THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspape rs, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co , 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35, Mich., V& 8-9364
Snhaeription $4 a year, Foreign 65.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
City Editor
January 21, 1955
Page Four
VOL. XXVI. No. 20
FRANK SIMONS
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath,, the tu)p.ntii-eighth clay of .Tebet. 5715, the following Scriptural selections will
be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion. Ex. 6:2-9...75. Prophetical portion. Ezek. 28:25-29:21.
On Monday, Rosh Hodesh Shevat, Num. 28: 1-15 will be read during morning services.
Licht Benshen, Friday, Jan. 21, 5:U p.m.
The History-Making Tercentenary Exhibition
The history-making exhibition, "Jewish
Life and Culture in - Detroit," which was on
display without interruption, at the Detroit
Historical Museum, since Sept. 12, in honor
of the American Jewish Tercentenary,
comes. to a close Sunday,. when the Detroit
Tercentenary Committee of 300 will meet,
aprfropriately, at the Museuni, to evaluate
the celebration's accomplishments - in De-
troit.
Without doubt, the Museum exhibition
was the highlight of the rich programs
which were sponsored by the Tercentenary
committee in this City. By evaluating De-
troit's Jewish history, by linking the local
story with world Jewish history, by means
of impressive and artistic displays, the Mu-
seum's staff has rendered a very important
service to our community.
Good deeds always bring the deserved
responses. This certainly was the case with
the Museum's Tercentenary exhibition. - By
the time the display is dismantled, it is be-
lieved that approximately 150,000 people
will have seen the exhibition. Non-Jews as
well as JeWs continue to show an interest in
it. More than 200 meetings were scheduled
by local organizations, to enable their mem-
berships to tour the Museum as part of
their programs. ..
The impressive 32-page Guide to the ex-
hibition, the printing and nationwide dis-
tribution of which was made poSsible by the
generosity of Leonard Simons, has added
Now—Tunisian
to the significance of the Detroit Tercen-
tenary celebration.
While it is impossible to list all who have
shared in the preparation of the Museum
exhibit, the names of Henry D. Brown,
Robert E. Lee, Bartlett Frost and Miss Bar-
bara Paulson are receiving special and well-
deserved mention. It is appropriate that
they should be the first to whom the na-
tional Tercentenary Commemorative Medals
should be awarded in Detroit.
The "Jewish Life and Culture" exhibi-
tion has helped to arouse new interest in Charming Jewish Art Book
the work of the DetrOit Historical Society
and the Detroit Historical Museum. The
numerous exhibitions at the Museum serve
In an introduction to "Altars of My Fathers," by Mignon L.
to perpetuate our community's legacies.
by the Jewish Museum of Temple Mishkan,
The dedicated men and women who conduct Rubenovitz, published Ave.;
21, Mass., the congregation's
Tefila,
122
Elm
Hill
this work deserve the encouragement of all rabbi, Israel J. Kazis, makes Boston
this comnient:
their fellow-Detroiters. The most practical
"The purpose of this volume is to communicate to the reader
way of showing appreciation for these ex- an appreciation of the beauty and meaning which is inherent in
cellent activities is for Detroiters to enroll the religious heritage of the Jewish people . . . The pictures of
as members of the Historical Society in the ceremonial objects in this book speak for themselves . .
in accents which . . . are today in need of interpretation for many
large numbers.
so that they may rediscover in these
This, too, is the occasion to reiterate the of our contemporaries
symbols the spiritual -significance with which they are
debt the community owes to the Jewish Wel- hallowed
abundantly endowed.
fare Federation for its assistance to the De-
"The author of this book is eminently qualified to perform
troit Tercentenary Committee. By making this noble task, to convey to the children of Israel their ancestors'
the proper allocation for the historic occa- sense Of the beauty of holiness.' Her intimate acquaintance with
sion, the Federation has made possible the the long history of each of the ceremonial objects which she
sponsoring of the impressive events which collected over the years with such love and devotion for the
have made the Detroit Tercentenary cele- -1Mishkan Tefila Museum and her rare faculty for articulating in
bration the outstanding program in the a remarkable sensitive manner the ideas which these symboiS
objectify, and the sentiments which they inspire have served W
country.
produce a beautiful volume replete with enlightening information."
'Altars of My Fathers'
-
Jewry Must Be Rescued
Jewish shops in Tunis were attacked last
week by Moslem youths, and the merchants
were compelled to close their doors and to
call for police protection.
This ti, cs not an ordinary news item. It
portends a serious threat to the community
of 100,000 Tunisian Jews.
A few days prior to the little pogrom
in Tunis, Michael Clark, New York Times
correspondent in Tunisia, cabled a report to
his paper to describe the fear that has grip-
ped Tun seen Jewry. He pointed out that the
"gathering in" of the Tunisian . Jews by Is-
rael was accelerated by the, prospect of Arab
rule there. .
Mr. Clark reveals that Israel had ab-
sorbed 536 Tunisian Jews in 1953 and that
there was a six fold increase in 1954: The
upsurge was especially noticeable-after the
French Premier, Pierre Mendes France,.be-
gan negotiations. for the establishment of
self-governmerit in Tunisia.
By next October, the Jewish Agency has
undertaken to facilitate the settlement of
6,000 more Tunisian Jews in Israel. In his
cable' .,---nort, Mr. Clark states:
"here
are about 100,000 Jews in Tunisia,
T
more than half of them residents of Tunis.
Some are- French citizens, but the vast major-
are subjects of the theoretically absolute Bey
of Tunis. Until a Constitution is promulgated,
it is impossible to tell what the legal position of
the Jews may be as citizens of a self-governing
Tunisia.
One community, that of Tozeur, already has
been dissolved (by emigration to Israel). Else-
where the process is well advahced.
