No Defense with Empty Hands!

THE JEWISH NEWS

1951
incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20,

Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers. Michigan Press Association, National Editorial 'Ass°.
.ciation
Published every Friday by The Jewish NeWs Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit .35. Mich., VE.
8-9364 Subscription $4 a year, Foreign $5:
Entered as second' class matter Aug. 6. 1942, at Post Office, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3, 1879

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Editor and Publisher

FRANK SIMONS

SIDNEY SHMARAK

City Editor

A dvertising Manager

Sabbath Scriptural Selections

in

selections will be read
This Sabbath, the twentieth, dal of Heshvan, 5716, the following
our synagogues:
Prophetical portion, II Kings 4:1-37.
Peritateuchal portion, Gen. 18:1-22:24.

Licht Benshen, Friday, Nov. 4, 5:05 p.m.

- VOL. XXVIII—No. 9

Page Four

Nov. 4, 1955

A New Plan for Progressive Jewish Education

Dr. Theodor H.. Gaster's enlightening and
thought-provoking book, "The Hay and the
Profane," published by William Sloane, in-
eludes in its review of the "evolution of
Jewish folkways" a valuable section on Bar
Mitzvah. He makes proposals for new ,pro-
gressive Jewish educational methods that
are deserving of consideration by the Ameri-
can Jewish community:
Describing the "valuable contribution to
the concept of social responsibility" in the
principle of "antecedent training" prepara-
tory to Bar Mitzvah, Dr. Gaster calli atten-
tion to the thangeS that haVe taken place in
modern life; to the fact that today a boy of
13 . still is a minor to the perfunctory pre-
liminary training; to the: fact that, while in
the past introduction into the synagogue on
Bar Mitzvah meant - induction into the com-
munity, "today almost all communal activities
that are not strictly religious are distributed
over extra-synagogual organizations." He
adds that "in point of fact, therefore, the new
Bar Mitzvah is introduced only into a con-
gregation of worshippers (and even that is
not usually present in full force), not into
a community."
His viewpoint, especially because of the
frankness of his approach, merits serious
consideration. Indeed, he mentions the fact
that the more enlightened rabbis and educa-
tors now insist that the Bar Mitzvah should
be predicated upon a number of years' con-
tinuous attendance in a religious school. But
he insists that this does-not suffice; i"for_moim.
is needed at the present time to equip a re-
sponsible Jew in a predominantly. Gentile
world than was required in the days..when
life was concentrated in a more exclusivley
Jewish environment and less liable to be
buffeted, at almost every turn, by the impact
of different and conflicting ideologies." He
offers this solution:

"A more constructive approach to the problem
might be, perhaps to recognize the present cere-
mony as a kind of initial matriculation, and to
add another, at a more mature age, which would
have the value of full graduation, and which
would really •take over the function of the Bar
Mitzvah institution.
"At the present moment, what happens is that
the two stages are confused. The lad of thirteen
is, so to speak, being handed a cap and gown
but denied any graduate standing, or a certifi-
cate of citizenship without enjoying civil rights.
And the fact of the matter is that he is indeed
not yet qualified by age, knowledge or experi-
ence to receive such standing or enjoy such
rights. On the other hand, when he -really attains
majority and is actually qualified to be Bar
Mitzvah, there is no test of his qualifications
or of his intention ,actively to play his part.
"By the approach here suggested, the first
ceremony—the present Bar Mitzvah at thirteen
.7–would have the force of confirmation. It
would mark the clsose of initial religious educa-
tion—a graduation from high school. But it

