Recalled by Artist Rosenberg
When Felix Warburg Presided
By JAMES N. ROSENBERG
Honorary Chairman, JDC
* * *
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Joint
Distribution Committee. a major
beneficiary of the United Jewish
Appeal. will observe its 50th an-
niversary Dec. 10-12. James N.
Rosenberg, noted artist. attorney,
and writer. here recalls the
agency's early days and his con-
tacts with a noted f i g u r e in
American Jewish history.
*
*
- Soon after World War I broke
out. the need of help to our over-
seas Jewish brethren became plain.
Jewish leaders in the field of labor,
of capital. of religion — Zionists,
non-Zionists, anti-Zionists—all got
to work to help. Competing money-
raising efforts made it plain to
Felix M. Warburg that there must
be united efforts;Through his pa-
tience and skill. he brought to-
gether the contending' groups. The
Joint Distribution C o m in i t t e e
emerged. Felix Warburg served as
chairman to the day of his death
in 1937. ,
My close contacts with Felix
Warburg,and .JDC began on a .July
Fritz M. Warburg,
Last of Famous
Brothers, Is Dead
day in 1921. The story of. my meet-
ing with him appears in my book,
"Painter's Self-Portrait." I quote
from it:
"Luncheon with Felix M. War-
burg at the Midday Club on Broad
Street in July 1921 heralded an
abrupt and vast change in my
life. I surmised. or course, that
an invitation from so busy and
distinguished a man, who knew
me only slightly. must have a
purpose. I did not guess that I
was about to be whisked into an-
another world.
I had served as a director of the
New York United Hebrew Chari-
ties under the leadership of Cyrus
Sulzberger (father of Arthur) and
Mortimer Schiff (Warburg's bro-
ther - in - law). I had been one of the
founders of its successor. the Jew-
ish Federation, and had also helped
to raise funds for the overseas
work of the Joint Distribution
Committee, headed by Mr. War-
burg. But I knew nothing about
JDC's widespread activities. which
began in 1914 when World War I
laid a special toll on Jewish life in
m id-Europe.
"As I sipped my coffee wonder-
ing what Mr. Warburg had in mind.
he remarked almost as casually as
if talking abOut the weather—to
this day I can quote him almost
verbatim—'I am glad that you are
willing to go abroad for a year as
European head of JDC."
"The war was over: the time
had come. Mr. Warburg ex-
I On the Record I
By NATHAN ZIPRIN
His Day Is Never Done
An unusual honor was paid in
Tel Aviv two weeks ago to Dr.
Joseph J. Schwartz, vice president
of the Israel Bond Organization,
when he was presented with an
Illegal Immigration Medallion by
former members of a group that
smuggled Jews from Europe into
the haven that was later to become
Israel.
Dr. Schwartz. as director at the
time of the European rescue opera-
tions of the Joint Distribution
ComMittee, played a leading role
in the program that brought more
than 115,000 Jewish survivors of
the concentration camps to Israel
prior to statehood. Those surviv-
ors, as the world now knows, were
later to play a decisive role in
helping Israel win its independ-
ence.
Many of those whom the illegal
operation saved were in the audi-
ence' when Dr. Schwartz was hon-
ored—and this surely must have
been one of the most satisfactory
moments in his life. As for the
rescuers. their prime thought at
the moment must have been that
it was good to know that the man
they were honoring was continuing
his work for Israel, perhaps less
dramatically but very significant-
ly in the economic field.
* * *
The Jewish Vote . . .
Is there a Jewish vote or isn't
there? The American Council for
Strained Israel-Bonn Relations
BY JOSHUA H. JUSTMAN
Copyright, 1964, JTA
JERUSALEM—Relations between
Israel and Western Germany seem
to be heading for a period of heavy
strain. The recent statement by
Bonn's Chancellor Erhard. that he
saw no way for legislative action
to bar West German scientists
from working in Egypt,. evoked
deep resentment here which, so
far. has found only limited expres-
sion in the reaction of a Foreign
Office spokesman. What Israel de-
manded he said—was that Bonn
take effective steps to put an end
to the activities of the scientists
aiding Nasser in the development
of aggressive arms which. as Nas-
ser openly declares. are intended
for Israel's destruction.
The idea of legislative action did
not emanate from Israel. It was
the Bonn Government and Bunde-
stag—he said—that felt that this
could best be achieved by means of
legislative measures and now, 20
months after they had. been initi-
ated, Chancellor Erhard finds it is
"impracticable"—without pointing
to any other alternative.
Observers here wonder what
prompted the Chancellor to come
out with this public statement—in-
cluding a reiteration of Bonn's
stand regarding the applicability of
the statute of limitation to Nazi
war criminals—which, besides all
other considerations. was bound to
bring about heavy internal pres-
sure on the Israel government, as
indeed it did. Several opposition
parties have already requested a
full dress debate in the Knesset
when it opens its winter session
next week and in anticipation of
which the Government intends to
come out with an official statement
—
the Study of the Demography of :
Besides her daughter. Mrs. always the true word regardless of ing to Erhard's statement on the
European Jews decided to establish I Emanuel (Jennie) Lenter,
sur- consequences." Well, what is the German scientists. It may well in-
volve the need for a reappraisal of
a long-range research program. vivors of Mrs. Lipsitz are three function of the rabbi as rabbi?
with results to be evaluated at a , sons. Samuel Lipson, Simon Lipson Evidently the question h a s no
conference in October 1966. of Los Angeles and William Lip- answer. for if it did it would have 1915. Social service. wrote Mr.
