Israel—As Seen

Jews Constitute High Percentage
Among Young American Scientists

by Recent Detroit Tourists

Visitors Representing Board of Commerce,
Zionists, Bond Committee Express Views

NEW YORK, (JTA)—An "ex- tists professed the Jewish relig-
traordinarily high percentage" ion. Among the Protestants only
of young American scientists 23 percent professed their reli-
come from Jewish homes, a gion as compared with 53 per-
survey conducted by Fortune, cent of their parents. Among
not
building
for
themselves,
but
land
and
saw
such
numerous
Arab
countries
must
44 The
one of America's leading maga- the young Catholic scientists
for
their
children
and
their
and
varied
industries,
buildings,'
come to the realization that it
zines, has established.
educational
institutions,
agricul-
none wanted to profess their re-.
is time for them to arrive at a children's children."
The survey, carried out among ligious beliefs.
tural products, new and old col-
Statement by Safran
peaCeful understanding with the
A number of other well known onies (now numbering about 87 outstanding young scientists
On the basis of these figures,
State of Israel." So declared
Common Council President Louis Detroiters visited Israel in the 700), the Haifa Harbor, the Air who distinguished themselves in the Fortune survey comes to the
Miriani upon his return to De- past few weeks. Among them Port,- the new Government Cen- nuclear physics as well as in conclusion that there is a gen-
troit after touring 13 countries, were Alfred May, David Safran, ter (being erected on 125 acres, other branches of science, shows eral loss of. faith among young
including a three-day visit to Is- Louis Berry and Edward Levy, to cost $30,000,000), a ,town start= that 29 percent are Jews, 53 per- scientists in this country re-
who represented the Rock Prod- ed with .water and a road and cent are Protestants, 5 percent gardless of their religious back-
rael.
Miriani, along ucts Corporation established by attracting a population of 5,000 are Catholics, while the re- ground. Forty-five percent of the
within three years, a Jewish mainder are atheistic.
with 50 other a Detroit group.
young scientists declared them-
Jewish scientists also consti-
Mr. Safran, who is an active street cleaner on the one hand
Detroiters, took
selves agnostics or atheists, and
and
a
Jewish
banker
on
the
tute
about
30
percent
among
the fifth an- leader in the Detroit bond drives,
twenty-two percent said they are
made
a
number
of
interesting
other,
Jewish
signs
everywhere,
a
twenty
of
the
leading
young
nual world trade
religious,
but not affiliated with
tour of the De- observations on his trip. I general humming with activity scientists engaged in important any religion.
Chief among the ideas Safran that was music to my ears, a scientific work for the General
troit Board
The percentage of scientists
of Commerce, brought back with him was "one people vigorous-healthy-conten- Electric, Bell Telephone Labora- from Jewish families varied
tories,
and
other
American
in-
overpowering
personal
impres-
ted;
t h e purpose of
"When I noted such manifold dustrial enterprises, the survey considerably in the several fields
which is to ex- sion." Safran stated, "I feel that
of science, the Fortune report
amine trade my charity and bond invest- evidences of progress, the ener- established.
Named among them is Joshua says. In biology and medical re-
prospects in ments have, up to now, been , gies of the new gene' ation cou-
far 'less than my share of the pled with the wisdom of the old; Lederberg, 29, the son of a rabbi; search it was 52 percent, physics
other nations.
Miriani point- job of developing the country. I "When I witnessed the dancing Henry Hurwitz, 35, son of the 18 percent, psychology 17—per-
?.d out that much feel that the Israelis have done upon the streets and the parade editor of the Menorah Journal cent; and in astronomy and
meteorology zero.
of the poverty more than their fair share of celebrating Independence Day, whom Fortune p calls "probably
Miriani
"To account for these statis-
the
most
brilliant
student
of
the
wasteland
turned
into
fertile
In the Arab nations could be this job.
"I'm positive that every Jew fields by loving hands;—
nuclear-reactor theory in in- tics one can only hypothesize,"
eliminated if they would end
their economic boycott of Israel. in the world would feel the
"My long co viction grew dustry;" Julian Schwinger, son Fortune states. "For example,
He called such tactics "sense- same," Safran added, "if all stronger that here's a nation of a dress manufacturer, and the disproportionately high per-
less." He pointed out that eco- were able to see the country I and in the process of building Richard Feynman, son of a sales centage of outstanding scientists
nomic agreements would also and what has been accom I a nd 'thriving, a people dedicated manager, both physicists who with Jewish backgrounds might
serve as a cure to the economic plished. I feel that my stature
j to democracy, a pioneer folk for were born in New York. Fortune be explained by the scholarly
•
as a Jew and as an American whom no struggle and sacrifice says Schwinger and Feynman tradition frequently observed
diseases plaguing Israel.
has increased, and I feel more are too great.
are considered "the top theore- among Jews. The absence of an
• "One of Israel's great prob-
comfortable and more secure *
equivalent scholarly tradition in
