WSU Press to Publish Dr. Saltzstein's
,
History of Detroit nospitai movement;
Traces Beginning of Campaign to 1901
Wayne University Press next ;
week will release an im-
pressive historical record that
will give the background of the
movement for a Jewish hospital. ;
Dr. Harry C. Saltzstein,
author of the book, which will
appear under the title "Sinai
Hospital and the North End
Clinic Reminiscences of the
History of the Jewish Hospital
Movement in Detroit," is highly
qualified to deal with the sub-
ject, having been linked with
the Jewish hospital movement
for many years. He has devoted
much time to research on the
Subject and the book is thorough
and contains every imaginable
detail relating to the efforts
that preceded the emergence of
Sinai Hospital.
Many community personali-
ties played important roles in
the movement and their activ-
ities are reviewed in detail in
this book.
Dr..Saltstein shows that 52
years before Sinai Hospital
opened on Jan. 15, 1953, there
already was a movement for
a Jewish hospital in Detroit.
There was a march down
Hastings street 42 years be-
fore Sinai opened propagat-
ing the hospital cause under
the slogan "Buy a brick to
save the sick." North End
Clinic, which became linked
with Sinai recently as the
Shiffman Clinic, was estab-
lished 27 years before Sinai.
While Dr. Saltzstein's study
culminates with the opening of
Sinai Hospital, he supplements
his review of the half century
of changing medical practices
here with recommendations for
the future.
The earliest reference to the
need for a Jewish hospital is in
the report that was submitted
by Dr. Louis J. Hirschman in
1901 on the patients he had
treated, gratis, under auspices
of the Frauen-Verein — the
Ladies' Society for the Support
of Hebrew Widows and Orphans
—of which Mrs. Emil S. Heine-
man was president. Dr. Hirsch-
man then suggested that "a
room in the United Charities
Building be set aside for use
as a dispensary."
Editorials on Oct. 25, 1901,
and May 15, 1903, in the Jew-
ish American, the periodical
published here at that time,
opposed the establishment of a
Jewish hospital. Dr. Saltzstein
points to the schism that was
evident here on the question
of a Jewish hospital at the turn
of the century.
The late Dr. Hugo A. Freund
is quoted as having said in
1915, in his report on the prog-
ress made by the then existing
United Jewish Charities clinic:
"It is very difficult to maintain
a clinic of any kind that is not
in close affiliation with a hos-
pital."
In his analysis of the
movement that was projected
for a Jewish hospital, Dr.
Saltzstein states that it was
not only the demand for
kosher food in hospitals that
motivated the activities for a
Jewish hospital but also a
philosophy -- the movement's
sponsored "wanted the en-
vironment, sociability, reli-
gious atmosphere which this
concept implied."
After the initial failure of
hospital propaganda at the turn
of the century, the movement
was revived a decade later.
"One Sunday afternoon in
March 1912, while the United
Jewish Charities clinic was still
in the Hannah Schloss Building,
a small group of Orthodox Jews
marched down Hastings Street
with signs bearing the slogan,
HARRY C. SALTZSTEIN
`Buy a brick to save the sick.'
The parade ended in a mass
meeting at which the Hebrew
Hospital Association was
organized to sponsor the devel-
opment of a hospital that would
have a kosher kitchen. All the
association's subseqUent deal-
ings with the United Jewish
Charities and its successor, the
J e wish Welfare Federation,
emphasized this o r t h o d o x
aspect," Dr. Saltzstein's histori-
cal review indicates.
A survey conducted here in
1923 by the National Bureau of
Jewish Social Research of New
York, analyzed by Dr. Saltz-
stein, pointed out that the
desire of Jewish physicians for
a hospital "to obviate the dis-
crimination against J e wish
physicians in non-Jewish hos-
pitals" deserves attention; that
a Jewish hospital "would meet
the desire for kosher food," and
a 125-150 bed hospital was
recommended.
The comments on the 1923
report made by Dr. Sigmund S.
Goldwater are quoted at length
in Dr. Saltzstein's book. Dr.
Goldwater then stated:
"There is no doubt in my
mind that the Jewish com-
munity of Detroit will suffer
more and more ... if Detroit
.does not give up the distinc-
tion of being the only first
class city in the United States
today without a Jewish hos-
pital either in being or
underway."
In 1924, the Saltzstein study
shows, Morris Waldman, the
director of the local Federation,
responded to the Hebrew Hos-
pital Association's r e n e wed
appeal ofr action by reiterating
their objectives and by indicat-
ing that at least a million dol-
lars would be required for a
h o s p i t al at that time, "but
building a Jewish hospital in
Detroit was not as simple as
Mr. Waldman suggested, and
the 1924 effort produced no
concrete advance."
