Organizational Unit Y
of
New Theory on
4
Variety of Opinion Greets Philip Klutznick's
Statement on Intearating Women with. Men
i w Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Amy Vanderbilt's Advice—on Bar (Bas) "Mitzvot
rr
Amy Vanderbilt. adds for
Y to her status as an adviser
i=1
on etiquette with her recent column, in the Detroit Free Press,
r
0-D on Bar or Bas Mitzvah presents.
Miss Vanderbilt has distinguished herself with numerous
•
works, especially her "Complete Book of Etiquette: A Guide to
E-4 I Gracious Living" (Doubleday), in which she reveals how she has
mastered knowledge of the customs and practices of all peoples
and all faiths. Accuracy marks her work, and we already
took occasion to commend her for it.
Some time ago, we compared her advice on etiquette with
E-4
the established Jewish principle of derekh eretz, which, while it
I.' literally means established custom, is best translated as meaning
good manners. Derekh eretz is so important in Jewish living
xr5
c'D that an entire tractate of the Talmud has been compiled under
Friday, July
r-4
that name.
Miss Vanderbilt's column "If You're Invited to a Bar
Mitzvah" describes the ceremony and its importance, and it
indicates to the non-Jew that he is welcome to the religious
service in the synagogue and that "within the synagogue, the
non-Jew will follow the service." We are impressed with this
simple statement of fact because it enlightens non-Jews that the
synagogue is an open house of worship. Some synagogues, in
fact, have the inscription on their front portals: "My house is a
house of worship for all people."
In her column, Miss Vanderbilt wrote: "Actually, nothing
special or different is expected from a non-Jew who has been
invited to a bar mitzvah or bas mitzvah_ service. The parents
are very happy because of the momentous religious occasion
they are experiencing and they wish to share their joy with
their relatives and friends."
There is dignity in this column, contrary to the banal
reference that is usually made to "the fountain pen" as a gift.
She suggests as gifts: tallis, tefillin, Bible, prayerbook, Kiddush
cup, books, Israeli art objects, albums of recorded music. And
she refers her readers to two booklets, "Your Son's Bar Mitzvah"
and "Your Daughter's Bat Mitzvah," available from the United
Synagogue- Commission on Jewish Education, 3080 Broadway,
New York 27, for 10 cents each."
We commend Miss Vanderbilt for her dignified approach
which is in itself derekh eretz.
Dr. Bela Schick's Eightieth Birthday
.
By SALLY KORNWISE
women's organizations c h a 1- attend daytime meetings. Such
lenge" the men's "self-assumed meetings do not disallow effi-
superiority."
cient fulfillment of household
She added that "men can no obligations, which, if necessary,
longer rely on their women's can be carried out during eve-
groups to do the work at criti- nings. or weekends.
cal moments, raise the periodic
Men's business commitments
deficits . . and be grateful cannot be so easily maneuvered.
for a crumb of .a co-chairman- Commercial custom obliges men
with those of the men.
ship or assistant-treasurer's of- to conduct business mainly
Kluznick, speaking to a New fice at the leadership level." j during the hours of 9 to 5.
Controversy has been pro-
voked throughout the American
Jewish community as a result
of an address delivered some
weeks ago by Philip Klutznick,
national president of Bnai
Brith, advocating the integra-
tion of women's organizations
York gathering of Bnai Brith
women, declared that the na-
tion's male communal organiza-
tions should not ignore the-
talent of women. The accom-
plishments. of 'women's organi-
zations—like Hadassah a n d
Pioneer Women—are so highly
effective that the men's organ-
izations and the world commu-
nity would be benefitted by
joint efforts, he suggested.
The men and women should
reorganize to work together for
common goals, he declared.
. The declaration has set off
great debate among national as
well as local organization lead-
ers. Major support has been
given to the idea by Justine
, Wise Polier, honorary presi-
dent of the American Jewish
i
Congress.
I In a speech delivered at the
opening of the AJC women's
Division convention last month
in Washington, Mrs. Polier said
that men's organizations are be-
ginning, to fear the growth of
female auxiliaries and are ac-
cording them "second class
citizenship" status.
"They (the men's groups)
must face the unwelcome
choice" of recognizing the im-
portance of women as full part-
ners in joint enterprises or see
Here in Detroit, Mrs. Max
Frank, a national executive of
Hadassah, disagreed with the
Klutznick thesis. In our inter-
view, Mrs. Frank pointed out a '
difference between women's in-
terests and men's which reflects
in a segregated organization's
projects.