- "The departure of the Jews from the island
of Djerba, off southern Tunisia, is bringing to
its end one of the oldest Jewish communities
in the world. The first Jewish settlers are said
to have come to Djerba after the destruction
of the temple of Solomon by the Chaldeans in
586 B. C.
"In economic terms, Jewish emigration rep-
-resent::: a tragic •loss to Tunisia, for the JeWs,
whether artisians or merchants, account for a
substantial part of the country's economic
potential."
Thus, the process of "ingathering" by
Israel continues. It is still a great need in
an era of insecurity tot—communities like
Tunisia's. It serves to re-emphasize the im-
portance of the United 3ewish Appeal, with-
out whose funds any ,effort at rescuing Jews
from lands of oppression would fail.
-
Detroit Joins in Honoring Eciwa W arburg
The hOnOrs being accorded this Saturday:
night, in NeW York, at a testimonial dinner,
to Edward M; M. Warburg, the distinguished
leader off-the. United Jewish Appeal, are help-
ing in the acceleration, of 'aCtivities in be-
half of the Allied Jewish Campaign in De-
troit.
It is appropriate that a gathering that is
being convened to pay well-earned tribute
to Mr. Warburg should be utilized to help
the great—the major—cause in Jewish life:
the fund that helps Israel and assists in the
rehabilitation of dispossessed and oppressed
Jews in many lands.
In Mr. Warburg's honor, many Detroit-
ers are making advance gifts to the Allied
Jewish Campaign, in order to facilitate the
presentation of early gifts towards the 1955
campaign.
This is a good way of saying to a bril-
on his creative philanthropic efforts by ad-
vancing the cause to which he has dedicated
his life. Jews everywhere will echo the sen-
timents in tribute to Eddie Warburg - by re-
dedicating themselves to the achievement
of the goals towards which he is directing
his heart and all his thOughts.
U.S. Aid to Israel
President - Eisenhower's message to Con-
gress contains an encouraging reference to
Israel and the Middle East.
His request for continuation of economic
aid to these countries is an indication of our
Government's recognition of the need to as-
sist struggling countries in their efforts to
build wholesome communities. That is the
only sound way of approaching the problem
liant and devoted leader that he is held in of counteracting Communism and of creat-
high esteem by his .fellow workers and that ing an atmosphere friendly to the western
they offer evidence of . placing ...great . value _ democracies. __
This evaluation must receive the endorsement of all who are
fortunate to possess Mrs. Rubenovitz's book. This evaluation
becomes more adequate, however, with the additional words ot
praise for the author by her husband, Rabbi Emeritus Herman H.
Rubenovitz, who preceded Rabbi Kazis in the pulpit of the Boston
congregation. Rabbi Rubenovitz speaks of his wife's intensely
Jewish background, her university training, her 35 years of de-
voted effort in collecting the art objects for the Boston syna..
gogue's Jewish Museum.
Mrs. Rubenovitz, before her marriage had taught in teachers°'
colleges and later gave her time to Zionism and to education and
to her major love: the collection of Jewish art objects. Her book
symbolizes the latter accomplishment, and it adds glory to her
work by the fascinating manner in which she explains and
evaluates each picture and its importance in the .religious life
of the Jewish community.
Commencing with the statement "I am bearer of an an
tradition but also part of the world today," Mrs, Ruben-
ovitz appropriately opens the series of illustrated statements-
with Boris Schatz's "Mitzvah Rishonah," portraying a - child re..
ceiving Jewish instruction from an elder. "In this wonderfully
beautiful and loving conception, the grandmother, guardian of
folk Wisdom•and folkways., introduces her grandchild to th•
tradition that spans the generations."
There follows the story about an impressive Ner Tamid, the
perpetual light, a sculptured head of a man with .the
an illustrated article on the mezuzah, the story of a very old Ark,
an explanation of the Yad, the pointer used in the reading of the
Torah, the Bells, Crowns and Breast-plates of the Torah, the
Kiddush Cup and Habdalah tray and twisted candle.
"Queen Sabbath must be given a fitting farewell. This tendel
farewell is called Habdalah," our able author explains.
There is a holiday section in her fine book. It begins with
the Seder plate, proceeds with the haggada, the Cup of Elijah,
the Shofar, Yom Kippur—splendidly illustrated with a MyerovitS
etching "Kavanah (mystic communion)", the Sukkot symbols,
m
xpeinoraathiosn, .Purim gragers, — each accompanied by
Hanukah e
There are numerous other features—stories about the Luaeh
—calendar, the laver for hand washing before reading important
manuscripts, the inspivation that conies to Jewry from the state
of Israel, the folklore of Jewish ceremonials.
It is a well compiled, well-illustrated, excellently related'
continuing story about Israel faith. It is commendable in every
respect.
•
Correcting a Columnist
By NATHAN ZIPRIN
- My good friend A. Glantz of the Jewish Day was so overcame
by a pro-Yiddish item that he used- it as a jumping board let
splashing indignity and untruth on the English-Jewish press.
Glantz does ill to his cause—Yiddish—when he brutally castit-
gates the English-Jewish press for a crime it has neither generated
nor committed.
The English-Jewish press is not the product of a struggle
against Yiddish but the product of a civilization whose otherness
had to be met with different media.
If our raisin and almond song has withered, it is not because
we have wanted it thus, but because it has been consumed by
climate and otherness. What is important is not the tongue but
the theme. In essence, what matters is not -the tongue in which
song is chanted but that there is song and essence and meaning,
Only the wicked can gloat in the decline of Yiddish and only
fanatics blinded to truth can see in the English-Jewish press an
enemy to a Jewish civilization whose extinction is concern ION
mourning among all the silenced.