
lately
has
come
up
with
a
a ghetto. Experiences with Negro neighbors in this area so far
The other evening he became liquidation of the ZOA which
disturbing idea on the matter of
have been very good. It was found that their presence actually
aware of the dramatic were advanced at the convention
improves the appearance of the area, since it is generally better
being a Jew. Koestler himself poignantly •
impact of being Jewish. It was of the Labor Zionists at Boston,
in
that
area.
homes
was
born
of
situated Negroes who can afford to acquire
Sabbath eve in the synagogue Borwdy stated, "We have not yet
Jews and now
Undoubtedly, the neighborhood is changing. This is a process
and Segal was there for jahrzeit. reached he point where we are
he
is
confused
which cannot be stopped. But there is no reason to speed it up.
The cantor, Mr. Rosen, and the morally bankrupt and we require
as
to
just
what
If we d'o, it will be very difficult for many residents forced out
whole congregation were sing- no receivership."
to do about his
of their homes to find new homes. If, on the other hand, we
ing to God in stirring melodies.
Jewish
identity;
While Brody was merely bdi-
spread the process over 10 or It years, it will be easier on all
The Psalms had the sound of ligerent in tone and failed to
be
the
state
of
Is-
Eh
practical
considerations
alone
should
men
marching
songs
of
parties concerned. Su
brave
rael has made it
mention the real opponent, Dr.
sufficient to convincrresidents of the area that there is no ad-
going along with God.
all the more
Neumann, a more experienced
vantage in panic selling.
Segal's heart went marching
confusing
The whole problem boils down to the question: in what
with the melody. "This is of me, rebel, came out straightforwardly
for him.
and said: "The salvation of or-
the Jew. This is of my inheri-
state of mind is the Jewish community? Are we willing to give
He brings up
ganized Zionism will not come
He
couldn't
feel
that
as
a
Segal
others what we expect of them, or are we only paying lip serv-
tance."
out of Zion. The character which
01 d quegtions:
Jew
he
should
be
in
Israel
rather
ice to the ideals of democracy, equality and non-discrimination?
the Zionist movement moat as-
What's a Jew
Jew
in
to be a
A big educational task now lies ahead of us. We have to
some
henceforth is essentially
and why? And a newer question: and quit trying
Jew America. He was thankful for
educate ourselves to practicing democracy. We lose the right to
Is there any reason for a ex- the free, new land in which the that of a body representing Jews
of the diaspora co-operating to
outside Israel continuing his
preach it if we follow * the worst discriminatory patterns when
old faith could be loudly sung." assist in the further development
we are faced with the problem ourselves.
istence as a Jew?
Segal
believes
that
in
this.
our
of Israel and of their own cul-
In an interview in the Jewish
The residents of the 12th street area are under heavy pres-
American homeland, Jews have
pres-
Chronicle of London he says:
tural life."
sure from the real estate interests. But in yielding to this
"I
think
the
choice
must
be
a
function
similar
to
that
of
the
sure we abdicate our individual 'freedom to choose our neigh-
More outspoken still was Dr.
made here and now. for the next Jews for whom Israel is home- Irving Miller who, as the heir
bors and to sell our homes at a moment convenient to us, not
generation's sake. The time has land: To carry their Jewish ideals
the late Dr. Stephen Wise, has
to real estate dealers.
come for every Jew to ask him- and by their light serve the corn- to
area
should
inherited much of the late lead-
the
12th
street
We do not see any reason why
consider
my-
mon
good,
to
join
them
to
the
self: Do I really
er's moral courage and sense of
not enjoy many more years of business prosperity and home
self a member of a chosen race lights of other men toward an independence.
comfort. In fact, it has been pointed out many times that since
destined to return from exile to America that can become even
the Negroes have moved into the area, it has become a better
Words like this were seldom
the promised land? In other better.
business section. New stores of all kinds have been established,
Judaism in the U. S. is not heard from American Zionist
words,
do
I
want
to
emigrate
to
steady
and
generous
and the Negro population has proved to be a
Israel? And if not, what right bankrupt because other Jews platforms' before. They indicate
customer.
have I to go on calling myself have established a land of their a remarkable change in of ideology
the old
Should all this be destroyed because of prejudice and mis-
a Jew and thereby inflicting on own. We go on as Jews as in the which is reminiscent
American
Zionism
before
it had
understanding? We are sure that most residents of the area will
my children the stigma of other- past, expressing the universal
of old
agree with us in that we cannot afford to set a bad example for
liness . . . Today every Jew has character of Judaism that cares become an appendage
new Israel. What-
Detroit. Any intolerance we inflict on others will be returned
the possibility of going to Israel, about neighbors and worries for Warsaw and of
ever
the
ideology
behind this
so it is no longer an act of cow- the oppressed and thinks much
to us tenfold.
outburst is, it is certain that the
come Jews will have to
ardice
to
choose
the
alternative
on
the
brotherhood
of
man.
put
it
plainly:
for
some
time
to
To
of renouncing one's Jewishness. Koestler is worried for the safe- Israeli crowd which thought that
live peacefully side by side with Negroes. It has been proved
by
that it can be done. Only by practicing what we preach can
It has become a voluntary renun- ty of Jewish children outside of it could liquidate the ZOA will
manipulation
from
Israel,
we hope to earn the respect of the entire community.
elation which before the rebirth Israel if they continue to be
of Israel it was not." Jews ... "Would you recommend not have an easy task.