"Women are more concerned'
than men with family life and
children," Mrs. Frank feels. •
"Women's greater compassion
for children motivates argani-
zational projects for child and
family welfare," she asserted.
Leon Kay, a national exe- I
cutive of the Zionist Organiza-
tion of America, concurs with
the Hadassah leader. "Men just
aren't as interested as the wo-
men in building hospitals and
assisting in clinical work," he
said in an interview. Men would
rather -deal with communal
financial problems and other
matters akin to their own daily
work in commerce, he feels.
Some local organization lead-
ers, aware of the diversified
views among their constituents
studying the matter, feared
commitment and declined com-
ment.
Many organization members
object to the Klutznick proposal
on the grounds of "time" and
"self-expression."
It is easier for women to
Joint organization meetings,
therefore, would have to be
scheduled in the evenings.
.However in a family contain-
ing young children, parents
may be unable to attend eve-
ning meetings together. One
parent must remain with the
roost.
In some families, only the
woman is vitally interested in
communal organizations. At- _
tending evening meetings alone,
in addition to cruelly abandon-
ing their mates, does not appeal
to such women.
Some women feel that segre-
gated women's organizations
give their constituents the wid-
est range for self-expression
and self-development. Women's
capacities for creativity might'
be overshadowed or might not
be fully utilized in a joint or-
ganization. As in present-day
politics and commerce, the men
likely will receive most of the
executive responsibilities, the
women explain.
Another point of view has
been taken by Isidore Sobeloff,
executive vice-president of the
Jewish Welfare Federation, who
has stated, "the important ques-
tion is not how you organize,
but how effetive the organiza-
tion is.. My accolade goes to
the organization performing the
useful function."
July 16 marks a very important anniversary — the 80th
birthday of Dr. Bela Schick, one of the world's most distinguished
physicians.
All his life, this distinguished scientist, who was born in
Hungary, later served as professor of pediatrics at the University
of Vienna, and since 1923 has been pedia-
trician-in-chief at Mt. Sinai -Hospital in
New York, has devoted himself to the
welfare of children.
■ ■
He has perfected many medical tests,
■■
■
■ ■
■
but he has become world famous for deter-
mining susceptibility to diphtheria, through
Boris Smolar's
WASHINGTON (JTA)—The
what now is known as the Schick Test.
United States may soon initiate
In recent years, he has taken a deep an arrangement with Israel to
interest in Jewish affairs and is a strong train Israeli naval personnel.
supporter of Israel's libertarian cause.
Other military training facili-
As a man who loves children, he also ties may also soon be afforded
must be viewed as a man who loves people to Israel. Specific programs,
pending since before the Sinai
generally — who loves life.
(Copyright, 1957,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
At his office recently, during an campaign caused a freeze, may
1
interview, Dr. Schick pressed a bulb on a be opened shortly...
Communal Issues .
Dr. Bela Schick toy on his desk, causing a small monkey Sherman Adams, assistant to
The season of rabbinical conventions is over now . . . With
to beat on a drum. "Isn't that charming," he asked. It was one the President, said in a corn- the exception of the Conservative rabbis, all rabbinical groups
munication
from
the
White
of many toys that littered his desk. They indicated his interest
House to chairman Hubert in this country have already held their annual conclaves . .
in babies whom he heals — and entertains as well.
The last of them was the Central Conference of American Rabbis,
It is so heartening to be able to greet so great a person- Humphrey of a Senate sub- representing the Reform rabbinate . . . But while at the Reform
committee
on
Near
Eastern
af-
ality as an octogenarian!
fairs, that the U. S. Defense rabbis convention voices were raised in favor of bringing all
*
*
Department has been author- rabbinical groups—Reform, Conservative and Orthodox—into
McKeldin's Peace Proposal
ized to consider Israeli re- a united commission, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis is far from
Governor Theodore R. McKeldin, of Maryland, speaking
approving such action . . . It insists that no Orthodox rabbi
before the New York Chapter of the American-Israel Society quests.
should participate in joint efforts with either Conservative or
This
would
cover
requests
and the American Friends of the Hebrew University, renewed
Reform rabbis . . . To the Orthodox rabbis such participation
the suggestion that has been advanced several times — that for specialized training courses means giving their seal of approval to the preachings and prac-
and
visits
to
U.
S.
military
in-
President Eisenhower should invite to Washington, for peace
tices of other groups . . . They do not consider Reform rabbis
talks, Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and the heads stallations on the basis that ex- spiritual leaders inasmuch as the Reform rabbinate permits the
isted prior to commencement
of Arabs states.
