Friday, Oc+ober 27, 1944

THE JEWISH NEWS

Biblical Genius Here Nov. 13

Prof. Chaim. Heller Rescued
F
BibleFront
Biblical Critics

Great Thinker and Author Will Address Semi-Annual
Meeting of Yeshivath Beth Yehudah
at the Shaarey Zedek

.

When the world renowned Prof. Chaim Heller comes to
Detroit on Monday, Nov. 13, at the Sharey Zedek, to address
the semi-annual meeting of Yeshivath Beth Yehudah, this
community will have an opportunity to hear the world's out-
standing Biblical and T41mudic scholar.
Rabbis, Gentile scholars, university professors and emi-
nent leaders in the field of

journalism and literature have
acclaimed Prof. Heller as one of
the greatest minds of our genera-
tion.
"Einstein of the Bible"
A professor at a rabbinical
seminary calls him the greatest
Biblical scholar in a thousand
years, a newspaper writer called
him "the Einstein of the Bible"
and Vladimir Jabotinsky had
said that had he lived in the
Middle Ages he would have been
burned as a magician for no one
would have believed so phenom-
enal a mind natural.
When Prof. Heller delivered
his recent lecture in the Pennsyl-
vania Hotel in New York, the
auditorium was packed to over-
flowing as the great rabbi lec-
tured before a blackboard, a
piece of chalk in hand, instruct-
ing the vast and enchanted audi-
ence.
Bible Scholarship
In his early youth Chaim Hel-
ler was already renowned for his
scholarship. At the age of 10 he
was known as the Ilui (genius)
of Warsaw. The greatest Rabbis
of the generation would discuss
Torah with him as if he were
their equal. In addition to his
phenomenal mental powers he
has been blessed with remark=1
able energy. In reply to a ques-
tion in a recent interview, Rabbi
Heller related that he could
study 17 hours a day without any
difficulty. He is now over 60.
A number of his works have
already been published. He has
many important manuscripts
ready for the press, and they are
eagerly awaited by the world of
scholarship. While he has written
several Halachic works, Rabbi
Heller will primarily be remem-
bered by generations to come for
the revolution he has effected in
Bible scholarship.
Ancient Translations
The field of Bible scholarship
is not merely a calm meeting
place of learned opinions. As in
so many contacts of Jew and
Gentile, here too anti-Semitism
plays its part. Beside the Hebrew
text of the T'nach there are sev-
eral copies of ancient translations
of the Bible which have been
preserved by the Christian
Church and other agencies. There
is the Greek translation known
as the Septuagint; the Latin
known as the Vulgate; the Syriac
and so on. When these transla-
tions were compared with our
texts several striking differences
were noted. These scholars
known as Bible critics concluded
that our copies were full of mis-
takes, and that the Hebrew texts
which the ancient translators had
before them were different from
the ones we now have.
With few exceptions none of
the Jewish scholars could refute
these assertions. They knew no
Greek and no Latin; they did not
know any Semitic language other
than Hebrew and Aramaic.
Knows Greek and Latin
Rabbi H e 11 e r, fortunately,
knows Greek and Latin and
Semitic languages. He k n o w s
every important extant text of
the ancient Bible versions,
Greek, Latin, Syriac, Semaritan
or the Arabic translation of
Saadia. He knows all the med-
ieval Jewish commentaries on
the Bible. And has a thorough
command of the Rabbinical liter-
ature.
With irresistible logic he has
shown that the authors of the
ancient translations had before
been the very same text that we
use in our synagogues today. He
finds no challenge too impres-
sive. For 25 years British Bible
scholars labored to produce a
concordance to the Septuagint.
Reb Chaim Heller has been able
to show that the results have
been completely worthless. As an

indication of the colossal nature
of his work in the field of T'nach,
it might be told that he has ready
for publication a T'nach with
cross-references. There are 17,000
footnotes.
Remarkable Work
By his remarkable work in this
field, Rabbi Heller has rescued
our T'nach from the degradation
the scholars heaped on it.
The late Dr. Simon Bernfeld
openly acknowledged that had he
met Rabbi Heller before, he
would never have written his
"Introduction to the Holy Scrip-
tures." When he had finished a
series of discussions with the
Rabbi, Dr. Bernfeld bitterly re-
gretted that he was by- then old
and blind. Otherwise he would
have tried to undo the harm he
had done.
Dr. Heller is an exceedingly
friendly and unassuming person.
He does not autograph pictures.
In fact, it is doubtful whether he
has ever allowed himself to be
photographed other than for im-
migration purposes. Whenever he
proves the absurdity of the Bible
critics' conjectures, his eyes just
twinkle with a slight amusement
and he smiles. He does not try to
impress you with the greatness
of his achievement.

