Histadrut Reaches $100,000 Mark;
Rabbi Wohl to Speak on Thursday

Guest speaker at the Hista-
drut Campaign rally next
Thursday evening, at the Labor
-Zionist I n s t i-
tute, w i 1 1 be
Rabbi Samuel
Wohl, of Isaac
M. Wise Temple
of Cincinnati,
noted labor
Zion i s t leader.
Rabbi Wohl re-
turned recently
from a visit to
Rabbi Wohl Israel and will
present an up-to-date progress
report on Histadrut institutions.
Detroit's $300,000 Histadrut
campaign reached the $100,000
mark at last Thursday's rally.
Solicitations for the week were
highlighted by a report from
Arlazaroff Branch of Farband,
which already reached $45,000,
and a contribution of $1,687.20
from Laundry and Linen Drivers
Local 285. Isaac Litwak, pres-
ident of the local, was acclaimed
for the splendid showing of his
members under . his inspiring
leadership.
I. Pokempner, co-chairman of
the trades and professions coun-
cil, reported gains by various
divisions of the council. The
furniture division passed the
100% goal, the communal work-
ers division reached 81%, dry
goods 56%, and scrap metals,
52% of last year's amount.
LZOA Branch 6 and Farband
Branch 557 are leading the labor
Zionist movement with 56%,

folloWed by LZOA Branch 3,
46%; and LZOA Branch 10, 44%.
Dr. Joseph Burstein, head of
Histadrut culture and education
department, addressed Arlazar-
off Branch; at the installation of
officers last Wednesday, and a
gathering of Pioneer Women,
Club 1, last Tuesday, at Labor
Zionist Institute.
According to Louis Levine,
chairman of organizations, Hist-
adrut evenings have been
scheduled for many landsman-
schaften to spur campaign ac-
tivities. He announced a treas-
ury contribution of $2,000 from
Bereznitser Aid Society.

Northwest ICC Opens
New Teen Facilities

New programs for 12 to 14-
year - 01 d youngsters at the
Northwest Extension of the
Jewish Community C enter,
18677 Livernois, are announced
by Hal Schneiderman, super-
visor of teen activities.
A film of the Detroit Red
Wings, 1950, playoffs will be
shown at their Monday movie
hour at 8 p.m. Dancing will
follow.
Registration for the second
term of the Northwest dance
group for girls 5 to 10 is now
being accepted. Mrs. Leona Ze-
litzky is instructor. Fee is $5 for
ten lessons. First class meets
February 8. For information,
call DI. 1-2130.

Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Dr. Jacob Billikopf

—

Unique Personality

For decades to come, American Jewish history records will
refer back to Jacob Billikopf whose archives which he had ac-
cumulated during the last 30 years undoubtedly will continue to
reveal many important facts regarding Jews, their activities in
all fields of endeavor, their share in American philanthropy.
This Commentator has known Mr. Billikopf for more than a
quarter of a century. During that time, he had been kept in con-
stant touch with affairs that affected the status of Jews every-
where but which never saw the light of day because they might
have prejudiced the position of our people in a time when it was
necessary to fight for human rights and for the rescue of many
thousands from the Nazi inferno.
Back in 1917, when Dr. Billikopf headed the first great war
relief drive—for the then unprecedented goal of $10,000,000—he
wanted "one wealthy Jew to dramatize the drive by giving a mil-
lion dollars. He was delegated to go to Washington to see Julius
Rosenwald."
The quotation is from "Julius Rosenwald : The Life of a Prac-
tical Humanitarian" by M. R. Werner, who wrote:
"Jacob Billikopf arrived in Washington the day of President
Wilson's second inauguration in March, 1917. Rosenwald spent
the day attending the inaugural ceremonies, but that night
Billikopf caught him in the lobby of the Willard Hotel. He had
been rehearsing to himself a dramatic plea. He never made it,
for he found himself merely telling briefly of the new $10,000,000
campaign and of the need for a powerful stimulus to start it off
effectively. Rosenwald agreed readily to give 10 per cent of
every million dollars raised up to a maximum of $10,000,000."
Nevertheless, it was Billikopf who set the machinery into
motion for large giving for the relief of war sufferers. He had the
support not only of the wealthiest Jews but also of outstanding
Christians, including President Wilson who set aside one day as
Jewish Relief Day for the entire nation.
In connection with big giving by wealthy Jews, Mr. Werner's
book makes another interesting revelation. He writes that in De-
cember, 1918, Mr. Rosenwald wrote Billikopf as follows apropos
a book by M. E. Savage on Jewish War Relief Work:
"It should be distinctly understood that he is not to play
up any person conspicuously, because nothing would hurt the
book more than to have it appear that it was gotten up to at-.
tract attention to the wealthier donors. Much more emphasis,
to my mind, should be laid on the sacrifices made by the work-
ing people and the people in the smaller towns . . . So far as
my name goes, I want it to be as inconspicuous as possible with-
out injuring the story."
Dr. Billikopf was raised in a Lithuanian Jewish environment
and was steeped in Jewish knowledge. Combined with the cos-
mopolitanism he acquired in later years, he became an important
factor in good will movements. As the son-in-law of Louis Mar-
shall, he had access to important documents and became one
of the best informed Jewish leaders. Like Julius Rosenwald he was
interested in the advancement of the Negroes and was an ac-
tive member of the board of Howard College. He was an interest-
ing man and his career was an unique one. Those who knew
him deeply mourn his passing.

2—THE JEWISH NEWS

Friday, January 12, 1951

Detroit Labor Backs
Histadrut Campaign

Detroit's labor ranks — in-
cluding non-Jewish as well as
Jewish unions—last week fol-
lowed a long-established tra-
dition by enlisting their for-
ces in support of the Detroit
Israel Histadrut Campaign. ..
At a luncheon meeting at
the Detroit Leland Hotel on
Jan. 4, - at which Maurice
Samuel, author of " T h e
Gentleman and the Jew" and
a number of other best sell-
ers, was the principal speak-
er, Frank X. Martel, president
of the Detroit and Wayne
County Federation of Labor,
again pledged his support to
the builders of Israel.
An initial gift in behalf of
the Laundry Drivers Union
was made at the luncheon by
Isaac Litvak.
Morris Lieberman presided
at the luncheon and a brief
address also was delivered by
Morris L. Schaver.
Mr. Samuel stated in his
address that "Histadrut has
proven to be the most far-
sighted instrument of Jewish
statesmanship in Israel."

Mrs. Philip Adler
To Keynote JWF
Women's Day Meet

Mrs. Philip Adler, director of
the school program on commu-
nity service of the Council of
Social Agencies, will be the key-
note speaker at the opening
session of "A Day With Women
of Distinction," presented by the
Jewish Welfare Federation's
Women's Division, at 9:30. a.m.,
Jan. 31, at Temple Beth El.
Featured speaker will be Mrs.
G. Mennen Williams, Michigan's
first lady.
Mrs. Adler will set the theme
for the day's program—to in-
clude a group of simultaneous
discussion sessions and an after-
noon luncheon— by describing
the role the ..amature woman
plays in enriching ' her ' home
and her community when she
divides her activities intelli-
gently between them.
Mrs. Manes Hecht has prepar-
ed special art work for the invi-
tation to all Division workers.
Arrangements for the Institute
are under the chairmanship of
Mrs. Raymond Sokolov, program
chairman, with Mrs. Charles
Briskman and Mrs. Herschel V.
Kreger, vice-chairman, Mrs.
Leonard H. Weiner, Division
president, Mrs. Paul P. Broder,
Mrs. J. Shurly Horwitz, Mrs.
Harry L. Jones and Mrs. Milton
Marx.

