Purely Commentary

East - West
Conflict Over
Afghanistan

Nine Israelis Receive

By Philip Fellowships to Study
Slomovitz in the United States

(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
Levin and how, daily, Sem Levin returned to tell him "I am still
to The Jewish News)
'Caravans'—Michener's Powerful Novel About
It
seemed
as
if
that
reiterated
Jewish
JERUSALEM -- Nine Israeli
alive . . . I am still alive."
Afghans' the First Aryans'—Its Nazi Angle
principle "I shall live" continued to irk the Nazis, and Miller educators and social workers,
who have been awarded fellow-
James A. Michener is as powerful in "Caravans," published by finally told him he was a Jew and that he would kill him.
Random House, as in the best of his best sellers. It is a novel that
Some time later, Stiglitz approached Miller again and told ships for study in the United
will most certainly again place a Michener story among the long- him he felt he was Sem Levin and asked to kiss his hand — sort States by the National Council
running best sellers and will serve a special purpose in its diline- of an atonement.
of Jewish Women, were given
ation of an area so little understood by westerners.
Michener's account of the struggle, his frank analysis of the a reception by Social Welfare
"Caravans" deals with Afghanistan and its people, describes Nazi attitude, his repudiation of the Ghengis Khan cruelties that Minister Yosef Burg prior to
their habits, their ways of life, their attitudes towards foreigners. were still being perpetuated, elevate his "Caravans" to a very their departure.
The recipients and their spe-
Since the scene of action in "Caravans" is in 1946, it is noteworthy high role in the literature of our time.
that even then, as revealed in the powerful Michener story, there
This novel is a combination of history and anthropology, of cial fields of study are: Yona-
already was predicted the abandonement of the chebari — the head adventure and love, of man's inhumanity to man and the emerging than Gali, high school adminis-
covering—for women, a turn towards modernity, the abandonment humanitarianism of modern life, It is a revelation of the aspects tration; Yitzshak Genegar, spe-
of nomadics life; there were taxes in view !
of East-West conflicts as related to under developed nations. cial education; Miss Sarita Lei-
The love affair of Mark Miller with the Afghan girl is in itself bovici, psychiatric social work;
Then, there already was in evidence an East-West struggle,
with the Americans watching the intrusions of the Afghans' closer a fascinating story. Combined with the other elements in the Jacob Kellner, graduate study;
neighbor, Russia. "Caravans" is narrated by an American Jew, a novel, "Caravan" is one of Michener's most noteworthy literary Avinoam Kaplan, natural sci-
ence teaching; Mrs. Alissa Mis-
representative of the State Department, Mark Miller, who, while creations.
Michener's new novel could be cut considerably, yet its main syorik, child guidance; Miss
in search for an American girl who had left her home in Dorset,
Pa., also had an opportunity to see what the Russians were doing points describing Afghanistan and the life of the Afghans marks Bracha Sieradski, psychiatric
a definitely valuable contribution to literature, to demography studies; and Mordechai Tzur
and to report on Afghan attitudes to our Government.
and Dr. Meir Shapira, vocation-
Miller, who revealed his Jewishness when he came into con- and to the study of political and social conditions in that area al training.
flict with a former Nazi collaborator who had found refuge in of the world.
Afghanistan, manages to locate the American girl, and thereby
placates the Pennsylvania Senator who interceded for her parents
in their search for her. He has a love affair of his own with an
Afghan girl and although he concedes to the exorcising of the
prohibit private
WASHINGTON, (JTA) — the states, or at least the be enacted to
Nazism of Dr. Otto Stiglitz, the Nazi in the story, he witnesses
counties, which are contiguous employment agencies from ac-
There
is
"a
substantial
amount
the turning over of the Nazi to the British to be tried as a war
cepting or filling discriminatory
of discrimination" against the to the District.
criminal.
2. Legislation or regulations job orders.
employment
of
Jews
in
certain
Michener, in a Note to the Reader at the conclusion of his
0.1■0
■0■ 41.1.00M.04111104)11•111
■
exciting story, describes the changes in Afghanistan in the 17 years executive and white-collar posi-
tions
in
private
firms
in
the
that followed the events described in "Caravans" in 1946. He
noints out that '`the vigorous struggle between America and Russia nation's capital, according to I
for Afghanistan's affection, referred to in this novel, goes on un- charges made here by Myer
ceasingly with ultimate victory uncertain." The entire story, the Freyman, chairman of the em-
background and the suffix, provide food for thought. The attitude ployment discrimination com-
of the American girl, Ellen Jaspar, is equally thought-provoking. mittee of the Jewish Community
especially in her contention that she and her younger generation of Greater Washington. He I
made his charges in a report to
hold the solution for the complexes that affect American youth.
Of special interest is the Jewish-Nazi battle that occurs when the District of Columbia Advis-
