E JEWISH NEWS
Story of a
Boycott in 1877:
Comparison With
Civic-Protective
Activities
In Our Generation
Commentary, Page 2
A Weekly Review
of Jewish Events
akCat 7
17100 W. 7 Mile Rd.—VE. 8-9364—Detroit 35, Mich., February 5, 1954
The 1954 Allied
Jewish Campaign:
Need for a Free
Field of Activity
Jerusalem's
3,000th Anniversary
Michigan's Only English-Jewish Newspaper—Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle
VOL 24—No. 22
••■■ ••••••• ■ •
Editorials Page 4
$4.00 Per Year; Single Copy, 1 Sc
Eban Exposes Conspiracy Against
Israel, High Pitch Lawlessness
Sim nificant Communal Merger
USNA and HIAS Combined
into 'United HIAS Service'
NEW YORK, (JTA)—Agreement has been reached
for merger of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
and the United Service for New Americans (USNA) , into
a new organization to be known as the United HIAS
Service. The new organization also will take over the
JDC overseas migration services.
The development, one of the most significant in American
Jewish organizational life, was announced at a press conference
held at the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.
Edwin Rosenberg, New York communal leader, who initiated the
merger discussions 16 months ago, revealed that the board of
HIAS and the executive committee of USNA had unanimously
accepted joint proposals by conferees of both organizations in
conjunction with representatives of the Joint Distribution Com-
mittee and the National Council of Jewish Women.
Mr. Rosenberg disclosed that the legal aspects of the mer-
ger are expected to be completed by next June. HIAS, 70-year-
old immigration service, covers its present budget of about
$2,000,000 by contributions from its membership and by grants
from welfare funds. The $500,000 budget of USNA, the major
resettlement agency in the United States, and the estimated
$1,500,000 budget of JDC's migration service are covered by allo-
cations from the United Jewish Appeal.
Arthur Greenleigh, executive director of USNA, and Dr.
Arthur T. Jacobs, executive director of HIAS, have been directed
to work out the organizational and structural problems of the
new agency.
The agreement specifies that HIAS and USNA consolidate
in the new agency all their respective functions and services
including immigration, resettlement and naturalization. The
transfer by JDC of its migration activities to the new organiza-
tion does not affect the JDC's normal relief and rehabilation pro-
gram in Europe, the Moslem countries and Israel.
Satisfaction over conclusion of the agreement was expressed
by Ben Touster, president of HIAS, and by Walter Bieringer,
(resident of USNA, who participated in the conference with Mr.
Rosenberg. H. L. Lurie, executive director of the Council of Fed-
erations, said the merger would be welcomed with great enthus-
itsm by the members of the council.
Mr. Rosenberg declared that for several years, "such con-
solidation of Jewish services has been urged by executives in
intergovernmental, governmental, national and local voluntary
agencies here and abroad. We are fully convinced that the
sooner this consolidation can be achieved, the better it will be
for • those to whom we have a responsibility." He said the
merger should effect economies in the migration field.
Mr. Muster and Mr. Bieringer agreed that the consolida-
tion will eliminate much duplication and overlapping in opera-
tions here, in Europe and in Latin America and would provide a
more effective and flexible migration service. It was also stressed
that the consolidation would "eliminate multiple and competing
representations to governmental and intergovernmental agencies
all over the world which complicate our relationships at a time
when we need the most effective liaison possible."
Mr. Rosenberg also pointed out that one unified centralized
migration agency "to deal with the problems of the homeless,
persecuted and uprooted Jews wherever in the world they may
be," would serve to "eliminate the confusion now experienced by
the migrants overseas and by their sponsors in the United States
and in other countries as a result of multiple registrations and
competing services."
Faithful Worker
Direct JTA Teletype Wire to The Jewish News
UNITED NATIONS, U.Y., (JTA) — Declaring that he could not remember a time
when "the hostility and lawlessness of the Arab governments was at so high a pitch
over so wide a front," Israel Ambassador Abba S. Eban charged that a whole series of
lawless acts by Arab states were concerted by the Arab League governments, all of
which were responsible for each violation.
Mr. Eban charged an Arab conspiracy at a press conference in connection with the submis-
sion of Israel's complaint to the Security Council against Egypt's blockade of Israel-bound ship-
ping. He mentioned the Egyptian blockade, the Jordan refusal to honor its signature on the
armistice agreements, the Syrian refusal to accept the verdict of the majority of the Security
Council, the Iraqi arrests of innocent air passengers forced down on Iraqi territory and the
threats of the King of Saudi Arabia.
A situation exists, he said, of "total hostility" in which "there is a flight from agreements
and obligations along the entire front. All this takes place," he added, "with remarkable lack
of alert international counteraction."
Cairo reports of intensive diplomatic activity by Egyptians are seen here as a desperate
effort to strengthen the Egyptian position before the scheduled meeting of the Security Coun-
cil when Israel will formally accuse it of violation of the Council resolution and of the armistice.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi spent a busy weekend receiving envoys of
all countries with seats on the Security Council to "explain" the Egyptian position.
Informed sources here pointed out that Egypt knows she is in an impossible situation and
can offer little justification for their, actions. It is believed the Egyptians here would like to
drop the latest order of including foodstuffs as "war potential" to be kept from Israeli ports if
by so doing they could get Security Council action halted. But the matter has gone too far for
that.
Official indications in Cairo that Egypt would not recognize an adverse Security Council
decision were not well received here, either by UN officialdom or any Security Council mem-
ber delegations.
