Sammy Davis Jr. Story, `Yes I Can', lsr Remarkatile Autobiographical Record of Negro-Jewish: Experience "Yes I Can" is the title of Sammy Davis Jr.'s autobiographic- al story which reaffirms that in- deed, he not only can but did suc- ceed against great odds to reach the top of the ladder in the enter- tainment world. Compiled with the cooperation of Jane and Burt Boyar, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, this is an especially timely story in view of other current revealing situations about the Negro's strug- gle for recognition, for a place in American life without prejudice. In addition, Sammy Davis had adopted the Jewish f a i t h and therefore added to the prejudices that were aimed at him. In all instances, he emerged the proud, '" ` "`'--brave defender of justice. The discriminating incidents rec- orded in this lengthy account of an interesting life emerge as part of this decade's battle against the race hatreds that have left a blot on America. The manner in which Sammy Davis was hounded, the signs "no Niggers, no dogs, no Jews" that accompanied him, the indignities he suffered in the army at the hands of bigots — these are among the many sad occur- rences in the book. There are good ones to offset them, and the fine treatment he received at the hands of fellow-actors is a heartening part of "Yes I Can." There are numerous details rel- ated to Sammy's acceptance of the Jewish faith. Rabbi Max Nussbaum was among his teachers. His mar- riage to May Britt was performed by Rabbi William Kramer in Rabbi Best Wishes to Our Many Friends and Customers for a Happy New Year Sid and Lou Fishman Olympic Sporting Goods Co. 19129 Livernois SAMMY DAVIS, JR. Nussbaum's absence, at Temple Israel, Hollywood. Eddie Cantor had a long conversation with him about the Jewish angle. It was after t he accident in which Sammy lost an eye that Eddie said to him: "You look upon your accident as a warning or a threat. I can only speak to you as a Jew and interpret it according to our philosophy. We don't believe that goodness should stem from threat of punishment. We worship God in love, not in fear. In the Talmud, which represents many centuries of Jewish thinking, it is written 'Whom the Lord loveth He correcteth.' Therefore, 'Should a man see suffering came upon him let him scrutinize his actions." Eddie was giving Sammy encour- agement, and throughout the story fellow-actors, producers, others gave Sammy the courage that led him to the top in his calling. Rabbi Alvin Fine was among those who encouraged him in his faith after his accident, and a Hillel story was offered as part of the comfort that was provided. It was then that Sammy already began to show an interest in Judaism. 18925 Livernois Ave. Detroit 21, Michigan UN 4-9827 Happy New Year To Our Relatives, Friends and Patrons DETROIT COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC CO. 8923 Puritan UN . 3 7710 - Happy New Year to Our Friends and Patrons BIFF'S GRILL Open to the public 24 hours 230 W. McNichols 27015 Van Dyke, Warren 31503 Gratiot, Roseville TO 6-9655 SL 7-9788 293-4880 Season's Cordial Greetings AUTO-FLO CORP. Detroit 39, Michigan Best Wishes For a Year of Health and Happiuess to All Our Customers and Friends LEON & LEFKOFSKY DELICATESSEN LEON I. SIGEL Henry and Martin Malter 6343 W. McNichols, Detroit The work of the bigots emerges as the constant threat that mars the spirit of America. Like the sign that a p p e a r e d on his garage: "Merry Christmas Nigger!" Or the Nazi storm troopers' picketing of him in Washington with signs that read: "WHAT'S THE MATTER, SAMMY? CAN'T YOU FIND A COLORED GIRL?" . . . "GO BACK TO THE CONGO, YOU KOSHER COON." And the sign that was appended on a black dog that ac- companied these picketers that read: "I'M BLACK TOO SAMMY, BUT I'M NOT A JEW." And an- other of their signs that read: MARRIAGE TO MAY BRITT WILL BE AN INJUSTICE TO THE NEGRO RACE." Well, the marriage took place, and it is a happy one — there are already two children. But before the marriage, in London, too, there was picketing and a display of ugly signs: "GO HOME, NIGGER" . . . "SAMMY, GO BACK TO THE