(Copyright, 1963,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Miller hears Stiglitz's confession of his experimenting with a ory Committee of the United
States
Civil
Service
Commission.
German Jew whom he tortured, Miller's first impulse — to kill
By BORIS SMOLAR
In general, he stated, employ-
him — and the subsequent exorcising. Stiglitz hardly emerges
Communal
AffairS
the penitent. He cringes when in fear and he is willing to be ment opportunities for Jews
What are the major issues facing the organized Jewish
penitent when he thinks it will help him escape punishment. But have "improved considerably" communities in the United States? . . . Experts in economy,
in
the
last
25
years.
However,
he is equally as quick to revert to blame of Jews for what was
sociology, public welfare, demography, health, education, religion,
about to happen to him, until he learns that Miller actually tried bias still existing "substantially" community organization, community relations and overseas
in the executive level in insur- activities, are preparing material to answer this question and
to save him from being turned over to a war crimes court.
Introducing Mark Miller and his role in the State Department, ance; on the executive level and will give their answers at the General Assembly of the Council of
Michener thus describes the Jewish figure in his cast of characters; in teller jobs in banks; in sec- Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, in Hollywood, Fla. . . .
retarial, bookkeeping and other This question is of extreme importance, because of the changes
Miller speaking:
"The fact that my name was Miller and my face wholly un- clerical positions in banks, real which are taking place now in the needs of the Jewish pop-
Jewish enabled me to succeed at Groton and Yale, so that when in estate firms "and in much of ulation in numerous communities . . . What was "need Number
private employment generally."
1942 the United States Navy was looking for a few acceptable
One" several years ago, may not be of the same importance
The local situation, he de- today . .. On the other hand, new needs are arising, necessitat-
Jewish officers to avoid having many acceptable ones forced upon
them, they grabbed me with relief and were happy when most of clared, "reflects to a large ex- ing new considerations . . . Like, for instance, in planning for the
my shipmates never realized that I was Jewish. In how many ward- tent patterns of discrimination Jewish aged, whose number is continually growing . . . Or the
rooms was I assured by amateur anthropoligists, 'I can spot a kike against Jews in other communi- changes in community responsibility for Jewish center services
ties throughout the nation." In necessitated by population shifts, economic factors, and changang
every time.'
"Captain Vergruggen, under whom I served at Manus, watched the Greater Washington area, social conditions . . . There is also mental health—the nation's
me for three weeks, then said, 'Miller, you're the kind of kid who he said, Jews are not "com- Number One health problem, whose services a ffect almost every
ought to be in Intelligence. You've got brains.' And he personally pletely excluded from all execu- type of voluntary agency in the community . . . And what about
fought with the brass on the island until he found me a good berth. tive posts" 'in banks, insurance the exploding youth problem, and the changes this problem
In 1945, when the State Department also became eager to pick up companies or real estate firms. implies for Jewish communal agencies in education, vocational
a few Jewish career men with table manners, my former boss "The beginnings of progress," programming, college-level programs, and Jewish centers? . . .
remembered me, and in one exciting week he switched me from he reported, "have been made These are just a few of the fields in which the Jewish com-
lieutenant, junior grade, to State Department officer, very junior here. However, the employment munity must re-evaluate its activities and obligations . .. Then
of Jews in these posts is still there are, of course, plans for improving fund-raising cam-
grade.
"Then came the problem of where State should put me, for the very much the exception, repre- paigns, developing young leadership, developing endowments
typical embassy doubted that I would fit in. For example, I wouldn't senting no more than a token drives for community institutions . . . Not to speak of com-
be welcome in Cairo or Baghdad, where the citizens hated Jews, employment." He charged that munity relations issues — like the issue of supporting the Negro
or, as it happened, in Paris, where many of our staff felt the same Jews who apply for such posts fight for equality, which finds its echo in every Jewish com-
way. At this point Captain Vergruggen, now serving as naval at- often meet with a cold recep- munity; • or the issue of the U.S. Supreme Court's ban on
tache in Afghanistan, reported that he knew Mark Miller, and that tion and without encouragement, prayers in public schools, which has its reverberations in many
no matter how excellent their
I was a well-behaved Jew who would be a credit to the country. skill, training and experience. communities.
* •
'In fact,' he said in a cable that was passed widely throughout the
department, 'Some of my best friends are Jews,' and he got me.
Citing specific examples of
Front
His courage gained the gratitude of President Truman and a nod complaints by job applicants The Medical
