Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOV1TZ

Mythology: When 'Folklore' MUST be Corrected

"The Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklor e,
Mythology and Legend," the second volume of which has recentl y
been issued by Funk & Wagnalls (153 E. 24th St., N. Y. 10), is a
remarkable work. Compiled by 33 outstanding world authoritie S
on the numerous subjects dealt with in the book, this dictionar
will prove a delight to its readers and will serve as a significan t
source book for students of history as well as mythology.
The second volume, for instance, devotes 15 pages to an articl e
on "Semitic Mythology" by the eminent Jewish scholar, D r.
Theodor Herzl Gaster. We shall have to defer comment on thi
scholarly essay.
At the moment, your Commentator is concerned with th e
question whether myths, as such, should be permitted to pass o n
their face value in the event that they serve the evil purpOses o f
maligning an entire people. True, the stories are presented as
legendS and not as actual facts. But there is a particular stor
which challenges the claim that damaging stories should be passe
on to posterity without supplementary comments when they hay
been established as untruths.

"Alleged" and "Said to Have Been" Evasions

The item in question appears in the Funk-Wagnalls Die
tionary under the headings "Jew's Daughter," "Hugh of Lincoln,
"The Jewis Daughter," and concerns itself with "the famou
tale of Hugh of Lincoln, told by Chaucer in the 'Prioress' Tale,
referred to Marlowe, etc. Hugh of Lincoln, like William of Norwic h
and many 'other little boys of the Middle Ages, was said to hay e
been killed by a Jew for ritual purposes and his body thrown int 0
a well."
. Thus while the Dictionary speaks of "alleged" murders
and uses the evasion "said to have been," the shocking truth i
that the legend is perpetuated regarding a "ritual murder'
involving Jews. Churches and states have repudiated th e
outrageous lie, but a major literary work, in which noted Jewish
scholars have participated,- presents the story as if it might hav e
been fact, even if we are treated to it as legend.
Now, to the story and to the facts:

Truth versus Legend

The Lincoln, England, legend was written in blood as th e
sixth ritual murder libel in England. Hugh, the illegitimate so n
of Beatrice, was found dead in a cesspool belonging to a Jew
Copin, in August 1255. It was established later that he had fallen
into the well while on an excursion with a group of children. But
a large group of Jews had gathered in Lincoln at the time for
the marriage of Bellassez, the daughter of Rev. Berachya ben
Moses of Lincoln, also known as Berachyah de Nicole, noted 13th
Century English scholar. It was considered an apt occasion for
attack .on the Jews and the confiscation. of their property.
Copin was arrested, was induced to "confess" by . John of
Lexington on a pramiSe that his. life would be saved but never-
theless was tortured and put to death. Ninety-two Jews were
taken to the Tower of London on Nov. 22 and were brought before
King Henry III on the accusation that they had a share in the
.,itual libel guilt. Eighteen of them, refusing trial by
jury that did not have a single Jewish member, were indicted
without hearing and executed the next day. The other 74 were
released on March 12, 1256. The rumors were that they were freed
on intervention of the noble and fair-minded Franciscans; others
credited their release to the Dominicans. But another source
charged that the king wanted the Jews' possessions and freed
them in exchange for contributions from Jewish communal
treasuries.

Avarice and Prejudice

It wasn't all avarice: the fanaticism and gullibility of the
masses, the widespread anti-Jewish prejudices were, of course,
responsible in great measure for the crimes against the Jews who
were charged maliciously with a murder they did not and could
hot commit according to Jewish law.
In the 18th ,century, Hugh's corpse, which was buried in
Lincoln Cathedral, was exhumed, and it showed no broken bones,
thus disproving the charge that he was tortured. -
Members of the Jewish Historical Society of England vis-
ited Liricoln in 'June, 1934, The mayor of the - city, George Deer,
made an official repudiation of the charge against the . Jews
on his community's behalf. He condemned the entire incident
as a libel.
Nevertheless, Chaucer dominates a modern Dictionary and
a libel appears in print as a mere "alleged" legend, without
repudiation in the interest of truth.
This Commentator appreciates the value of Legends and
Folklore, else he could not have enjoyed the masterful and
monumental Funk-Wagnalls work. But in .an instance of a libel
against an entire people, he believes that the truth must be
mentioned. Certainly, our italicized references should have been
appended to the "allegation," since it is common knowledge that
the ritual murder libel has led to pogroms and to mass murders.
We offer our viewpoint to the authors and publishers of the
Dictionary under review in the interest of truth and a just world.
*.
*