The committee was established ' son; one brother, two sisters, eight been answered in the 50 years Richard then. "is not religion and
at a conference at the National grandchildren, and three great- since it was asked by Bernard G. the carrying on of settlement work
Center for Higher Jewish Studies . grandchildren. Richards in the American Hebrew is not the function of a rabbi
held here on "Jewish Life in Com-
Mrs. Leah Lenter leaves' three and Jewish Messenger.
though in the course of his min-
temporary Europe." Participants sons, Emanuel, Herbert I. and Evidently problems besetting istrations the rabbi may take some
included demographic experts from Louis S. of Yonkers; one brother, Jewish intellectuals over the years part in various phases of social
Belgium, Holl a n d, Switzerland, and five grandchildren. haven't changed much. Much is reform" and "if you are attempting
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia a n d
being said these days about rabbis to make a club out of the syna-
France.
Michigan mines nearly 20 per - playing the role of social workers gogue, it proves that you are most
cent of the nation's salt. It has and the synagogues as social clubs. in need of a club." So timely is
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
enough salt to supply the entire Yet we find this very plaintive this piece that it has equal rele-
54 Friday, October 23, 1964
nation "forever."
note in Mr. Richard's article of vance to our days.
—
Belgian Jewish Paper
Charges Govt. `Serving'
Arab Boycott. Group
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)
BRUSSELS
— The Belgische Is-
rdelitisch Weekblad. the Antwerp
Jewish weekly, charged Tuesday
that the Belgian government's de-
partment for external trade had
placed itself "in the service of the
Arab Boycott Committee."
The weekly asserted that four
Belgian firms, which a few months
ago received written demands from
the Arab Committee to halt all re
lations with Israel in three months,
each received a communication
which is expected to be couched in
from the government' department
rather sharp terms.
-
on the matter.
Chancellor Erhard's statement
The weekly said that the depart-
came on the heels of another
ment called to the attention of the
Bonn reaction 'to a press report
companies a statement in a letter
here which quoted Premier Esh-
from the Belgian ambassador in
kol as saying that he might meet
Libya that the firms would be
Chancellor Erhard sometime
placed on the Arab blacklist if they
next year. A Bonn spokesman
failed to give written guarantes
said that "nothing was known"
they would end trade with Israel.
of such a planned meeting —
The department is responsible to
while in fact it is scheduled to
the ministry for foreign affairs and
external trade.
take place.
_ Quite obviously one does not
The weekly asked whether the
have to look hard for an explana- Belgian minister for foreign trade,
tion of Bonn's behavior. It is all M. Wasseur, was aware of the ac
part and parcel of Bonn's "Drang tion Of the department and whether
nach Osten," West Germany's drive he approved it. Editors sent a copy
to penetrate the Middle East and of the issue to the minister.
Africa and secure for itself there
The first Downtown Detroit show-
a wide economic and political base.
Surely it is no accident that Chan- ing • of a "Fabulous Tour of
cellor Erhard's statement coincides Eurclpe" tops the new program at
with an impending visit by Presi- the Telenews Theater. Two college
girls , experience a thrilling ad-
dent Nasser of Egypt to Bonn.
through Western Europe
To be sure there is nothing new venture
as they attempt to hit the high-
to it. It is a policy that has been
of 13 countries during their
going on for many years and it has spots
short vacation.
Judaism says there isn't and there
NEW YORK — Dr. Fritz Moritz
should be none if there in fact. is
Warburg. youngest and last of the
plained. to close soup kitchens.
one. My good friend Dr. Samuel •
five brothers of the famous Ger-
'There must be economic reha-
Margoshes says there is a Jewish
man Jewish banking family died
bilitation. The Jews must not be
Saturday at Kibbutz Netzer Sereni.
vote and that if there isn't there
p uperized. You have had wide
Israel. at age 85.
experience in reorganization. We should be one. Political scientists
The firm hearing the family
and sociologists say there is a dis-
want you to organize our Euro•
name. M. Warburg & Co. of Ham-
tinct pattern of voting among
pean work, root and branch, and
burg was founded in the 18th Cen-
minorities in the country. Jews in-
bring it into constructive chan-
tury. and the W a r b u r g s were
cluded. I am lacking in the wis-
nels.' "
' prominent in German financial
On my return in 1922 from my dom to make a definite determina-
circles. The father. the late Moritz year in Europe as European head tion on so specialized a problem.
