Purely Commentary
By PH ILIP SLOMOVITZ
Richards' "Jewish Information Bureau"
Unheralded and unsung, Bernard G. Richards, one of Ameri-
can Jewry's most distinguished scholars, one of the founders of
the American Jewish Congress (with the late Mr. Justice Brandeis,
Stephen S. Wise. Judge Julian Mack,
Pinhas
Rutenberg, and others), con-
i
ducts a valuable service. It is known
as the "Jewish Informatnon Bureau. -
It functions on a small budget, gets
very little support, yet is the basis for
great cultural efforts in this country.
Only a few welfare funds provide
small sums towards support of this
bureau, and a handful of Richards'
(we refer to him affectionately as
BG) friends assist his labor , of love
periodically.
Very often, men of learning must
turn to BG for information. His en-
cyclopedic mind retains a lot of in-
formation, gathered during the past
half century. Then there is his
uable library which is used to supple-
B. G. Richards ment information for which lecturers,
authors, rabbis. government officials, apply from time to time. BG
has created an important place- for himself in American Jewish
history.
BG has a sense of justice and liberality. He lines up with the
Progressives in Zionist ranks. He smashes taboos. He defends
the rights of the oppressed. He battles to protect the maligned.
Curiously, BG now is among the strongest boosters of the New
York Times and is furious when old grudges are brought into
play in reference to the Times. The services that have been ren-
dered to Jewish causes by the New York Times in the past five
or six years, this great newspaper's defense of the Jewish position
vis-a-vis Israel, its staunch support of liberal DP legislation, its
stand in favor of FEPC legislation have caused BG to resent un-
fair remarks about the Times. This Commentator takes his stand
beside Bernard G. Richards on this score. The Times has con-
sistently been fair in all matters affecting the Jewish people and
it will do no good to rake up forgotten grudges. You might as
well carry grudges against many leading Jews who formerly were
anti-Zionist but who now are in the forefront in support of Israel.
This is a mild tribute to BG. He deserves much more at the
hands of the American Jewish community. But he especially has
earned that his "Jewish Information Bureau" should be assisted
in every possible way. .
*
*
Israel as Uniquely Qualified Democracy
--
.
John Roy Carlson, the eminent author of "The Plotters" and
"Undercover," took exception to Prof. Millar . Burrows' challenge
to the democratic nature of Israel and to the proposal of U. S.
aid to the Jewish state. Having lived in Israel, Egypt, Syria and
.Jordan and having studied the trends in Middle Eastern countries,
Mr. Carlson, in a letter to the New York Times, made some sig-
nificant observations. on the basis of his own "grass.roots" experi-
ences in those countries.
Differing with Prof. Burrows, Mr. Carlson asserts- that-- "the
Middle East is shockingly undemocratic, underdeveloped and
feudalistic;" that "its xenophobia is so deep-rooted that 'Western'
-or 'European' is for the vast majority of the Middle East's popula-
tion a curse word of stinging hatred." Mr. Carlson continues:
"This xenophobia has historic roots that long antedate the
birth of Israel. So has the theocratic fanaticism which Dr. Bur-
rows again ascribes to disappointment with some of the West's
political actions. He cannot have- had -very close contact with
the leadership and the rank and file of the powerful Moslem
Brotherhood, nor does he seem to know the gripping terror in
which almost all the Christian minorities in the Middle East
live today. Unfortunately, the trend in Islam today—not only
in Iran, but also in Egypt, Syria, Iraq—seems clearly to be to-
ward, rather than away from, intolerance and fanatical exclu-
siveness.
"The Israel issue is doubtless exploited by Communist agita-
tors, but careful examination has convinced me that the growth
of communism in the Middle East is essentially a direct reaction
to the misery of the Arab masses. American aid to the Arab
countries can, if wisely used, play a salutary role in combating
Middle East communism. I am afraid that the frequent state-
ments of Arab spokesmen that they prefer poverty to accept-
ance of aid 'with political strings attached' are the rhetorical
exaggerations of upper-class politicians. The inarticulate masses
certainly do not cherish their poverty nor will they remain
quiescent indefinitely.
