Page Four

Friday, October 31, 1947

THE JEWISH NEWS

As the Editor
Views the News...

The Right to Build and Protect

The Balfour Anniversary

This Sunday, Nov. 2, will mark the 30th
anniversary of the issuance of the Balfour
Declaration, pledging Great Britain's support
for the establishment of the Jewish National
Home in Palestine.
While the pledge has been whittled down
and we have had to fight against great odds
• for the implementation of the idea aimed at
ending the tragedy of Jewish homelessness,
world? Jewry has succeeded in creating a
great center in Eretz Israel.
Palestine already is an embryo Jewish
state. The nearly 700,000 Jews now residing
in Palestine have established factories, have
developed 'industries and have made real the
hope for a return of Jews to the soil.
In spite of great difficulties, the Balfour
Declaration's basic principles have become
real—thanks to the indomitable will of the
Jewish people.
Now, we are nearing the realization of the
hope of revived Jewish statehood.
The anniversary of the issuance of the
Balfour Declaration is being celebrated not
only as a reminder to world Jewry that such
a pledge is a matter of record, but also be-
cause it is necessary constantly to remind the
nations of the world of its existence.
The Zionist Organization of Detroit an-
nually observes the Balfour Day with a joy-
ous event—with a ball.
On Sunday, the League f6r Religious Labor
in Palestine will celebrate the day with a
public rally at which the noted Palestine
leader Dr. Oscar. Walbsberg, and an eminent
journalist—George L. Cassidy of the New
York Post—will be the guest speakers. Those
who have followed world events durina the.
past few years will recall with gratitude the
courageous reports Mr. Cassidy sent to his
newspaper from Palestine. His exposes of
British acts, his revelations of the actual con-
ditions under which Jews struggle for the
establishment of the Homeland, his sympa-
thetic attitude to Zionism,. have earned for
him the esteem of our people. He deserves
an overflow audience which should be on
hand to acclaim him for his sense of justice
and at the same time reaffirm the will of the
People Israel to redeem the Land of Israel.

-7n
111 1 11 1

C AMISH 'TELEGRAPHIC, AGENCY

Dr. Weizmann—Prophet in Israel

,

A Well Earned Honor

Truman's Brotherhood Call

THE JEWISH . NEWS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maurice Aronsson
Philip Slomovitz
Fred M. Butzel
Isidore Sobeloff
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
Maurice II. Schwartz Henry Wineman

Purmir

VOL. XII—NO. 7

SLOMOVITZ. Editor

OCTOBER 31, 1947

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 17th day of Heshvan,. 5708, the
following scriptural selections will be read in our
synagogues:
Penetateuchal section—Gen. 18:1-22:24.
Prophetical section—II Kings 4:1-37.

