THE JEWISH NEWS
Important Vacation Item
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Membez American Association
Editorial Association.
Published every Friday by The
Mich.. VE 8-9364. Subscription $5 a
Entered as second class matter
8, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
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
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Circulation Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twentieth day of Ab, 5720, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Ekev, Deut. 7:12-11:25. Prophetical portion, Is. 49:14-51:3.
Licht Benshen, Friday, Aug. 12, 7:19 p.m.
VOL. XXXVII, No. 24
Page Four
August 12, 1960
Iran: Instrument for Good in Middle East
At the Plenary Assembly of the World
Jewish Congress, held exactly a year ago,
in Stockholm, Sweden, there was a dele-
gation from Iran whose representatives
brought the information that their coun-
try was to celebrate in 1961 the 2500th
anniversary of the establishment of the
Iranian Empire by Cyrus the Great.
Taking into account the important role
that Cyrus the Great played in ancient
Jewish history, the World Jewish Con-
gress associated itself "with the interna-
tional celebrations of the event." It ex-
pressed warm congratulations to the
Shah of Iran and urged "all Jewish com-
munities and congregations to commemo-
rate in appropriate ways the memory of
a great and historic figure whose friend-
ship for the Jewish people is enshrined
in the Biblical record."
Thus, the Jewish representatives from
the 64 countries that were represented at
the World Jewish Congress Plenary As-
sembly were reminded that it was Per-
sia's King Cyrus who freed the Jews who
were living in Babylonian exile, after he
had conquered ancient Babylonia. Now,
there are plans for the establishment of
a special King Cyrus Celebration Commit-
tee in Israel, and great significance al-
ready is being attached to the 1961 cele-
bration in Jewish communities in the
Diaspora as well as in Israel.
The renewal of friendly relationships
between Israel and Iran, which has
caused a stir in the Nasser-dominated part
of the Arab world, encourages the expan-
sion of the proposed Jewish celebrations,
so that our communities everywhere will
take into account the notable historical
event, when King Cyrus enabled Jews to
return to the Holy Land, to end their
Babylonian exile and to rebuild the Tem-
ple in Jerusalem.
It was in 538 B.C.E. that Cyrus, the
founder of the Persian empire, now
known as Iran, emerged as the great
statesman who was instrumental in the
return of the Jews to their homeland.
The great Jewish historian Heinrich
Graetz described King Cyrus as having
been "but an instrument of God for fur-
thering the deliverance of Judah and
the salvation of the world." Graetz wrote
as follows about the great period in Jew-
ish history in the time of Cyrus:
"The joy of those who were prepar-
ing for the exodus from Babylon and
the return to the Holy Land was over-
powering. To be permitted to tread the
soil of their own country, and to re-
build and restore the sanctuary seemed
a sweet dream to them. The event
caused great sensation amongst other
nations; it was discussed, and consid-
ered as a miracle, which the God of
Israel had wrought on behalf of His
people., A poem faithfully reproduces
the sentiments that inspired the exiles:
" 'When the Lord turned against
the captivity of Zion, we were like them
that dream.
" 'Then was our mouth filled with
laughter, and our tongue with singing;
then said they among the nations, The
Lord hath done great things for them.
" The Lord hath done great things
for us, whereof we are glad.' (Ps. cxxvi.)
"As the patriots were preparing to
make use of their freedom to return to
Jerusalem, one of their poets, in Psalm
xxiv, bade them reflect whether they
were worthy of this boon. For only the
righteous and those who sought the
Lord were to assemble upon God's
ground. But who would dare take on
himself the right to pronounce judge-
ment?"
Now we are witnesses to the emerg-
ence of another "instrument" for peace
and amity. The Shah of Iran, Reza Pah-
levi, virtually has called for an end to
injustice and diplomatic stupidity by his
reaffirmation of the friendly relations be-
tween Iran and Israel.- Nasser does not
like it. But there are many in the Afro-
Asian bloc of nations who would like to
see the action of the Shah of Iran serve
as a basis for similar activities in the
Moslem world to put an end to the Arab-
Israel conflict.
The instruments for good are at work.
Perhaps out of Persia will emerge another
"instrument of God for furthering the
deliverance of Judah and the salvation of
the world."
Detroit's Share in Isr ael s Healing Efforts
A truly historic event took place last
week, when the Hadassah-Hebrew Uni-
versity Medical Center was dedicated in
Jerusalem.
By joining forces for the establish-
ment of the medical teaching and re-
search center, Hadassah and the Hebrew
University are filling a major need in
Israel.
While the new medical center repre-
sents the expansion of the Hebrew Uni-
versity's facilities, the new "healing
headquarters" at the same time marks the
continuation of a program of service, ren-
dered by Hadassah, that dates back to
the First World War, when Hadassah's
activities commenced under the inspira-
tion of the late Henrietta Szold.
