Disraeli: Ile Knew Whereof He Spoke
Today's. Youth Mould Jewry's Destiny
By FRANK SIMONS
Beneath the heading "Tales Out of School," the
weekly columns in The Jewish News which are de-
voted to teen-age activities, is a quote by Benjamin
Disraeli, the dynamic Prime Minister of Great Britain
in the 19th Century. It reads: "The youth of a nation
are the trustees of posterity."
Because of his Jewish birth, Disraeli might have
been more acutely aware of this than many respon-
sible government leaders. He understood how the Jews
have survived over 5,000 years though persecuted and
otherwise plagued as society's perennial scapegoat.
It has been the Jews' rich heritage—the power-
ful bond between parent and child—which has made
Jewry= stronger than probably any other ethnic group.
This bond, established through closeness of fam-
ily life, also reaches out to a more encompassing
sense of accomplishment in youth organizations, most
of which feature the same principles of guidance as
in the home. Thus, for example, the General Zionists
support Young Judea, Labor Zionists foster Habonim.
Hadassah maintains Junior Hadassah and Bnai Brith
sponscirksi its Bnai Brith Youth Organization.
No matter how the organizations differ, there
is always one common purpose—the moral and
educational obligation to Jewry.
To a Jew there has always existed the double
responsibility of patriotic allegiance to his native
land and the moral obligation to Zion—the land of
the birth of Judaism. Even now as re-born Israel
approaches its fourth anniversay, that onus is still
gladly borne by Jews throughout the world.
What part are American Jewish youths playing
in the future development of Jewish principles—of
devotion to the United States and Israel? A partial
answer may be found in the conduct of their own
organizations.
I nior Hadassah's Goals
The four-point program adopted by Junior Had-
assah at its 31st annual convention in Boston last
year offers a good indication of the aims of this group,
which is open to all young women.
From social service programs for Israel to Ameri-
can affairs, with Jewish traditions, customs, education
and culture thrown in for good measure, this group
provides a useful outlet for spare time activity.
The 14g-oocial event of the year, an Israel Inde-
pendence Dance at the Detroit Leland Hotel, on May
10. will raise most of the funds with which the young
ladies carry out their social service programs.
The major portion of the proceeds help support
a youngster in the children's village of Meier Shfeyah
in Israel. Each year the group is assigned a different
child. This year members are getting satisfaction out
or "what we are doing for Sara S., a 12-year-old
who comes from a broken home.
Visualizing Sara romping in the spacious grounds
of the children's village. playing in the swimming pool,
going to school and synagogue is the only renumer-
ation the girls hope to get. The 350 other children
in.. the village whom they indirectly help also give
them a sense of achievement.
Through various programs and speakers, members
learn of the traditions and customs celebrated by the
Jews, and a cultural fellowship-award program helps
to educate its members in Hebrew, history and cus-
toms. Work on the local scene for the Allied Jewish
Campaign, Israel bond drive and United Foundation
are all a vital part of the American affairs program.
Junior Hadassah allows no wallflowers either.
Recently they roused some 48 young men out of
social hibernation for dates with members for the
group's blind-date square dance.
_
Some Jews are for Eisenhower.
I see where Irving Berlin has
written the campaign song. "I
Like Ike." But many Jews are
for other candidates. Nathan
Straus is one of the managers
of the Kefauver campaign. Many
Jews are for Truman, and Sena-
tor Taft has his supporters. I
suppose some Jews may even
vote for the Vegetarian Party.
After all, in the last campaign
it nominated a Jew for the Vice
Presidency.
Yet for all this, there is some-
thing of a special Jewish angle
about the Eisenhower candidacy,
I am not referring to those lun-
atic anti-Semitic groups who
have been saying that Eisen-
hower is the Jewish candidate.
As far as I know, "Ike" his never
been conspicuous in any pro-
Jewish way. Certainly not more
so than Truman and other can-
didates.
Yet as I say there is a Jewish
angle—in the fact that Eisen-
hower's nickname is "Ike."
The name "Ike" used to be of
questionable repute because of
its Jewishness. It's the shortened
form of Isaac. Many years ago
the favorite term for Jews
among Jew-haters was "Ikeys."
Many Jews long ago aban-
doned the name of Ike on
account of this supposed stig-
patability of Judaism and Americanism, offers acti-
vities in arts and crafts, hobbies, dramatics and sports
Example in Friendship
Written into the BBYO charter are the stated
objectives, which are, in brief, to help Jewish young
people in their personal development by, 1. making
members feel at home in the Jewish community by
identifying themselves with the Jewish people; 2. af-
fording group members an understanding of a n d
loyalty to our democratic heritage; 3. offering leisure
time activities in which youth adjust to real life sit-
uations; and 4. providing experiences whereby youth
become ethical and altruistic in human relationships.
