THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association
Editorial association.
Published every Friday by The
Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription $5 a
Entered as second class matter
8, 1879.
of English--Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National
Jewish News Publishing Co. 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35,
Year. Foreign $6.
Aug. 6. 1942 at Post Office, Detroit, Mich. under act of Congress of March
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
SIDNEY SHMARAK CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
Advertising Manager
Circulation Manager
FRANK SIMONS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the sixteenth day of Sivan, 5720, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Be-ha'alotekha, Num. 8:1-12:16. Prophetical portion; Zech. 2:14-4:7.
Licht Benshen, Friday, June 10, 7:48 p.m.
VOL. XXXVII. No. 15
Page Four
June 10, 1960
Eichmann Trial Forces Review of Nazi Crimes
Only 15 years have elapsed since the
end of World War II, yet there has been
an element of forgetfulness of the trage-
dies that marked the Nazi crimes.
Even in Jewish ranks, there has been
in evidence a lethargic indifference to the
need for keeping alive the memory of the
martyrs and of constantly reminding the
free world of what had happened, as a
preventive against the recurrence of Nazi
terrorism.
The arrest and the impending trial in
Israel of the Nazi arch-criminal Adolf
Eichmann serves one important purpose:
it has inspired a review of the events that
had turned Germany into a murderous
state and is leading to a complete review
of the German guilt that had sent many
millions of innocent men, women and
children to their graves.
Eichmann's arrest has become inter-
national news. By bringing this Nazi
criminal to justice, Israel has forced a
complete review of Hitler's bestialities.
Now, once again, Christians and Jews,
the peoples in all lands, will be witnesses
to an accounting of the most criminal
period in all history.
It is possible that an attempt may be
made to secure Eichmann's extradition, in
order to avoid a trial in Israel, whence
the full tragedy is certain to unfurl for
the entire world as witness to the horrors
that cost the lives of six million Jews and
an equal number of Christian martyrs.
We doubt, however, whether world
public opinion will interfere with Israel's
meting out justice to the criminal. Even
Russia has acquiesced that Israel has a
moral and legal right to try Eichmann.
In the instance of the Soviet state-
ment, it is deplorable that an element of
bigotry should have crept into the affir-
mation of Israel's rights, when a spokes-
man at the Soviet Embassy in Washington
told our correspondent that there are dif-
ferences between the USSR and Israel
over matters of "imperialism." The Soviet
fantasies continue to interfere with the
friendly relations that should predomi-
nate. But in this as well as so many other
instances, Soviet attitudes are so unpre-
dictable that one always is at a loss to
understand Communist thinking!.
As an over-all development, the Eich-
mann case is certain to renew emphasis
on the injustice of Hitlerism and on the
justice of all efforts to prevent its re-
vival. This is the major factor in the Eich-
man case as it will be tried in Israel.
Dr. Silver's and B-G's Approaches to Zionism
Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-
Gurion was one of the pillars in the world
Zionist movement for at least two dec-
ades. He was one of the great builders of
the Labor Zionist organization and was
the inspirer of Zionists everywhere.
As the head of the Jewish State, how-
ever, he has become the "antagonist" of
Zionism.
It is difficult to understand his posi-
tion. At a Mapai meeting in Jerusalem,
he likened the Zionist organi - ation to "a
scaffold" that aided in Isfael's construc-
tion, and he added that "scaffolds are
taken away when the building has been
completed."
This is a fantastic declaration. If Ben-
Gurion had been confronted with such a
curious idea in the trying times when
Zionism was so vital in the task of re-
deeming Israel and of creating a home
for the dispossessed, he undoubtedly
would have been among the first to ridi-
cule such a comparison. Yet, he made it !
There is another annroach to Zionism.
In an address in New York recently, in
which he expressed the hope that the re-
organized Jewish Agency will provide op-
portunities for increased Zionist activities
the eminent world Zionist 1 e a d e r, Dr.
Abba Hillel Silver, had this to say in de-
fense of Zionism:
"The freer the Zionist movement will be-
come, the more successful it will be in the
performance of these vital tasks which will
continue for generations to come, many of
them indefinitely.. •
"The movement will now be able to rally
to it all those • forces which are completely
committed to its program. It will not have to
make concessions to other groups who are
not prepared to go along with it on its total
program in the fond hope that they will then
go along with it on a limited economic pro-
gram for the benefit of Israel. It will no
longer be found necessary, it never really was
—to sacrifice the organization and the move-
ment to the interest of fund-raising strategies.
"As in the past, Jews everywhere should
be urged to join the Zionist movement and
to help carry on its historic program of posi-
tive Jewish living—not for the sake of Israel.
alone, but for the sake of the Jewish people
throughout the world.
"The Zionist movement has a great oppor-
tunity now to come into its own. But all that
I have said is predicated upon the whole-
hearted support—not merely silent acquies-
cence—of the Government of Israel and its
people. There must be an end to the delib-
erate devaluation of the Zionist movement on
the part of those who today speak for the
State of Israel. All definition-mongering and
that favorite pastime of senarating the so-
called sheep from the goats, those who settle
in Israel, and those who do not, must cease.
The world Zionist movement must be given
the prestige and the authority without which
it cannot function or can function only par-
tially and haltingly. It has been a gross mis-
calculation in the past which lei to the re-
striction of its comnetence, a diverting- of
functions and authority and a hriioiing aside.
