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.