I eating of non-Kosher meat and even pork . . . They are also
It is a sound proposal, regardless of who calls it, or where of hostilities last fall.
furious with the Conservative rabbis who, though they observe
Sen.
Humphrey,
a
Minnesota
such a meeting could possibly take place. The point is that
Kashruth, encourage members of their congregations to ride
Democrat,
first
discussed
the
Governor McKeldin suggests "a round:table discussion." It is
to Sabbath services in automobiles . • . They are also conducting
question
of
U.
S.
"military
train-
just this that Israel asks and that the Arabs reject. If President
a severe battle against the text of the divorce decree recently
Eisenhower were to ask for such a meeting there is a fair chance ing for Israelis when he was in accepted by the Conservative rabbinate . . . They claim that it
that those summoned might respond. Israel is known to be de- Israel recently on a Near East does not comply with the traditional Jewish "get" and that
sirous of such a meeting, so that half of the problem is solved mission. He took the matter Jews who obtained a Jewish divorce under the formula are not
in advance. Now, only the Arabs are in question. But it is they up with the U. S. Ambassador considered divorced by Orthodox tradition . . . Thus, if these
and the American military
who present the obstacle in the road to peace. If Governor
people marry later and have children, the children are con-
McKeldin can get President Eisenhower to adopt his suggestion attache.
sidered illegitimate by the Orthodox rabbis . . . It is interesting
.
On
his
return
to
Washing-
and the Arabs to accept it, he will have earned the Nobel Peace
ton, Sen. Humphrey brought to note that the Reform rabbis at their recent convention in
Prize.
Miami Beach failed to discuss the issue of admitting women to
- Of special interest in Governor McKeldin's address was his the issue of Secretary of State the pulpit as rabbis.
Dulles.
More
recently
he
dis-
*
*
reference to the fact that the buildings of the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem on Mt. Scopus were still "out of bounds" to its cussed it personally with Presi- Community Problems
4,000 students and 600 faculty members, who must continue their dent Eisenhower. The Adams
The problem of securing trained Jewish social workers to
education and research program in temporary and rented communication is believed to. meet the growing needs of social service in the -Jewish com-
result
from
the
discussion
Sen.
Jerusalem quarters. He linked this sad state of affairs with his
Humphrey held with the Presi- munities continues to be acute . . . It is estimated that hundreds
appeal for peace and declared:
of positions are currently unfilled, although some communities
dent.
"If I had my way, I would place above the desk of every
are doing their best to develop recruitment programs to meet the
delegate to the United Nations a picture of these buildings on
shortage which affects virtually every Jewish community . .
Mt. Scopus, a picture not only of the Hebrew University, but forces stand in the way of prog- The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds is pre-
ress. There are ninny people paring a guide on the recruitment of personnel in an effort to
a picture of the Hadassah Hospital, the finest medical installa-
who see eye to eye with Gov- encourage the development locally of trained people . . . An
tion in the Middle East, also, alas, captive and unused. I would
ernor McKeldin and who recog- informal survey was conducted by the CJFWF to find out what
have that picture bear a legend. 'This is my failure as a man
nize the need for speedy and kind of recruitment efforts are currently being made by the
and as a diplomat."
objectice approaches to peace, communities . . . The results show that a real start has been
"The American Friends of Hebrew University and Hadas-
but the roadblocks remain in the made in some cities, but that much remains to be done before
sah are building new structures within New Jerusalem. They
are being used and the • University and the Hospital are carry- path of amity. The reason: the the need for trained personnel is met . . . Jewish centers in a
ing on. However, the civilized world should not sleep as long world's leading statesmen have number of communities, including Milwaukee, Denver, Detroit
as the installations on Mt. Scopus remain idle. There can be procrastinated until now and and others, have instituted work-study plans for students in
are still hesitant: all because of schools of social work to do their field work in the center . .
few evils worse than the deliberate removal from a civilization
of facilities that minister directly to the minds and bodies of peace and power politics.
These students are paid a pro-rata share of the salary of a full-
The obstacles can be removed time professional . .. Notwithstanding all these efforts, Jewish
men. This is a negation of all that the word civilization means.
Only the denial of religious freedom is worse."
by men of decision who should community leaders predict that the shortage in trained Jewish
The evils are evident, but there is a limited desire to elimi- be willing to act. There still is social workers will continue to be a serious problem for many
nate them. Peace is close at hand, but the destructive feudal a lack of decision and no action. years as Jewish services expand.
U.S. May Train
Israeli Sailors
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'Between You
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