Purely Commentary Synagegues Commemorate Shevuot

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Two Remarkable Brothers: The Sobeloffs
The very excellent "fortnightly of facts and ideas," The
reporter, in an article by Anthony Lewis (winner of a Heywood
Broun Award), pays a glowing tribute to the Solicitor General
of the United States, Simon E. Sobeloff, the eminent Baltimore
attorney and former Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of
Appeals. The Solicitor General—("his friends still address Mr.
Sobeloff as 'Judge' ")—is the brother
of another very a'•le man, the distin-
guished director of the Detroit Jewish
Welfare Federation, Isidore Sobeloff.
Both deserve the recognition they
have earned nationally, and it is a
rare opportunity for a r ewspaperman
to be able to write about two brothers
who have made high marks for
themselveS in their respective callings.
The 1955 Detroit • Allied Campaign
has not yet fully materialized, al-
though officially it has ended. The
workers are on the job, several hun-
dred thousands of dollars are yet to
Isidore Sobeloff be collected and high hope is held
cut that this year's drive will go way above the .$4,000,000 mark.
But the $4,000,000 figure now is a certainty, and Isidore Sobeloff
is the director of philanthropic efforts here which have resulted
in four-million-plus drives for eight successive years. It is a
noteworthy record and is worth recording—with credit to the
man who directed these great efforts.
Therefore, we pay honor to this one of the two remarkable
brothers.. We speak of him first because he is our townsman. He
is the architect of many very important steps in the fields of
Jewish education, social service, recreation—and especially Israel.
He doesn't trek a smooth path. A fund-raiser's job is not an
enviable one. He has to cajole and to argue and to plead, and he
has to exercise patience. He loses his 'temper occasionally .
especially when a man who calls himself a leader in a movement
that benefits from our great Allied Jewish Campaigns donates
;5 when he should be giving in four figures. That's why a man
like Isidore Sobeloff "makes enemies," as some will tell you when
they choose to. disagree with our compliments to him. But he
does not make them deliberately. He has an important job to
perform, and he does it well.
Fund-raising is not his only function. He is charged with
guiding the destinies of a score or more agencies in Detroit. There
is always cause for criticism, and only those who produce can
possibly fall prey to criticism. Those who are inactive avoid
criticism—but only by inactivity. But there is a ledger of creative
results to Mr. Sobeloff's credit in Detroit. He has inspired an
elevation in the standards of giving to Jewish causes—and he has
created, among other things, the following: 'a splendid working
agreement between our school system and our Jewish Centers
which has given our community an assurance of enlarged
quarters for both and cooperation in the field of Jewish learning;
the construction of a great Jewish hospital: the introduction
of many additional media for aid to the aged and'the sick.

About his brother, the U. S. Solicitor General, the laudatory
article in The Reporter speaks of his "remarkable character."

The 'Reporter article was inspired by Simon E. Sobeloff's
refusal to endorse his administration's views on a major Consti-
tutional question—whether the government can ..prOperly conceal
the identity of accusers in loyalty and security. eas_es.". The issue-
was sharply raised by the Peters v. Hobby case now before the
Supreme Court and The Reporter asks and answers questions,
thus: "How could so fUndamental a difference Of Opinion arise
among the high legal officers of a government? Why was the
dissent tolerated without animosity? The answers. lie in the
unusual nature of the job and the somewhat . remarkable
character of Simon Sobeloff."
A rich background in public service accounts in large
measure for the Solicitor General's (" The aristocrat of legal
jobs,' one authority has called this post") courage. Sinion Sobeloff
campaigned for unemployment insurance
in Maryland as early as 1929, Anthony
Lewis points out in 'his article. Closely
associated with Theodore Roosevelt Mc-
Keldin, former Mayor of Baltimore, now
Governor of Maryland—the man .:who
nominated Dwight . D. Eisenhower for
President at the Republican Convention—
he became chairman of a Maryland "Little
Hoover Commission" and later was ap-
pointed Chief Judge of the Maryland Court
of Appeals. Simon Sobeloff
Mr. Lewis writes about Mr. Sobeloff: "As a public official
and as a private attorney he fought for public housing. 'When we
try to take a family out of a rathole, they cry socialism,' he said
in one debate." And about his associate in politics, Mr. Lewis
states: "Mr. McKeldin is a Republican with advanced views on
civil liberties and social-economic questions—frequently more
advanced than those of Maryland Democrats." That's just the
point about the Republican Sobeloff: more often than not, he is
more advanced than many Democrats. That's one of the reasons
for his success and for the great recognition- given him by national
leaders in public life, Democrats and Republicans alike.
The Reporter article by Anthony Lewis concludes with the
following interesting' comments:

"Mr. Sobeloff is mentioned, inevitably, as a choice for the
next vacancy on the Supreme Court. But for the moment he is
• satisfied working toward a goal that he set out last year in
speech to lawyers.
"'If the possibilities of this office are to be realized,' he
said, the incumbent must strive to learn the meaning of the
process he seeks to guide. He must try to discover the social
tensions, the reverberations of strife and passion, the political
issues, the clashes of interest that are dressed up in technical
legal forms . , His constant endeavor must be, without falling
prey to his own fetishes but obedient to the legislative policy
laid down by others, to channel this . mighty stream (of cases)
so as to strengthen the foundations of our society.'
"In Washington today many persons believe Simon Sobeloff
is meeting his own standard. There is no higher praise."