"Professor Burrows to the contrary notwithstanding, I can
testify that Israel is a uniquely democratic center in a sterile
region. The character and social organization of the Israeli
were faithfully reflected in the statement made by their Premier
during his recent visit, that Israel would 'cooperate untiringly
with all those who set their faces against the enslavement of
the soul of man.'
"Israel is, moreover, a self-supporting, vital force. Having
survived the initial attacks, it is strong enough have come to
stay, and Professor Burrows and all of us will be far more help-
ful to our Arab friends if, instead of implicitly encouraging them
in their hostility to Israel, we help them. to see the logic of
coming to terms with the facts. How much better off the
Middle East and all of us would be if the accent there were on
constructive work and social reform tasks that American aid
to both Israel and the Arab states could facilitate so greatly.
"To single Israel out and devote special attention to its
needs is merely to recognize the fact that it is uniquely qualified
for aid and able to turn it most effectively to uses which - will
benefit the entire free world."
Mr. Carlson presents enough facts to indicate that he could
write a new Plotters' story to expose the undercover activities of a
vast Arab force which, working together with misled intellectuals,
seeks to undermine Israel's existence. Fortunately, there are
enough liberal-minded and truth-propounding men—like John
.Roy Carlson—to offset the nasty propaganda. As long as they—
and Jewish spokesmen—keep on guard, it will be possible to over-
come the evil influences in this country.
—
ZOA National Director Meets With' Local Leaders
Howard Agronin, national di-
rector of membership for the
Labor Zionist Organization of
America, will meet with the
council of LZOA, on Monday
evening, at the Labor Zionist
Institute.
Sidney Shevitz, Council chair-
man, announces that all
branches of LZOA are making
a concerted effort toward large
membership enrollment in the
coming weeks.
Mr. Agronin will remain in
Detroit for several weeks, meet-
ing with and advising the indi,
vidual chapters of LZOA.
2
—
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, July 6, 1951
junior Division
Elects Directors
To provide a corps of leaders
for the young adult activities of
the Community Service Com-
mittee, members of the Junior
Division of the 1951 Allied Jew-
ish Campaign elected 36 to the
committee's board of directors
at the annual meeting of the
division on July 1.
Members of last year's board
re-elected as directors include
Virginia Barnett, Allen Bobroff,
Avern Cohn, Rose Fine, Alma
Fox, Mildred Fox, Irwin Holtz-
man, Norman D. Katz, Marilyn
Kopel, Charles Levin, Seymour
Lichter, Milton Lucow, Leo Maj-
zels, Harriett Ruth Migdol, Na-
than Peterman, Richard Prince,
Shirley Rappoport, Samuel Ross,
Geraldine Silverman and Mel-
vina-WinOkur.
Two division chairmen of the
1951 drive, Harriet Alper and
Helen Golde, who were not pre-
viously on the board, but who
had served on the division's
campaign executive committee,
were among the 36 elected to
lead the Community Service
Committee.
Fourteen others elected to the
Board on the basis of their
leadership and the tremendous
job they did during the cam-
paign include Myrle Farber,
Eleanor Goodman, Penny Isaacs,
Richard A. Kahn, Edward Kar-
abenick, Vivian Keidan, Ann
Magid, Paul Mandel, Dora Man-
delbaum, Myron Milgrom, Ar-
lene Ross, Arthur James Rub-
iner, Michael .-L. Stacey and Eve
Zaretsky.
