THE DETROIT JEWISH NE WS — Friday, May 3 1, 1963

CNI

Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)

Louis Lipsky—Zionist Leader, Lover of the
Theater, Distinguished Literary Critic .

Louis Lipsky was one of the most distinguished figures in
world Jewry. As a Zionist leader for more than half a century,
as an administrator, as a literary critic, as a lover of the theater,
he was one of the most interesting men of our time.
Only a few months ago, his book of short stories based on
the lives of many unnamed Jewish actors served to recall his
love for the theater during his youth.
It was not only in relation to the theater but also in the
field of literature that he emerged as a brilliant critic and as a
man of deep appreciation of the finest elements in art and in
literature.
It was in Zionism that he made his mark. He helped draw
many noted personalities into the movement in its earliest days,
and • even when Zionism was not too popular—in the era pre-
ceding Hitlerism—he inspired many men and women who be-
came linked with the great cause of Israel's redemption.
Louis Lipsky_ was one of the last of the first generation of
Zionist leaders in this country. His labors for Zionism will be
recorded among the most noteworthy. His remarkable personality
has registered its impact upon American Jewish history. His
name will be linked among the very great in Israel.

The New President of Israel

Shneour Zalman Shazar was the most acceptable candidate
for the Presidency of Israel for many obvious reasons. He is a
member of Mapai, and the dominant party was naturally expected
to be successful in sponsoring its
choice for the post that carries
with it such high honors.
There were better reasons for
the priority that was given the
Shazar name above any other in
Israel.
He is a man of great learning
and of genuine Jewish devotion.
He is affiliated with and loves the
Khabad movement. His interest in
Khabad (the name of the move-
ment is based on the Hebrew letter
khet, bet, daled, which stand for
khakahma, bina, daat — wisdom,
understanding, knowledge) is deep-
rooted and is based on a devotion
to hassidic leaders and their ideas,
and especially on a desire to as-
sure the linking of Jews with their
Zalman Shazar
traditions.
Shazar—it is a name he adopted upon the emergency of
Israel's statehood when he ceased being Rubashov—is especially
known for his deep interest in Jewish education movements and
for his advocacy of priority for learning in Jewish .life.-
He has made many friends among Zionists throughout the
world, and such a link is very vital for good leadership in Israel.
Like his predecessor, Itzhak Ben-Zvi, Shazar respects the
synagogue and welcomes opportunities to attend religious serv-
ices. This is all to the good when it is so urgently necessary that
.there should be a good relationship between Israel and world
Jewry and with the religious elements in Jewry. ,
Zalman Shazar was the wisest choice Israel could haVe made
for the state's Presidency.

Deserved Honors for Abe Kasle

Former German Minister Strauss
Meets with Israel's Top Leaders

•

Abe Kasle has to his credit many communal accomplishments.
As president of the United Hebrew Schools for more than a
decade, he helped raise the standards of Jewish educational efforts
and was, more than any other man in this community, responsible-.
for the priority given in local activities to Jewish education. -
He was among the group who raise the standards of giving
to the Allied Jewish Campaign, of which he was general chairman,
and his interest in Israel has drawn him to many movements in
support of efforts to assist in the country's upbuilding and in the
settlement of large numbers of expatriated Jews.
On his 65th birthday, two years ago, -Kasle made a $65,000
gift to a number of causes, including local universities as well as
Jewish causes.
By giving the initial fund for the planting of the Kasle
Forest in Israel, he showed his devotion also to the work of the
Jewish National Fund.
The dinner in his honor on June 12 is a deserved tribute
from an appreciative community.

Former West
TEL AVIV
German Defense Minister Franz
Josef Strauss met with Prime
Minister David Ben-Gurion Tues-
day at the latter's office here.
Strauss, who arrived in Israel
Monday with Mrs. Strauss, was
guest Monday night at a dinner,
given by Deputy Defense Min-
ister Shimon Peres, which was
attended by other top officials
of the Defense Ministry. After
dinner, Strauss and Peres held
I talks until midnight. The talks
were continued Tuesday morn-
ing.
Strauss arrived at Lydda Air-
port Monday without incident,
his plane alighting at a landing
strip far distant from the main
terminal, to avoid would-be
demonstrators.
Hundreds of Herut demon-
strators hovered about the main
terminal, but Strauss was given
a red carpet welcome by of-
ficials at the remote strip, and
then was whisked away through
a special exit. A large Israel
military delegation was on hand
to honor Strauss, along with
Deputy Defense Minister Shimon
Peres and Gen. Moshe Dayan,

