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Detroit in .5710:
100 Years of Communal
Activity Marked Here
A Year for Action
By RUTH L. CASSEL
We are now ending a transition year
in Jewish history. The 12-month cycle
that will go down in history as 5710•will
be judged as a period durin g
the
Jewish people, exhilarated bby the tri-
umphs of the preceding year which rec-
orded the establishment of. the Jewish
State, lowered the speed of its activities
and took stock of its responsibilities. It
was not a year Of inactivity: it was the
natural outgrowth of unparalleled
achievements, and our people needed to
re-evaluate its obligations to Jewry in •
the Diaspora, to the oppressed who must
be rescued from humiliation, to Israel
which stands alone in the entire -world
with doors open to all Jews who need
haven and succor.
(Cupyright, 1950, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Detroit's Jewish community was 100 years
old in 5710. Although Jewish settlers are known
to have resided in. Detroit and Michigan before
1850, that was the year that a group of German-
Jewish families joined together to form Congre-
gation Beth El and, subsequently, to organize
charitable and cultural societies which, along
with the religious organization, are the stepping-
stones to communal life.
In celebration of this historic occasion, Tern
ple Beth El devoted the entire year to a series
of commemorative services, reunions, social and
cultural events, bringing to this city an array of
outstanding Jewish rabbis and lay figures.
Other than this historical landmark ; the
community devoted itself principally in the last
year to building, due largely to the gradual re l.
location of the large part. of the Jewish comma
munity into two neighborhoods--the Dexter area
and the Northwest section—,a move greatly ac-'
celerated during the past year.
The New Year 5711 is being ushered
New CommUnity Buildings
in with a seriousness and solemnity that
•
Among
the new buildings is an extension •of
augurs well for our people on all fronts.
the Jewish Community Center which shares a
There is complete- realization that there
building with the Jewish War Veterans' Mem- ,
orial Home. A modern and attractively-decor ,'
is no stopping the. Wheels. of progress,
ated building, dedicated last January, it is.' a'
that we dare not let Israel down, that this
prize example of cooperation between communes.
is not the time to speak of cessation of im-
ity agencies. Last November, Young Israel of
migration to the Jewish•state. More than
Detroit dedicated its synagogue and youth Cen-i
ter; which serves the entire community. DI:in ,
all this: our people recognize . .that if we
ing the winter the Carmel Hebrew School opened'
'are to retain our status as a spiritual en-
its new classroom-synagogue edifice. Other
tity we must.strengthen-our cultural for-
It is well, as we prepare to observe the Holy Day period buildings now under construction are two 0r-
tresses, we must increase our efforts on of 5711, that we should take stock and that we should evalu thodOt .synatogues, Cong. Ahavas Achim and
Ong. Beth -Moses, and Temple Israel's Reform
the, educational front and we .must giye ate Israel's needs and responsibilities.
Temple, which are
expected to be conipleted
new strength to the functioning agencies
American Jewry has played a very important role in time for the High all
Holy Days of 5711.
during the past two decades in rescuing the oppressed and
in Jewish communities everywhere.•
As in all other Jewish communities, fund
dispossessed, in the establishment of the State of Israel and raising occupied an important role in Detroit's
Our planning in the years to come in strengthening the important agencies which function in efforts this year and, following the nationwide
trend, reCeipts in almost every campaign were
must be along traditional lines and in ac- our own Jewish communities.
cordance with the highest ideals which
In 5711 we shall have to renew our bonds with Israel, .SOrneWhat under those reported in the previOus
we shall be called upon to increase our financial assistance year: June, the Allied Jewish Campaign re-
permeate Ur ;entire - history:
ported a total of $4,515,000 raised for the United
Grave Issues Face 5711
to the 750,000 Jews who must yet be rescued from humilia-
It is sheer folly, of courie, tdencour- tion in Moslem and Iron Curtain countries, and we shall be
age the adoption of resolutions on the faced with mounting duties on the home front.
New Year. The most effective type • of
Our obligations to the Jewish state are self-evident. A
activity is motivated not by temporary sense
of honor demands that we assist the struggling state
exaltation, inspired by a solemn Holy with all the affluence at our command. It is not enough that
Day, but rather by an appreciation of we provide relief funds : we must make large ca,pitarmvest-
basic needs which must. be fulfilled. It ments in Israel's industries, in order that the infant state
is our conviction•that •5710 was a year of may-be.supplied with the foreign currency without which she
transition and that 5711 looms on the cannot function.
: the persecuted in Iraq and Tripalitania and Egypt
horizon as a year of renewed activity in and Also
Lebanon; in Romania, Hungary and other European
the best interests of Israel's traditions and countries, must have our assurance through practical efforts,
in behalf of the most sacred ideals of that we are determined to keep Israel's doors open for them.
democracy which alone can save the
The causes whose needs may not be as obvioui are some
of the local functions, primarily our educational movements.
world from disaster.
In the midst of war -threats, Israel
welcomes another year with hope and
with a determined will to render service
Where it is needed the most. The year
5711 augurs well -- fo.r Jewry. and we
pray that it may develop into an era
of good will and amity for all peoples.
In this spirit,' we extend heartiest
good wishes to the - entire co•nmunity for
a Very - Happy New Year.
all the
hopes for peace, good will and amicable
international relations materialize dur-
ing 5711.
.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member: American Association of Englisb-Jewisb News-
Payers. Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by • The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., •WO. 5-1155.
