Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
The 1TA's Historic Role as News-Gatherer
The remarkable history of the American popular story weekly,
which Mary Noel .has produced under the title "Villains Galore"
(Macmillan) takes the reader back to the days when the fiction
newspapers played an important role as means of entertainment
of the masses. The newspaper as we know it today is a product
of the modern machine age. In the days of the story weekly there
was less foreign news, a minimum of telegraph copy and an over-
abundance of fiction. The result was the domination of piracy
among publications, and its end came with subsequent enforce-
ment of copyright laws.
Miss Noel describes vividly how the story papers copied one
from another, how they took entire books, by Dickens, Poe and
others, and incorporated them in their fiction papers.
Her interesting history brought back recollections of the days
when there was a dearth of Jewish news sand existing newspapers
thought nothing of resorting to piracy. Thts, the American Jewish
papers copied stories from the English, and six months later their
confreres across the ocean, having forgotten about. the item,
would, in turn, recopy it and reprint it as current news.
This cycle worked until the rise of the Jewish Telegraphic
Agency. As a result of the vision of the late Jacob Landau and
a couple of associates, the JTA introduced, about 35 years ago, an.
effective news service which later developed into an important
telegraphic service. During the Arab riots in 1929 the JTA fed its
news to nearly all American daily newspapers, in addition to serv-
icing the Jewish press. In the past three decades under the ed-
itorship of Boris Smolar, JTA has assumed a role so significant
that it is difficult to conceive of a well-functioning Jewish com-
munity without the news service of this vital agency.
At present, very ably managed by Victor Bienstock, JTA is the
chief disseminator of news from Jewish .communities everywhere.
As a result, there is no longer need for piracy or for plagiarism and
every newspaper of merit must depend upon the magic of the
three letters—JTA.
Agreement Reported Reached in Principle
On Merger of Three Israeli Funds
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
To The Jewish News
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Dr.
George Wise, president of the
American Friends of the Hebrew
University and chairman of the
university's board of governors,
stated Tuesday that he obtained
from the Hebrew University an
agreement in principle to the
decisions taken by the Ameri-
' can Friends last month with re-
gard to the consolidation of the
fund-raising efforts in t h e
United States on behalf of the
University, Weizmann Institute
of Science and Haifa Technion.
Dr. Wise, who left Tuesday for
the United States, communi-
cated to the Israel government
and to the Jewish Agency the
following proposals of American
Friends of the Hebrew Univer-
sity.
1. Immediate steps should be
taken for joint appearance of
representatives of the three edu-
cational institutions b e f ore
American Jewish Welfare Funds
Pontiac Leader
Gets Youth Award
* * *
An AntiSernite Gets a Licking
Let it be said to the credit of the American voter that, in
Lincoln's words, you can't fool him all of the time. California
proved it last week when it defeated for renomination the anti-
Semite, State Senator Jack, Tenney.
We spoke of him a few weeks ago, when we called attention
to the manner of his campaign, when he located a "Mrs. Younger"
—a lady who was a mental case—to split the vote of his opponent,
Mrs. Mildred Younger, who won the Republican nomination
against him. It didn't help. The able Mrs. Mildred Younger came
through on. the Republican side of the ledger, while Richard
Richards defeated the notorious Tenney on the Democratic slate.
Tenney conducted a campaign against "organized Jewry" in
his apppeal for votes for his renomination. In 1952, he ran for
the Vice-Presidency of the U. S. on the Gerald L. K. Smith
Christian Nationalist Party ticket. As a State Senator he had
written and mailed to members of both Houses of .the U. S.
Congress pamphlets attacking Zionism and Jewry. As chairman
of the California Legislative Committee on Un-American Activities
he charged that "Jewish opposition" to him was linked to Com-
munism. In accordance with California rules he was a candidate
for renomination on both the Democratic and Republican tickets.
The California voters gave him the boot. Once again, the Ameri-
can way triumphed against a bigot who tried to create a Jewish
issue ,in an American political Campaign in order to make capital
of prejudices in his own behalf. It doesn't work in this country.
* * *
Important Personalities in the Limelight
Edward B. Lawson : Israel and world Jewry await with the
keenest interest evidence of the temper and the sentiments of the
new United States Ambassador to Israel, Edward B. Lawson. The
successor to the late Monnet Davis has had ari interesting diplo-
matic career. He is known. to be a man of. fairness. Having at-
tended the recent U. S. Middle East Envoys' conference in Istan-
bul, he may have been briefed by Assistant Secretary of State
Henry A. Byroade on the new Middle East policy which has met
with so much opposition in Israel and in American Jewish ranks.
Therefore the increased interest in the man who will soon be in
Israel as the spokesman for our country.
