March 21,
Page 13
THE JEWISH NEWS
1942
NATIONAL LEADERS GREET JEWISH NEWS
Great interest Aroused Throughout the Land in Detroit's
Community-Sponsored Weekly Periodical
,!. STEPHEN S. WISE: "It is with deepest interest
1. am that my good friend Philip Slomovitz is about
•‘
• igurate a new Jewish weekly in Detroit. Philip
t
Slu:...witz v. rites h.telligently, readably and effectively and
maie his ;apt:: one of the most respected in all the Amer-
He has Jewish knowledge, not a little,
icr.n Jewisn i'ress.
Jewish learning, deep Jewish feeling, and almost unerring
Jewish -understanding. Whatever Slomovitz undertakes to
has rn, best wishes and my blessing."
THE HON. CHASE S. OSBORN, former gov-
ernor of Michigan: "The piece of news from circles
of journalism we have heard for a long time Is that
Editor Philip Slomovitz has interested prominent
associates among the Jews of Detroit and else-
where and is going to start a new weekly publica-
tion devoted quite exclusively to news of activities
in the Jewish world. The field is a large one be-
cause the Jews of the universe are among the most
constructive of leading citizens. We congratulate
the Board of Direcbors of The Jewish News upon
securing the active interest and direction of Colonel
Slomovitz. He is one of the best-trained publishers
in this country and it can be assured an ample
guarantee that the new publication will be every-
thing that those interested in it wish. It ought to
be suppored far beyond the Jewish world, because
no one who is concerned with the affairs of Mich-
igan or the nation or the world can ignore the
tumultous activity of Jews everywhere. Their an-
cestors were largely the forerunners of those who
created our present civilization. Now they wish to
improve it. Best wishes to Editor Slomovitz and
his illustrious associates."
DR. BARNETT R. BRICKNER, Rabbi, Euclid
Ave. Temple, Cleveland, 0.: "I want to congratulate
you on your new project, the Jewish News, and
wish you every success. You are, by far, the most
capable editor of an Anglo-Jewish paper in Amer-
ica that I know of and I am sure the Jewish News
will be a great success."
E. Barbarash, Washington, D. C.: "From the bottom of
my heart I extend to you my sincerest felicitations and
the best of good wishes. I not only feel, but am convinced
that you will make a success of the job. The best of luck
to you! With kindest personal regards."
HENRY C. SEGAL, Editor, American Israelite, Cin-
cinati, 0.: "Personally and on behalf of the American
Israelite I wish to extend best wishes to the Jewish News.
Your column has been one of the very first things I read
each week and I am looking forward to the pleasure of
continuing that habit."
Dr. Isaac Landman, Editor-in-Chief, Universal Jewish
Encyclopedia: "I hear with great pleasure that you have
been appointed editbr of the new publication, The Jewish
News. Judging by your previous achievement, it augers
well for the new venture, which, obviously, indicates a
growth of Jewish communal life and attitudes. Let me
congratulate your colleagues and yourself personally."
National
DR. ISRAEL GOLDSTEIN, President, Jewish
Fund of America: "The launching of The Jewish News
under your editorship is an event in American Jewish
journalism. My congratulations go out to you, to the De-
troit community and to the larger American Jewish com-
munity whom The Jewish News should reach. This crucial
period in mankind's history, most fateful for the Jewish
people, imposes grave responsibilities upon American
determining
Jewry, which must play a decisive part in
questions related both to Palestine and to the Diaspora.
An intelligently informed American Jewish opinion is a
necessity of the first order. Vigorous. lucid. postive Jewish
thinking is always at a premium. When such thinking is
expressed in vivid. attractive style, it is a two-fold boon.
You possess that gift. It win, I. am sure, make The Jewish
News popular and influential on a national scale. In the
same way that outstanding daily newspapers, whether
published in Baltimore, Louisville, Springfield or New York,
have by their intrinsic merit become national institutions,
so may The Jewsh News under your editorship become a
model of its kind and find its way into thousands of Jewish
home in all parts of the country."
