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Jewish Community Council
Combats Anti-Semitism
There was a time when the Jews of Detroit,
along with all other American Jews, thought of
the . problem of combatting anti-Semitism as a
temporary function. Anti-Semitism, it was be-
lieved, was essentially alien to American life. It
had arrived "suddenly, for a brief
:tVerz
visitation, and would as suddenly
(so they thought) disappear.
By now the Jewish community
has been educated to understand
that anti-Semitism has struck
roots in America, and is not like-
ly to disappear even when Nazi-
ism is defeated. We are determ-
ined to face this terrible reality
with courage and dignity.
Along with our recognition of
the perennial character of anti-
Semitism has come the convic-
Rabbi. Frain tion that anti-Semitism can be
resisted only by a permanent community - organi-
zation especially geared to exercise this function
on a continuing basis, and not only in time of
emergency. The Jewish Community Council is
the community's highly specialized instrument-
ality for the defense of the Jewish community
against its enemy, which is at the sajne time
one of our contributions to the defense of Ameri-
ca against the same enemy. The Council's Com-
munity Relations Committee is responsible for
determining policy in this work,
-
Major Responsibilities
To perform these heavy duties, we have de-
veloped a machinery which may be described
briefly by these salient features:
1. IT IS CONTINUOUS. The Community Rela-
tions Committee • commands the professional ser-
vices of the Executive Director of the - Jewish
Community Council, who has already achieved
a national reputation as . a highly skilled technic-
ian in what is called the Civic-Protective field,
and of a staff which, though still woefully small
for Detroit, is well-trained and efficient. These
men and their office assistants keep working at
every "incident" until it is "closed," and at every
project until it is completed. While individual
"incidents" may_ be "closed," and individual pro-
jects completed, the larger problem of anti-
Semitism remains unsolved, and takes on ever
new forms. Hence the need of continuous PRO-
FESSIONAL attention to the job.
The Community Relations Committee meets
regularly every two weeks, and alsoeholds special
meetings when needed. Its members give freely
and often self-sacrificingly of their time. Be-
cause, of this regularity, no question arising in
this field need wait long for consideration. We
are - organized to act 'quickly and effectively.
Letter to Stalin Quotes
A Talmudic Legend
MOSCOW (JPS)—A talmudic
legend, quoted in the original
Hebrew, was incorporated in a
letter, . addressed by the Jewish
Anti-Fascist Committee of Mos-
cow to Marshal. Joseph Stalin,
which has been extensively re-
printed in the Soviet press.
Signed by the leading partici-
pants in the plenary session of
the committee, the letter recalls .
the Jews' contributions to the
war effort, mentions the Jewish
commanders cited by the Soviets
for heroism and initiative, and
then quotes the Talmudic legend
that "The Book and the sword
descended from heaVen bound
together," so that when the Jews
received their Law from Sinai,
they found a sword enveloped in
the Book.
By RABBI LEON FRAM
Chairman, Community Relations
Committee of Community Council
Outstanding Achievement
2. IT IS CENTRAL. This.. is indeed the out-
standing achievement of the Jewish Community
Council as a whole, that it represents the organ-
ized Jewish community of Detroit and speaks
and acts for it on the basis of democratically ar-
rived at decisions. It is a heartening fact that in
the field of combatting anti-Semitism there are
few individuals, and no organizations, left who
engage in self-appointed action on these matters
which affect the Jewish community as a whole.
They appeal instead to the central, democratic-
ally established agency which has won their
complete confidence. As Chairman of the Com-
munity Relations Committee, I am happy that
the resources of the Committee—experience, in-
formation, professional skill and, by now, a rec-
ord of achievement—have become so well known.
In the face of numerous dangers and crises, the
Jews of Detroit have maintained discipline and
have acted only through our Committee.
As the authorized agent of the Jewish com-
munity, this Committee in turn cooperates effect-
ively with other communities, with national or-
ganizations,. with governmental agencies, with
the representatives of other minority groups, as
well as with all the constructive and liberal
forces of America, such as the Detroit Round.
Table and -the Committee on Intercultural Edu-
cation, and joins them all in a united effort to
reinforce and advance that democratic way of
life which anti-Semitism and Fascism plot to
destroy.