2

—

THE JEWISH NEWS

JWB Activates USO
Armed Services Group

Reactivation of the Detroit
Army and Navy committee of
the national Jewish Welfare
Board as the Board's local USO
armed services committee took
place at a meeting Feb. 22.
Mrs. Maurice A. Landau, chair-
man of the original group since
the close of World War II, ap-
pointed a nominating committee
headed by Samuel H. Rubiner to
prepare a slate of officers for
the expanding program.
All organizations wishing to
participate are invited to ap-
point a representative to the
local committee, by calling com-
mittee headquarters, TR. 5-8403.
The meting featured a talk by
Herman Bauer, executive direc-
tor of the USO of Metropolitan
Detroit, who described the city-
wide USO program. Mrs. Daniel
Krouse, chairman of the food
services committee which is now
training supervisors for duty at
the Fort Wayne Induction Cen-
ter, explained that each organi-
zation participating in the food
program will be responsible for
supplying 12 people to man the
Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
an assigned Monday and to pro-
vide $50 for materials for sand-
wiches.
Volunteers are needed for
junior and senior hostesseS and
for home hospitality, particu-
larly during the forthcoming
holiday periods.

Members who attended the official re-
activation meeting, and the organizations
they represent, include: Rabbi Sidney
Akselrad, Temple Beth El; Norman
Berkley, Jewish War Veterans; Mrs. Mor-
ris Burnstein, Pasadena Study Club; Rob-
ert Coggan, Bnai Brith Council; Joe
Feldman, Bnai Brith Council; Mrs. Simon
Freedman, Pasadena Study Club; Maurice
D. Glasier, Young Adult Council; Mrs.
Samuel R. Glogower, National Jewish
Welfare Board; Mrs. F. Goldfarb, Far-
band, and Sol Hoberman, Jewish War
Veterans.
Others attending were Mrs. Lewis
Manning, Bnai Brith Council; Barney A.
Ross, Bnai David Men's Club; Mrs. Oliver
Rub, ORT; Hyman Safran, Congregation
Shaarey Zedek; Mrs. Isadore Schoenberg,
Sosnowitzer Cendiner; J a in e s Senor,
YOung Adult Council; Irwin Shaw, Jew-
ish Welfare Federation; Mr. M. H. Shep-
herd, Youth Guidance of Michigan, Inc.;
Mrs. M. H. Shepherd, Bnai David Sister-
hood; Mrs. Charles A. Smith, Armed
Services Committee; Helen WeiSs; Bnai
Moshe Sisterhood; Mrs. John M. Wise,
ORT; and Rabbi Max J. Wohlgelernter,
Congregation Mogen Abraham.

