Taking a part in the wonders of Israel: By ph-i.
lire
Y
Many fascinating experiences await the
Slomovitz
tourist during Tenth Anniversary Year!
results of her work have been widely
acclaimed.
No lesser a person than Benjamin Fine,
education editor of the New York. Times, has
commended Shulamith for her efforts.
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In addition to the very beautiful Tel
Aviv Cultural Center, Tel- Aviv has another
wonderful building that was opened a few
months ago—Beth Sokolow, the clubhouse
of the Israeli journalists., Its numerous facili-
ties for meetings, Concerts, balls ; etc., make
it a valuable addition to the cultural life of
the country. Like the Tel Aviv Cultural
Center, with its Mann Auditorium for the
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Beth. Soko-
low's existence was made possible by the
American-Israel Cultural Foundation. Reuven
Dafni, former Israel Consul in New York, is
the Foundation's able director.
We were treated to a delightful concert
TEL AVIV — Prime Minister David
at Beth Sokolow, and to a pleasant reception
Ben-Gurion, meeting here at the Kirya (City
by- the -Israeli journalists' association.
Hall) with Mr. and Mrs. Philip Slomovitz,
Purely Commentary:
JERUSALEM — The wonders of Israel
never cease. New housing projects and 'in-
dustries are in evidence of construction. The
young state's universities are expanding.
Art, literature, science and music have able
and keen creative leaders.
While Jerusalem is a quiet city com-
pared with bustling Tel Aviv, even here there
is a dynamism that excites the imagination.
Here you see the Jordanian border at
nearly every step. Yet, not unlike Tel. Aviv,
there is a confidence in Israel's ability to
defend herself that seems to overlook what
might appear to an outsider as a constant
danger from hostile neighbors. There is a
fearlessness that seems to account for most
of the achievements of the small but very
vigorous State.
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The Yom Kippur experience was a moving
one. In the Yeshurun synagogue, which is
the nearest approach here to a Conservative
congregation, there was decorum, and the
welcomed_ greetings from Detroit friendS
services were most impressive. Hanan Meiz-
who have worked with him for many years,
lish adhered strictly to an established con-
first in the.. Zionist movement and since
gregational rule of. not repeating words in
,.Israel's establishment in ,the Israel Bond
chanting the prayers. American cantors might -
drive and . in behalf of the United Jewish
collapse under such a -strain—of not repeat-
Appeal. He spoke with gratitude of Ameri-
ing. But Meizlish's voice was under perfect
can Jewry's cooperation with Israel and of
control.
the aid given to Israel by the Morris Schav-
ers, Max Osnos, Abe Kasle, Phillip Stoll-
At our services were a number of dis-
•
man and other Bond and Al.lied Jewish
tznguished
tinguished- personalities — former Prinie
Minister Moshe Sharett, the present Minis-
Campaign leaders.:
ter of Posts Joseph Burg, the former Mayor
of Jerusalem, Shlorno Zalmajn Shraficii,
long as Israel is recognized for the courage
Detroit's Rabbi Isaac Stollman who is the
she has " to defend her position. And no one
president of Mizrachi-Hapoel Hamizrachi
questions Israel's courage.
of America, Congressman Farbstein of
• New York, Dr. Reuben Katznelson, one of
Dr. Reuben Katznelson, father of the
Israel's distinguished pioneer leaders whose
well known advocate, Shmuel Tamir, who
served as a. member of
wife,
figures prominently in the Kastner Case, and
the -first Israel Parliament (Knesset), and
of Shulamith Katznelson, head of the Ulam,
many others.
the school for the teaching of Hebrew to
adults in special classes that have proven
President Itzhak Ben-Zvi was at the
highly satisfactory, devotes most of his
Rehaviah Synagogue where he attends serv-
energies to the anti-tuberculosis campaign.
ices fairly regularly.
He was in Detroit two years ago and was
There is an interesting story related by
promised medical equipment. He hopes to
Cantor Meizlish. He was cantor in Manches-
receive it as an aid to his great efforts and
ter, England, when he was invited to come to
as a boon to Israel's health efforts.
Yeshurun. His congregation offered him
Dr. Katznelson reports' to us that 96 per
double the salary to stay, but he indicated
cent of Israel's children have been injected
a desire to go to the-then-Palestine. Then
With the Salk vaccine and that polio has
the War of Liberation and the battle of
been reduced to a minimum, but the fight
Jerusalem broke out. He was advised by-
against any manifestations of polio go on and
cable not to come, and he replied by cable
there are plans for an Israeli equivalent of
that he was. coming. He arrived in 1948 and
the "March of Dimes" further to eradicate
became an Aar — a peasant — in Gedera.
the disease.
That's where he is now with his family,
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throughout the •year, arriving for shabbatim
Eight years ago, when we were here,
and yom Tovim in Jerusalem to be Hatzan
there was one traffic light in Haifa. There are
at YeshUrun.
several there now. The first traffic light was
Stories like this are heard here wherever
then being installed. in Tel Aviv, and it was
you turn. This is the type of human day out
then not yet in operation in Israel's bustling
of which has been cemented a wholesome
city. Now there are many traffic lights in
nation.
Tel Aviv.
