THE JEWISH NEWS

'

The Cultural, Bond

Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20. 1951

Member: American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association. •
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 36, Mich.,
Subscription $4 a year, foreign $5. '
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3: 1879.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher

FRANK SIMONS
City Editor

Vol. XXII—No. 11

WO. 5-1155.

SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager

Page 4

November 21, 1952

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath.- the fourth day of Kislev, 5713 ; the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 25:19-28:9; Prophetical portion, Ma. 1:1-27.

Licht Benshen, Friday, Nov. 21, 4:48 p.m.

Weizmann's Genius: 'Upward Toil in the Night

Since Jewish and world histories can not
possibly forget the name Chaim Weizmann,
it is superfluous to say that there will be re-
views of the great man's life for many weeks
and months to come. The truth is that when-
ever and wherever
the hiStory of Zion-
ism is reviewed,
there will be refer-
ence to Israel's first
President. But the
grave of the eminent
statesman still is
fresh and we c a n
not cease thinking
of him as we keep
in view Israel's loss.
Dr. Weizmann be-
came Israel's first
President on Feb.
17, 1949. He did not
rise to his great
post without oppos-
ition. The vote was
83 to 15, and it was
much better that
way from the
point of view of Israel's democratic aspects.
It meant at once that the man was not in-
fallible: he had opponents. But because he
had opponents it meant that he was human.
History will interpret it as humanitarian.

*

*

*

Of far greater importance is the reaction
that came to his selection as Israel's Presi-
dent from the world at large. It was reflect-
ed in the editorials and radio broadcasts
throughout the world, and most typical of
them was this CBS radio address on Feb. 17,
1949 by the eminent commentator, Edward
R. Murrow:

Today in Jerusalem, Dr. Chaim Weizmann
became the first President of Israel—President
of the first Jewish State in two thousand
years. More than any other man he may be
said to have created the State of Israel. To-
day, thousands of cheering, weeping specta-
tors lined the streets as this seventy-four
year old scholar and statesman drove to take
the oath of office. As Dr. Weizmann entered
the chamber, the ceremonial ram's horn was
sounded; then, standing before a huge por-
trait of Theodor Herzl, who founded the
World Zionist Organization, flanked by the
blue and white national flags—Dr. Weizmann
raised his right hand and said: "I, Chaim
Ben Ozer Weizmann, as President of the State,
swear allegiance to the State of Israel and
its laws."
Many of the people gathered there in
Jerusalem today carried with them the mem-
ories of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, of dis-
crimination and exile. That they were there,
as free people, with their own parliament,
their own laws, their own soldiers guarding
their own president—was due in large meas-
ure to his indomitable determination. Presi,
dent Weizmann is in many ways the most
remarkable man I have ever known. He looks
like Lenin—goatee, high-domed forehead; but
his eyes have none of the hardness of the
fanatic. He was born near Pinsk, in Russia;
studied in Geneva; became a Professor in
England; he is a brilliant scientist; a diplomat
of great skill; possessed of a determination
that never flags or falters. During the First
World War, he developed a vital synthetic
process for making explosives. He could have
had any honor, any title at the disposal of
the British Government. He asked only for
what he had been asking during most of his
adult life—a homeland for the Jews. The Bal-
four Declaration was the result. During all the
years between the wars, Dr. Weizmann plan-
ned and pleaded; made peace between the
warring factions of Zionism; created a He-
brew University which he called "the citadel
of the Jewish spirit." There is, in this man.,
of the Jewish spirit." -
During the blitz in London, I spent many
hours with him, the conversation punctuated
by roaring guns and falling bombs. It would
be a rambling conversation, moving from
politics to economics, art and literature; but
always coming back to Zionism. He never lost
faith in victory; and he never lost faith in
Zionism. He must have been born with it. In
some ways he has a scientist's approach to
politics; will talk brilliantly of irrigation,
power projects, the need for schools. Once
when I asked him about the lack of natural
resources in Palestine he replied: "But I must

