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Friday, March 21, 1958—THE DETROIT JEWIS H NEWS
Purely Commentary:
Simon Shetzer—Dedicated Leader
At the Jewish Community Council's 20th anniversary cele-
bration, its leaders recalled the role played in the Council's
founding by the late Simon Shetzer. The departed leader had
well earned the encomia of that evening.
He was one of the founders of the Coun-
cil and its first president. He was a well-
informed person and by virtue of his
knowledge of Jewish affairs had earned
the confidence placed in him.
- Simon Shetzer was an avid reader.
He kept abreast of the times and always
wa., certain of his facts. He was the rare
type of leader who bought Jewish books
and read them, who supported cultural
causes while advocating the Zionist idea.
From the day when he succeeded this
Commentator to the presidency of the
Zionist Organization of Detroit, he made
Zionism the major concern of his public
Simon Shetzer activities. He served as national executive
director of the Zionist Organization of America, was a close
friend of Judge Louis Levinthal and the late Dr. Solomon Gold-
man, former presidents of the ZOA, and traveled widely in
behalf of the movement.
His inspiration came from his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Shetzer, both of whom had endeared themselves to this com-
munity. Isaac Shetzer served the Shaarey Zedek as president
and was an ardent Zionist and a devoted campaigner for the
Community Chest and the Allied Jewish Campaigns.
Those of us with whom Simon Shetzer had assisted in the
founding of the Zionist and Jewish Community Councils, in the
advancement of the ideal of the Jewish National Home, in
furthering the work of the United Hebrew Schools, the Jewish
Publication Society and many other movements, will always
cherish his memory.
For this Commentator, the recollections of Simon Shetzer go
farther back — to the days when we shared our experiences at
the • University of Michigan. He was surely one of the noblest
products of our alma mater and one of the most dedicated Jews
in our community.
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Notes on a Dedicated
Leader, Book s, Au-
thors and Arab-Israel
Friendship
By Philip
Slomovitz
concluded that 'If God had set out to mold a country as a
stage for a cavalry campaign, he would have made . . .
Chihuahua. This was a stage 500 miles long and 100 miles
wide across which snow, sandstorms, tropic heat and sharp
cold added to the misery of the actors. In 11 Months
Pershing's troopers fought now-forgotten engagements at
Guerrero, Parral, Aguas Calientes, Tomochic and Carrizal.
At a place called Ojos Azules a provisional squadron made
the last mounted charge against an enemy in the history
of the United States Cavalry.- The Expedition was withdrawn
in February of 1917. Villa had escaped. His bands, how-
ever, were broken and scattered."
This is a chapter in American history. It was paralleled
in our time by the Israel expedition into Sinai in order to
put an end to similar incursions from Egypt into Israel, to
put an end to the efforts of the Fedayeen who harassed the
Israelis, murdered innocent people, pillaged and sought to
destroy Israel. Israel withdrew from Sinai, but, as of now, the
Fedayeen stand defeated.
That which justified Pershing's and Wilson's action in
1916-17 also justified Ben-Gurion's action in Sinai in 1956.
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The Quest for Arab-Israel Friendship
Since last July, a movement has been afoot, instituted by
Israeli Jews . and Arabs, to inspire friendliest cooperation
between the two peoples and to strive for an Arab-Israel peace.
As the first step in the direction of such a peace effort,
this group established an English-language journal, "The New
Outlook," which now is in its eighth month of publication.
In its first issue, this journal dedicates itself to "regional
cooperation, to a peaceful and constructive solution to the
problem of Israel-Arab relations, to the integration of Israel
within the Asian-African world."
New Outlook declared at the outset that it is convinced
that "peace is consistent with the national interests of Jew
and Arab alike. It sees Israel as part of fabric of social,
cultural and economic development of the whole Middle East.
It believes that Israel can and should be a useful and equal
member of the family of nations in the area and that the
sources of friction can and must be eliminated."
Towards this end, very prominent Jews and Arabs have
joined forces in the New Outlook. Michael Assaf, a teacher,
writer and Arab scholar, is the editor. Contributing editors
and writers include Christians, Jews and Moslems. One of
them is a prominent young Arab leader of Nazareth, Abdul
Aziz Zu'bi. Another is Rustum Bastuni, an Arab member of
the Knesset.
An Egyptian-born woman writer contributed to the journal
and a warm message was sent by George Hakim, Greek
Catholic Archbishop of Haifa, Acre and Galilee.
