THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Fr iday, November 14, 1g58-2

Purely Cornmentary:

Problem of Affluence ..
School s and
o
ouurr
Heritage

By Philip Forum on Aging

SiOMOVitZ

la Federal injunction in Clinton, Tenn.
His case serves to reassure those who may have yielded
to panic as a result of threats from integrationists in the South
that gangsterism has not run amuck and that our courts still
are functioning properly.
It does not mean that all dangers are over—that the position
of the Jew, who has been made the scapegoat of Southern
bigots, is altogether secure. But it serves as encouragement to
those who refuse to sacrifice principles for conformity. Those
who battle for the right still have the advantage of adhering
to basic American ideals.

Still Fighting Eugene V. Debs? Problem of
Affluence a Major American Political Issue
Last week's most exciting election, its aftermath and its
issues have by no means reached a final stage with triumphs and
defeats of candidates. As a matter of fact, the basic political
controversies will just begin to come to the fore, in preparation
for the 1960 Presidential election.
Many good and bad things were said by competing candi-
dates in the past few weeks. The most fantastic, it seems to us,
is the charge of socialism that was used as a cloak for other
issues in many quarters. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, of Texas,
the U.S. Senate's majority leader, was right in saying that many
Republicans gave the impression that they were "running against Historical Museum's 30th Anniversary
Next Wednesday will be an important anniversary date in
Eugene V. Debs." Those who were guilty of such miscalculations
should have taken into consideration the remarks of Senator Detroit: it will mark the 30th anniversary of the founding
Johnson who said, three weeks before the election, that Republi- of the Detroit Historical Museum, whose contributions to the
cans "can beat poor old Gene Debs" because "he is dead and life of our community have been so impressive during the past
buried," "but they can't beat unemployment, they can't beat three decades.
An historical analysis of the Museum's activities, incorporated
sickness and disease and they can't beat Khrushchev by resur-
recting a dead man — and a dead issue — and kicking him iri a special pamphlet, "The Dream and the Reality," by George
W. Stark, shows the remarkable development of a remarkable
around."
We are not taking sides, but are merely emphasizing the idea that has enriched our community.
Our heartiest congratulations to the Detroit Historical
need to dwell on issues rather than on personalities or mirages.
Society
on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its splendid
After all, there is an economic problem even in affluent museum.
America. The New Republic, editorially, under the heading
"How Affluent?", a short time ago revealed the following facts:
The Balfour Anniversary
"A browser through the September, 1958, Federal Reserve
With the emergence of the Jewish State as the realization
Bulletin might be a little shocked to learn that in 1957, 8
percent of all families received total incomes of $1,000 or less of dreams inculcated in Jewish history and among the Jewish
masses throughout the centuries, the one single event that led
and that nearly a third earned under $3,000. And, fewer
to the official recognition of such Statehood — the Balfour Dec-
than one in five managed to make as much as $7,500. All the
numbers apply to income before taxes. The lowest 10 percent laration — was given decreasing emphasis. There was, indeed,
subsisted on a mere one percent of the nation's gross income, almost a cessation of celebrations of the Nov. 2 anniversary of
the issuance of the Balfour Declaration.
the fortunate top tenth enjoyed 29 percent of all income
But the observance of the event in London, where Britain's
produced, and the least fortunate 30 percent made do on 8
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan paid great tribute to the
percent of the national income. J. K. Galbraith in his excel-
lent Affluent Society identified the tendency of this country young Jewish State, gave new impetus to the celebration of the
to grow richer and richer. But, as his own qualifications sug- anniversary, and once again lent official recognition to the
gest, most Americans are far from being affluent. Unsimu- historic document and to the memory of the man who had the
vision to foresee the re-emergence of the Jewish State. The name
lated poverty is still the lot of many."
Of course, the issue in the South, foreign policies and a Balfour and the Declaration he signed in behalf of his govern-
number of other problems were and are major issues. But pov- ment will never be forgotten, and the date — Nov. 2, 1917 —
erty also plays a role. Perhaps poverty is responsible for South- will remain indelibly inscribed in Jewish history. It is well
ern bigotry. European poverty aggravates our foreign relations that it is recalled with dignity on important occasions.
In Detroit, the Balfour Anniversary has been marked by
and policies.
Politicians will have to learn to be logical and realistic. Zionist Organization of Detroit concerts, and the current year's
You can't fight the Eugene V. Debs of the twenties in the age takes place tomorrow night. It will be a justified occasion for
renewed tribute to a great name — Arthur James Balfour.
that approaches the sixties of our century.

