cciaims Sia
Detroit Jew
Assembled Masses Thrill to Sound
Of Shofar, Cheer Flag Ceremonies
The sun shone on 22.000 people who gathered on Central Haigh School Athletic Field
Sunday afternoon, May 16, 1948 to celebrate the establishment of Eretz Israel—the inde-
pendent State of Israel. The blue sky blended with the White and Blue colors of the Flag
of Zion. Hearts fluttered and eyes, were moist during the two-hour. -ceremony which gave
the Jews of Detroit and the many hundreds of their Christian friends who were present
_ to rejoice over the realization of prophecy Wand the fulfillment of a 2,000-year-old dream for
the end of Jewish stateles.sness and homelessness.
The great demonstration from which thousands were turned away for lack of space
was scheduled to begin at 3:30 p. in., but shortly after noon the crowds began to flock to the
meeting grounds and the several thousand available seats were exhausted .by 2:30 p. m.
At 3 o'clock, the field was jammed to overflowing and by the time the meeting started the
crowd was crowded into the Linwood Avenue sidewalks.
There were moments of pathos and joy, laughter and anguish, during the colorful and
touching ceremony. The sounding of the Shofar's blast created a silence which gave evi-
dence of the deeply moving experience of the great day, the most significant in 2:000 years
of Jewish history. After Cantor Hyman: Adler of Congregation Bnai David, blew the
Shofar, the Shehecheyanu was recited by Rabbi Isaac Stollman, to whom, went the honor of
opening the assembly with the reading ., of appropriate. Psalms. The "Amen" which resound-
ed after the reciting of the Shehecheyanu (the blessing of thanks to the Almighty "for hav-
ing caused us to live to see this day") will be remembered for many years and will re-echo
in thousands of hearts for years to come.
The presentation of the Colors, under the direction of the Jewish War Veterans and the Knights
of Pythias Bugle Corps ,with the Detroit Police Band providing the music, was as colorful a scene as
has ever been witnessed here. Moshe Gross of Palestine ,a member of Haganah, presented the Colors
of Israel which were added to the flags of 52 member countries of the United Nations.
Impressive and touching were the minutes during the recitation of the El Molei Rachamim, in
tribute to the memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for Israel's freedom, by Cantor Adler. The
flags of all nations were lowered during that portion of the prdgram.
The march of the children, their singing of the American and Israel national anthems, to accom-
paniment of the Detroit Police Band, provided added thrills.
Benjamin Laikin. president of the Jewish Community Council, opened the meetin,g and welcomed
the gathering in behalf of the Zionists of Detroit and the co-sponsors of the • celebration—the Jewish
Community Council and its 250 affiliated organizations, the Jewish War Veterans, Bnai Brith, Lands-
manschaften, congregational, women's and other groups. Mr. Laikin introduced Philip Slomovitz as
chairman.
Thanks were expressed by the chairman to President. Truman for his prompt action in recognizing
the State of Israel. The -chairman recalled with reverence the founders of the Zionist movement and
referred with gratitude to the world Jewish leaders of all Zionist parties who played an important
role in the founding of the State of IsraeL
Stirring addresses endorsing Jewish aspirations in Palestine and calling for speedy action by the
United States Government and the United Nations were delivered by Pat McNamara of the American
Federation of Labor, Barney Hopkins and Tracy Doll, CIO leaders, and the Rev. Sheldon Rahn of the
Detroit Council of Churches.
George Edwards; president of the Detroit City Council, in a brief address pointed ou that the
Star of David now dispiay.ed proudly on the Flag of Israel was only a short time ago used as a
symbol of degradation by the Nazis but has emerged as a mark of honor. He wished the Jewish Com-
munity well and expressed_pride in the great achievements in Zion.
