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Professional Group
Registers increases
In Allied Campaign
Purely Commenta rY
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Vulgar Mimicking of Anti-Semites
There is nothing new in the pompous theatricalism of the
Council for Judaism and its emotional outbursts against Zionism.
Yet even its hate-craze of. recent years was exceeded by the
vulgarity with which people who claimed to be supporting Judaism
as a faith undertook to malign American Jews at the recent
convention in Washington.
The haters had their days in the nation's capital. They even
misled a number of public officials into sending them messages
of greetings. President Truman fell into the same trap into which
he was caught by this group—which is neither American nor
Judaistic— into "greeting" it. Several Senators recognized their
errors and withdrew their endorsements of this "Council." Gover-
nor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois declared himself "unsympathetic"
to this Council after studying the true facts. But President
Truman, who constantly reaffirms his friendship for Israel and
indicates it with his support of the grants-in-aid for the Jewish
state, remains among the misled.
By numicking the anti-Semites, the Council for Judaism
performed a vulgar job with its attacks on Jewish efforts in
support of Israel. Like the anti-Semites, the Judaism Council
spokesmen dared to speak of their fellow Jews who support Zion-
ism, the United Jewish Appeal and the Israel bond drive as
totalitarian.
It is unfortunate that a number of non-Jews who shared the
Council's platform could not resist the temptation of giving comfort
to anti-Semitism with their endorsement of the shocking view of
the Council. But the Council received a deserving rebuke. Our
zole Washington JTA correspondent, Milton Friedman, reports
the anti-Zionist conference was given this lecture in defense of
the democratic rights of Americans who are Zionists:
The lecture came from one of the Councils own guest speak-
ers, Dr. Harry N. Howard, United Nations Advisor of the Bureau
of Near Eastern Affairs of the State Department.
In a question period following his address, Dr. Howard was
asked by a Council member if State Department policy on the
near East is being influenced by "American Jews" in the best
interests of the United States.
Dr. Howard appeared shocked by the question. He hesitated
momentarily and then replied that in a democratic society
there are always pressures brought to bear.
In his view, he said, all American citizens have an interest
ill all issues of foreign policy. He told the Council that all Ameri-
cans should bring their influence to bear in the interest of
democratically seeking to preserve world peace. Dr. Howard
looked directly at the questioneer and said that he didn't see
how American citizens could act differently. The Council mem-
ber who asked the question felt uncomfortable and the ques-
tion period was abruptly terminated by the chairman of the
meeting.
With a general increase of
more than 12% in pledges to the
Allied Jewish Campaign as com-
pared with those of last year,
three major sections of the pro-
fessional division are helping to
set a - plus" pace this year.
Under the chairmanship of
Dr. Prank Reisman, the dentists'
section luncheon was attended
by 82 workers and prospects in
the group. Following a presen-
tation to Dr. Martin A. Neimark,
one of the chairmen of the pro-
fessional division, and Dr. Ber-
nard Schmidt, adviser to the
dentists' section, the dentists
pledged an average increase of
15%. Co-chairmen of the group
include Drs. Samuel Krohn, Jack
Jack S. Lawson, Robert Moss
and Samuel Willis.
Harry Berlin, chairman of the
pharmacists' section, was chair-
man of the evening. Forty work-
ers and propsects attended and
pledged an average increase of
13%, after their chairman was
given a certificate of merit for
leadership in the campaign.
Berlin's co-chairmen are Harold
Bordman, Albert Roggin and
Jack Schneyer.
We doubt whether the Council has learned its lesson. It is
good to know, however, that Dr. Howard's rebuke is on the record.
Insofar as Americans with a sense of justice are concerned, the
Council stands repudiated as a bigoted, hate-inspiring element
which dares to speak in the name of religion. It is about people
like these that the lament has been uttered: "Religion, religion:
what criiiin-have been committed in thy name!"
111,
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'Fictitious Sales': 'Mockery of Jewish Law'?
,7
In a thought-provoking article in the Jewish Quarterly
Review, under the title "Is a Revival of a Sanhedrin in Israel
Necessary for Modification of the Halaka? - , Prof. Solomon Zeitlin
makes the point that "Jewry, as well as the civilized world, has a
right to expect from Israel a continuation of the 'Second Com-
monwealth." He expresses regret that, just as the Jewish Agency
had the vision to prepare economists and statesmen for state-
building, the Hebrew University has "lacked the foresight to
prepare men in the halakot (traditional rules of conduct pre-
scribed by Oral Law) of the Second Commonwealth, so that if an
independent Jewish state were to be established there would be
scholars to prepare a corpus of the halakot of the Second Com-
monwealth as a basis for the interpretation and modification of
the halakot which is sorely needed in the Third Commonwealth."
