Highlights From Sweden

Zvi Tomkiewicz and others. Rabbi Mintz of Israel
active on commissions . . . Israeli leaders played
(Continued from Page 1)
must be mentioned as one of the eminent Ortho-
notable roles here . . Dr. Nahum Goldmann is
dox personalities at the Plenary.
The Polish observers, Julian Brszczewski, Nichel
the brilliant general who directs a congress of so
Mirski, Dr. David Sfard and Hersch Smoliar, at-
Speaking of personalities, it is important to .
many factions . . . Israeli leftists have made
tended in the name of the Social and Cultural
mention
the presence here of S. Z. Shazar, Israel's
capital here for their party.
Minister of Education, and Dr. Kubowy, the direct-
Association of Jews in Poland.
Josef
Fraenkel,
the
able
London
journalist
and
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ing head of Yad Washem in Jerusalem. Both are
frequent contributor to the columns of The Jewish
A special WJC Post Office was set up in the
Mapai leaders . . . Prominent members of the
News, was a senior administrative officer .. . Karl
Parliament House, and correspondence posted in
American delegation are two Labor Zionists, Beza-
Baum, of London, and Monty Jacobs, of New York,
this office is stamped with a special cancellation
lel Sherman and Meyer Brown.
directed the public relations program.
mark adopted by the Swedish postal services in
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Dr. Horace Kallan is among the most revered
honor of the WJC Plenary Assembly.
There is a "maverick" in the British delega-
delegates . . . Rose Halprin, the Jewish Agency
The Congress emblem is interesting. It is tri-
tion—Labor M.P. Sidney Silverman, who is critical
leader, is one of the ablest. She takes her work
of the position on Russia taken by many delegates,
seriously, has learned Hebrew, is a good speaker
lingual—Hebrew, Yiddish, English.
Special picture postcards also have been issued
who has been accused of being overly sympa-
and is excellent in debate.
by the Congress to mark this historic occasion.
thetic to the USSR, who inspired a reply to some
Dr. Salo Baron, here with Mrs. Baron, was a
An historic collection of wood carvings by
of his views by Dr. Goldmann,
good match for Moshe Sharett in a brilliant evalu-
Berel Satt, famous sculptor, depicting life of the
Silverman has differed with Jewish leaders for
ation of Jewry's position vis-a-vis Israel during
many years on many questions involving Israel and
obliterated Jewish cities in Eastern Europe, ac-
the symposium in which they participated jointly.
quired by Mr. and Mrs. Morris L. Shaver, of De-
Zionism, both in and out of the British House of
Dr. Wolfgang von Weisl, one-time close associate
troit, for presentation as a 'permanent exhibit in
Commons. "Sidney contrary," we have been in the
of Bedouin leaders in Palestine, who had written
habit of calling him . . . But he is a likeable man
Israel, had its initial showing at the WJC sessions
several books on Palestine and the Bedouins, now
. . . We have enjoyed knowing him for more than
here.
practices medicine in Israel. He is here as corres-
The exhibition, "Wood Sculptures of the Shtetl,"
15 years, and his attitudes, often unpalatable,
pondent for Hebrew and French newspapers.
man
of
a
had been chosen by the world Jewish leaders as
nevertheless are acceptable as those
Meir Grossman, world General Zionist leader,
the major exhibition at the international confer-
who has the status of the "one-man opposition" on
a member of the Jewish Agency Executive, makes
nearly
all
subjects
.
.
.
Since
opposition
is
always
ence.
himself heard at many meetings here . . . Mortimer
Included in the 43 bas-reliefs and sculptures
desirable, let it be Sidney Silverman's.
May, former president of the Zionist Organization
exhibited in the Schaver collection are religious
The brilliant man in the WJC Plenary—and
of America, is a leader in the American delega-
scenes, synagogue observances, typical ghetto per-
in world Jewry—is Dr. Nahum Goldmann . . . In
tion . . . Jacob Leichtman, president of Commer-
sonalities, holiday observances.
his reply to the critics, when he wound up the
cial Bank of North America, an active Zionist
After its 12-day exhibition here, in the Parli-
political debate on Aug. 5, Dr. Goldmann emerged
and Congress leader, is equally active here.
as the great orator, the master debater, the lin-
ament Building, where the Congress sessions
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took place, the exhibition goes on a world-wide
guist. The first half of his speech, in which he
Documented facts procured from Russia and re-
tour, with Detroit among the first cities to wit-
analyzed the German reparations and the Jewish
vealed here by informed delegations attending the
ness it in the fall. Its final showings will be in
attitudes towards West Germany, he developed,
WJC Assembly, show so rapid an increase in anti-
Israel where a permanent exhibition room will
in Yiddish, the reasons for the new relationship
Semitism that the problem of the security of the
with Germany. It was an irrefutable argument.
be created for it in one of the Israeli museums.
