As the Editor
Views the News ..

The Message Is Still Good

Personalities, Theories
Blended in One Volume

Brotherhood

Epictetus' famous declaration — "The
universe of but one great city, full of be-
loved ones, divine and human, by nature en-
deared to each other"—still sounds like a
paean to the gods, like lip service which be-
lies common practice.
Yet, it is a fact that we have made pro-
gress ; that we continue to make progress ;
that barriers between races and faiths are
gradually being broken down; that humani-
tarian ideals are making inroads in areas
which previously were impregnable for lov-
ers of freedom and justice.
The United States, the bastion of democ-
racy, is the best example of advancement.
We are not completely "endeared to each
other by nature." It would be too much to
ask all of that in an era during which one
generation witnessed two world wars ; in
the course of a struggle between western
and eastern ideologies. But we already have
less friction. Our schools are available to all
and in areas where they were closed to some
because of race and religion they are gradu-
ally opening up more widely. Restrictions
are being reduced. Prejudices are declining.
Human conduct being unpredictable,
there is no definite assurance that bigotry
will not raise its head again, that new bar-
riers may not be erected between various
elements in our population. But the experi-
ences of two decades during which we have
been observing Brotherhood Week-give some
promise that the gains we have made can
be perpetuated—and expanded.
Brotherhood Week—to be observed Feb.
18-25—symbolizes the good we crave for in
prayers, in dreams, in our fondest hopes. It
has begun to work. By continuing to stand
together, Jews and Christians, we can make
it function effectively unto the end of days,
so that the universe may, indeed, become,
in our own day, "one great city."

Forgotten Atrocities

The world either has forgotten or is for-
getting the Nazi atrocities, the murder of
6,000,000 Jews, the devilish plot by tyrants
and murderers to rule the world and to de-
stroy the democratic idea.
Last week the U. S. authorities in Frank-
furt commuted the death sentence of 21 Nazi
criminals and granted clemency to 54 others
who were sentenced at the Nuremberg and
Dachau war crimes trials. Among those re-
leased is Nazi arms magnate Alfred Krupp.
True, U. S. High Commissioner John J.
Mc'Cloy has confirmed seven death sentences.
Explaining his position he said that he had
"striven to temper justice with mercy." But
the action taken by American authorities is
an indication that the horrors which caused
a world war are being forgotten too quickly.
Unfortunately, only a handful of the
members of Congress view the wholesale
pardons as unwise. The majority in Congress
is reported holding the view that the action
taken by Mr. McCloy and U. S. military com-
mander in Germany Gen. Thomas T. Handy
was "logical" and "desirable." But the Nazis
also believed their mass murders to be logi-
cal and desirable ! What a travesty of jus-
tice that the murderers should now be free
to renew their demonical activities ! If there
is any logic at all, it is centered in the ques-
tion. "Have we lost the war?"

A Noble Gift

Once again, a Warburg leads the way.
This distinguished family's noble philan-
thropic tradition was greatly enhanced this
week by the $650,000 gift made to the
United Jewish Appeal by Mrs. Felix War-
burg in honor of her 75th birthday.
This strengthens the hands of her son,
Edward M. M. Warburg, general chairman
of the UJA for 1951.
The son is chairman of the UJA ; the
mother is the largest contributor. What
else need be said in tribute to the eminent
name of Warburg?

THE JEWISH NEWS

Member: American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 108-10 David Stott 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.

Actors on Acting

The world's greatest actors are represented
in "Actors on Acting: Theories, Techniques and
Practices of the World's Great Actors, Told in
Their Own Words," edited with introductions and
biographical notes by Toby Cole and Helen
Kirch Chiney.
Crown Publishers (419 4th Ave., New York
16) can be proud of this magnificant work. Not
only does it present the art of acting: it also
evaluates the deep-rooted devotion of the men
and women of the stage to the art which has
become their great ideal.
Some very great Jewish names are included
in this work which begins with the ancient Greek
theater and continues unto our own day.
Sarah Bernhardt and Joseph Isidore Samson
in France; Max Reinhardt, and Paul . Kornfield,
who was killed in Auschwitz by the Nazis, in
Germany; Sergel M. Eisenstein in Russia; David
Belasco, Charles Chaplin, Paul Muni (Muni Weis-
enfreund) and Stella Adler in America—these
are some of the stars whose views and biogram.
phical sketches are a part of "Actors on Acting."
In the section on Russia, reference is made -
to the State Jewish Theater, and there are
numerous references to the Habimah.

