Page Fourfeen
Friday, September 18, 1942
THE JEWISH NEWS
What's Happening in Detroit
.
J
EWS OF DETROIT AND MICHIGAN are tak-
ing stock of their positions and are planning
their activities for the year 5703. The war situation is
naturally affecting their programs, and most groups are
invariably fitting their plans into the scheme of na-
tional war emergency efforts.
With the primaries over, the political situation is
being clarified and the people of Michigan will be in
better position to make their choice of representatives
in Congress.
At the same time, the climax of the holyday period
on the Jewish calendar is arousing renewed interest in
Sabbath observance, in increased religious activities, in
deepened concern over the status of Jews throughout
the world.
Dr. Hershman to Pay Tribute to
Memory of Ussishkin
e-
Among the first solemn occasions of the new year
is the memorial meeting in tribute to Menahem Us-
sishkin, the late president of the Jewish National Fund
of the World, who passed away the day after Yom
Kippur a year ago:
The Detroit memorial meeting is sponsored by the
Jewish National Fund Council of Detroit of which Wil-
liam Hordes is president. It will be held Wednesday
evening, Sept. 23, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
N. Heyman, 4031 Glendale Ave. Dr. A. M. Hershman
will deliver the memorial address.
The tribute to Mr. Ussislikin will be worldwide.
Jerusalem and New York will hold memorial meetings
on the same day as the Detroit gathering. Meeting also
will be held in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and other
communities. In New York, the speakers wilI include
Chief Rabbi Samuel Brodt of Belgium, Dr. Stephen S.
Wise. Dr. Israel Goldstein and spokesmen for all Zion-
ist groups. A special message was cabled to the Jeru-
salem meeting by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who is now
in New York.
Mr. Hordes announces that plans will soon be made
for the national conference of the Jewish National Fund
of America to he held in Detroit the end of December.
It is also announced that the enrollment of Detroit Jews
on a scroll to be sent to Palestine as a greeting on the
New Year is meeting with success.
The Shaarey Zedek Library
The Shaarey Zedek Library has been lauded as the
best functioning agency of its kind in the country by
J. Schenkerman, nationally known book dealer.
The library has resumed its regular winter
schedule and its reading room and circulation facili-
ties are open to the entire community.
During the summer, although the library's pro-
gram was curtailed, considerable use was made of its
books. Several seminars borrowed a number of
volumes, and a collection of the library's books were
on display during the Cranbrook Summer Conference
of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
Zionist Convention Delegates
The Zionist Organization of Detroit,
under the
chairmanship of Abraham Cooper, began its year's ac-
tivities at a meeting Monday, at which the issues of
the frirttrcoming Zionist convention were discussed.
Rabbi Morris Adler, Lawrence W. Crohn. Philip Slom-
ovitz, Akivah Drasim and Theodore ()lender were the
speakers. The following delegates were elected to rep-
resent Detroit at the next convention:
Abraham Cooper, Rappi Morris Adler, Rabbi A. M.
Hershman, Rabbi Leon Fram, Lawrence W. Crohn,
Walter L. Field, Mrs. Albert Feldstein, Dr. M. S. Perlis,
Abe Kasle, Philip Gilbert, Rudolph Zuiebeck, Morris
M. Jacobs, Maurice H. Zackheim, Leon Kay, Isidore
Sobeloff. Aaron Silberblatt, Maurice Landau, Philip
Slomovitz, Philmore Leemon and Isaac Shetzer.
Brenner Group Aids Russian Relief
The Jewish National Workers' Alliance (Farband)
is conducting a national campaign for the Russian
Relief Fund. Locally, at a meeting of the Brenner
Branch of the Jewish National Workers' Alliance, held
Sept. I. the sum of $75 was realized for the Russian
Relief Fund.
Plans were made for the first Brenner Branch social
meeting of the year to be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at
the Rose Sittig Cohen Bldg., Lawton near Davidson.
There will be entertainment and refreshments will be
served.
JewishCommunitiesTakeStock
On Eve of Yom Kippur; Drives
Boost Sale of W ar Bonds; Honor
Memory of M. M. Ussishkin;
Intolerance Condemned by 3
Faiths; Quarterly Conference
of Council Oct. 4; Brenner
Group Raises Russian Relief
Fund; Arlazaroff Rally Sept. 30
Council Quarterly Conference Oct. 4
The quarterly conference of Jewish Community
Council will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 8 p. m., in
the auditorium of the Jewish Community Center,
Woodward at Holbrook.
Discussions of past and present activities, plans for
future events, committee reports, and a review of those
areas wherein the Jewish Community Council func-
tions will be presented at this meeting, according to
James I. Ellmann, president of the Council.
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Council will hold its an-
nual Community Council Institute in the Jewish Com-
munity Center. The Institute will give an opportunity
to the public to learn about the Jewish Community
Council and its work, and to the Council's administra-
tion to learn the needs of the community.
Dr. Emil Amberg : Pioneer Leader in
Movement for Medical Reciprocity
Detroit Medical News recently recorded the fact
that Dr. Emil Amberg was responsible for action which
led to the establishment of interstate medical re-
ciprocity.