TREES". . . . GET DIVORCED FIRST, SLAG." But the people in England re- sented such outrages and told Sammy so in many ways. A letter from Cassandra reproduced in "Yes I Can" assured him that such signs have "nothing to do with what English people feel and think." UN 4-9882 SAM LEFKOFSKY for instance, the story of his report to Goldwyn that he would not work on the film "Sportin' Life" on Yom Kippur. Samuel Goldwyn was amazed to hear it, and when he yielded he said: "Directors I can fight. Fires on the set I can fight. Writers, even actors I can fight. But a Jewish colored fellow? This I can't. fight!" Sammy had begun to r e a d Sachar's "History of the Jews." He quotes from it, he states that he saw an affinity between Jew and Negro and the long recorded con- versation with Rabbi Nussbaum is especially illuminating. He pleaded with the rabbi: "I've read and I've studied and I've called myself a Jew. I've tried to feel .like a Jew, I really have, but I know it can't work until I know I really am a Jew. Please. Don't turn me away." Rabbi Nussbaum warned him: "Judaism is not a symptomatic cure. It cannot be taken internally like a tranquilizer. Judaism is a Philosophy . ." etc, etc. But Sammy Davis was insistent. He was welcomed to the fold. There is evidence in what he writes in his autobiography that there is great sincerity in his act of ac- cepting Judaism. There is an interesting note rel- ating to his appearance on a Mike Wallace show when the announce- ment was made: "A Negro . . . a Jew . . . the Peck's Bad Boy of show business . . . a man to whom any worthy charity can turn . . . probably the finest entertainer in all of show business . . ." UN 4-1062 Happy New Year To All Oud Friends and Customers I SHOPPING CENTER MARKET Greenfield at 10 Mile Road Mr.and Mrs. Sid Hiller Best Wishes for a Happy New Year To Our Friends and Patrons PETERS SAUSAGE COMPANY Happy New Year NORTHLAND BUILDING MAINTENANCE, INC. Norman Tarockoff Eugene Bortnick 864-4811 I • A Happy New Year To All our Customers and Friends MR. MA-RIO'S HAIR FASHIONS May Britt went along with his preference for Judaism, especially when he told her just before their marriage: "You know how much I have gotten out of Judaism for me it's everything." And she assured him that she, too, "started looking into Judaism strictly be- cause I_ wanted our kids to have the same religion as the two of us, but now that I've studied it, I'm On one occasion Sammy com- getting to really love it." mented: "I never yet saw a news- It is his attitude regarding his paper refer to Milton Berle as new faith that is of special interest `the greater J e wish comedian.' in his autobiography. There is, EDDIE'S GRILL 13436 W. 7 MILE RD. MALTER FURS Sure,. he's Jewish and he's a comedian but he doesn't do Jew- ish comedy any more than I do Negro humor." Best Wishes of the Season To All Our Customers 12085 Dexter Best Wishes for the New Year to all our friends and valued customers MARIO AND DAVID UN 3-6873 19031 Livernois • MORTGAGE LOANS Commercial — Industrial Attractive Rates — Terms REAUME & DODDS INCORPORATED REALTORS— WO 5-4455 1214 Griswold Bldg. Detroit 26, Michigan cg-St-Q-Q. SLAWRAS12. CUM om_suuutissastm.9.suutssss_ a Happy New Year To All Our Friends and Customers PARADISO CAFE Fine American-Italian Foods 17630 Wdodward, near 6 Mile TO 9-3988 4 lnrinfinMn5155Th000000000 Best Wishes For A Happy New Year To Our Friends and Patrons THE EARLE EQUIPMENT CO. Detroit and Grand Rapids 8100 Middlebelt, Romulus 728-3500 4 Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to Our Friends and Patrons I THE FABULOUS STAR BAKERY 13505 W. 7 Mile at Hartwell New Orleans Mall 10 Mi. at Greenfield UN 4-1635 1 EL 7-1291 Best Wishes to the Entire Jewish Community For a Year of Health and Happiness This sums up Sammy Davis, Jr. well written with the aid of Jane And his autobiographical story, and Burt Boyar, proves it. —P. S. Jack Solomon of Britain, who has been Europe's top boxing pro- moter for so many years, has an- nounced his intention of quitting boxing for the wrestling field. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 54—Friday, September 24, 1965 4