JEWI .
FA:ley, Weft 16, 194
'4.erasradIsar
and are not shaped by hypothet-
ical blueprints. To make pro-
gress it is important to recog-
nize and accept people and
movements as they are and to
work with them for the fulfill-
ment of common goals."
Eight-Hour Series of Discussions on 'Is Democracy Possible
Terms of Authority
in Jewish Community Life?' Stirs Interest and
Dr. Eisenstein began by as-,
serting that the answer to
Debate at Center; Local Leaders Speak
t h e major theme whether
An eight-hour series of discussions on the question "Is
democracy is possible in Jewish
Democracy Possible In Jewish Community Life?" was cli- life is "Yes." He declared that
maxed by an interesting presentation of two divergent views democracy is something new and
by national leaders whose addresses stirred interest and that it is constantly being resist-
debate at the annual Institute of the Jewish Community ed by traditionally-minded peo-
ple who think in terms of auth-
Council last Sunday, at the Jewish Center.
ority. He declared to those who
Harry L. Lurie, executive dir--;)
resisted democracy that Judaism
ector of the Council of Jewish of a central government is be- requires adjustment and that
Federations and Welfare Funds, cause little need has been felt Jewish life has to be reconstruct-
and Dr. Ira Eisenstein, leader in for this kind of organization and
ed.
the Reconstructionist movement, there has been little desire for
His references to "authority"
addressed the dinner meeting it."
drew criticism from Rabbi M. J.
which followed an entire after-
Rise of Various Movements
Wohlgelernter during the ques-
noon of discussions led by local
Describing the rise of various tion period.
leaders.
movements in Jewish life, Mr.
Pointing to the early Jewish
Voluntary Activities
Lurie outlined the background of historical experiences when Jews
Mr. Lurie's view, summarized Federations and stated: "Fed- in this country were 'divided on
in a concluding question address- erations were organized as as- the basis of their countries of
ed to him, was that democratic sociations of contributors and origin, Dr. Eisenstein stated that
principles are being pursued there was no compulsion for an the existence of the Detroit Com-
through voluntary activities; that organization to participate in the munity Council, enables all
there is no central authoritative Federation or for individuals to groups to meet for a discussion
form of organization but that contribute to it unless they were of their views.
there is a strong voluntary form satisfied with its purposes and
Inherited Differences
of organizational sense of be- with its methods of administra-
"Differences," he stated, "a-re
longing. tion.
inherited differences, and there
Dr. Eisenstein, on the other
"As more and more elements
hand, declared that "as Jews of the community were drawn is developing an American type
and as Americans our life would into the task of raising funds for of Jewish life in which differ-
be dead end if we did not believe local welfare activities, it was ences will disappear. The period
of chaos and anarchy in Jewish
in democracy," and he stressed natural for Federations to be-
the view that the real problem come more widely representa- life was a passing phase. and not
the norm. We must have a recon-
is: "Are we going to develop a tive." .
structed Kehillah on democratic
faith and an inspiration, are we
Speaking of the -democracy of principles."
going to make it a goal to match the large and small contributor
Referring to the Federations
the democracy in American life: who are associated in Federa
to develop a zeal for cooperation, tions and welfare, • funds, M. and their community activities,
Dr. Eisenstein stated that "Fed-
retaining the right to differ, just Lurie said:
erations and movements where
as we accomplished it in. Pales-
"Since giving is voluntary, the you have a lack of democracy
tine through Zionism."
organization and administration are the very ones wo represent.
Method of Cooperation
of a Federation must continually centralized control of a small
Mr. Lurie contended that his keep •in mind the :views and the group."
program is not contrary to demo- objectives of all the contributors ,
Pleading for a maximum of co-
cratic ideals and that the volunt- from whom they wish to derive operation, Dr. Eisenstein asked
ar-y method of cooperation serves support. It' is impractical and "how are we going to get Jews
to retain all elements within the costly to alienate the small and to abide by the majority?" and
activities of Jewish community medium size givers. It is even stated that "the only thing about
structures.
more expensive to conduc,t the which we must be eareful is the
'Our varied Jewish activities affairs of an agency without sec- abuse of power.
and group associations," Mr. uring the cooperation of persons
Make Life Interesting
Lurie said, "are no less demo- able to contribute large amounts.
The Jewish community, Dr.
cratie' today than before, but for Unless there is a flexible give
the first time we are becoming and take process, no formal Eeisenstein said, "will have to
acutely concerned with the total method of voting can achieve a concern itself not with - anti-
Jewish community organization successful welfare fund or a Semtism and with negative val-
and therefore with centralized successfully conducted service ues, but with the positive values
which _make Jewish life interest-
control which is an essential agency."
ing for our people. The Jewish
Controversial Issues
aspect of total:Jewish community
Alluding to difficulties in at- community will have to deal
Organization."
Asserting that American Jews taining unity based on - controv- with the wholesome and beauti-
have exercised the democratic ersial issues, Mr. Lurie said that.
right of belonging or not belong- "the - Federation and welfare
ing, Mr. Lurie maintained that fund which deal with somewhat
"what we are concerned with in less controversial issues have
the Jewish community with thus far been able to make the
its multiple -groups and associa- necessary compromises with pres-
tions is not democracy but cen- sure groups . that make up the
tral Jewish organization, its dif- constituency." He expressed the
belief that the next decade is
ficulties and problems."
likely to see the easing rather
Numerous Difficulties
Pointing to numerous diffi- than the heightening_ of tensions
culties that arise, involving the which stimulate Jewish com-
right of secession and the diffi- munal activities. He declared
culty of enforcing majority rule, - further:
"I would appeal to Community
he added that "what we are able
to do together we have done and Councils, to Federations and to
are doing together and I, for one, all other forms of Jewish co-
believe that we are steadily operative action that they con-
making progress in this direc- duct their affairs in such a way
tion."
that the compliance and accept-
Mr. Lurie's view was that the ance of their purpose by all men
"reason there has been no central of good will is inevitable. Forms
Jewish community organization of social organization grow out
locally or nationally in the sense of the experience of daily living
Dr. Eisenstein, Lurie Give
Divergent Views at Institute
.