Hebrew Classes Start
At Simons School
For Boys, Girls 15-17

Classes have been organized at
the David W. Simons School for
boys and girls between the ages
of 15 and 17. One class, corn-
posed of the members of Habo-
nim, meets twice a week—Thurs-
days 8 to 9 p. in. and Sundays
1 to 2 p. m.
An additional class of members
of Hashomer Hatzoir meets every
Tuesday, 8 to 9.
These boys and girls who are
active in various Zionist move-
ments in the city study the He-
brew language and Jewish his-
tory.
Joseph Haggai, instructor of
the high school class at the David
W. Simons School, is in charge.
For additional information call
HO. 5711. Office hours are 10 to
1 and 3 to 8.

NATIONAL WAR FUND

•

FOR OUR OWN - FOR OUR ALLIES

On the road to liberation at
last after more than four years
of German occupation and ter-
rorism, Holland is making a
brave effort to rehabilitate her
despoiled domain — an effort
comparable to her valiant resist-
ance to the Nazi oppressor.
But four years of Axis sub-
jugation have left the brave
little kingdom bereft of re-
sources, looted of crops, much of
the population half starved and
in ill health.
In such a plight, Holland must
depend upon outside assistance
for immediate, vital needs —
food, clothing, medical supplies.
This help, the Queen Wilhel-
mina Fund, a member agency of
the Community War Chest, is
endeavoring to provide.
A gift to the chest will aid
in making possible relief for the
dauntless Dutch. "They'll Never
Forget That You Remembered."
Give as generously as you can to
the War Chest, 51 W. Warren
Ave.

Page Twenty-Three

Congregational Activities

Dr. Glazer to Give
Sermon on Issues
In Coming Election

Dr. B. Benedict Glazer will dis-
cuss the election issues in his
sermon at Temple Beth El this
Friday evening.
The topic of his address at' the
Sabbath Eve service will he:
"Politics and Morals: Some Non-
Partisan Thoughts on the Coming
Election."
A social hour under the super-
vision of the Temple Beth El Sis-
terhood follows the service.
The public is invited.

Auxiliaries Plan
Varied Programs
At Bnai David

The auxiliaries of Congrega-
tion Bnai Moshe announce a cal-
endar embracing social, cultural
and patriotic affairs. •
The Sisterhood will give a des-
sert luncheon next Monday, at
1 p. m., with Mrs. Dorine M.
Gentile as guest speaker on
the subject "Dem,cracy's Unfin-
ished Business." Mrs. Olga
Israel is chairman of the day.
Wives of congregation members
are invited by the president, Mrs.
I. E. Goodman.
The Men's Club will hold an
open meeting next Tuesday, at
8 p. m. Members are requested
by the president, Louis Kepes„ to
attend and to bring friends. Re-
freshments will be served.
The dinner sponsored by the
Men's Club will be held Sun-
day, Nov. 5, at 6 p. m. in the
social hall of the Synagogue.
The arrangements committee is
headed by Sam Freedman, chair-
man, and Carl Rozner, co-chair-
man. Committee members are
Harry Dubbs, Robert Schwartz,
William Karbal, Edmund and
Ernest Labe, Harold Haas, Milton'
Eisler, Saul Kling, Morton Katz,1
William New, E. • Ehrenwald, A.
Kinkelstein and Joseph Rittman.
The Sisterhood, Men's Club
and congregation 'membership
will hear Ann Birk Kuper dis-
cuss, "Tomorrow the World," on
Thursday, Nov. 16.
The Ida Hibbard Fund will re-
ceive the proceeds of a card party
sponsored by the Sisterhood,
Dec. 6. Mrs. Fay Freeman_ is
chairman.
The mortgage burning celebra-
tion will be held the first evening
of Hanukah, Sunday, Dec. 10.
Committees are at work under
the direction of Mrs. Harry RoS-
man, chairman, and Mrs. Adolph
Deutsch, co-chairman. Attend-
ance is planned by Mrs. Louis
Kepes and Mrs. Alex Fisch,
ticket chairmen.

