THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Friday, November 28, 19 58-2

Purely Commentar y•

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Remarkable Dictionary on By Philip
. Yiddish
Jewish Terms ...Yiddish
Theater . . . Bit of Humor J/OMOVitZ

Book Fair
Audiences
Set Records

experimentally scrawled the words "tempus fugit" several
times thereon.
How does one go about securing definitions of basic Jewish
The pretty girl, deeply intrigued, handed him another
terms? Without going into very deep study of matters affecting
pen, suggesting, "Maybe you'll like this one better, Mr. Fugit."
Jewish life, how is one to acquire information relating to condi-
An estimated attendance of
There are no new stories. All good jokes have their vari-
tions affecting our people?
ations and can be traced to old sources. This one, about tempus approximately 3,000 men, wom-
The scholar, the man of research, goes to the library, scans fugit, happens to stem from England. It originated when, some
en and children, at programs
history books, searches into reference works. But the average 35 years ago, the great Jewish novelist, Israel Zangwill, was
layman must have something as simple as a dictionary to acquaint testing a fountain pen in a stationery store and was repeatedly Saturday night through Mon-
day night, at the Davison Jew-
himself with the facts he searches for.
writing "tempus fugit." The owner of the store watched him ish Center, set a new record
with
great
interest
and
finally
remarked:
"Mr.
Fugit,
you
cer-
The problem has been solved in great measure by the Insti-
for community response to the
tute of Jewish Affairs of the World Congress (15 E. 84th St., tainly resemble Israel Zangwill."
annual Jewish Book Fair.
* * *
N.Y. 28), through its interesting publication, "Dictionary of
Thousands of books were sold
Will O'Hara's 'From the Terrace' Be a Best Seller?
Jewish Public Affairs and Related Matters."
to the viewers of the book ex-
If you are in need of a brief explanation of the notorious
Will John O'Hara's new novel, "From the Terrace," being hibits in the gymnasium of the
forgeries and defamations, the so-called Protocols of the published today by Random House, be a best seller?
Center.
Learned Elders of Zion, which were used in the anti-Semitic
It has all the earmarks of reaching that category. It has
There were overflow audi-
propaganda of Henry Ford, Father Coughlin and others, and
lots of sex, a great deal of action and interesting continuity.
ences
at the children's and
which now are being utilized against Israel by Nasser and his
It is not a Jewish novel, and it does not necessarily have a
cohorts, all you need do is consult this valuable Dictionary. particular interest for our specialized field. But it does have one women's gatherings on Sunday
and Monday afternoons.
This excellent compilation, which was prepared by Dr. major attraction. It delineates so well the metamorphoses of
The opening program, Satur-
social
and
economic
changes
in
this
country
from
the
turn
of
Nehemiah Robinson, in collaboration with Gerhard Jacoby, Oscar
Karbach and Saul Sokal, exposes the links between anti-Semitic the present century up to World War II and the era of FDR, day night, necessitated the
groups in many parts of the world. It shows the fusion into an that it is worth reading—if only from that point of view. The broadcasting of the addresses
international anti-democratic and anti-Jewish tie-up of bigoted reader visualizes in "From the Terrace" the almost-helpless from the main auditorium to
groups in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, laborer of the early 1900s and sees him emerge in greater se- the gymnasium where an addi-
curity under the labor movement. He sees changes in our tional 200 people were seated.
Austria, Great Britain and other countries.
Morris Garvett was chairman
Frequently names of hate-spreading groups in this country industrial life and politically. It's an interesting novel. It has
of this year's Jewish Book Fair.
appear in print. To get the facts about them, their magazines and a good chance to become a best seller.
leaders, all you need do is look into this dictionary.
The Ku • Klux- Klan is described as having international
links in Latin America and Great Britain.
Anti-Semitic groups in all parts of the world are listed, and
this Dictionary may therefore properly be considered as an im-
By BORIS SMOLAR
portant defense mechanism, guiding its possessors in -the right
Copyright, 1958, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.
paths • of judging friends and antagonists.
As indicated. this Dictionary refers not only to movements
Mission To Israel
Did you find any changes in Israel? . . . This is the
and historical developments, but also to personalities. There are
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
question I am asked from all sides following my return from a