Dr. Amberg was secretary of the original. committee
which, in 1899, investigated the best way of furthering
the idea of a National Health Board. This paved the
way for the establishment of uniformity of require-
ments for the license of practicing medicine throughout
the United States.
Memory of Rabbi Spalter Honored
Deserved tribute was paid last week to the memory
of the late Rabbi Ralph Spalter by his survivors.
Rabbi Spalter's name was inscribed in the Golden
Book of the Jewish National Fund in Jerusalem. A
pioneer Zionist, Rabbi Spalter was keenly interested in
the work of the Jewish National Fund. Zionism and
Hebrew education were his major interests.
•
Coming Events
Sept. 19-20--Reopening of Temple Beth El and
Temple Israel religious schools.
Sept. 23—Menahem Ussishkin memorial meeting
at home of Mr. and Mrs. S. N. Heyman, 4301 Glen-
dale. Dr. A. M. Hershman, guest speaker.
Sept. 30—Patriotic rally of Arlazaroff Branch of
Jewish National Workers' Alliance at Rose Sittig
Cohen Bldg.
Oct. 4—Quarterly conference of Jewish Corn-
munity Council.
Oct. 11—Reopening of Shaarey Zedek and Bnai
Moshe Religious School.
Nov. 6-15—Twentieth anniversary celebration of
Young Israel.
Nov. 29--Bronislaw Huberman concert, at Ma-
sonic Temple, sponsored by Jewish National Work-
ers' Alliance.
Three Faiths Condemn Intolerance
Any form of intolerance based on race, creed
o
color is a "menace to democracy and the survival o
our national ideals," the Detroit Round Table of Cath
olics, Jews and Protestants declared in a formal state-
ment issued Sunday.
The statement, authorized at a meeting of the exe
cutive board Friday, was prepared by Dr. Leo M. Frank
lin, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth El; the Rev. Warr
Wheeler Pickett, D.D.
D.D., minister of the First Congrega
Hubert O'Brien, Catholic c
tional Church, and
chairman of the Round Table.
The statement was released by Joseph Q. Mayne
executive secretary of the Round Table.
Mr. Mayne, executive secretary of the Detroit Roun
Table, has just returned from staff conferences in Wash
ington, Philadelphia and New York City. During h'
visit in Washington, D. C., he conferred with Genera
William R. Arnold, Chief of Chaplains, U. S. Army
Colonel Ritchy, Assistant Chief of Chaplains; Mrs
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Sumner Wells, Under Sec
retary of State. They all expressed a strong convictio
that the work of the National Conference of Christia
and Jews was playing a vital role in our war effor
and that its work should be greatly intensified.
The Detroit Round Table of Catholics, Jews an
Protestants has been authorized by the National Con
ference of Christians and Jews, its parent organization
to accept full regional status and carry on the work o
the Conference throughout Michigan. Round Tabl
already exist in Pontiac, Grand Rapids, Bay City an
Jackson, and many others are in the process o
formation.
War Bond Drives : Beth Abraham Raises
$110,000; Other Campaigns
Detroit Jews are active in War Bond campai
The drive inaugurated by Knollwood Country Clu
is one of many similar efforts to increase defense activ
ities on the home front.
During Rosh Hashanah services at Congregatio
Beth Abraham, 12517 Linwood, War Bonds in th
amount of $110,000 were sold.
Beth Abraham's drive was started by the syna
gogue's Free Loan Association of which Herman Franz
blau is president. Rabbi Joseph Thumin is the syna
gogue's spiritual leader.
Mr. Franzblau reports that on the day after Ro
Hashanah, $40,000 was paid in towards this Bond sale
The drive will be continued through Yom Kippur an
it is hoped that the sum of $110,000 will be doubled.
Congregation Beth Abraham is 40 years old and h
a membership of 300.
Arlazaroff Patriotic Party Sept. 30
Patriotic activities in Detroit are planned by man
organizations, and one of the leading events of th
coming weeks will be the patriotic night of Arlazaro
Branch of the Jewish National Workers' Alliance.
Under the leadership of Morris Schaver, president
Harry Schumer, chairman of the executive committee
Adele Mondry, secretary, and William Hordes, pub
licity, a patriotic evening will be held on Wednesda
Sept. 30, at the Rose Sittig Cohen Building. Ther
will be a prominent speaker and presentations of spe
cial tokens will be made to families of members wh
are in the service in the U. S. armed forces.
Arlazaroff Branch is also undertaking to sell
minimum of $25,000 in War Bonds.
Palestine Religious Labor League
Under the chairmanship of Rabbi A. M. Hershman
the League for Religious Labor in Palestine has beg
to function here. David Zeitani is the Palestine repre
sentative visiting Detroit. Assisting Dr. Hershman, o
the local committee are Rabbis Morris Adler, Isaa
Stollman and M. J. Wohlgelernter; Hyman Keida
David Freedman, Meyer Beckman, Abraham Capl
Daniel Temchin, Louis Tobin, Isadore Sosnick, So
Edelman, David Berns and Irving W. Schlussel.
