Arabs Reject Israeli Refugee Plan; Jarring's
Obstructions
Mission Threatened With Ma ny
he told the committee that Israel

54—Friday, December 22, 1967

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Herman Fishman, All-Time Great
in U-I ■ 1 Sports His tory, Dead at 50

Herman Fishman, considered one college scholarships. He helped or-
Arab attacks on Israel's proposals for the solution of the refugee
of the most spectacular athletes in ganize the Sports for Israel Com-
had proposed a joint study of all University
problem, as proposed to the United Nations by Israel's representative
Michigan history and mittee and the greatest supporter
available data because the matter who went of
Michael S. Comay, and the obstructions evidenced in the path of
on to become equally of Mumford High School's basket-
special UN envoy Gunnar V. Jarring, are adding to the gloom over a is "complicated and technical." prominent in the insurance field, ball team. Former chairman of the
Mumford Parents Club, Mr. Fish-
possible speedy solution of the Middle East problems. Comay's "We are concerned' he said, "not died Dec. 14. He was 50.
merely with determining the num-
his own son Steve named
proposals were assailed, with a renewal of venom against Israel, by
The funeral Sunday morning was man saw
Arab speakers, including Dr. Iuat Tannous, representing the Palestine ber of registered refugees that reported by Kaufman Chapel to be All-City basketball player last year.
in
the
area.
In
our
physically exist
Liberation Organization, who was given a platform by the UN.
He maintained a great interest
one of the biggest in memory.
In Cairo, Mohammed Hassanein Heykal, UAR President Gamal view, there is also need to clarify with 500 persons seated and more in youth, serving as chairman for
certain questions of eligibility and
Abdel Nasser's friend, the editor of the Egyptian ruler's organ, Al
three
years of the American Zion-
the reflection in refugee statistics than 200 standing.
Abram, wrote in an editorial that Jarring's mission was "almost fore-
Mr. Fishman, whose athletic in-
of the substantial degree of eco-
doomed to failure" and threatened that a renewed war would have
nomic integration which has been terests continued into adult life,
"wider range" than that of the June battle and that Egypt would
died suddenly while playing squash
taking place."
fight within Israel territory.
Touching on the nature of the at the Jewish Center.
Jarring conferred in Israel with Prime Minister Levi Eshkol
displacement
of
Arabs
in
the
He was one of four brothers
and Foreign Minister Abba Eban. He then proceeded to -Amman and
Cairo. Prior to his Israel visit he conferred with Lt. Gen. Odd Bull, various areas involved in last who all went on to athletic prom-
June's
war,
and
voicing
"compas-
inence at U of M — his brothers
head of the UN observation teams in the Middle East.
sion for all civilians on either side
Ben and Manny, who preceded
*
aff
ted
by
the
re-
b
him as basketball stars, and
UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. — ' go back to where we were before.
who haveeen
affected
and
cent
war,"
Mr.
Comay
said
his
Mickey,
who played at U of M
(JTA) — Israel proposed to the We in Israel, too, have buried
later. It was the only family in
United Nations last week that, as mourned our dead, tended our delegation "would certainly agree
the university's history in which
should be given to
the first phase of an over-all Arab- wounded and crippled, and counted that assistance
in need of it." "At the same f"ur brothers won varsity letters.
Israeli agreement on the Middle the grim cost of war. Our con- those
time,"
he
added,
"it
is
incumbent
Founder and president of the
and
East crisis, the UN initiate nego- science is clear before God
upon us to understand the nature Mayflower Life Insurance Co. of
tiations on a five-year plan for the history. For our small people, the of
these
population
movements
if
Michigan,
16599 Meyers, Mr. Fish-
economic development of the en- alternative to victory was not de- we wish to prescribe for them.
man always found time for sports.
tire Middle East, which would re- feat or even loss of independence.
these figures (given in the He was on the advisory board of
Most
of
habilitate the Arab refugees and but physical annihilation. Let us Michelmore report) have not been
integrate them into the economic now forego rancor and reproach. verified by any independent source the Detroit Pistons basketball team
since it came to Detroit, and he
HERMAN FISHMAN
life of the entire region.
On both sides of the cease-fire
have been supplied by Arab helped many young athletes earn
Shortly after the Israeli proposal lines, one can sense among ordi- but
governments concerned and, in our
ist Youth Commission and serving
was laid before the UN, the United nary men and women a weariness opinion, are inflated."
on the board of the United Hebrew
States introduced a draft resolution of conflict, a profound longing for
Comay reported on Israel's
For six years, after his
deploring the fact that "no sub- the chance to lead their lives and efforts to repatriate Arabs who Rabbi Rabinowitz Schools.
discharge from the U.S. Navy, he
stantial progress has been made bring up their children in peace had moved to the Jordan-held
was
a
teacher
of history and phys-
•
Dies
in
Israel;
on the reintegration or resettle- and human dignity. ,That, at any East Bank of the Jordan River,
ical education in the Detroit school
ment" of the Arab refugees. The rate, is the mood that has emerged and noted Israel's "open-door"
system.
From
1946
to 1959 he was
Assembly
Set
Here
U.S.A. urged, among other steps, in the population, both Jewish and policy for those Arabs to return
director of Camp Michigama.
that the world organization's spe- Arab, throughout the Israel-held
"Hesped" memorial assembly for
to Israeli-held territory. "The
A native of Detroit, Mr. Fishman
cial Arab refugee relief set-up, the area.
moral of the story," he said, "is Rabbi Joseph Rabinowitz. arranged was a 1934 graduate of Northern
"The time has come to move
United Nations Relief and Works
that all governments concerned by the Detroit Vaad Harabonim- High School from which he gradu-