Examples of outmoded practices that need to be revamped in
modern society are referred to by Prof. Zeitlin as follows:
"The present year, 5712 A. M., 1951-52, happens to be a
sabbatical year. According to the Pentateuchal law, no work
may be done in the fields during the entire year. The state of
Israel is still a poor country, and every bushel of wheat or grain
77111-St be utilized to help sustain the population, and therefore
the government cannot afford to permit fields to lie unculti-
vated for one year. Furthermore, the farmers are mostly mem-
bers of the Mapai, Mapam. Most of them are irreligious, and
some of them are even anti-religious, and they would work in
the fields regardless of the injunction of the Pentateuch.
Therefore, by a strange arrangement a representative of the
state, and a Rabbi (Assistant Secretary of Education) sold all
the cultivated land to a poor Arab for an exorbitant price.
Thus the land of Israel legally belongs to a non-Jew, and there
is now no prohibition against working by Jews in the fields
'during the sabbatical year. Next year the Israeli will redeem
the land from the Arab. I believe this is a mockery of the re-
ligious law. It is not2egal fiction and such a process certainly
cannot gain respect among the young people. It is true that
before the Passover- Jews sell the leavened bread to non-Jews
for an exorbitant price, and after the festival get the leaven
back. It is a fictitious sale. In this case, each individual sells his
own leavened bread. In the case of the sabbatical year however,
the state itself sold the land to an Arab. It Is indeed a mockery
of religious law."
The sale of leaven, too, now is looked upon as a mockery and
as a fictitious sale, but it is observed stritcly by orthodox Jewry.
Ii there are •mockeries, they should be corrected. We endorse
Prof. Zeitlin's proposal that the Third Commonwealth now in
existence should call into being a Sanhedrin with power to amend
outmoded practices. In anticipation of opposition to changes as
well as to the reconstitution of the Sanhedrin, we nevertheless
believe that the movement of a modern Sanhedrin should be
instituted at once—in the best interests of Jewish dignity and for
the elimination of mockeries.
Ban Acquisition of Land by Mizrachi
TORONTO, (JTA)—The York
Township Council has refused
an application by the Mizrachi
Organization of Ontario to buy
land in the township on the
grounds that there are already
enough Jewish institutions there.
Council spokesman Fred Hill
said the township already, "has
its share of tax-free buildings
and land owners by Jewry." He
said it was the Council's wish
that the organization locate in
some other municipality as York
already had three synagogues
and a fourth under construction.
The Mizrachi Organizaton want-
ed the land to build a cultural
centre.
Women Mobilize Forces for
G-Day Observance on May 4
The women's G-Day has been local, national and overseeli
set for Sunday, May 4, when Jewish causes, the Women's Di-
2,000 volunteer workers from the vision hopes to surpass the ex-
cellent results of 1951's G-Day„
when the one-day drive brought
in over $80,000 from womext
prospects of the $50 and under
group.
Mrs. Abraham Cooper and
Women's Division are expected Mrs. Leonard H. Weiner, divi-
to- solicit 16,000 women prospects sion campaign chairmen, feel
for their contributions to the
confident the G-Day effort will
Allied Jewish Campaign.
nearly
With the help of every Jewish add a good sum to the
woman in Detroit, history will $3,000,000 that the Women's Di-
repeat itself on Sunday, May 4 vision has contributed to the
—G - DAY PLUS—when 2,000 campaign since 1946.
Mrs. Sidney J. Karbel, genera
volunteer workers of the Wom-
en's Division solicit 16,000 wom- solicitation chairman, expressed
en for their contributions to the confidence that the Women';
Division will top last year's rec-
1952 Allied Jewish Campaign.
To support the home-making ord membership of 13,874 worn-
effort in Israel, Detroit's Sinai en, who made contributions to .
Hospital and 50 other essential the campaign.
Inizracbi Convenes Local Synagogues
For Israel Independence Day Service
The 4th anniversary of Israel's
Independence will be celebrated
by the Mizrachi Organization on
Wednesday eve-:
ning at Young
Israel Center,,, ,,-
Dexter at Ful-
lerton.
The chantin
of Maariv serv-
ices at 8:30 p.m
by Cantor Hy-
man Adler, o
Cong. Bna
David, will open
t h e evening's Cantor Adler
service. Selections from the Hal-
lel will be recited. A resume of
events leading to Israel's found-
ing will then be delivered by &
noted Zionist.
Presidents of all local tradi-
tional synagogues have ex-
pressed enthusiastic support for
such a service, and are inviting
the entire community to par-
ticipate.
Cantor Adler will conclude the
evening with appropriate Israeli
songs. The young Israel chil-
dren's choir will take part in
the program.
2 — THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, April 25, 1952
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1952, Je, ish Telegraphic Agency. Inc.)
DR. LEO ORECHLIN -
Under the leadership of Dr.
Hyman S. Mellen and Leo
Orecklin, the doctors pledged a
9% increase
over their gifts;'
of last year—aU
their openine.
meeting at Dr.