One of the organization's prime goals, forming
the basis in youth for permanent friendships, must
have warmed the hearts of its founders, when in 1949,
here in Detroit, Rex Chapter of the senior organiza-
tion of Bnai Brith was given its national chapter.
The group originated as Rex Chapter No. 11, AZA
in 1943, and even though down to six members during
the war years when a majority of the boys were in -
service, it continued to exist. Following the war, the
group bounced back as a BBYM Chapter. The group
has expanded since its AZA days, but most of the
charter members still belong to Rex Lodge.
On the nation's campuses is the Intercollegiate
Zionist Federation of America—an organization often
called the collegiate arm of the Zionist movement. As
its name implies, IZFA operates only in this country,
but functions on almost every campus in the nation.
Activities in Detroit are centered in the Hillel
Foundation of Wayne Univesrity. Other chapters in
the state are located at the University of Michigan
a n d Michigan State College. Through discussions,
study groups, seminars, oneg shabbat and camp train-
ing programs, IZFA gives the Jewish student a posi-
tive outlook toward Israel and the Jewish community.
A six week camp institute and 10 day leadership
training program are its most significant activities.
Both programs are designed to train leaders in assum-
ing responsibility for guiding activities on campus
and for directing group energies on behalf of Israel.
Differing from the other groups so far men-
tioned is the Young Israel movement, which nation-
ally has 70 branches. The Detroit group, with its
Youth Center on Dexter, is approaching 30 years of
activity devoted to traditional religious practice.
This religious youth movement aims at promot-
ing g , od citizenship, character, experience in group
living, preventing juvenile delinquency and provid-
ing recreational and educational leisure time ac-
tivity in a religious atmosphere.
The Young Israel youth activity program em-
bodies 18 youth groups, a staff of experienced leaders,
who guide rather than direct club work. Frank Lie-
derman and Leonard Servetter co-direct activities,
which are administered by Rabbi Samuel H. Prero,
executive director.
The following girls' groups presently function:
Story Hour (4-6), Pirchei Yisroel (6-7), Shoshanath
. _
ay
Bring
Return
of
Isaacs,
Irvings
Candidacy of Ike M
t-,
when they are associated with
Agency, Inc.)
In addition to Boy Scout Troop 210, boys' activities
include Maimqn (6-8), Bnei . Yehudah No. 1 (8-10),
Bnei Yehudah No. 2 (10-12), Rambam (13-15), Inter-
mediates (16-19), Young Adults, 19 and over.
The movement, which is predicated on the corn-
Birth pains began in .Omaha, Neb. in 1924 when
a group of young men, convinced that Jewish youth
common
d on
over the world has a common fr
needs, formed the first group. The BBYO child,
has saved, developed rapidly, and today 25,00 young
people comprise its four agenci : Aleph. Z a d i k
Aleph, Bnai Brith girls, Bnai Brit Young Men and
Bnai Brith Young Women. In De oit a ne, there
are 43 groups with nearly 1,000 me be s, and out
state there are scattered 14 groups, i h an addi-
tional 250 members.
From Cur Name to Sir Name
By DAVID SCHWARTZ
(copyright, 1952, Jewish Telegraphic
Yisroel (7-8), Bnos Emunah No. 1 (8 - 9), Bnos Emunah
No. 2 (9-10), Bnos Israel (10-12), Yocheved (13 - 15), '
Batya (16 - 17), Rayos (18-19), ICadimah 20 and above).
Similar to Junior Hadassah in the sense that it
is a world-wide movement, the Bnai Brith Youth Or-
ganization functions in many other countries includ-
ing Israel, China and England.
while also participating in projects to help develop
Israel.
Organized over 40 years ago, Young Judea boats-
many of today's putstanding leaders were given their-
start in the movement, which is both a national and 1 .
local organization, sponsored by the Zionist Organ-
ization of America and Hadassah.
The local group is supported by the Detroit Zion-
ist Youth Commission, and activities are centered in
the new Zionist House on Linwood at Lawrence.
Two groups comprise the central organization—
Junior Judea, for children 10 to 13, and Senior
Judea, for young people 14 to 18. The group tries
to create awareness in its members toward a posi-
tive American Jewish community, while kindling
and perpetuating a feeling for the ideals and tra-
ditions of Zionism.
Meetings include Israeli singing, dancing, arts
and crafts, preparations for holiday celebrations
and social activities. The juniors publish a monthly
magazine, while the senior group prints a news-
paper, both devoted to the efforts of the group.