Salman Schocken Is 70
And Looks into Future

. By GERHARDT NEUMANN

Dr. Chaim Weizmann, whom we do not hesitate to call
the most brilliant Jewish leader since Theodor Herzl, has
emerged as a Prophet in Israel.
During the past two weeks, he delivered two great ad-
dresses: one before the UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Pales-
tine problem; and another, unrelated to Palestine or Zionism,
on the subject "Judaism's Spiritual Contribution to the
Strength of Man" at the New York Herald Tribune's Annual
Forum.
In the first he sounded a stirring appeal for the establish-
rnent of the Jewish State in Palestine.
In the second, he described Judaism's contribution to
the world as "monotheism, the supreme importance of per-
fectibility in this sad, sublunar world, refusal to be bullied
by superior force, the right to persist as a minority."
His great scholarship is reflected in the masterful evalua-
tion of Jewish ethical idealism in the Herald Tribune Forum
address. While Dr. Weizmann, ,refraine.d, -from mentioning
Jewish national aspirations and stuck to the subject of re--
Plans now being formulated by. the Detroit viewing basic spiritual values, 444faslicl.; Tribune Forum
Friends of the Medical School -CarnPai-an: of speech - his splendid resume of Judaism's idealism should go
a long way in spirting on the conscience of mandkind toward
the HebreW University and Ha -daSsah'
honor Mrs. Joseph H. Ehrlich at a dinner,ori :striviiig for the fulfillment of Prophecy that Zion shall be
Nov. 24, at Hotel Statler, should meet with redeemed _ with justice for Israel.
community-wide acclaim.
-
It is a great privilege for us to publish in this issue ex-
Mrs. Ehrlich's great contributions to all cerpts from his address before the UN and the text of his
important Jewish causes have earned for her Herald Tribune Forum address. Both are a source of inspira-
the esteem of all:Detroit Jewry. -
tion. Both give courage to our people to carry on the battle
A founder of Detroit Haclassah, Mrs. Ehr- for survival in a tragic period in our history. Both serve to
lich has been in the forefront of Zionist activi- inspire renewed hope that this great leader will be blessed
ties for a quarter of a century. She has been,/ with the title of First President of the Jewish Republic in
the mainstay in educational activities, has Palestine. All Israel will profit by such a blessing.
been an important factor in spurring relief
drives to success and her interest in the Jew-
ish Welfare Federation has been rewarded
by her being chosen president of the Feder-
In a statement accepting the honorary chairmanship of
ation's Women's Division.
Thus, a dinner in her honor should bring American Brotherhood Week for 1948, to be observed Feb.
forth an attendance representative of all ele- 22 to 29, President Truman emphasized the need for national
unity among all creeds and nationality groups and declared
ments in the community.
that `,`the family of nations must practice brotherhood now if
The importance of the dinner planned in
her honor is that its proceeds will serve to it is to have peace in the future." His entire statement is an
help the important effort of establishing the impressive appeal for inter-faith cooperation. It reads:
"As never before the world needs brotherhood. The family
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School
of nations must practice brotherhood now if it is to have peace
in Jerusalem. Mrs. Ehrlich thus far has
in the future. Pacts and treaties must be firmly grounded in the
worked single-handedly to secure support for
willingness of nations to grant to other nations every right and
this school from Detroiters. The dinner in her
dignity they claim for themselves—which is the essence of
brotherhood. The attainment of peace is thus an achievement of
honor undoubtedly will stimulate enrollment
-
the human spirit.
of city-wide cooperation in this great project.

Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency,. In -dependent Jewish
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate. - Religious
News .Service, Palcor Agency, King Features, Central
Press Association. . .
Member American Aisociation of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan .Press. Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26. Mich., RA. 7956.
Subscription, $3 a. year; foreign, $4. Club subscription,
every fourth Friday of the month, to all subscribers to
Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare Federation of
Detroit. 40 cents pei year.
Entered as second-class matter Aug.- 6, 1942,- at Post Of-
fice. Detroit, Mich.. under Act of March 3, 1879.

Friend of Jewish Culture

"Similarly, national unity and strength depend upon the
willingness of men of all creeds, races, and national origins in
America to respect one another's rights and to cooperate as
citizens in all areas of common conviction, concern, and responsi-
bility. Mutual understanding and impartial justice among Protes-
tants, Catholics, and Jews are essential to the perpetuation of our
nation's respect for the rights of every individual, inherent in
his relation to God. . .
"Convinced of these truths,- I gladly accept the honorary
chairmanship of National Brotherhood Week, Feb. 22-29, 1948,
and join the American Brotherhood of the National Conference
of Christians and Jews in inviting our people to use this occasion
to think deeply about 'these principles and to promote their ap-
plication to all human relationships everywhere throughout the
year. I commend the -cooperation of all agencies of religion, edu-
cation, and community life, and of all media of communication,
in making brotherhood a living reality in every corner of our
country."

President Truman's cooperation in the sponsorship of
Brotherhood Week by the National Conference of Christians
and Jews is a signal to the country at large to become aware
of the need -to strengthen amity and good will among all faiths
—in the interest of American national unity and world wide
peace. The Detroit Round Table of Catholics, Jews and
Protestants is the local arm for the promotion of good- will in-
struments. It is imperative that all of us
_ should give unstinted
support to this movement

