Two Able Men in Contest for Bnai Brith
Presidency at T riennial Parley in Israel

By MILTON FRIEDMAN

(Copyright, 1965, JTA, Inc.)

WASHINGTON—The ability of
Bnai Brith to adapt to the
changing needs of world Jewry
will be measured when delegates
of the organization's 500,000 mem-
bers gather in Israel from 43
countries on May 23 at a triennial
convention.
New leadership will emerge. A
vigorous campaign is being fought
in which two outstanding candi-
dates are seeking the international
presidency of the order. Bnai Brith
believes in healthy, democratic
competition. There is no nomina-
ting committee. A free and open
convention will take place.
Another development of basic
importance is the emergence of
Bnai Brith's new executive vice-
president, its chief administra-
tor. He is Rabbi Jay Kaufman
who became widely known as
vice-president of the Union of
American Hebrew Congrega-
tions. Rabbi Kaufman succeeds
Maurice Bisgyer who retired re-
cently after 27 years of Bnai
Brith service.
When the 1,500 delegates gather
in Israel, they will eagerly observe
the new professional leadership
of Rabbi. Kaufman. Label A. Katz,
outgoing president, welcomed the
election of Rabbi Kaufman. He
said the rabbi has "exhibited
effective administrative skills, a
creative awareness of organiza-
tional techniques, and a perspec-
tive of Jewish community life
which reflects Bnai Brith's tradi-
tional commitment to the totality
of Judaism and Jewish interests
and institutions."
A handsome, dynamic man in
his early 40s, Rabbi Kaufman is
guided by the concept of K'lal
Yisroel, Jewish brotherhood. He
sees Bnai Brith as the world's
only truly international Jewish or-
ganization that can unify Jewry's
diverse elements. He places em-
phasis on *Jewish education. The
saving remnant must be equipped
to save through knowledge.
Bnai Brith, according to Rabbi
- Kaufman, is the "floor" organiza-
tion on which building can be
done. Now that Israel exists, Jews
outside Israel are taking a new
look at their Jewish commitments.
Modern communication and jet
age transportation have created
new links among the Jewish com-
munities of the world.
Rabbi Kaufman does not feel
that Jewry is on the verge of ex-
tinction diespite the current pessi-
mistic forecasts. He derides the
cries of panic over Jewish sur-
vival. . .
The role of international presi-
dent of Bnai Brith is not easy to
fin. Under the presidency of Philip
M. Klutznick, the job became that
of an international diplomat in the
complex post-Hitler world. Klutz-
nick, regarded by many as Amer-
ica's outstanding living. Jewish
leader, conceived the idea of
strengthening Bnai Brith ties with
Israel. To the great satisfaction of
Israelis, he took the non-Zionist

AltA
Activities

LOUIS MARSHALL CHAPTER
will hold its general meeting at
8:15 p.m. Tuesday at Workmen's
Circle Center. An account of the
biennial convention in Washington
will be given by Mrs. Joseph Rod-
man, and a new version of "Dolls
for Democracy" will be presented.
Refreshments will be served.
* * *
ALBERT EINSTEIN LODGE
`will hold an installation dinner-
dance 9 p.m. May 15 at Shaarey
Shomayim Synagogue. For reser-
vations, call Sam Freedman, 356-
6171, by Monday.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

