fudge Frank Picard Evaluates
The Test of Good Citizenship

Noted Jurist Pays Tribute
To Efforts of Detroit Jews

By JUDGE FRANK PICARD
Chairman, Michigan Chapter, Christian Palestine Committee

What part have Jewish citizens played in the building
of Detroit ?
When asked that question I took stock- and found my-
self with so much ammunition, I could—as the saying goes—
"write a book." Because as I view the answer, people help
or harm their city according to degree. Some have greater

accomplishments because of
greater opportunity = and some
aid their community without in-

JUDGE FRANK PICARD

dividual sacrifice — while the
"do=gooder" may, in fact, do
harm instead.
But I am not acknowledging
that either extreme exists here,
nor adrnitting that one can do
justice to the Jews of Detroit
and the parts—some great, some
small—they have played in its
development. Suffice to say, De-
troit wouldn't be Detroit had the
small colony of less than 5000
Jews at the turn of the cen-
tury—now 100,000—sought other
fields for their endeavors. And
Detroit would have been the
loser, for no fairer—nor more
courageous—more generous—in-
telligent—no more loyal friends
—no abler—no more patriotic—
and surely no more charitable
segment of our people can be
named.
But what makes a man an
asset to his town?
Being a good citizen?
Well, that's one of those "ac-
cording to his lights" examples.
Certainly, if one is labeled a
"good citizen"—mind you, that
means a lot. Yet when we limit
commendation to just "good citi-
zen" we are aware that there
are hundreds of cities having
hundreds of good citizens.
Here—I'm looking for those
Jews who are something more.
Is a man an asset to his city
because he has money?

Not for that fact alone.
Surely his money provides jobs
and that helps, but when I
speak of the contribution of
Jews to the growth and wel-
fare of this city, I look for

something- beyond the ordi-
nary. Not where they rank in
society; not whether they have
power or can get it; or are
popular. That isn't the type
of Jewish citizen I am re-
ferring to in this article, but
men who in their own indi-
vidual ways have been real
instruments in carrying De-
troit's enterprises in recent
years; pioneers in new activi-
ties; bolstering up tottering
assets; men who have helped
youth; men who have given of
themselves patriotically, for
charity, or by their example
in business have made their
word their bond; men who
have helped to bury misun-
derstandings in religion by
their own broadmindedness;
men who sympathize with the
underdog; men who are al-
ways ready to help steer the
ship with a steady hand when
gales threaten.
There are many ways one may

add to the position and stability
of some particular group in a
community but such service is
rendered and such results at-
tained mostly by example. A
man may run a shoeshine par-
lor and do it in a manner that
calls for favorable comment
and as a result of his labors give
an impression of character
and responsibility to a certain
group. We have seen that time
and time again. Well, here are
some who, I believe, have added
to building up the prestige of
the Jewish people because of the
unassailable position they main-
tain either in their chosen life
work—their service in public
life—or their c h a r i t i e s. And
sometimes all three.
Of course I cannot name them
all nor their individual activi-
ties and I'm not mentioning
those who have paSsed
Albert Kahn, David W. Simons,
Dr. Leo M. Franklin, Fred Butzel
and others. Here I am answer-
ing the prayer which that old
poem suggests—a few roses to
worthy recipients while they're
still around to enjoy their beau-
ty and fragrance.

Yes, men do things accord-
ing to their ability and lights
and in my opinion one• of the
finest citizens in Detroit and
one who has contributed the
most to a better understand-
ing between people of all
faiths and nationalities is my
very good friend, Nate S: Sha-
pero. Not only is he a good
business man—an asset to any
community—but he takes an