have misled you. You see, the greatest natural
resource is the people."
Whatever opinions we. may hold on the
subject of Zionism; whatever the future of
Israel may be; I like to think that students
of all races.and creeds will pay some attention
to the career of President Chaim Weizmann,
because from it they may come to knOw how
great is the power that may reside in a single
individual; they may come to believe that
tasks that appear hopeless may be accom-
plished; that dreams and visions may, if pur-
sued relentlessly, achieve solid substance.
Well, the test of greatness is faith and
perseverance . . the willingness to carry on
in the face of disappointments and setbacks
. . . always in the belief that the cause for
which you give yourself is just and right. This
was the case of Dr. Chaim Weizmannstated
more eloquently by these lines from Longfel-
low: "The heights by areat men reached, and
kept, were not attained by sudden flight; but
they, while their companions slept, were toil-
ing upward in the night." •

•
This is a bit of history. It is an incom-
plete evaluation, but it reflects the feelings
of most Christians.
Another Christian, Field Marshal Jan
Smuts, the late Premier of South Africa, one
of the very great figures in Christendom,
had occasion, eight years ago, in November
of 1944, to conoTatulate Dr. Weizmann on
his 70th birthday. He likened the Jewish
leader to Moses and spoke of him as follows:

Formula for So1ving Worlds Ills
Patterned on Israel's Experience

An American Jewish Press Feature

Stringfellow Barr, Virginian who became famous for his Great
Book Curriculum which he introduced at St. John's College, has
attracted wide interest with his pamphlet, 'Let's Join the Human,
Race," which has already sold 200,000 copies. The theme of this
brochure has been developed by Mr. Barr in a new book, "Citizens
of the World: America and the World Revolution," just published
by Doubleday.
"I am profoundly pleased to hear that the
Mr. Barr proposes the establishment of a worldwide IDA—an
Jewish communities throughout the world will
International Development Authority patterned after the TVA.
celebrate the seventieth anniversary of Dr.
He proposes through such an agency to assist two billion people
Chaim Weizmann on November 27. This is a
in the world by providing for them the assistance which will
well-deserved honor, but it is more. in hon-
avert wars and tragedies, by making people self-sustaining. He
oring Dr. Weizmann Jewry is honoring itself,
believes that the Point Four program is not enough to handle a
for there can be no doubt in the minds of
problem of great magnitude for the entire world and he believes
those who know Dr. Weizmann that he is the
that the UN could solve the problem by enlisting the cooperation
greatest leader that has appeared not only to-
of all nations, especially the United States.
day but for a very long time. His services to
In a preface to "Citizens of the World," Supreme Court Jus-
his people are immense and no honor can be
tice William 0. Douglas praises Mr. Barr's approach by pointing
great enough for him. I have known him for
out that it is political rather than military. He calls it the correct
a very long time now and can claim him as
approach and declares.-that "the book contains what the Great
a personal friend.
Debate of 1952 should have been about." He adds that while
"I look upon him as a great man, as one
there will be disagreement, "the country will flourish better on
of• the outstanding men of our age. His char-
disagreement than on billingsgate."
acter, integrity and devotion to the cause to - -
It is especially interesting that Mr. Barr offers Israel as a pat-
which he has dedicated his life mark him out
tern for action. He is eloquent in his praise for the Jewish state.
as one of the most exceptional leaders that
In his description of tours of many lands, Mr. Barr, commenting
the Jewish people has produced, and that is
on his tour of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and through the
saying a good deal. He is not only a great
Negev to the Red Sea, asserts: "I understand at last why so many
leader of men and an outstanding public
men, more competent than I to judge, look to the State of Israel
figure of our age, but as a scientist, thinker
as the pilot plant for the big job ahead." He viewed Israel as a
and scientific discoverer he belongs in the
land of promise, not merely for the exiled, heartsick Jew, but for
first rank. From the highest quarters tribute
the exiled, heartsick human race."
has repeatedly been paid to him for his sci-
He writes a remarkable story of Israel as "a land of light:
entific services to the Allies in the Great War.
There is first the light that bathes the Palestine hills and baffles
But for his inventive genius we might have
the expert eye of the painter newly arrived from Europe or Amer-
been in a sorry plight when the great crisis
ica. There is the more mysterious light that is always shed by
in munitions came upon us and munition pro-
intelligent human purpose widely shared. And there is the most
duction became our first priority in that war. mysterious light of all, the light that infuses the religious tradi-
At that moment Lloyd George called on Weiz-
tions of Jewry, of Christendom, and Islam alike, the light by
mann's services and the situation was saved.
which Jew, Christian, and Moslem alike see Palestine as holy land
"At that time his power as an organizer
. • Israel is also, at this momentous hour in human historY, a
was also recalled. In due course he became the
lens and reflector ... focusing and reflecting . . all the problems
of mankind."
acknowledged leader of the Zionist movement.
His services in that connection call for no
Mr. Barr is deeply moved by Israel because "they took an
particular mention. One can say without ex-
underdeveloped country with far fewer natural resources than
aggeration that but for him, the respect en-
most underdeveloped countries and turned marsh and desert into
tertained for his profound judgment and the
cropland, forest, orchard, and garden , .. They found eroded hills
confidence felt in his character and personali-
and clothed them with trees. They found a feudal society and
ty, the cause of Zionism might have met with
built a modern democracy. They made a place for private enter-
much smaller success.
prise, for foreign capital, for powerful co-operatives, for a healthy
labor movement, and for Socialist settlements practicing a demo-
"He poured out his strength, genius and
soul for his people with a singlemindedness
cratic, voluntary communism that Russia does not claim to have
achieved."
which has been the admiration and wonder
of all who knew him intimately. The greatest
Because most of mankind is faced with the same problems
Jewish leader before him failed to enter the
that confronted Jews who undertook to build Israel, Mr. Barr
Promised Land and died in the mountains,
prescribes an Israeli system, application of Israel's experiences,
for a solution of mankind's ills.-
his vision disappointed. This is a hard world,
hardest for its greatest sons, but whether he
"Citizens of the World" is a most challenging book. It offers
sees the fulfilment of the vision or not, he food for much thought and presents a program for action that
himself has been a vision and revelation to may solve the world's most serious problems.
all who have known him intimately. He is a

