UJA Praised by Johnson in Message
Stressing U.S. Concern for Israel

Purely Commentary

By

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

The Late Abraham Srere
Abraham Srere left an indelible mark on our community. He was
dedicated to our major causes with a devotion that served as an
inspiration to the scores of his admirers who shared with him
responsibilities in behalf of Detroit Jewry's needs.
He cherished the heritage of piety and learning which had ele-
vated his father before him to leadership in the religious community.
One of his first loves. therefore. was the synagogue. He gave all of hi
time to the activities of the Jewish Welfare Federation and to th
major fund-raising efforts — the Allied Jewish Campaigns — and wa
deeply interested in Israel's welfare. The latter was a continuation o
his Zionist activities.
The late Mr. Srere's deep interest in Zionism and in Israel wa
in evidence only a month ago, when he displayed his admiration fo
the work of Israeli artists at the exhibition that was sponsored by th
Jewish National Fund, and when he showed pride in a painting h
had acquired.
Mr. Srere's gifts to Jewry will stand out for many years to come
as an encouragement to the generation to come to carry on a tradition
for devotion and loyalty to humanitarian ideals. His memory will live
as a blessing.

Destructive Partisanship
A note by the editor of Jewish Observer and Middle East Review
on a developing situation in the ranks of the United Nations' staffs
assigned to the area that includes Israel is a subject for serious concern.
We already have mentioned the destructive work that is in evidence
as a result of propaganda spread in American universities by Arab
exchange students. Instead of serving as symbols of good will, through
an interchange of good will and an emphasis on learning. students
representing Moslem countries have invaded democratic areas and are
injecting poisonous ideas into the American way of life.
Now we learn from the London periodical that UN officials who
have been hostile to Israel while on duty for the international organi-
zation are enrolling as agents for Israel's en em i e s. The Jewish
Observer's expose states:
The news that the former chief of the UN Truce Observation

Corps in Israel and the Yemen. General von Horn. is now a Saudi
Arabian military adviser is of more than passing interest. The

general was very upset over the manner in which he was expected
to gloss over the Egyptian intervention in the Yemen, and his

9 resignation was largely a consequence of the UN Secretariat's
attempt to cover up for the Egyptians. However. I am here less
concerned with the details of this special ease than with the fact
that it represents an increasingly common occurrence which tends
to weaken the entire foundation of the UN's impartiality.
There are a few instances among UN Truce observers in Israel
who turned Arab propagandists the moment they shed their UN
uniform. The Danish General Bennike was one: the American
Commander Hutchinson was another. General von Horn's case is
admittedly somewhat different. but it still raises the same question:
As chief of the UN team in Israel, he would normally acquire a
good deal of military intelligence on the strength of his UN
position. He might even receive a certain number of confidential
reports from the Israeli authorities who would be relying on his
neutral and impartial status.
No one would suggest that a man of General von Horn's
calibre would betray any such confidences to his new employers,
but all the same it creates an unfortunate precedent. In view of it.
the Israelis would be fully entitled to refuse any insight into their
defense arrangements to any UN personnel on the ground that
this may become available to their opponents the moment the
officer's UN engagement comes to an end. It is neither reassuring
nor satisfactory and there should clearly be a strict rule about
re-engagement in the Middle East (or for Middle Eastern interests)
by UN officials serving in the area. -

