Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
A New Trend: 'American Landsmanshaften'
The "Landsmanshaften" occupied an important place in.
American Jewish life for nearly half a century. Since the large-
scale movement of Jewish immigrants from Russia at the turn
of the century, men and women hailing from scores of commun-
ities in Russia, Russian-Poland and Poland formed societies for the
retention of links with the places of their origin.
This movement is now fading into the past. The tragedies of
the last two decades, during which most of the Jewish communi-
ties in Europe were destroyed, are leaving their marks on Ameri-
can Jews who no longer find the need for association with "the
shtedtel"—the European small town—that has now been turned
into a cemetery. Furthermore, the children of the former immi-
grants are unacquainted with "the shtedtel." Most of them no
longer speak the language of the European community—the hearty
Yiddish that has declined with Jewry's assimilation into the
American way of life. Thus, the "Landsmanshaft" that linked
many of our people with the Old World is now a disappearing
symbol of the dead past.
But a new "Landsmanshaft" is coming into being. Even in this
country, Jews are wandering. They are first in search of _vacation
spots, then of health resorts, and as age creeps an some among us
look for new permanent residences in more favorable climates.
Taking Detroiters as example: you'll find them in Florida and in
Arizona and in California. And wherever they go they form
societies that link them will fellow-Detroiters. Thus, you have the
Detroit Societies in Florida and in California and possibly also in
other new-found havens of our "landsleite." This is true also of
New York and Chicago and Cleveland and other American com-
munities out of which have grown "Landsmanshaften"" in other
parts of the United States.
The rise of the "American Landsmanshaften" is clearly in
evidence in the unending era of Jewish wandering.
A Genuine News Curiosity
2—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, June 25, 1954
General Taylor at Korean Synagogue
Young Jew Heads
French People
PARIS, (JTA)—A 47-year-old
French Jew, who many of his
countrymen believe represents a
new era in French political life,
took office this week as head of
the French government. .
Pierre Mendes-France, a Ra-;
dical Socialist (party somewhat
left of Center) received a vote
of confidence froin the National
Assembly 419-47—a clear major-
ity even without the 100 Com-
munist votes registered for him.
Mendes-France had made it
clear he would not accept the of-
fice unless he had a clear ma-
jority without Communist sup-
port.
The new premier promised
Parliament that he would resign
unless he achieved a cease-fire
in Indo-China within 30 days
and revision of the EDC plan by
mid-summer.
Mendes-France is descended
on his father's side from an old
Bordeaux Sephardic family. His
mother's family came from Al-
sace. His wife is a member of
the Circurel family of Cairo, one
of the wealthiest and best-
known families in Egypt.
Mendes-France was the young-
est lawyer in France at the time
of his admission to the bar and
the youngest deputy in Parlia-
ment. At 30, he was Under-Sec-
retary of State for Finance in
Leon Blum's Popular Front ca-
binet.
He saw service in World War
II in the Air Force, was impri-
soned by the Vichy regime but
escaped and joined Gen. de-
Gaulle's Free French combat
forces, later serving in the de
Gaulle government.
A Detroiter, Mrs. Movsas Goldoftas, is in possession of a most
unusual symbol of the efficiency of the American Postal system.
It is a cancelled envelope that carried a letter from Budapest,
Hungary, in the days when the Iron Curtain was not yet erected
as a barrier between Hungarian and American Jewries.
The letter was written by one F. Muller Sandor. The envelope
was postmarked "New York, Oct. 17, 1946" and "Cincinnati, Oct. 19,
1946." It was addressed as follows:
85 Matzoss
Keep in A Dry Place
Made in usa. The B
Manis Hovitz 60
ancimato
Ohio
America's wise postmen knew that it was intended for Cin-
cinnati, and the "B Manis Hovitz 60" gave them the clue that
the world famous B. Manischewitz Co. was meant.
When the envelope was turned over to the World Jewish Con- Ben-Gurion Suggests
gress, before it became the property of Mrs. Goldoftas, the rest of
the address was easily deciphered—the 85 matzos, the Manische= Two-Party Politics
witz instructions "keep in a dry place." The writers of the letter
For Israel Government
had taken occasion to express their gratitude for a parcel' of Matzos
and as a result their envelope assumes a major place among lingual
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
curios, 'while representing a great tribute to the men in our Post
To The Jewish News
Office who seem to be able to locate anyone, no matter how dis-
TEL AVIV—A suggestion that
torted the handwriting or the spelling.
the General Zionist party na-
tional convention which opened
Two Reviewers of the 'Dazzling' Ben Hecht Story
here Wednesday discuss the es-
Ben Hecht has written another book and he calls it "A Child tablishment of the two-party
of the Century." It was published by Simon and Schuster. It is system to replace the multiplici-
receiving front page reviews in the distinguished book review de-
ty of parties an the Israel politi-
partments of the New York Times and Herald Tribune. Saul cal scene, was made here by
Bellow, a National Book Award winner, wrote the review for the former Premier David Ben-Gur-
Times. The Herald Tribune was wiser: Gerold Frank, its critic, ion. ,
is better equipped to comment on Zionism and the Middle East,
Replying to an invitation from
having served as a correspondent in that area during troublesome
Dr. Peretz Bernstein, General
years.
