THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of JriN 20, 1951
Member American Association of English—Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial
Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Midi. 48235.
VE 8-9314. Subscription $6 a year. Foreign $7.
Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
CHARLOTTE HYAMS
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 9th day of Sivan, 5726, the following scriptural selections will
be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion: Num. 4:21=7:89; Prophetical portion: Judges 13:2-25.
Licht Benshen, Friday, May 27, 7:38 p.m.
VOL. XLIX. NO. 14
Page 4
May 27, 1966
The Jewish Press: A 'Forgotten Ally'?
There is endless discussion of cultural
needs to retain virility for American Jewry.
At all conventions of national Jewish organi-
zations concern is expressed over the educa-
tional shortcomings and the need for expand-
ed schooling for American youth in order to
keep them linked to their heritage. But a
major factor in keeping our communities well-
informed on the status of world Jewry, on
happenings among the Jewries of the world—
the Jewish press — is completely ignored.
It is a forgotten ally. It is a stepchild in our
ranks. Only when the editors and publishers
of the major factor in Jewish journalism—
the English-Jewish press — convene for their
annual meeting is attention called to their
existence.
This is the case now, as the Jewish news-
paper craft plans to convene within a few
days in sessions in the nation's capital. They
are more like lone sheep because of blind
spots in American Jewish life — due to the
myopic status of American Jewish leadership.
All the lip service about indifference to-
toward Jewish values in the ranks of our youth
won't help a bit as long as the rank and file
of Jewry remains uninformed about our kins-
men everywhere, as long as the adults them-
selves are unaware of what is happening in
our midst. It is senseless to expect youth to
know when the elders are ignorant about
themselves and their fellow Jews.
When Yiddish predominated in Jewish
life, at the height of an era when the immi-
grant was in the majority, there were nearly
800,000 readers of Yiddish newspapers. Then
the Jewish population of this country num-
bered less than half of today's American pop-
ulace. Today there are less than 90,000 read-
ers of both surviving Yiddish dailies, and the
entire English-Jewish press, which now is the
chief factor in Jewish newspaper publishing.
numbers hardly an additional 300,000 read-
ers. This means that the overwhelming major-
ity of American Jewry is not reached by a
newspaper geared to their needs. Many of
them receive the organs of national organiza-
tions — as members of such movements —
but these are not newspapers. Therefore that
large element is kept in ignorance of what
is transpiring in Jewish life.
In spite of this challenging fact, the na-
tional movements remain unconcerned over
a major need. They are too busy with vested
interests and with fund-raising, and their pub-
lic relations directors are primarily interested
in advancing their parochial needs. They
thus ignore the vital factor that is the most
needed instrument for the enlightment of our
communities: the English-Jewish weekly.
* * *
We may as well take into account the so-
called public relations factors in the activi-
ties of American Jewry. Indeed, they are
part of specialized concerns, yet they must
dedicate to the proposition that if there is
to be a realistic consideration of educational
needs it must take into account the role of the
newspaper in Jewish life.
Public relations must not be taken lightly.
It is a serious matter in Jewish life. It is a
field that calls for training and for knowledge.
It is a necessity, especially for those who are
frequently maligned, yet it has become a
weakened element in Jewish activities. There
have been instances when young Jews were
unable to hold their ground when. they were
attacked in public in matters related to Israel
— on the water problem, the refugee issue,
the very life of the State of Israel. When such
embarrassments occur we are compelled to
ask: what has happened to Jewish public re-
lations? There have been reverberations of a
shocking nature when such outrageous libels
as the blood lie and the ritual murder charge
were spread anew; yet our youth was puzzled
because it was unaware of the miseries that
had been imposed upon our people through
such lies. Therefore we should take another
look at public relations and give an account-
ing of a valued factor in our activities which
more often is concerned with fund-raising
and should consider more urgently the educa-
tional and informational aspects . of our emerg-
ing needs.
Primarily, it is the press that should be
considered in judging values in the education-
al and cultural spheres. Without informa-
tion there will be a lack of knowledgeability,
and without knowledge there will be a lessen-
ing of communication between us. Without
communication there will be no cohesion, and
then we really may be doomed.
Let this be considered seriously as the
issue involving the Jewish press and its status
are under consideration. Self-respecting Jew-
ish communities dare not ignore a most vital
factor in Jewish life. Perhaps a reawakened
American Jewry will send the message to its
newspapers now meeting in the nation's
capital that they will not be ignored or
abandoned.
A Forest in Recognitio n of Simons' Services
Leonard N. Simons has well earned the
honor to be accorded him by the Jewish Nat-
ional Fund in its plans to plant a forest in
Israel to be known as the Leonard and Har-
riette Forest, in his and his wife's honor.
For many years, Mr. Simons has rendered
invaluable services to many Jewish and civic
movements. He is known as a great fund-
raiser and thanks to him many aims have been
achieved. He has masterminded the drive in
behalf of the Hillel Building in Ann Arbor,
has aided the campaigns in support of the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, has been an
important factor in Allied Jewish Campaigns.