Dov Joseph s Visit

The visit here, on Monday, of Israel's
Minister of Development, Dov Joseph, in be-
half of the Israel bond drive, deserves the
encouragement and active 'support of an
alert Detroit Jewish community.
Mr. Joseph, himself a personality of great
importance in Israel, comes here as sub-
stitute to Israel's Foreign Minister Moshe
Sharett who has been compelled to cancel
_ake an ap-
his American trip in order to m
pearance at the Conference of Foreign
Ministers in Geneva where•Israel must fight
for her security against the arming of the
Arab states by the Communist countries.
The very fact that a crisis has caused the
substitution should inspire community-wide
interest in the bond drive, as an encourage-
ment to the ISraelis that American Jews will
not let .them down.
The lives of 1,700,000 Jews are at stake in
Israel. It is not too late for all of us to assert
ourselves against a revival of Hitler-like
policies aimed at the extermination of the
Jewish people. The Nov. 7 dinner, featuring
Dov Joseph and geared for the extension of
the Israel bond drive, is the immediate oc-
casion at hand to declare our solidarity with
, -
a people fighting for its ,very

would not admit to adult status in the House of
Israel, nor to membership in the adult congrega-
tion. The confirmed could become, however,
a member of the junior congregation, which
would thus acquire an organic place in Jewish
life. Then, after a further period of preparation,
_ when he is indeed legally an adult, he would
be admitted to the senior congregation. But
such admission would again be dependent on a
, test of qualification and an accompanying cere-
mony of induction. In this way, a guarantee
would be furnished that every congregation of
Jews really consists of trained, conscious, re-
sponsible, and active members of the House of
Israel. It would be a method of turning the pro-
fession of Judaism into an active campaign,
instead of a mute acquiescence; it would elimi-
nate malingering in the ranks of God.
"By the proposed system, the progress, of Jew-
ish education could be properly organized and
graded, and there could be a proper and
methodical distinction—which there is not to-
day—between high school and undergraduate
instruction."

This proposal must be considered either
as revolutionary or as a stab-in-the-dark at
an issue that is puz .Zling community leaders,
who are deeply concerned over the lag in our
educational progress, as well as responsible
educators. At this point, we seem to have
failed in our efforts to create a serious in-
terest in advanced studies among the post-
Bar Mitzvah and post-confirmatiott youths.
We are not succeeding with the young adults,
the exceptions, among a handful of young-
marrieds—the new fad in our congregation-
- proving the rule.
Ita.lmir,hette- fore; every- valid proposal must. be
considered seriously. That is why we con-
sider Dr. Gaster's plan worthy of considera-
tion by ‘ our. communities. '
Worthy of note is Dr. Gaster's additional
proposal that the term "confirmation" should
be abandoned and that we should substitute
for it "religious graduation." In a footnote
to his evaluation of the ceremonies "of grad-
uation and affirmation of faith," Dr. Gaster
states:

-

"It should be observed, in this connection,
that the name `confirnmation' is misleading. The
term has been adopted, albeit unconsciously;
from Christian practice, where confirmation is
a sacrament. What it confirms is not, as is often .
thought, the adherence of the individual to the
Christian faith, but rather the baptismal be-
stowal of grace. Originally, in fact, baptism and
Confirmation (called 'sealing') took place at the
same time or within a very short interval. To
avoid misunderstanding, therefore, it would be
will if the use of this name were given up;
`religious graduation' would be more to the
point."
•

We are intrigued by this suggestion, and
we are deeply interested in the educational
proposal for a new form of instruction for our
growing youth. We have no way of knowing
whether these proposals have a chance of
succeeding. But they are worth experiment-
ing with. We have just concluded the ob-
servance of a special Education Month. Per-
haps we can institute a genuine Education
Year during which we should try out the
new scheme for drawing our youth into
more advanced Jewish studies.

Our Book Fair

For the fourth consecutive year, the De-
troit Jewish community is launching its
Book Fair with the aim in view of encourag-
ing the reading of Jewish books, their pur-
chase and the consequent encouragement to
writers and publishers.
Our Book Fairs, which were arranged by
the -Jewish Community Center, with the
assistance of cooperating organizations,- in
Celebration of Jewish, Book Month, have at-
tracted nationwide attention by the vastness
of the planning and the heartening response
from the community at large.
This year's Book Fair, which again will
include impressive exhibits and noted guest
speakers, has the special significance -of par-
tial dedication to the creative efforts of the
Jewish Publication Society of America, one
of the very great cultural undertakings of
American Jewry. The cooperation we give
to these important efforts, the support that
comes from our ranks to the Jewish Publi-
cation Society, enhance the already justly
acclaimed Detroit Book Fairs.