Israel Cohen : One of the most remarkable men - in English
Jewry is Israel Cohen, the man to whom we referred, upon re-
viewing his latest book describing his travel experiences, as "the
modern Benjamin de Tudela." We share the following sentiments
about him, on the occasion of his 75th birthday; in the Jewish
Observer and Middle East Review (London) : "When Israel Cohen
celebrates his seventy-fifth birthday tomorrow, he will be able to
look back on a career connected with every significant aspect of
modern Anglo-Jewry. Whether it is the early Zionist days in Man-
-chester; or. Whitechapel at the turn of the century with its host
of newly-arrived immigrants from Eastern Eroupe; or the tribula-
tion of a poor student of Jews' College; or early journalistic days
in London; or the English and World Zionist Movements; or the
history of the Board of Deputies—these provide a host of memo-
ries for Israel Cohen. Nor is it Anglo-Jewry only that has been
the scene of Israel Cohen's endeavours. He has been a world-wide
traveler on behalf of Jewry—in S. E. Asia, China, India, Europe,
the U.S.A.—one might alniost describe him as the 20th century
Benjamin de Tudela. Israel Cohen's many books and frequent con-
tributions to the Jewish press are vivid witness to his variegated
experiences. His many friends will wish him -many more years, of
activity on Jewry's behalf."
Nathaniel H. Goldstick: One of the nicest things. John M.
Carlisle has done in a very long time was to devote an entire
column to Nathaniel H. Goldstick, Assistant Corporation Counsel
attached to the Detroit Police Department. Nate's interesting
background lends itself well to a success story. He is the indefati-
gable worker who was willing to do anything sell newspapers,
"smash the baggage," shine shoes—to earn a few dollars for
college tuition and to help his parents. While Carlisle made some
references to the Goldstick parents, he was all-too-brief on this
point. Nate's father Susel was a unique person in his own rights
—always interested in Jewish affairs, a participant in synagogue
activities, and in old Yiddish nomenclature he was a "klal-tuer"—
a community worker. His mother, Minnie, was a born leader.
Women's organizations considered themselves fortunate to be
able to enlist her services. She was ready to help all who needed
assistance. She was a true "eishis hayil"—a woman of valor. Nate
followed in the proper footsteps. From his parents and from the
school of hard knocks he acquired a good sense of humor. He has
earned the encomia.
2---RETROIT JEWISH, NEWS
Friday, June .18, 1954
in behalf of grants for main.-
tenance budgets of the three
organizations.
2. The distribution of the
Welfare Fund grants should be
decided in Israel by the Israel
government and Jewish agency
in consultation with the three
institutions and on the basis of
the needs of the schools.
3. A joint capital funds cam-
paign should be instituted by the
three institutions in the U. S.
beginning in 1955-56, after stu-
dies have been made and an
agreement has been reached on
'priorities and needs of the three
institutions.
Pending the completion of a
study by experts and the reach-
ing of decisions by the public
institutions and the three
schools, the American Friends
propose—with the approval of
the Welfare Funds—to engage
iri a capital fund campaign for
the University in 1954 and early
1955, Dr. Wise said. This would
be conducted primarily in com-
munities where the other two
institutions had already corn-
pleted their drives, he stressed.
David Ben-Gurion Asks Single Israeli
Pioneering Movement Among Youth
TEL AVIV, (JTA)—Former
Premier David Ben - Gurion
called on Israeli youth to unite
in a single, unified pioneering
movement and to dedicate their
lives to the "national. mission."
He spoke to a special rally of
10,000 youths between the ages
of 15 and 17 called together by
the Ministry of Education.
When Mr. Ben-Gurion arrived
at the amphitheater in an am-
bulance which had brought him
from a Tel Aviv hospital, the
youngsters roared their welcome.
Mr. Ben-Gurion was the sole
speaker at the rally and spoke
for an hour and a half.
He asserted that it was pos-
sible for all youth, regardless of
their political affiliation — ex-
cepting the small section of
Communist youth—to unite on a
basic program: security integra-
tion of immigrants and settle-
ment. During his speech he sur-
veyed the course of Jewish his-
tory and told his listeners that
the choice before them was one
of individual careers or serving
the national mission.
Responding to the plea by Mr.
Ben-Gurion, 100 Israeli youths
announced that they would
leave their homes in established
settlements and take up pioneer-
ing dales in the border regions.
The announcement was made
after Mr. Ben-Gurion made his
appeal, the second in several
days, for the youth of Israel to
unite to carry forth the pioneer-
ing traditions of the country.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, "1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Convention
The annual convention of the Zionist Organization of Amer-
ica, which will take place at the end of this month, will probably
be one of the least interesting ZOA conventions . . . There will
be a .number of good speeches on American-Israel relations ; but
no major internal issues . . Mortimer May will be elected ZOA
president, since he has practically no opposition . . . the only
internal issue is the approximately $300,000 deficit which ZOA
faces . . • The deficit is managed largely by means of loans from
the life membership fund and amounts due the World Zionist
Organization .. ZOA solicits $100 life membershipS and charges
off current dues annually, and there is a-reserve. of about , $450,000
in the life membership fund ... Of this sum more than $100,000
has been loaned to the Jewish National Fund, $75,000 to the Jew-
ish Agency and $80,000 to the American House in Israel Fund .