DR. SOLOMON GOLDMAN, Chicago. DL: "The
Anglo-Jewish Press, to date, is not a creditable per-
formance. It has grown in number but hardly In
quality. Two score years ago, we had fewer jour-
nals but I believe they were more weighty. Almost
all of them had a platform, a purpose, some of
them even a mission. They were not all things to
ail men and they did not curry the favor of the
rich, influential or distinguished. Whatever they
ts-lievcd in, they battled for. What they regarded
hillul ha-Sheen, they denounced. They published
fewer photographs and paid little attention to the
social activities of the inane. But their editorials
were meaty and their discussions of Jewish life
and thought earnest. In my opinion, Philip Slomo-
vita is a survival of that generation. He Is not only
a competent journalist, a serious-minded human
being sad a good Jew, but a man of philosophy
and courage. I have not always agreed with him.
If I may say so, he has not always been fair to me,
but I never suspected his motives and ever respect-
ed his sincerity. Therefore, I am delighted that
Mr. Siornovita has assumed the editorship of a new
weekly, "The Jewish News." If the public will en-
courage him, we shall have a first-class periodical."
RABBI S. Z. FINEBERG, Congregation Beth Israel,
Flint, Mich., President Jewish National Fund Council of
Flint: "In behalf of Congregation Beth Israel and the
Jewish National Fund Council of Flint, we extend to The
Jewish News congratulations and sincere good wishes for
a perpetual success in the field of journalism and in the
camps of Israel. The 25,000 Jewish families in our great
State of Michigan are indeed fortunate in having Mr.
Philip Slomovitz found and institute a periodical that will
truly be representative of Michigan Jewry. We feel, as the
editor, that the Jewish people of our State must be en-
ilghtened authentically and regularly about Judaism; that
the youth of our community must receive proper recogni-
tion in the press and it must be encouraged to read Jewish
periodicals; and that the non-Jewish world should be kept
informed about the Jewish news concerning local, national
and international problems involving the Jewish status
economically, religiously and ethically. Since we are
aware fully that the above program is essential and that
it will be properly executed, we offer our support to The
SAMUEL B. GACH, Publisher, Jewish Voice, Los An-
geles, Calif.: "I wish you all the success in the world in
your new venture. Local Detroiters are all wishing you
the best.
DR. LOUIS FINKELSTEIN, President, Jewish Theo-
logical Seminary of America, New York City: "I am very
pleased to learn that you have undertaken the editorship
of The Jewish News, and I want to extend to you my best
wishes for the success of this venture. Your writing on
Judaism and your assistance in bringing accurate informa-
tion regarding Jewish affairs to the Jewish community
have been of great service. In the critical years which
are now facing us it is more important than ever that our
people be accurately informed regarding Jewish religious
responsibilities and problems. The excellent Board of
Directors and Community Advisory Committee which have
been organized for The Jewish News and the fact that you
will be its editor makes one extremely hopeful that your
effort will prove of the greatest possible service to us."
and may I offer my congratulations to the Jews of Mich-
igan on the prospects of having an outstanding newspaper
to speak for them and to disseminate information and
facts essential to the preservation of democracy and the
rights of minorities. In these days of sinister propaganda
and misinformation nothing is more important than the
venture of "The Jewish News." If we are to maintain our
democracy and preserve the American tradition of good
will between all groups, it is essential that we have the
leadership in every community of such publications as
"The Jewish News." This publication could select no abler
editor than Philip Slomovitz who is a brilliant writer, an
excellent columnist and a wise and understanding in.
divjdual."
BERNARD POSTAL, National B nai Brith Publicity
Director, Washington, D. C.: "My heartiest congratulations
to you and your associates on the publication of the Jewish
From my long association with you in this work,
News.
I am sure that The Jewish News will take its place in the
forefront of the English Jewish press in this country. I
look forward to many years of continued close cooperation
with you."
BERNARD G. RICHARDS, Director, Jewish Informa-
tion Bureau. New York: "Your announcement of the forth-
coming publication of The Jetei.,,h News is good news to
me and undouhetdly to large numbers of your other friends
and admirers, who are anxious about the orderly conduct
of Jewish affairs and the future welfare of our people.
Your unswerving devotion to the cause of Israel. your
comprehensive grasp of Jewish problems. your clear vision,
and above all, your honesty of purpose and independence
of mind, are an ample guarantee of the type of journalism
that will be pursued and examplified under your direction.