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But the only traffic light in Jerusalem
Next to your. Commentator at Yeshurun
was abandoned. Apparently the city does not
was Shimon Diskin; grandson of the brother
lend itself to traffic jams that were oc-
of Moshe Yeshayahu Diskin, who was the
casioned . by changing lights. It has been
founder of the Diskin Orphanage in Jerusa-
found that drivers and _ pedestrians can get
lem more than 100 years ago.
-along better in the Holy City by wending
- Shimon believes that the present New
and trekking their ways independently.
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Jerusalem in the Israel sector is a mutilated
city without the Old City, its ancient sites,
Shulamith • Katznelson's Ulpan Akiva
its Wailing Wall.
in Nathanya deserves special mention.
Shulamith, who studied last year at the
Meanwhile, there is quiet on the border.
University of Michigan and at Wayne State
There are guards on both sides of the dividing
University, has 100 students in her Hebrew
line between Israel and Jordan, and while
classes for adults—tourists and immigrants.
there always is the danger of an outbreak
She has a staff of five teachers and the
of trouble, there probably won't be any as
.
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Charming hosts also were the American
Charge d'Affairs and - Mrs. William 0. Baxter.
They and their staff at the American Embassy
in Tel Aviv were wonderful hosts. -
The Baxters and their staff joined us
also at a fascinating party at the Theater
Club in Tel Aviv. Especially thrilling at that
party, at which the Frederic Manns of Phila-
delphia (donors of the Mann Auditorium)
were the hosts, was the performance of a
group from Nachal, former servicemen, which
operates under the name of Batzel Yarok-
The Green Onion. The imitation of Prime
Minister David Ben-Gurion by one of the
group was excellent. Then there was a charm-
ing Tel Avivian, Ruthie, - whose improvisa-
tions, with her fingers and palms, on two
drums, were the most unusual we had ever
witnessed. Leonard Bernstein, who conducted
the Israel Philharmonic: dedication concerts
at the Mann Hall, was as fascinated with
Ruthie as we were.
These were among the many fascina-
tions that welcomed us to Israel. There are
many more—and they await all who will
come here during Israel's Tenth Anniversary
Year in 1958.
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The World Series made the front pages
of Israel's newspapers, and the only English
language daily newspaper published in the
Middle East, the Jerusalem Post, featured all
details of the Braves-Yankees battle for the
vvorld baseball championship.
The Post reported the games in con-
siderable detail. There are many American
visitors here who crave for American sports
news. Then there are the scores of ex-
change students from the United States\
who anxiously await news from the home
sports fields.
While soccer is Israel's major sport,
basketball is gaining ground, the appearance
in Israel two years ago of the Harlem Globe-
trotters for exhibitions games having stimu--
lated greater interest in the sport.
Americans who are studying in Israeli
universities and who are getting training On
farms in agricultural settlements have in-
dicated a desire for the introduction of base-
ball in this country. There is a. lack of equip-
ment, and a number of American visitors
have undertaken to provide -gloves, balls
and bats to some of the settlements. The
primary interest is in softball and an attempt
is_ being made to 'create a softball league
between Americans residing in several of
the Israeli settlements.
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Testimonial Dinner to 1Fete Dr. Hershman
The 50 years of spiritual
leadership of Dr. A. M. Hersh-
man at Cong. Shaarey Zedek
will be commemorated at a tes-
timonial- dinner -planned for
Nov. 6, Jim. the congregation's
-
-
social hall.
According to an atirionnee-
ment Of the board of directors
of Shaarey Zedek, Dr... Hersh-
man . will be acclaimed for his
"superb record of dedicated and
devoted service to the syna-
gogue, the community, the state
of Israel and Judaism."
The board decided that in
view of Dr. Iteitlitia's deeti
interest in the welfare of the
state of Israel their tribute
would take the form of partici-
pation in the Israel Bond pro-
gram.
Rabbi Morris Adler, spiritual
leader of -Shaarey Zedek, stated,
"It is appropriate that in hon-
oring- Dr. Hershrriari's 50th an-.
niversary- with - our synagogue,
that we do it in the way that
will mean the most to him, by
a heartwarming response to the
state of Israel."
Dr.' Hershman, Rabbi Emeri-
tus who is now living in New
York with his daughters, as-
sumed-the rabbinate - of Shaarey
Zedek in 1907, when the eon-
gregation was situated on Isaac •Perfet and His Times,"
printed in 1943: •
Winder Street.
Dr.-Hershman became Rabbi
Dr. Solomon Schechter, presi-
dent of the Jewish Theological Emeritits in 1946, and has since
Seminary and one of the great- that time continued his schol-
est Jewish scholars of modern arly research. His reputation as
times, came from New York to a man of learning is respected
install 27-year-old Rabbi Hersh- throughout the Jewish world.
Committees are presently
man.. . • .
" As a leading spokesMan for being formed, under the chair-
Zionism and the .Zionist ideal, manship of Dr. Leonard Sidlow,
Dr. Hershman was responsible who is in charge of the dinner,
for the beginnings of early or- to coordinate all activities for
ganized Zionist activity in De- the testimonial.
Carl S. Schiller serves the •
troit
The doctorate was conferred' congregation as Israel Bond
Upon him by the Jewish Theo- chairman, with Abraham Satov-
logical ,Setnitary, orlowilrig the gky and Mrs. Theodore Barg,:
inibileation--ef-his-book; "Rabbi: ,man as co-chairmen.
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A. M. lihER§IIMA14".