THE JEWISH NEWS

His Cornerstone

Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Seven Arts Fea-
ture Syndicate, King Features, Central Press Association,
Palcor News Agency.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich. WO. 5-1155.
Subscription $3 a year; foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879.

Max Lerner's Fearless
Justice-Pleading Notes

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor

VOL. XV—No. 2

Page 4

March 25, 1949

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twenty-fifth day of Adar,
5709, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 35:1-40:38; .12:1-20.
Prophetical portion—Ezek. 45:16-46:18.
On Thursday, Rosh Hodesh Nisan, Num. 28:1-15
will be read during morning services.

Welcome, Dr. Wise

Congregation Shaarey Zedek has estab-
lished an interesting tradition of sponsoring
an annual lecture here by Dr. Stephen S.
Wise, one of the very great world person-
alities.
-
His 1949 visit, scheduled for next Wednes-
day evening, corresponds With Rabbi Wise's
75th birthday .and will be a particular occa-
sion on which Detroit Jewry will be able
to honor him for all that he has done to
advance great causes during a rich and active
career as leader, pulpit preacher, Zionist and
crusader for justice.
In a recent statement to the New York
Times, in which he gave an evaluation of
his views on major changes in the life of this
country and of the Jewish people during his
lifetime, Dr. Wise referred to one glorious
triumph on record which "might be summed
up under the names of Herzl, Weizmann,
Ben-Gurion—the three creative leaders of
that movement which led to the establish-
ment of the State of Israel."
Anyone who knows the history of the
Zionist movement Must include the name of
Stephen S. Wise among the top ranking lead-
ers who labored for Israel's triumph. Zionist
history will be incomplete without reference
to Dr. Wise.
In his statement to the New York Times,
Dr. Wise said:
-
"After a long life I still believe in one
world and one humanity, with freedom under
law, with justice and peace for all peoples
and races and faiths. 'If it be sin to covet
honor for my country, I - amthe most offend-
ing soul alive.' I continue to covet for my
country the honor of doing most to maintain
the peace and freedom of all mankind."
It is a view like this one, which he has
adhered to in his loyalties to America and
to Israel, that have elevated him to true
'greatness. It is such idealism that has placed
him above others who have not learned how
to express their patriotic aspirations for a
better humanity in words and actions.
We join his tens of thousands of friends in
expressing the very best wishes for health
and continued service to Dr. Wise. We are
confident that an overflow audience will be
present at the Shaarey Zedek next Wednes-
day evening to acclaim him his 75th birthday.

Youth Activities

A new spirit is in evidence in the train-
ing of Jewish youth for leadership in our
Jewish communities. The establishment of
the Jewish State has inspired greater interest
in Jewish history, traditions and the language
of Israel.
The Young Adult Council has emerged as
a power for great good in our community.
The junior division of the Allied Jewish
Campaign and the UJA, the Masada, Junior
Hadassah and numerous other organizations
in our midst, have become powerful factors
in cultural efforts as well as in fund-raising.
Every youth movement is showing signs
of progress. Bnai Brith's AZA is advancing
colors. Movements affiliated with our schools
are securing wider support.
Young Judaea, the ZOA youth movement,
is growing in numbers and is attracting able
leaders. Hashomer Hartzair, a virile organi-
zation, is gaMing - strength from the work
its members are doing in Israel. Mizrachi
youth also are striving to render important
services.
The labor. Zionist youth movement, Hab-
onim, is among the very powerful youth or-
ganizations in the land. Currently observing
Habonim Youth Month, this organization's
pioneering spirit, its educational program and
its deep interest in Isarel's upbuilding have
earned commendations for it and its parent
organization.
The community owes a sincere interest
in these movements. By strengthening -the
youth movements we shall be assuring a

better future for the communities at large.

Philosophy of World Change

Rededication to UJA's Service

In Washington during the past week-end, at the sessions
of the rededication conference of the United Jewish Appeal,
it became evident that American Jews are aware of the great
responsibilities which face the two major Jewish communities
in the world—those in Israel and the United States. Israel
must keep her doors open, in spite of the hardships that are
encountered by the young state, and American Jewry must
provide the means with which to solve the problem of Jewish
homelessness.
While Jews throughout the world, and especially our
people in this country, are in the festive mood created by
the great triumphs in the Jewish State, there are several
things which can not be forgotten. We must ever keep in
mind the tragic fact that a third of our people were murdered
during the era of Nazi domination in Europe, and with this
in view we must remember that some displaced persons
camps still are operating, with their residents eagerly await-
ing their turn to settle in Israel; that another million Euro-
pean Jews must be taken out of Europe in order that they
may forget the tragedies which are haunting them; and that
at least half a million North African Jews, who are subjected
to indignities and insecurity by Arab overlords, must be
rescued as speedily as possible.
The miracles which we have witnessed in the past 15
months increase rather than diminish the duties we owe to
the survivors in Europe and North Africa and to the heroic
people who continue the battle for life and liberty in Israel.
The UJA conference in Washington was called for the pur-
pose of dispelling lethargy and of putting into motion great
action for the fulfillment of the needs in the Jewish State,
among the DPs and in behalf of those who are to be settled
in this country.

It is most unfortunate that we should have suffered
a three-month delay in action as a result of internecine
strife. In view of the great needs, the UJA drives should
have started throughout the land on the very first day
of the present year. Postponement of action was inexcus-
able. At last, the gong has been sounded and the UJA
is ready to get into motion. Now every community must
defy the pessimists and must start action with the self-
assurance that the duties to Israel and to ourselves are
too great to justify procrastination and indecision.

