Page Four

As the Editor
Views the News - -
The- Hospital—A Reality

Friday, February 16, 1945

THE JEWISH NEWS

On the Brink of Disaster

Children's Corner I

Dear Boys and Girls:
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, we will - all celebrate the
joyous Purim holiday.
It is now a foregone conclusion that the
As we prepare for the jolly festival, your
funds necessary for the erection of a Jewish
school or club may want an additional play for
hospital in Detroit will be available and that
presentation at parties and assemblies.
the much-needed health structure will be
A number of years ago I wrote a play which
has been presented in many schools throughout
erected as soon as post-war conditions will
the country and Canada. I am reprinting it in
permit.
this column in the event any of you may want
The enthusiasm generated by the leaders
to use it. I would be interested in learning
in the hospital movement serves as a guaran-
whether you are producing it.
I wish you all a pleasant Sabbath.
tee that the $2,000,000 hospital fund will be
UNCLE DANIEL.
oversubscribed.
*
*
The educational campaign for the hos-
A PURIM PLAY
pital, conducted prior to the actual fund-
In 10 Scenes, for 8 Characters and a Bevy of Girls
raising activities now in progress, has proven
SCENE I
that the aspirations of four decades have not
Mordecai, sitting on the lawn facing the king's
been entertained by our community in vain.
palace, hears two soldiers plotting to kill Ring
Ahasuerus.
Detroit is the only city in the land among
First Soldier—When should we kill the king?
communities of 10; 000 Jews or more that is
Second Soldier—Tonight.
without a Jewish hospital. This lack of hos-
First Soldier—Okeh.
pital needs is now certain to be corrected
Soldiers leave and Mordecai says to himself:
"I'll fool you. You can't kill my king so easily."
and Detroit Jewry's hope will be translated.
SCENE II
into a reality.
King Ahasuerus sits in royal attire on his
The leaders in the hospital movement
throne eating an apple. A secretary rushes in
have earned the community's commenda-
and says:
tions, and those who have for 40 years advo-
"Oh, King, that Jew Mordecai just discovered
a plot that two of your soldiers want to kill you.
cated the construction of a Jewish hospital
What should we do?"
may well feel that their efforts have not
Ahasuerus—Hang the two soldiers and mark
been in vain.
down Mordecai's name. Maybe I can do him a
favor some day.
Secretary—All right, big boy.
SCENE III
Mordecai is again seated on the lawn in front
Detroit's Jewish community has sustained
of the place. There are other people. Haman
a serious loss in the death of Hyman Altman,
passes by and all rise and bow down to him.
Das Schwarze Korps, official publication of Heinrich But
whose radio broadcasting during the past
Mordecai doesn't pay any attention. He just
Himmler's
Nazi
S.
S.,
the
Elite
Guard,
declares
in
its
current
sits
there quietly reading a copy of The Detroit
16 years I; as become an important factor in
Jewish
News: Haman stops when he notices
issue
that
"there
are
no
innocents
in
Germany,"
and
chides
community building.
Mordecai pays no attention to him.
Mr. Altman was a tireless worker for Germans who profess to be "war innocent" and anti-Nazi in that
Haman—Say, Jew-boy, why don't you take
Jewish causes and was always in the front order to escape Allied punishment, according to a release your hat off for me? Don't you know I am
ranks of those who aided important philan- from the Office of War Information in Washington. This Haman, the king's big shot?
Mordecai—Oh, yeah!
thropic causes. His radio hours were always article continued to state:
Haman—I'll fix you.
devoted to the propagation of Jewish needs.
"We haven't met any Germans who, for political consid-
SCENE IV
Relief and educational causes and efforts for erations refused marriage, children, family subsidies, pref-
Haman's home. His wife is playing jacks.
Palestine's redemption were always able to erential taxation or paid-holidays because these things orig- Haman walks in full of anger.
Zeresh (Haman's wife)—What's wrong, my
count upon his support.
inated with National Socialism. They thrived on the eco-
roll?
He was a good man and a good Jew.
nomic upswing under National Socialism. They had no tootsie
mad. Mordecai refused to take
