THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Friday, November 27, 195 9-2
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Friedrich Schiller's Biblical Allusions
The 200th anniversary of the birth of the great German poet,
Friedrich Schiller, which was observed here with the presenta-
tion of the English version of his historical drama, "Mary Stuart,"
brings to mind the brilliant author's Jewish attitudes.
Schiller's works included Biblical themes—among them were
"Veber • die Sendung Moses" and "Etwas ueber die aelteste
Menschengesellschaft nach dem Leitf a den der mosaischen
Urkubde." He had adapted for the stage Gotthold Ephraim
Lessing's famous "Nathan der Weise" and employed Biblical
references in his tragedies.
It is known that he befriended Henriette Herz. the Jewess
who became famous Berlin social leader, and that he admired
the works of Heinrich Heine. His works have been translated
into Yiddish and Hebrew, and Jews celebrated the centenaries
of his birth and. death, in 1859 and 1905.
* • *
Unnecessary Attacks on Israel and Orthodoxy
During the early years of Reform Judaism, there were fre-
quent scuffles between the leaders of the new movement and
Orthodoxy, and the rancor that arose created irreconcilable splits
in Jewish ranks.
years, and there is a
Ill feelings have vanished in
sense of tolerance among the two extreme groups in Jewry.
There is a -greater amount of cooperation between Reform and
Orthodox in matters unrelated to worship and theological inter-
pretations, and in communal functions both elements have gotten
along very well together in recent years.
-This spirit of good will is -in danger of being wiped out
and corrupted by such unwise outbursts as those that were
uttered at the convention of the Union of Amerkan Hebrew
Congregations by its president, Dr. Maurice N. Eisendrath. The
UAHC leader not only ridiculed Orthodoxy but took unnecessary
jabs at David Ben-Gurion and the Israel government for align-
ments with the Orthodox in Israel. - • • • - - - -
In-- Conservative ranks, too, there have been occasional
unwise attacks on the Israel government for its alleged favoritism
-to Orthodoxy.
The criticisms of both the Reform and Conservative leaders
are Out of. place. They are as unfortunate as other attempts
by U.S. Jews to inject themselves into internal Israeli affairs.
Mtually; both Conservatisai and Reform have -gained some
advantages in Israel — the former by the establishment of a
student center and the setting up of special courses in Israel;
the latter by the, establishment of an archaeological center, in
the vicinity _of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, which will
have A .Reform - chapel- for Reform worship.
The injustice-of the religious attacks on Ben-Gurion and his
government. lies in -. a lack of - recognition that Ben-Gurion is not
seriously - interested in given - preferences to any religious- grotip,
and that his alignment .: with the Orthodox in a government
-coalition is a matter of political - expediency. What- business is it
of any 'American; regardless. OL, Itia political or religious views,
to interfere with Ben-Gurion's:selectio.n of a .Cabinet? Insofar
-
-
as the religious domination enjoyed by the Orthodox in Israel
is concerned, it must be recognized as part of a state of affairS
BnaiBrithPresidentEndorsesVitalJewish
Unity Based on 'Voluntary Character'
Strongly endorsing a policy and the recent ad hoc com-
He added that "if we do have
organizations that was formed
in connection with Soviet
Premier Nikita Khrushchev's
visit here as "meaningful dem-
onstrations of unity."
Defining t h e "practical
unity" of a voluntary forum,
Katz said that it observes
"five fixed rules for Jewish
community behavior that we
would not change even if all
of us wanted to." He listed
them as: 1. The community
can't be compulsory. 2. It
can't be coalesced by ma-
jority rule. 3. It can be op-
erated only by voluntary asso-
ciation. 4. It is wary of any
concentration of power. 5. It
respects dissent.
The "sixth postulate" he de-
fined as the "hard and realistic
fact that Jewish opinion is over-
whelmingly united on the im-
portant issues that are best
served by a united approach.
we seek to achieve but in the
techniques and methods for
realizing our group aspirations."
To support his contention that
"unity can not be mandated,"
Katz recalled the collapse of the
American Jewish Conference,
the "abortive" pre-World .War
I attempt to establish a 'modern
Kehillah in New York City and
similar organizational effortS.
He contrasted this With the
Presidents' Conference which
he said, "has been, first and
foremost, a consultative 'body-
17 national presidents talking
things out. It has been a forum
for inquiry and debate. It has
been a council for cooperative
effort that is distilled not from
majority decisions, but from
unaninimity arrived- at by the
interchange of ideas."
