Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Justified Rebuke to Lessing Rosenwald
. Detroit's Jewish Tercentenary Committee last week expressed
justified resentment against the naming of the head of the Coun-
cil for Judaism, Lessing Rosenwald, as an associate chairman of
the American Jewish Tercentenary Committee.
Mr. Rosenwald has spearheaded a movement that has em-
braced the cause of the Communist-Arab bloc at the United Na-
tions. He has inspired suspicion in American relations with Is-
rael. He has encouraged an antagonism towards Zionism which
continues to harm Israel. He has thereby lost the right to leader-
ship in the ranks of Judaism — a term his Council has abused.
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'I Might Have Helped to Save Lives':—Isaac Deutscher
There really are very few anti-Zionists left anywhere. Many
who were opposed to Zionism have repented. Some former anti-
Zionists now admit their errors.
Your Commentator calls your attention to an interesting
admission by a distinguished author. Isaac Deutscher, whose bio-
graphy of Leon Trotsky we reviewed only a few weeks ago, was
in Israel to study conditions in that remarkable little country
which is being built in defiance of many obstacles that are being
placed in the paths of the builders of Zion: He wrote two ar-
ticles for the courageous fortnightly magazine, The Reporter. In
the second article he made this most significant statement:
"Israelis who have known me as an anti-Zionist of
long standing were Curious to hear what I was thinking
:about Zionism now. I have, of course, long since aban-
doned my anti-Zionism, which was . based on a confidence
in the European labor movement, or, more browny, a con-
fidence in European society and civilization which that so-
ciety and civilization 'have not -justified. If, instead of
arguing against Zionism in the - 1920's and 1930's, I had
urged European Jews - 'to go to Palestine, I might have
helped to save some of the lives that were to be ex-
tinguished in Hitler's gas chambers."
Similar repentance may be gnawing at the minds of many
Jews, former antagonists of Zionism. If the "Protest Rabiner"
of Munich, who conspired against the early Zionists; if those
who opposed the movement in the days of the Balfour Declara-
tion, if the anti-Israel Judaism Council people and those who
are aligned against Israel had acted realistically, there might
have been no gas chambers, no crematoria, no pogroms — and
Great Britain might have been rescued from acting perfidiously.
But even in this enlightened era, in the post-Nazi period
which still is within the memory of Lessing Rosenwald and his
small band of panicky Jews who are trodding a demoniacally
evil path, there are Sanballats who would make such concessions
to Israel's enemies as to endanger the lives of a million and a half
Jews who, at last, have built a home for themselves in the ancient
land of Israel.
If the Jewish enemies of Israel have not learned the lesson
that was taught by Hitlerism, if they can not recognize the real-7 :
ity of Isaac Deutscher's repentant statement, then we have!
wasted words. • Yet: these words must be uttered — so that those
who build with one, hand and defend with the other, as in the
days of Nehemiah, in defiance of the Sanballats, may Continue;
to gain courage -in the knowledge that one never retreats frorn;
a just cause.
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Andrei Vishinsky at the Arab Cocktail Party
We doubt whether any one will miss- Andrei- Vishinsky, who
is said to have retired from active service with his government
and who has returned to Russia. He has left behind him an
evil record. He must have made some friends — judging by the
fact that, in spite of his established policy not to attend cock-
tail parties, he nevertheless made an appearance at an Arab
party.
This is a note especially directed to the attention of Assist-
ant Secretary of State Henry A. Byroade, who was so concerned,
in his address before the anti-Israel Jewish Council, lest the
Soviet Union gain "control and influence" in the Middle East.
And Israel, in the meantime, remains the only democracy in
that area. That young state is the only sure weapon against
Communism. Doesn't the State Department recognize this truth?
(There is a proverb: "consistency, thou art a jewel." Ap-
parently, jewels are rare.)
The "Peace" - loving Rabbis and the "Foster"-Children
Let's stick to the subject "branded" under Rosenwald's name
for another few paragraphs.
It is immaterial whether Lessing Rosenwald remains as presi-
dent of the Council for Judaism or not. He has rendered damage
and whoever aims to wear his shoes can do no worse. No one
who subscribes to the Council platform is in position to do good.
At the moment, we are intrigued by the honors the Council
bestowed upon eight rabbis for having "courageously supported
the separation of the faith of Judaism from all nationalist in-
roads." The eight are Rabbis Samuel Goldenson, David Lefkowitz,
David Marx, Irving Reichert, Morris S. Lazaron, Abraham Cron-
bach and Solomon Foster. We are especially amused by the last
three names:
Lazaron once toured the country in support of the program
of the Zionist Organization of America.
