Bergson-Van Paassen-Bromfield Firing Line
Reb Heshil's Purim—Tale from Childhood
.
New 'Anti-Red Committee for Near
East' Advocates 'E S. Show of Force'
Bromfield
Van Paessen
Bergson
NEW YORK (JTA)—The for- United Nations patrols should
mation of a "Committee to Save police the borders was a "good
the Middle East from Commu- idea."
Bergson revealed that a group
nism," advocating a strong
United States show of force in of Congressional sponsors for
that area, was announced by the new committee was now in
Louis Bromfield, who is co- formation and that the names
chairman of the group. Pierre of this group would be an-
Van Paassen is the other - co- nounced shortly. In response to
chairman and Peter H. Bergson a question, Bergson also re-
will act as executive vice- vealed that he was still "tech-
nically" an Israeli citizen, but
chairman.
stated that he was in the process
The statement issued by of naturalization as a citizen
Bromfield called the agitation
of the United States.
over the Arab-Israel dispute a
Meanwhile in s' Washington,
"smokescreen" for Communist Rep. Abraham J. Multer urged
penetration. It added that the
Congressmen not to allow use
real dispute was a Russian-
of
their names by the commit-
American one and that those
tee. He said his attention was
who urged that the matter be
taken out of domestic politics directed to the circulition of a
were "at the very least. unwit- letter on the letterh6d of the
tingly aiding the Communist committee signed "Gabriel
Wechsler on behalf of Congress-
cause."
man Multer."
Among the proposals of the
In a letter to .colleagues, Rep.
new group's program are the Multer said: "The sending of
granting of arms to Israel and this letter was 'unauthorized,
the extension of a strong guar- and immediately upon learning
antee to Egypt, if Egypt is truly thereof I contacted the author
afraid of Israeli attack.
of the letter, who agreed with
Bromfield also advocated a me that it was unauthorized. I
show of force by the United have taken the precaution of
States, including the dispatch writing and do not wish to have
of an American battleship to my name connected with tt in
the Haifa vicinity, as a deter- any way whatsoever. May I
rent to aggressive' moves. He respectfully suggest that you
added that Egypt should be follow the same course."
warned that she cannot expect
Rep. Multer said "while you
aid from the United States, so and I will continue to exert
long as she receives aid from every possible effort to prevent
Russia.
the spread of Communism in the
Asked whether American Ma- Middle East as well as in every
rines aboard the l)attleship part of the world; I am sure
should fight in the event of ag- yOu will agree with me that this
gression,. he replied in the af- type of operation and fund-
firmative. ' He also said he raising appeal is not conducive
thought the suggestion that to the results we seek.".
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1956, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
The American Scene:
Curiosity pervades Jewish circles following the announce-
ment by the "Montor group" that their organization—American
Friends Of Israel—is ready for nationwide action . . . I have.
been- queried from all sides as to what is the nature of the
action planned by this group . . . Is it financial? Is it political?,
Is it based on mass membership? . . . Mr. Montor is mum on
this subject . . . However, other executive members of his group
claim they have no really concrete program of action yet . . .
Almost every member of the newly-formed executive board is
said to have his own idea of the kind of work the organization
should be engaged in . . . In fact, some of the leaders of the
group are still inviting suggestions on this matter . . . Many
views have yet to be discussed before the policy of the organ-
ization is formulated and its - program clarified . . . It can be
gathered, however, that for the present the organization will
not seek mass, membership and will probably concentrate on
public relations activities.
Meanwhile, Zionist groups in this country resent the fact
that Peter Bergson—one-time leader of the defunct Hebrew
Committee for National Liberation—has made a new appear-
ance on the American-Jewish scene as leader of another or-
ganization . . -. Mr. Bergson is an Israeli citizen and a former
member of the Israel Parliament . . . The Israel government has
apparently been embarrassed by his forming of an organization
in the United States . . . Furthermore, leading American Zion-
ists feel that the functions which Mr. Bergson's new organiza-
tion has undertaken to fulfill are ably carried out by existing
American Zionist bodies . . . They claim that the establishment
of a new body by Mr. Bergson will only create confusion and
thus prove harmful to Israel's interests in this country . . . Mr..
Bergson has indicated that he has applied for United States
citizenship . . . If this is the case, he still has to wait a number
of years before he is naturalized . . . Whether he has, in the
meantime, given up his Israeli citizenship is not clear.
By DANIEL L. TICKTON
I remember an interesting
incident from my youth in
Byalistock, Poland. It isn't
really a Purim story, but its
climax did occur on Purim.
Byalistock was a - big city;
perhaps not a Detroit, but a
big city, nonetheless. Nearby
was the small town of Zgab-
loodvah, which had one indus-
try—owned by one man. The
industry was lumber, the man
Heshil Hepner.
