Our Letter Box
Upholds Shakespeare,
But Attacks 'Merchant
Editor, The Jewish News:
I have just finished studying
the "Merchant of:Venice" in my
Shakespeare class at Wayne Uni-
versity with Prof. Kirschbaum,
and therefore was very much in-
terested in Mr. Slomovitz's com-
ments on the Canadian produc-
tion of this play. I am in com-
plete agreement that the . play
should be banned, not because it
was originally written against
the Jews, but because everyone
is prone to interpret it as anti-
Semitic.
In Shapespeare's time, England
had just emerged as a nation of
the newly rising middle class
who had overthrown the feudal-
istic nobility and the Catholic
Church. The words "freedom",
and "individualism" were in the
air, and indeed men were free
to a great extent of the feudal
bonds.
Being a student of humanity
and very much a part of his time,
Shakespeare sought to examine
the meaning of this new freedom
in the "Merchant of Venice."
This play is very prophetic, for
have not many men subordinated
the public interest, love, human-
ity, and friendship in the name
of profit and personal aggran-
dizement?
The Christians in the play rep-
resent the close love of men for
men (everyone loves Antonio
and Bassanio), the indifference
towards money except as a means
to a human end, and mercy (Shy-
lock's punishment in the court-
room scene). Shylock represents
a projection and extension of the
new values: free trade, profit, in-
dividualism. Antonio hates him
because Shylock, the new eco-
nomic man, has acted against the
ideals of Christainity and made
mercy, reason, and love secon-
dary to his personal whims and
profits.
I do not believe we can in-
terpret this play according to our
own ideas and values. We must
accept it as Shakespeare saw
things: two sets of values in con-
flict which were very much a
part of the age and country. Na-
turally the Christians in the play
were idealized, shallow, and self-
righteous, and Shylock was exag-
gerated. But precisely because
the characters are not believable,
we cannot interpret this play as
anything but a fantastic exten-
sion of reality.
Shapespeare chose the Jew be-
cause the Jew has always served
as a whipping boy, but to say
this is a play wholly of anti-
Semitism is to rob Shakespeare
of his greatness and humanity
and to ignore • the economic and
social conditions which engend-
ered this play.
Judy -Gregory
2017 Ewald Circle
Hebrew 'Talking Books'
Shipped to Israel Blind
Publication and shipment of
nine Hebrew "Talking Books,"
the second set of 'long-playing
recordings of full-length Hebrew
books ever recorded, was an-
nounced by Mrs. S h o s h a n a
Schochett, blind executive direc-
tor of the American Committee
for the Central Library for the
Blind in Israel, 100 W. 72nd St.,
New York.
Five Hebrew Braille books
an 20 record players specially
built for Israel's electrical sys-
tem were also shipped with the
recordings.
Mrs. Shochett said that the
success of last year's experi-
mental recording of the first six
The Jewish Folk Chorus will Hebrew "Talking Books" "so
close its 30th anniversary year greatly exceeded expectations"
'with a picnic Sunday, at 'Lola that the American Committee
valley Park, which will feature immediately began to -record the
a full-course dinner to be served second group of nine books.
all day and a continuous program "The books are designed to meet
of songs and dances.
a vital need of the more than
The closing dinner will be held one thousand Israeli blind," Mrs.
Monday evening, at Rigger .s Shochett said.
Union Hall, Dexter at Fenkell.
Chaya Bam, Librarian of the
Musical selections, led by Henri
Goldberg, conductor,. will con- Central Library for the Blind
in Israel at Netanya, expressed
clude the program.
Officers of the group include the gratitude of Israel's blind
Morris Citrin, president; Walter children, adolescents and adults
Litt, vice-president ; Mrs. R. Sab- to the American Committee for
aroff and L. Gray, secretaries; this significant pioneer cultural
and Mrs. L. Gray, treasurer. Re- achievement in their behalf.
ggie. hearsals will be resumed on Sept. "The receipt of the first ship-
12. David Milgrom is picnic ment of Hebrew Talking Books
chairman, and is assisted by was a great day for the Israeli
Blind," Miss Barn said.
Walter Litt, co-chairman.
Picnic, Dinner to Close
Folk Chorus' Season
irtk A- ri no tt 7, cements
MRS. MYRON GRUSKIN
Ellen Harriet Averbuch became
the bride of Myron Gruskin in a
recent ceremony solemnized by
Rabbis Hayim Donin and Morris
Margolis and Cantor Hyman J.
