Annual Jewish Book Fair
December 3 to 6
Jewish Community Center
4059 West Davison
1. Opening Night, Saturday, Dec. 3, 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Norman Drachler, Chairman
(a) Irving Howe, prominent American critic, author, and educator will be the fea-
tured speaker. His topic will be "The Meaning of Jewish Literature for the Mod-
ern Jew."
.
(b) Jacob Glatstein, Yiddish author and poet, will speak in English on "The'Yiddish
Book and You," and illustrate with readings from his poetry.
(c) Exhibits will be open. Book reviewers will be stationed at each display booth to
give capsule book reviews.
2. lJrunch by Detroitt --Friends of JPS, Sunday, Dec. 4,
-10:30 a.m.
(a).Edwin Wolf II, president of Jewish Publication Society, will be guest speaker.
(b) Other guests, Dr. Solomon Grayzel;*editor of JPS, and Lesser Zussman, executive
director of the Society.
3. Family Day, Sunday, December 4, 1:45 p.m.
(a) Mrs. Sydney Taylor, author of "All-of-a-Kind Family" and "More All-of-a-Kind
Family" will speak on her books.
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(b) A special program presented by the Jewish Parents' Institute, Shaarey Zedek,
Sholem_ Aleichem, Temple Beth El, and United Hebrew Schools.
(1) The Temple Beth, El Religious School Choir will present a program of songs,
including "Hanukah" Blessings" (in Hebrew); "On this Night," "Hail the Mac-
cabees," "Sevivon" (in Hebrew), "Hanukah, Hanukah." "Rock of Ages," a n d
the Dreidel Song.. The Choir is under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Jason H.
Tickton.
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(2) The JPI group will present a puppet show, "The Wandering Be 'gar," by Sol-
omon Simons, The puppeteers are directed by Mrs. Pauline Kovach who
adapted the story.
(3) The group from Shaarey Zedek will_present a playlet, "Hanukah Mystemi.”
(4) "Tales from the Bible," a musical play, will be given by the Sholem Alei-
chern Institute children.
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(5) "Modern Maccabees," a play- about Mickey Marcus, a colonel who fought for
the liberation Of Israel, will be presented by the United Hebrew School group.
Mrs. Kreichman is producink the playlet..
(c) Presentation of Literary and_Poster Contest Awards, by Bernard Isaacs.
4. "Meet the Authors" Sunday Dec,•
8:30
p.m.
•
Jacob Keidan, 'Chairman
(a) Dr. SolOMon Grayzel, author of "A History of the Jews" and editor of the Jewish
Publication SocietY, will be the featured speaker.
(b) Dr. Moses Zalesky, Hebrew writer, will speak in English on "The Hebrew Book
and You."
_(c) Irving Howe, Mrs. Sydney Taylor, and Mrs; Robert L. Aronson will also be on
hand for introductions. -
(d). .Exhibits will be open and book reviewers will be present at book booths.
5. "Ladies' Day," Monday, Dec. 5, 12 noon
Co-Chairman for luncheon, Mrs. David Saks and Mrs. Samuel Katz.
Chairman of Hostesses is Mrs. Cy Aaron.
(a) Ladies' Day opens with a complimentary luncheon by the Cooperative Council of
League of Jewish Women's Organizations, at 12 noon.
(b) Guests will meet Mrs. Sydney Taylor, author of prize-winning children's book,
"All-of-a-Kind Family," and Mrs. Robert, L.. Aronson, author, traveler, lecturer.
There will be book exhibits and capsule reviews by members of the Book Review
Seminar.
(c) Group singing will be led by -Mrs. Malke Shaw. Accompanist, Mrs. Seymour
Kraus.
(d) Program begins at 1:45 p.m.
-
(1) Opening Prayer, Mrs. Philip Fealk.
(2) Greetings, -Mrs. Philip Bernstein.
(3) Program, Mrs. Irving Small. Chairman of Ladies' Day. -
(4) "Books and their Personal-Messages": Mrs. -Harry Oberstein and Mrs. Max
Chomsky will tell what Jewish . books mean to them personally and illustrate
from books.
