THE JEWISH NEWS
-
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National
Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35,
Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription $5 a year. Foreign S6.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office, Detroit, Mich. under act of Congress of March
3, 18R..
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Circulation Manager
Advertising Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fifteenth day of Iyar, 5719, the following Scriptural selections will
be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Behar, Lev. 25:1-26:2. Prophetical portion, Jer. 32:6-27. Lag b'Omer
Occurs on May 26.
Licht Benshen, Friday, May 22, 7:34 p.m.
VOL. XXXV, No. 12
Page Four
May 22, 1959
The Bnai Brith Convention in Jerusalem
When the international Bnai Brith
convention opens, in Jerusalem the
end of this month, a number of Detroit-
ers, who have had the vision to plan
participation in the important meetings,
will share in the satisfaction of having
attended the first worldwide Bnai Brith
conclave in Israel.
Bnai Brith chapters have functioned
in the Holy Land for many years. Since
the establishment of Israel, Bnai Brith
has played an important role in efforts in
defense of Israel and in practical activities
to assure Israel's economic progress and
physical security. * *
It is estimated that of the 1,500 dele-
gates who are planning to attend the
convention, 95 per cent will be visiting
the Jewish State for the first time. Many
remarkable accomplishments, some of
which are attributable to Bnai Brith and
to its retiring dynamic president, Philip
Klutznick, will be revealed to the dele-
gates.
The Israel government is preparing
the most hospitable conditions for the
convention. There will be a special post
office for the delegates and banking facili-
ties will be provided to facilitate monetary
exchanges for the guests.
* *
Thus, the heavy tourist traffic in Is-
rael, which was especially in evidence in
record numbers during the Passover
festival, will be multiplied in the coming
few weeks, and the members of Bnai
Brith will acquire knowledge about the
redeemed State of Israel at first hand
from a government that is anxious to
build friendships in American Jewish
communities and welcomes the good will
of the great Bnai Brith organization:
The Jerusalem sessions will provide
an opportunity for the international Bnai
Brith to show appreciation for the untiring
and skillful efforts of the retiring presi-
dent. Mr. Klutznick has been more than
the president of Bnai Brith: as head of
the conference of presidents of all na-
tional Jewish organizations, as spokesman
for American Jewry at the White House,
at the State Department and at important
sessions at which Jewish issues have been
aired, and as the inspirer of many rising
young leaders in American Jewry, he is
a major personality in world Jewish
activities today.
*
Mr. Klutznick has not limited his
energies to civic-protective programs. He
is deeply devoted to the cause of Jewish
education and the advancement of Jewish
cultural efforts is one of his major
interests.
We are certain that he is not stepping
out of Jewish leadership in his retirement
from the Bnai Brith presidency. He is
certain to retain an important place in
Jewish life, and the place of priority he
has attained in the affections of our
people is certain to be retained for him
for many years to come.
His successor has excellent standards,
established for him by the able retiring
president, to guide him in his future
responsibilities. American Jewry already
has gained a great deal from the prece-
dents set for devoted communal action.
How Amsterdan Jews Won
Struggles Against Stuyvesant
The struggle of the early Jewish settlers in this country, who
established the first American Jewish community in New Amster-
dam, in spite of the handicaps that were created for them by
Peter Stuyvesant, has been told numerous times. It is related
anew in a very interesting book, "Peter Stuyvesant and His New
York—A Biography of a Man and a City," by two able authors,
Dr. Henry H. Kessler and Eugene Rachlis. Random House is the
publisher.
Dr. Kessler took an interest in this subject because Stuy-
vesant was and amputee and because he was able to establish for
the first time, from a 1644 letter written by Stuyvesant, that it
was the Dutch Governor's right leg that was amputated. Rachlis
is a well known newspaperman.
Aside from the Jewish angle in the book, which lends it
special significance because the Jewish settlers were among the
leaders in the New Amsterdam population who labored against
Stuyvesant's arbitrary methods, this volume has great historical
merit. Many new facts about New York, its founders, the early
American settlers, their interests and manifold activities, will be
found here.
Besides, the enterprising activities that gave birth to the
great metropolis are described here so interestingly that even the
barest facts read like fiction. There is entertainment in the
factual story of Stuyvesant and his New York.
Are UN Petitions Buried in the Files?
Unless an international organization
The charge has recently been made
by a World Jewish Congress leader that like the United Nations can be appealed
unless present procedures are changed to for justice, where will the persecu-
"petitions from aggrieved persons or tion turn to? Dr. Perlzweig has properly
organizations, however grave the situation evaluated a grave issue, and it is to be
in which they find themselves, will remain hoped that in the course of time the
desired improvements will be made to
buried in the files."
give the deserved hearing to the maligned.