Zionist leader, that he address
We make this point because of the ungracious reference to the parley, Mr. Ben-Gurion said
Israeli and Zionist leaders by the author under review, the stormy the two-party system would
petrel of Chicago, the supporter of the Irgun who knew so little
bring greater stability to the
about Zionism and, in fact, who seldom aided the movement.
state.
Let the reviewers tell the story:
The ex-Premier, who is recov-.
To quote Bellow :
ering from an illness which
"I don't mean to say that he has never become involved in
forced his hospitalization sever-
issues. He is widely known now as the man who conducted a
al weeks ago,. expects to be able
campaign in behalf of the Irgun movement. I am inclined to
to return to his home at Sdeh
accept the reasons that he gives for this. They are unselfish rea- Boker this week.
sons. That the massacre of so many Jews by the Nazis should
take place without interference by the great governments and that
British and American Jewry should also be silent about it seemed Re-Elect Goldman
to him an intolerable outrage. His attacks on Jewish leaders and
Center President
gentile politicians are violent but not baseless."
It's a bit of hutzpah for a reviewer to accept the word of a
Harvey H. Goldman was re-
capricious author and to assert that attacks on Jewish leaders
elected president of the Jewish
are not baseless!
Community Center at the recent
But, let Gerold Frank state the case:
"One of the deepest-felt phases of his life came in his later annual election meeting of the
years when, captured by the only cause ever to fire him, ,he cham- board of directors.
Joining Mr.
pioned the Irgun Zvei Leumi, a Jewish terrorist group in Palestine.
Goldman as of-
Hecht explains that he bumped into history one day in the shape
ficers for the
of two Irgun emissaries whom he met at "21." They converted
1954 - 55 season
him overnight, and suddenly a baffling world of Jewish struggle
are Jacob L.
was opened to him.
Keidan, first
"Hecht knew little
- of the Zionist movement, of its infinite
vice - president;
labors begun decades before he and history met at '21.' He knew
Harry L. Jones,
only that Nazis were killing Jews and that Britain had closed
Lewis B. Daniels,
Palestine to the survivors. With typical gusto and flamboyance he
George Keil,
thew himself into the terrorist cause, dismissing as traitors, Quis-
vice- presidents;
lings or fatheads any who disagreed with him or his methods. He
..David P. Zack,
helped rouse the country to the horror of the Nazi massacres;
secretary, a n d
later his pageant, 'A Flag Was Born,' netted the Irgun nearly a
Sol King, treas-
million dollars, and his anti-British propaganda and fund-raising
Goldman urer. Nathan
activities brought him—to his great pride—a denunciation in the
House of Commons. Britain also boycotted his films for nearly Silverman and Emil T. Stern
five years, forcing him to write for Hollywood under pseudonyms. were elected to the executive
"But in his black book we find such names as Chaim Weizmann, committee.
Goldman, who is also the co-
David Ben-Gurion and Stephen Wise. What he has to say . of
them—and of other Jewish leaders—will be bitterly and violently chairman of the Allied Jewish
resented. The Weizmann-Ben-Gurion government, as he puts it, Campaign, now serves his third
knelt first to the British and then `to their new master—the term as president of the Center.
United Nations.' His account of the Israel struggle is highly col-
Sign Pact with Poland
ored, full of exaggerations and outrageous assumptions: it is seen
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Israel
from this side and through the far, far end of the telescope. And,
in his political approach to this whole intricate problem, including and Poland have signed a one-
his estimate of the part played by Franklin Roosevelt, Mr. Hecht year $250,000 trade agreement in
Warsaw. Poland will export su-
falls into the error of mistaking passion for judgment."
This, we believe, is the proper evaluation of Ben Hecht's gar, timber and yarn in return
assertions: he mistakes passion for judgment. And Gerold Frank for citrus fruit, shoes, artificial
is the more realistic viewer, of the outbursts of the mischievous teeth, razor blades and phos-
phates.
child of the. centitry. ?
„
.
