Purely Commentary
.-4
ByPhilip
Sir Barnett 4anner, Dr. Celina Sokolow, Nahum Goldmann, David Ben-Gurion, Dr.
Reuven Katznelson; Other Eminent Personalities at World Zionist Congress
JERUSALEM, Israel—People make news ._. .
personalities enhance the scenes . . . at the 25th
World Zionist Congress. The most noted Jewish
leaders from all parts of the world are here.
Knowing the -means being acquainted not only .
with 'those who - literally control the destinies of
our time, but also with the historical develop-
ments of 'the time.
Barnett Janne'', president Jf the Jewish Board
of Deputies -of Great Britain, was among the
Congress leaders. There is hardly a gathering of
Jews that did not count this British M.P. among
its chief guides—whether -- it was at - ,the sessions
of the Conference on Jewish Claims, in New York
or in London, or in Paris; or at the World
Jewish Congress in Stockholm; or at international
gatherings where plans were made for the relief
of oppressed and dispossessed Jews, and now in
Jerusalem.
Now he is Sir Barnett.• It was at the impressive
Kiddush that followed the beautiful Sabbath serv-
ices in Congregation Hekhal Shlomo of the Chief
Rabbinate of Israel, on the Sabbath morning of
Dec. 31, that the news came that the eminent
Zionist was included in the British Queen's New
Year honors. It was a real joy to be among the
first to congratulate him and to join in celebrating
the occasion. He is a truly delightful friend with
whom it was a pleasure to break bread in the
House of Commons, to -share responsibilities
at World Jewish and Zionist Con gr esses and to
exchange views on world events. -
It is impossible to deal with personalities with-
out including Dr. Nahum Goldmann, the president
of both the World Jewish and Zionist Congresses.
He is a master in debate and his reviews of
world affairs at international gatherings are al-
ways the highlights whenever and wherever Jews
assemble to evaluate their position in the world.
The late Dr. Stephen S. Wise, at the 'first
American meeting that . was addressed - by Dr.:
Goldmann, in Carnegie Hall, in New York, some
30 years ago, introduced him as "Nordau redi-
vivus." In the tradition of Max Nordau, Dr. Gold-
mann again gave a remarkably fine review of
world Jewish needs at the Congress here.
Only David Ben-Gurion matched Goldmann
in brilliance of interpretation. B-G's speech
would be a scholarly history lecture in any
university.
Golda Meir was rather weak. She harmed
herself by speaking in Yiddish. Only two nights
earlier, she gave a splendid addiesS'at the Jour-
nalists' Congress. At the WZCongress she faltered.
But that did not reduce her stature as a leader.
* *
The name of Nahum Sokolow, the 100th an-
niversary of whose birth is now being celebrated
(this is a centennial year — for Henrietta Szold
and Herzl as well as Sokolow), .is again being
spoken of with great reverence.
Reminiscences about Sokolow 'become more
vivid as a result of the presence here of his
daughter, Dr. Celina Sokolow.
This Commentator first met her in Detroit,
in the early 1920s, when she came to our com-
munity with her distinguished father. She traveled
with the late president of the World Zionist
Organization as his personal physician. But she
also had a share in his Zionist activities. Now
making her home in London, where her brother,
Florian, also resides, she is gathering her father's
personal papers and memoranda.
Sokolow's "History of Zionism," now unob-
tainable, remains the great classic in Zionist his-
tory. Celina Sokolow hopes it may be reprinted.
With her brother, she is striving to see suitable
literary and other 'memorials established 'in
tribute to their father.
Celina is a charming personality. She inspires
those she meets. She'd make a marvelous emissary
for the Zionist movement, in spite of being a
septuagenarian.
There is another distinguished • child • of
Nahum S'okolow in London—Dr. Marie Sokolow
Heyman. The trio, Celina, Florian and Marie,
sent a joint touching message of greetings to
the WZCongress.
*
*
One can't speak of personalities without re-
ferring to several of the American Jewish leaders
here.
Max Bressler, the new president of the Zionist
Organization of America, is very active.
Dr. Emanuel Neumann, honorary ZOA pres-
ident, is looked to as one of the most distin-
guished men in world Zionism. His counsel is
being -sought in- all quartOrs.
Dr, Israel Goldstein, who will make his home
in Israel, will remain an important factor in
•
world Zionist leadership.
It is interesting to note that other_ American
Zionist leaders are planning to live in Israel.
Judge and Mrs. Louis Levinthal are acquiring
a home in Herzlia for several months.
WorldJewish Leaders Extend
Honors to Sir Barnett. inner
JERUSALEM — Leaders representing many. Jewish
family name now is Ittamar. Rabbi Ittamar holds
the important post of secretary of the Chief communities honored Sir Barnett Janner, at. numerous
Rabbinate.