These loans are classified as investments . . . American House in
Israel, which opened more than a year ago, is valued at $950,000.
. .. Aside from the value of the building, liabilities exceed assets
by about - $160,000 after taking into account a grant of $100,000 in
1952-53 by the Jewish Agency for construction purposes . . ZOA
defines the House in Israel as an American project .. . Conse-
quently, it has not sought the authorization for it from the Jew-
ish Agency committee which has to authorize fund-raising appeals
in this country, for projects in Israel . . On the other hand, ZOA
maintains the American Zionist Fund which was established in
1945 to raise funds for domestic ZOA projects geared to a general
cultural interest . . . For this ZOA needs no authorization from
the Jewish Agency committee . During 1952-53 the American
Zionist Fund was the major source of ZOA receipts, apart from
membership dues, accounting for 25 percent of its total income.
. Membership dues were doubled in August 1952, which ac-
counts for the increase in membership receipts despite a member-
ship decline . . . Income from the membership in 1952-53 amount-
' ed to about $500,000, while the ZOA spent some $882,500 during
the year . .. For 1953-54 a goal of $1,171,500 has been set, in-
cluding $500,000 for the American Zionist Fund.
ZOA
ABE LAPIDES
Abe Lapides, a charter mem-
ber and currently president of
the Pontiac (Mich.) Boys Club
earlier this month received the
Man-Boy Award, highest honor
conferred by Boys' Clubs of
America. It was only the fourth
time the award was made local-
ly.
A leader in the Pontiac Jewish
community, Lapides is a member
of the Federation and Commu-
nity Council, is active - in the
United Jewish Appeal and in
Zionist activities.
The Boys Club, in existence
for 10 years, has a membership
of almost 1,200 youth. Accord-
ing to police records, juvenile
delinquency in the area of the
club, once the highest in the
city, now occurs at its lowest
rate.
The award was made to Lap-
ides by Monroe M. Osmon, chair-
man of the year-end banquet,
who stated that Lapides had
provided "distinguished and de-
voted service to the cause of
youth" during his two years as Fund-Raising Trends
president.
Despite the general decline in fund-raising, some drives yield-
ed better results in 1953 than in previous years . . • . This is espe-
cially true of the drives conducted by the American Friends of
Stratford Festival
the Hebrew University, the American Technion Society and the
Has 2 Jewish Stars;
American Committee for the Weizmann Institute . . . The latter
`Rex' Was at Habimah has not made public yet its report to the 1953 campaign, but the
former two did . . . And their figures—published just now when
The arrival of James Mason, there is talk of a merger of the three campaigns—reveal an.
star of the Shakespearean Fes- interesting picture . . . Income of American Friends of the He-
in
tival, in Stratford, Ontario, to brew University in 1953 was $865,000—about $90,000 more than
1952 . .. American Technion Society's income in 1953 was about
go over rehearsal scheduled with
directors Cecil Clarke and Ty- $950,000, $350,000 more than in the previous year ... The Ameri-
can Friends spent last year about $120,000 on fund-raising and
rone Guthrie has drawn in- administration in the United States . .. American Technion So-
creased attention to the historic ciety spent $385,000; Weizmann Institute group probably spent
event scheduled to start in the about $160,000 . .- American Friends of the Hebrew University
Canadian city on June 28.
has a membership of about 8,500 organized• into 20 chapters
Three Shakespearean plays will Technion Society has about 25 chapters in this Country . For
be produced this year—'Oedipus this year the American Friends seek to raise about $1,500,000 as
Rex," "Taming of the Shrew" compared with the $865,000 raised last year . . . All three groups
and "Measure for Measure."
receive direct support from . the Jewish federations and welfare
Of special interest this year funds . . . The ratio is 55 'percent to the Hebrew University, 23
is the appearance of two Jewish percent to the Haifa Technion and 22 percent to the Weizmann
members of the cast — Lloyd Institute . . . For two years—till 1952—the three institutions of
Bochner and Toby Robins. Both higher learning conducted a joint fund-raising campaign in this
scored well in last year's per- country . All indications point to the fact that their cam-
formances and rate among the paigns will again be merged soon despite opposition. on the past
ablest members of the cast.
of some of the leaders . . . Favoring such a merger are the Israel.
Even more interesting, how- government and the Jewish Agency as well as the Jewish Federa-
ever, is the fact that Dr. Guth- tions and Welfare Funds ... They claim that about$500,000 could
rie's last production of "Oedipus be saved each year on campaign expenses in this country if the
Ttgs. $500,00®
oo,000
Rex" was at the HA b in) h_ three separate . . drit vel were merged into one
ully spent in Israel, they
could be ra
're' uget
Theater in Israel.