Russian, Delegation, to UN Stresses
Freedom Permitted Soviet Jews
UNITED NATIONS (JTA)-1
The Soviet delegation here went!
out of its way to disseminate a.'
statement stressing that the
Jewish religion enjoys full free-
dom in the USSR and that there
are even a "Mikveh" and a
"Sukkah" in the Moscow Syn-
agogue.
The statement estimates that
about 3,000 Jews attend services
at the synagogue on Jewish holi-
days and that an average of 10,-
000 attend the synagogue each
month. It reproduces the full
text of a prayer for peace in-
cluded in a Siddur "published
at the initiative of the Jewish
community" and edited by Mos-
cow Chief Rabbi S. M. Schliffer.
"The Soviets," the statement
says, "guarantee to religious
people complete freedom to per-
form their tithes and rites, to
observe all dictates of their
faith; The Soviet government
.
sees that they are able to exer-
cise this freedom.
"For example," the statement
continued, "a big state bakery
supplies matzos for Passover.
Matzas May be bought in 30
stores in Moscow. The Jewish
community decides its problems
independently. Its affairs are
conducted by the board of the
community and auditing com-
mission."
The statement, dated May 10
and obviously prepared in Mos-
cow, describes the Moscow Syn-
agogue, and says that it "pos-
sesses unique editions of old
prayer books and most valuable
manuscripts." -
"Several American delega-
tions," it says, "have visited the
synagogue and foreign visitors
have made oral and written
statements attesting that there
is freedom of worship in the
USSR for all religions, includ-
ing the Jewish religion."
Sixteen British delegations
have visited the synagogue in
the past few years, and Lord
Stangate, president of the Coun-
cil of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union, prayed in the synagogue.
"Delegations from Latin
American countries have also
seen the Jewish community,"
the statement continues, "Arg-
entinean school teachers who
visited there said they were
satisfied there is complete free-
dom of worship in the USSR.
5`A Mr. Goldman, editor of the
Argentinean Tribute, wrote in
the visitor's book expressing
deep gratitude to and respect
for the people who invest their
knowledge, energy and love in
the struggle for peace. He also
paid glowing tribute to the lead-
of the Moscow Jewish com-
munity," the statement con-
cluded.
Abe Kasle Re-Elected President
at Hebrew Schools AnnuA Meeting
Almost half a million dollars
was spent by the United He-
brew Schools to provide Jewish
educations for 2,400 children
during the past scholastic year,
it was reported in the annual
report of Abe Kasle, president
of the Schools.
The report was read by Leon
Kay, a vice-president, in the
absence of Kasle, who was ord-
ered to remain in the hospital
for a routine examination.
Principal speaker at the an-
nual meeting of the Schools last
Monday night was Dr. Milton
R. Konvitz, who pointed out
that Judaism as a religion em-
phasizes that a happy life in
the present is a holy thing.
He said that Jews fit well
into the life of America because
of their constant teaching of
and longing for "the pursuit of
happiness."
A materialistic America, he
said, is not to be condemned,
,stressing materialism gives man
Lew Ayres' Tribute to Israel
The Last Lines of the
`Diary of Anne Frank.'
Purely Commentary
.
.
.
By Philip
SiOMOVitZ
ideal of a day of rest. There is a special tribute to Jewish
Lew Ayres' Interesting 'Altars of the East'
Lew Ayres, motion picture actor who became famotis in family rituals and religious observances in Jewish homes, and
-several films, especially "All's Quiet on the Western Front," and he comments: "I find myself amazed that family ritual should
who declared himself a conscientious objector in the last war, have been so sadly neglected in Christian liturgy."
Chief Rabbi Herzog of Israel made this statement to him:
'.has taken a deep interest in religion. He served as an assistant
chaplain in the war and made three beach-head landings with "It is our deep faith that the Jewish people will renew the
prophetic call to the whole of mankind for universal, ever-
invasion forces, but as a non-combatant.
He has extended . his religious interests to a study of the lasting peace based upon the eternal principles of the brotherhood
-rituals of the Orient and he tells his story, illustrated by of Man and the Fatherhood of God." These words are used by
Impressive photographs taken by himself, in his book, • "Altars Mr. Ayres "as a climactic summation" in his film.
'of the East," published by Doubleday (575 Madison, N.Y. 22).
"Altars of the East" is a very interesting book by a very
Ayres believes in a World Congress of All Faiths in which interesting man. The volume serves an excellent purpose in
"religious leaders the world over should come together for enlightening its readers about religions and in encouraging them
united effort in facing the present serious threat of mass to follow a path of just cooperation.