It is when sportsmanship vanishes that our way of life
begins to be threatened. A typical example of a lack of sports-
manship was the refusal of Roland J. Steinle, the Republican
candidate for Senator in Wisconsin, to congratulate the Demo-
cratic victor, Senator William Proxmire. Steinle, who, inciden-
p on the eve of the
f the
tally, was endorsed
or e Senators hi.
election by his parish priest, charged that the Democrats
sought to "sovietize the United States" and said "Reuther
and Khrushchev won a great victory at the polls."
The insult is not to Senator Prixmire, but to the majority
of Wisconsin voters who repudiated Steinle and to Steinle's
coreligionists who had shown confidence in him as an American.
But not all campaigners' attitudes are alike. In nearly all
instances, losers are good sports. Judge Sexton proved it when
he told the new Wayne County Probate Judge, Ira G. Kaufman,
that in an election one must abide by the voters' wishes. As a
general rule, losers congratulate the winners. That's the Ameri-
can way.
We live in an interesting era. The coming two years may
be even more interesting — on all fronts, international and dom-
estic, and certainly on the political arena.

Our Public Schools and Our Common Heritage

Results of the survey conducted by the Citizens Advisory
Committee on School Needs, which was established by the
Detroit Board of Education, undoubtedly will arouse interest
not only in our own community but countrywide.
Having gone throughly into all aspects of our educational
problems, the Citizens Advisory Committee, under the chair-
manship of George W. _Romney, with Dr. Norman Drachler as
coordinator of research, emphasized education's concern "with
the acquisition of knowledge, the solution of problems and the
application thereof for meaningful, worthy and responsible citi-
zenship in. the home, the community and the world-at-large"
It was a serious study and it made many sound recommenda-
tions that must lead toward the attainment of "the goal of equal
educational opportunity for all."
Among the assumptions of the committee incorporated
in the report is the assertion: "We believe that the public
school has been and continues to be a primary agency that
transmits the common heritage of American beliefs and ideals,
an institution which serves to cement relationships among
our people and enables us to strive for common purposes
and goals which represent the very essence of American
democracy."
In this and in numerous other declarations, the study in- ,
dicates the responsibility of the entire community, representing
all elements, of all faiths, to strive for the attainment of the
goals outlined—the assurance of more modern schools, the
retention of graduates from our state universities within as
members of our teaching staff and the raising of the schools'
standards to the highest possible levels.
Something good was begun with the report of the Citizens
Advisory Committee on School Needs. We hope the results
will justify the committee's efforts.

Rabble-Rouser Gets His Due
Reeder Parker, assistant district attorney general of Ten-
nessee, who conducted the case in Nashville against John Kasper,
Northern rabble-rouser who was accused of inciting Southerners
to riot during the school integration difficulities, said when .
Kasper was sentenced to six months in jail and was fined $500:
"This shows beyond a doubt that justice can be done to all in
the South, regardless of the issues."
Kasper already had served a jail sentence for violating