American Zionists seem to be
To the mind of this Jew, Se- parents to give their children de-
getting
tired of being bullied and
gal, this isn't the alternative. He liberately an unhappy childhood
isn't moving into the land of Is- in the hope of breeding an Ein- pushed about even by men who
of
e inevitable has happened: the United Nations Trustee-
rael and he isn't moving out of stein, a Freud or a Heine?" he have the glittering titles
The
ship ouncil, after six months of wrangling over the interna-
Israeli
cabinet
ministers.
A.
either.
asks.
Judaism in the U. S.
Segal himself hopes for no Ein- ZOA convention, which happens
tr i9 1 zation plan, has given up the fight.
He is staying here as a Jew un-
afraid. steins among his grandchildren. to fall on July 4, may reveal that
"It's time, high time, long past time, to end this sorry
Segal doesn't feel that his fur- We will be content if their char- American Zionists have in them
farce," said Sir Carl Berendsen of New Zealand. How true! We
wish somebody had said so six months earlier.
ther existence as a Jew hangs on acters turn out in the design that something of the American spirit
Palestine. Israel is a sentimental is provided by the Jewish teach- of independence.
The Trusteeship Council will refer the question back to
• • •
association of his; it has nothing ing. Then they will be people who
the UN Assembly. The Assembly, in turn, will have its pick
to
do
with
his
national
or
re-
walk
with
dignity'
in
the
world,
dangerous
solution.
A
world-wide
organization
among two sensible solutions and one
ligious being. He regards Israel as unafr .aid, and what if some gut- based on the principles of the
The two sensible solutions are: a) acceptance of the Israeli
an American descendant of, say tersnipe has no use for them as National Conference of Christians
proposal to internationalize the holy sites in Jerusalem without
Cromwell, looks at England. Jews? Their characters will stand and Jews, was founded with the
setting up an international regime for the whole area; b) to
Segal knows Israel in the same high above the gutter and the unanimous consent of 155 re-
bury the whole issue.
way. It is the land of his fore- snipe's malice cannot touch them. ligious, scientific and educational
The dangerous solution is an attempt by the UN to enforce
fathers who were the •prophets, As Jews they will walk with men leaders at a conference in Paris
an international regime against the wishes of the Jewish and
the place at whose border Moses of other confessions toward the this week.
Arab populations. This would lead to bloodshed, guerilla war-
died after he had received the brotherhood. (Brotherhood does-
Designed to promote amity,
fare and open war.
Ten Commandments at Sinai, a n't require that all the brothers understanding and co-operation
history
of
his
be
alike,
it
respects
the
variety
However, it seems that with the exception of some Arab
scene of the long
between people of varying races,
hotheads no nation represented in the UN is willing to go to
people. He knows Israel' in its of each.)
As for himself, Koestler says: religions, nationalities and cul-
such extremes. Irifact, the non-Arab members of the Trustee-
recent history and from the
knowledge of what has been done "The moment that Israel became tures, the World Brotherhood
ship Council were unanimously for termination of the discus-
for the
there he gathers inspiration as a a reality, I felt free td choose constitution provides
sion of a solution which is completely meaningless.
establishment
of
chapters
all over
becoming
a
citizen
of
between
human being.
We have stated repeatedly that in reality there is no Jeru-
the world excluding Communist
a
European
in
Europe.
his
mind
the
identity
of
Israel
or
To
salem problem at all. It was created artificially by the Vatican,
being a Jew has nothing to do My whole development and cul- countries, with the reservation
probably not without the help of Arab politicians. All the cries
with a place in geography. It tural alle made Europe the nat- that no restrictions be made
over the danger to the holy places are the products of imagina-
against individuals in those coun-
concerns certain ideals that have ural choice."
the
tion and ill will. Israel has no interest in the holy sites. They
come down to him and which he Well, we df America choose tries who sympathize with
can be adequately protected by the powers in whose territory
"moral
law."
ideas
of
feels he must keep; it has to do to be Americans and Jews at the
Among many others, the move-
they are located.
with certain religious practices same time.
issue"
is
dead.
-
From the Jewish viewpoint, the Jerusalem
The fact is that Koestler hasn't ment was endorsed at the con-
like that of his family gathering
We wish the UN would turn to more important problems, such
festively at Seder, with the phil- been Jewish, though barn that ference by Isai Schwartz, chief
-
as forcing the Arabs to make peace with Israel and acknowledg
rabbi of France.
osophical implications of the way. He confesses no religion.
ing the status quo.
Misconceptions on 12th Street
Israel Does Not Cancel
Jewish Life in America
T
I
Jerusalem Plan Dead