Young Israel Starts Activities Sept. 30
Charles T. Gellman, president of Young Israel o
Detroit, has called a meeting of the organization fo
Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Yeshivath Beth Yehudah, Dex
ter and Cortland. This meeting will summon the par
ticipation of the entire membership in preparatio
for the 20th anniversary functions, Nov. 6-15.
Funds Sought to Establish Regional Rabbinate for Michigan
A
CTING on behalf of the Michigan Synagogue
Conference, Dr. Selig S. Auerbach has con-
ducted a survey of commupnities in this state to ascer-
tain what services could be provided for them in the
organization of their religious life.
In making his report public this week, Rabbi Max J.
Wohlgelernter, chairman of the religious and education
committee of the Michigan Synagogue Conference, stat-
ed that plans are being formulated to conduct an appeal
for $2,500, a sum required to carry into effect the pro-
ject of serving the Michigan communities through a
regional rabbinate.
Dr. Auerbach's Report on Survey
Dr. Auerbach reported on the status of 13 communi-
ties and their needs. The following are the communi-
ties he has visited and his brief analysis of their status:
South Haven is not interested in a regional rabbinate,
since this congregation has a Shochet and minister,
Rev. Charles Miller of Chicago. A representative of
the Michigan Synagogue Conference will visit South
Haven after Succoth for a membership drive.
Traverse City has 13 families, mostly orthodox, and
very much interested in the project. There are four
children for whom a teacher is needed. The congre-
gation requests a rabbi once a week for teaching and
twice a month on Shabbos to conduct services. They
want to pay $25 monthly, and $35 if the rabbi takes up
residence in Traverse City.
Cadillac has three families with two children. They
request a rabbi once a week for teaching and are will-
ing to pay $10 monthly plus traveling expenses from
Traverse City.
Served by Student Rabbi
Petoskey has nine resident families. They are inter-
ested in a rabbi only from July 1 until after Yom Kip-
pur.
They always . have had a student rabbi for this
period, paying $25 weekly, another $150 for the High
Holydays, a room and traveling expenses. They will
not exclude themselves from our scheme if the rabbi
takes up residence in Petoskey during the summer
months.
Port Huron is taken care of by Herbert S. Eskin, who
goes there every Friday and Yom Toy to conduct serv-
ices, and Sunday and Hebrew School. No change in
the present setup is planned. However, Mr. Eskin
promised every help in winning members.
Mackinaw City has six families during the summer,
all engaged in resort business. Only one family is resi-
dent throughout the year. There never are any reli-
gious activities, consequently there is no need for a
rabbi. In case a rabbi shoUld be needed during the sea-
son they are willing to call the regional rabbi and pay
him his fee and expenses.
Iron River Suggested as Base
Alpena is interested in a rabbi who could be there
every second Shabbos to conduct services and a small
Sunday school. It is understood that they are willing
to pay about $40 a month.
Escanaba is without leadership or activity because of
the illness of its president. They recommend that
Iron River take the lead in the Upper Peninsula.
Ironwood has eight families, but no Jewish activities.
There are no children. Not even on a Yahrzeit is it
possible to get up a Minyan. The synagogue, located
at Hurley, was sold after the windows were smashed
twice. It might be possible to interest the people and
bring them together once a month, according to the
vice-president and the president's son.
Iron River has 16 families with eight children, and
the congregation wants a rabbi as a teacher for the
children, preferably twice a week, and to conduct Shab-
bos services. Services- are conducted every Friday
night by the older members. They are willing to pay.
$50 monthly and provide a four-room apartment in th
synagogue if the rabbi takes up residence in Iron Riv
Some of the older members would like the rabbi to
a Shochet Ophoth.
Iron Mountain Congregation Declining
Iron Mountain has a declining congregation of abou
20 families. It was agreed that a rabbi probably couk
revive the congregation if he lived there or nearby, am
would come at least once a week for teaching and twig
a month for services on Friday night. They hope t.t
raise $35 monthly, plus a six-room house next to Om
synagogue, with light and heat.
Gladstone has 13 families with five children. Thel
would like a rabbi as a teacher, and are willing to pa
$5 for each visit. A local man conducts the services.
Dr. Auerbach reports further, that meetings we
held in Traverse City, Iron River and Iron Moun
and gives his opinion that the survey is by no mean4
discouraging. The establishing of a regional rabbinate/
he believes, is worth-while and necessary, but there is A
question as to what town should be chosen as a central
point. With regard to the Upper Peninsula, he sugge
either Iron River or Iron Mountain.
Recommendation to Conference
"Since the Michigan Synagogue Conference cairn
establish more than one rabbinate at this time,"
writes in his report, "I recommend that the rabbi esta
lish residence in the Upper Peninsula. During th
summer months, however, he should reside in Petos
key. I further suggest that a meeting be called in Iro
River some time after Succoth, to install the rabbi.
necessary, a similar meeting should be called in th
northern part of the lower peninsula, at Alpena o
Traverse City. The rabbi should start his functions a
soon as possible, so that all congregations shall becom
aware
of him and his work not later than this Chant