American Jewish Periodical Carte
Page 16
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE
Thursday, October 5, 1950
Operation Magic Carpet Ends
As Yemen Runs Out of Jews
Zionist Speakers
TEL AVIV — (ISO — The historic exodus of the Yemenite J
ewish Community ended last week with the arrival of the last two
planes of "Operation Magic Carp et".
Since December 1948, 47,140 Yemenite Jews have come from t he most unimaginable circumstances to a life of hope and freedom
in Israel. Only 6,500 are still in reception camps in Israel awaitin g permanent jobs and permanent homes. Some 3,000 Jews are still
in Yemen and they too will eve ntually be brought to Israel, but or ganized immigration has been concluded.
One of the most ancient Jewish
communities anywhere, the Jew
tine, but it was helpful on the of the Yemenites suffered from ity of immigrants were not train-
of Yemen are thought to be des
whole, and the American Joint malnutrition. All the children ed for any trade,
cendants of the Jews who were
Distribution Committee was able were underweight, and diseases
sent by King Solomon to pros-
28,700 ABSORBED
to establish refugee camps as were common. Fifty per cent
pect for gold and silver. Accord- early as 1943.
Nevertheless, between Decem-
suffered
from
Oriental
boils,
40
ing to another legend, their fore-
For the first year after Israel per cent from malaria, 45 per ber, 1948, and June, 1950, 28,700 At a meeting of the Zionist
fathers were refugees after the
was established, emigration to cent from enlarged spleens, 80 Yemenite Jews left- the immig- Organization of Detroit Thurs-
destruction of the First Temple.
Aden from Yemen practically per cent from trachoma. Tuber- rant camps and were absorbed day evening, Oct. 12, at Con-
Since the rise of Islam, their
ceased as a result of a new de- culosis was rife, especially among in the general economy. Since gregation Shaarey Zedek, Al-
condition has been intolerable-
, legally and economically. Condi- cree. In June, 1949 the Imam of children, but venereal disease then, most of the camps have bert Elazar, associate superin-
Yemen lifted the ban on the was almost unknown.
been converted into absorption tendent of the United Hebrew
tions worsened from 1934 follow-
emigration of Jews, and mass
Making up for the 20-century villages of one type or another. Schools (left), and Morris M.
ing the visit to Yemen of the ex-
emigration started.
About 75 per cent of the Yem- Jacobs, president of the Michi-
Mufti of Jerusalem, and finally
lag in experience is the first ab-
400 JOURNEYS
enite immigrants have been ab- gan Zionist Region, will par-
reached the worst stage after the
sorption
task,
for
which
only
a
Operation Magic Carpet started
sorbed in agriculture centers. • ticipate in a program dedicated
establishment of Israel.
from Aden in December, 1948. few weeks can be allowed, since
On the arrival of the last two to the Young Zionist adult
Jews were considered "infidels"
It involved more than 400 jour- the immigrant has to begin to planes, the two chief rabbis were
groups.
by the Moslem state. They paid
neys totaling over 1,300,000 miles, earn his living. But owing to present at Lydda to welcome the
. special taxes, were not allowed
and cost $4,000,000, organized and conditions in Yemen where the newcomers, including some of
to ride on horses and rode don-
keys sidesaddle only, like women. financed by the JDC, assisted by Jews were confined to certain the first to reach Aden who re-
the Jewish Agency.
trades as jewelers, carpenters mained there to work in the
A Jewish house had to be built
On their arrival in Israel, most and shoemakers, the vast major- camps.
lower than the lowest Arab
house in a village. Jewish or-
phans were forcibly converted to
Islam and this is believed to be
one of the reasons for the origin
of child marriages, since marriage
The opening chapter meeting
would make an orphan no longer
Under the auspices of the Cul-
of this season will be held by
• ac hild .
ture Commission of the Jewish COMMUNITY COUNCIL
board of directors which is Detroit Hadassah at 12:30 p.m.,
The community is traditionally Community Council, Dr. Samuel COMMENDS CHRONICLE
strongly interested in the Home Tuesday at the Jewish Commu-
• and deeply religious and all men, H. Blumenfield,r
We thank the board especially nity Center.
To the Editor:
but not women, can read the president of the.