Sisterhood to Resume
'Brunch—Reviews' at
Shaarey Zedek, Nov. 21

The popular series of brunch
book reviews launched last year
by Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood will
be resumed on Nov. 21 for the
1944-1945 season, with Mrs. M. H.
Zackheim as chairman and Miss
Hattie Gittleman as co-chairman.
Current books will be review.7
ed each month, from November
through March. Each review will
be preceded by brunch at 12:30,
in the social hall.
Assisting Mrs. Zackheim are
Mesdames M. S. Dann, M. R.
Saulson, A. B. Stralser, Charles
A. Smith and Louis Tobin.
The book review program com-
mittee, headed by Miss Gittle-
man, consists of Mesdames H. C.
Broder, Lawrence Crohn, Ralph
Davidson, Joseph Fenton and
Hel bert Warner.
The initial event will take
place Tuesday, Nov. 21. The cost
of the entire series of five
brunches and book reviews is
$2.50; single tickets 75 cents. As
attEndance will be limited, early
subscriptions are advised. Reser-
vations and tickets are in charge
of Mrs. M. S. Dann, 3030 Calvert,
TO. 7-0417.

Record Enrollment
At Shaarey Zedek

The religious school of Shaarey
Zedek reports a record enroll-
ment of approximately 1,200
pupils. Enrollments in the Sun-
day classes are clOsed, and there
are 200 applications for enroll-
ment next year.
Classes are still open in the
daily Hebrew sessions, according
to MiA Zelda Rosenthal, director
of the Sunday and H e b r e w
school. About 200 are enrolled in
the mid-week Hebrew school
which meets on Monday, Wed-
nesday and Thursday afternoons.
Bar Mitzvah classes are held on
Tuesday afternoons. He b r e w
classes are now available for stu-
dents attending the 8th, 9th and
10th grades.

Palestine at Peace
Table, Rabbi Pram's
Sermon on Nov. .3

Temple Israel Congregation
to Hear Report on U. S.
Zionist Parley

Having just returned from the
convention of the Zionist Organi-
zation of America at Atlantic
City, in whose deliberations he
took an active part,. Rabbi Leon
Fram will lecture at the Sabbath
eve services of Temple Israel Fri-
day night, Nov. 3, at 8:30, in the
Lecture Hall of the Detroit Insti-
tute of Arts, on the subject "Pal-
estine at the Peace Table."

Rabbi Fram will evaluate the
promises on Palestine made by
both presidential candidates and
by both political party platforms,
Protocols of Zion Branded
and will present his estimate of
Forgery at Sedition Trial
WASHINGTON, (JTA) — The the leadership of American Jewry
"Protocols of Zion" were drag- in seeking to realize Jewish goals
ged into the sedition trial here in Palestine.
by the defendants and were
Rabbi Fram was elected a
promptly thrown out. When de- member of the National. Admin-
fense attorney Albert Dilling, istrative Council of the ZOA.
husband of Elizabeth Dilling, a
Services of Temple Israel are
violent anti-Semite, offered them followed by a social hour under
as evidence, Justice Eicher re- auspice-s of the Sisterhood in the
fused to consider them, declaring Romanesque Hall of the Institute
that they were a forgery.
of Arts.
This Friday night, Rabbi Fram
will memorialize Al Smith and
Wendell Willkie.

Buy War Bonds!

Reelect

Harry F. Kelly

Governor of Michigan

A Record of Accomplishments
That Is Nationally Acclaimed

*

Returning Veterans' Program

*

Youth Guidance Program

*

Post War Planning

* Adult Education, Hospitalization and
Old Age Assistance Program

*

His Record of a Liberal, Businesslike
Administration

Michigan Needs Harry F. Kelly
For NOW and for POST-WAR

VOTE to REELECT

HARRY F. KELLY

Republican Candidate for Governor

Be Sure fo Vote Nov. 7 — Be Sure to Vote Republican!

