Confusion Confounded in James Yaffe's
Errors-Full Book About American Jews
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
women's
Friday, December 6, 1968-37
Kruse Presents Stark View of War
Much of the book is based upon
Oradour-sur-Glane was, in 1944,
a peaceful town in central France. the transcripts of the trial which
James Yaffe is a writer-in-resi- meeting and induced him to give
followed
the war. The irony of tit°
On the afternoon of June 10 the
dence at Colorado College, He has according to his circumstances,
Germans entered it and massacred fact that most of those who plan-
written novels and is laboring of which Fisher was aware. And
almost the entire population. Very ned the massacre were missing
on another one. He knows the having accomplished his purpose,
(Continued from Page 27)
few escaped. Now, few remember from the trial and that many of
value of sensationalism, as is Fisher is quoted as saying, "That's
DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE SIS- this grotesque incident. "War For the defendants were Alsatians, not
indicated in his newest work, "The how we do it."
American Jews," which has been
Is this a Jewish trait? Is this TERHOOD will hold a Hanuka an Afternoon," by Jens Kruuse Germans, makes the question of
published by Random House, and like the shtetl and was the shtetl party 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at North- presents a classic reminder of guilt all the more complex.
a
split
personality.
be
superior
to a welfare fund? Or are gate Apartment's recreation hall. what war is like. The astonishing
he may
First a new theory is attacked as
Certainly, there is something split Jews just like the non-Jews in the Prizes, entertainment and refresh- events in Oradour contain univer-
about his work which is filled with American community — getting ments will be featured. Husbands sal elements which touch all men absurd; then it is admitted to be
so many errors and the conclu- honorary degrees, encomia, ac- and friends are invited. For infor- and raise questions of humanity true, but obvious and insignifican t;
sions of which are so confusing claim, when they acquire wealth? mation or transportation, call Mrs. which everyone must consider. finally it is seen to be so important
and misleading, that one wonders And wasn't this also the condition Joseph Davidorf, 588-8575, or Mrs. Kruuse has put this discussion in that its adversaries claim that they
the starkest and most candid of themselves discovered it.
about the recommendations given in the shtetl? Isn't human nature Sam Bishop, 342-0108.
* * *
—William James.
terms.
alike everywhere? Haven't the
the book.
ORDER
OF
THE
EASTERN
It is not the book itself that wealthy acquired honorary collegi-
STAR,
Oak
Park
Chapter,
will
be
ate
degrees
because
their
millions
annoys as much as the encomia
given it by at least one man spoke louder than culture — and joined by the Oak Park Masonic
Lodge for a Hanuka party and
selected for his leadership. Yaffe isn't this universal?
did not contribute anything vital
There is so much in Yaffe's food bazaar 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the
to an understanding of the Ameri- book to be challenged that it might Berkley Masonic Temple.
* * *
can Jew in his book, yet Dore be sufficient to say that he annoys
UNITED ORDER OF TRUE
Schary, who heads the Bnai Brith by generalizing, by presenting
Anti-Defamation League, saw fit numerous distorted facts, by resort SISTERS, INC. will have a night
to recommend highly "this port- to descriptions of "sniping" among of games 8 p.m. Thursday at the
TUESDAY, DEC. 31-9 P.M.
manteu of a book." Clever, isn't Jews, as he does in his conclusions. Labor Zionist Institute.
At Temple Israel — 17400 Manderson
* * *
it, yet that is just what makes He seems to relish the idea of
• Hors Douvres •Dinner •Dancin
AVODAH CHAPTER, Pioneer
Yaffe's book objectionable: its describing scandals, bickerings,
• Favors • Breakfast • Open Bar
cleverness.
the deviations of Orthodox, the Women, will hold a Hanuka meet-
'38 per couple
* *
ing
noon
Tuesday
at
the
home
of
references to Halakah without hav-
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 352-0976
There is no doubt about the ing utilized expert advice on the Mrs. Sam Isaacs, 18915 Littlefield
Lunch will be served. Members are
author's ability. He certainly cov- subject.
their friends.
