THE JFWISHN
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The Welcome Mat
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member: . American Association•. of ,English-Xewish' Newspapers, MfchigAn Prest Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 708-10 David Stott Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 5-1155.
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Subscription 64' a 'year, foreign $5:
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, ,1942, at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act. of March „3, 1879.
.PHIL1P SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
FRANK SIMONS'
City Editor
StDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
Page 4
November 28, 1952
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Sabbath Scriptural Selections :.
This Sabbath.: the eleventh day of Kislev, 5713, the following Scriptural seleOions will be read
in our synagOgues: •
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Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 28:10 7.32:3; Prophetical, portion, Hos. 12:13-14:10 or *11:7-12:12 or
11:7-14:10.
Vol.
12
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Licht Benshen
Friday, Nov. 28, 4:45 - p.m.
Community Council's 15th Anniversary
Fifteen years ago, a representative group
of Jewish leaders participated in planning
the formation of the Jewish Community
Council. From a small beginning, Detroit's
Council has grown into a vast organization
composed of representatives of approximate-
ly 300 organizations. In the course of its ex-
istence, the Council has sponsored many
projects. It has partitipated in the defense
of Jewish :rights. It has encouraged cultural
activities. It has strengthened ties of friend-
ship between the Jewish and non-Jewish
communities.
In the civic-protective area, the Com-
munity Council commenced .an: energetic
campaign against anti-Semitism during the
Rev. Fr. Charles Coughlin's ftilminations
over -the radio and in his magazine. The to
cal counterattacks and the cooperation that
the Detroit Council gave to 'national organi-
zations in refuting the radio preacher's out-
bursts • served to fulfill an important obliga7
tion in behalf of the entire community.
The Council assumed = additional respon-
sibilities innn the years that followed. It co-
operated with the Jewish Commtinity Center
in sponsoring Yiddish lecture series and
music and art programs. It took the lead in
arranging radio and television broadcasts to
commemorate outstanding JeWish festivals.
" In cooperation with the Zionist Council,
the Jewish Community Council also played
a leading role in arranging the community-
wide celebrations of Israel's anniversary.
The Council is active in sponsoring Ek..:PC
legislation and in mobilizing sentiment in op-
position to un-American act_ and in ex-
pressing the community's opposition to the
McCarran and similar acts.
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This, briefly, is a review of the Council's
accomplishments during its 15 years' exist-
ence. The community organization began to
function on a budget of less than $4,000 and
has expanded its activities• so that it operates
today at an annual cost of approximptely
$170,000. Its funds are derived from the con-
tributions to the Allied Jewish Campaign.
This additional fact must be mentioned in
view of the regrettable conflicts that become
evident from time to time between the Coun-
cil and the. Jewish Welfare Federation. Since
Federation allocates funds fOr its member
agencies who benefit from the Allied Jewish
Campaign, the Council, as one of the cam-
paign beneficiaries, is subject to scrutiny as
to operations, functions and budgets, by the
Federation's executive committee. Because
of the special character of the Council, this
has caused conflicts as to the status of the
Council. At annual Federation meetings the
Council's position has been a subject for de-
bate and the ensuing issues were aggravated
by contests for membership on the Federa-
tion board of governors.
No one need apologize for what has
happened. Adherents of Federation and
Council viewpoints are fully entitled to their
attitudes and should have the right to pre-
sent their views freely and without hin-
drance.
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But out of the conflict has emerged a
basic difference of opinion as to the actual
status of each organization. There are
spokesmen for the Council who maintain
that Federation is only the fund-raising arm
of our community and should haVe no right
to make final decisions as to allocation of
funds that are contributed to•the entire com-
munity. Some COuncil spokesmen have main-
tained that, as the democratically-elected or-
ganization, Council should be granted the
right to supervise alI . cominunal affairs, in-
eluding education. -
It is evident, contrary to such claims, that
there is serious misunderstanding of a simple
fact involving • the democratic process. The
Federation's governing body is as democrati-
cally chosen as the Council's. The difference
lies only in the frequent public meetings held
by the Council's Delegate Assembly, whereas
the Federation's affairs are conducted by the
board of governors and executive committee.
While we advocate more frequent public
discussions of pttblic issues by the Federa-
tion, to offer opportunities for an expression
of opinion on fund-raising, allocation of
monies raised. and communal policies pur-
sued by the Federation's member agencies,
it is our belief that closer cooperation be-
tween Federation and Council could result
in the creation of a forum for such discus-
sions at Council assemblies.
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Yet, in due recognition of developing sit-
uations, we must call to the community's
attention the actual progress that has been
made during the -past decade. Not so long
ag. o, Federation, meetings were attended by
fewer .than 100 people. There was routine Historiette: William Gladstone's
procedure of presentation of cut-and-dried
reports•, the confirmation of officers' slates Tribute to Jewish Qualities
presented by nominating committees and oc
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American Jewish Press Feature
casional visiting -.speakers: The picture has
William
Ewart
Gladstone,
Britain's famous Prime Minister, is
changed.. Many now attend these meetings known for his enmity for Benjamin
Disraeli ; his arch opponent in
and there is keen interest in proceedings.
Parliament It is not generally known that 65 years ago he paid •
But it was not so far back when a United a glowing tribute to Jewish qualities. In the course of his "Notes
States Senator attracted an audience Of less and Queries on the Irish Demand," 65 years ago, Gladstone went. -.
