urely Commentary
'Gas Chamber' Threat
to U. S. Jewry . . . Link
to Middle East Bigots
Prof. Muilenburg
to Deliver Borman
Lecture Wednesday
By Philip
SiOMOVitZ
'Gas Chamber' Threat to U. S. Jewry
A new "American Nazi Party," which has been identified
as being under the leadership of George Lincoln Rockwell, the
Arlington, Va., anti-Semite, introduced a new type of good will
during the Christmas week—by distributing leaflets in Washing-
ton threatening Jews with "gas chambers."
For many years, members of Congress had been informing
us that their desks were flooded with anti-Semitic material.
Fortunately, there has been a sound judgment that was able
to detect hate material which U.S. Senators and Representatives
have been relegating to the waste baskets. Among uncivilized
people, such appeals to hatred might have ended disastrously
for our people.
Now, however, the hate leaflets are beginning to reach not
only Federal officials and members of Congress, and members
of legislative bodies of many states, but also all news broad-
casters, columnists and industrialists.
In the instance of the latest "American Nazi Party" appeals
to rioting and to anti-Semitism, Bnai Brith's Anti-Defamation
League charged the American anti-Semites with reckless fanatic-
ism. Jews in Washington are puzzled by the permission that
has been granted by the District of Columbia authorities to the
bigots to flood the nation's capital with the hate leaflets.
This is where the right to "free speech" and to free-dom
of expression has given an element that menaces peace the
liberty to destroy human rights and to instigate Americans to
riots and to Nazi ideology.
A JTA report from Washington calls attention to the fact
that in 1958 Rockwell, the spearhead of the new anti-Semitic
movement, was charged with having been in contact with ele-
ments under suspicion of bombing the Atlanta Jewish Temple.
While Rockwell's activities were being probed by the Virginia
police, a court in his state ruled that his. anti-Jewish agitation
was obnoxious but not legally actionable.
The New Year tInis begins with new threats to human
liberties. Even in this great land, it was on Christmas that
a race and religious hate drive was introduced by imitators of
the man and the party in Germany whose crimes involved us
in a world war. Now this war is being, fought again on American
soil. What a tragedy that it should be so difficult to uproot
hatred from the hearts of men!
world and in this country—have re-created news facets. We are
confident that Klutznick concurs with our view that it would
be most unhealthy if anti-Semitism were again the means
of reawakening interest in Jewish life; that such an interest
must be created on intellectual levels; but such an interest
can not be aroused in the critical form in which Klutznick
writes about the most important instrument for Jewish survival
—the Jewish press.
Klutznick does a disservice when he brushes away the fact
of the existence of an English-Jewish press. As a responsible
leader he should not only acknowledge its existence but recog-
nize that there is need to strengthen it and to make it possible
for it to exist and to serve the American Jewish communities.
He knows that the JTA is struggling to attain the means
wherewith to provide the full news coverage—domestically as
well as in foreign areas—for American Jewry.
He should know also that there must be created an interest
in Jewish life in -American Jewry, that such an interest may be
waning because emphasis has been placed on fund-raising rather
than on knowledge. Yet, his proposal is for publishers of Jewish
publications to meet with "15 or 20 American Jews who are free
DR. JAMES MUILENBURG,
of organizational ties who may be prepared to risk some capital
to explore this problem."
Dr. James Muilenburg, pro-
The suggestion carries the danger of control, rather than the fessor of Hebrew and cognate
assurance of improvement, and this is intolerable:
languages at Union Theological
If there is to be a Jewish press free from pressures and in Seminary, New York, will de-
a position to educate the American Jewish community, it can not liver the second in the series
depend upon "capital risks" from donors. It needs the concern of Borman . Near Eastern - Lec-
of Jewry, the devotion of a dedicated constituency. The same is tures, at 8 p.m., Wednesday, at
applicable to the JTA, for whom we plead the wholehearted the Community Arts Auditorium
support of American Jewry because without it the only link of Wayne 'State University,,
between the Jewries of the world would be destroyed and th e Ferry and Second.
only means of serving Jewry news-wise would be ended.
