Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
The Germans Must Prove Their Sincerity
Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's pledge to provide restitution
to the Jewish survivors from Nazism was not unwelcome. If the
Germans will prove that they sincerely seek to atone for the
crimes against Jewry and to compensate the sufferers, then world
Jewry and Israel, where 500,000 of the escapees found refuge, may
consent to a formula for peace. But the Germans first must prove
that they do not poke tongue in cheek, that they are truly remorse-
fill over the horrors that were perpetrated in their name by the
Nazis.
In his description of the brutal character of Goering in his
book "The Rise and Fall of Hermann Goering," (published by
Houghton Mifflin Co.), Willi Frischauer relates that (Goering)
at his trial as a war criminal—
"He demanded technical information about the gas
chambers and wanted to know how it was physically possible to
exterminate two and a half million Jews. And when he spotted
a group of Jews in the public gallery listening to the proceed-
ings, he could not suppress a quip. 'Look at them,' he whis-
pered; 'nobody can say we have exterminated them all!' His
mouth was still as big as it had ever been."
The question on everyone's lips is, "are all German mouths
still as big as they had ever been?" And—are their tongues in
their cheeks? Are they avowing sanctimony in order to be read-
mitted into the family of nations but actually are retaining their
old passions and hatreds?
Let us hope most sincerely that Dr. Adenauer's statement
represents the true feelings of all Germans. But in the meantime
let us take into consideration the concluding paragraph in Mr.
Frischauer's book. After relating Goering's suicide to escape the
gallows, Mr. Frischauer writes that the dead Nazi murderer "looked
peaceful, with a sardonic smile around his lips," and concludes
his story with these words:
"The cremation was carried out at Dachau concentration
camp, where hundreds of thousands of Jews and Anti-Nazis had
been imprisoned and had met their death. The last remaining
incinerator of original Nazi design was used. At the Tribunal's
orders, the ashes of Hermann Goering, originator of concentra-
tion camps, former Prime Minister of Prussia, President of the
Reichstag, Field Marshal, Creator and Commander in Chief of
the Luftwaffe, were thrown onto the trash heap."
In Frischauer's book there is a photo of "Goering's Grave: An
Ashcan in Dachau." That's where the ashes of an arch murderer
belong.
Dr. Adenauer's statement, if honorably adhered to, may earn
an important place in history. If—Heaven forbid—it should prove
a ruse, it will deserve a grave like Goering's: An ashcan in Dachau.
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2—THE JEWISH NEWS
Rabbi Lelyveld to Launch Local B
Members Drive at Sabbath Service
Friday, October 12, 1951
Thursday Is Set
For Bond Sales in
Northwest Area
On Thursday, Oct. 18, squads
of volunteer saleswomen will
calAvass 1,000 homes in the
northwest for immediate or po-
tential purchases of I s r a el
bonds.
Workers and captains for the
intensive one-day drive have
been recruited through the co-
operation of local women's or-
ganizations, and were grounded
in the Israel bond story at a
seminar at Adas Shalom Cong.,
Oct. 11.
Prospects for the home -solici-
tation day, which is the opening
gun of the campaign to make
every Detroit woman a share-
holder in Israel, have been care-
fully screened to avoid duplica-
tion of sales effort.
Mrs. Milton K. Mahler, chair-
man of home solicitation day, is
assisted by Mesdames Norman
Appleby and Jack Behrmann,
sales captains, Daniel Aidman,
Al Altman, Samuel Croll, Irving
H. Dix, B. L. Harrison, Shay E.
Foreman, William Hordes, Sam
Kovan, Morton, Margolin, Jacob
Sauls, Morton Sobel and Ida
Stein.
Jean Carroll to Star
At BB Women's Show
As the culmination event of
their fund-raising drive, 18 Bnai
Brith Chapters in Detroit will
The Story of Jacques ('Tales of Hoffmann') Offenbach
.The successful run of the charming film "Tales of Hoffmann"
at the Cinema Theater draws attention to the opera's composer,
Jacques Offenbach.
His name was changed from Jakob to Jacques in. Paris. He
was the son of a Cologne cantor whose full name originally was
Judah Eberst.
The father of the eminent composer, in addition to possessing
a fine voice, published a Jewish prayerbook in 1839.: But his:son
strayed to an extreme path away from his forefathers and changed
his faith. Even worse: according to Gdal SaleSki, author of a
biographical sketch of Jacques Offenbach in his book "Famous
Musicians of Jewish Origin," Jacques not only fors_ook hiSreligion
but also composed "melodies which were open mockeries 'and
burlesques of traditional synagogical chants." - But about the
current production Saleski writes:
"The opera 'Tales of Hoffmann' fully represents those in-
genious compositions which belong not to one country and one
folk, but all nations and peoples of the earth."
From Saleski we learn that Offenbach's grandfather, Isaac,
"had been a music teacher in the Rothschild home" and the love
for music thus was passed on to son and grandson, Jacques later
receiving a scholarship at the Conservatoire of Paris. He held a
poorly paid position as cellist at the Opera Comique.