The persons associated with you give all the more assur-
rance of the high purpose wrich animates your undertak-
ing. I, therefore. look forward with much gratification to
the unfoldment of the new enterprise. The best of good
wishes to your associates and yourself."
with the Jewish scene both here and abroad, and possessed
as you are of the high sense of honor and integrity, you
are bound to make the Jewish News one of the outstand-
EPHRAIM R. GOMBERG: "Heartiest congratulations
on your founding of the Jewish News. You have sm...
rounded yourself with an able board of directors."
outstanding position as one of our finest commentators
and interpreters of Jewish news, as one who is familiar
ing weeklies in this country. It is not only my hope, but
I think I am voicing the mind and spirit of all your friends
throughout the land, that you will have the fullest support
of all Jews, and for that matter of non-Jews, in your com-
munity. Knowing your high standards in journalism and
your gift for scintillating writing, I am confident that the
Jewish News will be read by every Jewish home in Detroit.
Will you please express our thanks to the group of far-
sighted men and women who are supporting this worthy
enterprise. My best wishes to you, to Mr. Schwartz and
to all of your colleagues. Success will be yours."
KURT PEISER, Executive Director, Federation of
Jewish Charities, Philadelphia, Pa.: "I was simply thrilled
to learn of your dream coming true. How many times we
have discussed the possibility of seeing a community news-
paper in Detroit, one that would cover all news and inter-
pret it properly. On how many occasions have we voiced
the need of that type of Jewish weekly! And now you have
been able to bring r")out the initiation of this new venture
—a dream fulfilled! I congratulate you and wish you much
success and much happiness. Those of us who know what
you have tried to do over the period of years during which
you have served the Jewish community of Detroit faith-
fully and conscientiously truly rejoice with you that you
were able to bring together the fine sponsorship which the
Jewish News has, and which, along with your capacity for
work as well as your capability, insures the success of this
venture. I am happly for you. I am equally happy for the
Jewish community of Detroit. It will have a fine forum, a
fine vehicle in which all points of view may honestly and
objectively be discussed. May I be your first subscriber?"
MB. AND MRS. L SENDLER, Flint, Mich.: "It
was pleasing to us to hear of the formation of the
Jewish News . . . We are sure that it will be a
great success under your leadership and are proud
to be among your first subscribers Best wishes for
success."
SIMON SHETZER, executive Director, Zionist Organ-
ization of America: "My warmest congratulations to you
and to the Jewish community of Detroit upon the launch-
ing of The Jewish News. The inauguration of The Jewish
News under a community-wide auspices and sponsorship
is in itself an event- of far reaching significance. Your own
personal record in American Jewish journalism is an addi-
tional guarantee that the paper will be alert, responsive to
the needs of the Jewish community and completely at the
service of those great causes and interests which constitute
the totality of Jewish life. It is a source of particular
gratification that with the publication of The Jewish News,
Zionism in America gains another voice, an additional
spokesman and a new platform. You have always been an
outspoken champion of our movement and I am confident
that in The Jewish News you will not only continue that
work you did for 19 years on your previous publication,
I am sure that The Jewish News will become one of the
outstanding, if not the outstanding, Anglo-Jewish weekly
in America. If there was ever a time when our Jewish
community needed to be educated to its responsibilities,
that time is today, ,and I cannot see how a newspaper
under your editorial direction can do anything but awak-
en a new Jewish consciousness in the people of Detroit
Your capable editorial direction, backed up by the fine
group of leading citizens, lay and rabbinical, who have
become members of your community advisory committee,
is indicative of what The Jewish News will have in store
for those who have followed your newspaper career. °
LOUIS LIPSKY, Former President, Zionist Organiza-
tion of America: "The Jewish community of Detroit de-
serves warm congratulations. It is not only going tO
have the Jewi,h News with Mr. Slomovitz as its editor, but
it is to participate in launching and making it an integral
part of the life of the community. Too many Anglo-Jewish
newspapers have been imposed upon communities by car-
pet-baggers who have used the community for their own
interests. Too many Anglo-Jewish newspapers have been
used merely to exploit the rabbi-editor, his caprices and
ambitions. The Jewish Nears is to be in every sense of the
word a communal institution, for which purpose no better
man could he found than Mr. Slomovitz. For almost two
decades he has 'written for Jews about Jewish interests.