Rubiner to Address
Joint Budget Meeting

Leaders in the Jewish Welfare
Federation, Detroit Service
Group and Allied Jewish Cam-
paign will gather at the second
annual Federation budget con-
ference at 10 a.m. Jan. 28, at the
Davison Jewish Center to dis-
cuss a formula for allocation of
1951 campaign funds. -
Samuel H. Rubiner, Federa-
tion president, announces that
presentation of agencies' needs
will be made by chairmen of the
budget and planning divisions:
Maurice A. Enggass and Milton
K. Mahler, health and welfare;
Henry Meyers, _ educational and
cultural, and .Morris Garvett,
community relations. Budgeting
of overseas funds will be re-
*
viewed by Julian H. Krolik, exe-
cutive committee chairman.
YIVO'S 25th Anniversary
The Federation board of gov-
YIVO, the Yiddish Scientific Institute, has, at last acquired
the recognition that is due it. The term is derived from the in- ernors has final responsibility
itials of the Yiddish name of the institute—Yiddish Wissen- for budgeting decisions.
shaftlicher Verein—which was established in Vilno in 1925 and
which has become a movement of great value in the gathering Chug Ivri to Hear Discussion
of valuable Jewish documents, in publishing important manu- Of History of Jews in America
scripts which have enriched Jewish life, and in accumulating
Chug Ivri; Hebrew speaking
and preserving Jewish libraries. •
YIVO has been driven to this country, from Vilno, by the club, will meet at 8:30 p.m.,
Nazis. At its New York headquarters, the institute functions in Tuesday, at the home of Mr. and
accordance with the highest principles which motivated its foun- Mrs. M. Shiffman, 18445 Wis-
dation. A library of 100,000 volumes of Judaica enables scholars consin. Miss Clara Kimmel will
discuss the history of the Jews
to carry on important research activities.
The celebration of YIVO's 25th anniversary, at the confer- in America, after which Hebrew
ence to be held in New York this week-end, is an appropriate songs and dances will be pre-
occasion for all Jewry to reaffirm interest in the institute and sented. All those interested in
to acclaim its work and its leaders.
Hebrew are

—

-

:

SRI Toasts ,Silver Jubilee; Looks
Forward to Added Aid to Community

A large and festive audience
of Jewish Social Service Bureau
members and friends gave JSSB
president, Dr. Lawrence Seltzer,
a hearty ovation when he key-
noted JSSB's 25th anniversary
celebration, Sunday, by saying,
"We look back at the past 25
years of service to the commun-
ity, and then we look forward
to another quarter of a century
of useful service."
Previously, four discussions,
which were presented concur-
rently in different rooms of the
Jewish Common it y Center,
mulled over four of JSSB's most
important activities. They were
actual case presentations of
"Problems of Adolescense,"
"Problems of Family Living,"
"Child Placement," and "From
DP's to New Americans," the
latter being the responsibility
of the JSSB Resettlement Bu-
reau.
With the use of fictitious
names, complete case histories
on various of the above panels,
were offered. The histories
demonstrated the role JSSB
plays in adjusting and re--
adjusting Jewish people, who
find certain phases of their
lives causing them difficul-
ties. Reports were presented
back to the general session
from a representative of each
panel.
Harold Silver, executive di-
rector of JSSB and one of the
principal speakers of the after-
noon, told the group that in ad-
dition to tasks JSSB assumes as
related in the panel discussions,
it also encompasses such impor-
tant work as helping the aged,
homemaking and psychological
testing.
Silver, who has been executive
director of JSSB for nearly 20
years, reminisced on some of
its greatest accomplishments.
He recalled how in 1930 and
1931, two of the worst depres-
sion year, a kosher kitchen was
established, and baskets of food
and- some money was contrib-
uted to improverished families.
"Despite the accomplishments
thus far attained, JSSB still
has a need for new activities,"
Silver added. He outlined a
three-point program, which he
hoped JSSB would undertake
this year, which would provide:
1. A department fOr the