"As a convinced anti-Nazi and
now Minister of Agriculture.
In a written statement, in anti-Communist," he continued,
English, Strauss said he had for "I want to point out two facts,
a long time awaited an oppor- as I have built up the German
tunity to visit Israel and was, democratic army which enjoys
therefore, grateful for the Is- a good reputation not only for
raeli government's invitation. its quality but, particularly, for
He said he regretted "the mis- its structure. The German De-
understanding that has arisen" fense Ministry is forbidden any
in this • connection. activity in rocket research and
"I understand fully," he de- development and, therefore, has
dared, "that the past lies like no responsibility for the activi-
a torturing shadow between our ties of German scientists. As far
peoples. But believe me that as it depends on me, I have done
countless Germans have con- everything possible to limit it.
demned, together with me, the But I am bound by our Consti-
criminal ways. After the dicta- tution, which gives every Ger-
torship, we decided to make man citizen full rights.
Strauss concludeC his state-
good for the injustices of the
past as far as it is possible to ment by declaring that the free
do so by human beings, and to part of Germany, to which he
make German policy in the fu- belongs, is, "after the terror of
ture serve liberty, peace . and the past, purged by the historic
understanding between nations. catastrophe for we ourselves
There are many in Germany were guilty, and aware of its
who understand Israel's worries responsibility. This Germany is
a friend of your people."
and hopes."

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'Between You
•• anci Me'

Leaders of Jewish .
Communities in 11
Lands Meet in Italy

(Copyright, 1963,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

Jewish Students

As the graduation season approaches, it is worthwhile look-
ing into the picture presented now of Jewish students in Ameri-
can colleges and universities . . . Hillel Commission tells us that
there is a minimum of 275,000 Jewish students this year in
American institutions of higher learning . . . There are at least
235 schools with at least 25 Jewish students in each at which
there is no formal Hillel affiliation . .. About 100 of these un-
affiliated schools have informal Jewish organizations . . . The
present number of Hillel Foundations, Counsellorships and Chairs
of Judaic Studies in the United States is about 225 . . . This
year, something new has been added to Hillel activities . . .
Hillel has undertaken a national program geared specifically to
Jewish faculty members and has been awarded a $20,000 grant
from the Charles E. Merrill Trust for this work . . . This is the
first award of its kind in the field of higher education . . . It
was given for the purpose of providing regular opportunities
for Jewish faculty members to meet for discussions, lectures
and seminars in areas of Jewish thought and for the encourage-
ment of research in Jewish scholarship . . On 30 campuses
there is some kind of organized Hillel-faculty relationship,
with Jewish faculty members meeting for seminars and lectures
. . . There are several thousand Jewish professors and lecturers
in the American colleges and universities, and many of them
are in need of stimulation on matters Jewish . . . The 275,000
enrolled Jewish students constitute a little over 6.5 percent
of the total number of students in this country which is given
as 4,200,000 . . . The Jewish percentage of total enrollment has
dropped from 7.5 percent in 1955 to 6.5 percent this year while
their number has increased from 200,000 in 1955 to 275,000.
. . . The explanation is simple: the overall U.S. growth is
moving at a faster pace than the Jewish enrollment . . . U.S.
colleges enrollment in 1955 was 2,100,000—half of the current
year . . . Best estimates are, that a minimum of two out of
every three Jewish students of college age are on the campus
today . . . The national norm is one out of three . . . It is
anticipated that in 1970 the college population will be about
twice of what it is today . . . This means that while the number
of Jewish students will continue to increase, their proportion
will continue to decrease.

MILAN, (JTA) — A check
for 1,700,000 Belgian Francs
($34,000) to aid the influx of

North African Jews in France
was presented to the Standing
Conference on European Jewish
Community Services at the close
of a two-day meeting.
The money was the proceeds
of a national campaign among
Belgian Jews, which Jewish

leaders said marked the first
time that a drive had managed
to enlist the support of all ele-
ments of the Belgian Jewish
community.
The delegates, representing
the top lay leadership of health

and welfare services of Jewish
communities in 11 European
countries heard reports from the
various countries on the prog-

ress of the Conference's emer-
gency aid fund for North Afri-
•can refugees in France.
• In response- to a plea from
the Fonds Sociale Juif Unifie,
the major French Jewish wel-
fare agency, the Conference
took special action to make

places available as quickly as
possible for children of the
North African refugees in va-
cation camps operated by the
different European communities.
., The delegates were tol dthat
such openings were urgently
needed in large numbers to
supplement -camping facilities in

*

*

Southern Echoes

France.