Warburg. was head of the . com- of JDC. my life was considerably But this I know—ever since I have
pany.
enmeshed in many JDC problems. been voting I have been exposed to
Born in Hamburg, Dr. War-
From 1922 to 1937, when death pressure by politicians to vote one
burg received a doctor of laws
took Felix from us. he always ,way or another primarily because.
degree from a German univer-
presided at the JDC executive they claimed. it would be best for
sity but did not practice law. He
committee meetings. and I can well Jews. Right now, in my own New
became apprentice at a Frank-
recall that never at one of its meet- York bailiwick. we find two canli-
furt bank and in 1907 joined M.
ings presided over by him did we dateS for the U. S. Senate vying
M. Warbug and -Co. of Hamburg fail to reach unanimous decisions so arduously for the Jewish vote
as a partner.
as to how and for what purposes thati one has the feeling, they arc
In World War I he was a com- and to what groups of European almOst prepared to enter the tent
mercial attache of the German Jewry we should make our distri- through Abrahamic rites. Presum-
Government at its legation in butions.
ably that es the • point at which
Stocholm, later returning to Ham-
In _my long life. in which I have they will stop. but they stoop at ,
burg and remaining a partner in dealt with many people, corpora- nothing else. One candidate, in-
the family firm until the Nazis , tions, committees, groups, etc., I stead of kissing babies, kissed •
took it over.
have never seen anything like this mezuzas and other hastened to
Dr. Warburg was seized by the amazing gift of Felix Warburg to eat shirayim from the table of
a
Nazis in 1938 and held several bring about peace. He was the
chassidic rabbi. Is there a Jewish
months before his release. He emi- most accomplished catalyst I ever
vote? It seems the politicians an-
grated to Sweden and became a met.
swered the question for me.
citizen until emigrating to Israel
a * *
several years ago.
Rabbi as Rabbi .
The brothers. besides Dr. War-
What is the function of the rab- been the fear of Arab reaction
burg. were Felix M. W a r b u r g,
bi? He has been described as that also kept Bonn from estab-
American philanthropist and sen-
"social worker." as "communal lishing diplomatic relations with
ior partner in the banking firm
Israel.
leader." as "after-dinner-speaker,"
here of Kuhn, Loeb and Co.; Paul
It would appear however that,
as
"funeral
orator,"
as
"charity
or-
M. Warburg, American philanfliro-
A local couple suffered a double ganizer." as 'anti - vice crusader" as West Germany grows stronger,
pist and board chairman of the
it feels less and less the needs of
Manhattan Co. and the Interna- loss his week with the deaths of and in most recent days as 'civil "balancing" its
policy vis - a - vis the
tional, Acceptance Bank of New both their mothers on the same rights champion." After all the
Arabs and of considering World
York here: Max M. Warburg of day. vain and fatuous attempts either
Cecelia Lenter and Leah Lipsitz, to justify the existence or to ex- public opinion. While two years
Hamburg and later New York,
ago the issue of the German scien-
banker and philanthropist: and Dr. mothers of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel plain the anomalous position of
tists was seen as causing West Ger-
Aby M. Warburg. art historian. Lenter, 20232 Braile, died Wednes- the modern spiritual leader in
many to feel "uncomfortable," now
who after the Nazis took over. day. Both women were residents Israel. I hope someone will come
moved the Warburg Library of art of the Jewish Home for the Aged. forward with the true definition apparently Bonn feels that there is
Mrs. Lipsitz, 88, was born in of its meaning and at last do jus- no more room for any such "sensi-
books to London from Hamburg.
Russia and came to this country
tice to the lofty title of the "rab- tivity" and that the Israeli aspect
- and Detroit — 51 years ago. bi " defining him as leader not can now be handled with much less
Plan Demography Study
Mrs. Lenter, 81, who also ar - only in the accepted term but as "caution" than in the past.
Thus, the problem now facing
of Jewry in Europe
rived in the U.S. 51 years ago,
a "leader who leads, as the ex-
BRUSSELS (JTA ► — A two-day I was born in Poland. She lived in
emplar of intellectual honesty who Prime Minister Eshkol may be a
conference of the Committee for I Detroit 28 years.
waits not for a sign but speaks far wider one than that of react-
Mothers of Couple
Die Same Day at
Home for the Aged
the whole pattern of Israel-Bonn
relations. This will, no doubt,
prove a most complex and difficult
task. On the one hand, there is
the high emotion witn which the
subject is charged here; on the
other hand there are the hard po-
litical and economic ficts of life—
as well as considerations of Is-
rael's security — to be taken into
account.
It is not a new problem. It has
accompanied Israel-Bonn relations
throughout the years. That it is
now becoming more acute may be
due to the departure of former
Chancellor Adenauer from Bonn.
Some may ask to what extent it
may also be attributed to the dif-
ference in approach by Premier
Eshkol as compared with that of
Ben-Gurion. However. one wonders
whether also under former Prem-
ier Ben-Gurion the test now con-
f r o n t i n g Israel-Bonn relations
would have been much less acute
with the new winds that seem to be
blowing from the West German
capital.
To the hungry every bitter thing
tastes sweet. — Proverbs
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