ered a lot of ground. He read a
He even suggests "a synthesis invited to bring
* * *
lot of books in preparation of his of Judaism and Christianity" (an-
UPPER NORTHWEST NSHEI
own. He collected a lot of tid-bits, other theological Columbus has
gO0f77,S
and that's just what's wrong with risen in our midst in the person CHABAD STUDY GROUP will
meet 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the
the whole business: in Yiddish it of Yaffe!).
home of Mrs. Chaim Rosenberg,
could be said that "er hot gek-
*
*
Our new store is three
liben shtiklakh"—he collected bits
19335 Lesure. Guest speaker will be
times as large as our
"I am a Jew—and also I am Rabbi Shaiall Zaehariash.
of gossip, little occurrences, a few
more" Yaffe asserts with self-
old store . . . Come,
* t *
scandals, some tragedies, and
glorification in the concluding
browse in our 50 room
that's what's supposed to offer a
OAK PARK NSHEI CHABAD
words of his book, after confirm- STUDY GROUP will meet 2:30
settings as well as our
portrait of American Jews!
ing belonging "to a 'people,' not
Boutique with acces-
Typical examples of the search just to myself"; after declaring p.m. Saturday at the home of Mrs.
sories and imports
for sensationalism as means of in a summary, in part: "There is Alex Roberg, 13125 Wales, Hunt-
from around the
portraying American Jewry are at no Jew I have described in this ington Woods, Rabbi Roberg will
least two references to Detroit book whom I can't imagine being, speak.
world.
I. Rosen
A. Oppenheim
* * *
and Detroiters. The manner in whose feelings I can't make my-
N.S.LD.
SOUTHFIELD NSHEI CHABAD
which a magazine article is quoted self feel. I can sway and moan
Choose from the largest furniture selections N of
in reporting the Detroit tragedy on at an Orthodox funeral, weep with STUDY GROUP wilt, meet 2:30
Italian and Country. French with unusual flair.
the pulpit, at the Shaarey Zedek, the aunts at a Conservative bar p.m. Saturday at the home of Mrs.
We also do dining rooms, dens, bedrooms, family rooms,
is an indication of the journalese mitzva, outrage my Reform con- Sol Nusbaum, 25847 Woodvilla.
foyers, carpeting, drapes and murals. Our accomplished
method of writing and the lack of gregation by marching in a protest Guest speaker will be Rabbi Yoseff
staff of interior designers will be glad to assist you.
insight into a significant case. parade for civil rights: I can hear Nadler.
•
*
Referring to the unfortunately de- my card being called at a UJA
N
CLUB
ONE,
Pioneer
Women,
will
luded assassi n's shout that dinner, and sneer at the whole
"Shaarey Zadek is a synagogue thing with the 'younger intellectu- meet noon Tuesday at the Labor
which bears witness against God" als'; I can sigh sentimentally over Zionist Institute. Sarah Levin, pro-
ROYAL OAK
(note misspelling—not unusual in Jewish mothers, and feel like gram chairman, announces that
399-2600
some other instances in Yaffe's strangling the next one who comes Mildred Weiss, past council chair-
book), the author's comment is along; I can turn sick at the man, will give a book review.
Open 9 to 9 Daily
Sophie
Sislin,
donor
chairman,
will
that the assassin "was a psychotic, thought of Israel's destruction, and
but somehow this doesn't make it ! experience the anger and frustra- take final reservations for the Dec.
easy to forget about him. Few tion and peculiar pride of those 18 donor luncheon to take place at
Jews in America haven't been perverse crusaders of the Ameri- Raleigh House. Refreshments will
be served. Guests are invited
aware, at one time or another, of can Council for u aism.'