Vigilantly on the Job
3. IT IS RESPONSIBLE. Since the Committee
came into being through the democratic process,
it has never laid claim- to infallibility and its de-
cisions have always been subject to review by
the community. It reports regularly to the Exe-
cutive Committee of the Council, as well as to
the Assembly of Delegates. It considers itself
responsible to 'every member of the Jewish com-
munity. It invites criticism. It has again and
again reconsidered its policies and changed its
tactics in response to the freely expressed criti-
cisms and the constructive suggestions made by
members of the community at the various As-
semblies and-Institutes of the Jewish Community
Council.
It is impossible to boast of victories in the
awful day-by-day battle and long-range . war
against native Fascism and anti-Semitism. Nev-
ertheless, to the extent that it is possible to
know "what the score is," to ieduce the inci-
dence of prejudice, to allay its impact, 'and even:
to take the initiative against it, the Jewish com-
munity of Detroit has reason to feel that its
Community Relations Committee is vigilantly
and efficiently on the job.
Lord Snell Mourned
By Jewish Agency
BOYS
and GIRLS
About 15 years ago Paul
Lukas, actor - immigrant from
Budapest, couldn't land a job
because his Englit wasn't so
good.
*—
Buy War Bonds!
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With the approach of
your vacation, you
have an opportunity
to earn money for
next year's expenses
Arab Students Observe
Agricultural Techniques
Al Jolson debuts as a film pro-
ducer. First assignment, "Bur-
lesque."
* * *
strated his "deep sense of jus-
tice for, and understanding of
the Jewish cause to which he was
devoted and to which he ad-
hered to the very end."
LONDON (JPS-Palcor) — Sor-
row was expressed by the Jew-
ish - Agency over the death of
Argentina severed diplomatic
Lord Snell, deputy leader of the relations with Germany and Ja-
Labor Party in the House of pan, but the government decrees
that no picture which might of-
fend Adolf or Tojo will be per-
mitted exhibition. A case of be-
ing divorced—but still very good
friends!
The legend indicates, the com-
mittee states, that the Jews were
not only a people of the Book
but a people' of warriors as well...
JERUSALEM (JTA)—A dele-
gation of Syrian students, ac-
companied by their teachers,
visited the JeWish settlements
of Dan to observe the agricul-
tural techniques of the Jewish
colonists. .
In an informal address, one
of the Arab teachers said that
the Syrians - had heard of the
accomplishments . in the Jewish
colonies and felt that there was
much the Arabs -could le a r n
from them. Arabs and Jews, he
stated, can live together peace-
fully and cooperate in their
country's developments as do
people of different races in
Switzerland and America.
Friday, April 28, 1944
THE JEWISH NEWS
?age Sixteen
LORD SNELL
Lords. The Agency's statement
recalls "his courageous_ attitude
in signing a minority report as
a member of the Shaw Commis-
sion which recommended severe
restrictions. of JewiSh effort in
Palestine." His attitude demon-
by taking advantage
of special offers now
being made by the
Circulation Depart-
ment of The Jewish
News.
RA. 7956
FOR INFORMATION
Hadassah to Hear
Dr. H. M. Busch
Tuesday, May 2
commentator arid news analyst
who has predicted a number of
important major moves in world
affairs, including the attack on
Pearl Harbor. He will discuss
the importance of implementing
the Balfour Declaration for the
Dr. Henry M. Busch, professor establishment of the Jewish Ala-
of sociology of Western Reserve tional. Home and abrogating the
University and head of Social White Paper in relation to world
Science Division, Cleveland Col- peace.
He was the Cleveland delegate
to the American Palestine- Con-
ference in Waslaingtoa.. On num-
erous occasions he has occupied
the pulpits of Rabbis A. H. Silver-
and Barnett R. Brickner.
Mrs. Joseph H. Ehrlich will
preside at the meeting. Mrs. To-
bias Garon is chairman of the
hospitality committee in charge
of luncheon arrangements.
Two New ORT Schools
Opened in Switzerland
GENEVA (JTA)-- Two new
ORT schools for the training of
Jewish refugee youths in prepa-
ration for their return to lib-
erated European countries after
the war were opened here at
ceremonies attended by high
DR. HENRY M. BUSCH
government officials and rwre-
lege, will be guest speaker at the sentatives of refugee organiza-
annual luncheon meeting of De- tions. -
troit chapter of Hadassah at
The ORT has 14 workshops in
Congregation S h a a r e y Zedek Basle and Zurich and eight
Tuesday, May 9, at 12:30 p. m. training schools, besides the two
Prof. Busch has achieved ac- established this week, in opera-
claim as a writer, lecturer, radio tion in Switzerland.