2—THE JEWISH NEWS

Lifetime of Service Rewarded

Israel's Strong Case

Friday, October 15, 1948

Jews and Non-Jews Acclaim
William Friedman at Dinner

A Forgotten Child

Kelsey Defends Jews' Right
To Negeb in Detroit News

W. K. Kelsey, Detroit News
Commentator, defended the Jew-
ish position before the UN in
claiming the Negeb in a recent
column under the heading "Israel
Has a Strong Case." Mr. Kelsey
wrote:
"The • claim of Israel to the
Negeb should cause reconsidera-
tion of the hasty acceptance of
the Bernadotte plan for the'divi-
sion of Palestine by the British
and American Governments.
"This triangular region of des-
ert and mountain, with its apex
at the Gulf of Agaba, an arm of
the Red Sea, will never amount
to anything in Arab hands, espe-
cially if it is united with Trans-
j ordan, which already has thou-
sands of square miles of the same
kind of land and a population of
presumably 350,000, or about 10
persons to the mile. Jewish ini-
tiative and energy have already
reclaimed small parts of the
northern Negeb through irriga-
tion. The Israeli would work
tooth and nail to make that re-
gion habitable. The Arabs will
do nothing.
"The 1947 partition plan gave
the Negeb to Israel. Why Count

Bernadotte recommended that it
be taken away is one of those
mysteries which have been in-
volved in the Palestine problem
ever since the British government
began to welsh on the Balfour
Declaration.
"There may be important min-
erals, including oil, in the Negeb.
There are plenty of fish in the
Red Sea, now barely exploited.
The Bernadotte plan would give
the entire Dead Sea, with its min-
erals to the Arabs, • though the
Palestine Potash Co. is already
working there. The case of Israel
is too strong to be casually set
aside because of a policy of ap-
peas ement."