He is well informed, fair and impartial. He has convt -c-
bons which he courageously defends. He has antipathies
which he attacks but gives credit wherever credit belongs.
He has been conscientious in all his discussions of Jewish
affairs, and with just the right touch of geniality. Many
Zionists throughout the country wish success to the Jew.
Nears.•
HENRY MONTOR, Executive Director, United
Palestine Appeal: "I am watching your progress
with the deepest interest and am looking forward
to the first issue with extraordinary enthusiasm for
what I know will be a splendid job."
RABBI BERNARD ZEIGER, Jackson, Mich.: "The
Jewish News will fulfill an urgent need in Jewish life in
the state, and I am especially gratified that you will serve
as editor."
MAURICE JACOBS, Executive Director, Jewish Pub-
lication Society of America: "Judging from the excellent
LOUIS B. HARRISON, Bay City, Mich.: "I
welcome the appearance of the Jewish News and I
sincerely believe that it will fulfill the purposes
which its sponsors may have. I congratulate the
undertaking and wish it all possible success."
MENDEL N. FISHER, Executive Director, Jewish
National Fund of America: "It is fortunate, not only for
Detroit Jewry, but for Anglo-Jewish journalism through-
out the land that you are to edit the Jewish News. Your
Jewish News. May it become the "Torch of Light" that will
encourage and help protect us defensively; that will guide
and lead us offensively in the present trying trials and
battles of our existence."
L. M. BIRHEAD, National Director, Friends of Democ-
racy: "May I extend my greetings to "The Jewish News,"
collaboration, but equally as important, lend a full measure
of support to the leadership, which is today making Zion-
ism a genuine force on the American Jewish scene. May
The Jewish News have many years of service and pros-
perity to accompany its career;"
DR. JULIAN MORGENSTERN, President, the Hebrew
Union College, Cincinnati, 0.: "I was pleased indeed to
learn that you and your associates are launching the Jew-
ish News. I was particularly pleased to see, in the list of
the members of the Board of Directors and of the Com-
munity Advisory Committee, the names of so many of my
close friends. Knowing your long experience in this work,
and your recognized ability as an editor, I am confident
that the project will not only succeed in itself, but that it
will perform a very valuable service to the Jewish CODA.
munity of your great city. I wish for you and your asso-
ciates in this project complete and happy fulfillment of
your high purposes and expectations."
JUDGE LOUIS E. LEVINTHAL, President, Zionist
Organization of America: "I am delighted to learn that
you will edit The Jewish News, newest addition to the
field of American Jewish journalism. We have need, in
these days, for progressive, forward-looking and out-spoken
journals of Jewish opinion, and I know that, under your
direction, The Jewish News will fulfill its duties faithfully,
to the Jewish community of Detroit, and to the greater
cause of our people everywhere. I am further confident
that the Jewish News will be a champion of the Zionist
movement and of every cause which approaches Jewish life
in a positive and affirmative manner."
HERMAN JACOBS, Executive Director, Jewish Cons..
munity Center: "I am happy that our Anglo-Jewish press
is to be enriched by the publication of the new weekly, The
Jewish News. With the background and record of achieve-
ment you bring as editor from your extensive experience
in the field of Anglo-Jewish journalism and with the aid
of the Board of Directors, The Jewish News is bound to
make a truly significant contribution to Jewish life nation-
ally as well as locally. The need for such a contribution
cannot be overestimated now when we must think net only,
of unity in the prosecution and winning of a war but inte-
gration of spirit and intelligence on the part of men of
good will all over the world in salvaging the best possible
from the war and building out of it a reconstructed uni-
verse with wise and equitable treatment included for us as
a Jewish people. The Jewish News must, and I am sure
will, help in the molding of public opinion and in - the
training of a disciplined community. I shall look forward
expectantly to the first issue and those which are to follow.
May it be uncounted years."
JACOB BILLIKOPF, Philadelphia, Pa.: "For years I
have been reading your editorials and articles, and I am
not given to exaggeration when I say that I invariably,
read your comments with a great deal of profit. You seem
to have a grasp of Jewish activities and their relationship
to the general setting—possessed by few Jewish journal.
ists. I am happy, therefore, that you are to edit the Jew.
ish News and I wish you and your associates all possible
success."