Heshil, who was born and
had prospered in Zabloodvah,
,seemed to have been endowed
with a good - mazel. The town
derived its main income from
Heshil's forests and saw mills.
He was blessed also with an
angelic wife, who bore Heshil.
seven handsome children, four
sons and three daughters.
When the children were old
enough to assert themselves,
they complained that a pros-
perous family such as them-
selves did not belong in Zab-
loodvah. But Heshil resisted
their • entreaties, insisting that
the town had brought him
prosperity and he had no right
to desert it. He' also had in
mind the old saying, "Mishana
Mokome, Mishana Mazel" — if
you change your location, you
also change' your luck. Heshil
was satisfied here.
B:et his children were per-
sistant. By this time one
daughter had married a
young man, Abraham Kaplan
of • Byalistock and had pre-
sented her husband with a
son. This first grandson of
Heshil's was the apple of his
eye. So Heshil finally gave
in to his children's pleas. At
Hanukah he surprised his
family with the news of a
purchase of a house in Byali-
stock.
The townspeople were sur-
too — unpleasantly sur-
prised. They looked upon He-
shil as part of the town, their
friend, and they could not see
why he should want to leave
them. Some also saw that his
moving would very soon cut
into their 'living.
But Heshil left. The town
was gloomy, many were bitter
and everyone began to feel the
economic squeeze.
Meanwhile, Heshil was rap-
idly adapting himself to city
life, and very soon he felt
nothing towards Zabloodvah,
which had given him the lux-
ury he now so fully enjoyed.
He was absorbed into the
city and took up the practices
of the big town, He had al-
ways been considered a modest
man, but now he took to show-
ing off his wealth.
And so it came to pass that
on Purim, Heshil Hepner threw
a lavish Purim party, inviting
all the important Jews from
Byalistock, completely forget-.
ting his old friends in Zablood-
vah, who by now were pretty
much impoverished.
It was snowing this Purim.
. The
. party was in progress. He-
shil anxiously awaited his
young grandson.
At the child's-house, Heshil's
grandson was being dressed to
go to the party. It was just
a short ride to his grand-
father's house by' horse and
sleigh.
prised
The boy was given permis-
sion to follow his father out
to watch him 'hitch the
horses to the sleigh. 'As they
approached the barn, the
heavy door of the barn broke
from its - hinges and came
crashing down, cruelly snuff-
ing out the boy's life beneath
it.
At the party Heshil was be-
coming impatient for his grand-
son, his dear, dear grandson.
Ah, bitter fate, a man en-
tered the party, and all merri-
22 — Detroit Jewish News
Friday, February -24, 1956
emnt stopped at the sight of
the drawn, white, almost hys-
terical face of the man.
"Reb Heshil, Reb Heshil," he
screamed. Then he cried and
told Heshil the awful news.
The color left Heshil's face un-
til the messenger seemed rosy
by comparison. But this was a
Purim Sudah, a Sudas Mitzvah,
so Heshil said not a word, but
continued the meal,' though no
one was festive.
Sixty r three years have
passed since, but I can still.
see him as Heshil finally got
up and spoke: "We were
dreaming of a magical gar-
den, over the horizon instead
of enjoying the roses 'bloom-
ing outside our window in
Zabloodvah.”•
He choked up, but continued.
"Yodainu Shofchu Ess Hadom
—we have spilled the blood
with our own hands." He took
the blame upon 'himself, feel-.
ing that this was his punish-
ment for deserting Zabloodvah,
which needed him so much.
"Glorified be the Lord,
Praised be His name . . . for-
give us. . .
He crumpled to the •floor and
was later revived. But he did
not live to celebrate another
Purim. Within the year he
was bankrupt, his f o'r e s t s
burned down, his mill ruined.
He died a broke and broken
man.
Zabloodvah never recovered
either. When the townspeople
pass his old house they all
think in their heart the old
Jewish saying, believing it —
"Mishana Mokom, Mishana
Mazel."
.. iicirisr'`iiMiAMMM ►
AT
MICHIGAN FURNITURE STORE
6405 MICHIGAN W. of B Liat(N 0 IS
Famous 2-Tub
EASY Spindrier
with exclusive Power Flush-Rinse
Cleaner, whiter washes, faster washes, less wear, fewer
broken buttons! That's what this -Easy can give you
starting next washday if you act NOW Easy's two tubs
do a whole week's wash in less than 1 hour. One tub
washes cleaner while the other rinses, then spins
clothes 25% drier than any wringer. Don't miss this
ziant value . . . you'll want an Easy! Stop in today!
Michigan Furniture Store
6405 Michigan Ave.
1 Blk. W. of Livernois
4 Floors of Nationally Advertised
Home Furnishings
SHOP BY PHONE .
Call TA 5-4560 for the Best Deal in Town!