Purely Commentary
By e PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
$50,000 Contributed by Detroiters
To Einstein College of Medicine;
Half of It Donated by Brodys
2—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, July 9, 1954
Pittsburgh's Mayor
Leaves for Israel
At the dinner meeting ar-
ranged here by a committee of
sponsors in support of • the Al-
bert Einstein College of Medicine
of Yeshiva University of New
Yotk, at ; Hotel Statler, June 30,
the sum of $50,000 was donated
as part of Detroit's gift towards
the college building fund.
Half of this sum was given
by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brody.
Abe. Kasle, who presided, and
Max Osnos, co-chairmen of the
Detroit committee, addressed the
meeting.
The principal speaker was. At-
torney General Nathaniel L.
Goldstein of the State of • New
York, who outlined the need for
the college and its adjoining
hospital, which will be known as
the "Medical City" in New York.
Mr. Goldstein explained, the
part played by the City of New
York in the erection of this cen-
ter. He stated that the bulk of
the funds needed for the project
will be provided by New York
City, and that $10,000,000 must
be raised by Yeshiva University
for the establishment of the first
medical college under Jewish
auspices.
"All Jews, in all cities in the
Calendar Reform—Threatened Catholic-Jewish Conflict
India's proposal to the United Nations Economic Council for
reform of the Gregorian Calendar and the establishment of a uni-
versal calendar with four equal quarters, including a blank day,
is creating a -serious issue for world Jewry, and the represen-
tatives of the 900,000 Jews in the British Commonwealth countries,
at their conference in London last week, went on record against
this move. American Jewry already has expressed its opposition
and a bitter struggle is in sight over this plan.
The new proposal would destroy the fixity of the Sabbath. In
most instances it would make it impossible for •Jews to observe
tkze Sabbath which would, under the proposed plan, occur on dif-
ferent days of the week in the ensuing years.
An official declaration by the Catholic . Church, in an an-
nouncement made by Rev. Daniel O'Connell, head of the Vatican
Observatory, in the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore.Ro-
mano, that the Catholics have no objections to modification of
the present calendar, adds to the difficulties hat will be encoun-
tered by the Jewish opponents to the plan.
Rev. O'Connell has referred to "the desire for a fixed date for
Easter." Note, however, this reservation Father O'Connell re-
called that after bitter conflicts over the Easter date the Council
of Nicea, in the year 325, resolved to place Easter on the first
Sunday after the full moon, and he added: "The church, hovrever,
which made the rule would also undoubtedly .have' the power to
alter it if there were grave reasons that would. make such .a
Mayor DAVID L LAWRENCE
change advisable."
It is pointed Out that in a book, "Messianic Dates," published of Pittsburgh and MRS. LAW-
two years ago, Francesco Cardinal Borgingiiii Duca stated he had RENCE are shown as they
found conclusive evidence that the date of Christ's death, the 14th i board an El Al Israel Airlines
clay of Nisan on the Jewish calendar, corresponded to April 7 in plane .for a visit to Israel, where
the year 30. Father O'Connell now states that the proposal for they - will observe the economic
reform of the calendar, offered by a predominantly non-Christian advances achieved as a result of
country, is based on a book published in Rome by Marco. Mastro- American investments in • State
of Israel Bonds. Describing the
fini, a Roman Cathblic abbot.
It is evident that the Catholics, who did not hesitate to change State of Israel as democracy's
the Sabbath day that was observed by Jesus on Saturday, from "newest and one of its most suc-
Saturday to Sunday, may not hesitate to go along on • a radical cessful testing grounds," Mayor
change in the calendar. While the Pope has repudiated Rev. Lawrence, in a statement made
O'Connell's statement,• the danger is evident. World Jewry is just before his departure, indi-
concerned that fixity_of the Sabbath should not be disturbed. The cated his interest in seeing Is-
crisis thus created, and the possibility of a Catholic-Jewish con- rael, and observing "how the
proceeds from Israel Bond sales
flict over this issue, is by no means minor.
have been put to use." The trip
* * *
of Mayor and Mrs. Lawrence was
Churchill, Zionism and 'Thankless' Palestine Task
arranged earlier this year at a
Sir Winston Churchill's moving comments, at the press con- t State of Israel Development
ference in Washingfon, will inspire an urge to do research on the Bond dinner in tribute to the
British Prime Misters attitudes towards the. Jews and Zionism. Mayor, where a. group of Pitts-
He began as a Zionist and in the main has remained one. He
burgh businessmen presented
said so last week and -he has reiterated this sentiment. When the trip as a gift in recognition
Lord Moyne, who was his personal friend, was killed by two Re- of his leadership in behalf of
visionist youths, he spoke - out bitterly against the Zionists.- Per-
campaign.
ha,ps that was understandable. But the British Jews always had
.
faith in '
Only a few weeks-ago; "Hamazkir," the columnist of the Jew-.
ish Observer and Middle East Review, wrote with regard to
Churchill's views: ,
"/ don't suppose that .I . am blLany means the only-one
•
who was surmised to read in the last volume of Sir Winston
Churchhillis War Memoirs his very disparaging statement about
the value of the Palestine Mandate to Britain. His words are:
`I am not aware of the slightest advantage which has ever
accrued to Great Britain from this painful and thankless task.'