•destruction by nuclear warfare. They should be seated on a
:permanent site at regularly scheduled intervals—like the United
`A Testament of Faith': The Goodness of People
Nations." He believes it should be a "powerful combination" for
The annual Pulitzer Prize awards elicited an interesting
a "positive program . . . in the cause of peace." ThUs, he urges
that Jewish, Moslem, Christian, Taoist, etc.—all religious leaders editorial comment from the Christian Science Monitor on the
should combine their efforts "for this noble purpose:" No selection of "The Diary of Anne Frank" as the best play of
faith, he declares, should be unrepresented, and he doncludes: the year. Under the heading "Award to a Testament of Faith,"
"Conceivably, it is no longer a question concerning the survival the Monitor editorial reads:
In choosing "The Diary of Anne Frank" as the best Amer-
of which faith .. is it not the blessed privilege - of faith, itself,
ican play of the year the Pulitzer Prize Committee did more
hanging precipitously in the balance?" .
An account of Ayres' tour of the lands in which he studied than select a fine and moving work from the offerings of a
_
the various religions is given in "Altars of the _East" He made notable season. The committee also honored the dramatic ver-
sion of a human document with an inspiring testament of
-his trip for -the purpose also of producing a color film on a
faith.
-religious theme, and his film is being shown throughout the
The major achievement of the collaborative adaptation of
_ United States under the same title as his book.
One of the chapters contains a very fine description of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett is its success in not only
transferring to another medium the portrait of an extraordi-
his visit in Israel. His reaction to the State of Israel is:
nary young girl but in capturing and conveying the quality of
"From. what I saw, I should say it's definitely here to stay.
It's a clean, healthful country, whose new inhabitants are her thought.
The tragedy of Anne Frank was that this girl, with her
putting forth a tremendous effort at development in every sensitive perception and zest for life, plus her eloquently
necessary walk of civilized life. Scientific agricultural programs
demonstrated gift as a writer, perished in a Nazi concentra-
have made many sections of the country into garden areas. tion camp. Yet she was more than another human symbol of
Jews
returning
The increase of water supply is phenomenal.
the tragedy of six million Jews. For she left a document which
to the homeland from cultural centers in Europe have invested has inspired countless readers in all parts of the world. That
Israel with Western manners and methods., This, plus many was her triumph.
American contacts, has put the country much closer in spirit
Anne Frank's testament of faith is explicitly expressed
to the Occident than most of its neighbors in the Near and near the end of the play during a talk with Peter Van Daan,
Middle East."
the son of the family with whom the Franks are sharing their
One of the significant contributions made by Mr. Ayres in
hiding place. Anne says that when she feels desperate and
his analysis of the religious situation in Palestine is his indica-
forsaken she thinks of all the beauty beyond the attic in which
tion that most of the Holy Places are in the Old City of they are confined.
Jerusalem held by Jordan.
She says: "I think of . . . trees and flowers and sea gulls.
Describing his entrance into that area, Mr. Ayres writes
I think of the dearness of you, Peter .. And I think of the
-that "in a stalemated condition of war with Israel, Jordan was goodness of the people we know . . . all risking their lives
the only state which demanded that an affidavit of religious
for us every day. I think of these good things . . . and my
affiliation from a Christian ecclesiastic be displayed in order fears disappear . . . and I find myself . . . and God."
Later, unaware that the dreaded Green Police are about
to obtain a permit of entry. Like Egypt, it also exhibited grave
apprehensions concerning the intentions of transient Westerners."
to arrive, Anne declares:
He found difficulty getting "any shots of Bedouins in Jordan,
"I think the world may be going through a phase . . . a
although later in Israel, where modern progress unquestionably
phase that will pass . . . I don't mean in our lifetime . .
exceeds that of Jordan by many self-evident degrees, we got
maybe not for hundreds of years . . . But some day it will
all the Bedouin pastoral scenes one could desire. In fact I do
pass . . . I still believe, in spite of everything, that people
not recall photographic restrictions on any phase of Jewish life
are really good at heart . . . "
----agricultural, industrial, cultural, or religious."
Through the journal she wrote, and through the play
The two Jewish photographs selected by Mr. Ayres for which has been made from it, Anne Frank has given the
inclusion in his book are the Tomb of King David on Mount world her youthfully clear and courageous affirmation that
Zion and another for which he . wrote this explanation: "So even the vilest oppression cannot stifle the spirit of man.
The tribute is most deserving. The "Diary's" long run, the
sacred is Jewish scripture that even when worn it can never
be- destroyed. It must be buried in a cemetery. These are excellent acting by Susan Strasburg, Joseph Schildkraut and
Torahs (show n in his photo) that were desecrated by the their associates, the deeply moving theme, have combined to
Nazii and are now in a subterranean vault on Mount Zion." make a great play.
