As the Editor
Views the News ...
"WELCOME, NEW AMERICANS!
FOLKS LIKE YOU HAVE HELPED
MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT."
The Bet Berl Center
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
KFAR SABA, Israel—Detroiters who are con-
Jewish Book Month
One of the most effective stimulants for
the strengthening of Jewish culture in this
country begins today—the annual observ-
ance of Jewish Book Month. From Nov. 11
to Dec. 11, Jewish communities, organiza-
tions and individuals are called upon to em-
phasize the importance of Jewish literature.
Jewish Book Month is sponsored by the
Jewish Book Council of America, a subsidi-
ary of the National Jewish Welfare Board.
The Council has placed at the disposal of
all Book Month participants a variety of
program material, which aims at a year-
round interest in Jewish books.
Many Detroit groups are planning to ob-
serve Jewish Book Month. The first such
celebration will occur this Sunday evening,
when H. Leivick, Yiddish poet and dra-
matist, will speak at a program sponsored
by the Joint Yiddish Culture Committee of
the Jewish Community Council and Jewish
Community Center. Later in the month, lo-
cal rabbis will key their sermons to this
theme, as their congregations observe Jew-
ish Book Sabbath on Dec. 3. And on Dec. 11,
families are urged to note Jewish Book Fes-
tival, with home ceremonies.
Detroit has several excellent synagogue
libraries which have extensive reference ma-
terial and innumerable volumes of current
interest available for circulation. The Jew-
ish book stores, and some of the general
book shops, are well stocked with late edi-
tions of Jewish books for every reader's
taste.
Jewish publishing houses today are con-
stantly issuing novels, biographies, books of
poetry and humor, anthologies, histories, po-
litical and economic works—volumes in every
literary field. There is even a fine series of
Pocket books published by Schocken.
Particularly interesting effort is evident
in the area of children's books. Well-written,
attractively-illustrated volumes are available
to introduce youngsters on various. educa-
tional levels to Jewish history and legend,
to customs and ceremonies, to other chil-
dren in American and Israel communities.
Why not observe Jewish Book Month
by visiting your nearest Jewish library or
bookstore. This is an appropriate time to
select books as Hanukah gifts for every
member of the family. It is also a good
time to subscribe to Jewish periodicals,
to insure having a complete record of cur-
rent Jewish events, as well as a representa-
tion of significant Jewish thought.
No Jewish home is complete without an
adequate Jewish library. Make Jewish Book
Month, 1949, the occasion for providing your
home with this important evidence of a liv-
ing Jewish culture in America.
Armistice Day
Today is Armistice Day, 1949. Flags
wave, uniformed men parade, public build-
ings are closed, that we may recall the trage-
dies of the past and, presumably, concen-
trate on ways of improving and preserving
the peace.
Current tension in almost every corner
of the world however, indicates that men
have little faith in themselves or in each
other, for insuring peace.
What better comment then, for Armistice
Day, than Rudyard Kipling's immortal:
"Lord, God of Hosts,
"Be with us yet,
"Lest we forget."
"Lest we forget."
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Services: .Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Seven Arts Feature
Syndicate. King Features. Central Press Association, Palcor
News Agency.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg.. Detroit 26, Mich., WO, 5-1155.
Subscription $3 a vear; foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit. Mich... under Act of March 3. 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAK Advertising Manager
RUTH L. CASSEL, City Editor
VOL. XVI—No 9 Page 4 November 11, 1949
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twentieth day of Heshvan,
5710, the following Scriptural . selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 18:1-22:24.
Prophetical portion—II Kings 4:1-37. '
Adjusting DPs in Detroit
By JUDGE THEODORE LEVIN
President, Detroit Jewish Resettlement Service
We are now contributing to the last chapter of a migra-
tion movement which opened with the Hitler persecutions in
1933.