Born June 21, 1819, in Cologne, Germany, Jacques received
his musical education in Paris and secured his first position at
the Theatre Francais in 1847. Then began his successful stage
career. He became entrepeneur of his own troupe in 1872, created
a school of music of his own and, according to Saleski: "Whoever
wishes to become acquainted with French morals of the time of
Napoleon III must take into account Offenbachiana, as this music-
al buffoonery, brimming over with melodious jollity, and super-
refined caricature, is the very expression of the society of Paris
in the mid-19th century."
His tour of the United States was unsuccessful, but he met
with triumph in France and now is being acclaimed for his
musical achievements throughout the world.
Saleski writes, with reference to his Jewish attitudes: "Even
though the Jew was one of the most beloved comical figures of the
time, the baptized Jew Offenbach refrained from satirizing him
in any of his 102 light operas."
-
Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann" deserves the acclaim it is
receiving. And incidentally the fine film draws attention to an
era when a number of Jews like him, stemming from very re-
ligious homes, abandoned their religious beliefs. It was the era
also of Heine and Disraeli, both of whom, at least, knew how
to glorify their Jewish heritage.
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A New Coalition A New Confusion
—
It is difficult to understand Israel's new coalition, which in
reality is a revival of the former Mapai-Religious Bloc partnership.
Was it necessary to "dissolve" the previous administration in a
battle over religious education issues and to go into great expense
of conducting an election—only to renew what has been called - an
"unworkable" marriage? And if it was impractical to call the
General Zionists into a government coalition, Why was it so diffi-
cult to patch up differendes with the religious element at the out-
set? The new coalition strikes as merely a new confusion.
Holidays Require Earlier Deadlines
With the Sukkoth festivals occurring on Mondays and
Tuesdays it will be necessary to observe earlier deadlines for
all issues preceeding these festival days.
The first days of Sukkoth occur on Oct. 15 and 16 and
all copy—including photographs—for the issue of Oct. 19
must reach us not later than at noon on Friday, Oct. 12.
The final days of Sukkoth will be observed on Oct. 22
and 23 and all copy—including photographs—for our issue
of Oct. 26 must reach us not later than at noon on Friday,
Oct. 19.
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•• • AN. aPtall••
Mrs. Berg
Mrs. Miller
present a variety show at Ma-
sonic Temple on Nov. 11.. Jean
Carroll, rising young comedi-
enne, will be the main attrac-
tion.
Miss Carroll, an attractive,
young comic, is well known in
New York, where she has played
before night club and theater
audiences for several years. Only
recently, owever, she catapulted
to fame via television on the
Ed Sullivan program and Com-
edy Hour.
Mrs. Karl Berg, program chair-
man, and Mrs. Morris Miller,
finance chairman, have played
a major role in selecting the
personnel who will perform.
The Lind Brothers, concert
artists, who are considered one
of the top vocal trios in the
nation, and the Dorothy Dobney
dancers, chorus line, will also
entertain.
62 Pupils to Graduate
From Shaarey Zedek
On Simhat Torah
Community Council Delegates Testify
Before City Council on FEPC Ruling
Dr. B. Benedict Glazer, vice-
president of the Jewish Com-
munity Council, was among
those who testified before the
Detroit Common Council at a
hearing on the proposed muni-
cipal FEPC ordinance on Oct. 4.
Commending the proponents
of this ordinance and noting
that it had the support of the
three major religious commun-
ions, Dr. Glazer urged its en-
actment on what he termed
"moral grounds."
Dr. Glazer states that the
Community Council was one of
the groups affiliated with the
Detroit Citizens' Committee for
Equal Employment Opportuni-
ties which was organized for the
purpose of securing passage of
a municipal FEPC law.
Father John F. Finnegan of
the Catholic Interracial Council,
chairman of the Citizens Corn.,
mittee, introduced several rep-
resentatives of the city's major
religious, civic, labor and frater-
nal organizations who testified
on behalf of the proposed law.
Testifying as to the legality of
the legislation were Erwin Ell-
man and Morris Zwerdling, both
members of the Citizen's' Corn-
mittee Lawyers Group which
had drafted the bill. Both are
members of the legal committee
of the Community Council.
Council members Mary V.
Beck and Edward Conner call-
ed upon their colleagues to bring
the matter to a speedy vote,
stressing that the Detroit Corn-
(non Council should be concern-
ed with the moral aspects of
this legislation, permitting the
constitutionality to be tested by
the proper court after its en-
actment.
Clinching an Israel Bond Sate
Showing- how to
clinch a bond sale
at the recent semi-
nar for Israel bond
saleswomen, M r s .
BERNARD GOOD-
MAN (left) plays
the saleswoman's
role, with Mrs. JO-
SEPH NEWMAN as
the purchaser. Mrs.
Newman is first
vice president of
Hadassah.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
In conjunction with the Sim-
hat Torah service at 8:45 a.m.