A lifetime of service to Detroit a brief address. He said his heart
was rewarded last Saturday night was "filled with emotion," and
when William Friedman, former he revealed that he had tried to
Judge of the Wayne County Cir- dissuade Harry Belfield, who was
cuit Court and an eminent Jewish one of the leaders who arranged
and civic leader, was acclaimed the dinner, from planning so
for his manifold contributions by elaborate an event. He said he
more than 250 of his friends, at a was compelled to yield by his
dinner at Franklin Hills Country friends to whom he extended his
thanks.
Club.
He declared that he was the
Utilizing his recent selection
for the 33rd Degree in Masonry, beneficiary in all the efforts he
CASABLANCA — Eight year
a rare honor coveted by all had given to community causes old Selam Bitton was found
and
said
that
"no
amount
of
Masons, Mr. Friendman's friends
roaming the streets of Casa-
—non-Jews and Jews—paid him money can buy this exhibition of blanca shining shoes . to earn 2c
high honors for his leadership in friendship." He expressed his a day which his family desperate-
gratitude at having been chosen ly needs to eke out a living. He
this community.
Opened by his one-time law for high honors by the Masonic is one of five, housed in a one-
room hovel. His father is a cob-
partner, Abraham Srere, who Order.
bler; he has no mother. Selam
welcomed the guests by pointing
Donates • Building to Israel
is one of the 150,000 Jewish chil-
out that the evening was ar-
ranged to give recognition to the
BUENOS AIRES (JTA)- dren in North Africa and the
"rare honor to one who has lived "Israel House," a two-story edi- Middle East who look to the
an exemplary life," and by the fice donated to the Israeli Gov- Committee for the Forgotten . Mil-
benediction by Dr. E. Benedict ernment ' y Moshe Perel, a local lion for meals, clothes, and edu-
An appeal has been made by
Glazer, rabbi of Temple Beth El, Zionist leader, and which is ex- cation, medical and dental care.
Harry Cohen, chairmar of the
the evening was featured by the pected to house the future Israeli To aid these children who are
16th annual Balfour Ball, spon-
presence of many notables and consulate in this country, was part of the 1,000,000 destitute
sored
by the Zionist Organization
Jews
in
Moslem
countries,
the
by prominent Michigan 33rd opened by Arieh Chill, Israeli of-
of Detroit, asking the communi-
ficial in charge of the visa-issuing committee , 55 W. 42nd St., New
Degree Masons.
ty's support for the event to be
department of the Israeli mission York 18, has started an "adop-
Judge Ira W. Jayne was the
held Nov. 13.
tion"
program.
to
Argentina.
toastmaster. Speakers included
Dr. Philip Lachman, program
Dr. A. M. Hershman, Rabbi
chairman, announces that this
Emeritus of Shaarey Zedek;
By
social event which this year also
Eddie Guest, noted poet; How-
will support the American Zion ,.
ard Baldwin, prominent attor-
ist Fund, formerly known as the
ney; Malcolm W. Bingay, edi-
Expansion Fund, will feature
By imputing to Jews either disloyalty or a Phil Brestoff and his 10 piece
torial director of the Detroit
'Unity in Dispersion'—A Non-Jew's Reactions
d
Free Press; Judge Robert Toms
"Unity in Dispersion: A History of the World double
allegiance, Mr. Markham unfortunately orchestra, and a Latin-American
Jewish Congress" is the record of the movement gives a sadly conceived interpretation to Jewish rhumba band.
and Federal Judge Theodore
which embraces representation of Jewish corn- efforts to help their less fortunate kinsmen whose
Levin.
"The community ought to re-
Rabbi Hershman referred to munities throughout the world. The book is, as the
afflictions
appear to and,
have
Christian
neighbors
unmoved
in left
the our
main,
uncon- spond magnificiently to the ap
his first acquaintance with Mr. name implies, a history of the Congress, from its cerne Is there a better reason for unity , with- peal of Harry Cohen, by doing so
at
contributing to two fund-raising
disloyalty charg
es to Jews?
Friedman 41 years ago, when he inception 12 years ago until its recent meeting out attributing
ut
in Montreux,,Switzerland.
But
there is something more seriously disturb- activities," declared Morris M.
first came to Detroit. He described
Edited by Dr. A. Leon Kubowitzki, the volume
the leader's activities as the deals with the pre-war period in Jewish history, ing in Mr. Markham's article. He writes: "One of Jacobs, ZOD president. "As mem-
youngest member of the Shaarey the activities of the World Jewish Congress during the authors states that 'efforts of the World Jew- bership of ZOA grows the needs
Zedek board, as teacher in the the war of extermination when it exerted its in- ish Congress were responsible' for overthrowing of the American Zionist Fund
Sunday School, as first president fluence to stop the onslaught on Jewry, the post- a Romanian government in the winter of 1938. grows with it. Detroit must con-
of the Shaarey Zedek Young war and the recent changing years. On the whole, Some reader at that point may ask himself: Will tinue to play its part in providing
editions of the book boast that 'efforts of the
People's Society, as a worker for the book is an excellent presentation of the Jew- later