It is impossible to summarise in a -paragraph the manifold
advantages—political, military, and economic—which Britain
derived from her thirty years' occupation of Palestine. Suffice
it here to refer to the enormous military benefits that accrued
to her during the last, war, many of which are recounted in a
booklet entitled 'Britain's Nameless Ally' published during the
war.
"Why Sir Winston changed in his attitude between June,
1944, when he wrote to the Foreign Secretary that he was 'de-
termined : not to break the pledges of the British government
to the Zionists,' and July, 1945, when he made the statement
quoted .above, it is difficult to explain. Dr. -Weizmann had two
long talks with Sir Winston during the war on Palestine policy.
In October, 1943, when he had lunch in Downing Street, Sir
Winston said that after they had crushed • Hitler they would
have `to establish the Jews in the position where they belonged,'
and also that he had 'an inheritance left to him by Lord Bal-
four'- and he was 'not going to change.' In the second talk, in
November, 1944, the Prime Minister said that he was for the
inclusion of the Negev in a Jewish State."
More often than not, Churchill could be depended upon to
protest the Jewish position. Weizmann trusted him. There were
times when- others doubted him and believed that his actions
were typically British: against Zionism when in office, for- it when
he found it necessary to criticize the opposition when Out of - of-
fice. The record, however, will show him a staunch friend. "If is
good to accept and acclaim him as such. - - •
Personalities in the News
Nahum Goldmann: As a very yOung m
an, 'still in his teens,
Nahum Goldmann already published important brochures evaluat-
ing the status of the Jewish people. Today, cal the eve of his 60th
birthday (he was - born in Lithuania, July 10, 18M) he is the
recognized leader of world Jewry. Linguist, orator, able negotiator,
he is a man of great courage. As chairman of the Conference
on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, he accomplished
what some thought was -the impossible. In a tribute to Goldmann,
Josef Fraenkel of London wrote: "Today the Jewish people have
two great sons. One of them (David Ben-Gurion) resides at Sdeh
Boker, the other—on an airplane. Both of them will yet add
precious pages to the great history of the Jewish people." Both
already have added precious gifts to the effort for Israel's libera-
tion. To Nahum Goldman* on his 60th birthday, we extend best
wishes for good health so that we may be blessed with his con-
tinued leadership and guidance.
Ilya Ehrenburg : The Soviet Writers' Union has criticized
"The Thaw" by Ilya Ehrenburg, declaring that it "contains serious
drawbacks that require our serious and fundamental criticism."
The Soviet writer, at the same time, is described as a man who
"has done and is still doing very much for our literature and the
struggle for peace," but it Is asserted that even respect for a
"great writer and social worker" ought not to shield him from
necessary criticism. But even mild condemnation in Russia often
is an introduction to a purge. Ehrenburg is the man who has ren-
dered great harm to his Jewish kinsmen; he is violently anti-
Zionist and anti-Israel and has spearheaded the doctors' witch-
Irmt. Will he himself be purged one day? That's the way things
Usually end in the USSR.
United States, must share res-
ponsibility for this effort," he
declared. He said that students
will be admitted on merit, on a
non-sectarian basis, and he re-
ported that half of the applica-
tions already received are from
areas west of the Mississippi.
Pointing out that there are
still quota systems in many col-
leges, Mr. Goldstein said that
the establishment of the Ein-
stein College of Medicine will
mark Jewry's contribution to the
medical profession and will
serve to create a college where
there will be no discrimination
on account of race or creed.
Michigan's Attorney General
Frank Millard greeted Mr. Gold-
stein in behalf of this state and
welcomed him to Detroit.
To Hold Sabbath Services
At Yosemite National ID- ark
•
SAN FRANCISCO, (JTA) —
Sabbath services will be conduct-
ed this summer in Yosemite Na-
tiOrial Park until Saturday, Sept.
4, by members of the Board of
Rabbis of Northern California.
The services will be held in the
Old Village Chapel.
Between You
and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Zionist Affairs
The Ainerican Zionist Committee f _ or Public Affairs, which is
watching the situation in . Washington with regard to Israel, and
is attempting to counteract pro-Arab propaganda there, is finding
it difficult to raise funds to cover its budget ... ThiS is because
contributions to the committee are not tax exempt and also be-
cause many people don't know , about the:work of the committee.
. .. The committee was established a few months ago, under Louis
Lipsky's chairmanship, after long and careful deliberations by
leaders of all Zionist groups extending, ' over a period of six month's.