2,500,000 Jewish in the Soviet Union is viewed as
The
second
half
of
his
speech,
delivered
in
En-
Representatives of Jewish communities through-
one of the most serious issues facing the Jewish
glish,
equally
irrefutable,
developed
the
Russian
the
Congress
out the world, who assembled here for
people.
theme.
He
was
defending
the
Congress
viewpoint,
sessions, have acclaimed the gift made by Morris
It was reported at the sessions of the Congress
of giving an equal platform to communists and
and Emma Schaver as a valuable contribution to-
that all American rabbis who had expressed the
non-communists and of saying to Russia: you have
wards the perpetuation of Jewish art.
wish to visit Russia after the Congress, had been
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recognized the Jewish nationality by placing the
*
denied visas by the USSR. Rabbi Morris Adler
word
"Jew"
on
Jewish
passports.
Why
not
also
The members of the Detroit delegation and
of Detroit was one of the rabbis who failed to
grant
Jews
cultural
status
by
granting
them
the
affiliates with the Labor Zionist movement who
get a visa. Earlier last month, Dr. Richard Hertz
right to publish Yiddish and Hebrew periodi-
are here from Israel, the United States and other
of Detroit's Temple Beth El had succeeded in
cals, by permitting them to have cultural activi-
lands, were grieved to learn of the passing of
securing a visa and is now visiting Russia.
ties,
by
extending
their
religious
freedoms?
If
it
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Emma Schaver's father, Jacob Lazaroff, venerable
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is
possible
for
Jews
in
Poland
and
Hungary
to
former Detroiter who had been making his home
Language was a big factor in the splendidly
have Yiddish papers and Jewish schools, why not
in Los Angeles.
arranged communication aspect of the Congress .
also in Russia proper?
Jacob Lazaroff was among Detroit's most re-
At the opening session, Hebrew, Yiddish, English,
Nahum
Goldmann
emerged
from
the
Congress
spected patriarchs. A man of great devotion and
German and French were spoken . . . These lan-
debate
the
acknowledged
leader
of
world
Jewry.
profound learning, he was active in congregational
guages are heard in all debates . . . There is simul-
He
is
the
peer,
possessing
the
unchallenged
right
activities and in the Zionist movement. His passing
taneous interpretation of all speeches in English,
to be the top world Jewish leader.
will be deeply mourned by all who knew him.
French and Yiddish—the conference's official lan-
Your
correspondent
recalls
the
meeting
in
New
All of us regretted deeply that Mr. and Mrs.
guages. By earphones, delegates can hear the
York at which Dr. Goldmann first was welcomed
Schaver and their son, Isaac, were compelled to
speeches in either of the languages . . . Hebrew
to
the
United
States.
It
was
an
overflow
gathering
leave Stockholm before the World Jewish Congress
also is translated, into the three official languages.
in Carnegie Hall, and the late Dr. Stephen S. Wise,
Plenary was over, to abandon their trip to Russia
. . . The interpreters are quick to grasp meanings
introducing Dr. Goldmann, likened him to Dr. Max
and to return to the United States immediately to
and contents. but when speakers are too rapid for
Nordau re-
Nordau
and
said
Dr.
Goldmann
was
be in Los Angeles for Shivah.
them, they are warned to slow down . . .
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divisus.
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Delegates were seated according to their coun-
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We were saddened also to learn about the
tries of origin, in blocs, as in the United Nations.
Dr.
Israel
Goldstein
and
his
wife,
Bert,
were
passing of Solomon Chesluk. He was a distinguished
. . . The largest delegation was from the United
on the scene all the time. They are completing a
Orthodox scholar and leader. Modest, tolerant, un-
States . . . Next largest were from Great Britain,
world-wide
tour
during
the
rabbi's
sabbatical
year.
assuming, he made many friends among all factions
France and Israel . . .
Rabbi Goldstein is returning to his pulpit for
of Jewry.
the High Holy Days. We learn that within a year
Of vital interest here were complaints of ine-
For 20 years, this correspondent had been
or so he may retire from the rabbinate and settle
quality brought to the Congress by spokesmen for
soliciting him for the Allied Jewish Campaign.
in Israel. As former president of the Jewish Na-
the Sefardic communities in Israel. The American
He was always generous within his means. He
tional Fund, Zionist Organization of America, Amer-
delegation was told that Oriental Jews, unlike their
was our best AJC prospect.
ican Jewish Congress and other national move-
compatriots from Poland, Romania and elsewhere,
Mr. Chesluk and Mr. Lazaroff were good friends.
ments, his role in Jewish life has been meritorious.
still are kept in ma'abarot and do not have the
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It was fated that they should be called to the
same
status of equality.
great beyond a week apart.