Legitimacy of Name-Changing

Dr. Max Lerner, noted columnist and educator, never
pulls any punches when he fights for just causes. He followed
a consistent policy in his recent column, "On Name Chang-
ing" in the New York Post. We like his approach, and we
endorse it.
Referring to "distasteful implications about Jews, in-
cluding some who have changed their names," in the trial of
William Remington, Dr. Lerner declared at the outset that
he set out to "write this column because I am getting tired
of the snide between-the-lines innuendo about the position
of Jews in American life." His article is too powerful that
any point in it should be missed, and we ask our readers to
share with us the following excerpt:
I start with an outcropping of anti-Semitic feeling on the
part of a defense witness, Horace P. Bryan. U. S. Attorney Irving

H. Saypol was pushing Bryan hard under cross-examination,
and Bryan was getting more and more irritated by the merci-
less fire of Saypol, a tough and able cross-examiner. Finally,
nettled beyond endurance by Saypol's obvious inference that
Bryan—an ex-Communist Party organizer in the south—was
not a good American, Bryan blurted out, "I got here before you
did—by several generations," and went on to describe how his
ancestors were pioneers and had driven a wagon-train across
the continent.
It was a silly remark, with vicious implications since it was
addressed to Saypol, whose parents were Jewish immigrants
from Russia and therefore as truly pioneers and part of the
great American experience as any who ever drove a wagon-
train.
It is all the more surprising to find Saypol harrying another
defense witness, Bernard Redmont, about change of name.
Redmont's name, it appears, had been Rothenberg. He had
had it changed legally, through court order, when he was doing
graduate study at the Columbia School of Journalism, partly
(he testified) on the advice of Dean Ackerman.
Here is a section of the cross-examination from the tran-
script, with questions by Saypol and answers by Redmont.
• Q. Can't you remember some of the things he told you as to
why that would be appropriate?
A. I remember discussing with him the question of by-
lines and shortness and longness, other questions which I will
go into if your Honor thinks it is fitting, which are because of
religious matters.
Q. What did you say?
A. Religious matters.
Q. What do you mean by that?
- A. Well, there is a certain amount of anti-Semitism in the
world, unfortunately.
Q. And you were going to hide under a phony name. Is that
your idea?
Here the defense counsel, William Chanler, objected and
was sustained by the Court. I continue with another excerpt:
Q. I take it you are of Hebrew heritage?
A. That is correct.
Q. So you wanted to conceal that by taking this other name.
Is that the idea?
A. It was not a question of concealment.
Q. That is your concept of good Americanism?
A. I see nothing un-American about it.
Q. As a matter of fact, it is the Communists who take the
false names, isn't it?
,
A. It is not a false name, sir. If it were a false name, I am
sure the Court would not have ordered it.
This line of questioning would under any circumstances be a
pretty silly one. It is not improved by the evidence of the
municipal records which show that I. H. Saypol was himself
born under another name, and by the fact that his father had
the family name changed through a court order.
Obviously the inference that there is something "Un-Amer-
ican" or "Communist" about making a legal change of name is
as absurd in one case as it is in another.
The practice of changing foreign-sounding names is an old
American custom. How desirable it is in any instance is a
matter of personal taste and choice.