lems," Miriani explained, "is bal- because of Israel. I also feel I "I believe that Israel is sound ticians of their generation."
The survey also established a high percentage of American
ancing of imports and exports. that I owe these tremendous I and secure; that its people will
that although the parents of the Catholic families might also ex-
Israel should be able to export
an courag eous doers ; literally 'leave no stone un- Jewish scientists gave their re- plain, to a degree, the near ab-
turned' to provide the home 1f
many of its goods to the Arab thinkers d
If
my unlimited support.
ligion as Jewish, only nine per- sence of Catholic-born scientists
nations—goods
the Arab
nations could which
use very
profit- After two and a half weeks which
Herzl
dreamed
a half cent of the young Jewish scien- I in the survey group."
century
ago—a
home
dedicated
a ran
in the Jewish state, Safran
ably."
_stated he could not help be im- to Shalom."
Al May's Optimistic View
He expressed the hope that pressed at the "intestinal for- ,
s oon the Arab nations would sit titude and sheer guts" of the Is- 1 Alfred A. May, who has visit-
down at a round-table and be- raelis, especially the native-born ed Israel several times, pointed
gin negotiating such agreements Sabras and early immigrants out that the visitor today notices
By BORIS SMOLAR
with Israel. The Common Coun-
shared their money, their the threats of the Arabs and the
(Copyright, 1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
cil President was amazed at the homes, their jobs and their lives alertness of the armies on the
growth of Israel commerce and to bring over '71D0 000 War-tossed borders. But he is optimistic in I
ihis general observations. Mr. The Domestic Front
industry and said that the citrus refugees from Europe."
A survey on anti-Semitic activity in the United States con-
fruit business in Israel particu-
From the thrill one gets at May states in part:
larly was thriving. He urged the looking at the Hebrew letters "The government has at last ducted by the American Jewish Committee establishes that or-
United States and Great Britain
aid on our El Al airplanes, Safran achieved balancing of its budget ganized anti-Semitism reached its lowest ebb in 1947 and has
to sign trade agreements to aid said, to the progress being made and the stabilizing of the Israel
never since gone up . . . This does not mean that anti-Jewish
young democracy.
in building, commercial industry, currency. This is especially im-
t
h
e
n
rabble
rousers have gone out of business . . . On the contrary, the
port an
Viewing the Arab Israel ten
in government projects, Israel
one notices, in AJC lists quite a number of them by names and even gives thumb-
sion along the borders of the is "a feeling."
Tairopean coup- nail sketches of some of them ... However, their activities today
State, Miriani said that much
"As you look at everything so
of the talk on both sides is
modern, so complete, you realize
tries, that the bear little resemblance to the noisy methods they used several
Israel
pound
'..s years ago . . . Rather than staging anti-Jewish meetings, picket
"pure propaganda. I do not that this work did ,not start in
accepted
in ex-
know where the propaganda
1948—there are too many won-
lines, rallies and other demonstrations, they now lay more em-
change.
comes from, but it certainly derful accomplishments. The
exists." He said that "the Arab State of Israel is the culmina-
"Roads have phasis on disseminating anti-Jewish literature . . . They have dis-
leaders and the Jewish leaders
tion of struggle and accomplish-
improved to covered the usefulness of general mailing lists, instead of relying
both want peace" but he felt ment. It is the realization of 50
such an extent on the private rosters of crackpot followings in years gone by ...
that they can be They are now polluting the American atmosphere with bigotry
that at present the Jews were
years and the toils of a genera-
compared to the I through more subtle approaches to public opinion by salting public
willing to take greater steps
tion of Zionists and Sabras."
choicest average debate on American national issues with hate propaganda ... The
to achieve that goal. "Cool
A. C. Lappin's Impressions
Al May
heads are needed to achieve
A. C. Lappin, who was in Is- European road. Improved hous- American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League of Bnai
peace," Miriani said
rael with Mrs. Lappin for nine ing in the Mabaroth have given Brith and the organizations affiliated with the National Com-
"The Western powers should days, expressed his hope for. Is- the immigrants a new hope. munity Relations Advisory Council—all fighting anti-Semitism—
seem to keep an eye on. the maneuvers of these hate-mongers ...
step into the picture and strive r-ael in the single word "Shalom"
"Transportation has greatly Thus far, the hate-mongers have not been very successful, the
to ease the tensions in the Near and declared that, given a de- improved and one rarely sees AJC found . . . HoweVer, the support and alliances they have
East," he declared. cent chance without war, "Israel
packed like cattle riding gained by their deceptive tactics nevertheless constitute a poten-
Miriani praised the spirit of will play an important role in people
in trucks, as was the fact in pre- tial danger ... And the AJC warns the public to study closely the
both the young and old citizens , the march towards peace and vious years.
new methods of the professional anti-Semites, especially their
of Israel. "Everyone in Israel I prosperity in the world." He de-
"The most dramatic material injection of racism and prejudice into discussions of legitimate
wants to do his bit to help dared:
country progress.- And' it is "As we traversed much of the improvement is the accomplish- issues.
ment of the drainage of the
for this reason that the State
Huleh swamps and the restora- The Cultural Front
of Israel has been such a suc-
Named to Chaplaincy
tion of this unusable land, for-.
Although about 1,400 American colleges and universities now
cess."
merly occupied by water buffalo grant admission credit for Hebrew studied in public high schools,
He told of an interview he
and wild pigs, to a fertile crop there are only about 60 high schools in 12 American cities where
had with Premier Sharett, at
producing area.
Hebrew is taught . . About a half of these schools are in New
which the head of the govern-
"Exports for this year have York . . . The expansion of Hebrew in the secondary schools en-
ment remarked: "It has only
greatly improved. Citrus, the counters obstacles created largely by high school principals who
been in the last 50 years that we
largest export product, benefited oppose the introduction of Hebrew into their schools ....A number
have been able to develop the
greatly due to a freeze in Spain. of principals, confronted by parents who request the introduction
land." And the rapid develop-
Eight million cases of citrus were of Hebrew, refuse to comply with the request ...Regrettably,
ment is astonishing, Miriani
exported .and for the first time many of the obstructionist principals are Jewish men and women
concluded.
in quite a few years, the citrus
. This has been established by Judah Lapson, acting chairman
Silverman Enthused
growers realized a profit from of the Hebrew Culture Service Committee for American High
Members of the Board of Corn-
their crop.
Schools . and College?.. He attributes it to a fear of these prin-
, merce tour to Israel included
"People in Israel look forward cipals to be identified with their Jewish origin ... Themselves
Norman H. Birnkrant, Dr. Rob-
with great expectation to the' children of Jewish immigrants, these principals associate- Hebrew
ert Drews, Maurice A. Enggass,
present drilling of oil that is be- with the poverty and the "foreigness" of their childhood homes .. ,
Saul LeVine and Nathan Silver-
ing conducted throughout the Other according to Mr. Lapson-,- are motivated by the desire to
man.
State.
'be accepted as "impartial American educators" and fear that
Nathan Silverman said he
"The tourists will find new the introduction of Hebrew into their schools will be taken to im-
'was so enthused with Israel
hotels throughout Israel and the ply their partiality ... There are also those among the principals
that he is planning another
last one built in Tel Aviv corn- who consider anything that smacks of Jewishness either ob-
trip there next year with Mrs.
p ares favorably to the most lux- jectionable or mediocre ... Nevertheless, we learn from Mr. Lapson
Silverman. He spoke with emo-
uriou s Miami hotel . It even that there are among the Jewish principals some who
-i c lange
Chaplain RALPH H. BLUMEN- includes a French Kosher
tion of the manner in which
menu. their mind ... In one important high school in New York City it
the people of Israel are mak- THAL, of Philadelphia, has been
ing sacrifices a n d are con- , assigned as instructor to the Arrangements for touring have took ten years to introduce Hebrew into the curriculum ...Now,
stantly displaying their pio- staff and faculty of The Chap- greatly improved and will, no two years later, the school has a Hebrew department with five
lain School, Ft. Slocum, N. Y. .A doubt, help the economy of the classes ... And the principal, who in the past created many diffi-
neering spirit.
culties, now manifests pride in the growth of the subject in his
"We have read about pioneer- veteran of World War II, where country.
"Conditions are changing in school . . . The growth of Hebrew in the public high schools of
ing, but we had to go to Israel he saw service in the China-
Israel and there is no doubt different cities has been proportionate to the amount of interest
to see it in action," he said. "We India-Burma Theater, Chaplain that,
with the assistance of and initiative asserted by the local Jewish communities ...Hebrew
found in that land a tremen- Blumenthal will take over his world J ewry, they will continue was first introduced- in two high schools in New York City 23
dous feeling of dedication. We teaching duties at the school to improve with the passing of
-- years ago on an experimental basis . . . It is estimated that 65,000
have found a people that is After completing a four-month each year." students have since then studied Hebrew in high schools, colleges
ready to make untold sacrifices orientation course at the Army
and universities ... There are today about 80 teachers engaged in
in order that future generations Command and Staff School at
on a full or part-
should live in security and in Ft. Levenworth, Kan., starting 24—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS teaching Hebrew in American high schools,
time .basis,
Friday, July 30, 1954
peace; knowing that they are Aug, 29,

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