He was a good American who had made scruples against the Aryanization of Jewish enterprises and his Haman—I'm
hat off for me!
splendid contributions to the war effort by they shared in the general economic boom."
Zeresh—Why don't you hang him?
Haman—That's a good idea. I'll go ask my
his appeals for the war bond drives, the Red
The
Germans
should
be
taken
at
their
word
and
the
kingy right away quick. (Runs off ''to see the
Cross, the- War Chest, and other sacred United Nations should be cautious in placing trust in so-called king).
causes.
SCENE V
German anti-Nazi committees. Thus far, there have been no
His memory is blessed by the services he innocents in Germany.
Ahasuerus is sad. His secretary is worried:
has rendered to his people, to his community,
Secretary—What's wrong?
Ahasuerus—I must have a good-looking wife.
to his country.
Secretary—Shall I call all the girls together
so you can have your choice?
Ahasuerus—Sure; do that!
The most tragic story of the entire war relates to the tens
Secretary (to all the soldiers)—Come on, boys,
of thousands of Jewish children who, deprived of their par- get
girls together. The king wants to give
"The outlawing by the United Nations ents by Nazi deportations and murders, found themselves them the
the once-over.
of public or organized incitement against re- at the mercy of a war-torn world. •
(Girls start rushing in. Secretary arranges
and has them parade before the king.
ligious, ethnic and racial groups" was recom-
Jews in democratic countries were encouraged by news them
mended by the American Jewish Committee's that Christians had tared for many of them, that Catholij Ahasuerus looks them. all over and suddenly he
notices Esther. He takes her by the hand, sits
executive committee, at its annual meeting churches sheltered them.
her down on a chair next to him.)
in New York last week.
Ahasuerus—Go on, all of you girls. Go home
But the latest news to come from Europe is far from
It is a significant proposal and it was un- heartening.
and tell your mothers the king can't love all of
•
4
you.
(Turns to Esther.) What do you say, you
doubtedly one of the highlights of a meeting
A Jewish Telegraphic Agency report from Lublin states be my queen?
the recommendations of which represent the
Esther—Can I spend all your money and play
sum total of American-Jewish community in- that the Central Jewish Committee, which sent representa- with your crown?
tives
to
various
parts
of
newly-liberated
Polish
territory
to
terests.
Ahasuerus—Sure.
SCENE VI
There is good reason for believing that register the surviving Jews and to provide immediate relief
for
them,
had
found
that
some
of
the
Jewish
children
in
the
Ahasuerus (lying down)—I just can't sleep.
the outlawing of bigotry on a world-wide
the matter with me? Hey, secretary, read
basis is the most feasible of all plans to fight Warsaw ghetto who were given shelter by Christians refuse What's
me a story.
to
return
to
their
parents
because
they
are
Jews.
The
re-
anti-Semitism. Bigotry in the U. S. would
Secretary (reads)--LOnce upon a time two sol-
not have spread as rapidly as it had in the port states that these children do not recognize their parents diers wanted to kill the king. Mordecai heard
about it and told the king's secretary. So the
past 15 years if not for the rise of Hitler- since they have not seen them for several years.
This is a tragedy indeed, and if it is true that a similar soldiers were hung. But Mordecai never received
ism and the dissemination of Nazi propa-
situation exists in France, then we have another serious prob- a :prize.
ganda in this country.
Ahasuerus (jumps up)—Didn't I give • him a
:.
lem to cope with. •
The outlawing of such practices by big
prize?
Secretary—No.
oted propaganda machines may be the most
Haman (comes in and speaks to himself)—
effective way of curbing prejudice...
Now I'll ask the king to hang Mordecai.
It will be extremely interesting to hear
Ahasuerus—Hey, Haman. take Mordecai out
the reactions of the United Nations to such a
Undersecretary of State Joseph C. Grew has made a for a good time and give him a ride on my best
proposal. It may prove a barometer of world statement which appears to remove the fears expressed some horse and let him have all he wants from my
and jewelry.