Additional comment would be superfluous. Both on the
score of the legitimacy of legal name-changing and the stu-
pidity of American anti-Semites who constantly dig iup in-
decent issues, Dr. Lerner has used bare knuckles in hammer-
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
ing at injustice in support of truth. Those who know him
SIDNEY SHMARAH, Advertising Manager
and have the privilege of reading his column admire his
XVIII—No. 22 Page 4 February 9, 1951 courage.
There is this additional thing to be said. In Israel, too,
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
Jews are changing names. They shed the false colorations
This Sabbath, the fourth day of Adar, 5711, acquired in ghettoes and in lands of persecution. In many
the following Scriptural selections will be read instances, names abandoned in this country follow a similar
in our synagogues:
process : the amputation of foreign appendages that are to-
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 25:1-27:19.
tally unnecessary in this free 'land. Therefore we, too, en-
Rrophetical portion—I Kings 5:2676:13.
dorse the legitimacy of legal name-changing.

Raiken Ben-Ari, noted Habimah actor,
author of numerous essays and two books on
acting and actors, is referred to and quoted in
the sections dealing with the Habimah.

At one point, Ben-Ari, who worked with Rein-
hardt "and has given an in-
teresting description of his
methods in his article, 'Four
Directors and an Actor' pub-
lished in Theater Workshop,"
is quoted as having pointed
out "that Reinhardt, unlike
Stanislaysky and Vakhtangov,
had no histrionic principles."
Again, in the article on Eu-
gene Vakhtangov (1883-1922)
Ben-Ari is quoted at great
length in an analysis of dif-
ferences between Stanislav-
sky and Vakhtangov.

Ben-Ari, incidentally, cur-
Ben An
rently again is in the lime-
light. He has just concluded a two-week ap-
pearance with Olivia deHavilland in "Romeo
and Juliet" as an Apothecary. This week he is
appearing in this role in Cleveland, on Monday
he begins a . three-Week appearance in this role
in Boston, then going. on with the great cast to
New York. Thus, Ben-Ari has advanced from a
place in the Habimah Theater—whose history
he has written—to a role with the noted Miss
deHavilland.

Those who had seen the Habimah actors-
recognize at once an Habimah note in the tune
Ben-Ari sings during his appearance in "Romeo
.and Juliet," in a role which is said to have been
played by.Shakespeare himself.
This is a mere aside to indicate the import- .
ante of one of the authorities quoted in "Actors
on Acting," an outstanding work that is fast
becoming a guide not only for actors but for lay_
people as well.

Bloch Issues Collected
Poems of Philip Raskin

Philip M. Raskin was Jewry's best known poet
for many years. As lecturer, as worker for the
Jewish National Fund, as a loyal Zionist, he had
helped advance the Jewish cause. But his poems
had done more to inspire faith in Jewish ideals
and to instill a love for Zion than anything else
he had done. As a matter of fact, his poems were
instrumental in gathering more strength for
Zion and Zionism than many speeches.
Bloch Publishing Co. this week issued a de-
serving tribute to the late poet, in the form of a
380-page book under the title "Collected Poems
of Philip M. Raskin."

This volume is "dedicated to my dear wife
Gittel, our children and grandchildren." And it
is fitting that the biographical notes on his
life should have been written by his daughter,
Esther Raskin Jonas. Mrs. Jonas has penned
a moving expression of love for her father, an
ideal interpretation of his works and has ade-
quately evaluated his interesting life.

"Collected Poems of Philip M. Raskin" is di-
vided into three sections: Poems on Jewish
Themes, Translations and Lyric Poems. The very. 1
best of his works have been selected for this vol-
ume. Each section is powerful and mirrors the )
deep-rooted feelings of the noted poet in Jew- 1,
ish matters, in describing human attitude, in
his love for his fellow men.

Bernstein Views `,dew-Hate .
As a Sociological Problem'

Philosophical Library (15 E. 40th St., NeW
York 16) has just published an interesting study
of anti-Semitism—Peretz Bernstein's "Jew-Hate'
as a Sociological Problem."
The author, a member of the Israel Knesset,
wrote this work in 1923 and had it published in
German in 1926. Now, with the subsequent ex-
periences, he still advances the idea of psycho-
logical influences on the minds of people, on
their group superiority feelings.
His conclusions are that in a state of their
own Jews will find an answer to the problem.
He found that answer for himself. As president
of the General Zionist Organization of Israel, be
has acquired an important role in Jewish life.