This is a serious warning. Dr. Maur- As long as complaints against injustice
ice L. Perlzweig, World Jewish Congress are "buried in official files," there isn't
representative at the UN, discussing plans much hope for the persecuted. As soon
for improvement in methods of dealing as the voice of less fortunate peoples is
with communications relating to the pro- heard, without the danger of pigeonholing,
motion of "universal respect for an ob- there will be a more secure day for the
servation of human rights," explained oppressed.
that although it is generally known that
large numbers of people in various parts
of the world were subject to persecution,
the UN is yet to evolve an effective
A distinct honor has been accorded
method of responding to such victims of former
Judge Charles Rubiner by the
discrimination.
Detroit
Bar
Association.
* *
*
His election to the presidency of the
The issue described by Dr. Perlzweig association is a mark of recognition of
is a grave one. There are many problems the Detroit Jewish leader's high qualities
involving the persecution of minority as a lawyer and as a dedicated member
people. Many people behind the Iron of our community.
Curtain continue to live in fear for their
Long active in many Jewish move-
lives. Jews in Moslem lands are subjected ments, Judge Rubiner is known for his
to humiliations and live in total insecur- devotion to Congregation Shaarey Zedek
ity. The oppressed seldom have recourse which he has served as president, as a
to justice.
faithful Zionist, as an active member of
In the matter of emigration - and the many social service agencies. -
He has the distinction of being the
resettlement of oppressed Jews, there
third
Jewish leader to be named presi-
also has been a lag that needs correcting.
There are hundreds of thousands of Jews dent of the Detroit Bar Association, the
who would welcome the opportunity of other two having been former State Su-
acquiring the freedom of the new Israeli preme Court Justice Henry M. Butzel
haven of refuge. But the obstacles, re- and Leo M. Franklin.
We join in congratulating Judge Ru-
lated to the burying of petitions, stand
. biner on his elevation to .this high office.
in the way . of proper rehabilitation.
Honors for Rubiner
It is especially interesting to note that the review of the
Jewish struggle for equal rights appears in the chapter "Con-
troversy over Conscience." The Jews were not alone who were
suppressed in their religious activities. It was a matter of con-
science. Because "througout Peter Stuyvesant's life, in time of
calm as well as violence, he was sustained by a fierce devotion to
his personal vision of God." it was necessary for those seeking
just consideration of their claims for religious and other free-
doms to deal with a man who was dedicated to his personal
interpretation of the Dutch Reformed Church teachings. "The
Lutherans were the first to feel the effects" of ordinances
promulgated by Stuyvesant. The Jews were hard hit.
Stupvesant started a campaign "to rid the colony of the
Jews." But "despite the open antagonism, the Jews stayed." They
appealed to the Netherlands Chamber and word came from the
home government to the New Amsterdam colony easing the re-
strictions. The Amsterdam Chamber granted the Jews permission
"to travel and trade to and in New Netherland and live and
remain there, providing the poor among them shall not become
a burden to the company or the community, but be supported
by their own nation." From this grant-to-stay stems the tradition
of American Jewry: that we always take care of our own.
More Jews began to settle in New Amsterdam and "the in-
creased number also brought increased antipathy." Stuyvesant
didn't rest and sought a reversal of the Chamber's decision, but
"the Jews began to win minor victories." The Burgomaster
recognized "the meaning of Saturday to the Jews and a court
ordered that "no default be entered" against Jacob Barsimson
"as he was summoned on his Sabbath."
"Each victory came after a struggle"—and there were many
struggles. The insistence of Jews that they be permitted to serve
in the home guards became a major issue—another of those
that finally resulted in triumph for Jewish persistance. "The Jews
continued to petition for the expansion of their rights, and in
time each of Stuyvesants denials was overruled by Amsterdam
Stuyvesant's strategy with the Jews followed a pattern of nega-
tion and delay; then as the Chamber reversed him, he reluctantly
changed his position."
In 1656, the Chamber "made it clear that the liberties Jews
were to receive in the New World were to be the same as those
permitted in the Netherlands." There was a restriction, however,
on carrying on religious activities "in synagogues and gatherings,"
but that too, was overcome. The Jews soon gained the right to
"purchase burgher rights," to carry on real estate activities, and
when licenses were granted to Jewish butchers " they were
specifically exempted from having to handle pork."
This is part of an interesting historical development that
led to Jewry's acquisition of just rights, against numerous
obstacles created by Peter Stuyvesant. The courage of the first
Jewish settlers in the first organized Jewish community of
America is a tale of glory and self-esteem. It is recorded in a
splendid book, and we highly recommend "Peter Stuyvesant and
His New York" as a delightful and enlightening reading.