Between You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

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

Communal Trends

2 — THE JEWISH NEWS

Our Pride in Our Oty

Friday, July 13, 1951

By GOVERNOR G. MENNEN WILLIAMS

interest in his city second to
It is gratifying to note that the citizens of Detroit, with
none. if I. had to .pick out
one person . as the finest citi- characteristic energy, are busily staging an appropriate cele-
zen in Detroit, I'd select Nate bration of Detroit's 250th Anniversary.
S. Shapero. I haVe known
1
We have every reason to be proud of our
quite a bit of his extra par-
city and its achievements.
ticipations; his work as a fire
One of the reasons that Detroit has grown
commissioner; selling bonds
to be one of the world's greatest cities is that
during the war; in the Na-
it has drawn strength and vitality from peoples
tional Foundation for Infan-
of many nationalities and creeds. They, in turn,
tile Paralysis; in the United
have contributed their energies and skills to De-
Fund and any number of oth-
Williams troit's development.
er charities and public enter-
Among those who have contributed to the building of
prises. Not only has he con-
tributed to almost every con- this great metropolis, its culture and its economy, are the
ceivable charity but he has thousands of American Jews. They are among our most
recently formed a trust to loyal and valuable citizens and have given freely of their
carry on certain worthy ob- strength and vigor so that our city might prosper and grow
jectives ad infinitum. Nate
Shapero has earned the en- into its present stature among the cities of America and the
comiums of all Detroit for his world.
endeavors to break down prej-
udices between all people and,
to my knowledge, whenever
personal gain and public weal
conflicts, the good of the com-
munity always come out on
top—with Nate.
On July 17, '7 p.m., Detroit will ity will be presided over by Ber-
Then there is Henry Wine- dedicate its newest playground nard Lasky, member of the
man, founder of the Round named after Congressional Parks and Recreation Commis-
Table, philanthropist, vice- Medal of Honor winner Lt. Ray- sion. The Boy's Band will fur-
president of the Detroit Com- mond Zussman, at Davison and nish the music. Mayor Cobo will
munity Fund;
Holmur, adjacent to the Jewish
Meyer Prentis, chairman of War Memorial Building a n d dedicate the new playground.
A memorial plaque will be
the budget committee of the Center.
presented
by the Lt. Zussman.
Torch Drive;
The presentation of the new-
Dr. Hugo Freund, president est playground to the commun- Post of Jewish War Veterans.
of the Children's Fund who
has won an enviable place
among the very fine Jewish
doctors of Detroit;
Judge Charles C. Simons, of
the Circuit Court of Appeals;
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Theodore Levin of the United
States District' Court;- and Detroit at 250: The Unforgotten Jewish Pioneers
Henry Butzel of the Supreme
Today we usher in an impressive birthday party. This is De-
Court of the State of Michi- troit's 250th natal day, and we exchange greetings with our
gan;
neighbors. We recall the French and the English heritage and
Mrs. Helen DeRoy, outstand- we are pleased that the Jewish pioneers receive due credit for the
ing Jewish woman who gave important roles they have played in the building of Our City. •
the Jewish Center to the City
The organized Jewish community is not as old as the City it- •
of Detroit;
self. We are only 100 years old. Yet .we share equally in the glory
Mrs. Rose Himelhoch, who of Detroit's rise to great power because we have built together
started the platoon system in with our neighbors during the most formative years of this City's
Detroit public schools which is existence.
now in- general practice in all
The managers of the birthday party were wise in choosing
schools in America;
Fred M. Butzel as a symbol of Detroit Jewry, to share with Fr.
Max Osnos and his Detroit
Gabriel Richard and Rev. John Monteith the glories of compar- •
Symphony efforts;
able Catholic and protestant roles.
Ben Levinson, the finance
Our non-Jewish confreres, in the splendid articles appearing
executive, who has recently in this issue, paint a realistic picture of Jewry's share in. Detroit's
done such outstanding work history. They provide proof that the real builders of great proj-
for Wayne University that he ects never are forgotten. •
has been recognized by both
Malcom W. Bingay, Judge Frank Picard, George Stark, J. Dor:-
the University and the Coun- sey Callaghan, John Manning and other noted leaders have evalu-
cil of the City of Detroit;
ated Detroit Jewry's share in Detroit's upbuilding with remarkable
Laurence O'Larry, who has understanding,
made the Starr Common-
Some very important names loom large in the stories
wealth School his pet hobby told by the .'distinguished leaders whc have written the series
and has contributed much_to- of -.splendid -stories for this Detroit Anniversary Issue.
Wards its endowment funds.
• Mr. Bingay makes reference to some of the most important

Dedication of Lt. Zussman Playground
To Take Place Next Tuesday Evening

Purely Commentary

-

Innumerable Judges and law-
yers—I don't dare be more spe,
cific—many industrialists like,
fbr example, Sidney Allen of the
Allen Industries; Maurice Arons-
son, in printing; Hugo Beer, box
manufacturer; merchants like
Maurice Enggass, the Jeweler,
David Blanke of Seagrams.
Then, last—but far from least
—Dr. B. Benedict Glazer, presi-
dent of the Mental Hygiene So-
ciety and so active in civic af-
fairs in Detroit that no project
worthwhile starts on its way
without Dr. Glazer being in the
picture some place.
Miss any?
Certainly, I have, and when I
see. these names in print I'll
probably be very embarrassed
at having left out some that
should be included. In fact, I
purposely omitted the editor of
this paper who did such a mag-
nificent job in the Palestine
movement, an achievement that
has become a credit to Jew and
Gentile alike. I have also select-
ed. some who may be Strangers
to you, but a Federal Judge gets
to know some facts that • are
denied others. Still if you think
I've overlooked someone; • just
turn this paper over—make out
a list yourself — and see how
many you'll "not mention."
And may I say in conclusion
that not only have these people
been sterling links in the silver
chain that binds people of all
creeds—of all nationalities—of
all political faiths — but they
have never forgotten their own.
What other group of 100,000
would so generously contribute
—without asking aid from oth-
ers—to their own charities as
the Jewish people of Detroit do,
year after year?
With pleasure Detroit praises
and salutes them.

