Friday, December 6, 1957—THE DETROIT JEWISH NEW S-2

Purely Commentary

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Israel's Creative Artists ... Calendar
on Their Own Pulp

By Philip Slomovitz

Malben — 'Human Reclamation'

First Art Calendar on Israel-Produced Paper

One of the most effective "human reclamation"
activities in Israel bears the name Malben. It is the
Joint Distribution Committee's project of sponsor-
ing institutions for the care of handicapped im-
migrants.

The Am Hasefer Calendar for 5718 is our prize
possession. It is the first art calendar printed on
paper produced in Israel and it is enhanced by the
reproductions of the outstanding treasures to be
found in Israel's museums and libraries.
The art works, which can be retained as a
permanent art album, include the following:
From the 1331 Nuremberg Prayerbook, from
the Shocken Library in Jerusalem, the Liturgical
Poem for Passover—an ornately decorated medieval
Hebrew manuscript.
From the Franco-German 13th century Bible
manuscript, 46 miniature Biblical illustrations.
"Woman of Valor"—a Rothschild manuscript,
dated 1475, showing The Valiant Woman sitting
on a golden chair and three men discussing her
virtues.
Another 1475 Rothschild manuscript, from the
Bezalel Museum, showing Job seated amidst his
family.
A Rothschild Circumcision Ceremony illus-
tration of the same year.
A parchment scroll, Book of Esther, Alsace,
1730.
"The Red Cow," from a 1441 Italian Prayer-
book illustrating Numbers 19:2-10; and a second
Italian Prayerbook reproduction illustrating Exodus
12:3-11.
An 1871 Persian Marriage Contract.
Two Scrolls of the Law, dated 1799 and 1873,
from Bezalel Museum.
Another Rothschild art masterpiece, The
Scholar, and a column from the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The excellent multi-colored photographs are
by Alfred Bernheim.
Aside from the fact that these reproductions
form such a magnificient collection of great manu-
scripts, suitable for framing or to be kept as a
collection of art work, thi.: Am Hasefer Calendar
has the great merit of representing Israel's new
paper product. Thereby it adds glory to works
coming from Israel and to the creative efforts of
the Israelis. It calls attention to the great con-
tributions made to Israel by the Mazer Family of
New York, who established the paper plant in the
Jewish State.

The crippled and the maimed, sightless and
weak-hearted, are cared for and are taught pro-
ductive pursuits.
At one of these Mal-
ben installations, near
Lydda, a former Polish
opera star is regainin
use of her legs by
means of a car espe-
cially constructed for
her so that she is able
to get around on the
Malben grounds, and
she meanwhile sings
again and hopes some
day to get back on the
stage.
Yemenites are weav-
ing baskets, Polish im-
migrants are sewing
dresses, o t h e r s are
making sweaters — all
of them are done artis-
tically and command a
M. Shomogi
good price on the Isra-
eli market.

In this Malben installation, a man with a smile
gets joy out of painting. M. Shomogi does not let
his handicaps get him down. From his wheel chair,
he draws sketches, paints scenery, makes murals.
Some of his works have been exhibited and ac-
claimed. Your Commentator has purchased two of
his paintings and he values them as fine momentos
from.a fine trip.

When the call is made for funds for Israel, in
our annual drives, we miss some good points when
we fail to mention Malben, when we overlook the
Jewish Agency's reception to newcomers to Israel
at the Haifa port, when we keep our constituents
unaware of the splendid educational activities con-
ducted in the Hebrew University, the Technion,
and Bar-Ilan University; when the great research
projects at the Weizmann Institute of Science are
kept in the dark.

Our publicity experts thus far have emphasized
leadership in campaign propaganda material. That
is all to the good. Those who work and give the
funds must be built up, so that their interests
should be retained in our campaigns. But the
Public Relations experts may wish to accept this
bit of advice: there are some great causes at stake,
and it is for them that we work in our fund-raising
drives. There are the Hebrew University, the Had-
assah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Technion,
Bar-Ilan, Weizmann Institute, Malben, the immi-
grant, the JNF, the tasks of the Mizrachi and
Labor Zionists—and a score more. Let them be
known. Bring the donor close to the cause he
assists.

We need improvements in our PR programs.
We have suggested one way of bringing it about.

In Tribute to Dr. Pinkros Churgin

Only a few weeks ago, Dr. Pinkhos Churgin,
in his capacity as president of Bar-Ilan University,
guided us through the fine institution he helped
establish in Israel. Now the Mizrachi movement and
its university sit in mourning over this eminent
scholar.
He was a humble person, and although his
distinguishing characteristics were his learning . and
scholarship, he also was a fine administrator. It
was thanks to his ability as an organizer that
Bar-Ilan had risen from a dream to reality:
It will be difficult fOr Mizrachi to replace him
in the great position he held.
At least, Bar-Ilan stands as a monument to
his memory.