There has been considerable concern in Jewish circles over
from the Secretary of State. To everyone's relief I was working who were refused jobs because the administration of the medical college admission tests by the
they were Jews, the report re- American Association of Medical Colleges . . . These tests are
out reasonably well . . ."
Assigned to search for Ellen Jaspar, Miller 'began his trek, later ferred to a survey conducted by
twice a year — In May and October — on Saturdays . . .
traveling with the caravans and thereby providing us with the the JCC employment discrimina- given
Orthodox students seeking admission into medical schools could
knowledge gathered by Michener about nomad life, about an illi- tion committee of 25 private take their tests on Sunday, but only in October . . . Sabbath
terate people that traveled from post to post under frequently employment agencies. Of these, observers who wish to take the medical college admission test
dangerous conditions, about a nation whose favor both we and the 21 were ready to accept discrim-
May were at a disadvantage, since the American Association of
inatory job orders in a routine in
Russians are currying.
Medical Colleges ordered, two years ago, the elimination of the
An historical-anthropological note is worth quoting. Michener manner without any questions Sunday alternate date in May . . . Thus, they either had to
or reservations, the report violate the Sabbath by taking the admission tests on Saturday,
writes — again Mark Miller speaking:
"As we made our way toward the center of Kabul I was charged.
or to wait until October to take their tests on Sunday . . . It so
reminded of the first contradiction that marked Afghanistan. The
Noting that "government has happens that many medical colleges prefer that applicants take
men I saw on the streets looked much more Jewish than I. They a unique and inescapable re- their tests in May . . . It was established that students seem
were tall, dark of skin, lithe, with flashing black eyes and prom- sponsibility" to correct the sit- better qualified academically and psychologically to take their
inent Semitic noses. They took great pride in their claim to be uation disclosed in the report, exams in May, when their academic work is fresh in their minds
descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, who were supposed to
Mr. Freyman urged the U. S. ... In October, they have barely re-established their study habits
have reached these mountain plateaus during the Diaspora. Civil Service Commission to rec- after a long summer vacation . . . There is also the advantage
But at the same time the . Afghans remembered that the ancient ommend that:
that, if a student's score on the May exams indicates to a
name of their country was Aryana, and in the volatile 1930s
1. Fair employment ordinan- medical college the desirability for that student to retake the
they were adopted by Adolph Hitler as the world's first Aryans ces or laws be enacted for the exams in October, he may do so . . . Sabbath observers, by having
and his special wards. The proud Afghans were able to accept District of Columbia, and for only one chance to take their exams, are unable to make use of
both accolades without discrimination and consequently boasted
this advantage of another examination . . . The situation was
that while it was true that they were born of the Jewish tribe,
brought to the attention of the American Jewish Committee by
Minneapolis
Shelter
Ben-i-Israel, once they reached Afghanistan they had founded
Orthodox Jewish students at Columbia University, who were
directly affected by the AAMC's present policy . . . They felt
the Aryan race. It made as much sense as what some of their for Jews Will Close
friends were propounding elsewhere."
'that this policy of disallowing an alternate day in May for
MINNEAPOLIS,
(JTA)
—
The-
In one devastating sentence, the latter in this quotation,
board of directors of the Min- Sabbatarians discriminated against them . . The same feeling
Michener has demolished the Aryan theory.
prevailed among Orthodox Jewish students in other universities,
Thus, there are many aspects of great magnitude to attract neapolis Hebrew Sheltering not to speak of the students of Yeshiva University . . . When the
for
Transients
has
de-
Home
interest to Michener's "Caravans," and the experience with the
American Jewish Committee communicated these sentiments to
cided to sell the building and
the AAMC, the reply was that no change in the present policy
Nazi Stiglitz continues to stand out.
property
of
the
institution
and
Were all the Germans Nazis? Legally, it is pointed out, they
should be expected . . This week, however, the AAMC in-
provide
for
Kosher
meals
and
were. Stiglitz's confession shows how he went along in conducting . lodging for indigent transients formed the Committee that a decision was finally taken to
wish
his experiments on Sem Levin in order to learn how long a man
by means of arrangements with establish a special test date for Sabbath observers who
admission test in May.
can endure the coldest weather while naked.
their
medical
college
to
take
private homes.
Stiglits confessed to Miller how he continued to . plague Sem

Substantial Anti-Jewish Job Bias in Capital

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•04•00.0.11111•0711111

Boris Smolar's

'Between You
... and Me'