Any comment upon the activities of Simon Sobeloff would be
incomplete without mentioning his warm interest in Zionism and
his many services to the cause of Israel; his active leadership in
the American Jewish Congress, in which he has held national posi-
tions; his devoted efforts in behalf of the United Jewish Appeal
and his assistance—which continues to this day, in his nationwide
lecture tours—in behalf of all important Jewish causes.
We pay honor to two remarkable brothers—Isidore Sobeloff
of Detroit and United States Solicitor General Simon. E. Sobeloff.
May their kind multiply.

•

with Services Today Saturday

•

N

Shevuot, which in Hebrew
means weeks, was ushered in
with services in local congrega-
tions at sundown Thursday. The
holiday, also known as the Fes-
tival of • the First Fruits and
Pentecost, a reference to the 50-
day interval between Passover
and Pentecost, will continue to-
day and Saturday.
According to Jewish tradition,
the revelation of the law to
Moses took place on Shevuot,
and it has been observed since
that time as the birthday of the
Ten Commandments, and mark-
ed in many synagogues with
'graduation a n d confirmation
programs.
Following is a list of gradua-
tion programs, holiday services
and sabbath services as sched-
uled by our community's syna-
gogues:

. Temple Israel

"The Three , Hundred First
Year" was the theme of an origi-
nal confirmation pageant writ-
ten by Dr. Leon Fram for the
confirmation services which took
place last night, in the temple.

The class, numbering 64 boys
and girls, entered in a pro-
cessional, singing "Open the
Gates of Righteousness." A
flute solo by James Fellerite,
of the Detroit Symphony Or-
chestra and songs by the Tein-
ple Israel Quartet were in-
cluded. The musical setting
was prepared by Karl Haas,
music director, and Cantor
Robert S. Tulman.
Each •confirmand received a

leather-covered Bible, while
parents of the class . . donated
$1,000 to the temple activities
building fund.
Shevuot morning services are
planned at 10:30 a.m., today,
and will conclude with tradition-
al Yizkor prayers.
Beth Aaron Synagogue
The third annual eighth grade
graduation Of t h e • religiOus
school will be held at 10:30 a.m.;
today. Rabbi Benjamin H. Gore
relick will distribute the diplo-
mas and give the charge to the
graduates, who will present a
cantata.
Shevuot services will continue
at 7 p.m., today and Saturday,
and at 8:45 a.m., Saturday.
Rabbi Gorrelick_ will preach at
Yizkor services on "From the
Heights of Sinai."
Cong. Ahavas Achim
At 8:45 a.m. services today,
Rabbi Jacob M. Chinitz will
preach on "The Thunder a t
Sinai." Saturday services : also
at 8:45 a.m., will be followed by
Yizkor at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi. Chi-
nitz will speak on "The Best
Bikkurim." Cantor A. Litton,

of New York, will officiate both
days.

Cong. Beth Shmuel
Rabbi Joseph Rabinowitz will
Temple Beth El _
preach the sermons at She'vuot
At 10:30 a.m. Shevuot services services scheduled for 9 a.m., to-
today, Dr. Richard C. Hertz will day and Saturday. Evening serv-
preach on "What We Can Learn ices are j at 7:30 p.m.
from the Book of Ruth." Sabe
Cong. Bnai David
bath services will be held at
At 8:30 a.m. services today,
11:15 a.m., Saturday.
Rabbi Hayim Donin will speak
Cong. Gemiluth Chassodim
on "The Law and the Life." Can-
Rabbi Joel Litke will speak tor Hyman J. Adler and the syn-
on "Revelation and Redemp- agogue choir will chant the lit-
tion" and "We Shall Do and urgy. Saturday services also are
We Shall Hear" at Shevuot at 8:30 a.m.
services,. which will be held at
Cong. Bnai Moshe
8:45 a.m., today and Saturday
A dramatic presentation,

and at 7:30 p.m., today.
Cong. Beth Yehililah

Holiday services will be at 9
a.m., today and Saturday, and
at 7:15 p.m., today.

Cong. Shaarey Zedek

Sabbath services at 6 p.m.,
today, and at 8:45 a.m., Satur-
day. Rabbi Morris Adler and
Cantor Jacob Sonenklar will of-
ficiate, assisted by the choir, di-
rected by Dan Frohman. Associ-
ate Cantor Leo Radin will be
reader. The Bar Mitzvah of
David Gary Fried Will be ob-
served.