along
the
path
of
reconciliation.
Agency for Palestine Refugees,
must cooperate in facilitating co- ; Council of Orthodox Rabbis, will ated with nine letters. He won All-
"continue" its efforts to rectify That may be a long and difficult
operation."
City and All-State honors in bas-
path, after all that has happened.
the relief rolls "to assure the most
After reporting that Israel has
ketball on Northern's champion-
Surely the forward most
step which
equitable distribution of relief
readily
inaugurated
many
economic
and
ship teams. He was a six-letter
based on need." One of the points Arab leaders could
educational programs for the Arabs
man
at U of M, where he received
explain
and
justify
to
their
own
made in Israel's presentation dis-
holds—refugees
and
the
areas
it
his bachelors degree in 1938. Mr.
citizens, is one which concerns in
agreed sharply with the UNRWA
the
refugees.
What
we
have
pro-
non-refugees
—
Comay
concluded:
I
Fishman
earned All-Big Ten hon-
statistics from which the relief
and its eco-
ors as a guard and also was an
posed constitutes a challenge to "On its record till now,
rolls are made up by the agency.
Arab
statesmanship,
and
it
is
nomic
and
social
programs
for
the
outstanding lefthanded pitcher in
calling many of the figures "in-
riod ahead the Israel Govern-
baseball for the Wolverines.
our earnest hope that the r - ; pe
flated."
ment can properly claim that it is
After graduation, Mr. Fish-
will be positive."
The Israeli plan was proposed ponse
Comay reminded the delegates discharging its responsibilities
man played professional baseball
to the General Assembly's special
towards the inhabitants of the
for
Syracuse of the International
political committee by Ambassador that, in the annual report on areas, and ensuring their safety,
League. He advanced to an AAA
Michael S. Comay, Israel's repre- UNRWA's operations, filed here by welfare and security.
league before retiring.
sentative to that 123 - member Laurence Michelmore, the agency
"I do not wish to suggest that
He remained an accomplished
committee which has been debat- Commissioner-General, the latter there are no problems. That would
golfer and played squash and
ing the Arab refugees problem for , had stated that Israel's cooperation be neither truthful nor convincing.
handball at the Jewish Center and
with UNRWA, to help it carry out There are resentment and suspicion
the last week.
Tam O'Shanter Country Club, of
In a lengthy address to the
its work on the West Bank of the surviving from th past, some dif-
which he served as a director.
special committee, Comay "wel-
Jordan River and in the Gaza ficulties of economic and emotional
During World War II, he was
comed" the Middle East resolu-
Strip, had been offered as far back I adjustment to the present, and RABBI JOSEPH RABINOWITZ
chief petty officer during a four-
tion adopted by the Security
as last June 14, and that that co- about the future. All that is natural.
take
place
8:30
p.m.
Sunday
at
the
year Navy stint, and was in China
Council Nov. 22, placing the
operation had been "effective." He But conditions are in every way
solution of the Arab refugee
complimented the agency on its better than anyone would have Vaad Harobonim Center. Rabbi for 11 months. In 1944, he brought
problem "in the broad context
"zeal and devotion" and its general dared to expect some months ago. Rabinowitz died last week at age 1,000 Chinese men to be trained as
officers in the Chinese navy. To
of peace." Be recalled also that
labors "in spite of the difficulties
"What is reassuring is that daily 70.
Leading members of the Vaad communicate with them, he learned
that resolution had authorized
created by the hostilities." He said life is so normal, and above all
to speak a fluent Chinese.
the UN's special representative,
the Israel Government had pro- that the barriers are crumbling will address the assembly.
Gunnar Jarring vided UNRWA with services valued and people are mingling freely.
A member of Cong. Shaarey Ze-
Ambassador
Rabbi Rabinowitz, who recently
(who arrived in Israel Dec. 15), at a million Israeli pounds ($350,- Incidents and clashes along the settled in Israel, was active in re- dek, Mr. Fishman was a life mem-
con-
ber
of the Million Dollar Round
"to establish and maintain
000), during the six-month period cease-fire lines are regularly re- ligious and charitable endeavors
tacts with the states concerned
ending Dec. 31, 1967, in addition ported in the press. The great un- for over four decades in Detroit. Table Club, former member of the
in order to promote agreement
to contributing a like sum to the told story is that, in the area pres-
During his 41 years of residence board of governors of the alumni
and assist in efforts to achieve
agency itself. Israel, he said, is ently held by Israel, 2,250,000 Jews here, Rabbi Rabinowitz had served "M" Club and a member of the
the peaceful and accepted settle-
now considering a further contri- and 1,250,000 Arabs are co-existing the Vaad Harabonim, and in recent Zionist Organizations of Detroit.
Surviving are his wife, Betty,
ment."
bution to UNRWA to be earmarked without serious strife. That phe- years was a member of its presidi-
"Since June," said Mr. Comay, for vocational training for Arab nomenon is the basis for some um and later its honorary presi- 19842 Muirland; son Steven; two
daughters, Beth and Carol; and
"the Israel government, through refugee youth.
sober confidence for the future of dent.
However, Comay questioned Israel-Arab relations in the Middle
groups of experts, has been work-
Rabbi Rabinowitz, spiritual lead- two brothers, Emanuel and Milton
ing on detailed and practical pro- many of the figures concerning East, and for the future of the er of Cong. Beth Shmuel for many (Mickey).
posals on the refugee question. It
the refugee population and move- refugees."
years, transplanted his synagogue
ments as reported by Michael-
is clear that Israel has neither the
to Givatayim, Israel, a few days Barney Citrin, 93,
duty nor the capacity to solve this
more, saying that many of those
before
the outbreak of the Six-Day
Sol Strauss Dies at 88;
problem by itself. But the govern.
data, furnished by the Arab
War.