This photo from Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy of National
Jewish Welfare Board shows Gen. MAXWELL TAYLOR, com-
mander U.S. 8th Army, Korea, at mike), taking part in dedication
off Beth Yehee Shalom (House of Let There Be Peace) first syna-
gogue in Korean history. Housed in a 50-foot area in a quonset
hut, the chapel was completed and equipped under. supervision of
Chaplain Morton Shalowitz, Jewish chaplain at 8th Army Head-
quarters, Seoul.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1954, Jewish
Telegraphic
Agency)
Washington Echoes
There is a feeling of depression among American Zionist
leaders over the testimony on Israel given before' the House For-
eign Affairs Committee by two top State Department officials,
Henry A. Byroade and Arthur Z. Gardiner . . . These two officials
are actually the persons who formulate America's policy on Israel
and the Arab countries . . . The contents, as well as the tone, of
their testimony, made it clear that both of them are very far from
friendly to the Jewish State . In fact, both of them were more
outspokenly anti-Israel in their testimony than ever before . . . It
is now obvious that they aimed at influencing the Congressional
committee to decide that the time has come first to reduce aid to
Israel and eventually stopping it altogether . . . The reMarkable
thing is that while they expressed themselves strongly against_
Israel, they did not find a single word to indicate to the Arabs
that they should seek peace with Israel . . Even more remark-
able is the fact that while the Congressional committee made .
public the criticism which • these two officials leveled against
Israel, their relatively mild criticism- of the Arab countries was . ,
not released at: all and remained. secret . . . Jewish leaders
this country are not puzzled by Byroade's anti-Israel pin-pricks,,
in view of the fact that it is 'known that he is in line to. become,
U. S. Ambassador in Cairo 'and - .must, thus, be • acceptable, to the
Arabs .. However, what puzzles many is how Mr. Gardiner, who
is • now accompanying Eric Johnston to Israel, can expect to .be,.
looked upon as impartial by the Jewish State after his anti-Israel _.
outbursts, which were not even sugarcoated in diplomatic lan-
guage .. .
Toledo Echoes
The conflict between the Toledo Jewish community and the
Israel bond organization has finally been settled--:but not to the
complete satisfaction of the Toledo community . . . The feeling
of antagonism remained Toledo Jewish leaders claim that
the principal point of their agreement was not carried, out .
The agreement, they say, contained three provisions . . First,
that the representatives of the bond organization be withdrawn
from Toledo .. . Second, that the public meeting called by the
bond organization, against the will of the Toledo Jewish leaders
—with Ambassador Abba Eban as guest speaker—be taken over
by the local Jewish community council . . . Third, that the
morning after the meeting, local Jewish leaders should have
a breakfast meeting with Mr. Eban devoted solely to the sale
of bonds .. . This agreement, they claim, was reached in Wash-
ington between a delegation of the Toledo community and Am-
bassador Eban who mediated the dispute . . . Several days later,
they say, Mr. Eban indicated that he' felt he had 'no moral or
legal right to insist that the bond organization recall - its local
representative from Toledo, and sent a member of his embassy
staff, Miss Esther Herlitz, to Toledo to talk over the situation
with the local Jewish leaders . Miss Herlitz' mission, however,
produced no results . . . The result was that the public meeting
took place under the auspices- of the bond organization with Mr.
Evan as principal speaker, as originally announced .... Henry
Monter, executive head of the bond organization, considers the
Toledo public meeting a success and asserts that more Israeli
bonds will be sold-this year in Toledo than last year, although
there will be no campaign until the Fall . . The feeling of the
Toledo Jewish leaders is that the conflict may adversely affect
their raising of the $250,000 pledged by Toledo Jews towards the
UJA five-year loan for Israel Interest in the outcome of
the Toledo dispute is intense among Jewish leaders in other
cities and the reaction to it is that such conflicts must be avoid-
ed in other communities by proper coordination of drives ..
*
Communal Echoes
Jewish communities throughout the country are determined
to look into the role of independent campaigns inasmuch as they
affect fund-raising by federations and welfare funds . . . Several
communities are already examining the problem locally, while
others intend similar action . . The extent of independent cam-
paigns is best seen in a study made in Cleveland . .. The study
shows that during the last two months of 1953 there were 13 major
independent drives in that city, seeking an aggregate total of
$675,000 . . . This in addition to the Israel bond drive .. . The
Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds came to the
conclusion that "the time has come to take a good hard look”
at independent drives through special surveys . . . One of, the
major questions that interests the CJFWF is: what patterns of
giving have developed among "big givers" in relation to contri-
butions to welfare funds, independent Jewish campaigns and non-
sectarian drives . . . The CJFWF is also strongly concerned over
the situation in multiple appeals and the decline in fund-raising,
. .. A study of the fund-raising situation will also be undertaken
by the Council .. . Facts brought out by these studies will be
presented to the general assembly of the Jewish Federations and
Welfare Funds for discussion and as a basis for joints plannii3g
and action.