\ furtionS held _here, in recognition of his having been
- • ' ; • -.'-- " i
There are a number of .,students here from knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to bqing
Detroit, and, as is well known, Detroiters are to
president of the Board of Deputies 'of
be found in many kibbutzim.
A well known Detroiter who has been making British Jewry, Sir Barnett is a distin-
her home in Jerusalem is Jeanette Olender, for- guished .Zionist,. an active leader in the
mer Shaarey Zedek librarian.
World Jewish Congress and vice presi-
•
—
Judge Louis Levinthal, of Philadelphia, a
leader in the American League. for Israel, de-
serves special mention.
In an address to the Congress, he defended
the American Aliyah and maintained that it had
not failed. When he was done with his speech,
Premier Ben-Gurion, who was still at the Congress
before leaving for his vacation, said to him: "You
are one of the men who deserve to be called
real Zionists."
*
*
Worthy of note is the position here of Harry
Yehudah Levin, who is well known to many De-
troiterS. He had spoken in Detroit where he
conferred frequently with Zionist leaders—at the
time he was head of the department of informa-
tion of the Israel Embassy in Washington. He now
heads the Israel Government Department of In-
'formation, but in a few months he will be pro-
moted to the post of Israel's Minister to Den-
mark. He will be succeeded here by Michael
Arnon, who also succeeded him in the Washing-
ton post.
Levin and his wife, Ruth, are very popular in
Israel. Mrs. Levin is one of Israel's best known
artists. She was acclaimed for -her work at a
Jerusalem exhibition last month, and her works
will be featured in a Tel Aviv exhibit soon.
*
*
*
Many Americans hold important positions
here. Popular among visitors is Albert Potash-
nick, head of the department of information of
the Israel Bond Office in Jerusalem, who advises
many Americans in their planning of tours.
Thanks to Potashnick, Americans are directed to
the remarkably developed areas in the land and
to industrial plants, rather than to the more
Ordinary attractions.
Working closely with Potashnick is Efrem
nal-1i, who ise.one of Israel's ablest photographers.
Dr. Reuven Katznelson, who heads the inde-
pendent Kupat Rohm, which originally was orga-
nized by Hadassah, is one of the very interesting
Jerusalemites. He and his wife ; Bath-Sheba, a
former General Zionist member of the Knesset,
hold positions of great respect here. - •
Dr. Katznelson worked very closely with the
late Henrietta Szold and he is one of the -best
infornied • men about the life and activities of
the great.woman who directed Hadassah's work
in Israel and,was the creator of the Youth Aliyah
for the rescue of Jewish youth from European
persecutions and for settlement in Israel.
*
*
A wonderful practice has been introduced
here—by American JM: that of bringing their
sons here for the, performance of their Bar Mitz-
vah ceremonies in: Israeli synagogues.
•
It is - deeply moving to - watch' the elation of
Bar Mitzvah and parents over such an experience
in the Holy City. ConserVative and Reform Jewish
parents. as well as 'Orthodox have made it a
practice to give a Bar Mitzvah a trip to Israel
and a ceremony in an Israeli Synagogue instead
of the elaborate party - at home. Bar Mitzvah in
Israel may proVe to be one of the strongest links
_ between Israel 'arid the Diaspora. '
. •.
*
*
The present generation of Jews still. speaks
Yiddish. So that Jews from all parts of the globe
should understand each other, they resort to
Yiddish. The French Jew understands the English-
man, American, -Pole, Russian, Mexican, Argen-
tinian, Finn, Dane, Chilean, and so on clown the
line. The only - exceptions are. the North African
and a few other:representativeS of :3- ewc.sh,
"munities where French is spoken, where Ladino
at one time was a medium of expression.
But.a new generation that knows not Yiddish
is arising. What will happen then? It's imposSible
always - to resort -to translation—and too many
languages may have to be translated into.
Therefore it is urgent that, wherever Jews
may be, Hebrew must become their. second lan-
guage. It will- be the strongest link between the
Jewries of the world. It is one of the vital necessi-
- ties for Jewish unity.
Eleazar Lipsky, ' distinguished son of a dis-
tinguished father, was among the popular
figures at the Congress. Like his father, Louis
Lipsky, he is now a member of the Goldstein-
Halpern group and is affiliated with the. Ameri-
can League for Israel. Although he is an at-
A number of former Detroiters now are Jeru-
torney, he is, like his father, an able writer.
salemites. Among the best known are Rabbi and
is. the - author of a number , Of mystery
Mrs. Max J. Wohlgelernter and their family. The
dent . of the Conference on Jewish Ma-
terial Claims Against Germany. _He is a
member of 'the executive committee of
the Anglo-Israel Association and is a
member of the Actions Committee of the
World Zionist Organization.