His labors have not been limited to the
raising of funds, and for this reason he has
gained the respect and admiration of all who
are acquainted with the record of his achieve-
ments. He supports scholarships, aids univer-
sities, has been responsible for Detroit's role
in behalf of the Jewish Publication Society
and whenever there are appeals to him in
behalf of needy he never hesitates to come
forth with whatever services he can render.
Since Israel's rebirth he has been active
in support of the Jewish State. He stands up
against those who malign Israel, just as he
is ready to act against any group or move-
ments that manifests prejudice.
Mrs. Simons' family backgx
is
so closely linked with Zionist pioneering in
Detroit that naming the projected wood-
land as the Leonard and Harriette Simons
Forest is a deserved tribute for both.
The forest to be planted in his honor in
Israel will be a deserved tribute to a man who
cares, who is interested in the welfare of his
fellow men, who supports cultural causes,
who responds to the needs of the homeless
who seek an end to their statelessness. The
Jewish National Fund is a chief factor in res-
toring dignity to many Jews who find haven
in Israel and is, therefore, the proper agency
to honor Mr. and Mrs. Simons in Israel.
40th Anniversary
A Splendid Compilation
Yiddish Stories for the Youth
A compilation of Yiddish stories by Itche Goldberg, published
by Kinderbuch Publications under the title "Yiddish Stories for YOung
People," deserves commendation. The excellence of the author's com-
pilation, his judgment in selecting the finest available narratives from
the Yiddish storehouse of good writings, his able editing, make his
book a most commendable work.
His publishers have chosen an outstanding Jewish artist—Herbert
Kruckman—to make the fine illustrations for the book, and they add
a great deal to the book's value.
The list of noted writers whose works are included in this
anthological work at once proves the primary merit of the editor's
selections. There are, among the 2'7 stories, selections from the
writings of Sholem Aleichem, Mendel Mocher Seforim, L L.
Peretz, Yehudah Steinberg, Abraham Reisin, Chaver Paver,
Sholem Asch.
In every instance, Itche Goldberg picked stories that are certain
to appeal to young readers. For instance, he took a splendid selection
from the classic by Steinberg, "In Those Days."
In addition to the authors enumerated, there is that fine folk
tale, "How Helm Was Enlarged." In less than two pages, with an
impressive Kruckman drawing, the Helm idea is imparted. It was
translated by Henry Goldberg. Then there are, additionally, stories
about the traditional humorist, Hershele of Ostropol, also translated
by Henry Goodman.
Other translators include Benjamin Efron, Jack Moskowitz, Sol
Liptzin, Tamara Kahana.
The classic story by Peretz, "If Not Still Higher," and Sholem
Aleichem's "If I Were Rothschild," are among the charming
stories in this book.
All of the other tales are among the very best known from the
rich Yiddish literature.
The compiler renders a service by appending to his selections
brief biographies of the writers. He explains that Chaver Paver was
the pen name of Gershon Einbinder, who died in Los Angeles in
1964, and he has an interesting note about Hershele Ostropolier:
"Although there were many legendary wits amongst the Jewish people
in Eastern Europe, Hershele Ostropolier was an historical figure."
He quotes Sholem Aleichem's reference to and a compliment for
Hershele.
Then there is the better than ordinary glossary, explaining Yiddisi
terms and phrases.
Itche Goldberg's introduction, as well as the reprinted preface
from the first edition, add value to his book by his review of the
history of Yiddish literature efforts.
He points out that "the very language in which this literature
was created, Yiddish, played an important role in shaping its charac-
ter. It was truly the language of the people, oppressed but never de-
feated, humble yet ever hopeful, close-knit in their suffering, re-
sourceful in their struggle to survive, sharing both tears and
laughter . . . "
In this fine introductory essay, Goldberg declares that "even
under the frightful Nazi scourge, in the most tragic and hopeless
times, the Jewish writers did not forsake their people. They
inspired their readers to heroic resistance against the fascist
enemy . . . "
In its totality, this book for young readers is an inspiration for
Jews of all ages. It is an entertaining work, and it is also instructive.
It is, indeed, a well compiled collection of noteworthy narratives.
The Vietnam Hearings
"Members of Congress and citizens at large do not have the fads
or the background to tell the Commander-in-Chief how to wage war;
but they do have the capacity to pas-s judgement on whether the
massive deploymen and destruction of their men and their health seems
to serve their over-all interests as a nation."
This is part of the statement by Senator J. William Fulbright
written as an introduction to the Random House Vintage Book, "The
Vietnam Hearings."
The book contains the entire record of the hearings at which views
on the Vietnam issue were expressed by Secretary of State Dean Rusk,
James M. Gavin, George F. Kerman and Maxwell D. Taylor. Their
total statements and the excerpts of their testimony before the Senate
committee make this a most valuable book in studying and considering
the vital issues involved in American embroilment in the Southeastern
Marking 40 years of its services to our
community, the Jewish Community Center
counts among its accomplishments many in-
novations which have made it a leader in the
Center movement in this country.
The introduction of Hebrew studies, the
noteworthy Book . Fairs, the lectures and
courses for young and old, the recreational
and social programs — all combine to make
the Center a great undertaking in our midst.
The leaders to be honored at the dinner
marking the anniversary, on June 9, have
well earned the encomia to be given them. Asia crises.