The association was addressed were discussed at the opening
by Richard Jacobs and Joshua session of the convention which
Epstein, - leaders in the adver- was attended by 50 publishers
and editors of Jewish weeklies
tising field, at a luncheon meet- throughout the country, were
Mg on Friday.
under the presidency of Weis-
Resolutions adopted at the berg.
closing sessions urged the
The first luncheon session
legislation to assure an end to was devoted to the Jewish Tele-
racial and religious strife; re- graphic Agency which serves
affirmed the publishers' stand the English-language Jewish
in support of efforts to protect newspapers. The session was
the strict separation of church conducted by Philip Slomovitz,
and state; greeted the United editor of The Detroit Jewish
Jewish Appeal on its 25th an- News, former president of the
niversary:- congratulated Presi- association, now vice-president
dent-Elect Zalman Shazar of of . JTA. The speakers included
Israel and greeted Israel's 15th Boris Smolar, editor-in-chief • of
anniversary. • the JTA, and Victor M. Bien-
The problems facing the stock — the agency's general
American Jewish communities manager. Nathan Ziprin, editor
in regard to Jewish education, of Seven Arts Feature Syndi-
work on behalf of Israel, youth cate, discussed the work of that
leadership, social . welfare af- agency. Ray Levy, public rela-
fairs, and the tasks those issues tions director of the United
impose on the English-language Jewish Appeal, was a guest
Jewish press in this country, speaker.

1

1 . 1

Boris Smolar's •

M. Janoff Elected New President of Publishers' Assn.

NEW YORK — Morris Janoff,
editor and publisher of the Jew-
ish Standard, Jersey City, N.J.,
was elected president of the
American Jewish Press Associa-
tion, succeeded Joseph Weis-
berg, editor of the Jewish Advo-
cate of Boston. The 21st annual
sessions were held at the Over-
seas Press Club.
Albert Golomb, Pittsburgh,
Joseph J. Cummins, Los An-
geles, and Mrs. Samuel Neus-
n er, Hartford, Conn., were
elected vice-presidents; Jimmy
Wisch, Fort Forty, Tex., secre-
tary.
Two of the most active
leaders of the association were
elected to the other two of-
fices, in recognition of their
services to the association.
Leo -Firsch of the Jewish
World, Minneapolis-St. Paul,
president, a n ci Elias R.
Jacobs, Jewish Review, Buf-
falo, was elected treasurer.

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The group of 16 Conservative rabbis who flew last week
from the Rabbinical Assembly convention to Birmingham to
participate in the anti-segregation demonstrations there are
being severely criticized in the Jewish communities in the South
. . . The fact held against them is that they did not first consult
the Jewish community in Birmingham as to the actual situation
in the city, and failed to consult national Jewish organizations
engaged in •the fight for civil rights . . . Birmingham Jewry feelS
it would have been proper for the rabbis to determine what
effect their action would have upon the Jewish community in
the city . . . Jews in Birmingham are in an unenviable position
at best due to the delicate balance which they must maintain in
the racial tensions . . . The arrival of the rabbis served to
heighten these tensions for the Jewish community there, accord-
ing to the Southern Israelite of Atlanta . . . The 16 rabbis
arrived in Birmingham at a stage when Negro demonstrations
had been suspended on the eve of anticipated agreements . . .
They had nothing to participate in, the paper claims, except a
rally or two, at which they made speeches . . . Southern Jewish
leaders charge that the rabbis arrived in Birmingham "with
little real understanding" about what actually was taking place
in the City, and when they left a day ciar two later, they were
not believed to understand the situation much better . . . Ex-
pressing strong disapproval of the "foray into Birmingham,"
Southern. Jewish leaders term the arrival of the rabbis a "preci-
pitous dash" which seemed to the Jews in the south "more Don
Quixotish and extremism than the courage or wisdom" . . .
They accuse -the Conservative rabbis of disregarding the human
values within the Jewish community itself, although they see
no fault with the determination of the Rabbinical Assembly
to identify itself positively with the fight for civil rights.