funds for public relations, educa-
ish case and an interesting evaluation of a great World Jewish Congress were responsible' for tion, periodicals, youth activities
the synagogue in the community movement's contribution towards rescue work, overthrowing the Attlee or Truman governments."
This, we contend, is being naive. Only in the and other phases of Zionist activ-
"who has stamped his impress the fight on anti-Semitism, efforts to prevent
upon his fellowmen." He in- the spread of Nazism and assistance to the Zionist State of Israel do Jews posses enough votes either ity."
to make or break an administration., to elect or
jetted a humorous note by point- movement.
Naturally — again, as the name implies—the defeat one party or another. Its is clear that the
ing out that Mr. Friedman later
Jewish Congress " boast about the over-
became his landlord and said book deals with the Jewish people as an existing
there
would
be
no
landlord-
entity.
The
authors
probably
undertook
_
their
throw
of
a
Romanian government came as a re-
there
tenant troubles if all landlords literary-historical-reportorical task by assuming stilt of pressure upon world public opinion against
the naturalness of such a status for the People the prosecution of Jews. If Mr. Markham will
were like Friedman.
Israel. They must have been as deeply interested d give second thought to this portion of his review,
The "mighty host of friends" in one non-Jew's reactions as your Commentator perhaps he will revert to admiration for Jewish
at the dinner were described by was when he learned that the "unity" of Jewry efforts and to endorsement of campaigns against
The 22nd annual Education
— even if they should tend to overthrow
Mr. Guest as an indication of Mr. has "disquieting implications." This is the head- bigotry,
a government responsible for brutality. If he does Month observance of the United
Friedman's popularity and "the line that was given by the Christian Science Mon-
greatnesS of Bill's soul." He said itor to the review of "Unity in Dispersion" by not amend his attitude, how could he ever justify Hebrew Schools of Detroit is now
the pressure of public opinion upon events in in full progress. Purpose of Edu-
H. Markham.
he was personally enriched by Reuben
Reviewer Markham commends this "composite France during the famous Affaire Dreyfus — cation Month is to bring the mes-
Mr. Friedman's friendship.
work" by 'asserting that its authors, while "writ- pressure which surely resulted in overthrow of sage of Jewish education to the
Mr. Baldwin declared: "Mr.
ing of passion-arousing events, most of them cabinets. The world then boasted of having
- people in general, and to
Friedman is h o n o r a b 1 e and
eschew passion. Describing extraordinarily drama- secured justice through pressure. Would Mr. Jewish
parents of children of school age
tic developments, the authors have been careful Markham belittle the validity of one world?
right: that's what he means to
One more point in the Markham review needs in particular.
not to overplay drama. Nevertheless, the book is
this community. Throughout
comment. Referring to the reference in the World
This purpose is being achieved
disquieting."
Why?
To
quote
Mr.
Markham:
his lifetime residence in Detroit
'Unity in Dispersion' is designed to combat Jewish Congress history to the possible "division through direct correspondence,
"
he has impressed us as a man
anti-Semitism, which is highly commendable; but of the world into two irreconcilable blocs" and circularization, visits, mass-meet- .
of good will."
this reader received the impression that the book the admonition: "The Congress must be careful at ings and other media. Large city-
"Mr. Friedman served the inn-• may long serve as material for anti-Semitic all times not to appear to tie up the protection of wide gatherings h a v e been
ponderable and intangible ele- agitators in many lands. It makes claims which Jewish rights with the interests of any of the arranged by-the Women's Auxili-
powers which are at grips, Mr. Markham writes:
ments in our community," Mr. unfriendly persons may use against Jews."
ary, UHS Alumni and the Parent-.
It is evident that Mr. Markham himself tries 'Does this book mean to say that the Congress,
Bingay said. In paying honor to •
with headquarters in New York, is advising the Teachers Organization in cooper,.
clear
as
not
to
be
a
biased
writer..
It
is
equally
Mr. Friedman, he likened him
5,200,000 American citizens of Jewish origin not ation with the Hebrew Teachers
that he is anxious not to have the label of
to two other eminent Detroiters
to take sides with the United States in case of a Organization.
bigotry
pinned
on
him,
and
he
therefore
gives
—the late Judge Harry B. Kei-
conflict with another power, but to defend their
Messages in synagogues have
page
numbers
in
the
book
whenever
he
resorts
flan, who was the only other Jew
'Jewish rights' in some other way?"
to quotation to prove his point. He is unsparing
been delivered by many rabbis.
to be elected a 33rd Degree
in compliments. He declares: "Every honorable - This is the one point in his • entire review In those synagogues where there
Mason from Michigan, and Peter Gentile must be moved at what the Jews did to which we consider to have been phrased in a are no permanent rabbis, messages -