aged, which would create
boarding homes and tie-
emphasize institutional living
for those who prefer private
homes.
2. Treatment for mentally
disturbed children, who will
otherwise grow up maladjust-
ed and without the maturity
to make rational decisions;
3. A district office in the
northwest section, to make
easier contact with the com-
munity.
Rabbi Morris Adler, of the
children's case committee, pre-.
sented awards to JSSB's two
>foster mothers with 20 or more
years of service. Mrs. John Far-
kus, who has taken in 34 chil-
dren in 23 years, and Mrs. Jen-
nie Masserman, who has brought
up 23 children in 20 years, each
received a plaque and a gift,
from the group.
In paying tribute to the two
women, Rabbi Adler stated that
their service was not that of
foster mothers, but of real •
mothers. "It is the gift of
motherhood that holds so im-
portant a place in Israel that
makes understanding basic m
Jewish motherhood throughout
the world," he added.
Dr. Seltzer presented awards
to two staff members who have
been with JSSB through all the
25 years of service to the com-
munity. Awards of plaques and
gifts were made to Henry Fein-
berg and Doris Sperling Markel.
Appreciation to all the past
presidents of JSSB were also
made, and awards presented.
Recipients were Melville S.
Welt (1925-1929), Abraham
Srere (1929-1931), Judge Theo-
dore Levin (1931-1936), Prof.
Samuel Levin (1936-1939),
George M. Stutz (1939-1941),
Mrs. Melville S. Welt (1941-
1943), Benjamin E. Jaffe
1943-1946), and Mrs. Charles '
Lakoff (1946-1949).
Other speakers for the after-
noon were Richard S. Bachman,
managing director of the Coun-"
cil of Social Agencies, and Jui-
lian H. Krolik.

Jews Support Peron Charity
BUENOS AIRES, (JTA) — A
check for 1,140,000 pesos h a s
been given the Eva Peron Social •
Welfare Foundation by Argen-
tine Jewish industrialists a n d
businessmen.

Between You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1951, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

Financial Trends

David Ben-Gurion, Israel's Premier, may pay a visit to the
United States in connection with the sale of Israel bonds in this
country . . The board of directors of the new organization has
no intention on the part of anybody to convert this group of. Jew-
ish leaders into an American Friends for Israel organization .
Each of the members of the board has been named by Henry
Molitor, executive head of the new group, who is highly optimistic
that the sale of Israel bonds will go over very big in this country
• . . Mr. Montor intends to establish a network of offices outside
of New York in order to promote the sale of the bonds in all
parts of the United States . . . There will be two types of bonds
issued, and both will mature in 15 years . . . Althuvgh the basic
intention is to sell the bonds among the Jews, there is no doubt
that many American non-Jews will be among those who will buy
them .. . Precautions have been taken to prevent the handing
over of the bonds as a contribution to the United Jewish Appeal
by donors, since this would_defeat the purpose for which the Israel
loan is being made .. This purpose is to secure more dollars for
the Jewish state, and the government of Israel is determined to
see to it that the sale of the bonds does not affect the income of
the United Jewish Appeal . .. Thus, the public offering of the
Israel bonds will start in May, when the UJA campaign is sched-
uled to be completed in a good many cities.

Political Issues

The announcement this week by the Jewish Agency executive
.that the 23rd World Zionist Congress will finally open on July 11
did not provoke any great enthusiasm among Zionists in the
United States . .. Many of them doubt whether Jerusalem is the
proper place for holding a Zionist Congress or, even whether it
should be the seat of the Jewish Agency executive . . . They argue
that the Zionist Congress, and the Jewish Agency executive, are
essentially instrumentalities of the Zionist movement outside of
Israel .. . Hence, their gatherings should be held outside of Is-
rael, preferably in the United States where the largest number of
Jews reside . • . They also claim that the holding of the Zionist
Congress outside of Israel would strengthen the interest of Jews
in countries outside of Israel in the Zionist movement . It
would engender the feeling that the Zionist Congress and the
Jewish Agency executive are not a part of the Israel government
machinery but institutions which are part and parcel of Jewish
life outside of the Jewish state . Those opposed to holding the
Zionist Congress in Jerusalem also point out that July is the hots
test month of the year in Israel, and therefore the Congress
should not be held there . . However, it seems that the oppo-
nents—the majority of them Meneral Zionists—will not have their
way this year.

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