Friday, May 23, 1958 — THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS-2
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Southern Jewish Editors Show Dignity and Courage
NEW YORK—One of the most moving statements on the
unfortunate situation in the South was adopted by the American
Association of English-Jewish Newspapers at the convention held
here last week-end.
The significance of the resolution, the text of which appears
on this page, is that it was prepared by a Southerner—Jacques
Back, editor of the Nashville (Tenn.) Observer, and that it had
the backing of four other editors of Southern weeklies who
attended the sessions.
Jacques Back deserves special mention. He is a remarkable
man. Now in his seventy-eighth year, he is very alert, active in
many Jewish movements, and a real leader. He is one of the
ablest editorial writers in America and his views are reckoned
with in many communities. More power to Jacques Back!
The Late Rabbi Barnett R. Brickner
World Jewry has suffered a very great loss in the death of
Dr. Barnett R. Brickner.
He was a great orator, a fine scholar, a recognized world
Zionist leader, a good spokesman for Reform Judaism, a Hebraist
who at the same time loved Yiddish folklore.
His death is a great loss to many of us who counted him
as a friend. Blessed be his memory!
*
*
Israel—The Most Pe'aceful Spot on Earth
The entire world is embroiled in war threats. The Middle
East is seething with discord. There is trouble everywhere, and
in many areas where they seek an excuse for the existence of
the powder kegs they still have the audacity to say that the
existence of Israel is responsible for the trouble.
YetIsrael alone stands out as the most peaceful spot on
earth.
Only in Israel does one find evidence of security from
assassinations.
Should there be eruptions in Israel similar to those existing
elsewhere, they will have been imposed from the outside.
What a tragedy that this "outside" should be so markedly
influenced by inhumanity and saber-rattling!
May Israel be protected against the poisons that are affect-
ing her neighbors and so much of humanity!
Emphasis on Creativity in Huntley's Report
Chet Huntley's impressive report on Israel, for which he had
selected the title based on the Biblical phrase "a stiffnecked
people," stands out for one specific factor: the emphasis on
positive approaches to a people's needs as contrasted with the
Arabs' insistence upon threats of violence.
Even the lengthy interpretations of Israel's army tactics
and procedures indicated that the defense force of the small
state places major emphasis upon educating the men and women
in uniform. Even the army is a vast school for future integration
of newcomers from many lands into Israel's economy.
With 73 nationality backgrounds to deal with, Israel never-
theless has succeeded in fusing differing elements into a single
unit. This is the genius of Israel—and its miraculous attainments.
*
Justice Frankfurter's Interpretation of 'Miracles'
At the impressive dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New
York, Monday evening, in which the country's most distinguished
leaders participated, Mr. Justice Felix Frankfurter of the United
States Supreme Court 'took occasion to comment on the term
"miracle" that is being applied to Israel. He did not dispute the
fact that what is happening in Israel is "miraculous." But he
applied to it the view of two great men—the late Dr. Theodor
Herz and Justice Louis D. Brandeis.
He quoted from the former's "if you will it, it is no dream;"
and from the latter's insistence, during the darkest hour in
Jewry's history, when the Nazis were threatening the existence
of the entire People Israel, that even if everything that had been
created in Palestine were to he destroyed, it would be built agaain
—because Jews had proven they can do it.
Mr. Justice Frankfurter, in his incisive analysis of Israel's
achievements, explained the values of the fructification of
Palestine by Jews by quotinng an 1869 statement by Mark Twain
who told how desolate Palestine was then. Out of desolation
Jews have built garden spots and have reclaimed the desert.
Such is the miracle—wrought by a people determined to
live in dignity.
Detroit's Contributions to Advancement of Music
Our community plays so many important parts in the ad-
vancement of Jewish culture that it is pleasant to pay honor to
those who are helping in the advancement of another segment
of the arts—Jewish music.
Within a few days, the community will honor an eminent
cantor and a talented choir.
Cantor Jacob H. Sonenklar, whose 25th anniversary in Detroit
will be the occasion for a dinner in his honor, has rendered valu-
able service not only to the Shaarey Zedek but to the entire
community. He has participated in all major musical events here
since his assumption of duties in Detroit, he is a leader in the
Zionist Organization and he has inspired many young singers
and fellow-cantors. He has well earned the tributes that are being
paid to him at this time, on the occasion of his having completed
25 years of service in our community.