I

Supreme Court: Political History

Brandeis, Cardozo, Frankfurter
•
•
I
Evaluated • in Rodell s Nine Men

"Nine Men: A Political History of the Supreme Court of the
United States From 1790 to 1955," by Fred.Rodell, Yale University
law professor, published by Random House (457 Madison, N.Y.
i3 one of the year's most revealing books.
Lawyers will find it especially intriguing. They will learn
some things about our Justices, and Chief Justices, which will
amaze them. They will find that politics played a major role in
the thinking of our Supreme Court.
But lawyers will not be the only ones to be shocked - out • of
their wits by the facts accumulated by Prof. Rodell, who sub-
stantiates what he writes with facts, figures and the enumeration of
events. The layman will find "Nine Men" to be a most intriguing
volume. It is a work that should be read by all who
are interested in the major structure.of our Govern-
ment. -
All of the Justices in the history of the high Court
pass in review in this volume, and Luis D. Brandeis.
Benjamin Cardoza and Felix Frankfurter are, of
course, referred to and evaluated.
Prof. ,Rodell recalls the "rare unanimity" with
which "practically the entire legal profession" urged. Brandeis
the selection of Cardozo for the Post:vacated by Oliver Wendell
Holmes; how Harlan Stone even made the gallant offer" to resign
when President Hoover raised the objection that two New Yorkers
already served on the Supreme Court , bench: Of course, Prof.
Rodell speaks of Sardozo as "the great" jurist. _
Of Brandeis he (writes: "As a Justice, the thin, stooped, deep-
eyed aristo c rat, though regularly teamed with Holniesz in his votes,
reached the same results by a' quite different route; where Holmes
was human and tolerant; Brandeis was austere and ruthless; where
Holmes was the philosopher, Brandeis was the crusader."
Prof. Rodell is most critical of Frankfurter: "Felix Frank-
furter, technical successor to the magnifiCent Holmes and the
great Cardozo, stands out as the New Deal Court's most controver-
sial and unhappy figure, its great 'tragically
wasted' brilliant mind." Some of the -feuds
in the Court are mentioned, and Frankfur-
ter and justice William 0. Douglas are com-
pared: -"Where Frankfurter was the cautious
and self-conscious scholar, Douglas was get-
it-over-and-done-With . • Where
Frankfurter was the circumspect backer-
away from issues, Douglas, like Brandeis,
his predecessor in crusade, wanted always
to hit them head-on. Where Frankfurter
was the whisperer, Douglas was the shouter.
Where Frankfurter was ingratiating, Doug-
las was blunt. . . .-"
Professor Rodell tells of Justice James
Frankfurter
McReynolds' bigotry: "A crusty lifelong
bachelor, whose intense and narrow prejudices led him to snub
.
first Brandeis, then Cardozo, because they were Jews. . . ."
He also makes reference to the fact that Holmes interceded
in • the unfortunate Leo Frank case: "He dissented against the
Court's refusal to save, by habeas corpus writ, a radical Northern
Jew who had previously been framed for a murder rap and then
convicted by an anti-Semitic lynch jury in the South."
• These are just a few of the fascinating elements in "Nine Men."
Once You start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down
until you have finished it: and you'll return to it again for reference
because -of its revelations and evaluations - of the men, who make
up our great Supreme Court.

•

The Exciting Altmark Affair'

Dr. Willi Frischauer, whose "Rise and Fall of Hermann
Goering" created a sensation, has co-authored with Robert Jackson
another exciting book, "The Altmark Affair," just published by
Macmillan. It is the true story of one of the most interesting events
of the war—about the Nazi supply ship, the Altmark, the scuttling
of the German ship Graf Spee, the determination of the Nazi cap-
taM to bring 300 British prisoners to Germany, the manner in which
his plans were spoiled by the British, resulting -in another victory
for the British.
There is this interesting episode about the Nazi Cook Schwill
who "with suspicious wonderment watched the Indians (of the
British crew) cooking their ration of mutton." "They don't eat
pork," he reported, gathering his information from a conversation
which was carried on in pidgin English on both sides. "Qopite like

the JeWs—the Fuehrer has 'always said they , are the.same."

7