Orecklin's home.
on April 1.,
Thirty - six at-
tended. The ex-
ecutive board of
t h e physicians'
section includes
Dr. Mellen
Drs. Morris
Bachman, Paul L. Fraiberg, Ar-
thur Golrberg, Perry Goldman,
Benjamin R. Gutow, Rudolph
Leiser, Jerome Mark, Jack Rom,
Alexander Sanders and Joseph
Schwartzber g.
Campaign Wine, Liquor
Group Dinner Thursday
MemberS of the wine and
liquor section of the food divi-
sion will be guests of their spon-
sors' committee at a dinner
meeting in behalf of the Allied
Jewish Campaign, 6 p.m., Thurs-
day, at Zack's.
Rabbi Moses Lehrman and
John J. Kozaren, commissioner
of the Michigan Liquor Control
Commission ; will be guest speak-
ers.
Bernard Meilen is chairman
of the section, with Sidney
Robins and Joseph Weiss as co-
chairmen. Harry Berlin and Al
Diamond are advisers.
The sponsors include in addi-
tion to the chairmen, Mel Arden,
Mark Cooper, Jules Feldmasser,
Harry R. Howard, Nate Klein,
Norman Krugel, Joseph Levy,
Charles Milan. Max Weiss and
Samuel Willens.
Tea for JNF Workers
Reporting on Sunday
Volunteers who participated
in clearing Jewish National
Fund Blue and White Boxes
have been called upon to
make their final returns at
the JNF office, 11816 Dexter,
von Sunday.
A tea has been arranged
for volunteers. reporting on
Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Diplomatic Talks:
It seems that the delegation of the Conference on Jewish
Claims Against Germany, headed by Moses A. Leavitt, was more
successful in its negotiations with the Germans at The Hague
than the Israeli delegation ... The Germans made quite a number
of substantial concessions to the Conference delegation front
which many thousand individual victims of the Nazis will bene-
fit . . . However, it can be predicted that the Conference delega-
tion will go hand-in-hand with the Israeli delegation when and
if the Israeli talks with the Germans are resumed .. • In fact. the
Conference representatives who are to resume their negotiations
with the German delegation on May 19, may postpone resumption
till the middle of June, when the Germans intend to start their
talks with the Israelis again ... Indications po.rit to the fact. that
the GZrmans are not in a mood to yielding on the basic condition
which they advanced when admitting a debt of S750,000.000 to
Israel . . . They still insist that this sum should be paid to Lsrael
on the same basis as Germany's other external debts which are
now under consideration at an international conference in Lon-
Ger-
don . . . In other words, if the London parley decides that debts
many is not in a position to pay more than 20 percent of her
percent
to other nations. Israel would then have to accept only 20
of the $750,000,000 admitted as debt by the German delegation at
The Hague . The absurdity of such an arrangement is obvious.
... The German move can only be checked if the governments of
the United States, Britain and France will accept the Israeli
viewpoint that Germany's compensation to Jews is not a part of
the debt which Germany owes to foreign countries . . . Efforts in 4t,
this direction are now being made and results may be known
prior to June 19, when the German-Israeli talks are scheduled W. ,-
resume at The Hague ... On the other hand it is believed that the
Germans would not have made the attempt to shelter behind the
London debt conference had the 27 countries participating in the -
London parley not wanted them to do this.
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Fund Raising Pact:
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Thirteen organizations now have been authorized by the
Jewish Agency to conduct campaigns in the United States on be-
half of Israel during 1952 . . . By written agreement with the
Jewish Agency, the authorized campaigns have undertaken kJ.
assure priority to the United Jewish Appeal in regard to publicity
and timing . . They also agreed to submit quarterly financial
reports to the Jewish Agency and monthly reports on transmission
of funds to Israel . . . The agreement provides that they are not
to expand beyond the type of campaigning in which they were
engaged prior to 1950 . .. Authorization does not represent en-
dorsement of the program or budget of the authorized agency ...
The 13 agencies authorized to raise funds for Israel in 1952 1
this country include: Histadrut, Hadassah, American Fund 101f
Israel Institutions, the American Friends of the Hebrew University, -
American Technion Society, American Committee for the Weiz-
ma,nn Institute, Federated Council of Israel Institutions, Mizrachi
Women's Organization of America and Pioneer Women . . . The
Jewish National Fund has been authorized to conduct traditional
collections only and is not to apply for allocations to the Jewish
Welfare Funds . American Red Mogen Dovid for Israel is per - ,
mitted to conduct membership campaign only, and is not author-
ized to make applications to welfare funds . . . "Material for
Israel" group is authorized to campaign for materials only, and
Women's League for Israel is permitted to conduct its campaign in
the New York area alone . This is the third year in which the
Jewish Agency's Committee on Control.and Authorization of Cam-,
paigns has been functioning ... It was established at the request
of the Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds to put an end to
unjustified fund-raising by dozens of groups which flooded the
welfare funds with requests for allocations for various causes in
IsraeL
"