(5) "Personally Yours": Mrs. Robert'L. Aronson will -describe the Jewish literary
sources which have inspired her as a community leader.
(6) 13rowsing through book exhibits and gift shop will follow the program.
(There will be a nursery, featuring movies,, arts and crafts, stories, games, and a
,snack for 3-6 year old children, so that mothers may enjoy the program.)
6. "Men's Night," Monday, Dec. 5. 8:3• p.m.
Sidney Karbel, Chairman
Men's- Night will feature Rabbi Morris Adler, Philip Slomovitz, Moishe Haar, and
Harry Goldstein, actor and director. Rabbi. Adler will speak to the group on "Jewish
Thought," Mr. .Slomovitz diseuss fiction, and Mr. Haar will concern himself with
Yiddish books. In addition; there will be interpretive readings by Mr. Goldstein.
Dr. Norman Draehler, Book Fair chairman, will act as moderator.
7. "Youth Night,"- Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
dir
Chairnian, Sidney J. Winer; _Co-Chairmen,
Andy Dunn and Sharon Mossman. Chair man of Invitations is Steve Millman; Enter-
tainment Chairman; Allen Wisotsky; Refreshment - Chairmen, Sylvia Smolnick and
Liz Stein; Volunteers, Charlaine Ackerman and Andy Dunn.
(a) There will be a "Coke-tail" party at 6:30 p.m .. by invitation only for young people
who are volunteer workers at Book Fair.
(b) The program at 7:30 p.m. will be open to all. Robin Seymour, popular radio disc
jockey of the "Bobbin' with Robin" show will "emcee" the entertainment .
Appearing on the program will be Leroy Hellman, of Temple Israel, with a dramatic
monologue; the Four Scores, a singing quartet from the Jewish Community Center;
Susan Strauss, pianist; Ann Mischakoff, violinist; Eddie Siegel and Allen Rc. th'enberg, a
discussion Of the Israeli-Egypt question; Sarah Lee Morris, a vocalist from Eeth Aaron;
a JPI group with singing and dancing; a Berman branch • song and dance group; tap
dancer, Millie Gordon; song pantomimist, Sharon Biz;- aqd the Winship school teenagers
in a Hanukah play.
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 28- Friday, Decemb
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`Tile Book and You'
By DR. NORMAN DRACHLER
Overall Chairman, 4th Annual Jewish Book Fair
The theme of this year's Jewish Book. Month in Detroit is
"The Book and You." In a sense this choice reflects each individ-
ual's private craving and yearning - to take time out from his daily
hustle and bustle and partake in an experience which is personal,
intimate and self-sustaining. Each of us, no doubt, recalls his school
days when - one read "for the instructor," and how we looked for-
ward to the day when we could read "for ourselves." The theme,
The Book and You, expresses this youthful pledge and reminds
us that the day of "reading for ourselves" has come, -
Living in an age of mass media of communication—where the
TV or Radio are geated to the tastes or levels of millions of lis-
teners—it is not only refreshing but almost essential to turn. to the
printed page for the kind of perSonal revitalization and. nurture
that each of us needs.
- For -reading is a very close relationship between- atithor. and-
reader. The book awaits our maturity, our leisure, and our mood. -
The talented artist has a regard for the reader's personality, he.
is conscious of his intellect, and he respects his judgment. Thus,
when we turn to„a great book, we not only share meaningful ex-
periences with the author, but we, in turn, become stimulated to
creative thinking and action. For good literature is the story of
human relationships through which knowledge is transmitted,
imagination is stirred, sympathies are aroused, personal problems
are recogniied and, out of which, some form of creative, positive
action is developed - either for the individual or society.
To us, the Jews of America, who are striving for cultural sur-
vival and are seeking ways and means for a creative life as Ameri-
cans and Jews, the need for personal stimulation and reawakening
is particularly vital. Our fullest - contribution --to American -
Democracy can be meaningful only when it _is, related to our
entire cultural heritage—both American and Jewish.