The committee on services for
the aged of the Jewish Welfare
Federation, recognizing the im-
portance of a better understand.
ing of older people in society,
is planning a forum entitled
"Our Aging Parents—Un-
derstanding Aging Persons in
the Modern World," to be held
at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, in the
auditorium of the Esther Ber-
man Building of the United
Hebrew Schools, on Shaefer. It
will be led by two speakers,
Dr. Maurice E. Linden, director
of mental health of Philadel-
phia's Department of Public
Health, and William Avrunin,
associate director, Jewish Wel-
fare Federation.
The forum is designed espe-
cially for those concerned about
increasing their understanding
of their aged parents.
Dr. Linden will discuss the
aging process, the problems, de-
sires, satisfactions and contri-
butions of older people and the
effect on the families of
increased longevity. Avrunin
will describe the ways in which
the community is meeting the
needs of older people and their
families. A question and answer
period will follow.
Dr. Linden, an expert in
problems of the aging, is a
graduate of the Medical School
of the University of California,
and has spent many years of
research in psychiatry, mental
health and aging. Prior to tak-
ing his current Philadelphia
post, he served as program di-
rector of the Gerontologic Study
Center at Norristown State Hos-
pital, Norristown, Pa. He has
authored numerous articles in
the fields of psychiatry, mental
health and gerontology, includ-
Rabbi Eiendrath asked the ing chapters in several books.
Board of Trustees, represent-
Avrunin is an authority in the
ing the 560 member synagogues, fields of community planning
to "fling down the gauntlet to and organization.
the dynamiters, translating our
The forum planning commit-
prophetic Reform Judaism into tee is under the aegis of the
daily practice," and to adopt
committee on serv-
a resolution urging the dis- Federation's
patching of a stronger request ices to the aged, chaired by
to President Eisenhower to re- Dr. Jack Rom.
The forum committee, under
consider his decision concern-
ing the convening of a White the chairmanship of Mrs. Henry
House conference on law and A. Krolik, is responsible for the
planning and arrangements of
order.
Serving with Mrs.
Addressing a dinner attended the forum.
on the committee are:
by 650 Reform leaders from Krolik
Stanley Ackers, Ira
across the United States and Mesdames
Sonnenblick, Sam Newman, Ber-
Canada, Dr. Eisendrath also nard
Aston, Murray Robinson,
proposed a' four-point program and Esther
Appelman, and
to "adapt Judaism to this new Messrs. Nathan
Shevitz, Lloyd
world."
Meadow, Eugene Greenspan,
Under the program presented Melville S. Welt, Henry Gothelf,
by Dr. Eisendrath, the Reform Eugene Jaffe, Sheldon Siegel,
prayer book would be revised and Drs. Leo Orecklin and Ram.
with the help of outstanding
Community Workshop, North
poets, writers, playwrights and
End
Clinic, Jewish Community
artists. The new prayer book
Center,
Jewish Family and
would then be, presented into
Jewish Home
native languages used in Asia, Children's Service, Jewish
Voca-
Africa and Latin America. Dr. for Aged and are the agencies
Eisendrath also proposed that tional Service
the pattern of Sunday school participating in the forum plan-
instruction be adapted to family ning.
instruction, rather than being
restricted to child education Canadian Bnai Brith Aids
Mining Disaster Victims
alone.
Bnai Brith in Canada this
Earl Morse, vice-chairman of
the organization and chairman week undertook a campaign to
of its evalutive study commit- aid the victims of the Spring-
tee, expressed concern over the hill, Nova Scotia, mining dis-
loss of older members from Re- aster where 52 men are be-
form Judiasm and urged the lieved dead.
launching of programs for the
An initial contribution of
aged. He noted that while the $500 was made from a special
material need of the aged were Bnai Brith fund for disaster
met, "the most fundamental relief. It was authorized by
need of older people is for in- Philip M. Klutznick, the organ-
timate affectionate contact in a ization's president, following a
stable group.
request from the Eastern Can-
Garson Mayer, trustee and adian Council of Bnai Brith.
president of UAHC's New York
State Council, suggested that
According to the Continuing
Reform synagogues develop an
awarenes of the need for Tem- Study of Newspaper Reading,
ple activity by elder citizens, four out of every five men and
and that the national organiza- women newspaper readers will
tion should formulate and cre- read one or more items on to-
ate programs for use in the day's editorial pages throughout
the U. S.
local synagogues.

Eisendrath Criticizes Rejection
of White House Bias Conference

Dr. Maurice N. Eisendrath,
president of the Union of
American H e b r e w Congrega-
tions, speaking before 150 lay
and rabbinic leaders of Reform
J u d a i s m, decried President
Eisenhower's rejection of a
White House conference on law
and order as an abdication of
which could be provided by the
Executive branch of the govern-
ment.
Dr. Eisendrath expressed
deep regret that "the President
dismissed as 'spectacular' the
request coming from all parts
of the country for the confer-
ence."
Dr. Eisendrath termed the
urgent appeal of spiritual and
communal f or c e s everywhere
for forceful leadership on the
part of the Executive branch of
our government as a request
which "can hardly be placed in
the same catagory as those
which the President has indi-
cated are suggested to him on a
regular basis."
Rabbi Eisendrath spoke at
the opening of a three-day
meeting of the board of trustees
of the Union of American He-
brew Congregations which is
gathering on the occasion of the
85th anniversary of the oldest
organization of synagogues in
America to formulate programs
for furthering the advancement
of the Reform movement in the
Western hemisphere.
Dr. Eisendrath called upon
the 1,000,000 members of the
Reform movement in the United
States and Canada to demon-
strate their "courage in the face
of panic in the North as well
as in the South and apply the
precepts and practices of our
own prophetic Jewish faith to
all f or ms of injustice and
bigotry—the deepest and most
crucial moral problem of our
time."
The religious leader reported
that since January 1957 there
have been 52 bombings of syna-
gogues, churches, schools and
residences. .

Parents Set for
Next Wednesday