opinion on the issue of racial and religious time ago that the United Nations' War Crimes Commission storerooms
Haman (jumps in surprise and says)—I'm
prejudice after the war.
will be hesitant in punishing war criminals, especially those fooled. (Bows and walks out).
SCENE VII
responsible for anti-Semitism within Germany.
Haman is leading Mordecai on a horse (Get a
The former U. S. representative on the commission, wooden horse or something imaginary.) Mordecai
Herbert Clairborne Pell, has issued an encouraging statement is all dressed up and Haman is yelling- at the
Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent
Jewish Press Service. Seven Arts Feature Syndicate,
approving Mr. Grew's declaration, and there is justified rea- top of his voice: "Mordecai saved the king's life.
Religious News Service. Palcor News Agency, Bressler
Cartoon Service. Wide World Photo Service, Acme
son for believing that his condemnation of the commission's The king likes him so everybody bow down to
bows down.)
Newsphoto Service.
complacency as well as the protests that came from the him." (Everybody SCENE
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
VIII
papers and Michigan Press Association.
American Jewish Conference and other important organ-
Ahasuerus (on his throne eating an apple)—.h.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
love apples.
ing Co., 2114 Penobs-Cot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich. Telephone
izations forced the issue.
RAndolph 7956. Subscription rate, $3 a year: foreign,
Haman—Say, King, be a good scout. Let me
4 a year. Club subscription of one issue a month.
There must be no appeasement of the Nazis, and the kill
all the Jews just because I hate Mordecai.
published every fourth Friday in the month, to all
United
Nations'
leaders
should
take
to
heart
the
warning
of
Ahasuerus—Sure, go ahead. What do I care
subscribers to Allied Jewish Campaign of the Jewish
Welfare Federation of 'Detroit; at 40 cents a club sub-
.Mr. Pell that the German crimes are "crimes against hu- as long as I have my apple.
scription per year.
Haman—Thanks, kingy, old boy.
Entered as second-class matter August 6, 1942. at the
manity."
SCENE IX
Post Office at Detroit. Michigan, under the Act of
Mr. Pell stated that "the first thing that made the• outside
March 3, 1879. •
• Mordecai (Sitting on the ground and crying)—
world
realize
that
Hitler
and
Mussolini
were
not
merely
Oh, God, help, us. Haman wants to kill us.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
MAURICE ARONSSON
Esther (happens to walk by)—What's the mat-
comic relief on the world stage was the brutality of Hitler's
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
FRED M.-BUTZEL
uncle?
ter,
anti-Semitic
campaign.
I
am
not
asking
for
revenge.
I
am
ABRAHAM
SRERE
THEODORE LEVIN
Mordecai—Haman is going to kill us.
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
asking for justice."
Esther—He
is not. I'll talk to my. dumb hus-
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, -Editor
It is regretable that such sentiments were not uttered band.
A. R. BRASCH, Advertising Counsel.
_ SCENE X
before Nazism became too threatening. Had the world
FEBRUARY 16, 1945
VOL; 6—NO. 22
Ahasuerus (just about to finish eating an apple)
realized the menace that came from anti-Semitism in Ger- —What
-
are you crying about, Esther?
The Week's Scriptural Selections
many, the war and its aftermath could have been averted.
Esther—You- brute. You want to kill' me.
Ahasuerus—I should say not. Who told you
This Sabbath, the fourth day of Adar, 5705, But the world unfortunately waited for worse tragedies to
that?
compel
a
war
upon
Nazism.
•
the following Scriptural selections will be read
Esther—My uncle Mordecai. He said you gave
Now, it is a matter of assuring justice. The eradication Haman permission to kill all the Jews and my
in our synagogues:
of Nazism is not, as Mr. Pell declares, a question of revenge. uncle and cousins and me.
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 25:1-27:19.

The Late Hyman Altman

Take The Germans at Their Word

The Tragedy of the Children

World Ban on Bias

Punishing the War Criminals

THE JEWISH NEWS

•

Prophetical portion—I Kings 5:26-6:13.

(Continued on Page 5)

It is a matter of assuring justice and•decency for the world.

5-

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