Cronbach is the famous pacifist who played an important
role in the_ case in defense of the Rosenbergs who died in the
electric chair at Sing Sing, on the charge of treason. We agreed
with him that capital punishment is wrong. We oppose at in
principle. But he seems to favor it for Israelis, by supporting
the Council program. That program, by playing the Arab hand,
would mean death for hundreds of thousands of Jews who would
be made defenseless. How come, Rabbi Cronbach? Aren't you
a seeker for peace also for Israel? Why don't you start a peace
crusade—between Israel and the Arab states — instead of giving
comfort to those who seek Israel's destruction?
Then there is Rabbi Foster. While he was rabbi in Newark,
N.J., he sat in a front row at a meeting addressed by Maurice
Samuel and heckled the noted author. The story goes that Mr.
Samuel addressed himself to the rabbi and said: "I am speaking
to the, children of Israel. not the foster - children."
That brings us to the point: in dealing with the destructive
Council, are we affected by sinful fosterage?
There is "galgenhumor" in the story of the eight rabbis who
would rob Israelis of their freedom and American Jews of their
right to assist their kinsmen in the Holy Land: the gifts presented
to them for their "courage" were Hagadahs! What irony! Now
they can re-read history and learn anew that the . battle for
freedom is as old as the people Israel!
LeaderS Check . Campaig'n Progress
2—DETROIT JEWISH • NEWS
Friday, May 14, 1954 •
Luloff Award Winner
Featured in Concert
Of Music Study Club
Lois Pachucki, 14-year-old win-
ner of the 1953 Gwladys Luloff
scholarship award, sponsored by
the Music Study Club of Detroit,
will be heard in concert at 8:15
p.m., Wednesday, in the Detroit
Institute of Puts Lecture Hall.
Mrs. Joseph M.
Markel, presi-
dent, announces
that Mrs. Ira G.
Kaufman is
chairman of the
organ ization's
scholarship pro-
gram. and is as-
sisted by Mrs. J.
S. Sauls.
Miss Pachu-
Miss Pachucki cki's program
will consist of selections by Bach,
Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin and
Ravel. An all-A student at Mum
ford High School, Miss Pachu-
cki presently studies piano with
Mischa Kottler.
Since the age of nine, she has
appeared in annual recitals, and
has been heard three times as
soloist with the Detroit Sym-
phony Orchestra, her first ap-
pearance being at the age of 10.
Last year, Miss Pachucki did en-
semble work in the East under
the direction of Rudolf Serkin,
and she presently studies cello
with Thaddeus Markiewicz.
Auditions for the 1954 scholar-
ship, states Mrs. Kaufman, will
take place on June 23, in the
Baldwin Recital Hall. The pub-
lic is invited to attend.
Mrs. Henry Weinberg, chair-
man of the club's philanthropic
committee, announces that on
Tuesday, members of her com-
mittee will offer a program for
rc 3idents at Northville State
Hospital.
Featured will be the choral
group under the direction of
Dan Frohman, with Rose Bassin
Stein as accompanist. In addi-
tion, talented, young violinist,
Isadore Saslove, will be heard in
several selections. Mrs. Norman
Allen will conduct community
singing. •
NORMAN KATZ, chairman of the Junior Division; Arts and
Crafts Chairman HARVEY WILLENS; and HARVEY H. GOLD-
MAN, who with Irving W. Blumberg is chairman of the Allied Jew-
ish Campaign, check progress of the divisions on the campaign
score-board.
Dr. Emil Lehman to Address Regional
Parley of United Synagogue, Sunday
Dr. Emil Lehman, assistant The conference program in-
executive director of the United eludes sessions on New Trends
Synagogue of America, will be in Jewish Education, Leadership
the principal speaker at the an- Development and Synagogue
nual conference of the Michigan Administration and a seminar
Region of the United Syna- on "Is Conservative Judaism
gogue, Sunday, at Congregation Becoming the Pattern for Amer-
Shaarey Zedek, it was an- lican Jewish Life?"
nounced by Dr. Leonard Sidlow, 1 A Mincha service will wind
president of the region.
up the proceedings of the con-
Dr. Lehman, who will speak ference which will be attended
on "Overall Planning for your by delegates from all Conser-
Congregation," is the author of vative congregations in Michi-
the recent national survey on gan.
synagogue leadership under-
William of
Kaufman,
regional
taken by the United Synagogue. director
the United
Syna-
Rabbi Morris Adler will greet gogue, is in charge of con-
the Conference on behalf of the , ference arrangements.
host congregation.
Between You and Me
,
Protests Against
Arming of Arabs
Direct JTA TeletYpe Wire
To The Jewisth .News
Rep. L. B.