Katz also addressed a public
meeting of Bnai Brith Wednes-
day night.
of cooperative activity by Na- mittee of 21 national Jewish differences, they are not in what
tional groups but warning that
it can succeed only if it adheres
to the voluntary character of
Jewish life in America, Label A.
Katz, president of Bnai Brith,
making his first appearance in
Detroit since his election to the
presidency of the major Jewish
fraternal organization in this
country, declared that there is
a vital need for Jewish unity
in American life but that it can
not be "forced into existence
by majority rule."
Katz addressed the Jewish Af-
fairs Luncheon Club of the Jew-
ish Community Center Wednes-
day.
....Defining the question "Who
Speaks for American Jewry."
as "a combative one," the
Bnai Brith leader said: "In
the pluralistic nature of our
community life, we not only
ring the welkin, but in the
conflict of our competing
loyalties we sometimes send
it crashing down on each
other's heads."
Because the Jewish commun-
ity is a part of the "mobile
character" of American free-
doms and "there is no compul-
sory quality to Jewish life," he
stated, "any efforts to enforce
a tidy and pre-packaged unity
are doomed to do just the op-
posite. Over-riding all of the
disparities in Jewish life is the
common bond of our Jewish-
ness; that is, the things which
unite us are far more meaning-
ful and enduring than those
which separate us."
Katz said that the "voluntary
forum" was the tested and prac-
tical means by which American
Jewry could act in unison on
issues where it is united. He
cited the Presidents' Conference
Fondiller, Alpert
Speak Dec. 12 at
Technion Dinner
that is inevitably linked with a long tradition which will change
in the course of time, but which can not be forced into oblivion
ahead of time. The change must come within Israel, not from a
Plans are being formulated
UAHC assembly in San Francisco.
Whenever discussions of Israel's internal status are also by the Detroit Chapter of the
accompanied by threats, such as may affect contributions to funds American Technion Society for
in support of Israel, the debate assumes un-moral proportions. the annual dinner of the society
We urge the abandonment of such tactics by religious leaders.
Need for Historic Letters and Manuscripts
Of major interest at the annual Jewish Book Fair, held last
week-end at the Jewish Center, was the display of valuable
manuscripts and letters written by notables in Jewish history.
Charles E. Feinberg, who has rightfully earned a place
among the world's most eminent bibliophiles, made that display
possible. He has made the suggestion that those possessing manu-
scripts should loan them to exhibitors of books in the future.
An opportunity for such displays is provided on the local
scene during the 60th anniversary celebration of the United
Jewish Charities. Many Detroiters undoubtedly have in their
possessions valuable material on the history of the Detroit
Jewish community, and it would be well to have them on
display during the celebration.
It is heartening to note that a number of Detroiters are
gaining national recognition in the literary world. Mr. Feinberg
has attained worldwide recognition as a collector of rare docu-
ments. He has emerged as an authority on Walt Whitman and
as the possessor of the most important Whitman first editions,
original documents, personal letters and other significant
material. Mr. Feinberg also has earned the gratitude of many
universities, including the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and
the Yeshiva University in New York.
A Detroiter who now is in the limelight as a distinguished
author is Dr. Richard Ellmann, son of Judge and Mrs. James I.
Ellmann, who is considered an authority on Yeats and Joyce.
Dr. Ellmann, who is professor of English at Northwestern Uni-
versity, is receiving acclaim in all English-speaking countries
for his monumental work on James Joyce. A few days after
the book came off the press, Oxford Press, the publishers, ordered
an additional 5,000 copies, and there are indications that this
highly scholarly work may attain the best seller rating.
Last week, Dr. Ellmann participated in a symposium on
"The World of Joyce," at the Southern Illinois University, with
some of the country's most eminent scholars and authors. Earlier,
he was honored at receptions, on the occasion of the publication
of his book on Joyce, in New York City. Thus, scholarship is
not totally forgotten.
* * *
Nate. Lurie
—
Dedicated to Jewry's Causes
Nate Lurie's death is a great loss to our people. He was a
dedicated man. He served our community well. He was instru-
mental in advancing the Israel Bond drives and other Israeli
causes. With his brother John, they carried the reverence for
their mother's wishes into the ranks of yeshivot which they
supported heartily. His _memory will be remembered as a blessing
in our midst.