The first eight months of the operation of the Displaced
Persons Commission, created to facilitate the entry of refu-
gees to the United States, did not produce maximum results
because of administrative barriers. These now appear to have
been lifted, and displaced persons of all religious groups are
being admitted in increasing numbers. While only 486 Jews
were admitted to the United States under the Displaced Per-
sons Act in January, 1949, 3,000 were admitted during
August. It is expected that 40,000 Jews will have entered
our country this year, and immigration may continue at a
high rate until June, 1950, when the displaced persons camps
will have been emptied.
Community assurances or undertakings for support
and rehabilitation are given when the immigrant has no
sponsoring relative. In January, 1949, the first month of
departures under the displaced persons program, five
family units arrived in Detroit. In August our community
received over seven times that -number-36 family units.
Many of r our Jewish Welfare Federation agencies are
involved in this project. The North End Clinic provides a
complete program of medical care. The Jewish Community
Center offers free memberships as well as special programs
for the new arrivals. The Jewish House of Shelter provides
temporary housing. The Hebrew Free Loan Association
makes available loans to finance the setting up of families
in housekeeping. The Jewish Social Service Bureau provides
administrative and casework supervision. Vital aid is given
by the Jewish Vocational Service in the job placement field,
and by the major agency, Resettlement Service, which sup-
plies maintenance and counselino- on a variety of problems
of personal and family adjustment.
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At this time, our program is faced with two major prob-
lems affecting the integration of displaced persons. Basic to
the integration of any family is housing and employment. In
the absence of a job and a decent home the community not
only _pays out large. sums in relief, but the morale of the
immigrant is seriously impaired.
In these two areas greater efforts are called for on the
parts of all of us, and particularly on the part of those in our
community who are in a position to supply jobs and housing.
All of us who contribute to the Community Chest and
the Allied Jewish Campaign are doing a part in supporting
• the various agencies and services engaged in this work. But
at this time more than money is required. Special efforts are
needed. Certain groups in the community, those who are
able to provide jobs and housing, can be particularly helpful.
We need the immediate cooperation of employers, land-
lords and rental agents to aid these refugees without delay.
If the reader knows of a flat, an apartment or house for rent
or knows how it can be obtained, communication ought to be
ha,d at once with Esther Adler of the Resettlement Service,
TR. 2-4080.
If the reader can offer a job or knows someone who
can, communication should be had with Anna.Rose Hersh,
Jewish Vocational Service„. WO. 1-85'70. Many of the refu-
gees have useable skills. Jobs suitable for people with a
limited knowledge of English or in a Yiddish-speaking
environment are needed by this group. Our experience .
with these newcomers is that they performed to the great
satisfaction of employers.
There has been a remarkable adjustment to their adopt-
ed' homeland by those who were refugees yesterday. Those
who are coming now are the remnant who survived the
concentration camps and gas chambers. Since their liberation
we have kept them alive in displaced persons camps with the
funds supplied through the Joint Distribution Committee.
•In another half year or so all those who are eligible to come
here will have arrived.
It is our privilege to assist in this great humanitarian
enterprise, in the transformation of rootless and homeless
people into self-respecting well adjusted citizens. The miracle
of America is repeated once again. As someone quite ap-
propriately said, "DP means a Displaced Person in Europe,
but a Delayed Pilgrim in America."
tributing to the Israel Histadrut campaigns will
thrill at the sight of one of the most magnifi-
cant educational centers to be found anywhere
—Bet Berl near here. Established in memory of
the late labor Zionist leader, Bert Katznelson,
Bet Berl is intended to serve as a training
ground for leaders.
There are four pavilions, all of which are
connected by a single corridor. There is one
clubroom for every two pavilions, and each has
a large porch. There are study rooms, and there
are provisions for a madrich—a tutor—for every
classroom.
The present student population of 80 soon
will be boosted to 250. There is a high school
department, classes for youth leadership and
provisions for seminars.