• * *
thinking very much the same
So — generalizing, resorting to
SHOMREY EMUNAH SISTER-;Pik
thoughts."
journalistic methods of digging
Linking this incident with others up scandals, emphasizing the card- HOOD will hold its 12th annual*
I. F. Stone's statement that "Jews calling without indicating that this Hanuka party 9 p.m. Saturday at ,
(MAURICE and IRENE BATCHKO)
have no right to any prejudice at method has been reduced to per- the synagogue. A U.S. Savings
all!" the right given Nat Hentoff sonal solicitations, and one would Bond will be awarded, and there
will
be
refreshments,
other
prizes
Formerly Maurice of Livernois
by the Reform congregations' wonder whether he also would
magazine to write about an athe- criticize that if he needed some- and games. Cantor Joseph Birn-
holtz
will
conduct
the
candle-light-
;
ist's views of Judaism, etc.—Yaffe thing to expose—in the manner of
mg ceremony. Mrs. Fanny Laufer,
concludes:
having collected tid-bits which will sisterhood president, stated that
"Jews are unconscionably hard please the mediocre, Yaffe has the proceeds will be used to main- I
on one another, and inevitably ignored the basics in sociological tain building utilities and help re-
they forgive one another. This is studies. He has ignored the fact furbish the synagogue. Mrs. Sarah ;
as true of Jews in America today that among all peoples the creative Simon and Mrs. Leah Yoffe are ;!;:i'i0
as it was in the shtetl, as it was is achieved by a minority, and chairman and co-chairman re-
of the children of Israel in the that in Jewish life this minority spectively. Mesdames Fay Bovitz.
desert. This is, as it always has has received the entire people's Mila Horowitz, Jennie Maria ni,
been, their greatest strength."
support and commendation. He Zelda Miller, Fay Teitelbaum,
How profound! Isn't this like managed to dig up a card caller Chana Ungar and Edith Weiss are
saying all people are alike, there but didn't know enough to show on the Hanuka committee. For res-
is a little bit of bad in every one, the productive labors of a Prof ervations, call Mrs. Chana Grober,
A superlative selection of this
and history repeats itself — but William Haber, and of his labors ticket chairman, 399-2897.
• * *
that's not writing a sociological for ORT; the great work of the
season's fashions including after-
Jewish Publication Society and of
study of a great community.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSION-
Describing American Jewry, it's men like Dr. .Henry Orlinsky and AL GROUP, Hadassah, will hold
noon, cocktail and formals at 0
inevitable that one should deal teams of Bible translators; he its Hadassah Medical Organization
with the United Jewish Appeal. In ignored Louis D. Brandeis and Culminating Affair 2 p.m. Sunday
greatly reduced prices.
a newspaper sketch of a man's Hayim Greenberg and Abba Hillel at Hadassah House. The musical
skill as a fund-gatherer the story Silver and Solomon Grayzel and program will feature Sheila Fie-
about Max M. Fisher would serve scores who helped build an Ameri- kowsky, 1968 winner of the Jewish
some purpose. In a book intended can Jewish cultural and socio- Center violin competition. A social
as a study of American Jewry and logical and creative Jewish so- hour will follow. Helen Kass is
its generosity perhaps the expose ciety, but managed to mention program chairman, and Mrs. Al-
of gimmicks in Yaffe's book could Stephen S. Wise because he could bert Kahn, president. Guests are
COR. ABERDEEN, SOUTHFIELD, MICH.
also serve a definite purpose. It link him with a controversy.
invited.
5 Blks. W. of Greenfield, Between Greenfield and Southfield
* * *
emerges, however, as an expose
Regrettably, "The American
LIVONIA JEWISH SISTE R-
that condemns and berates rather Jews" does not describe the Jew-
than elevates. And in this re- ish personality properly. It con- HOOD will hold a Hanuka bazaar
viewer's view, it may not be alto- fuses, 'solicits," misleads, draws 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
gether true that "most American wrong conclusions. It'll be bad
HOURS: 10:00 to 5:00 DAILY—SUNDAY BY APPOINTMENT
I consider Christian theology to
Jews don't object to this method." enough if Jews read it, but in the
be
one
of
the
great
disasters
of
the
PHONE: 358-5766 • Security Charge
Yaffe tells how Fisher, announcing hands of non-Jews it'll provide an-
his own gift, in the process of other reason for believing we are human race.
—Alfred North Whitehead.
card-calling turned to a man at the a specimen of ghosts. —P.S.
TEMPLE ISRAEL COUPLES CLUB
PRESENTS A GALA
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
Wouse of riving
215 W. 5th St.
r
g nr.
gasition
Clearance!
16155 W. TWELVE MILE
12 MILE IS NOW OPEN TO TRAFFIC !