-
Sir Barnett
Officer Denies Framing Lavon;
Israel Cabinet Stalemate Continues
tion in the United States.
The former officer also said
in his. statement that it was not
surprising that the attorney
general had found there was in-
sufficient evidence of a forgery
or of distribution or forged
documents. He said he had al--
ways claimed he had not com-
mitted any forgery.
It was indicate& that his
former secretary, when inter-
rogated by Attorney General
Hausner in Paris *last year,
testified she forged a letter
at the instruction of the army
officer.
However, it was reported that
she retracted that statement
when she, was brought face to
face with the officer in Israel
and could not point out what
forgery had been done in the
letter. The secretary was to re-
turn today to her post in. Paris.
Mapai peacemakers remained
unable to find a formula which
would satisfy the Prime Min-
ister, Lavon and the four Mapai
ministers who oppose the Prime
Minister's demand for a revers-
al of the cabinet vote of ap-
proval. The four are Mrs. Golda
Meir, Israel's foreign minister;
Levi Eshkol, finance minister;
Behor Shitreet, police minister;
and Pinhas Sapiu, minister of
trade.
Mrs. Meir and Sapiu have
novels, 'ome of them. best sell-. threatened to resign if the
ers, including "Scientists."
Lipsky now is president of .party gives Ben-Gurion a free
the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. hand in the dispute.
Meanwhile, Ben - Gurion's
In that capacity, he has tried
three Mapai minister support-
to enroll support for JTA
ers — Minister of Education
among world Jewish leaders
-Abba Eban, Minister of Agri-
and - has met with considerable
culture Moshe Dayan and Min-
success. -
ister of Labor Giora Jose-othal
Dr. • and Mrs. David' DeSola
Pool have brought charth to dig- --announced they would not
nified and ancient Jerusalem. serve in any government with-
They were among the most liked out Ben-Gurion.
Observers said it was practi-
and most admired participants in
cally certain that Mapai must
'the WZCongress. •
One of the highlights of the reshuffle its cabinet representa-
'Congress speeches was the ad- tion if the Prime Minister is to
dress Mr& Pool delivered -in per- placated, since the battle is no
fect Hebrew in 'tribute to Hen- no longer a question of Ben-
rietta Szold. It was a well con- Gurion or-Lavon," but of "Ben-
structed, beautifully: uttered mes- Gurion or Lavon Plus."
The Lavi" phase of the dis-
sage. •
A day earlier, Dr. Pool, also pute may be resolved, it was
speaking in perfect Hebrew, ad- suggested, by asking him to take
dressed a session of world re- leave from his Histadrut post
nowned religious leaders, in Heik- and by agreement to consider
hal Shelomo -- the impressive the 1954 incident a closed mat-
headquarters building of the Chief ter, but formally reprimanding
l3.abbinate (the• building w a s him for statements made before
erected with funds contributed the end of 1960 which the party
by Isaac Wolfson, British philan- regarded as unfriendly to
thropist). Rabbi M-ordechai IttaL. Mapai.
mar (Max- Wohlgeleinter, former-
ly 'of Detroit) . presided at that
session.
Mrs. Tamar Pool -was born in
Safed. Her parents were among
the earliest pioneers in Palestine.
JERUSALEM — It is now
Dr. Pool, a native of London,
definitely established that
England, is now on leave from
the trial of Adolf Eichmann
his pulpit in New York, Cong.
will start March 15.
Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish
It has become known here
congregation in the United States.
that the Israel Ministry of
The Pools plan to live in Israel
Justice is seeking legislation
for several months. Few people
in the Knesset to provide for
have earned the popularity they
a member of the Israel Su-
acqUired in Israel—and whenever
preme Court to preside over
they have mingled in Jewish com-
the trial.
munities throughout the- world. ,
(Continued from Page 1)
testimony in a prior investiga-
tion.
The senior army officer was
suspended. At that time, the of-
ficer asked that a special in-
vestigation committee be set up
to clear him but he withdrew
the request.
J. Salamon, the ex-officer's
Haifa counsel, issued the for-
mer officer's statement early
today.. In it, the former of-
ficer said he had rejected the
findings of the Cohen Com-
mission against him and had
asked for a judicial commit-
tee to clear him. Instead, the
officer said the government
- named the seven-man minis-
terial committee which he
said did not hear any wit-
nesses.
The Prime Minister refused
to accept the cabinet vote ap-
proving the ministerial commit-
tee report clearing Lavon and
demanded a reversal with the
threat he would resign as Prime
Minister and Mapai Party lead-
er if the cabinet vote was not
reversed. -
It was indicated Tuesday
that the Prime Minister would
withhold action on the threat
at least until the end of the
month partly becattse of the
change in national administra-
•
March 15 to Be
Nazi Trial Date
•