The Detroit Jewish community has
played an important role in Hadassah
activities, and has, at the same time, as-
sisted the work of the Hebrew Univer-
sity, through individual gifts as well as
allocations from the Allied Jewish Cam-
paign.
Toward Hadassah, Detroit Jewry has
shown special affection. Many of the lead-
ing women in our community are in the
front ranks of local Hadassah. The late
Mrs. Abraham N. Hershman was one of
Hadassah chapter. Dora Ehrlich has in-
spired the women in our community in
the establishment of a strong women's
Zionist movement, and she remains De-
troit Hadassah's First Lady, as well as a
recognized national Hadassah leader.
A group of dedicated women re-
sponded generously to the call for support
of the medical center, and the sums that
were contributed here have aided im-
mensely in making a reality of the Had-
assah dream that has emerged as a great
Israeli medical center.
At the same time, the devotion of the
women in our communities has been in
evidence in behalf of the other Hadassah
health projects, which have been and con-
tinue to be sponsored on a basis of non-
discrimination, in behalf of Jews as well
as Moslems and Christians.
In congratulating Hadassah and the
Hebrew University on the occasion of the
dedication of the new center we there-
fore also greet the women of Detroit who
have aided the great project. In com-
mending them for their efforts, we also
urge that they go on with their important
Haddassah tasks in the years to come.
the prime movers in setting up Detroit's
Famous Cantor's Melodies
Seven Folksongs by 'Yossele'
Rosenblatt in New Recordings
Cantor Josef Rosenblatt was only 53 when he died in 1933
in Tel Aviv. But he had already become world famous as a
master interpreter of liturgical songs and as a folk singer.
He was the leading liturgical singer of his time, and he
also was most popular in his concert appearances. He insisted,
however, when he appeared away from the synagogue, on singing
non-liturgical selections.
When he contributed his voice to "The Jazz Singer," the
great motion picture talkie that was a sensation 35 years ago,
the condition was that the songs should be non-liturgical.
The latest collection of his songs, issued as a long-playing
record in the RCA Collector's Series, contains 10 of his best
known folk songs.
This new record, "Songs of My People," undoubtedly will
satisfy the nostalgic sentiments of many who loved Rosenblatt
and his voice; and will thrill the younger generation of folk-
song lovers and those who crave for Yiddish melodies.
Seven of the songs by Cantor "Yossele" Rosenblatt, as he
became affectionately known, appear on the folder of the record
in English tramslations by the noted singer's son, Dr. Samuel
Rosenblatt, Baltimore rabbi who is author of a biography of
his father, published by Farrar, Straus & Cudahy. They are:
"Shir Hamaalos" ("Song of Ascents"), "Sog ze Rebeinu" ("Tell
Me, Rabbi Dear"), "Shofar shel Moshiach" ("Clarion Call of
the Messiah"), "Aheim, Abeim" ("Home, Sweet Home"), "Lomir
Sich Iberbeten" ("Let Us Make Up"), "Eili, Eili" ("My God,
My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?") and "Yorjzeit."
The other three selections in the series and the authors of
the English translations appearing on the folder are: "Shlof
in Sisser Ruh" ("Sleep in Sweet Repose"), translation by Abner
Silver; "My Yiddishe Momme" ("A Jewish Mother"), translation
by Jack Yellen, and Jules Massenet's "Elegie," translated by
Charlotte H. Coursen.
Interesting Anthology
'The Howard Fast Reader'
In a 628-page anthology, "The Howard Fast Reader," Crown
Puolisher (419 Park Ave., S., N.Y. 16) has incorporated many
of the best stories by the able novelist. -
Three of Fast's novels are part of this impressive book, one
of them, "Freedom Road," appearing for the first time in this
anthology. This new 225-page novel contains the power that
distinguishes Fast's writings—his quest for social justice, his
passionate protest against slavery. It is an expose of the wrong
thinking that often manifests itself in dealing with the Negro
problem.
The other two novels in this collection are "The Children"
and "The Golden River."
Many of the stories in "The Howard Fast Reader" are on
Jewish subjects. In the main, however, it is a set of narratives
that delve into the human aspects of life.
Thus, his "Rachel," not a Jewish story, in spite of its
title, is a deeply moving account of a woman who was treated
like a bondwoman but whose dignity finally wins for her the
respect of her husband.
Fast's novel "The Children" is marked by descriptions of
inter-faith reactions, of Jews and their antagonists, again dealing
with human relations in a spirit of understanding and compassion.
Among the short stories are the three "Old Sam Adams"
tales, "Spoil the Child," "The Large Ant," "Onion Soup," "The
Man Who Looked Like Jesus," "The Gentle Virtue," "Neighbor
Sam," and others.
Howard Fast, who was a controversial figure until he
repudiated Communist tactics three years ago, is in evidence
again, in this volume, as one of our best story-tellers. His
collected works, in this new volume, provide a real treat for
his readers.