An outstanding group of singers, the Halevy-Circle Choir,
will mark its 25th anniversary with a concert on June 1, under
the direction of another eminent musician, Dan Frohman. Halevy
began as a singing society, it included for a time an orchestral
group and combined forces several years ago with the Workmen's
Circle Choir. Throughout its history, it served Detroit Jewry very
well. All the honors that are accorded it and its director are
well earned.
Jewish Publishers Condemn Southern Dynamiting
and Terorrism; Elect Jack Fishbein President
NEW YORK—The American
Association of English-Jewish
Newspapers, at its 15th Annual
convention here at Hotel Mc-
Alpin, last week-end, unani-
mously adopted a resolution
condemning terrorism in the
South as being fundamentally
contrary to American prin-
ciples.
Framed by Jacques Back,
editor of the Nashville, Tenn.,
Jewish Observer, and backed
by all the Southern editors in
attendance, the resolution
reads:
"The American Association
o f English - Jewish New s-
papers joins with men and
women of religious faith in
deploring the series of dyna-
miting outrages perpetrated
in various communities dur-
ing recent months. With re-
sponsible leadership every-
where, the publishers con-
demn these acts of criminal
violence — aimed, as they
were, in pattern and intent,
at Jewish houses of assembly
and Negro school buildings.
"We hold these attempts
to initiate a reign of terror
and intimidation to be in
bold violation of the funda-
mental rights guaranteed to
Americans: that—asking not
of what race or creed or sta-
ture in society — each may
`sit under his own vine and
figtree—and that none shall
make him afraid.'
"Assurance, too, that no
preachers of hate and bigo-
try shall erect barriers and
deny to even the humblest
of God's children the 'right
to life and liberty.'
"Yes, we hold these at-
tacks . . . be they the work
of a lone individual or of
groups thus stealthily ad-
vancing against the America
we know and honor ... hold
them to be an urging chal-
lenge to men in high places:
that law and order must pre-
vail . . . that citizenship—
under the rule of a just and
conscientious government —
shall remain meaningful • . .
shall never be made afraid."
The Association also adopted
the following resolution greet-
ing Israel's tenth anniversary:
"The American. Association of
English-Jewish Newspapers sa-
lutes the people of Israel as
they pause to celebrate their
country's t en t h birth anni-
versary.
'Firstborn' Gets 1st
Prize on N.Y. Stage
NEW YORK (JTA) — The
first $2,500 Theater Guild
Foundation-Theresa H el b r u n
award was presented to British
playwright Christopher Fry for
his play "The Firstborn," a
poetic drama about Moses. The
award was accepted for Fry by
Katherine Cornell and Anthony
Quayle, who are starring in the
Broadway hit. The presenta-
tion was made on the occa-
sion of the tenth anniversary
of the State of Israel, where
it will be presented this sum-
mer.
Among those attending the
ceremony were Abba Ebam,
Israeli Ambassador
to the
United States; Clare Booth
Luce, former United States
Ambassador to Italy; Joseph
Ko6lago, the lak freely elected
Mayor of Budapest; Oscar
Hammerstein II, and others.
Jew Re-Elected Police
Magistrate of N. D. City
GRAND FORK, N.D. (JTA)
—David Kessler has been re-
elected Police Magistrate, de-
feating a former sheriff of
Grand Forks County. Kessler,
running for the post for the
first time against an incumbent
who held the position for 12
years, won by a nearly two-to-
one margin.
"Representative, as it were,
of Jewish life, the associated
publishers share the glad spirit
of realization ... in the mastery
of the heroic task which crowns
Israel's decade of statehood.
Fortitude that taxed human
strength, and faith ne'er-falter- .
ing in God's promise unto the
children of the Book, are written
into the history of these years
of creation. How glorious these
men and women of far-flung
vision . . . these, the builders
of a new Israel! Wanderers
upon the by-ways of the earth
but yesterday . . • tear-minded
and blood-stained, and robbed
of treasure and home — they
walked out of the shadows and
conquered the hates of an un-
thinking world — stand now,
feet planted firmly, and with
dignity — upon the land of their
fathers, their destined heritage.
"May this, as another dec-
ade dawns, prophesy come true
and bless Israel, bless human-
ity everywhere, so that, in-
deed, 'out of Zion shall come
forth the law, and the word
of God from Jerusalem'."
The Association warmly
greeted the Jewish Tele-
graphic Agency for its ser-
vices to the Jewish press and
to American Jewry. A conven-
tion luncheon meeting, at
which Philip Slomovitz, edi-
tor of The Detroit Jewish
News, presided, was addressed
by Boris Smolar and Victor
Bienstock, editor and general
manager of JTA.