His subject will be "Israel
As president of Bnai Brith, as chairman of the .Presidents ' and the Nations in the Old
Conference that speaks in behalf of the major Jewish organiza - Testament."
tions in America, what success can Klutznick show in havin g Prof. Muilenburg was one of
enrolled genuine Jewish interest in supporting a greatly-neede d the editors of and contributors
Jewish press? Our belief is that the answer is: NIL.
to "The Interpreter's Bible." He
An earnest effort is being made through our columns to previously served on the facul-
give our community the best coverage of Jewish news, and we ties of Mount Holyoke College,
strive to place emphasis on the American Jewish scene. What we University of Maine and Pacifie
have just said is in defense of those English-Jewish newspaper s School of Religion. He is the
in other communities that are merely scratching the surface to author of three books and was
render service to their communities. To make the goals of such a member of the Standard Bible
A Middle East Link to Misrepresentations
newspapers possible, the dedication of many of the publishers
Jewry suffers from misrepresentations emanating from many and editors must be upheld by the devotion of the communities Committee which prepared the
' Revised Standard Version of
quarters,. in a variety of fashions. Neo-Nazism once again is constituencies.
the Bible.
resorting to arguments of the repudiated Hitler type. The Com-
American Jewish leadership has been too busy gathering
Prof. Muilenberg also will
munists are making a scapegoat of the JeW. And in the Middle i philanthropic funds and has therefore failed on this score
East there is a nest of propagandists that resorts to all sorts of Klutznick is among those who have not succeeded. Now, having speak at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at
the Kresge Science Auditorium,
- schemes to hurt Jewry as well as Israel.
emerged in the role of adviser to publishers, he, too, has failed,
Regrettable American correspondents often fall for the com-; because his approach is negative. Be positive, Friend Klutznick! on the topic "Hebrew Poetry in
bined Nazi-Fascist-Communist-line with reference to Israel and to Get to the root of the problem—which is to be found in Jewish the Old Testament."
Dr. Abram Spiro, chairman of
Jewry.
indifference, starting from leaderships and going down the line the Wayne State University De-
A typical example wa.'); tt-z‘-report in one of the local news- to their followers!
partment of Near Eastern Lan-
_ paper's by a correspondent from Beirut who spoke of the latest ;
Since we feel that we are meeting the problem effectively
World Bank loan to Nasser as having been granted over the I in Detroit, we have undertaken :;,;peak up in defense of our guages and Literatures, who is
protests of Israel. One would imagine from that report that .confreres who need the encouragement that is lacking, and to supervising the Borman lec-
Israel alone did the complaining. That correspondent tendered the lack of which can be ascribed those shortcomings which need tures, stated:
"In order to make the Bor-
injustice to Israel by failing-tO indicate that protests to be corrected. But they can not be cured by negative ap-
against -thtt_loare----exptegred in many quarters, in scores of • prOaches. The positive way is .by means of Jewish responses-via man Lectures as widely acces-
sible to the faculty and students
newspapers and by 66 members of both Houses of Congress.
genuine concern for the security of the Major informational as possible and to make it an
When the correspondent from Beirut, in his thoroughly mis- instrument—the Jewish press.
integral part of the academie
leading - story, spoke of a "lessening of Israeli influence on Amer-
disciplines pursued at our Uni-
`lean policy in the Middle East," he was merely fannina the
Late Justice Cheshin: A Prince Has Fallen in Israel
versity, it was thought helpful
"Arab fires of hatred. Instead of presenting the issue rationally,
Israel has lost one of its noblest sons in the death of Justice to. have the afternoon lectures,
that correspondent again was raising the false cry of "Jewish
Shneor Zalman Cheshin.
which are principally aimed at
" influence" in the United States.
Israel-born, American-educated, this distinguished jurist !faculty and students, co-spon-
In some areas, Nazis are daubing swastikas on Jewish houses
.of • worship. In others, the lie of "Jewish domination" is being acquired the wisdom of his fathers, the best judgement acquired sored with other departments
spread to harm Israel. The origin is the same, the intention is in studies in two countries, the experiences of a keen Observer and whose area of specialization
the same, the harm is equal in its ferocity. The consolation is the love of humanity that is so closely linked in a man of learn- touches on the themes of the
that history always has defied such threats to the indestructible ing who attained the vision that goes with a thorough Hebraic a f ter no on lectures. Conse-
and indomitable spirit of our people.
quently, the lecture of Prof.
and Prophetic heritage.
Fortunately, there are bright spots on the horizon. All of
It was only in late July that this Commentator met with him Muilenburg on "Hebrew Poetry
the Detroit newspapers have condemned the loan to Nasser in his home in Jerusalem. He was just recuperating from his in the Old Testament" will be
while he is defying international regulations by refusing free- first heart attack, and he was conducting his judicial duties at co-sponsored by the Department
dom of passage to Israel through the Suez.
of English. The afternoon lec-
home.