Out of the discussions there
first developed the North End
Clinic, establishment of which
was made possible in
i 1925 by
the $75,000 gift made by Henry
Wineman in memory of his
father, Leopold Wineman. "The
Leopold Wineman Memorial
Building was completed in the
summer of 1926, and the clinic
moved to its quarters at 936
Holbrook Avenue on August 23
of that year."
Jesse F Hirschman was the
first president of North End
Clinic, and Julian H. Krolik's
activities are commended as
being among the outstanding in
the record of the pioneers in
the movement.
The names of many physi-
cians and communal leaders
who played important roles in
advancing the health program
here are listed by Dr. Saltzstein.
The propaganda campaigns, the
activities during the depression
years and the community's in-
creasing interest in the need for
a hospital are outlined and are
followed by a lengthy analysis
of events that led to the hos-
pital's finally b e co ming a
reality in the establishment of
Sinai Hospital.
Maimonides Medical Soci-
ety began to enlist support
and to stimulate sentiment
for a hospital in 1936. The
survey conducted for the Fed-
eration by Dr. Jacob J. Golub
of New York and the positive
results of the Golub Survey
are evaluated in all their
details.
The Go l u b survey - report,
dated June 28, 1938, submitted
to Isidore Sobeloff, recom-
mended a 200-bed hospital to
cost $1,000,000 ($5,000 per bed)
"which would have an annual
deficit of $55,000." Dr. Golub
strongly urged establishment of
a hospital. The sum of $43,000
was available from the Hebrew
Hospital Association and it was
suggested that $100,000 be re-
served from the Joshua Cohen
estate.
The Jewish Chronicle, under
the editorship of the present
editor of The Jewish News, re-
ported a growing strong senti-
ment for a hospital during the
two years that followed, during
which there were differing
opinions on the needs of a
hospital under Jewish auspices.
A sympathic attitude for a
hospital by Federation was re-
ported by Sobeloff after a
Federation meeting in February
1939. Abe Srere, as president
of the Federation, stated on
Aug. 29, 1939, that he was eager
to marshal forces for a hospital.
A drive for $2,300,000 for
a hospital was inaugurated in
1944 and the present site was
acquired on West Outer
Drive. Dr. Julien Priver was
chosen administrator of Sinai
Hospital and ground for the
present structure was broken
on Jan. 14, 1951.
When the hospital movement
finally got under way, it re-
ceived the encouragement of
Fred M. Butzel and other lead-
ers, and the Detroit Jewish
physicians rallied in support of
the movement.
Many personalities who par-
ticipated in the movement are
described by Dr. Saltzstein "in
vignette." They forth a verit-
able who's who in medicine in
Detroit.
Dr. Saltzstein shows that the
predictions regarding Detroit's
needs made 40 years ago were
accurate. He expresses the view
that now, ten years after Sinai
Hospital opened its doors and
has since become one of the
community's most noteworthy
medical centers, "the time has
come for another evaluation."
His recommendations are:
There are many sociologists
and s o c i a l• scientists today
whose careers center in the
various fields of social relation-
ships. One of these specialists
should make a careful study of
the interrelationships of Jewish
physicians in other hospitals.
Although doctors are more
prosperous than they have ever
been, there are many problems
and tensions in medical practice
today. This study should in-
clude: Further and more de-
tailed information relative to
Jewish physicians' opportunities
in other Detroit hospitals —
residency training, hospital ap-
pointments, careers as special-
ists. How have the changing
patterns of metropolitan popu-
lation distribution, e.g., sub-
L.7x7rtz74 n1kt4f1.7an
IbP L?
.rrix7,41r7
nt:t na x447Fi L7`17..7] 7T -77?rl
n417iwi rt477-? 4tpx641 44
.'"Pr4t4r.
.747. 7p7 nn1 1%? Ana
"?1 n4?-71L? »43»71 fLn7
n 1 n'.77517P 71 , t171)4 7?
nx Ip'? x47 n4nn
rripr'in'? 41t.41i7.n/a,ri1N7. 17r,;
4tpl7n '717 mrirrin'r.i
ni1't.r4;-1 17171 rrrna
r47in4 r1trs.7p ,v4. 74
1oia x4tp; ri .ni4rnT n11741
,n44rnnIn n4 1.77p7. Y?
Nt:71 tjPtZ'7?
-
te?