Following the evaluation report on activities of Jewish organ-
izations engaged in combatting anti-Semitism, another "evalua-
tion report" has now made its appearance . . . This time on the
services for Jewish Community Centers rendered by the National
Jewish Welfare Board . . . In Philadelphia an overall survey has
been initiated by the Allied Jewish Appeal on local Jewish educa-
tional activities .. . A special committee will examine overlapping
programs, admnistrative efficiency, besides determining the neg-
lected areas of Jewish education . .. The "evaluation report" on
Jewish Center work is the result of several years' discussions of
the need for an intensive analysis of the functions and program
of the Jewish Center Division of the Jewish Welfare Board
The evaluation of activities of a number of other American Jew-
ish institutions is now being requested by some of the larger
Federations and Welfare Funds . . . Incidentally, no action on
Prof. R. M. Mcliver's report, evaluating the work of the Jewish
groups active in fighting anti-Jewish prejudice, will probably be
taken until after the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations
and Welfare Funds, at the end of November . . . In the mean-
time, the report is becoming a major issue in American Jewish
communal life because of its blunt recommendations . . . It was
revealed that the six national agencies evaluated by Prof. McIver
spent a total of $5,672,000 last year, which is $1,100,000 less than
in the previous year . . . Adjusting these figures for changes in
Skverer Picnic Sunday
the price level, the drop was 22 per cent . .. There were varia-
Skverer Society announces an
tions among the agencies . . . The most marked drop was for the
American Jewish Congress-World Jewish Congress with an ad- all-day picnic at Lola Valley
justed decrease of 43 per cent .. . The Joint Defense Appeal was Park on Sunday. All proceeds
will go to Israel causes.
lowest with a 13 per cent decline.

names—Dr. Franklin, Kahn, Keidan, Simons, the Butzels.
Judge Frank Picard's brilliant analysis of citizenship values..
is a fine philosophic essay worthy of study as part of our Ameri-
can way of life. He lists the names of men and women who
stand out as creative personalities in our City. We value his
article as a. worthy contribution to the symposium on Detroit •
Jewry.
Mr. Callaghan renders a service with his resume of the
contributions made by Detroit Jews to the musical art.
Historiographer Stark gives to his story the intimate and
human touch which characterizes his daily News column.

All these things symbolize the City of Freedom. They are a
tribute. to an American tradition in which all citizens alike play_
roles as builders of the instruments of freedom.
We speak here, in our own sphere, of the Jewish participants
in the building of Detroit. In reality, it was merit that elevated
the Butzels and Kahn and Judges Keidan, -Simons and Levin to
posts of recognition. They were not asked their nationality or
religious backgrounds. They were recognize( for the greatness
which was inherent in their •contributions to Our City in the
fields of philanthropy, jurisprudence, architecture. They were
g o r eet . as Americans, and as such they are remembered and hon-
great

ored.

Today we honor Detroit because it is a great American City.
As such it contributes towards the perpetuation of freedom, just-
ice and equality. These cherished ideals spell America. When we
honor Detroit we honor the United States of which it is a part.
When we swear allegiance to it, we vow to dedicate all our ener-
gies that the freedoms we love shall never be tampered with, nor
shall they be reduced, and that as free Americans we shall never
cease battling in their defense.

Detroit Jewish Agencies
' • Jewry is young as an organized community. A glance at the
figures compiled by Historiographer Irving Katz will show that in
the year of the formation of the first congregation—Beth El, in

1850—there were 60 Jews here in a. population of 21,000. When
the United Jewish Charities were organized in 1899, there were
5,000 Jews in a total population of 285,000. When the Jewish Wel- -
fare Federation came into being, in 1926, there were 43,000 Jews
here.in a total population of 1,000,000. •
It is from the latter point that we must start figuring the
functions of our expanded community. During the first quarter
of thiS century, our synagogues prospered, we had independent
relief and Zionist drives, our needy were cared for. Since 1926,
under the direction of the Federation, we entered a new era.. of
social service. The United Hebrew Schools became a community
beneficiary, being spared the need of conducting its own fund-
raising campaign. The European relief program became a part of
the complete set-up. All Israel, national, overseas and local needs
were integrated into this single agency.
In referring to Detroit's 250th Birthday, the Jewish Welfare
FederatiOn at once looms on the horizon as the major representa-
tive of Detroit Jewry, as the supervisor of the philanthropic, edu-
cational and recreational Jewish functions. A prosperous Detroit
includes a strong Jewish welfare fund whose leaders have been
among the top men and women in the ranks of the builders 01
Our City.