The Zionist movement built the State of
Israel and not vice-versa. The Purposes of the
Zionist movement have not been finally
achieved through the establishment of the
state of Israel, and its fi'n"tions have never
been limited and are not now limited to
aliyah, though alivah must contir. ,, e to be one
of its principal functions. The Jew who in-
tends to remain where he is. is by that fact
not excluded from the Zionist fellowship. or
denied the name of Zionist. Such a Zionist is
as imnortant to Israel, as Israel is imnortant
to him. Israel and world Jewry will be in
need of a powerful Zionist movement, con-
ceived in its fullest content, as renresenting
positive Jewish values. affirmat;‘ ,e JeyOch liv-
ing, spiritual solidarity, and historic con-
tinuity, and a two-way bridge between Ts-ael
and the diaspora, where the-majo-ity of our
people will continue to live in the foreseeable
future . . .
"One Historic People — and one common
destiny "
This is a more prudent and more real-
istic approach to an appreciation of the
values of the great Zionist idea. A great
movement is not shelved as if it were a
scaffold to be removed once the dream
becomes reality. Zionism is part of the
reality of Israel, and its role is historic
as well as uninterruptedly creative.
Ben-Gurion's attacks on the Zionist
Organization have caused havoc in some
quarters. It is to be hoped that the great
leader—and his genius is unquestioned
and unchallengeable—will mend his views
on the movement of which he was so vital
a part. Zionism has much to offer in Jew-
ish life. It was the rescuer of many who
would have vanished without the hope it
held out. It remains a powerful instru-
ment in Jewish life. It should be treated
as such.
'The Immortal Piano'
Carmi's Tale of Instrument
Traced to Solomon's Pillar
Mattis Yanowsky was an outstanding pianist. He played for
the King and Queen of Italy, and they told him a tale about a
pianoforte that was made out of Jerusalem wood from wood
that was used for the Temple of Solomon.
The grandfather passed the information on to son, then
to grandson.
Avner Carmi Yanowsky, who dropped the Yanowsky and
retained the Carmi as his surname, began a search for the
mysterious "harp of David," as he named it.
The fantastic story is told in an unusual book, "The Im-
mortal Piano," published by Crown (419 Park Ave., S., N. Y. 16).
It is by-lined Avner and Hannah Carmi, Hannah being Avner's
wife who plays a cooperative role in the search and in the
Carmi story.
This "true story of a quest," as the narrative is subtitled,
is about an Israeli who becomes a piano tuner, who emerges
as an able piano-builder and a good musician, and who is, in
addition, a courageous Israeli who fearlessly pursues his task.
The story is 'replete with details about Carmi's travels, his
frequent visits in Rome in efforts to have the King show him
the piano.
Avner and Hannah Carmi finally acquired the much-sought-
after piano in Israel. It has been stolen by the Germans during
their occupation of Italy and was brought to the desert, later
finding its way to Tel Aviv.
Avner had gone, on an earlier trip to Italy, to Siena, and
there, with the aid of a Catholic priest, secured photographs
and descriptions of the piano. When he acquired a piece of junk
in Tel Aviv and began to scrape it, he found the original carved
figures under the plaster he removed.
Now, the Carmis brought their piano to the United States,
and in concerts sponsored by ABC, NBC and CBS the famed
instrument gained significance. "The Immortal Piano", which
is constantly called "the Harn of David" in the book, also was
the subject of an Eternal Light program, and the Carmis are
now the envied owners of an instrument they have popularized
and have turned into an object of world interest.
Was the piano made out of the original pillars of Solomon's
Temple? Carmi insists that it was. Whether or not that is so,
his book has sufficient dramatic appeal to fascinate the readers.
Carmi traveled a lot in his search for the instrument. He went
into Arabic countries before the war, fought in the last war, con-
stantly propagated the idea that an instrument made of Solo-
monic wood was in existence.
When he finally played the instrument, after rebuilding and
restoring it, Ben-Gurion and other Israeli leaders, whom he and
his family—his father and grandfather before him—had be-
friended were in the audience.
Indeed, "The Immortal Piano" reads like a fantastic story.
But its author certainly built around it many charming episodes.
He has incorporated into it the story of early Palestinian Jewish
activities. He has woven the tale of Israel's redemption with con-
siderable skill. He has combined historical facts with scores of
personal experiences, and there is a measure of devotion in
"The Immortal Piano" that is certain to make the Carmis genuine
heroes among their Israeli countrymen.
AcIler's 'Philosophy of Judaism
Joshua Adler, in "Philosophy of Judaism," published by
Philosophical Library (15 E. 40th, N. Y.), treats his subject
from the viewpoint of universal religion, which he defines as
"nothing more nor less than the intellectual activity concerning
the tenets of various religions and religious institutions."
Among the topics discussed in this book is that of the
"chosen people" idea. Adler defines it as "far from being a
means to establish a select sect, it is another one of those
burdens which has been accepted by the Jews . . . to identify
the nation which will continue to fulfill a specific type of social
obligation."
The author discusses "Enslavement and Freedom," "The
Sabbath" and a number of other related subjects that made his
approach to "Philosophy of Judaism" especially interesting.