Truman Adheres to
Hennock Nomination
111 )
MacIver Controversy ages as
NCRAC Urges `Serious Study'
y the American Jewish Press
The once "top secret" Maclver
Report, a suggested blueprint
for improving the structure of
Jewish defense agencies, con-
tinued in the news with a mem-
ber of the NCRAC committee,
charged with preparing the re-
port, flaying critics and repre-
sentatives of welfare funds in
America's 12 largest cities and
urging a "serious objective"
study of Dr. Maclver's findings
by "all responsible groups."
Lewis W e i n-
stein, vice-pres-
ident of the
Jewish Com-
munity Council
of Metropolitan
Boston and a
member of the
special commit-
tee on evalua-
tive studies of
the National Maclver
Community Relations Advisory
Council, attacked attempts to
discredit the Maclver Report as
"unobjective" and as an "at-
tack on Orthodoxy and Jewish
education."
Admitting that the study re-
port would "provoke discussion
and will not meet with universal
agreement," Weinstein contend-
ed that "it is inconsistent with
sound community relations and
it is unfair to try to discredit
the report and its author before
its °publication and to attempt
to influence prejudgment by
those who have not read its
contents."
(The Maclver Report was
flayed by Judge Meier Stein-
brink, national chairman of the
Anti- Defaniation League of
Bnai Brith, as "unobjective."
Writing to member's of the board
of directors of the ADL. Judge
Steinbrink contended that
"large portions of it (the Re-
port) are invalid and many sec-
tions reveal - a lack of undep ,
standing'of Jewish life or his-
tory.")
Meanwhile at a weekend
meeting in New York City, the
Large City Budgeting Confer-
ence urged all responsible groups
to afford the Maclver Report
careful study and said it -would
"help facilitate this process."
LCBC representatives, the group
said, -plan to conduct local
cussions with "their respective
boards and responsible commit-,
tees so that the LCBC brief will
reflect the reasoned views of the
local leadership in each corn ,.
munity." •
The LCBC, together with
major defense agencies and
local community relations coun-
cils, is scheduled to submit its
views an the Report to the eval-
uative study committee of the
NCRAC, sponsors of the survey.
Between You and Me
By BORIS .
Agency, Inc.)
(Copyright, 1951, Jewish legraphic
'e
Jews in U. S.
American Jewish institutions,- aided by the National Jewish
Welfare Board, now beginning to map plans for the celebration
of 300 yearS of Jewish life in America .. It was 1654-34 years
after the Puritan Pilgrim Fathers landed on the Mayflowerthat
the first 23 Jewish pilgrims arrived in New York (then New
Amsterdam) from Brazil . . . The. year. 1954 will, therefore, be
observed by all Jewish communities throughout the country, as the
tercentenary of the settlement of jews in the United StateS,
. . It will be a year of unprecedented activity which will bring
out how deep the Jews are rooted in this_ country . ; It is with
great pride that Jewish groups in every American city and town
will participate in the various projects' aimed at showing the cOli-,‘
tribution made by Jews to America's development . . . The United
States Post Office may issue a special commemorative stamp .
And the President of the United States may issue a special procla-
mation . .. The event may also be marked in the U. S. Congress
by the adoption of a special resolution . And the City of New
York may 'even coin a special medal for presentation to the
national Jewish tercentenary committee .. . Recommendations
submitted by the American Jewish Historical Society urge the
encouragement of special publications , < < They suggest the sub-
ventioning of a popular book on 300 years of JeWish history in
New York, in addition to a pamphlet history of Jews in the United
States . . Among the projects recommended is also the publica- :
tion of a history of Jewish membership in the armed forces of the
United States since the foundation of the Republic . . A history
of Jewish contributions to the United States may be published.
. . Also a "Who's Who' and What's What in American Jewish
History" in the form of questions and answers . Numerous
other suggestions, including the production of plays, documentary
firms, commemorative plaques, a tercentenary medallion, special
Jewish calendars, picture postcards of historic Jewish sites and
personalities, are now being considered . . . Not to speak of
pageants, special school programs, music festivals and exhibitions
on American Jewish themes.