Trainees at this school, which is located in
a beautifully landscaped area, will be prepared
to work with olim (new settlers) and to help
integrate immigrants into the country: Gradu-
ates also will be used for youth work in the
Diaspora, especially in the United States, and
the management hopes to be able to establish
a system of student exchanges with American
universities in order to create better U. S.-Israel
relations.
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Latest American mechanical devices have
been used in this school and in its communal
kitchen, and the hygienic conditions are per-
fect. The administrator includes Chanoch So-
rock, Baruch Eisenstadt and Zeev Goldberg.
Able teachers are beng recruited. M. Shoshani
was the architect and I. Alper the engineer who
supervised the erection of this building.
There is strong Detroit interest in Bet Berl.
Adjoining the school pavilions is a large and
impressive building now in the process of being
completed. It is the Sifriaoh—the library—for
the erection of which Morris Schaver contrib-
uted more than $50,000. The Bet Berl Sifriah
promises to become one of the most important
centers for research of its 'kind , in the entire
Middle East.
The • nucleus for the library is the famous
collection of books willed it by the late Hes
Aleph Friedland of Cleveland, one of the best
known American Hebrew writers and educators.
The Friedland Library, in addition to con-
taining the best Hebrew works, is believed to
include one of the world's finest collections of
Shakespereana.
The Schaver Sifriah needs furnishings. Large
sums will be required to complete it. The bet
Berl management is certain this will be achieved.
Meanwhile, the Sifriah stands as a monu-
mental tribute to a Detroiter who has most
liberally aided in Israel's .upbuilding and who
with his wife, Emma, are among the staunch-
est supporters of the labor Zionist cause.
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Weizmann s Big Day!
REHOVOTH—Dedication of the Weizmann
Institute of Science, on the historic 32nd anni-
versary of the Balfour Declaration, was a great
day for the President of Israel. Diplorriatic rep-
resentatives of many nations were. here.
University presidents and professors and the
Chief Rabbis—Dr. Isac Halevy Herzog and Ben
Zion Uziel—participated in the ceremonies.
Weizmann and a number of other scholars were
in their brilliantly colorful academic robes. A
number of Arab dignitaries were among the
guests.
It was a great day for Meyer Weisgal who open-
ed the ceremonies with a Hebrew address and
who translated it into English; and for Dewey
Stone, who presented the key to the first in a
series of buildings in the Weizmann Institute
of Science to Dr. Weizmann, in behalf of the
American Committee which is conducting a
fund-raising drive for the Institute.
We heard the playing of Hatikvah for the
second time in four weeks in Israel. It is cer-
tainly heard more often hi the Diaspora.
Perhaps there is a vast psychological differ-
ence in this respect between the lands which
provide the funds for the settlement of immi-
grants and the country that is building a new
life at a rapid pace.
Facts You Should Know .. .
Why is it customary at Jewish weddings for
the bridegroom not to see the bride before
the ceremony?
This custom generally has a sound psycho-
logical reason. Keeping the couple apart en-
velops the marriage with a certain sanctity, and
imbues the • couple with a sense of longing for
each other. Some sources claim that keeping
the bride away and veiling her gives her an
air of dignity and aspiration. There is a most
interesting reason offered by the commentaries
which traces this custom all the way back to
the original bride and groom, Adam and Eve.
Acccirding to the Midrash, when Eve was first
presented to Adam, he became upset and drove
her away from him. It was then that the Bib-
lical incident took place, wherein the Lord
made a deep sleep overcome Adam and created
Eve for him, the latter being later presented to
him in a "finished form." It is therefore claimed•
that to this day the bride is kept away from
the groom until after the ceremonies when she
is finally his wife.
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Do all Jews observe the Bar-Mitzvah cere-
mony at the age of 13?
No. The Jews of Morocco, for example, are said
to observe the Bar-Mitzvah ceremony at the age
of 12. The famous Saadia even regarded a boy
of 12 as a full member of a Minyan.