7tM 41;IV 7174 .m4t747
!wiq? nV 7? M.;
- To'17n
-nt4774
. i -rpn
7 .15
,rox447;1
n4itt7 .1vt7.731
14147nn1
77717 tn:ntr) - nr -1 . 74
17p•i17;7
nix4f74in
ntit71 N4t✓ 7r7 :174. 17 r1t1;
1'7
717?7- trJet.
x4i47Ft..tzirro ni44it.:z?y.7 r)147pt)
'7171 no1n7 4711-.'717
nia417? n44
17."7 ,N47. 7pri WW1 in147;1
nt 74 rrin4zgri . inn41.-1
17 '
T
rz".1.7 In
, ro'fl
4
ra in tr ip_ n17477p7
N4fP
'?
1
7»
71
»
Ir.12?
r nPPri
tV7 r,.7 L2 tg
n44tt):
4 7. ."717
IrP;
♦
(rthiv
n" 1»51
rnt •S nt.t3iim)
•T
•t
••T
I
Hebrew Corner
urban sprawl and urban re-
newal, affected medical prac-
tice? Is a new exclusion pattern
developing, or has there been
a widening of opportunities?
Have other cities had experi-
ences which could be applicable
to Detroit?
Studies of the educational
program. at Sinai, and of the
problem of the continuing life-
long education of the doctor,
are needed. Are there too many
specialists trained in some
categories, not e no ugh in
others? How:- good or adequate
is the training? Many similar
questions could be raised.
A socio - economic s t u d y
should be made of some of the
problems of medical practice
which are getting increased at-
tention and causing increased
concern in the press, in medical
journals, and schools.
Dr. Seymour Axelrod, head
of the Bureau of Public Health
Economics, School : of Public
Health, University of Michigan,
suggested to me some time ago
that a generalized study should
be made of the doctor-patient
relationship to determine what
needs of the patient are met, or
fail to be met, in independent
(so-called solo) or family prac-
tice, and in group practice. To-
day the patient, although get-
ting much better scientific
medicine, is often increasingly
dissatisfied. He still wants his
personal physician but also
wants all of this specialization.
Dr. Axelrod feels that we
should study the quality of
medical care offered today (Can
this be measured?), and study
the problem of long-term pa-
tient care in general acute hos-
pitals, in nursing homes, and
in the patient's own home.
What is the need and the avail-
ability of needed services for
chronic -care? How much over-
use is there. of $30 to $40 a day
acute hospital services?
A study should be made on
the future growth possibilities
of the hospital in line with
medical services by the area,
the clintele, and the doctors
which Sinai serves.
Sponsorship of a group clinic,
perhaps located b e y o n d the
present location of Sinai, would
give many of the younger doc-
tors opportunities early hi their
needed facilities to a growing
Israel Presidency
As an Institution
Not all countries have a president.
A country with a king at its head,
has no place for a president. Even
in those countries where there is a
president, his status and " duties are
not the same.
In the State of Israel the function
of the presidency is a separate insti-
tution in its own capacity. The presi-
dent is looked upon as the head of
the State; however, he does not have
real ruling powers. The president en-
dorses the laws of the Knesset and,
signs agreements with other coun-
tries. Being the head of the State,
his signature has - only a symbolic
significance. The Government Comp-
troller, judges, religious judges, am-
bassadors and others are appointed
by the president, although other gov-
ernment bodies •actually make the de-
cikions.
The president also receives the
foreign diplomatic corps when they
come to give their blessings on Inde-
pendence Day.. Being the head of the
State, the president also receives
Government leaders who visit Israel.
By doing so, the president serves as
a symbol of the head of an indepen-
dent state.
Receptions for soldiers and out-
standing" citizens take place at the
home of the president on Indepen-
dence Day. These are an expression
of este
em and appreciation by the
nation for acts of heroism -and out-
standing work in science, public serv-
ice and good citizenship.. The presi-
pcireinstes.lends his hand to help many
cultural, scientific and social enter-
,
The president of the State is
elected by _the Knesset. for -a period
of five years. -
Translation of Hebrew Column
Published by frith Ivrith Olamith,
Jerusalem.-
clinic a.1 careers and bring
and prosperous area, but would
keep the individual initiative
and independence of the physi
clan. It might be necessary' to
provide a certain number of
beds, since Sinai at its present
size could not accommodate all
these patients, but they could
integrate with the Sinai resi-
dency program. This - clinic
project 'would be self-support-
ing once it was in operation.
A perusal of this book will
show that many of these prob-
lems were envisaged in the
early days of the North End
Clinic. Although it is freely
admitted that the United States
has the best scientific medicine,
more and more experts are stat-
ing that the average patient
care leaves much to be desired,
compared to other countries.
Sinai Hospital of Detroit was
paid for by the entire com-
munity. I think its orientation
should be professional develop-
ment and the broad spectrum
of . patient care.