In our own community, • the responsible leaders were at
work mobilizing forces for the Allied Jewish Campaign even
in the midst of inaction on the national scene. Enrollment
of volunteer workers began last Tuesday, at the two memor-
able meetings which were inspired by Abba Eban. Edward
M. M. Warburg will officially open the actual Lund-raising
here next Tuesday. The drive is officially open.

There undoubtedly will be some people who will
plead in support of a reduction in contributions on the
ground that "business is bad." Israel's Foreign Minister
Moshe Sharett gave the proper reply to such pessimists
in his very great address on Sunday at the UJA confer-
ence when he admonished his audience that the business
called Israel is booming and must not be let down.

Our duties are clear and our determination must be
strong. We must proceed to accompAsh our goal with the
view of not letting Israel down, of heralding to those whose
homelessness must end this year that we shall not be parties
to the possible danger that the doors of the Jewish State may
be closed to new immigrants because of insufficient funds to
finance the historic movement of Jews from the hells of
Europe and Africa to the freedom of Medinat Israel.
More workers will be needed this year to accomplish the
job at. hand._ More people will have to be seen. If we attain
a 100 per cent coverage of prospective givers, we shall be
able to exceed last year's goal. For this purpose we must
secure sufficient manpower. This is the immediate objective,
to be followed by total enrollment of all potential contribu-
tors. An unprecedented job faces us at this time. The sooner
we recognize that it is a mild breeze compared with the storms
which constantly challenge Israel's heroic men and women,

the more-certain the success of our 1949 campaign.

Max Lerner's ``Actions and Passions: Notes on
the Multiple Revolution of Our Time" (published
by Simon & Schuster, 1230 Sixth Ave., New York
20) is a collection of this brilliant author's news-
paper articles and columns on the major issues
of our time.
As world traveler,
lecturer, citizen, stu-
dent of Jewish affairs,
Dr. Lerner has definite
opinions which have
elevated him to the
top rung of 'the intel-
lectual ladder. He is
without doubt one of
the world's most con-
sistent fighters for lib-
eral ideals, and his
views a r e thought-
provoking — whether
the topic is Israel,
Bevin, baseball or the
theater.
His latest collection
of essays proves the
Max Lerner
point. He is as much at
home when discussing American politics as he is
in dealing with the painful subject of bigotry. He
is as fearless when he defends the right , of an
immigrant to express an opinion in this country as
he is in demanding justice for Jews at the hands
of Bevin.
Dr. .Lerner is excellent as a book reviewer.
One of the choice pieces in his new book is a
splendid comment on Arthur Koestler's "Thieves
in the Night" and his condemnation of terrorism
in Palestine. Equally as impressive are his "Sar-
tre's Orestes" and "The Budenz Conversion Story."
"Night-Riders of the Spirit" is a magnificent
expose of the menace of Ku Kluxism. "The Loomis
Story" is a very good evaluation of the dangers
that come from movements like the Columbians
and it ends with the sound conclusion that "our
margin of safety . . . can be maintained only as
long as we maintain jobs and peace." Anti-Semi-
tism is scrutinized with a masterful eye and mind
and his article on "The United States as Exclusive
Hotel" is one of the choicest bits of writing avail-
able for the class of reader that desires to see
justice prevail.
Among the excellent sections in the book is .
the one dealing with "The Double Price of
Religious Freedom," covering the church-and-
state issue. He is a master when he deals with •
economics and politics and his articles on
"Brandeis and Lilienthal" throw new light on
_ old and new fights for good government.
The Jewish reader will be especially intrigued
by his resumes of the Jewish situation affecting
Palestine. In the series "The Jew and the Western
Conscience" he exposes the machinations of Bevin,
the horrors imposed upon the Jews by an un-,
friendly administration in Palestine, the Jews'
battle for their rights.
"Actions and Passions" is one of the excellent
books of our time. It is a good appeal for decent
living and better international relations. Even
where one differs with Dr. Lerner on matters in-
volving Henry Wallace and other issues, we must
respect his sincere attitudes and admire the bril-
liance with which he presents them. He is one of
the clearest thinkers and best writers of our time.
(Dr. Max Lerner will be in Detroit on Sun- .
day, March 27, to address two gatherings of
the Junior Division of the Allied Jewish
Campaign.)

'Sholom Aleichem Panorama'

Grafstein's Great Work
Now Available in U.S.

Melech Grafstein's "Sholom Aleichem Pano-
rama," originally published by the author in Lon- .
don, Ontario, is now available in this country from
the Bloch Publishing Co., 31 W. 31st St., New York.
Already reviewed in The Jewish News at length,
this impressive work deserves additional comment
in view of the enorm-F4tt-J,--
ity of the author-pub-
usher's undertaking. It r,
is to the credit of
Bloch publishers that ;f:t.'
they are undertaking 4
the book's circulation;;
in this country.
Very few works of
its kind have reached
the grandeur and all-
inclusiveness of this
work. It contains eval-
uations by the out-
standing authorities on
Sholom Aleichem-
Maurice, Samuel, S.
Niger, Dr. Jacob''
Shatzky, Dr. A. A. Ro-
back, A. Almi, B. Z.
Goldberg, and a score
of other well known
names in literature.
The "Panorama" in-
c l u d e s outstanding
Sholom Aleichem
works by the great Yiddish humorist. It has the
memoirs of Sholom Aleichem, his songs, his dra-
matic works, his letters, an art gallery and an in-
teresting section dealing with the Yiddish stage.
Mr. Grafstein himself has rendered a great
service by producing this truly great work which
can serve as a monument to any author, editor
or publisher.
It is a tremendous collection of more than 400
pages and its photographs alone are worth the $10,
let alone the hundreds of selections and articles,
the many anecdotes, - the intimate stories and the
brilliant criticisms and essays.
No Jewish libraryprivate or public—can pos-
sibly be considered complete without Grafstein iS

"Sholom Aleichem Panorama."