Adler at Cong. B'nai David.
The bride is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Averbuch,
of Ohio Ave. Her husband's par-
ents are the Isadore Gruskins, of
Greenlawn Ave.
The new Mrs. Gruskin wore a
bouffant floor-length gown of
white tulle over satin, with lace
appliques on the skirt, chantilly
lace bodice and a scalloped,
scooped -neckline. Her two-tiered
fingertip veil was held in place
by a tiara of seed pearls, and she
carried white orchids, phaelanop-
sis and ivy pinned to a white
prayer book.
Ethel Perlmutter was maid of
honor, and Joan Volin, sister of
the bridegroom, Marilyn May and
Carole Robiner were bridesmaids.
Myron was assisted by Melvin
Volin as best man, and ushers
included Howard Averbuch,
brother of the bride, Leslie Ab-
ramson and Ronald Trunsky.
Seating the guests was Joel Lu-
bin.
Following dinner and a recep-
tion, the bridal couple left for a
honeymoon in New York and
Nassau. On their return they will
reside in Oak Park.
Maurice Bordelove, past noble
grand of Jericho Lodge, Indepen-
dent Order of. Oddfello-ws and
now grand marshall of the Grand
Lodge of Michigan IOOF, in-
stalled newly-elected officers of
Jericho Lodge last week.
Completing t h e installation
team were Sam Rose, Jacob
Zucker, Nathan Butrimowitz and
Henry Feinberg. Among the new
officers are Philip Subar, noble
grand; and Jacob Natow, vice-
grand. Harry Petok, outgoing
noble grand, received a jewel and
past-grand certificate.
RABBI LEO Y.
GOLDMAN, M.A.
—
Members of the Zionists -
Revionists of Detroit are urging
all synagogues to honor the mem-
ory of Zeev Ben Yonah Jabotin-
sky, whose Yahrzeit is Tuesday,
by chanting the Hazkarah this
sabbath.
Adas Shalom Synagogue will
welcome one of its young alum-
ni at sabbath services this week-
end, when Robert Shapiro, a
cantorial student at the Jewish
Theological Seminary in New
York, will chant the services.
Canton Shapiro will substi-
tute for Cantor Nicholas Fena-
kel who will be on vacation that
week. The_ son of Mr. and Mrs.
Daniel Shapiro, of 18444 Prairie,
the young cantor was active in
all phases of youth activities
While at Adas Shalom.
A member of the youth group,
he also was a leader in the
Junior Congregation and served
as its cantor at sabbath and holi-
day services while attending the
religious school.
In conjunction with his studies
at the Seminary, Cantor • Sha-
piro holds the position of cantor
at Beth David Jewish Center,
in Newark, N.J. He is active in
the young cantors movement,
having initiated and organized
various programs on Jewish and
cantorial music in the East.
WEDDING BAR MITZVAH?
ROSENBLAT, M.C.
and His Orchestra
& Associate Bands
COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT
References on Request
J. J. CLARKE
Weddings - Bar Mitzvahs
Movies - 3 D's
Formals and Candids
Why Not Call Mr. Rosen
For an Appointment
3233 W. McNichols
UN. 1-9000
***************4-4- *44 4.4-,A
Music by ...
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DICK STEIN
*
And His Orchestra
*
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TY 5-2445
UN 4-3018*
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Wedding, Bar Mitzvah and
Sweet Sixteen Invitations
The Sisterhood and Sunday
school of. Cong. Beth Itzchock,
3836 Fischer, will combine their
talents for their annual all-day
picnic, to be held Sunday at
Chandler Park, entrance at Dick-
erson and Chandler Park Dr.
Home-cooked food made by
members and cold drinks will be
sold and free coffee and cakes
will be donated by several mem-
bers in honor of their birthdays
or anniversaries.
Parents interested in enrolling
their children for the fall Sunday
school term a r e particularly
urged to attend Sunday's picnic.
The public also is invited. For
further information, call Mrs.
Jane Rosenfeld, Sisterhood pres-
ident, WA. 2-9509.