New Outlook already has gained ground in 70 countries
and has been acclaimed widely, and the idea it propounds is
receiving a good hearing. Arab and Jewish scholars are
discussing their mutual problems in the various • articles, they
are reviewing the Israel health and school needs, aspects of
Arab music, as well as refugee and other problems.
There is no denying the validity of this movement. Those
who have inspired it are deserving of encouragement: Let us
hope it will bring the desired results: the fruits of an
earnest quest for peace.
Erie Stanley Gardner and the Leopold Story
Erle Stanley Gardner, who wrote the stimulating and
thought-provoking introduction to "Life Plus 99 Years" by Na-
than Leopold (a Doubleday book) is the prime mover of the
famous Court of Last Resort. His famous creation, "Perry Ma-
son," starred in more than 50 of his books which have ,sold
nearly 4,000,000 copies.
Gardner's television programs, his unique ventures in crimi-
nal investigations through the Court of Last Resort, his mystery
stories and his constructive work in the field of criminal psy-
chology have elevated him to a very important position in the
field of criminology and penology in this country.
It is said that he leads in the field of foreign translations
of works by an American. His mystery stories have been trans-
lated into a score of languages, including Hebrew.
Thus, Gardner was just the man Leopold needed to intro-
duce his book and to evaluate the famous Loeb-Leopold case.
This commentator -(whose review of Leopold's book was pub-
lished in this column on Feb. 28) believes Gardner helped We Oppose ALL Blue Laws
As a matter of principle, we are against ALL Blue Laws.
Leopold a great deal and gave the book "Life Plus 99 Years"
(A regrettable typographical slip failed to emphasize the
tremendous status.
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point in our last week's column: the last words were omitted
due to a missing slug, in our comment on the debates over the
'They Came to Cordura': Powerful Novel;
Sunday closing laws in New York, and the complete sentence
Precedent of Pershing's Action for Israel
should have read: "The only way to fight such problems is to
"They Came to Cordura" by Glendon Swarthout (pub- fight against ALL Blue Laws.")
lished by Random House) is so powerful that it earns the
The Sunday closing laws are issues not only in New York
claims made for it by the publishers as being "a major novel." but also in New Jersey, Michigan and other states. If they are
The author, a native of Ann Arbor, a graduate of the
adopted, they should enable Saturday. Sabbath observers to
University of Michigan and Michigan State University, now a conduct their busihesses on Sundays.
professor in the MSU Basic College at East Lansing, describes
But no matter how you view them, they ARE Blue Laws.
here a phase of the Pershing expedition against Francisco
The
right kind of a day of rest is the one — as we stated last
(Pancho) Villa. It deals with a group of military men who
were on their way to Cordura, across the barren state of week that is accepted willingly, freely, by free men. By means
Chihuahua, their struggles and sufferings, the arrival of all of Blue Laws, rest days are results of compulsion. .Therefore
but one in safety, the treachery, the torture and final death we are against ALL Blue Laws, EVERYWHERE.
of the man in charge of the group, Major Thorn.
Thorn had previously been guilty of cowardice, but on Jewish Libraries in Detroit
We made reference last week to the "Wake Up and Read"
this tour he was a real hero—a hero who incurred the enmity
of his men who tried to kill him, finally got rid of him, appeal of the current National Library Week.
In this connection, let us call attention to a number of
arrived in Cordura to claim heroism for themselves. Thorn
tried to save them, but could not save himself. His citations public Jewish libraries where books of general Jewish interest
of heroism for his men, who were brutes in time of need, are available.
The United Hebrew Schools' library is buying.. up valuable
reaches headquarters. But he dies an ignominious death.
The novel is a forceful -study of- the elements which bookshelves of Judaica and Hebraica.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek has an excellent library. Temple
make for courage in men under stress.
The experiences in the . desert are described with such. Beth El has been building a good Jewish library for many years.
It has been traditional for orthodox congregations to have,
force in Prof. Swarthout's novel that Random House states
about "They Came to Cordura": "The publishers consider this in addition to the Beth Hate-
One of the finest books ever to appear under their imprint, and filah, the house of worship,
commend it proudly to anyone interested in encouraging a a Beth Hamedrash, a — de-
first-rate new talent." This reviewer concurs in this judgment. partment for study and re-
It is explained that "this is not a book about Villa. The search. The Beth Hemedrash
characters," except for General Pershing and a newspaper is stocked with Gemarahs
correspondent who appears briefly, are imagined." It is, and learning is encouraged
therefore, purely a novel. It is a strong novel.
between Mincha and Maariv.