"host" governments, were "in-
ment will participate fully in an
international and regional plan to
flated" and grossly inaccurate.
dispose of it in the broad frame-
The Israeli delegate questioned
particularly two of the points to
work of an effort to establish a
permanent peace." He appealed to -which Mr. Michelmore had refer-,
red in his report—the matter of-
all UN members, particularly to
textbooks for Arab schools in
the Arab states, to consider the
Israel-occupied areas and "the
Israeli proposal seriously "on
discrepancies between UNRWA
simple humanitarian grounds." Re-
statistics and the results of the
ferring to the Arab states, he de-
population census carried out by
clared:
"Across the wall of hostility Israel authorities in the areas in
question."
and misunderstanding which still
Regarding education of the Arab
unhappily divides us, my govern-
ment would voice a solemn appeal children in Israeli-occupied areas,
to neighboring governments. They Mr. Comay noted that the United
should not hurry to reject our of- Nations Educational, Scientific and
fer, but ponder it well on the same Cultural Organization had ruled in
human grounds that prompted it. its constitution that such education
The swift and bloody encounter "shall promote understanding,
of last June has changed more tolerance and friendship among all
than we can yet realize, in the nations, racial or religious groups"
lives and outlook of the peoples in and the maintenance of peace.
Regarding the statistical figures,
the Middle East. None of us can

Was Boxing Promoter

NEW YORK—Sol Strauss, law-
yer for the 20th Century Sporting

Club here during the regn of box-
ing promoter Mike Jacobs, died
D ec,-13 at age 88.
In 1937, after extensive study in-
to contract flaws and loopholes,
Mr. Strauss paved the way legally
for Mr. Jacobs' client, Joe Louis,
to challenge champion Jim Brad-
rock for the heavyweight title. The
fight, held in Chicago on June 22,
1937, was won by Louis with an
eighth-round knockout.
Mr. Strauss was associated with

Mr. Jacobs until the latter's death
in 1953.
Born in New York, Mr. Strauss

helped to organize the Republican
Club in Harlem. In 1908, he was
elected to the state assembly as its
youngest member. He gave up poli-
tics in favor of fight promoting.

of Oil Company

Washkansky Dead

JOHANNESBURG — Louis
Washkansky of Cape Town, whose
heart was transplanted in an opera-
tion that made medical history,
died Wednesday night. He was 53.

;.Although the heart was trans-
planted successfully, his body
rejected the foreign organ. Mr.
Washkansky also had contracted

pneumonia several days ago, which
weakened his body.
Rabbinical authorities had ap-
plauded the operation as an act
that conforms to the overriding
consideration in Jewish law, the
saving of a human life.
Mr. Washkansky was a member
of the Sea Point Hebrew Congre-
gation in Cape Town, and his wife
is active in Zionist activities.

Barney Citrin, who was associat-
ed with his late on Jacob since the
founding of Citrin Oil Co., in 1920,
died Tuesday at age 93. He was re-
tired from the firm, in which his
grandsons continue to be active.
Mr. Citrin, 25270 Southwood,
Southfield, was secretary of the
Hebrew Benevolent Society, treas-
urer of the Tyler Street Synagogue
during its entire existence and
treasurer of the Kovler-Volyner
Society, a landsmanshafter group.
Born in Poland, Mr. Citrin came to
this conutry in 1907. At the time
of his death, he was a member of
Cong. Bnai Moshe.
He leaves two sons, Harry E.

and Morris; a daughter, Mrs. Sarah
Korman; eight grandchildren, eight
great-grandchildren and one great-
great-grandchild.