With the completion of our for bringing to us the director and
Mrs. Judith (Moses P.) EP-
Bible and the Talmud in Hebrew. College of Jew-
campaign to make their absen- his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ira I. Son- stein, a former national president
Although Arabic is their spoken ish Studies, Chi-
tee voting privileges known to nenblik. Words fail us in ex- of Hadassah, will speak.
language, few can read and write cago, will speak
the members of the Jewish com- pressing our feelings for them.
Mrs. Epstein, whose life has
that language.
at a meeting at
We thank, in turn, Mr. Sonnen- been bound up with Hadassah
munity,
it is our pleasure to
PROPHECY FULFILLED
8:30 p.m. Thurs-
commend the Jewish Chronicle blik for bringing to us Rabbi for decades, has come to be re-
The Yemenite Jews believed day, Oct. 5 at the
for a singular contribution to the Bakst, who lectured to us on the garded as one of the most au-
Isaiah's prophecy that they would Jewish Com-
effort,
holidays and gave us a new spirit. thoritative spokesmen on Israel
return to their own land of Israel munity Center.
We became much younger as a and the Middle East.
The
broad
publicity
which
your
carried on the wings of an eagle. Davison near Pe-: .
result of the fine holiday we had
A musical program has been
columns
afforded
contributed
sig-
The "Magic Carpet" flights were toskey.
11)umer.tic'd
nificantly to the setting in De- and look forward to new, richer arranged, with Mrs. Samson Wit- '
a fulfilment of this promise.
Dr. Blumenfield will discuss "A
years in the future.
tenberg as vocalist, accompanied
Yemenite Jews were subject Mid-Century of Jewish Education troit of an all-time high for ab-
by Lillian Robbins Zellman. The
RESIDENT COMMITTEE,
to a law prohibiting their emi- -7- Retrospect and Propect." As sentee voting. We are grateful
JEWISH
HOME
FORAGED
meeting will be chaired by Mrs.
to ,you for your thorough-going
gration, but the move towards founder of Braneels Camp
and cooperation with this important
Theodore Bargman, chapter pres-
Israel neverthless began in 1886 author of several books on edu-
ident,
and will start with a des-
civic
undertaking.
,
when 12 families dared the dan- cational problems, Dr. Blumen-
sert luncheon.
Your help in aiding the ab-
gers and finally reached Jerusa- field is well aware of the prob-
Mrs. Epstein also will address
lem. In 1911 the Zionist Organ- lems which confront American sentee voting process by de • L- •
the business and professional
ization made contacts with Yem- Jewry in the area of education. ing space for a reproduction of
group of Hadassah at 8:30 that
enite Jews and by 1914, 1,500 Morris Lieberman, co-chairman the application for absentee bal-
The Pioneer Women of America evening, is the Book-Cadillac.
Yemenite Jews were settled in of the Culture Commission, will lots, as well as the other pub-
licity you gave to the matter, will launch their silver jubilee
Israel.
serve as chairman of the evening.
atyear with a din- Shaarey Zedek YPC
Despite the gravest risks if Rabbi Morris Adler, chairman of was not only a genuine service
••ner in New York
they were caught, 14,000 more the Culture Commission, also will to your readers but an evidence
a caravan from Slates First Meeting
also of a sense of communal
arrived in the 1930s and 1940s. address the meeting.
responsibility.
, Israel headed by
They fled from Yemen by way
The Shaarey Zedek Young
There will be no admission
Bebbe Idelson eople's Club will hold the sea-
of the British Protectorate of
DR. SHMARYA KLEINMAN,
charge.
Ind
Rachael
Ya-
Aden, after crossing desert and
President, Jewish Community
son's first meeting at 8:30 p.m.,
nait will attend. Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the syna-
malarial swamp.
Council.
These women gogue.
British relations with refugees
RABBI MORRIS ADLER,
.vorkers from
• Chairman, Committee for
arriving in Aden depended on
Soll Ginsburg, president, will
Israel will later outline the program for the year.
current British policy in Pales-
Absentee Voting.
come to Detroit. The drama committee will pre-
-
• • •
The entertainment committee HOME RESIDENTS
Rabbi Adler
T h e Pioneer sent a one-act comedy entitled
Arlazartff Unit, JNWA of the Sheruth League met at the THANK DETROIT JEWS
Women of Detroit will hold a "Bizness Is Bizness."
home of Mrs. Marvin Stern to To the Editor:
silver jubilee luncheon at 1 p.m.