I

This is a much more serious matter than may appear on the surface.
If a democratic country is compelled to look with suspicion upon the
employes of the international organization of which it is a member—
Out of fear of sabotage, intrigue. selfish motives in support of war-
threatening nations — then the entire purpose of the UN is weakened.
There is no guarantee that any government employe will be
faithful to his social duties after he will have retired from his assigned
post. When Trygve Lie left his post as the UN secretary general he
voluntarily toured many areas to explain Israel's just position and he
outlined it faithfully in his book that was published soon after his
retirement. He was an exception to the rule. In many other cases
there was satisfaciton in the knowledge that men who had served the
UN did not go out of their way to antagonize Israel. But when a group
sets out deliberately to render disservice it is time to take it into con-
sideration and to be on guard lest they undermine the basic aims of
peace for mankind.
There is to be a revision of thinking in the mat er involving the
"composition and integration" of "Group 77. - Mean ile it is interest-
ing to note that when a nation that is not intereste in the "political
character" of a major issue becomes involved, there , hope for fairness.
Otherwise there are always the biaSed to throw the monkey wrench
into what could and should be peaceful international machinery.
*
*
Israel and the '77 Group'
A typical example of the difficulties encountered by Israel in the
UN was the obstacle that was placed in the path of the Jewish State
when it was prevented from continuing membership in "Group 77." It
was when a biased member of the group who stemmed from the Arab
League was chairman that Israel's representative was barred. But when
the Mexican delegate. Francisco Cuevas Cancino. assumed chairman-
ship for a month. Israel's delegate. Michael S. Comay, again resumed
the fraternal relationship.
Cornay took occasion. when he re-entered the "77 Group", to call
attention to the decision of October 1963 that membership was to be
for the developing countries. members of the United Nations,"
and that Israel belongs to "developing countries." He then pointed out.
in his repudiation of the aim of some members to give the group a
"political character." that:
"Israel had mobilized all our creative energy and pioneering zeal
in tackling the development problems of our own small country;
sought to share with others our experience in nation-building and
today we have projects of economic and technical cooperation in 51
other developing countries in .Africa, Asia and Latin America. On the
international scene, we have completely identified ourselves with the
positions of the developing world as a whole."

NEW YORK (JTA) — President
* * *
Johnson lauded "the epic accom-
plishment" of the United Jewish
Appeal of "rescuing more than
1,500.000 men. women and children
and helping them to begin new
lives in Israel and other free
lands."
The President's praise was con-
tained in a message to the annual
Night of Stars at Madison Square
Garden sponsored by the UJA of
New York. His message, read to
EARL WARREN
MRS. GOLDA MEIR EDWARD M. M. WARBURG JOSEPH MEYERHOFS
the capacity audience by his daugh-
Foreign Minister
Chief Justice
WA Honorary Chairman,
General Chairmass,
of Israel
If the United States
JDC Chairman
UJA
ter, Luci Baines. said that "any-
one acquainted with the history of
the last few years" was aware of
the ''great humanitarian achieve-
ments" of the UJA.
"The continued existence and
growth of the State of Israel are
matters of legitimate concern to
the people and to the Government
of the United States," the Presi-
dent added. "We share with Israel
an unshakeable devotion to democ-
MAX M. FISHER
WILLIAM ROSENWALD HERBERT A. FRIEDMAN LOUIS A. PINCUS
UJA Associate
Honorary Chairman,
WA Executive -
Treasurer,
racy." He noted that the United
general Chairman
UJA
Vice•Chairman
Jewish Agency
States and Israel are collaborating
on research projects, "such as the
de-salting of sea water. which will
benefit all of mankind. In addition.
Israel's growth and development
have been an inspiring example—
especially to other small countries
— of what planning. intelligence
and hard work can do."
He also stated that over the
4
years, the United States "has wel-
MOSES A. LEAVITT JOSEPH J. SCHWARTZ CHARLES H. JORDAN GOTTLIEB HAMMER
comed millions of newcomers,
JDC Executive
Chairman, JDC
Director, JDC
Executive Vice-Chairmass
many of them brought here and
Vice-Chairman
110th Anniversary
Overseas Operations
Jewish Agency, Inc.
helped to become self-reliant cit-
•,•,...,,,.
••••••• ■■ •
.
izens by agencies of the United . • ■ ••••• ■ ••• ■ ••••••• ■■•••■”••■■••■■••■■■■■•■■
Jewish Appeal. Their coming is in ;
Boris Smolar ' s
the American tradition but it is not !
to our credit that the present laws
contain discrimination on a basis
other than the sheer merit of the
applicant.
Vice President-elect Hubert H.
Humphrey delivered his first ad-
(Copyright. 1963, Jewish
dress since his election at a din-
Telegraphic Agency. Inc.)
ner of the American Jewish Com-
mittee here Monday night. He
JDC Anniversary
spoke on the problems of Ameri-
The Joint Distribution Committee— the pride of American Jewry
can education and predicted that
—is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week . . Its record of 50
the accomplishments in the field
of education legislation in the
years of bringing aid and rehabilitation to Jews in every part of the
forthcoming 89th Congress "will
world speaks for itself ... No Jewish organization is as popular among .
surpass even the excellent record
the Jews the world over as is the JDC . . . And among non-Jews. too
compiled in the 88th."
Arnold M. Grant. an attorney, . . . Governments of many countries have great respect for American
was presented with the Human Re- Jewry because of the relief activities conducted by the JDC among
lations Award of the American Jews in those countries ... And in the United States, non-Jews consider
Jewish Committee by former Fed- the JDC as an expression of the kind of Jewish generosity which has
eral Judge Simon Rifkind. Other so far not been matched by any non-Jewish philanthropic organization
speakers were Newton H. Minow. .. . There have been years when the JDC record of relief and recon-
former chairman of the Federal struction work was higher than even that of the American Red Cross
Communications Commission and which represents not 5.000,000 people, as the JDC does. but 180.000.000
Sen. Jacob K. Javits. Sen. Pierre people ... No corner of the world where Jews had been in need during
Salinger of California wa s toast- this past half-century was left uncovered by the JDC.
*
master.