"From Bondage to Freedom,"
will be highlighted at seventh
grade graduation exercises at'
10 a.m., Sunday, in the social
hall. The cantata was written
by Joseph Edelman, class in-
structor. •

Harry Gunsberg, congrega-
tional secretary, will receive the
Class gift, and Harry Kwiker,
treasurer, and Benjamin Weiss,
vice-president, will distribute
diplomas. Rabbi Moses Lehrman
will deliver the graduation ad-
dress, and Walter Farber, reli-
gious school director, will review
the class history and discuss
Adas Shalom Synagogue
As part of 8:30 a.m. services their future in Jewish education.
today, graduation exercises for
Cong. Bnai Israel
over 60 students in the eighth
Rabbi Israel Flam will speak
grade will—be held. The gradu- at 9 a.m. services today on "The
ates will present a cantata and Torah—an Everlasting Heritage."
participate in special readings At 11 a.m. Yizkor services, Sat-
and prayers.
urday, he will preach an "A
Services will be held at 6 p.m., Lesson Plan for Life."
today, and at 8:45 a.m., Satur-
Cong Mishkan Israel
day. Rabbi Jacob E. Segal and
At Shevuot services today,
Cantor Nicholas Fenakel will of- Rabbi Isaac Stollman will speak
ficate. The Bar Mitzvah of on "A World in Rapt Attention
Stephen Markow Paull will be to the Word," and on Saturday
observed.
on "Chieftains in -Reverence."

-

Between - You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1955, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

A 'New Look'

Jewish communities throughout the country are heartily
welcoming Dr. Joesph J. Schwartz' assumption of the executive
leadership of the Israel bond campaign . ; It is felt that under
his leadership the campaign is entering a new phase which will
bring complete cooperation among the "Big Three"—the Jewish
Federations' and Welfare Funds, United Jewish Appeal and Israel.
bond organization .. . Such cooperation has long been requested.
by the communities in this country as well as by the Israel gov-
ernment which is directly interested in the campaigns of the
"Big Three" . . . However, the old administration of the Israel
bond organization was not exactly cooperative and from time to
time even acted provocatively to the great annoyance of many
Jewish personalities . . . Most of these personalities have now
joined the reorganized Israel bond organization, determined to
help Dr. Schwartz make his new mission a success . . . Thus, new
blood has been infused into the bond campaign with Dr. Schwartz'
arrival on the scene, in addition to the old groups which have
been interested in the bond campaign all the time . . . In general,
there is a good deal of optimism over the ,"new look" of the bond
campaign . . . What puzzles Jewish community leaders is the fact
that the old corporation which conducted the sale of Israel bonds
has not been dissolved following the formation of the new corpor-
ation .. ‘.•Mr. Montor, who stepped out of the bond organization,
is maintaining the old corporation although its agreement with
the Israel Government has terminated . . . What he intends to do
Girl, 8, Recovers from
with the name of the old corporation which no longer has the
Near-Fatal Illness
backing of the Israel government nobody knows ... However, it
is understood that he promised not to make any use of the name
One of the most dramatic for the next two years.
*
*
cases undertaken at the National
Jewish Hospital at Denver is one An Enviable. Record
involving an eight-year-old girl,
Few Jewish leaders enjoy such an enviable record of humani-
who is now• recovering from tarian achievements as 'does Dr. Schwartz . . . This is another
dreaded tuberculosis meningitis, reason why the Israel government wanted him to direct the Israel
until a few years ago considered bond campaign . . .. It is no exaggeration to say that Dr. Schwartz,
100 percent fatal.'
during the years he. served as head of JDC in Europe, literally
The girl, known as Deanna; saved the lives of hundi:eds of thousands of Jews . This he did
not merely by helping Jewish victims of Nazism with JDC relief
had been in aee
funds, but by attempting to pay personal attention to as many
coma for eight;;_;
individual cases as -possible . . During the war years and in. the
months, but nowt;
post-war period he gave so much of himself to the thousands and
doctors hold ex-
thousands of Jews who needed rescue and aid that he became one
cellent prospects
of the most admired Jewish figures in Europe and the United
for her recovery.
States . . . In Israel, too, there is a tremendous admiration for
The battle to
him among the 'many thousands whom he helped to reach Pales-
save her life Was
tine, despite British immigration restrictions ; as well as among
waged by doc-
the • members of the Israel government . is considered in
tors, nurses,
Israel as the person who brought about a better understanding in
physical, occu-
America of the needs. of those Jews who wanted to reach Israel
pational
from European countries—legally and illegally—long before the
play therapists
State of ISrael was established ... When- he left the JDC in 1951
at the hospital.
to join the United Jewish Appeal as its executive vice-chairman,
Deanna
Deanna is one
Israel government welcomed him as a man in whom it had
of nearly 50,000 patients who the
implicit
confidence and whom it regarded with highest respect
have received over 4,000,000 days . . . Since
then he has led the UJA in raising more than $365, -
of free care during the hospital's 000,000, the largest part of which went • for Israel causes . .
55-year history. Patients of all Zionists and non-Zionists alike considered him the ideal person
nationalities, creeds and colors to direct the United Jewish Appeal and now similarly consider
are treated with funds gathered him the best person' to take over direction of the Israel bond
from voluntary contributions.
organization when that organization needed a leader who could
cement unity . , . Who, better that Dr. Schwartz could keep -the /-
2—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS scales properly-balanced between Jewish : Federations and. Welfare/
Je,Wish• Appeal . 44C+1' --Phe
Friday, May 27 ; 1955