The barrel of meal shall not
waste, neither shall the cruse of
oil fail.—I Kings 17:14 "
TE. 2-1146
TO. 6-5016
Beth Itzchock Groups
Schedule All-Day Picnic
Matches and Napkins
Complete Selection at Reasonable
Prices
MRS. KATE ALTMAN
U Niversity 4-0640
-1.1111.411111•41•11=1.4 ■0■1■ 0•1111 ■0■ 1•1.11111.0 ■ nioMillio.0,
For the Finest
In Entertainment
It's Music
by
BEN KATZMAN
LI. 7-2943
WE. 3-2254
tt ■ mwo • ■■ •oimm• o■ tawromosq,• ■■,■ ovali. tpa ■ cHNNO
SAMEROFF'S
CATERING
in
our beautiful banquet hall
or in your home.
Catering for all occasions,
PHOTOGRAPHS by
We supply all dishes and table
appointments.
BERNARD H.
WINER
Install New Officers
Of Jericho IOOF Lodge
of Fullerton Ave., a son, Leslie
Michael.
* e
Saul Rubin Appointed
June 12—To Mr. and Mrs. Sam
Insurance Office Manager
Kane (Edith Ernst), of Fuller-
* * *
Saul Rubin, of 18687 North-
ton Ave.,a daughter, Marcy Ann.
lawn, has 'recently been appointed
* * *
June 28—To Mr. and Mrs. Ber-
manager of the new North
nard Goldman (Sylvia Slive), of
July 5—To Mr. and Mrs. Ted
Detroit District office of Mutual
Chicago, Ill., a daughter, Deborah H. Fishman (Marilynn Jasen), of
and United of Omaha, announces
Lynn.
19962 Roslyn, a daughter, Terrie
Earl B. Brink, state manager.
• *. *
Rae.
Rubin assumes duties at the
* * *
June 21—To Mr. and Mrs. Ir-
July 5—To Mr. and Mrs. Irving office located at 19457 James
win M. Wright (Ruth Rosberg),
Stollman (Vivian Kozenn), a Couzens. He has been with his
present firm since 1947, and has
daughter, Lea Andrea.
been in the insurance business
*
*
CERTIFIED MOHEL
July 3—To Mr. and Mrs. Ar- since 1930 while still attending
Rev. Yehudah Loewy
nold Margolis (Sarah Novetsky), Wayne University.
SERVING IN
of 18292 Greenlawn, a son, Jack
Hospitals and Homes
Hebrew University Campus
Ira.
* * *
TE. 4-7355
Acquires Women's Residence
3761 HUMPHREY AVE.
June 24—To Mr. and Mrs. Rob-
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A cor-
ert Noble (Eunice Michelson), of nerstone for a women students'
Oak Park, Mich., a daughter, residence on the new campus of
Sheri Ellen.
the Hebrew University . was laid
* * *
at a ceremony attended by Mrs.
June 10 — To Mr. and Mrs. Itzhak Ben Zvi, Israel's First
Richard M. Sitron (Rosalyn Lady, United States Ambassador
EXPERT MOHEL
Recommended by Physicians
Pianka), of 21910 Sussex, Oak Edward B. Lawson, University
Serving in Hospitals and Homes
Park, Mich., a - daughter, Lisa officials and a delegation from
18245 Roselawn
UN. 3-6242
Joy.
the Women's League for Israel,
* * *
a non-partisan American group
June 3—To Mr. and Mrs. Har- which will meet the construc-
CANTOR LEO
old Kohn (Roselyn Margolis), of tion costs of the residence.
RADIN
3016 Monterey, a daughter, Debra
Ritual-Circumsion
Lynn.
. Simplicity
MOHEL
* * *
Teach us Delight in simple things,
Recommended by
June 28 — To Mr. and Mrs. And Mirth that has no bitter
Noted Physicians
Serving in
Leonard Barron (Barbara Lich- springs.—Rudyard Kipling. ,
Homes & Hospitals
tenstein), of 13321 Oak . Park
TO 8-2037
Blvd., Oak Park, Mich., a son, 14
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
2999 CALVERT
Kenneth Alan.
Friday, July 15, 1953
July 2—To Mr. and Mrs. Ben
'Gillman (Beatrice Greenberg, of
Miami, . Fla.), of 3200 W. Chi-
cago, a son, Edward Steven.
Observe Jabotinsky Yahrzeit
Ellen Averbuch /Fed Synagogue Hears
Cantorial Alumni
To Myron Gr. uskin
Special Rates for Showers
3169 2nd, nr. Masonic Temple
KE. 1-8196
TE. 2-7630
1 MID-SEASON SPECIAL
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UN. 4-6258
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