WASHINGTON (AJP)—Presi-
dent Truman strongly defended
his nomination 'of Miss Frieda
Hennock to a federal judge post
despite strong opposition voiced
by -the American Bar Associa-'
tion . and- the, Associatiori of the'
Bar of the City of New York td'
her confirmation as a jurist.
Truman said the opposition of
the group to Miss Hennock's
appointment as a judge of the
'United. State District Court for
the Southern District on grounds
that she is/ "totally unqualified'
doeS not mean a thing. The
president told newsmen that he
had appointed a number of good
judges in the face of an attack
by the Bar.
The Polish - born Miss Hen-
nock -came to the United States
at the age of and at 23 became
a lawyer in New York. Active
in Jewish affairs, she is present-
ly a member of the Federal Com-
munication Commission. Senate
confirmation of her appointment
would make Miss Hennock the
first woman to serve as a Feder-
al Judge in the New York Dis-
trict.
Communal Issues
The "top secret" Maclver report, an evaluation of the work
of Jewish groups engaged in fighting anti-Semitism, has now been
Anti-Zionist Educator
taken up by the representatives of the larger communities at a
Gets Princeton Post
closed session arranged by the Council of Jewish Federations and
Welfare Funds . .. And the decisions adopted at this parley,
PRINCETON (AJP)—A lead- which was held in New York last week-end, indicate that most
ing anti-Zionist spokesman, Dr. of the recommendations contained in the report will be favorably'
Bayard Dodge, president of the received in the communities • . These recommendations will not
American University of Beirut in be made known to the public for a long time to come, but it can
Lebanon for 25 years, will join be safely predicted that they will be a subject of heated discuS-
the Princeton University facul- sions among top Jewish leaders for many months . . . Some of
ty next fall as a lecturer in the the major recommendations can now be revealed, since they'
program of Near East studies.
leaked out through the Anti-Defamation League . . . Prof. Mac-
Dodge,. pro-Arab and anti- Iver recommends that the National Community Relations Advisory'
Israel, is scheduled to offer a Council should establish a standing committee for over-all strategy
graduate course dealing with in the field of combatting anti-Jewish prejudice . . . He estab-
the political, economic and so- lished that there is lack of team work among the various Jewish
cial aspects of the contemporary agencies engaged in. community relations work, and that there is
Near East, according to an an- unwillingness among the agencies to pull together for the sake of
nouncement by Dean J. Douglas common objectives . .. In order to avoid needless jurisdictional
Brown.
disputes. Prof. Maclver recommends that the Jewish Labor Conti-
Joining the faculty of the mittee become the exclusive agent in the field of labor, and that
American University in Beirut the Union of American Hebrew Congregations should have exelu.
in 1913, Dr. Dodge served as its sive charge of the inter-faith area providing. at the same time,
president from 1923 to 1948. He for representation of the other Jewish religious groups . . The
is the author of a number of Maclver report also recommends that the Anti-Defamation League
anti-Zionist articles.
of Bnai Brith and the American Jewish Committee relinquish
their veterans departments leaving the work of these departments
Ohrbach Wins Scouting Title
to the Jewish War Veterans of America . . . It urges the setting
NEW YORK, ( JTA ) — T he up of a single system of general fact-finding on all matters related
French Government conferred to anti-Semitism and other subversive activities in place of the
on Nathan Ohrbach New York present two departments conducted respectively by the American.
businessman and philanthropist, Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League . Prof.
the title of Knight and Com- Maclver stipulates that in all situations where a particular task
panion of the Order of the Cross of expert legal service is called for, one agency alone should be
of Lorraine in recognition of his assigned to perform this task in accordance with some agreed-
services to the Boy Scout move- upon procedure . . . Other recommendations similarly deal with
ment, at a dinner given b y the basic activities of the American Jewish Committee, American
Rogert Garreau, French Ambas- Jewish: Congress,- the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish
groups engaged in community relations work.
sador to the United Nations.