On the question of another vital issue, the Jordan River
tures of the future speakers
In spite of his ailment, he was full of vigor and he possessed
irrigation project undertaken by Israel, and the abandonment
will be co-sponsored by other
the
same
sense
of
humor
that
he
displayed
in
his
book,
"Tears
of the Eric Johnston plan, the New York Times stated edi-
departments. The afternoon lec-
torially: "The Arab states still prefer to impoverish themselves and Laughter in the Courtroom," which was pUblished by the ture of Prof. Samuel Sandmel
Jewish
Publication
Society
of
America
last
June.
Shortly
before
or engage in smaller projects of their own rather than permit
in December,- _which dealt with
Israel to develop. It does not make sense, but such is Middle our last visit in Israel, a Commentary column was devoted to this `Hellinistic Influences on Juda-
instructive and entertaining book, and we were happy to find
Eastern politics."
ism and Christianity,' was co-
None of the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel campaigns makes Justice Cheshin in a happy mood over the splendid acceptance sponsored by the Department of
of
his
book,
which
already
was
a
success
in
the
original
Hebrew
sense, but such is one of the tragedies of our time:, that bigotry
Greek and Latin."
from which it was translated for the JPS edition.
and hatred still are able to forge ahead.
The Wayne State University
His
passing
is
a
very
great
loss
to
Israel.
It
is
a
loss
to
* * *
Jewry, to the literary world and to his many friends who had radio station will broadcast both
the afternoon and evening lec-
Philip Klutznick's New Role
learned genuinely to love and admire him.
Philip M. Klutznick, the former president of Bnai Brith who
He was, indeed, a prince in Israel. Zecher tzadik livracha tures. On March 3 the evening
has rendered such valuable services to American Jewry, appears —the memory of this sanity man will be a blessing to his coon- lecture of Prof. Muilenburg will
be broadcast; on March 10 the
in a new role as a critic of the English-Jewish press and the ; t ry and to all who knew him.
*
afternoon lecture will be broad-
*
*
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, in an article he has written for the
Chicago Sentinel.
ate Adolph Hamburger—Dedicated Israel Bond Leader cast.
Klutznick owed it to be press he was criticizing to make
Not only his native city of Baltimore, where he was revered
a more thorough study of the subject.
or his leadership, but Jewish communities throughout the land UJA's Inaugural
Klutznick merely reiterates what we have said time and mourn the passing of Adolph Hamburger.
Parley Feb. 5-7
again—that "good, solid information" about "American Jewish
As national chairman of the National Israel Bonds Commit-
life" is needed if American Jewry is to rise to full stature. He t ce for Holy Day Bonds Appeals, Mr. Hamburger had visited in Miami. Beach
admits that the English-Jewish press is the vehicle for such a s cores of cities and was responsible for vast increases in Israel
American J e w i s h leaders
"great challenge," then he proceeds to state that "we do not B and sales during the Holy Days.
from communities across the
have such a press." He criticizes the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
His visits in Detroit, where he made scores of friends, country will gather in Miami
as serving "but a minior purpose in drawing out and circulating a lways resulted in increased interest in Israel Bond activities. Beach, Feb. 5, 6 and 7, to at
domestic items of interest."•
Third generation affiliate of Reform temples, Mr. Ham-
the national inaugural
Is it possible that . ' this otherwise brilliant Jewish leader burger's interests were not limited to the Reform group. Wher- conference •
of the United Jew-
*I'S so blind to reality that he did not realize, when he wrote ever he went, his warmth of feeling for Israel and his charming ish Appeal, Morris W. Berin-
his piece, that you can not manufacture "information about personality resulted in a cementing of friendships with orthodox
Stein,•-UJA . general -chairman,
?American Jewish life"; that heretofore, in the main, American Jews. His dedicated Jewish feelings made him at home among announced. • • . . • •
Jewish news was limited; either to fund-raising or to anti-Semitic all elements.
The high-pOint. of .. the three-
inanifestations (unless Klutznick believes that lengthy conven-
He will be missed as a friend, as a great American and a day conference,- which will ini-
-•tion speeches 'constitute informational facts that will enlighten devoted Jew, as a lover of Zion and as a man to whom no human tiate the 22nd UJA campaign,
'a community).
cause ever was strange. Blessed be the memory of this wonderful will be the inaugural luncheon
The newest outbursts of anti-Semitism—throughout the man and fine leader!
at the Fontainbleau Hotel.
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r_aze
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