worthy leader of a great and just cause and
his figure will not be less even if like Moses
he does not himself see the full ripe fruit of
his immense labors."
a a a
•

The tributes continue to multiply. Thous
ands of them are on record, ten-thousand
more are accumulating. It is a natural ex-
pression of affection and respect for the man
who better than any other, in the past fifty
years, knew how to interpret the Zionist
ideal to mankind and to defend it against
severe attacks within Jewish ranks, in hos-
tile neighboring quarters and by anti-Sem-
ites. Statesman, linguist, scholar, Talmudist,
scientist his life enriched Jewry and the

—

Historiette: Rabbi at Inauguration

An American Jewish Press Feature

The approaching Presidential inauguration recalls the his-
tonic inauguration of President George Washington.
Rabbi Gershom Mendes Seixas then was one of 14 clergymen
who participated in the inaugural ceremonies. It was symbolic
of the part played by Jews in the creation of the new Republic.
Rabbi Seixas was a native of New York. He was named to
succeed the Rev. Joseph Jesserun Pinto as rabbi of historic Shear-
ith Israel Synagogue when Rabbi Pinto died in 1766. Rabbi Seixas
then was only 21.
Rabbi Seixas' ministry lasted for 50 years until his death at
the age of 71 in 1816.
The Jewish population of the United States was estimated at
about 3,000 at the beginning of the 18th century, but Jews were
prominent in many walks of life and were well represented in the
11. S. armed forces.