rather mean way. It was insufficient for him. to
Monahan. He said he "never
help each other amid almost unbelievable perse-
conclude, immediately after the above quoted were delivered by the following-:
cution. Every Gentile and Jew should find in
heard an unkind thing said about
statement: "This reviewer does not believe that- M. Michlin, Morris Lachover,
this
sad
picture
of
cruelty
and
of
heroic
resist-
Friedman or K e i d a n." Fried-
is the attitude of most American citizens of the Albert Elazar, Bernard Isaacs,
ance
a
cause
for
new
devotion
to
active
brother-
man, he said, is "the symbol of
Jewish religion." By suggestion, Mr. Markham Max Chomsky, Philmore Leemon,
hood."
everything gracious, clean and
And at this point he raises the issue that out gives ammunition to anti-Semites to spread the Joseph B. Colten, Joseph Haggai,
fine. As long as we have such of it all "grows an acute problem, of which the venomous view that the false argument he makes Solomon Kasdan, Morris Fishman
men to present the precept of a compilers of the book seem unaware." To prove at the outset is the attitude of most "American and others.
united America of diverse re- his point he writes: "All Jews, according to the citizens of the Jewish religion." No one has the
ligious views, America is safe." book, constitute 'one nation' and the Jewish Con- right to resort to such logistics. When a man is
In his address, Mr. Bingay gress claims to speak for them. This would seem in doubt, the only right he possesses is to refer to Report Jewish Leaders
spoke in high praise of the work to mean that the Jews in the United States, facts. What, in reality, is the situation? How have Fleeing Czechoslovakia
of the late Albert Kahn, who Romania, Poland, France, Canada, Bulgaria are Jews acted in time of war? What is the record of
was the architect of the Masonic not integral parts of the American, Polish and our loyalty? We would be foolish to attempt at
VIENNA, (JTA) — At least
Temple. "The Masonic Order is French nations. They are fragments of a Jewish this point to show Mr. Markham- that Jews every-
nation living in various lands, it would appear where, without exception, have made sacrifices 1,000 Czech Jews have fled
honoring
honoring itself in selecting Bill
—in lives and in service—out of proportion to Czechoslovakia since the recent
this book."
Friedman for the high honor,"
Mr. Markham quotes the book's contention their numbers in populations, to defend demo- change of government, Gisela
Mr.
that "we are one people," that it stresses the crate ideals and to fight for the countries of Tauber, a Jewish journalist, de-
he said.
Judge Toms paid tribute to Mr. "oneness of the Jewish people of all countries on which they are citizens. Mr. Markham should clared upon her arrival here froth
Friedman as "a good friend and earth," that at the Paris peace conference "world have quoted such figures to answer his own Prague. She crossed the border
a valiant gentleman." Jewry spoke with one voice." doubts. Having failed to do so, he rendered, at
The interpretations given to these phrases least on this score, a grave injustice to the Jewish illegally.
Judge Levin, in making the
• Miss Tauber said that the mem-
by the Christian Science Monitor's writer
people and to truth.
* * *
presentation of a watch to Mr.
bership of the Jewish Community
are, of course, most disturbing. We are certain
Council of Prague and the Feder-
Friedman as the gift of the • that calm review of the situation would cause
Footnote on Unity
him -to admit our personal contention that the
gathering, referred to him as
ation of Jewish Communities has
On
Oct.
31,
the
Joint
Distribution
Committee
right won by , Jews would have been unattain-
"the American whose life ex-
been cleared of most persons who
will
have
its
annual
meeting
in
Chicago.
The
fol-
able if Jews had not acted unitedly through
"refuse to bow to the Commu-
emplifies the highest type of
lowing
week-end,
the
United
Palestine
Appeal
spokesmen from their communities throughout
nists."
She added that most of
service, the Jew who is loyal to
will
meet
in
annual
conference
—
also
in
Chicago,
the world. What's wrong about Jewry speaking
while Hadassah will have her yearly conclave the the positions on both bodies have
tradition; a man who renders
"with one voice?" When the cause is humani-
same week-end. That's what that non-Jew calls been filled by Communists as a
service to all regardless of race
tarian, are we to find fault with the term "ONE
unity! And all the groups mentioned are partners majority of the former leaders
or creed."
PEOPLE?" From the point of view of
in a single effort to protect and save Israel! Jew- of the groups fled the country,
Deeply moved by the expres-
BROTHERHOOD, one people ought to be the
aim of all humanity, and a Jewish pattern of ish unity, very • often, is merely a figment in the mostly to Paris.
sions of friendship, Mr. Fried-
imagination of the non-Jew...
man responded to the toasts with fighting for justice is not such a bad one.

Purely Commentary

Appeals Made by
Cohen and Jacobs
For Balfour Ball

Philip
Slomovitz

Education Month
Observance Nov
In Full Progress