_than 400-at such an annual meeting of Fed- out of hiS way to give the following remarkable tribute to Jewish
eration. There was a lack of concern because qualities:
`Some time back, Mr. Goidwin Smith, I think, made against
there was - no contest for membership on the
board of governors at the time, and there the Jews what may be called a charge of incivism, and called
forth an effective defense. It is certain that the people, as
were no issues involving Federation and known
among us, have marked virtues; and I am not aware that
Council. This clearly indicates that human they have
corresponding faults. One thing, I think, may be said,
nature predominates: that conflict attracts which is no matter of reproach; they do not so entirely amalga-
interest. As. long as there is public discussion mate with other Englishmen, as to lose all notes of difference.
in democratic fashion, it is not to be deplored The Jew remains a Jew, and carries a peculiar stamp, which can=
but rather to be welcomed, and in large not, with any presumption oftruth, be referred either to intellec-
measure our community is indebted to the tual or moral inferiority. It is not probable that that stamp is
Council for having stirred genuine interest monumental? That it is the surviving record of the persistent
medieval persecution, which went far below the surface and cut
in communal matters. -
-deep lines in character? Such experiences sharpen self-con-
Yet, there is so much more to be ac- sciousness and give fresh tension to whatever in the human being
complished through cooperation and amity. is distinctive. There seems here to be a wise provision of Nature
Working together, this community can rise which, in some .measure, redresses* inequality of strength as be-
to great heights in advancing cultural pro- tween more powerful and less powerful nations. If an -influence
grams, in pursuing the philanthropic needs, has been at work, drawing closer and closer the ties that bind one
Jew to another, and thus making one Jew become more to an-
in attaining friendship withour neighbors.
The Jewish Community Council occupies other, giving to each Jew a larger share in the being of every
an important place in our communal struc- other Jew, has it not recorded a significant, though silent, protest
against cruel and inveterate injury? For thus it is that the being
ture. It has earned commendations and con- of
one human creature can be imparted to his brothers and theirs
gratulations for. all its efforts and we join to him."
in giving due credit to this movement for
its significant attainments. Yet we feel obli- `Seder Avodah', New Sabbath, Festival
gated on this anniversary occasion also to
offer advice: that a serious effort be made Prayer Book, Edited by Rabbi Klein
to attain amity with the parent community
"Seder Avodah"—Order of Service—is the title of the prayer
organization, the Federation, through posi-
book
for the Sabbath and festivals, compiled, edited and translated
tive assignment and voluntary acceptance of by Rabbi.
Max D. Klein, which has , been published by Bloch.
non-conflicting responsibilities.
The aim of the new prayerbdok "is to provide our generation
We heartily congratulate the Council on with a book of worship which in respect to content and translation
its fifteenth anniversary. We are confident will better serve present-day needs." • The new book replaces
that the celebration next Wednesday will "Abodath Israel," which was arranged by Rabbi Marcus Jastrow of
enthusiastically echo the community's high Philadelphia and Rabbi Benjamin Szold of Baltimore, for conserv-
regard for its activities and its program of ative synagogues.
A number of the translations are explained in the preface.
action in defense of Jewish rights and for
the advancement of highest Jewish values.
Pisgah's 95th Year
Pisgah Lodge's 95th anniversary repre-
sents nearly the entire history of the Jewish
community of Detroit.
Organized only seven years after the for-
mation of Temple Beth El—whose formal
organization marked the beginning of De-
troit Jewry's history — Pisgah Lodge has
been an important factor in our people's pro-
gress. Pisgah Lodge has watched Detroit
Jewry grow from a few hundred souls to
the present population of approximately
100,000. The Bnai Brith lodge has shared
In all philanthropic activities and has been
a leading factor in the social life of our com-
munity.
Continuing its traditions of rendering
service to Jewry, Pisgah Lodge in recent
years has shared in relief activities and in
projects to aid Israel's upbuilding. The lodge
has encouraged actively many civic move-
ments. It is eminently proper that Mayor
Cobo should have proclaimed thiS week De-
troit Bnai Brith Week, and it is fitting that an
outstanding leader, Senator Hubert H. firlum-
phrey of Minnesota, should be the guest
speaker at the 95th anniversary celebration
on Sunday evening.
We join with the entire community in ex-
tending heartiest congratulations to Pisgah
Lodge on this momentous occasion.
Mrs. Freehof 's Children's Stories
Succeed in Bringing Joy .to Youth
Lillian Simon Preehof, the wife of Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof,
whose children's stories have been in demand in Jewish schools
and have been• popular in book form, is the author of another
volume of holiday and Sabbath tales under the title "Star Light
Stories." (Bloch).
The eight stories in this attractite bOok—for the Sabbath, Rosh
Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukah, Purim, Passover and
Shevuot—and their appropriate illustrations, drawn by Jessie B.
Robinson, will prove valuable addenda for school work. The book
itself will make an excellent Hanukah gift for -children.
Mrs. Freehof points out in an introduction to her stories that
her aim is to translate Judaism for the child "into happy activity.
She makes this interesting comment:
"The Talmud says that God's presence .does not rest upon a
person when he is lazy or when he is gloomy, but only when he is
finding joy in worthy activity. In all ages Judaism was a religion
of happiness in a life of activity, and we want it to be a source
of joy to the modern child."
The Prophets Popularized
In "The Prophets Speak to Us Anew," the author, Rabbi David
Wanefsky, summarizes, chapter by chapter, the following .Books
of the Prophets:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Etekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah,
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
Published by Philosophical _Library (15 E. 40th, NY 16), this
book truly popularizes the Prophets. The Biblical texts are ,Zolr
lowed scrupulously.
An introductory chapter, "The Place of the Prophet in the
National Life of Ancient Israel," describes Israel's struggles, con-
flicts with neighbors, the Internal trials, the people's sins and the
Prophets' admonitions, as well as the. Prophets' assurances of "a
new rebirth."