Oct. 23,_62 pupils will participate
graduation exercises for the
eighth grade of the Shaarey Ze-
dek religious school.
' This graduation, which has
been traditionally linked with
the observance of Simhat Torah,
will have as part of its program,
class prayers, songs, valedictory
addresses, and the presentation
of honors and diplomas. Mem-
bers of the graduation class are
as follows:
Charles Abrahams, Barbara Apple,
Alan Arfa, Ellen Averbuch, Donna
Baker, Sylvia Baron, Jane Berry, Lor-
raine Bittker, Elaine Blau, Eleanor Blau,
Marvin Brode, Paul Chaenko, Sandra
Cohen, Michael Drissman, David Epel,
Lorelei Field, Miriam Firestone, Dena
Fishman, Stewart Frank, Abba Friedman.
Barbara Friedman, Esther Fuller,
Myrna Glicker, Joan Gonte, Joan Green,
Alice Greenbaum, Barbara Halpern,
Phyllis Harrison, Carol Hoffman, Joan
Horwood, Barbara Kass, Allen Klaus,
Rochelle Kleinpner, Alene Lappin, Janice
Manning, Gordon Miller, Rochelle Miller,
Rochelle Nachman, Rhoda Nathans,
Judith Panush.
Shayna Parzen, Leah Please, Barbara
Pines, Donald Purther, Miriam Reitman,
Harvey Rosenberg, Shalom Rosenberg,
Judith Sanders, Nancy Schwartz Arlene
Shayne, Harriet Shiener, Marsha Shuman,
Miriam Shur, Peter Sidlow, Marcia Sil-
ber, Florence Silverman, Miriam Silver-
man, Danny Slobin, Beryl Swaab, Bar-
bara Valensky, Myron Winkelman, Elaine
Zeidman.
•
Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld, of members nationally, of which
New York, national director of Detroit's quota is 2,OGO men and
Bnai Brith Hillel Foundations, 1,009 women.
will be the speaker following
Bnai Brith's work embraces
Sabbath eve services at Cong. local, national and international
Bnai Moshe on Friday, at 8:15 service, ranging from improv-
p.m. This service commemorates ing community relations to sup-
the 108th anniversary of the porting h.mpitals, working with
founding of Bnai Brith, the old- youth organizations of college
est and largest Jewish service and pre-college levels, servicing
organization in America.
GIs and disabled veterans. aid-
Services will be conducted by ing Israel, and working with
Rabbi Moses Lehrman assisted the United Nations in promoting
by Cantor David democracy.
Katzman.
.Rabbi Lelyveld is a former
Thesabbath
service is a pre- executive director of the Zion-
liminary to the ist Organization of America. -- As
launching of a rabbi in • Omaha, Neb., he
;Bnai Brith's headed the industrial relations
banner member- committee of the Omaha Urban
h i p campaign' League, was chairman of the
on Sunday,! Omaha Fair Employment Prac-
whe n workers tices Council, and served as pub-
will start a' lic panel chairman for the War
door - to - door Labor Board.
campaign to en-
Rabbi Lelyveld came to Hillel
roll new mem- as associate national director in
bers._ At present 1936. He succeeded Dr. Abram
Rabbi Lelyveld over a third of L. Sachar as national director in
a million strong, Bnai Brith 1948, when Dr. Sachar left to
hopes to add another 51,000 direct Brandeis University.
•••.• Ala
(Copyright, 1951, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Ins.)
Alarming Symptoms
Jewish Education Month has revealed some alarming facts
which may affect the entire future of American Jewry ... It has
been established that of the 635,000 Jewish childen of elementary
school age only about 300,000 attend classes in Jewish schools
This is bad enough, considering that more than half of the chil-
dren enrolled in Jewish Schools actually attend nothing but Sun-
day School . . . What is even worse is the fact that more than 9i
percent of the 250,000 Jewish children of high school age do not
get any Jewish education at all . . . This means that in about 10
years from now young. Jews will know nothing about Jewishness
and may drift away completely from Jewish life ... In the light
of this situation, the vebal "competition" which is developing be-
tween the Zionists and the non-Zionists over American Jewish
youth seems rather pathetic ... It is obvious that if a great deal
of attention is not paid immediately to developing Jewish educa-
tion among the Jewish youth of high school age, there soon will
be nothing to compete for ... With each year of continued.neglect in
stimulating interest in Jewish matters in our youth of high school
age, fewer and fewer young Jews will actually know why they are
Jews ... No wonder that Jewish communal life, in all its aspects,
does not interest them ... Zionist as well as non-Zionist organ-
izations may thus find themselves within this generation reduced
to nothing but small clubs of elderly people . . . All this points to
the fact that education of Jewish youth in America must become
a matter of active concern for all major Jewish groups in the
country . • . In my opinion, it should become "Problem No. 1" on
the agenda of American Jewish organizations, if these organiza-
tions are interested in their own existence and in maintaining
Jewish life in the United States.,