One irked delegate, commenting on the Cairo report of the Egyptian claim that "the Se-
curity Council can recommend but it lacks power to enforce," declared that Egyptians simply
did not know what they were talking about. Assembly resolutions were recommendations, he
said, but Security Council resolutions were "orders" and the Council under. the UN Charter
has the power to enforce its orders.
Jewry Pleads Against Arms for Arabs 'Council' Dissenting
WASHINGTON. — While unanimity again marks the American scene—this time on the issue
of American arms to Israel—the anti-Israel-anti-Zionist Council for Judaism has taken a stand
of dissociating itself from "all programs and policies designed to convey the impression that
either all American Jews or their Judaism, as such, supports or opposes any specified American.
foreign policy in the Middle East."
This handful of Jews, forming less than a tenth of one per cent of American Jewry, thus
not only lends comfort to Arabs who seek to destroy Israel, but libels American Jewry with
charges of interference in America's foreign policy. This stand is interpreted as the most un-
American position yet taken by this group whom
Jewry considers anti-Jewish and anti-American
Congregations, Organizations
—by virtue of its attempt to make it disloyal for
Jews to express opinions on government policy.
Join Jerusalem Celebration
The repudiation of this Council's activities is
Unprecedented unity marked the arrange-
indicated in the stand of the American Jewish
merits made this week for the observance
Committee, at the annual convention in New
of Jerusalem's 3,000th anniversary, at a
York last week-end. The AJC adopted a resolu-
rally of Israel bond buyers, at the Masonic
tion asserting that American interest requires
Auditorium, Sunday evening, Feb. 14.
peace and stability in the Near East" and de-
Backed by action from all local congre-
claring that "to grant arms to any nation which
gations, under the leadership of all the
has not shown a genuine desire to live at peace
rabbis of Detroit, and by nearly all Detroit
with its neighbors defeats this interest."
organizations, the Israel bond organization
In the meantime, all American Jewish organ-
expects an attendance of 5,000 at the cele-
izations have gone on record condemning the
bration. Each person attending is expected
shipment of arms to Arab countries which con-
to purchase an Israel bond.
tinually threaten to destroy Israel. The "Bnai
Phillip Stollman heads the arrangements
Brith, American Jewish Congress, Farband, Miz-
committee. Louis Berry will preside at the
rachi, rabbinic assemblies, Council of Jewish
celebration. The speakers will be Michael
Women and other organizations joined in ap-
Simon, Chief of Protocol of the Israel Min-
peals to the State Department to prevent arms
istry of Foreign Affairs; Rabbi Mordecai
shipments which are to be used against Israel.
Kirshblum, Mizrachi leader; Mrs. Moses P.
Senator Alexander Wiley, told a meeting of
Epstein, Haddassah leader. The musical
the pro-Arab American Friends of the Middle
program will feature Jan Peerce, Metro
East that for America to take a pro-Arab or pro-
politan Opera star, and the Detroit Can
Israel approach in the Middle East was to court
tors' Assembly.
disaster.
Annual Butzel Award Goes to Abraham Srere
At the annual meeting of the Jewish Welfare Federa-
tion, at the Davison Jewish Center, on Tuesday evening,
the 1954 Annual Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award was given
to Abraham Srere "for outstanding Jewish communal
leadership." The citation to Mr. Srere reads:
"Mr. Srere's long and devoted record as a worker, faithful
partner, and distinguished leader in the Detroit community, Jew-
ish and general, stands as a symbol of responsible citizenship.
He has been an inspiration to all who join him in striving for the
maintenance and development of an even-better community. He
is considerate, generous, fair, genial, able and informed.
Annual Meeting Report
Ail the nominees of the
"From his boyhood days at the Hannah Schloss House—and
throughout the years—he has followed in the footsteps of Fred
M. Butzel.
"As president of the Jewish Welfare Federation for four
years, 1941-1944, Mr. Srere's guidance was instrumental in shap-
ing its growth and stature in community affairs.
Additional details on Page 5.
"As a member of the board of governors of the Federation,
chairman of the executive committee, member of the board of
directors of the United Jewish Charities, and chairman of the
Allied Jewish Campaign, his wise counsel and judgment have
A RAHAM SRERE
Jewish Welfare Federation,
Fresh Air .Society and Jewish
Vocational Service were elect-
ed at the meeting Tuesday.
-
-
been of immeasurable benefit to all the causes we support.
"Mr. Srere's belief in a strong and balanced community is
evident in many other tasks to which he has given ardor and zeal.
"An honorary, life-long member of 'the Jewish Community
Center, he is also a past president of the Jewish Social Service
Bureau and a member of the executive committee of Sinai
Hospital.
"In the metropolitan sphere of social services, Mr. Srere has
distinguished himself and brought credit to the Jewish commun-
ity as a member of the boards of the Detroit Chapter of the
American Red Cross and the Community Chest. He has been an
active participant in the work of the United Founcation and the
Torch Drive.
"His services as a leader have been commended by groups
beyond our communal boundaries. Mr. Srere represented us as a
national board member of the Council of Jewish Federations and
Welfare Funds and the Joint Distribution Committee.
"In conferring this award upon Abe Srere, we are thankful
for the years of loyalty he has so unselfishly extended and for his
conscientious labors to this day.
"We congratulate him on his selection as the 1954 winner of
the Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award—and we bespeak for him
and his dear ones, health and happiness, so that the community
may continue lb have the great benefit of his harmonizing infitt•
ence and his invaluable, constructive counsel."