Boys,
Eton Suits
The Baths of
Arethusa Hotel
Page Thirtean
H NEWS
ful things in Jewish life. Is dem-
ocracy possible in Jewish life?
Yes, if you will it."
An important report dealing
with self-discipline and internal
relations was submitted at the
dinner meeting of the Council,
prior to the two addresses by the
guest speakers, by Dr. B. Bene-
dict Glazer, chairman of the in-
ternal relations committee.
James I. Ellmann, who also
addressed the opening session of
the Institute, presided at the
evening session..
Isaac Franck, Council director,
delivered a brief address at the
dinner, describing "democracy
as the inner will of the people
desiring to live as a people," and
appealing to organizations to
take a deep inteerst in the forth-
coming Council elections.
Friedman -Opens Institute
Judge, William Friedman open-
ed the Institute. Speakers at
Town Hall discussions included
Rabbi Wohlgelernter, Mrs. L. H.
Wiener, Dr. Alexander W. .Sand-
ers, Dr. _S. Kleinman, Fred M.
Butzel, Charles Driker and Law-
rence W. Crohn. Dr. Leo M.
Franklin's paper was read by
Julian H. Krolik, one of the mod-
erators, in Rabbi Franklin's ab-
sence. The other moderator was
David J. Cohen.
Much of the discussion was in
Yiddish, indicating a large rep-
resentation of landsmanshaft rep-
resentation.
The Other Addresses
In his keynote address, Mr.
Ellmann stated that the Council
comes as close to being . a fully
democratic body as circumstances
permit and that it has always
stood for the fullest possible
program in Jewish life;
Dr.. Kleinman advocated • the
establishment of a Bureau of
Jewish Education to supervise
eduCational activities.
Dr. Sanders concurred in this,
and criticized the- existing dupli-
cation and confusion. in educa-
tional agencies:.
Mrs. Weiner urged that "our,
congregations should be trained
match or contrast. ki sizes
2 to 8.
They Are Now Accepting
White Eton Shirts
Reservations for
The Passover Holidays
Eton Caps
infants' and.
Childrens' Wear
... $1,49
$1.75
Pisgah Lodge of Bnai. Brith
will hold its fathers and sons get
together on Monday evening, at
the Jewish Community Center.
Festivities Will begin at 7:30.
The proograrrrl of entertainment
will include a marionette show,
a magician's act, • movie -comedy
cartoons and other.. short features.
Refreshments will be served.
All arrangements for the
Father and ,Son. Day celebration
have been made •by the enter-
tainment committee headed by
Max Blumenthal and Sarni Maza.
Greenberg's Jewelry
QUALITY DIAMONDS - FINE WATCHES
See Especially Our Collection of New
COCKTAIL RINGS AND WATCHES
WEDDING BANDS AND EARRINGS
INTERNATIONAL STERLING SILVERWARE
A Great Line of Gifts for Every Gift OccitSion
8931 TWELFTH ST.
Register Nowt
Camp Nahelu's
15th Summer Season
Advance -reservations are now being accepted
. . . already a large number of the available
accommodation; have been filled. We suggest
you register your children now for the Camp
that's renowned for the highest star -lards of
health and camping activities.
,
• Physician and two Regis-
tered Nurses.
• Expert leadership by ex-
perienced counselors,.
Jackets in Tweeds, Checks
or stripes with Shorts to
Wishes To Announce
Pisgah Father-Son
Affair on Monday
Passover Parade of Values at-
$7 95 to $1150
Mt. Clemens, Michigan
to live democratically:" Sh4
favored assisting organizations in
improving their cultural pro-
grams.
Rabbi Wohlgelernter attributed
the undemocratic character o4
Jewish religious life in America
to the absence of- proper Jewish
education.
Dr. Franklin's paper- deplored
the use by powerful groups com-
manding numerical majority of
powers to suppress the opinions
and wishes of less powerful min.!
orities.
Mr. Crohn charged that Jewish
philanthropy, frequently the low-
est common denominator of par-
ticipation in Jewish life, is con-
trolled by individuals who have
little or no interest in positive
Jewish . values, . and urged sup-
port for Jewish movements
which make for group survival.
More representation was asked
for Yiddish-speaking groups by
Mr. Driker.
. Mr. Butzel maintained that
philanthropic agencies have
steadily been changing their
boards and maintained that in-
experienced lay- people should
not interfere in specialized tasks
He
with professidnal experts.
stated that the masses are. repre-
sented in community life to the
extent that it is possible to .know
who their representatives are.
PhOne
or Write—
Detroit Office—
CAMP NAHELU
13641 Dexter
HOgarth 2031
Detroit 6, Michigan
3 CAMPS IN ONE
Boys' Unit-6 to 16
Girls' Unit-6 to 16
Little Nahelu
Pre-School Age
3 to 6.
Traditional Seder Services Will Be
Conducted By a Well-Known Rabbi
DIETARY LAWS OBSERVED
Phone Mt. Clemens 6812
M. and J.
.011•11".1111 ■ 7111
1,
- Feldman, Proprietors
on Perr‘i Latte
Ortonviiie ,riic
1800 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL