Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Jews by Birth: How Shall They Be Treated?

Senate Committee Told U. S. Is Trying to Pursue
Downward Course in Economk Assistance to Israel'

Direct JTA Teletype Wire
To The Jewish News

WASHINGTON, — The United
There is to appear, very soon, the new "Who's Who In World
Jewry," edited by Harry Schneiderman. In the course of gather- States is "trying to pursue a
ing names for inclusion in this important volume, the editors met downward course in economic
with ticklish problems. Mr. Schneiderman has posed the following , assistance to Israel," the Senate
questions, answers to which apparently were needed in arriving' Appropriations Committee was
told by a high official of the
at policy in the preparation of the "Who's Who:"
Foreign Operations Administra-
a) Declinations: Do you believe we should omit biographies
He is Norman S. Paul,
of persons who decline to be included, regardless of the impor- tion.
Near Eastern regional director.
tance of such persons?
Mr. Paul told the committee
b) Definition of "Jew": Do you agree that the biographies
of only persons who identify themselves with Jewry should bel
included?
c) Title: Do you favor a change in the title of our book? If
so, 'what title do you suggest?
d) Russia and satellite countries: What is your view with
regard to the inclusion of biographical sketches of, or reference
to, outstanding Jews in the USSR and its satellites?
Detroit's Tercentenary Com-
It was easiest of all to answer the third question: Why change mittee of 300 will meet Monday
will
the title of the book? It is a "Who's Who," is it not? And it
evening at the Davison Jewish
deal with Jews.
We are not disturbed by the last question. If Russians are
known to be Jewish by birth—we doubt whether Soviet citizens
are concerned with' any religion and they therefore are not likely
to become converts from one faith to another—there is no harm
in listing them. Many Russian Jews may be outstanding only in
their professions, but' even in cases involving Communist officials
—Lazar Kaganovich, fdr example—it will be interesting to know
their backgrounds.. ,
Problems are poSed, however, by the first two questions. They
mean exactly what they say: should the "names of those who re-
fuse to be included be omitted, and should names of converts be
excluded?
Comments by the editor of "Who's WhOi" in a special com-
MimiCation, throw some light on the questions raised. Here they
are:
Declinations: A very small number of the persons invited to
submit biographical data have declined on the ground that they
do not wish to have their biographies included in a book which
deals with Jews alone, because they object to such "segrega-
tion." We question the advisability of omitting the biography
of any person who is eligible, according to our standards, be-
cause we believe that such omission would make our book less
comprehensive. We do not doubt our legal right to include such LEON WAYBURN
biographies, but we are not so sure of the advisability of failure
Center to plan the local events
to comply with the wishes of the persons concerned.
Definition of "Jew." One of our correspondents sent us the in commemoration of the 300th '
name of Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. In response to our anniversary of the settlement of
invitation to him to supply biographical data, Senator Gold- the Jews in this country.
The celebrations here will
water informed us that his paternal ancestors were Jews, al-
though his father joined the Episcopal Church, but that his planned with the exhibitions
by a committee headed
mother and her ancestors were all Christians. He left to us,
however, the decision as to whether his biography should be in- by Charles E. Feinberg. The De-
cluded; saying that he has no objection to being identified as a troit Historical Museum and the
Jew. We were at first inclined to include his biography, but, on Detroit Public Library will have
second thought, we felt that it would not be advisable to do so exhibits hi September.
on the ground that it may be said that we are including half-
Special importance is at-
Jews to pad our book. We believe now that we should include
tached to the Detroit Tercen-
only such persons as identify themselves with Jewry.
tenary dinner to be held at
Russia and Satellite Countries: We have given much thought Hotel Statler on Oct. 17. Dr.
to the question of including biographies of, or reference to, Jews Abba Hillel Silver will be guest
in USSR and its satellites. It appears to be the consensus of speaker. Reservations for the
opinion of the limited number of persons, whom . we consulted dinner will be taken at Mon-
on the subject, that it would be a mistake to ignore these coun-
day evening's meeting, with
tries entirely, but that it would be impracticable to include bi-
ographies of such persons because to do this would involve com-
munication with them which may be embarrassing to them. It
has been suggested, however, that we endeavor to secure from such
sources as are- available, names of, and other information about
outstanding individuals in those countries, and publish a brief
reference about each of them in the biographical section of our
UNITED NATIONS, N. Y.,
book, in alphabetical order. Please favor us with the expression
(AJP)
— President ,.,Eisenhower
of your views on this subject.
has named Roger W. Straus,
Thus, the editors first posed the questions then answered them President of the American
themselves—by ruling to omit the name of Senator Goldwater. Smelting and Refining Com-
0 This reminds us of the incident, many years ago, when the "Who's pany, as a U.S. representative
Who in American Jewry" got into a legal battle, with Dr. Karl to the UN General Assembly
Landsteiner, a Nobel Prize winner, whose name was
w included in opening next month.
the book. Dr. Landsteiner did not deny having been born a Jew,
Israeli circles in New York
but since he had entered the Church he objected to being .listed have expressed great satisfac-
as a Jew.
tion over the appointment of a
Now we learn that men like Arthur Krock, the eminent New prominent Jew to the ten-mem-
York Times Washington correspondent; Frank Altshul, a finan- ber U.S. delegation headed by
cier, Clifton Fadiman and others have raised objections to being Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.
incorporated in a "sectarian", volume.
A member of the Board of
We have long ago stopped marveling about Jews who refuse Trustees of Temple Emanu El
to be known as Jews, or who would not associate themselves with and long active in the activities
Jewish causes or their "kinsmen." They exist and we can't help of the Union of American He-
it. That does not give them the right to be excluded from a rec- brew Congregations, Mr. Straus
ord of Jews who have earned prominence in many fields. It is is considered a . friend of the
doubtful whether their exclusion from a Jewish Who's Who will State of Israel. Reached over
save them from being selected for attack when anti-Semites the p hone by an - AJP corres-
choose to make them their targets; nor will it deprive them. either pondent, Mr. "Straus, obviously
of love or contempt from their fellow-Jews.
pleased at ,the appointment, F
The broblem itself, if very many are concerned with it, is stated that he was now waiting I
merely a human interest episode. Most Jews really do not give a for further instruction from Mr.
Continental about the whole business. If any Jew does not desire Lodge as to his exact duties dur-
to be grouped with us, we say baruch shepatranu, we release you ing the General Asseinbly.
with a blessing. But by listing such men and women we really
Others in" the U.S. Delegation
desire to honor them.• However—they won't be honored! Now, that were confirmed by the Sen-
"tu zei epes"—"do them sornethin'!"
ate last week include Senator
H. Alexander Smith, Republican
Dispelling A False Rumor
of New Jersey; Senator Ful-
The minutest bit of misinformation often causes the greatest bright, Democrat of Arkansas;
amount of harm. The Detroit News recently carried this filler; C. D. Jackson of New York;
"Every recent month 75,000 gallons of milk have been poured down Chgrles H. Mahoney of' Detroit;
Israel's drains because of low prices." We have checked on the James J. Wadsworth and Mr s.
facts with the Israel Embassy and one of its spokesmen informs Oswald B. Lord of New York,
us that "there is no basis in fact" to this report. This spokesman and Ade M. Johnson of Tacoma,
added: "Israel has no- over-production of milk and any such act Washington.
would surely be condemned by everyone concerned. Moreover,
there is no 'consumer control' in Israel on essential food items."
New JILC Periodical
This reply should help dispel whatever misunderstandings may
have been created by the news filler. The small state of Israel
Adolph Held, national chair :.
has troubles enough without being subjected to misrepresentation man of the Jewish Labor Com-
of facts.
mittee, announced the issuance
of a new periodical, "Jewish La-
Friday, .August 13, 1954 bor committee Outlook."
2—bETROIT JEWISH NEWS

that Israelis have made "quite a
remarkable recovery economic-
ally" due to their own efforts
and also due to. the aid they re-
ceived from the United States
Government and from American
Jewry, as well as from Jewish
communities in other countries.
I The Senate committee made
it known Monday that it had
voted to accept the House-rec-
ommended fie- 4 --e of $115,000,090

in economic aid for the Near
i East. This sum includes an un-
determined amount for Israel,
estimated at $40,000,000 or less.
1 Arthur Z. Gardiner, chief po-
; litico-economic adviser of the
i Near Eastern Division of the
' State Department, testifying be-
fore the committee, implied that
Walter Clay Lowdermilk, noted
American authority on soil ero-
sion, is favoring Israel for per-
sonal gain.
Sen. Everett Dirksen, of Illi-
nois, asked if Ambassador Eric
I Johnston's Jordan development
I program followed "the basic
pattern set out by Lowdermilk
in his books many years ago?
the first opportunity to be given
Mr.. Gardiner replied: "Low-
members of the Detroit Corn- ; dermilk, Sir, was an employe of
mittee of 300.
the Jewish Agency, and later of
Many more events are being the Israelis, and his task was
planned, including a music fes- to find out how much water
tival, a women's celebration, could be brought to Jewish ter-
children's assemblies, the Ter- .ritory to serve Jewish needs.
centenary Sabbath on Nov. 27 Now. such a project cannot be
and a special Detroit Symphony carried out to the full and do
justice to Arab needs."
Orchestra concert in March.
Arrangements are being
Elsewhere in his testimony be-
made for a series of radio and . fore the committee, Mr. Gardi-
televisiOn prograMs. Philip . ' ner said the State Department
Slomovitz, chairman of De- felt Ambassador Johnston, - in
troit's Tercentenary Commit- his water development negotia-
tee, this week announced the tions, "was very close to agree-
appointment of Leon Way- : went on the Arab side, but that
burn as chairman of the pub- - the negotiations with Israel may
lie relations committee which prove to be more difficult." • -
is arranging the radio and TV • Mr. Gardiner told_ of the State
progranis.
Department's "genuine concern"
Children's assemblies will be •over the Arab refugee problem.
held during Hanukah week at He said, "I do not think that
Mumford High School auditor those who were interested in es-
tablishing Israel over the past
ium.
The music festival and the 30 years, in Congress and else-
women's event will be held in where, can now wash their
hands of this problem. This
February.
Book and Music Months will (Arab refugee prcblem) is one
be dedicated this year to the:. of the results of the establish-
merit of Israel."
Tercentenary.

Tercentenary Committee Meets
Monday to Plan Local Events

Straus Confirmed
As UN Delegate

-

e ween You and Me

t

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

Community Trends

Believe it or not .... There is at least one national Jewish or-
ganization which is now asking the Jewish federations and welfare
funds to reduce its allocations for 1954 ... This rare organization is
the Natibnal Coinmunity Relations Advisory Council ... The re-
: .quest is motivated not by the possibility that coordinating the
work of combatting anti-Semitism requires less funds this year
. The move by the NCRAC is due rather, to the fact that the
American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of
the Bnai l3rith—which withdrew from the NCR.AC two years ago
—have now agreed to participate in a project jointly with the
NCRAC • .. Known to the communities as the Motion Picture Proj-
ect, it was established some seven years ago, when the two groups
were still part of the NCRAC ... The American JeWish Committee
and the Anti-Defamation League have now agreed 'to join in this
project, provided a new national committee for it is formed which
would not be identified as a NCRAC committee :.. Such a new body
has now come into existence ...It is composed of one representa-
tive from each of the eight national Jewish organizations engaged
in combatting bigotry, plus six representatives of the communities,
The
drawn from community member agencies of the NCRAC
eight national groups represented on the new committee are:
American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress, Anti-
Defamation League, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish War Veter-
ans, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations, and United Synagogue of America .. The
American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League
jointly have assumed 50 percent of the cost of the project, thus
reducing the burden of the NCRAC which hitherto covered the full
cost ... The result—a reduction of the NCRAC budget of approxi-
mately 4 1/2 percent, which the NCRAC in turn passes on to the
communities.

Zionist - Plans

The Zionist Organization of America is mapping plans to lick
a numb& of organizational probleMs concerning .the financial re-
lationship between ZOA national headquarters and its district and
'regional _branches ... Many' districts are under the mistaken ini-
•aresSion that funds in their treasury are theits to dispose of, or
to hold in the bank ... The ZOA national office is now going to
make it clear to them that all funds collected by them are the
property of the Zionist Organization, and should be transmitted
to ZOA headquarters immediately upon receipt ...Some regions
look upon the national office as "they," and give to the American
Zionist Fund only token allocations—instead of considering them-
selves as an integral part of the ZOA system ... National head-
quarters is determined to do something about this situation .. In
addition, ZOA headquarters claims that quite a few functions are
still being held at too great an expense for too little return
Something will be done to cheek this development The new ZOA
administration, under the presidency of Mortimer May, is also
determined to recruit more volunteer workers and leadership for
the movement.
American Zionists who think that only the Jews are now en-
gaged in erecting new buildings for their communal activities,
shOuld follow the movements of the Arabs in this country .. They
w4 111 learn that a handful of Syrians and Lebanese, in St. Peters-
burg, 1-Pla., got together to build a $100,000 modern communityclub-
house there ... In Miami, they built a 'beautiful clubhouse only a
few years ago ... A social center for Syrians and Lebanese exists
oin Orlando, Fla.... No clubhouse exists in New York, where
al u si.
the largest number of Syrians' and Lebanese in the whole of North
America resides ... But in :Montreal', a luxurious clubhouse was
built.