The last lines, aboilt people being "really good at heart,"
Moving into Israel from Jordan,. Mr. Ayres reports that
the Arabs then "are through with you," that "they want no offer food for thought. Those who have suffered at the hands
friend of Israel within the bosom of their hospitality." Then, of the Nazis question it. But the Franks and - those who were
with them when a Christian family protected them, held fast
as he crosses from Jordan into Israel, we are told:
"Once over the line and through customs, it is another to faith to the very last.
Only one additional point needs emphasis: that the good-
world—a world with a more familiar atmosphere than we
had kown for many months. I felt the strong influence of neis of a single family must serve as a reminder of what had
happened and must prevent us from being lulled into forget-
Europe for the first time; it was no longer the Orient."
Mr. Ayres makes a serious attempt to portray Jewish life, fulness and into a slumber of indifference. Too many crimes were
to describe Jewish ceremonials and holiday observances. He committed against Jewry and the world, by the Nazis, to justify
errs in several instances, there are misspellings of Jewish total forgiveness and forgetfulness.
We concur in - an award to "a testament- of faith," and we
terms, but in the main he succeeds in drawing a good picture
of what he had seen and what was told to him about Jews and share the viewpoint of the Christian Science Monitor. But we
plead for the recognition of a basic obligation: that the world
Judaism., -
in order that* should not recur.
He has a fine reference to the Sabbath and the Jewish remember what has happened,
.
-
.
,
.
more free time which can be
devoted to religious and philo-
sophical pursuits.
Mr. Kasle was re-elected
president of the Schools, and
Mr. Kay was again chosen a
vice-president, along with Man-
dell Berman, Herman Fishman
and Jacob Kellman. David Saf-
ran was elected secretary, and
Ira G. Kaufman, treasurer.
Elected to the board for three-
year terms were Dr. Kenneth
Belen, Ruben Isaacs, Louis La-
Med, Sidney Shevitz, Philip
Slomovitz, Nathan Yaffa, Leon-
ard Sidlow, Harold Robinson,
Robert Kasle, Dr. Paul Fraiberg,
Dr. Davis Benson, Nicholas La-
zar and Judge Nathan J. Kauf-
man.
Serving one-year terms dur-
ing their tenure in office as pres-
idents of their respective syna-
gogues are: Louis Ellenbogen,
Beth Abraham; Louis Ellenson,
Beth Aaron; Sigmund Jaulus,
Bnai Moshe; David Simon, Ev-
ergreen Jewish. Congregation;
and Dr. Israel Wiener, Ahavas
Achim. Judge William Fried-
man was elected to the board's
advisory committee.
Kasle's report emphasized the
growth of the schools which
now operates seven branches,
excluding the affiliated Sholem
Aleichem School.
The report said that 105
people, full and part time, are
employed, including 70 teach-
ers. There are 16 buses to trans-
port 1,700 youngsters each day. .
The yearly cost per student,
Kasle pointed out is $185, with
nearly half of this furnished by
funds from the Jewish Welfare
Federation. Although enroll-
ment is expected to increase five
percent, he estimated costs will
rise 10 percent.
He emphasized that teachers'
salaries are now in line with
public school pay because of
the necessity of attracting com-
petent teaching personnel.
The report 'pointed out that
there were 250 Bar Mitzvahs
prepared by the Schools last
year, and that records indicate
attendance in the Hebrew
Schools is almost as high as
Jewish registration in the public
schools.
Kasle paid tribute to the ef-
forts of the membership com-
mittee, chaired by Herman Fish-
man, with Nathan Schreiber as
co-chairman, for bringing in
over 1,000 paid memberships.
Chief Rabbi Brodie
to Get Yeshiva Degree
Chief Rabbi of the British
Commonwealth, Israel Brodie,
will be among the recipients of
honorary d e-
grees a t Ye-
shiva UniVer-
•sity's - annual
c ommence-
ment exercises
on June 20, in
New York.
Also to be
honored with
honorary d e-
grees will be
Abba E b a n, Rabbi Brodie
Israel Ambassador to the U. S.;
and Irving M. Ives, U.S. Senator
from New York.
Mr. Samuel • Belkin, Yeshiva
U. president, will confer over
200 academic degrees to BA,
MA and PhD recipients. In-
cluding the secondary school
graduates, Yeshiva U. will
award 500 degrees and di-
plomas.
Bridgeport Professor Wins
Distinguished TeachingAward
BRIDGEPORT, Conn., (JTA)
—Prof. Simon Mowshowitz,
chairman of the department of
mathematics in the college of
arts and sciences of the Uni-
versity of Bridgeport, has been
awarded the University Board
of Associates annual award for
distinguished teaching. T h e
award was . made at the Uni-
versity's Charter Day dinner
here.