Windsor Jewish Center Arranges
Jewish Book Festival for Dec. 14
The. Windsor Jewish commu-
nity will observe Jewish Book
Month with a special program
on Dec. 14.
The Jewish Book Festival, to
take place that evening at Wind-
sor's new Jewish Center, 1641
Ouellette, will feature a brief
address by J. Kligman, principal
of the I. L. Peretz School; read-
ings by A. Berniker, chairman
of the Windsor Jewish Corn-
munity Council Yiddish culture
committee, a musical interlude
by pupils of the Peretz School
and an address by Philip Slomo-
vitz, editor of the Jewish News.
Literary and poster competi-
tion awards will be made during
the program.
All members of the Windsor
Jewish community as well as
guests from Detroit are invited
to attend the festival program.
•
Boris Smolar s
Between You
... and Me'
(Copyright, 1959
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
The Jewish Centers:
I have been receiving numerous letters commenting on my
column in which I asked why about 30 percent of the Community
Centers affiliated with the Jewish Welfare Board had lost
membership . . . Also why there has been a tremendous decline
in the proportion of Center members who are between 18 and
24 years of age—the active Jewish youth . . . Some of those
to be held Sunday evening, Dec. who
have written their letters to me — well-known figures in
13, aft Temple
American Jewish life — expressed the opinion that the Jewish
Israel.
Community Centers are losing members, including the youth,
Dr. William
to the synagogue centers . . . Others asserted that the "Ys" and
Fondiller,
the Community Centers are losing young members because
honorary pres-
Jewish youth today has enough money to spend on dancing,
ident of t h e
athletics and recreation outside of the Community Centers .
American
Still others felt that Jewish adolescents were prevented by their
Technion Soci-
parents from visiting some of the Community Centers because
ety, and Carl
they are located in neighborhoods no longer inhabited by Jews
Alpert, p e r-
. . . However, basic answers to my questions came from the
sonal assist-
National
Jewish Welfare Board, "mother organization" of the
ant to Gen.
Jewish Community Centers and YM-YWHAS . . . Sanford Solender,
Yaakov Dori,
director of the Jewish Community Center Division of the JWB,
president o f
in a three-page letter gives a clear picture of what-is-what in
the Technion,
the Center field.
the Israel In-
*
*
*
stitute of
Membership
Problems:
Technology in
The JWB director says that only those Centers whose build-
Haifa, will be
ings are located in sections of communities from which Jewish
the guest
families have moved have lost members . . . Such Centers, he
speakers. . Alpert
Prior . to immigrating to Is- explains, are being aided by JWB to plan for the future, and
rael in 1952 with his wife and this accounts for the major new Center building construction
three children, Alpert was program now underway in many communities • . . Centers with
director of the education de- new facilities located in areas convenient to Jewish families
partment of the .Zionist Organ- have experienced the greatest membership growth, Solender
ization of America. He was for assures ... He points to the fact that during the last ten years
many years editor of the New overall membership in Jewish Community Centers and in the
Palestine and was also associate "Ys" throughout the country has increased 30 percent despite
editor of the Universal Jewish the drop of membership in a number of localities . . . Male
Encyclopedia and the World membership, he says, increased from 276,000 to 318,000 and
Scope Encyclopedia. He is female membership from 182,000 to 276,000.
author of several books and
pamphlets on Israel and the Youth Problems:
Zionist movement.
Why has the proportion of Center members who are 18-24
Fondiller's address will be years of age declined? . . . The JWB director says that this
on the topic "Will Science decline is due primarily to the fact that this is the age group
Make Israel Self-Supporting?" most markedly affected by the depression birthrate drop, which
Alpert will speak on the sub- sharply decreased the number of persons in this age range in
ject, "Israel's Technical As- the population in general . . . He attributes the decline to. such
sistance to Under-Developed factors as required military service for persons of this age,
Nations."
increased college enrollment, and early marriage . . He em-
Reservations for the dinner phasizes that the YMCA also reports a sharp proportionate
can be made by calling DI. decline in its membership in this age group . . He admits that
1-0622.
I am correct in my understanding that more than 34 percent of
Jules . Lev is president of the the Center members are under 14 years of age, which means
Detroit Chapter of the Ameri- school children, but he explains that this, too, reflects the current
sociological trend in the United States.
can Technion Society.