Subscription $8 a year; foreign $4.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Poet Office,
Detroit. Mich., under Act of March 8, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ. Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAK Advertising Manager
RUTH L. CASSEL. City Editor
In -their behalf, we urge serious consideration of rising needs
in our schools, in our community centers, in cultural under-
takings involving the publication of the best produCts of our
men of letters.
The American Association for Jewish Education has
issued a challenge to American Jewry in a pamphlet entitled:
"Are We Trying To Build a House Without a Foundation?"
This challenge points out, quite correctly, that we are .in
danger, while building our Jewish structure, of forgetting
the foundation and declares :
"What is a proper foundation for a great and firm Jewish
community . structure? Isn't it all based, at the bottom, on peo-
ple; on Jews who know and understand WHO they are, WHAT
they are, and WHY they are—today and in the future? Ob-
viously, without Jews who want to continue being Jewish, with-
out Jews who understand what it means and has meant to be
Jewish, all the great structures which - we built are like straw . in
a wind-storm—they can disappear tomorrow without a .trace or
a whisper. And with them can disappear our efforts, our hopes
and our very identity."
This challenge emphasizes that "the only way to build
this foundation of Jewish self-understanding is through
JEWISH EDUCATION." It emphasizes our duties to our
schools—duties which demand that we exert all energies to-
wards enrollment of every Jewish child in a Jewish school.
Vol. XVII—No. 26 Page 4 September 8, 1950
If we are to continue the tradition of elevating the
morale of our youth, we must strengthen our community
centers and must provide facilities to keep our young people
This Sabbath, the twenty-seventh day .of off the streets, away from hang-outs, interested instead in
Elul, 5710, the following Scriptural selections will
productive. pursuits.
be read in our synagogues:
Our cultural status can be enhanced by giving encour-
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 29:9-30:20.
agement to the Jewish Publication Society of America which
Prophetical portion—Is. 61:10-63:9.
carries on a tradition of publishing the best Jeckrish literary
works, of encouraging Jewish writers, of stimulating the
Rosh Hashknah Scriptural Selections
building of home and public libraries. The Publication Society
Pentateuchal portions—First day, Tuesday: ha's earned the support of every American Jew. In 5711 we
Gen. 21, Num. 29:1-6:- Second day, Wednesday: can render great service by enrolling as members in this
Gen. 22, Num. 29:1-16.
Society and by encouraging the purchase of : its valuable
Prophetical portions—First day, 1 Sam. 1:1- books.
Numerous other local causes depend upon our devotion
2:10; Second clay, Jer. 31:2-30.
Scriptural Selections for Fast of Gedaliah, and interest for their successful functions. We owe it to them
if we truly mean to strengthen Jewish life in America. Sure-
Thursday: .
ly, the strengthening of our status as a cultural community
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 32:11-14; 34:1-10. in America, interlinked with our assistance to relief and re-
Prophetical portion—Is. 55:6-56:8.
construction efforts overseas, is a lofty program for 5711.
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
JeVyish Appeal and national and local agencies.
50 Years of Fund Raising
Amalgamated fund-raising in the Jewish
community was 50 years old in December, 1949,
when the golden anniversary of the United Jevi-
ish Charities, now the capital and property-
holding arm of the Jewish Welfare Federation,
was observed. Jewish giving also was promin-
ent this yer in the United Foundation's fall
Torch Drive,1 and in the Greater Detroit Hospital-
Campaign; which announced in June the collec ,.
tion of $17,000,000, of which $2,500,000 will go •
toward construction of Detroit's first Jewish
Hospital.
An important step was taken by the Welfare
Federation this year when it called more than
' 100 organizational leaders to a precedent-set-
ting conference in January, at which a commun-
ity-wide formula Was set up for fund allocations.
The formula, which governs Allied Jewish Cam-
paign receipts, provides for a substantial in-
crease in allocations to cover local needs.
Community Council Achievements
Detroit's Jewish Community Council contin-
ued its program of intra - community amity this
year through its highly-successful arbitration
committee and through a women's committee,
organized 'two years ago. The latter group hat
been instrumental in negotiating with the Ko-
sher Butchers' AssociatiOn to arrange price-
posting and other customer services, and, at
Passover time, in working with the Vaad' Hara-
bonirn and the retail grocers to discourage ex-b
horbitant prices on Passover foods.
The Community Council also was instru.;.
mental in having the racial designation re-
moved from the application blanks of the Michi-
gan State Employment Service. A unique step
was taken this spring by the Michigan Legisla-i
ture, at the request of the Community Council
in amending the voting laws to provide the ab-
sentee ballot privilege for qualified electors who
may not vote on election day due to religious
principles.
Israel Anniversary Event
Numerous festivities were held in April te.
mark the second anniversary of Israel's inde-.
pendence. They were climaxed by a commun-
ity-wide program at which Governor G. Mennen.
Williams was a featured speaker and which was
attended by 12,000 persons.
Two important news items this year came
from Detroit's Wayne University. Sociology pro-
fessor Dr. Edward Jandy was appointed cultural
officer of the public affairs division of the ,
United States State Department, to be stationed
in Tel Aviv for 12 to 18 months. Wayne also an-
nounced the establishment of an endowed chair
in Human Relations, in memory of the late Dr.
Leo M. Franklin, rabbi of •Temple Beth El for
more than 40 years and a prominent civic
leader.
Adult education facilities were very popular
this year. One program, sponsored by the Mid- ,
rasha, Detroit's College of Jewish Studies, which=
proved unusually successful, was a Hanukah
workshop for mothers, helping -them to guide
their children's home holiday celebrations.