Louis I. Rosenberg
At Chicago UN Parley

Attorney Louis James Rosen-
berg, formerly of the American
diplomatic service in Spain and
Brazil, was delegate to the con-
ference of the American Asso-
ciation of the United Nations
held in Chicago Sunday, Mon-
day and Tuesday at Hotel Stev
ens.
Rosenberg left for the confer-
ence early Sunday morning. He
participated in the Monday af-
ternoon session on "A Positive
Approach to World Fear." The
discussion was led by Prof.
Clark M. Eichelberger.
Averill Harriman, special as-
sistant to President Truman,
was principal speaker at the
Sunday evening session a n d
Governor Stevenson, at t h e
Monday evening session.
Rosenberg has been atorney
for various diplomatic and con-
sular. officers for many years
Chicago Tribune's Vituperation
Attacks on individuals do not always imply that their entire and is an associate member of
group is singled out for abuse. Insults heaped upon ,Congressmen the International Academy of
Sabath and Celler by the Chicago Tribune need not )3 ,, interpreted Diplomacy of Paris.
as anti-Semitism. But when people selected for criticism always
Woman UN Observer
are Jews, the evil intention becomes apparent:
The latest outburst of the Chicago Tribune is contained in To Address NCJW
an editorial entitled "A Couple of Chiselers," in which it is arro-
Mrs. Adolph. Robison, the only
gantly asserted that "few of the chiselers in Washington can sit accredited women's club ob-
in the game with those two sages of the House, Rep. Sabath of server at the United Nations, will
Chicago and Rep. Celler of New York." And about the former, address a meeting of the Career
the ill-mannered and reactionary Chicago daily wrote: "When Group, National Council of Jew-
this old scoundrel tries to dip into the taxpayers' pockets, there ish Women, at 8:30 p.m., Mon-
is generally reason to suspect that he is hoping to hook a few day, at the Woodward Jewish
bucks for himself."
Center.
If there were the slightest cause for such suspicion, Rep.
Faye Gallob, chairman, an-
Sabath's constituents would not have returned him to Congress nounces- the meeting is open to
uninterruptedly for 54 years—since 1897. The Tribune's state- men and. women in the com-
.nt appears clearly to be libelous and we should like to see munity. Mrs. Robison will ad-
action against such outrageous attacks upon the Dean of the dress a meeting of the Detroit
Council, NCJW, earlier. A so-
House. .
cial will follow the evening's
Education Conscious Synagogues
Congregation Shaarey Zedek's executive director Joseph Ab- program.
rahams informs us that synagogues in Pontiac, Ann Arbor, Grand
Rapids, Kilgore, Tex., Lewiston, Me., Mansfield, 0., and Saginaw Robert Rosenberg Wins U of M
DID inquire about the Beth HaYeled, Sunday and Hebrew Daily Hopwood Freshmen Prizes
Robert Rosenberg, of 9243
Schools of Detroit's leading Conservative synagogues, and that
Ohio, was the top prize winner
inquiries were not limited to caterers and business administration. in
University of Michigan's Hop-
That's good—but information on the spiritual and cultural wood creative writing contest for
side must not be an afterthought. "Ileein kemach ein Torah"— freshmen. Rosenberg wan first
true, without bodily sustenance there can be no learning. But prize of $50 for his fiction story
knishes must not be placed above the aleph beth, especially in and an addition $20 for third
our synagogues.
prize in poetry.