biographical notes on Herz]. and Jabotinsky as well as on Chmiel-
to The Jewish News
nicki, the notorious Cossack instigator of massacres against the
short stay in that country . . . People in the United States
JERUSALEM — The Israel are under the mistaken impression that the situation in Israel
Jews, and other pogromists.
Foreign Ministry has decided is tense because of the turmoil in the neighboring Arab countries
.There is a simplification of the MacCarran-Walter Act, an to nominate Dr. A. Harel, cur-
. . . The truth is, that never since the establishment of Israel
explanatory note on Jewish migrations, facts about Restitution rently its envoy in Bucharest,
Laws, data on Jewish communities throughout the world and a to be Ambassador in Moscow, to did I find life in that country as calm as now . . . Everybody
goes about his work without paying the slightest attention to
mine of other information.
replace Joseph Avidar.
the intrigues and developments in the Arab countries . .
We .highly recommend that this Dictionary be obtained by all
Dr. Harel, leading Israeli
the
who seek information about -Jews, Jewish communities and the physician, served in the war of This the people of Israel leave to their government and to the
armed forces . . . The atmosphere of security which
issues that affect them.
liberation as liaison officer be- Sinai victory brought to the people of Israel prevails . . . It
* - *
tween the Israeli forces and spells calmness,, stability and a normal way of life which can be
the International Red Cross. seen and felt in every part of the country . . . Some Israelis
The : Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Highly recommendable also is another World Jewish Cong- At that time, he had the rank complain that it is difficult to make a living, because taxes are
ress Institute of Jewish Affairs book, also by Dr. .Robinson: of colonel. Originally, a resi- going higher and higher, but progress since last year is quite
"The UniverSal Declaration' of Human Rights." Dedicated to the dent of Givat Brenner, Dr. Harel visible . . . New settlements have sprung up during the
10th anniversary of the adoption - of the Declaration, this volume was formally active in the Ach- year not only in the wilderness of the Negev but also atop the
outlined its origin, significance, application and interpretation. dut Avodah party.
Judean Hills, where no organized life has existed since Biblical
days . . Looking at these achievements, there was no doubt
Dr. Robinson makes this important observation in his preface:
in my mind that Israel could easily make room for another
"While it is generally agreed that as a 'goal' the Declar- Farband Conference
million new immigrants, if it had the funds to absorb them . . .
ation must in some respects be even more advanced than the
laws of the most democratic states, the lack of respect for and To Hear Louis Segal
implementation of human rights is not due to the 'defects' of
Farband Labor Zionist Order Israel's Problems
Talks with Premier David Ben-Gurion and top Israeli military
the Declaration. It simply means that more than nine years are
of Detroit will hold its annual
needed to achieve any real results in the fight against cen-
conference at the Hayim Green- leaders leave no doubt that Col. Nasser will have to think more
than twice befOre he indulges in fresh aggression against Israel
turies-old hatreds, prejudices, and biases and that, in a world
berg Center, Dec. 6 and 7.
of turmoil, the best-meant declarations, resolutions, and state_-
The conference will open at . . . Nevertheless, the security problem is still considered by
ments do not suffice. In addition, there is the danger of non- 8:30 p.m., Dec. 6, with a Hanu- the government as Problem Number One, requiring constant
vigilance . . . There is no slumbering in Israel in this
legally-binding declarations breeding complacency, inducing
k a h program
respect, and no leaving things to chance . However,
the nations to abandon the task to which the United Nations featuring Uni-
another problem has climbed to the top of the priority list, that
has addressed itself: to produce an enforceable international ted Jewish
of absorbing new waves of immigrants from countries behind the
bill of rights and fundamental freedoms wherever they are
Folk School
Iron Curtain . . . These immigrants reach Israel every week
violated or not complied with."
students, di-
by ship and by plane and constitute a very desirable element
The interpretation of the Declaration, its text, with the rected b y
They are given the warmest welcome from the very
•
•
•
various preambles, the guide to UN documents, combine to make singing teach-
moment they land on Israeli soil, but their immigration and settle-
er Mrs. Sho-
this a volume of very great importance.
ment requires large funds . . Nobody can foretell how long
shana Fr e ed-