There will be •aonimunity sing-
to Hear Israeli Leader
begin work on the group's annual
We, all the old folks, men and Monday, Oct. 16, at Masonic ng, dancing and refreshments.
On Wednesday evening, Oct. donor luncheon to be held Nov.
women, of the Jewish Home for Temple.
11, the Arlazaroff Branch, J. N. 28 at Masonic Temple.
Rabbi Morris Adler will be the
Aged
in Detroit, wish to tell all
W. A., will have its annual open-
Mrs. Stern is chairman of the Jewish people of the joy and hap- guest speaker, with vocal rendi-
, ing gathering at Lachar's Res- committee, with Mrs. Nathan
piness that we had during the tions by Emma Schaver, accom-
taurant.
panied by Rebecca Frohman on
Spector as co-chairman. Bertha
Israel Mereminsky, general Chomsky is in charge of enter- High Holiday season. We had the the piano. Only those who are $25
— General Manager of
best.
of
everything
in
meals
and
secretary of the Histradut in Is- tainment.
in services. It could not have patrons will be able to attend.
Northwest Packard, Inc.
rael, veteran Labor Zionist lead-
Tickets may be obtained from
Reservations can be made with
er, will be the guest of honor for Edith Mahler or any member of been better in the richest of the office at TO. 9-7180, or Mrs.
Says:
homes.
this evening.
the committee.
Ben Bayer, jubilee chairman, UN.
We thank the Jewish commun- 4-8094.
In the 35 years I've been
A•usical program will be ren-
selling cars, it has always
dered by a prominent artist.
Whether for the latest news or ity for this—for constructing such
been my policy to make my
Community singing will follow. the best in advertising, it always a beautiful comfortable Home,
customers feel at home, and
Members and friends are in- pays to read the Jewish Chronicle and for selecting such a fine
to make their service prob-
vited.
the year 'round.
lems my problems. It's going
to be easy with this new 1951-
The Women's Auxiliary of the Packard, built with Packard's
— THE PUBLIC IS INVITED —
traditional quality and de-
Accountants Guild held its first
TO THE UNION OF THE SIIOLEM ALEICHEM
meeting of the season Sept. 27 signed to please everyone.
Believe me when I say the car
INSTITUTE AND JEWISH FOLK SCHOOLS
at the home of Mrs. Nathan
has everything! And contrary
OF THE LABOR ZIONIST MOVEMENT INTO
Rabbi Jack Herman, president Wrubel.
to some belief, it's really easy
THE
of the Cleveland Division of the
Mrs. Al Schneider, president,
to own a Packard, priced lower
American Jewish Congress, will announced the appointment of than you think.
address the Stephen S. Wise the following committee chair-
Come in and let me show
Chapter Wednesday evening, Oct. men:
you the advantages of having
11 at the Northwest Hebrew Con-
Mesdames Morris Toppel, fund- a beautiful new 1951 Packard.
gregation.
raising; Ben Magy, entertain- You'll agree with me that
His topic will be "The Future ment; William Boone, program; there isn't another car like it.
of the American Jewish Com- William Pankin, projects, Samuel
GUEST SPEAKER
Geller, membership; Frank Bag-
munity."
It's the one for '51 1
Dr. David Gaberman, president dade, sunshine; and Russell Nida,
publicity. ,
of Ow chapter, will preside.
Final plans were made for the
Dean of Jewish Education in Canada
Rabbi Herman is a graduate of
the Jewish Theological Seminary barn dance to be held Oct. 15
at Graemer's darn, For tickets
Sunday 8:30 P.M., October 15 -
and is at the present the spiritual
leader of the Community Temple call UN 4-9935 or UN 3-6157.
in Cleveland Heights.
DETROIT ART INSTITUTE
14561 LIVERNO1S
A welcome gift for any occa-
Refreshments will be served sion is a subscription to the Jew-
and everyone is invited to attend. ish Chronicle. Call WO. 1-1041.
UN. 3-8440
Dr. Blumenfield
to Give Talk Here
Letters to the Editor
Hadassah Sets
Address by
Mrs. Epstein
Pioneer Group
in Jubilee Year
,
Sheri' tit League
-
Slates Donor Fete
JOE NETZORG
AJC to Hear
Rabbi Herman
Accountants Unit
Slates Barn Dance
UNITED JEWISH
FOLK SCHOOLS
Dr. Shloime Weisman
NORTHWEST
PACKARD, Inc.