. . . It is the political offshoot of the American Zionist Council,
but has to raise its funds independently as a separate agency
carrying on lobbying and propaganda activities supporetd by non-
tax-exempt funds . . This is in compliance with the existing
regulations that when a :bureau Or committee is established for
lobbying and propaganda, it must register with the Congressi and
The e Lloyd Warren Scholarship it may not use tax-exempt funds to meet its cost of operations....
Such procedure is also followed by the Quakers, the labor organ-
for architecture, ;Which carries + izationS and many other bodies. . . The American Zionist Corn-
with it a $5,000 prize, was re- mittee cannot even apply to Jewish welfare federations or the
cently awarded to Melvin H. national Jewish orgainzations, and cannot even ask for a subven-
Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs; Sanii. tion from the American Zionist Fund because they are all tax-
1 exempt ... It must ask for contributions from individuals who
uel Smith, of um Calvert.
may not in turn, deduct the contributions from income tax ..
In winning the award, former- The initial response to the committee's appeal has not provided
ly called the Paris Prize, Smith adequate funds, and leaders of the Zionist movement in various
had to turn down an offer of a . Communities throughout the country are now urged to spur great-
Fulbright Scholarship. The War- er financial support of the committee in order to make its 'work
ren prize is awarded by the Beau effective . They are told that this is a crucial year in Washing-
Arts Institute of Design in New ton for Israel and that important decisions are in the makinc ,
York, which sponsors a compe- Their attention is being drawn to the fact that it may lat t er be
tition among architecture stu- difficult to challenge and revise the trends in Washington which
dents throughout the United are unfavorable to Israel, should they harden into fixed policies.
States.
Smith graduated last month
from the Massachusetts Insti- Campaign Trends
tute of Technology where he
Reports from all parts of the country indicate that the UJA
was an honor student. He re- drive is proceeding smoothly ... In a campaign remarkable for its
ceived a bachelor of architecture speed and enthusiasm, Cleveland has closed its books with well
degree. The scholarship was won over $4,000,000 raised . • . Detroit is still' running high with the
on the basis of plans he sub- current pledge figures standing at $4,000,000 . •. . The campaign in
mitted for a model city, com- Chicago has passed the $3,000,000 pledge total with the campaign
plete with housing, shopping maintaining. the 1953 level of giving . . . Denver is ahead of last
center and business district.
year with the current pledge total 'standing at about $7.50,000,
Leaving July 1 aboard HMS while Atlanta results approximate those-of last year,. the pledge
Queen Elizabeth, 24-year-old total there now standing at close to $600,000.
Smith will spend a year on the
Final figures on the sale of Israel bands . in this country during
Continent touring every nation the three years of the bond drive have now been revealed . The
at his leisure while studying income from the sale of bonds during all three years was $151,-
various architectural ' styleS iri 000,000 gross and $133,000,000 net .. In 1951-52 the gross income
building. On his return he has amounted to $62,123,000 and the net income was $54,215,000
another half year to travel In 1952-53 the gross income was $42,012,000 and the net income
through this country.
amounted to $31,180,000 .. . In 1953-54 there was. a gross income
of $53,865,000 while the net income was $47,600,000.
• *.•
*
.*
Albert Einstein Medical
Melvin Smith Wins
$5,000 . Scholarship
.
■
Center in Philadelphia
Gets Gift of $750,000 .
PHILADELPHIA, (JTA)1---A gift
of $750,000, the largest in the
history of Jewish philanthrophy
in Philadelphia, by Sam and
Goldie Paley to the Albert Ein-
stein Medical Center here, was
announced by Samuel H. Dar-
off, president of the center..
The gift will be used to help
construct an out-patient clinic
building, to be known as the
Sam and Goldie Paley Clinical
Building, Mr. Daroff revealed.
Mr. Paley has been named an
honorary director of the medical
center. He is also an honorary
director of the Federation of
Jewish Charities and is a direc-
tor of the Allied Jewish Appeal.
\ +-•
Here and There
The Jewish Agency is planning to publish in the United States
a monthly magazine resembling Commentary . . . The editor of
this, publication would have a free hand and there would be no
interference by members of the Agency's executive . . . Several
candidates for the editorship have been suggested •. The Agency,
probably in cooperation with the American Zionist. Council, will
also establish in this country courses on the history of Israel for
communal workers . . Correspondents of Israeli newspapers in
this country are checking with the American members of the
Zionist Actions Committee to establish who among, them will and
who will not use El Al planes when flying to the July session of
the ActionA Committee in Jerusalem . . . El Al is Israel's national
airline sponsored by the Israel government and the Jewish Agency.
. .. The question which the correspondents are raising is whether
American Zionists whose fare is paid by organizations raising
funds for Israel are not under moral obligation to patronize the
Israeli airline • . . This question does not apply to members of
the Actions Committee who prefer to fly first class and pay the
difference, since El Al has no first class accommodations and
operates a tourist class service only. .• . . Jewish Agency leaders
would naturally like the Actions Committee delegates to use El Al
tranvortation but prefer not to use any pressure.