Salman Schocken, who celebrated his 70th birth-
day on Oct. 29, is the product of a peculiar environ-
ment. He was born in Germany at a time when
German culture and Jewish active participation
in it went ,well together;
and he grew up at a time
when the Zionist move-
ment was in its begin-
nings and captured the
imagination and hearts of
Jewish youth which, sub-
consciously, sensed the
end of the German Jew-
ish symbiosis and the
necessity for a Jewish
homeland.
Schocken is one of the
outstanding intellectual
leaders of our time. His
appreciation of cultural
values caused him to
take the initiative in
fields which had been
neglected so far: He and-
men like Buber, Brod and
Bergmann struggled for
Salman Schocken
a renaissance of Jewish
culture. In 1931- he founded his publishing house
which, after the rise of Hitler, was destined to
become -a source of moral strength for the Jews
of Germany.
Circumstances did not permit Schocken to take
up higher studies. Instead, he was forced to •go
into business at. the age of 24. Together with his
brother, Simon Schocken, he founded the first
Schocken Department Store in ZWickau, Saxony.
Soon, his enterprise spread out, and within a period
of 30 years his department store chain was one of
Germany's most modern and best managed. He set
up stores in more than 20 cities and . employed
more than 6,000 people. Some of his department
stores, especially .those erected by Erich Mendel-
sohn, represent the finest examples. of modern
architecture.
Schocken was always concerned with the wel-
fare of his employes and he was known as one of
the most progressive employers in Gerinany. Dur-
ing the Hitler period, he saw to it that his Jewish
employes found a way to emigrate to Palestine
or other countries, and he even helped them
financially in the 'period of transition. .
The number of offices Schocken held during the
many yearS of his- active part in Jewish life is
legion. - He became a member of the bOard 'of
directors of the 'Jewish National Fund. From 1935
to '1945 he served as chairman of the executive
committee of the Hebrew University. In 1940, - he
received the honorary degree of Doctor of Hebrew
tetterS front the Jewish Institute of Religion in
New York. - ' • -
He .left Germany in 1933: and settled down, in
Jerusalem where, he built himself an exquisite
house. •
The Schocken publishing house which in -Ger-
many had published more than 200 vbIties in six
years also moved to Palestine where it rapidly
became a clearing house for Jewish writers.
Schocken also acquired the Hebrew newspaper,
•
Haaretz: •
— In this country, SchOcken Books' have estab-
lished their reputation with American Jews who,
through this library, get the greatest treasures in
Jewish literature in inexpensive but well-edited
and printed editions. The American publishing
house is headed by his son, Theodore.
The task which he sets himself on his 70th birth-
day is to publish in America Jewish books of the
highest standard which will help American Jewry
to rediscover the valueS of tradition. It is a task in
which he already has shown marked success.

A Kingdom Declined With Thanks

Liebman and Emanu-El

By BERNARD G. RICHARDS

The rabbis and interested lay leaders of some
5,000 congregations throughout the country are
now wondering . and speculating about the reason
Why . Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman of Temple
Adath Israel, BoSton, dedined the call to becothe
the spiritual head of Temple Emanu-El of New
York, the premier Reform congregation of Amer-
ica and for nearly half .a century the goal of
ambition of the forerhost Jewish ministers in the
United States. Liebman, it is privately reported,
was offered a fabulous salary with most tempting
radio-time opportunities. Yet he declined. Why?
Through the years which record the long his-
tory of Congregation Emanu-El, which in the
early days first worshipped on Eldridge St. of the
lower East Side, "many were called but few were
chosen." FrOm Emil G. Hirsch of Chicago to
Stephen S. Wise, to Louis Mann, Max
Abba Hillel Silver, Barnett R. Brickner, Louis
Wolsey—nearly every outstanding rabbi of the
country . was either considered or mentioned in
connection with the pivotal and much-coveted
Fifth Avenue pulpit.
Of . those - who succumbed to the lure, several
rabbis left their congregations and communities
where they exercised an all-powerful influence
that amounted to perfect and undisputed leader-
ship. Hyman G. Enelow left Louisville, Ky.., Nathan
Krass crossed the East River from Brooklyn and
Samuel Goldenson tore himself away from an
adoring flock and devoted communal following
in Pittsburgh, Pa. Were these men happy in diS-
tracting, noisy and bewildering New. York?
Rabbi Liebman apparently pondered this ques-
tion hard: He must have thought of many things
and though remote from his own circumstances he
probably also remembered the fable of the big
frog in a small pond and the small frog in a big
pond—which in New York becomes a stormy and
perilous ocean.
Rabbi Liebman undoubtedly reflected on many
things and most of all he thought of "Peace' of

Mind." Then he very politely said; "No, thank youl',