Support to major Israel causes is backed by both
groups, which are sent Tzofim, Israel scouts, who are
able to benefit from the program.
Center Coordinating Council
,
In a city the size of Detroit, with a Jewish com-
munity numbering in the neighborhood of 100,000,
there has to be some coordination among the city's
leading groups. Among the youth, the Young Adult
Council of the Jewish Community Center fills the bill.
Membership is composed of 23 fraternal, Zionist,
collegiate and . congregational youth groups. The
Young Adult Council helps member groups by creating
and developing useful programs, by suggesting tech-
niques whereby organizations may be strengthened by
coordinating activies, preventing overlapping, using
fund raising as an example.
In addition, the Council provides members with
an understanding of their own individual problems
and potentialities, with the end result in mind of
equipping the young adult for future leadership in
the community.
Member organizations include : Alpha Epsilon Pi,
fraternity, Young People's Clubs of Adas Shalom Syn-
agogue, Beth Aaron Synagogue, Temple teth- E1,1
Temple Israel and Cong. Shaarey Zedek, Career Group.;
National Council of Jewish Women, Daniel Frisch,
Chapter, of Zionist Organization, Habonim, Hashomer
Hatzaif, Hillel, Holiday Hop Committee of the Center,
Iota Alpha Pi Sorority, IZFA, Junior Hadassah, Labor
Zionist Organization, Masada Chapter. ZOD, Mu Beta
Chi fraternity and alumni, Phi Sigma Sigma sorority,.
Sigma Theta Delta sorority and alumnae and Young
Israel Young Adults. •
The groups that are mentioned here by no means
exhaust the field. Almost every synagogue has a youth
group whose aims are much similar to many organiza
tions listed. There are social groups, which are im-
portant to our society also, because of their interest in
Jewish activities. As long as we have and support or-
ganizations like these, we do not have to be overly,
sensitive about the so-called "wild youth" of today.
New Farms Emerge in Israel
ma. If they happened to be
named Ike, they were -quick
to change it to Irving. Isaac
was good enough for the Bible,
it was good enough name for
Isaac Newton, the Einstein of
the 18th century. but Jews
were afraid of it.
groups which are discriminated
against; they have a very vital
influence.
But the question is whether
running away from the fact is
the way to meet the situation.
It seems better to meet is full
force as Benjamin Disraeli did.
Perhaps the present associa- Disraeli maintained his name to
tion with "Ike" Eisenhower may avow as emphatically as possible
bring about a change. The name his Jewish descent.
"Ike" suddenly seems one to win
The story is told that during
popular support. I suppose if World War II when the Nazis
Eisenhower's first name was were at the gates of Paris Prime"
Irving, he might have less Minister Reynard turned to
chance for the Presidency. Irv- Leon Mandell, "the iron man
ing seems so stiff, so offish. of the cabinet" and said, "you
Ike, on the other hand, is short, are the only man who can save
strong and democratic as chew- France." Mandell, according to
ing tobacco or the "galluses" this story, replied, "Yes, I could
which keep farmers' pants from save France if my name were
falling down.
Dupont." ,
In the early days of the coun-
Perhaps he was right. If
try, most of the American states-
Mande I had been named Du-
men had Jewish names—taken
pont,
pont, he might have saved
of course from the Bible. There
Frane, but it is just as pos-
was Benjamin Franklin, Daniel
sible that if he had gone to
Webster, Noah Webster. Israel
the other extreme and called
Putnam and Abraham Lincoln.
himself Mendelsohn instead of
But Jews became frightened of
Mandell—if he had uncondi-
them. What's a name, said
tionally admitted his Jewish
Shakespeare. A rose by any other
name and so prevented it from
name would smell as sweet. But
being made an issue—he might
Shakespeare forgot that a rose
have saved France, too.
never had to look for a job or
The candidacy of "Ike'' may
run for office.
teach Jews to avoid all of this
something
Navies do mean
foolishness and we may begin
to see our Jewish names more
frequently used. Some of them
56—THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, April 11, 1952
are pretty good names.
This year's Passover on the farm lands of Israel is much
ferent than anything seen on them in the last 2,500 years. Vs
young Israeli farm girl and her American-made irrigation con
valve, shown above, are typical of the changes--changes broug
about with funds raised through the United Jewish Appeal. WI
the help of the UJA, farm lands in Israel are producing m
crops than they ever have in the history of Palestine. In additio-
to the instruments for irrigation, tractors, reapers, thrashers in
spraying machines, new immigrants arrive from Europe 'a
Africa every day to supplement the farm corps.