The Jewish Community
We are interested in the. foreword, which states:
"On the night of 8 March in 1916 a large mounted Center has a fine library.
A Zionist reference li-
force under the revolutionist Francisco Villa crossed the
American border and attacked the New Mexico town of brary is in use at the Hadas-
PlAtiONAL LIBRARY WEER
Columbus. Eight civilians were killed, two wounded, and sah office.
The Jewish Community Center has a fine Jewish library.
of the 13th Cavalry, stationed there, seven soldiers were
As a gift from Abe Kasle, a Judaica Library has been set up
killed and five wounded. Woodrow Wilson, pursuing a policy
of neutrality to the war in Europe and reluctant to offend at Wayne State University.
All our public libraries have valuable Judaica collections.
the de facto government of Carranza, was forced to act. Tele-
National Library Week is a good occasion during which to
grams from Washington authorized the formation of 'Puni-
tive Expedition, U. S. Army.' Commanded by General Pershing ask for a revival of interest in books, in reading, in purchasing
and consisting mainly of four regiments of cavalry,. the books and in giving books as gifts. It is a proper time also
during which to remind our people to become affiliated with
Punitive Expedition moved into Mexico with orders to capture
the Jewish Publication Society of America by joining it as
Villa and disperse his forces. It was to be the final cavalry
campaign. Of the terrain, one officer, writing 20 years later, members.
Sift Bombing
of Centers
in Southland
(Continued from Page One)
The police at first attempted
to suppress news of the blast
for fear of setting off a. wave
of hysteria. Two private citizens
have already offered rewards
for information leading to the
apprehension of the criminals
responsible for the attack. One
of the rewards, for $50, was-,
offered by Tom Rankine, an of-
ficial of the Veterans of For=
eign Wars and a Baptist; the
other, for $100, was made pub-
lic by Charles Rosengarten, a
founder of Temple Beth El.
Jewish communal organiza-
tions immediately began efforts
to unearth evidence. Haskell
Lazare, an American Jewish
Congress official, wired Florida
Governor Leroy Collins and
asked for an official investiga-
tion of the outrage.
Nashville Jewish Council
Discussed Action
Against Terrorists
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (JTA)--
The executive committee of the
Jewish Community Council of
Nashville met • here to deter-
mine a course of action in the
bombing of the modern com-
munity center. Jacques Back,
communuity leader and pub-
lisher of The Observer, local
English Jewish weekly, told the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency that
the Community Council was ex-
pected to offer a reward for
information leading to the ar-
rest of the dynamiters. Mayor
Ben West of Nashville has al-
ready posted a reward offer of
$1,000.
Community action, was
speedy, with local newspapers
devoting considerable space to
details of the attack and to
statements by the Mayor and
other civic leaders. Rev. C.
Thomas Baker, executive secre-
tary of the Tennessee Council
of Churches, urged all residents
of the city to contribute to a
fund to repair the damage to
the Jewish center.
Segregationists Threaten
Rabbi, .Federal Judgc
for Supporting Integration
The bombing was clearly
linked to the segregationist
sentiment in the city. Almost
.before the echoes of the bomb-
ing had died away, Rabbi Wil-
liam B. Silverman, spiritual
leader of the Reform Temple
of this city was threatened for
having supported a decision by
a Federal judge ordering de-
segregation of the city's public
schools. The Rabbi was also
told that the judge, Federal
District Court Judge William E.
Miller, would be "shot down in
cold blood."
The dynamited - buil ding
stood in an area where several
other Jewish buildings are lo-
cated. Within three blocks
there are two synagogues—one
Orthodox, the other Conserva-
tive. The dynamite charge de-
stroyed the entrance to the
structure, causing an estimated
$6,000 in damage. No one was
hurt, though windows were
shattered in the neighborhood
and many residents shaken up,
and frightened. The police are
investigating, but have s a i d.
nothing about any progress in-
the case.
Tennessee's Gov. Clements
Posts Highest State Reward;
Law Agencies to Cooperate
Governor Frank G. Clement
of Tennessee informed the na-
tional headquarters of the Jew7.
ish War Veterans that he has
offered the maximum reward
he is officially able to offer
and placed all state law enforce-
ment facilities under orders to
cooperate in seeking the dyna-
miters of the Jewish commu-
nity center building here.