the doors will remain open for Jews in the countries behind
man. Louis Se-
Yiddish and Its Theater
the Iron Curtain to leave for Israel . . . But as long as these
g a 1 , general
doors are open, Israel is determined to receive the newcomers
Great actors emerged from the Yiddish theater when it was secretary of
with open hands, anticipating that American Jewry will come
in its heyday. The Yiddish drama, in its day, was an important Farband, will
forward with increased contributions through the United Jewish
element in the theatrical field. The Yiddish stage had great deliver th e
Appeal to facilitate their settlement.
plays and great performers.
keynote ad-
*.
*
The Yiddish theater hasn't done so well in the past decade. dress at this
American Inspiration
There were regular daily, later weekly, Yiddish performances session.
Segal '
Sessions the
American Jews will be glad to hear that their efforts for
in our community. They were stopped, for lack of support. But
in New York City there still is a vast audience that craves for following morning will be de- Israel, as well as their Jewish communal activities, are an in-
voted to branch reports and spiration for the Israeli-born younger generation . . . Sabras,
a good Yiddish play.
Now, however, the emphasis is on the "Jewish-American" organizational discussion. Fol- the Israeli-born yong adults, who had a chance to visit the United
States and become acquainted with Jewish life in this country are
play. In other words, it is a combination of Yiddish and English. lowing a luncheon, Farband
come all returning to Israel full of praise for American Jewry . .
Two new plays opened on Second Avenue—"Family Mishmash" projects and affiliates will
and "Nice People." The New York Times reviewer inter alia under discussion. Following Indifferent as they had been to Jewish life outside of Israel,
because they knew little of it, they have come to appreciate the
had this to say about the revival of the Yiddish theater on election of a city committee,
the conference will be closed meaning of organized Jewish communal life in the United States
Second Avenue:
by Segal. The meetings are open after having visited large communities in this country . . . Those
"There were lights and crowds and gaiety and from out-
to all Farband members.
among them who are considered in the top ranks of the "young
ward appearances you would not think that the American
guard" in Israel report with enthusiasm to Premier Ben-Gurion
life
in
the
out
its
Yiddish theatre actually was gasping
when they come back from New York . .. They are beginning
environs where once it played such an important role in
To Re-Bury Hess
to feel the importance of American Jewry for Israel not only
the cultural life of so many in this metropolis.
as a fund-raising Jewry but also as a huge source of Jewish
"How long this refusal to capitulate to the inevitable
in Holy Land
heritage . . . They are also beginning to understand the meaning
will continue no one can really tell."
COLOGNE, (JTA) — The
of a "two-way bridge" in the relationship between Israel and
It is a saddening comment. Yiddish is a language that had
remains of Moses • Hess, one
American Jewry . .. Premier Ben-Gurion, who knows American
been enriched by a vast literature, by meritorious musical scores
of the first Jews in the last
Jewish life, is elated over the fact that his Sabras are so lauda-
based on Yiddish folksongs, by historical dramas and modern
century to project the idea
tory of American Jewry . . . And the Israel government is
comedies. But the Yiddish-speaking and Yiddish-understanding
of a Jewish national home
more
than ever interested to bring to readers of the - press in
element is vanishing. Yiddish must persist in its highest literary
in Palestine, will be ex-
Israel
more news about Jewish community life in the United
qualties among scholars who cling to its glories. What a pity!
humed from the Cologne
States . . . As a result of this new spirit, Israeli newspapers are
* *
Jewish cemetery and trans-
being pressed by their Sabra readers to print more news on
Israel Zangwill and a Bennett Cerf Story
ferred to Israel for reinter-
internal Jewish life in countries outside of Israel, particularly
In his "Cerfboard" in This Week Magazine, Bennett Cerf
ment. He presented his idea
in the United States . . . The Israel government is encouraging
told this story:
in a volume entitled "Rome
this request and is informally advising the Israeli editors to
A pretty girl is in charge of the fountain pen department
and Jerusalem" which was
increase their use of news and articles on Jewish developments
a
Philadelphia
department
store.
A
prospect
picked
up
in
published in 1862.
the world over.
•••••••••••••=ii•
one of the pens, asked for a piece of scratch paper, and

A Remarkable 'Dictionary' on Jewish Terms

Israel Names
Dr. A. Harel
Soviet Envoy

•■

Between You and Me