Conference Speakers

'Between You

... and Me

$50,000 for Bible Fund
Presented at JPS Dinner
Honoring Philly Leader

PHILADELPHIA (JTA) — A
check for more than S50.000 was
presented here Sunday night for
the Second Bible Fund at a dinner
given in honor of Meyer Feinstein,
noted Jewish leader. by the Jew-
ish Publication Society at the War
wick.
The check was accepted by Ed-
win Wolf 2nd, chairman of the
publication committee of the JPS,
of which Feinstein has been treas-
urer for the last 10 years. The
money was raised as the Philadel-
phia area quota for the $500,000
national goal set to raise funds
for the modern English translation
of "The Prophets, The Writings
and Related Works."
Sol Satinsky, president of the
JPS and dinner chairman. present-
ed a handsomely bound and in-
scribed copy of "The Torah," to
Feinstein in honor of his many
contributions to the Society, to edu-
cation and for over 40 years of
community contributions.
Satinsky paid tribute to Fein-
stein for his contributions to the
Jewish Publication Society, the
Jewish community and as presi-
dent of the Philadelphia Council,
Boy Scouts of America.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

2—Friday, December 4, 1964

An Inspiring Leader
Credit for the extraordinary role the JDC has been playing in
Jewish life throughout the world goes of course, to its founders 50
, years ago ... It was people like Jacob Schiff, Louis Marshall, Felix M.
Warburg, Julius Rosenwald and others who had the vision and the
wisdom to form such a Jewish relief organization like the JDC, and
, who mapped its vast relief operations among Jewish communities
abroad . .. But major credit for the JDC relief, rescue and rehabilita-
tion programs since the end of World War II goes to Edward M. M.
Warburg. who assumed chairmanship of the JDC immediately after
his return from the battlefields in Europe, where he served in the
U.S. armed forces. Of him it cah- truly be said that he is a great son of
a great father . . . It was under his leadership that hundreds of thou-
sands of Jewish survivors from Nazi camps have been transplanted to
a new life in Israel . . . His ,presence today at any Jewish gathering
inspires many to greater giving. and his devotion to JDC and to UJA-
the funds of which go partly to JDC—has no limit.

*

A Strong Pillar

*

-

Moses A. Leavitt, the executive vice-chairman of the JDC, is
another pillar of this great Jewish organization which has no equal in
the entire Jewish history ... Mr. Leavitt is the dynamic power of the
JDC and the person who is the central figure in the JDC activities
The JDC is practically his life; he carries the problems of the JDC
with him 24 hours a day ... It is no easy task to be the executive head
of an organization like the JDC ... Hard worker as he is. he is always
alert to everything affecting JDC and the Jewish people everywhere
... He is acknowledged as one of America's best experts on relief and
refugee work, not only in the Jewish field, but also in general.
*
*

Momentous Achievements
No little prestige to JDC has been contributed also by Dr. Joseph
J. Schwartz who directed the JDC work in Europe during the terrible
years of World War II . .. Dr. Schwartz is now the executive head of
the Israel Bond Organization . . To direct the work of the JDC fm
Europe in the war years, when the Nazis were determined to leave no
Jew alive, was a momentous task . . . Dr. Schwartz has written very
important and brave chapters for the JDC with his work in those years

.. . He personally directed the emigration of the remnants of Jews
from Nazi camps to Israel and took out all the Jews from Yemen to
Israel by planes.