It was a tribute to American Jewish educa-
The complaint added that Sefardic Jews are
Blessed be the memory of the righteous.
tional efforts that Dr. Judah Pilch, executive
given starvation wages. In addition to defense and
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director of the American Association for Jewish
self-sufficiency, many Sefardim consider the in-
Next to the Schaver exhibit of the bas reliefs
Education, should have been invited to partici-
ternal problem—the Sefardi-Ashkenazi controversy
and woodworks of the Shtetl — the magnificent
pate in the symposium, "International Coopera-
—the
most serious.
,
collection of Satt works=is another valuable ex
tion in Jewish Education."
The famous author, Wolfgang von Weisl, here
hibition of the works of a great Jewish artist and
Dr. Pilch had just come from a visit to Israel.
in our correspondents' corps, disagrees. He says
sculptor, Willy Gordon.
In his WJC address, he placed emphasis on the
the boredom that troubles mankind, the lack of
importance
of
the
recent
Jewish
educational
survey
Gordon's bust of Joseph Sprinzak, borrowed
activity, the abandonment of learning which has
from the Israel Knesset for exhibition here, his
he directed.
kept
Jews busy for generations, is responsible
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magnificent bronze "Escaping with the Torah," of
for unfortunate restlessness.
Judge Gus Solomon of Portland, Ore., was
which there are four copies in the world, in Israel,
Admittedly, however, the problem is considered
active in many sesssions . . . He is a likeable man,
London, New York and Stockholm, and other im-
explosive and will have to be dealt with . . .
and both he and Mrs. Solomon are making friends
portant works are on view here.
Some, Rabbi Kirshblum among them, believe
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among the American delegates . . . Mrs. Salomon
that Ben-Gurion and his party first had built up a
especially seeks cultural contacts for her com-
The fact that greetings came to the Congress
spirit of rebelliousness among the Sefardim, in the
munity and has asked the Schavers to bring the
from Prime Minister Nehru of India as well as
course of political campaigns, and now they are
Satt
woodcuts
collection
to
her
community
.
.
.
other leading world statemen, from Countess Es-
reaping a harvest of tragic concern. Israel undoubt-
Rabbi Max Kirshblum is one of the best in-
telle Bernadotte and others, is an indication of
edly will have to act quickly on this issue to avert
formed men at the Stockholm meetings, especially
the international recognition given to the world
trouble.
on questions involving religious matters . . .
gathering of Jews in Stockholm.
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Thanks to him, we were better briefed on the
It is too early at this writing to evaluate the
issues involved in the rioting by North Africans
The Jewish community of Stockholm has set
Congress. Resolutions are yet to be adopted. No
in Israel, and about the activities of the Sefardi
up a kosher restaurant for the delegates. There
action has been taken on major issues. All that
rabbis in Israel . .. Rabbi Irving Miller, a former
are religious services in three houses of worship
has taken place is debate—on political, organiza-
president of the American Jewish Congress, plans
and a number of receptions for the delegates by
tional and cultural matters.
important
roles
in
the
sessions
of
the
American
non-Jews as well as Jews.
At the outset, the only judgment to be expressed
delegation
and
at
meetings
of
the
Confederation
In a sense, this gathering gives a certain
is that this great gathering of representatives of
of General Zionists.
amount of status to Swedish and other Scandi-
the Jewries of the world may be suffering from
Rabbis Kirshblum and Federbush are among
navian Jewries and lends warm kinship to them
"the curse of bigness." But, in justice to, the lead-
the
eminent
Mizrachi
leaders
who
play
important
the
in their contacts here with spokesmen for
ers and delegations, judgment must be reserved.
roles
in
the
Congress
deliberations
.
.
.
Rabbi
Jews of the world.
The fact that Jews can meet freely, as brethren,
Kirshblum took occasion, in his meetings with
Many interesting personalities came here . . •
to exchange views on matters of mutual concern,
Detroiters, to express joy over progress made in
Judge Louis Levinthal, of Philadelphia, is one of
is vital in itself. Whether the results justify a 12-
Israel
by
Bar-Ilan
University
with
the
aid
of
the charming men who wins the affections of his
day Congress is a matter to be judged later.
Detroit leaders—the Stollmans, Daniel Temchin,
confreres . Judge Gus Solomon of Portland was

