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.