Heine once suggested that Jewish literature_ is the portable
fatherland of our cultural heritage. Books are -the cultural bridges
which suspend over various lands- and over many centuries and
lead us to a better understanding of the present by giving us a
clearer picture of the hopes and the aspirations of the past. Books
reveal our sorrows and our joys, our weaknesses and our strengthS. •
Books are intended for the entire family,.both young and old. They
are suited for each member's taste and needs—and they serve as
vehicles for common experiences, for sharing associations, and for
family enjoyment and pleasure. Books .have been a guide when
we were perplexed and a source of comfort when we were dejected.
Joy and vtisfaction from books come .primarily through per-
sonal involvement with literature. A cultural heritage cannot be
simply handed down—its heirs must*put_forth an effort in order
to benefit from their ancestors' intellectual dowry. Today, at the
beginning of the fourth century of Jewish life in. America, it is
encouraging to note the revival of interest in Jewish books and
to witness the growth Of creative literary effort in our land. It- is
personal association with Jewish Books that will bring us both
pleasure and understanding and will" guide us on the road to a
more meaningful, creative life for ourselves, our - children, and our
nation. This hope can be realized more fully through a closer tie
between The Book and You.
Enriching- Commumty Experience
By MATILDA RUBIN
Book Fair Coordinator
The Jewish Book Fair is a deeply moving experience. It has
a personal and cultural importance for individuals, families and
organizations. The Book Fair lasts but a long week end,. yet its
impact is felt throughout the year. The preparation and activities
which precede and follow the Fair are of as great value as the
Fair itself. _
The mobilization of individuals, committees and organizations
in the community begins six to eight months before the Fair. This
year 65 organizations, totaling -,155 delegates, are, cooperat-
ing with the Jewish Community Center, its Board and staff. This
is more than twice the number of organizations that launched the
BOOk Fair four years ago:
• - More than 20 committees and hundreds of individuals have
been actively working on program s for every age group and on
the myriad details of the Fair. •
Women are busily, engaged in selecting a variety of gifts and
book _ s for the gift shop,- from the local Book Stores . Organizations
and individuals are recruiting the hundreds. of adult volunteers
needed to sell boOks and staff the Fair. .
Teen agers are recruiting volunteers froni -among their own
ranks. An art committee and music committee are gathering ma-
terials to . be displayed and sold at the Fair. Discussions with
authors of national prominence have taken place. All of these
details are being put- together by the chairman and the many
committees of the Book Fair.
All - will- culminate in a . common Jewish experience at the
Book Fair.
During.-the past four years we have seen the- Fair grow into
a major community event that has brought thousands of 'books
and people together. It reaches deeply into the liVes of individualS,
family groups and organizations. Wherever it touches, it bringS
enrichment and fulfillment and a heightened interest in Jewish
books and culture.
-
Look Back and Ahead
By
LESSER ZUSSMAN
Executive Secretary, Jewish PublicatiOn Society of America
Members of the Society who have been following our activities
closely during the past decade know that we have lived through
a financial crisis which threatened the very existence of the Society
itself. Basically, this crisis was due to the fact that our income
remained fairly constant while our expenses increased from year
wor4
to year because of post-war inflation.. At: one point
(in- 1949) the Society was in debt to an amount it
which aggregated a full year's budget.
_
. Faced with this serious situation, the Officers ,
and Trustees of -the Society outlined a three-phase ^ ma y //-
program for the rehabilitation of our financial struc-
1 'ES • itteA .
ture. First, a, fund-raising effort with a goal of
$150,000 was to be undertaken for the purpose of clearing the
deficit.
Second, applications were to be filed with Federations and
Welfare Funds for allocations which would assure the Society
the funds needed for a modest annual subvention. Detroit's Jew-
ish Welfare Federation is especially helpful to us.
Phase three is our membership recruitment. We plan to ex-
tend this activity to other sections of the country. Thus, it is our
hope that an increasing number of individuals will enroll as mem-
bers of the Society and, through strengthening their personal
knowledge of our Jewish heritage and traditions, help raise the
cultural level of the entire Jewish community.