The Association elected Jack
Fishbein, editor of the Chicago
Sentinel, president, to succeed
Abe Slabot, of New Orleans.
Joseph Weisberg, editor of the
Boston Jewish Advocate, was
chosen first vice-president and
chairman of the executive com-
mittee.
Other officers chosen are: Al
Galomb, Pittsburgh, and Morris
Janoff, Jersey City, vice presi-
dents; Jim m y Wisch, Fort
Worth, Texas, secretary; Adolph
Rosenberg, Atlantic, Ga., treas-
urer; Leo Frisch, Minneapolis,
Elias Jacobs, Buffalo, Myer Kele-
man, Los Angeles, Jules Miller,
Philadelphia, and Arthur Weyne,
Atlantic City, rnambers of execu-
tive committee. The ex-presi-
dents, Philip Slomovitz, Detroit,
Fred Shocket, Miami, Jacques
Back, Nashville, and Abe Slabot,
New Orleans were named ex-
offico members of the executive
committee.
The association took firm
steps to stop unethical advertis-
ing solicitations; to elevate the
editorial status and standards
of the English-Jewish Press and
to advance circulation promo-
tions.
In behalf of John B. Hynes,
Mayor of Boston, Joseph Bart-
zoff and Joseph Weisberg ex-
tended an invitation to the
Association to hold its next
annual convention in Boston.
■
INI11. 4■• ••1
■ 0 41■ 41. ■
Boris Smolar's
'Between You
... and Me'
(Copyright, 1958.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Russian Echoes
American Jewish organizations which keep an eye on Soviet
government policy regarding the Jews of the USSR are alarmed
over new anti-Jewish indications coming from Moscow. . .. One
of them is to deny entirely Jewish participation in the Red
Army in the last World War... . The other, is to conceal the
part played by Jews in cultural, medical, industrial, social and
other spheres of Soviet life. . . Latest official Soviet data on the
Red Army fighters who distinguished themselves during the last
war, completely eliminates mention of the Jewish fighters
awarded the order of "Hero of the Soviet Union." . . . This,
despite the fact that Jews, according to earlier reports, occupy
the third place among all the peoples of the Soviet Union in
this distinction. . . . In 1944, it was reported by the Jewish
Anti-Fascist Committee in Moscow—which was later liquidated
by the Soviet authorities — that 32,000 Jews were cited for
bravery up to April of that year. . .. At that time, there were
3,517 people in the USSR who had been awarded the distinction
of "Hero of the Soviet Union," the Jews occupying fourth place
among them. . . In subsequent years the Jews reached third
place, with the Russians and the Ukrainians occupying the first
and second place, respectively. . . . However, the Soviet official
political literature, while listing more than 20 different nationali-
ties in the USSR with the number of war heroes to their credit,
does not list the Jews at all, although the Jews are officially
considered a nationality in the Soviet Union. . . . Jewish organiza-
tions believe that this concealment of the heroism of Soviet Jews
during World War II has been done deliberately. . . . They
point out that the blotting out of Jews from the list of war
heroes helps to maintain the anti-Semitic spirit among those in
Russia who contend that the Jews had dodged the battlefield
and "conquered Tashkent" as refugees in the interior of the
country.
Curtain on Jews
The most illuminating aspect of the new Soviet policy of
concealing Jewish contributions to various- spheres of the USSR's
development can be found in a volume of statistical data just
publiShed in Moscow.... The volume, entitled "The Achievements
of the Soviet Regime in 40 Years of Figures," contains a wealth
of minute data on nationalities in the Soviet Union and their
participation in practically every sphere of the country's life. .
However, nowhere in the book does there appear—either in text,
tables or diagrams—the name "Jew" or "Jewish." . . . The impres-
sion is given that the Jewish nationality is completely non-
existent among the peoples in the Soviet .Union. . . . This, not-
withstanding the fact, that in passports and in all other identity
documents, as well as in applications for jobs, Jews must declare
themselves as members of the "Jewish nationality". . . . Most
revealing is the data on publication of books in various languages
in the Soviet Union. . . . This data contains figures comparing
the number of books published in the country in each language
in 1913—before the Revolution—and in 1956. . . . But no figures
at all are given on the Jewish books. . .. This is because such
figures would show that while even under the Czarist regime
Jewish books and newspapers were published in Russia, none are
published there since the mass killing of Jewish writers and
suppression of Jewish cultural activities, which started in 1948.
. . . Thus, it would become clear that the Jewish printed word
is the only one now under ban in the Soviet Union.