WAS H INGTON
Heller told the --House of Rep-
resentatives that "unfortunately
our own country has recently
embarked upon a policy of so-
called impartiality between Jews
and Arabs which only serves the
cunning purposes of the Arab
states." He cited the arms grant
to Iraq and said "we are cod-
dling the Arabs at the expense
of Israel, our only true ally and
friend in that area."
Rep. Edward A. Garmatz,
Maryland Democrat, called the
attention of congress to a re-
solution adopted by the Balti-
more Zionist Council in protest
against an administration deci-
sion to provide Iraq with a free
grant of American munitions.
" The House Foreign Affairs
Committee on Tuesday directed
its attention to the Arab-Israel
situation in a meeting which was
held behind closed doors. Econo-
mic and military aid to the Near
Eastern area and strategic con-
siderations were dismissed.
Turkish Government Okays
Delegates for Israel Parley
ISTANBUL, (JTA)—For the
first time, Turkish Jewry was
permitted to send a delegation
to attend the World Sephardic
Congress, which opened in Jeru-
salem. • The Turkish government
has granted a request of the
Grand Rabbinate to send such a
delegation.
Under Turkish law, n.o local
group may be affiliated with. or
send delegates to meetings of
groups abroad, unless the gov-
_ ernment grants permission. Jew-
ish communal leaders expressed
satisfaction with the govern-
ment's action, describing it as a
.sign of .understanding and sym-
pathy toward the Jews.
-By BORIS SMoLAR
(Copyright, 1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The DipiOnialiC Front
It is no- mere coincidence that Britain's note to Jordan to en-
'gage' in.' - direct talks 'With . Israel under United .Nations supervision
was delivered to the Amman government during' the Week the
: s. 'State .Departmerit--through Assistaht 'Secretary - Henry A.
Byroade—indulged in all kinds of public "advice" to :Israel .
•Both- moves seem to be the result of the recent meeting in London
between Secretary of State John Foster .Dulles and British. Foreign
Minister Anthony Eden, . . It is knoWn that at that meeting the
two statesmen discussed the Arab-Israel problem, and it is assum-
ed that a "division of labor" policy was adapted_ . Britain, under
this policy, was to use pressure on Jordan. which is dependent
on British support, while the United States was to do some
pressuring on Israel. . . In view of the fact that Israel wants
direct talks with Jordan as well as with the other Arab countries,
there was no need to use pressure on Israel on this point . . . The
State Department's pressure, therefore, was directed at seeking
"assurances" from Israel for the Arabs. .. The Washington move
makes the Israeli man on the street believe that Britain is show-
ing a much wiser attitude on the Arab-Israel problem than the
United States. . . The general feeling is that U.S. Government
seems to be veering between Israel and the Arabs, pleasing
none and upsetting both.
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Communal Issues
The question of religious observances in Jewish hospitals in
this country is now one of the main issues in American-Jewish
communal life. .. There are about 65 Jewish hospitals in various
parts of the country and a good many of them serve non-kosher
meals to Jewish patients who require kosher fOod. . . This raises
the question of why Jewish communities should maintain or
support a hospital which ignores the basic principles of the
Jewish religion. . . The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare
Funds has, therefore, conducted an inquiry concerning kashruth
observance in the Jewish hospitals throughout the country.
Only 51 hospitals replied to the questionnaire. . . The replies
establish that approximately one-third of these - hospitals serve
all kosher meals, one-third serve some kosher meals, and one-
third serve no kosher meals. In 20 of 26 cities having Jewish
general hospitals it is possible for Jewish patients to have a
kosher diet. . . General hospitals in Cities of Jewish population
of 175,000 and over preponderantly serve no kosher meals. . •
Those in cities of 15,000 to 175,000 population preponderantly
serve some kosher meals. . Of three reporting hospitals in cities
below 15,000 populatiOn, two serve no kosher meat. . Several
of the hospitals serving no kosher meats reported that they did
not serve meat and milk together, or served no pork, pork
products, shell 'fish, or other proscribed foods. . . Some hospitals
in the "non-kosher meals" category—like Mt. Sinai Hospital in
Now York and the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital—provide a kosher
tray on request, prepared by an outside caterer. . . There is a
special fee for this service in Mt. Sinai and in the private and
semi-private rooms of the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital. . Jewish
Memorial Hospital in New York serves dairy food for patients
requesting kosher food. . . Mt. Sinai in Milwaukee has a special
dairy tray, while Beth Israel of Newark maintains a separate
dairy kitchen for patients requesting kosher food. . . An interesting
variation is found in Beth Israel of Boston : . • There, all meals
on ward service are kosher, but in private and semi 7private
services, the provision of kosher food is optional with the
patient. . . All in all the survey established that at the present
time only a small proportion of Jewish patients in Jewish general
hospitals request kosher food When it is optional.