-

City-Wide Rally to Close
Histadrut Drive March 25

Friday, March 2, 1951

Detroit's current Histadrut as treasury gifts from 60 organi.
campaign will formally close on zations. Five hundred new con-
March 25 with a traditional tributions were made during the
current campaign.
The Furniture Division boost-
ed its total to 121 percent over
last year, with W. RabinovitZ
and M. Brose obtaining addi-
tional contributions. Campaign
workers adding considerable
pledges during the past two
weeks are S. Pine, Farband 552;
H. Adler, Farband 137; S. Kane,
Farband 114;. M. Ginsburg,
LZOA 3; J. L. Wolock, scrap
metals division; and. Jack Erin-
ger, Herbert Hordes and Bernie
Schiff, of LZOA branch 11.
Morris and Willie Bittermans,
Jewish farmers of Marine City,
mailed in a sizable contribution
towards establishment of an
Histadrut Moshav in Israel.
Histadrut friends are urged to
DR. JOSEPH BURSTEIN
listen to the "Voice of Hista-
city-wide Histadrut demonstra- drut" every Saturday night,
tion at the Music Hall, an- 10:15 and 10:30 p.m. over sta-
nounced Morris Lieberman, tion WJLB, under directorship
of Louis Levine.
campaign chairman.
Mo s h e Kusevitsky, world's
greatest cantor, will be princi- Labor Head Sparks NY Drive
NEW YORK (JTA)—"Israel's
pal guest artist. Akiva Govrin,
member of Knesset and Hista- future hangs in the balance be-
drut leader in Israel will be cause of the current interna-
tional situation," Akiva Govrin,
guest artist.
Rabbi Morris Adler will also Israeli labor leader and chair-
address the demonstration. Ad- man of the Labor Relations
mission cards are available for Committee of - the Israeli Par-
Histadrut workers and cam- liament, declared at a special
paign contributors.
conference called to aid the M..
Dr. Joseph Burstein, director 000,000 Histadrut campaign in
of the culture and education the United States. More than
department of the Histadrut in 1,500 delegates from all parts a
Isreal, who addressed several the country participated in the
Histadrut meetings here early conference which was convened
in the campaign, will be the by the National Committee for
guest speaker at Thursday's Labor Israel.
Histadrut rally at the Labor
Emphasizing that Israel is the
Zionist Institute.
only fortress of democracy in
Michael Taich, director of or-
ganizations, reported a spurt of the Middle East and is the great-
activities and additional con- est military force in that part
tributions of landsmanschaften, of the world, Mr. .Govrin said
boosting their total to over 50 that the Jewish state must con-
percent of last year's figures. tinue to be so "for the benefit of
He singled out Nathan Rose, all those who believe in free-
who brought in $2,495 from the dom and social justice."
Rep. Jacob K. Javits called
Bereznitzer Aid Society, and
Mrs. S. Kleinman,' Histadrut upon the United States to make
chairman of the Ruzhiner Pro- an official declaration that the
gressive Society, whose group Middle East is a strategic area
"esssential" to the security of
last week pledged $1,255.
With one-third of last year's this country. He also called for
total still to be obtained, the prompt American governmental
executive board at last Sunday's aid to Israel and for the inaug-
meeting mapped out plans to uration of a four-point program
intensify solicitation of out- of Israel-American cooperation
standing pledges. Nearly 1,700 to bring security and economic
pledges are unreported as well development to the Middle East.

Between You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

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

Communal Trends

The United Jewish Appeal drive is stepping into a fast stride,
"under its new leadership . . . Although Edward M. M. Warburg and
Dr. Joseph Schwartz, the new leaders of the campaign, are very
modest about their achievements, these are quite noticeable .
The communities throughout the country show an appreciation of
their efforts to achieve maximum results in a year when there will
also be a sale of Israeli bonds ... These efforts—as some Jewish,
community leaders put it—are symbolized in the two letters "M"
of Mr. Warburg's middle name: "M" for money and "M" for mile-
age . . . Both Mr. Warburg and Dr. Schwartz are now doing a lot
of "mileage" for "money" for UJA And, contrary to the experi-
ences of the last two years, the Jewish Welfare Funds throughout
the country are now beautifully cooperating with UJA . . . There
are no more squabbles over the preeminence of Israel over local
community needs, and understanding on pre-campaign budgeting
is being reached in all major communities in a spirit of unprece-
dented goodwill ... Some top community leaders are of the opinion
that the close harmony now prevailing between Welfare Funds and
UJA leaders will result in the raising by UJA of at least $85,000,000
this year . . . This, despite the huge drive for the sale of Israeli
bonds to be launched this year . . . Last year, UJA, having no
competition, raised about $89,000,000 of which Israel received $61,-
000,000 including $4,000,000 spent by the Joint Distribution Com-
mittee on the Malben project and $2,000,000 on transportation of
immigrants to Israel . . . This year Israel will get no less should
UJA succeed in raising $85,000,000.
*
*

Inside Israel

With Israel facing the possibility of new national elections,
it is interesting to find that .85 percent of the population think
that there are too many political parties in the Jewish state .. .
The discovery was made by an Israeli "Gallup Poll" .. :The survey
revealed that this large majority of Israelis believe that the 21
political parties which presented slates and platforms during the
first parliamentary elections, in January 1949, are closely enough,
related to unite a maximum of four political factions . . • Ninety-
four percent asserted that long before the election they had
decided for whom to vote, and that . the electioneering propaganda
did little to influence their choice . . . Elections in Israel are on a
proportional representation basis .. . Each party presents lists of
candidates .. . The voter indicates his choice of party only, and
each party seats as many candidates as the proportion of the
total vote it receives ... The survey reveals that the previous record
of the party has a determining influence ... The platform comes
next, and the leadership is of least significance