Dr. Silverstone's Study of 'Religion and Psychiatry'
Makes Major Point That Both Can Exist Compatibly
Dr. Harry Silverstone, a
former rabbi, son of a rabbi
who took over his father's pul-
pit upon the latter's death, now
is a practicing attorney. He has
devoted himself to the study
of psychiatry and his new book,
"Religion and Psychiatry" (pub-
lished by Twayne, 31 Union
Sq., N.Y. 3), he offers advice
on interpersonal relationships
among men.
A major point in this book
is that psychiatry is compatible
with religion, that both recog-
nize the need for harmonious
relationships among people.
Discussing the challenge of
religion to the youth of our
community and to the positive
and vital force of faith, Dr.
Silverstone outlines the in-
fluence of science and states
New JPS Book on
Civil War Period
"Three Years in America,"
which the Jewish Publication
Society has just published, is
the first translation into English
of the German work, "Drei
Jahre in Amerika" by Benja-
min II, originally published in
Hanover in ,1862. It is a fasci-
nating record, in two volumes,
of a journey through the United
States in the years 1859-1862 by
Israel son of. Joseph, an East
European Jew who was a world
traveler.
Israel fancied himself as the
successor to Benjamin of Tu-
dela, the Spanish Jew who in
the 12th century left a valuable
record of his visit to Jewish
communities in southern Eu-
rope, western Asia and northern
Africa. As a first step to emu-
lating this famous example,
Israel assumed the name of the
, first Benjamin and set forth on
a five-year journey into Asia.
When that voyage had been
completed and the results of it
published in French, German
and English, Benjamin sought
to improve upon hiS model by
journeying to America.
Although he visited and de-
scribed the better known Jew-
ish communities in the eastern
and southern parts of the
United States, he spent most of
his time in the less known and
more adventurous West. He was
especially fascinated by gold-
miners, IndianS and Mormons.
He describes these with gusto
and with a great show of his-
torical research.
Prof. Oscar Handlin intro-
duces the English edition with
an interesting essay on condi-
tions in America at the time' of
Benjamin's visit. The transla-
tion from the German was done
by Charles Reznikoff.
that "the truths discovered by
the sciences are proofs of the
sublime conception of religion."
"Religion, psychiatry and
psychoanalysis agree that "man
must trust his own conscious
efforts and trust still more the
power of his unconscious mind,
thus enabling him to think
effectively, ef f i ci entl y, and
wholsamely, bringing him true
peace of mind," Dr. Silverstone
states. -
To prove his point, of the
religion-psychiatry compatibility
the author enters into thorough
research in many fields, includ-
ing marriage, depression, self-
expression, quietude, peace.
Dr. Silverstone discusses
the effects of anti-Semitism,
the unfortunate hate propa-
ganda against Jews, and de-
ploring its manifestations he
asserts: .
"It is not only the Jews
who suffer from anti-Semi-
tism. It is, in fact, a danger
to the whole of humanity
because it tends to maintain
and increase the hatred that
exists b et w e en different
people . . .
"Anti-Semitism defeats the
primary purpose of civiliza-
tion, which is the rational
control of our primitive pas-
sions and prejudices."
Pointing out that "one of the
greatestgreat factors underlying
anti-Semitism is the difference
of religions," Rr. Silverstone
admonishes that "the - truth is
that anti-Semitism is in direct
opposition to the , religious
philosophy of life as embodied
in both Judaism and Chris-
tianity."
Anti-Semitism, he adds, is
not based on "reason." He ad-
vocates seminars for students
and teachers so that they may
become "action-researchers,"
and, gathering the facts, the
dangers of prejudices may be
overcome. "If the human family
is to survive," he states, 'em-
phasis must be- placed on uni-
versal education, .and the crea-
tion of a more stable economic
and political world order.
This and a number of other
subjects discussed by Dr. Sil-
verstone add to the interest
aroused by his book, "Religion
and Psychiatry."
year.
The United Hebrew Schools
announce that its Oak Park
Branch will meet in the new
United Hebrew Schools-Jewish
Community Cent er Building
starting Sept. 10th.
The building, located at 14800
W. Ten Mile Road, between
Coolidge and Greenfield, will
offer modern Hebrew School
facilities.
Transportation will be pro-
vided for all children in Oak
Park and Huntington Woods.
Parents who are planning to
enroll their children are urged
to call DI. 1-3407 as early as
possible so that proper classi-
fication and arrangements can
be made.
A nursery School also will be
conducted by the United
Hebrew Schools in the new
building. This nursery clas's will
meet in the afternoon. Enroll-
ment is limited to 25 children
and a few openings are still
available. Transportation will
be provided.
Mizrachi Groups Fete
Rabbi J. Wohlgelernter
.
Mizrachi and Hapoel Hamiz-
rachi of Detroit are jointly
planning a reception in honor
of Rabbi Max J. Wohlgelern
ter, secretary to the Chief Rab-
binate in Israel.
The program is scheduled
at the Young Israel Youth Cen-
ter, 12521 Dexter. Details will
be announced at a later date.
Rabbi Wohlgelernter, on a
year's leave of absence from
the Yeshivath. Beth .Yehudah
where he is executive director,
has returned. to Detroit for the
High Holidays.
While here, he is performing
several missions for the Chief
Rabbis. He will address the
audience on various phases of
life in Israel.
Critical Teacher Shortage
Faces Los Angeles Jewry
LOS ANGELES, (JTA)—The
Bureau of Jewish Education
here reported that it had sent
out 15,000 letters to individuals
active in education and social
work in an attempt to recruit
700 teachers needed to staff the
Jewish Sunday schools. The
education system here faces a
critical teacher shortage.
OnlyViceroy has 20,000 Filters
TWICE AS MANY FILTERS
as the other two
largest-selling filter brands!
for the smoothest taste in smoking
Waldon to Conduct
Services at Grossinger's
For the tenth consecutive
year, Cantor Leibele Waldman
will conduct the services for
the High Ha 1 y Days at the
Grossinger Country Club, Gros-
singer, N. Y.
He will be assisted by Sam-
uel Sterner and his choir of
18 voices.
Rabbi Harry Stone will su-
pervise the services. As in -the
past, Meyer Pesin, editor of the
Jersey City "Jewish Standard,"
will deliver the sermons.
The first of the High Holy
Days, Rosh Hashonah, marking
the Hebrew year 5717, will be-
gin at sundown, Wednesday,
September 5.
JDC Distributes Surplus
Foodstuffs Donated by U. S.
PARIS, (JTA ) —Two million
pounds of surplus fodastuffs do-
nated by the U. S. Department
of Agriculture were distributed
to needy persons by the Joint
Distribution Committee during
1955, it was reported by Charles
H. Jordan, acting director gen-
eral of the JDC. Last year's
total, which reached 2,200,000
pounds, al m o s t doubled the
amount given in the previous
Hebrew Schools'
Classes in New
Oak Park Center
COMPARE: How many filters in your filter tip?
(Remember—the more filters the smoother the taste!)
Viceroy
Brand B
Brand C
ICEROY
CIGARETTES
KING-SIZE
The exclusive Viceroy filter tip is made from pure cellulose—soft, snow-white, natural,
,