Prior to introducing Congressman Howard Coffin, the chairman read messages from Congressmen
Sadowski, Dingell and Youngblood, Judge Frank Picard and Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg. Judge
Picard's message will be found elsewhere in this issue. Senator Vandenberg's message reads:
"I have been glad to make the following statement respecting the latest development in Zion-
ism's long time aspirations for a Jewish Homeland in Palestine. The prompt recognition of the provis-
-g€ ional government as the defacto authority in the new state of Israel is the logical
, and proper step following the termination of the British Mandate. It takes account of
the reality that no other authority can fill what otherwise would be a cruel and
dangerous vacum in this area of Pales tine. It responds to a basic decision of the
United Nations taken at our instance. It is positive action after many months of criti-
cal and unhappy indecision. If the - present course of the United States is followed
by other • governments, successfully sommoned to the 13‘r of the United Nations
in belief of • an urgent truce. The restoration of law and order and an environment
of peace is indispensable to the best evolution for all concerned. My hopes and
prayers support the new state of Israel in the desperately vital problems which it
now confronts."
Senator Ferguson's message concluded with the declaration: "May the State of
Sen. Vandenbserisrael thrive and establish itself as a monument to representative democracy."
Rep. John- Dingell's message reads in part:
"Full diplomatic relations should be immediately- established between the United States and the
Republic of Israel. At the same time the American government should supply all the ships and
supplies necessary to transport, house, feed, and clothe all.those yearning souls who desire to leave
displaced persons camps in Europe and who desire to settle in the Holy Land. At least the Same
amount Or financial assistance per capita should be granted to. the new Government of Israel for a
reasonable period of • years as is now applied : to cover the cost of the same number of displaced persons
who will be resettled in the Holy Land.
"American aid under the Marshall Plan should forwith be extended to include Israel and should
cover in addition food, clothing, machinery and all the essentials of adequate defense against plund-
ering, murderous hordes of the whole Arab League. All embargo restrictions should automatically be
lifted. Volunteers for defense of Israel should be encouraged and their departure facilitated by our
government. Stern warning by our government should be sent to all nations of the Arab League to
contain their armies within their own borders or risk displeasure of the American people.
"The sovereignty of the newly prdclaimed Republic of Israel must be preserved as sacred and
inviolate. Thus the age old yearning and hunger of Jews will at last be fully satisfied. the prophecies
fulfilled and God's -own promise to the oppressed Jews realized. To all of which we well-wishing Gen-
tiles add old-fashioned expression, 'Mazel Toy.' "
Congressman. Coffin expressed great satisfaction in having labored during the past 18 months
for the fulfillment of promises to Jewry. He reviewed the history of the efforts for the establishment
of the Jewish State, told of the strong friendship for Israel in Congress and pledged wholehearted
continued support for future efforts to help place Israel on a fin!' footing among the nations of the
world.
Rabbi Leon Frain, principal Jewish speaker at the rally, was frequently interrupted by applause.
His demand that Great Britain should recall her troops and should put an end to infiltration of her
Transjordan Legion was cheered by the enthusiastic gathering. His demands that the. arms embargo
be lifted and that all the necessary help be given for the establishment of the State of Israel was
equally endorsed.
.
-
—Photos by Paul Kirsch
Upper left: The speakers' platform as Benjamin Laikin in-troduca
the chairman of the meeting, Philip Slornovitz. Rabbi Isaac Stollmast
is on The right of the mike in the photo. Dr. Theodore Herzeiss photo-
graph graced the platform.
The upper right photo shows Cantor Hyman Adler blowing 0*
Sh ofar.
The other photographs show groups of participants in the ashy-
bration on Sunday.
Children in the photograph second from the bottom are carry
hog a sign which reads "Ki MeTzion Tetze Torah uDvar Adonai
Yerushalayirn"—"Out of Zoe shall go forth the Law and the word sof
the Lord from Jerusalem."
Philip Cantor and Harry Nathan are leading the Jewish Wet
Veterans' march in The lower photo.
Calling for speedy admission of the State of Israel as a member
of the United Nations, Rabbi Fram pointed out that while others are
compelled to give their blood the Jews of America can help by giv-
ing money, and he called for strong effort to make a success of the
Allied Jewish 'Campaign. Rabbi Fram declared:
"The Jewish State is to become the new home of the men and
women and children whom we have been feeding in displaced- per-,
sons' camps, in refugee camps in the detention camps of Cyprus,
and in all the various places of the world where our homeless people
wait for release.
"The citizens of the new State of Israel ask us only to help briv
these homeless ones back home. At home. in Palestine, they will
(Continued•on Page 6)
2—THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday; May Z1, 1t4$