18—Friday, May 7, 1965

Bnai Brith to Israel to hold its
1959 triennial convention.
Label A. Katz, of New Orleans,
who followed Klutznick as presi-
dent, visited Moscow and sought
to relieve pressures on Jews. He
followed Mr. Klutznick's philoso-
phy in broadening the horizons
and scope of the organization.
Two respected and capable
men have offered themselves as
candidates to succeed Katz. Un-
fortunately, only one can be
chosen. The two are Judge Da-
vid Coleman, of Los Angeles,
and Dr. William A. Wexler, of
Savannah, Ga.
Judge Coleman is widely known
in judicial circles as Judge of the
Superior Court of the State of
California. He was appointed by
Chief Justice Earl Warren when
the latter was governor. The
judge is distinguished in Jewish
life for his dynamic presidency of
the Los Angeles Jewish Com-
munity Council, s e r v i n g the
second largest Jewish community
in the world.
Active in a wide range of Bnai
Brith matters, Judge Coleman has
served as vice-president of the Su-
preme Lodge since 1959. He is
chairman of the Supreme Lodge
Evaluation Committee.
Supporters of Judge Coleman
have pointed out that he is the
first candidate for Bnai Brith
president from the Far West.
Dr. Wexler, a Savannah civic
leader known for his courageous
stand on the civil rights firing
line in the South, has a record of
Jewish and humanitarian activities
as distinguished as that of Judge
Coleman.
In Savannah, Dr. Wexler served
as president of the Jewish Com-
munity Council, chairman of Is-
rael - Bonds, and in many similar
capacities outside Bnai Brith. In
Bnai Brith he was in 1956 elected
to the highest post the order has
to offer next to the presidency—

School Boards Warned

KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. (JTA)
—Delegates to the 113th conven-
tion of District I of Bnai Brith
called on local school boards to
guard against "sectarian influences
upon public school students" under
the federal aid program. In a reso-
lution adopted at the closing
session of the convention, the dele-
gates declared that "the public
schools have always been and must
remain a unifying influence in
America's pluralistic society."

international vice-president of the
Supreme Lodge.
In 1963, Dr. 'Wexler learned of
a non-Jewish youth jailed in
Georgia for encouraging civil
rights for Negroes. An exorbitant
bail, amounting to $15,000, was
demanded. Dr. Wexler put up his
own property as bail for the young
man. The young man's father was
touched by this act of kindness by
A group of new drawings by
a Georgia Jew to a total stranger.
He wrote Dr. Wexler: "I doubt if SOPHIE FORDON is now on ex-
hibition through May 15 at Werbe
there is anything we could do for
Gallery.
you that would show the depths
of our gratitude, except to follow,
and to teach our children to fol-
low, that path of love and service
to our fellowman on which you
are showing the way."
Bnai Brith must make a diffi-
cult choice between these two fine
men. Perhaps a way can be found
for both to serve in leading capa-
cities.

Judge Kent Reported
Recovering at Grace

Judge George Kent was reported

Thursday to be recovering from

injuries he sustained in an accident
at James Couzens and Greenfield
on Monday. Judge Kent suffered

facial injuries. He is reported out
of danger at Northwest Grace
Hospital.

BAN ROLL ON

Deod. Giant Size
Retail 1.49

DISCOUNT
PRICE

99`

G & M DISCOUNT
20009 W. 7 MILE
KE 5.4910

BEST DEAL IN TOWN

There is no smugger content-
ment than being safely surrounded
by one's prejudices.
—D. D. Runes

AUTO LOANS

PER
HUNDRED

'65 CHEVYS

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

ALI MODELS
COLORS

Go The Chevy Way With Joe May

Per Year

(to qualified applicants)

See Mr. Mosher

Open Mon. thru Sot. Till 4:30

NATIONAL BANK
OF SOUTHFIELD

17000 W. 8 MILE RD.
EL 7-1300

NEAR NORTHLAND

12555 GRAND RIVER

PHONE TE 4-4440

OUT-OF-TOWN CALLS ACCEPTED

7.1IL• P•15 TR•TIM

for sink

. or swim

with an electric water heater you get all the hot water you need
[or you get your money bacilli

cck"kcc"\\\\4" ''''an We'll even refund any installation cost. And it doesn't
SATISFACTION
matter where you buy your electric water heater; if it's

GUARANTEED

BY

•Tr^

Edison-approved, the Edison guarantee applies. What

DETROIT EDISON g, size heater will you need? Call us. We'll send out a

\\ ,,',\\*■\\y\%\\'skkA\\\\\N\sW)s-G specialist who can point out the proper heater size and
the best location for it. He can also tell you about the low operating cost—as
little as $3.88 a month for a 50-gallon heater. Get all the hot water you need—
guaranteed. Call your Edison Office or see the retailer who displays the Edison
Satisfaction Guaranteed sign.

.

EDISON

Meye N re s ar Rood