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. * * .* 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. * * 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, * * 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. * * 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. * * * 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 . * * * 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. * * 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. . 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. . A. M. lihER§IIMA14".