▪ Samuel Jacob Harendorf (Dorfson) Author of 'King of Lampedusa' By JOSEF FRAENKEL Before the Second World War numerous articles by S. J. Dorf- son on Hitler and the anti-Semitic danger in Germany, Austria and Poland appeared in Yiddish dailies. When the Nazis invaded Prague, they searched for a "Dorfson" and many journalists, among them S. J. Harendorf, were questioned. Harendorf naturally declared that he had never heard of anyone nam- ed "Dorfson." Even readers of the articles were unaware of the fact that Haren- dorf wrote under the pen-name "Dorfson." Shortly before the out- break of the last war he left Pra- gue, settled in London and con- tinued his journalistic work until a few days before he passed away. Harendorf was born 69 years ago in Chenzin, Poland. As a young boy he saw a Goldfaden play and was immediately captivated by the magic of the Yiddish theater. He came to Vienna at the age of 15 and soon afterwards published an article under the name of "Dorf- son." Harendorf was always proud of the fact that, 50 years ago, Zal- man Shazar (at that time Zalman Rubashov) was the editor of a paper which published one of his articles, and had praised him warmly. Harendorf's book as a source of historical and cultural material for the history of the Yiddish thea- ter. Harendorf's interviews with Arthur Schnitzler and Richard Beer-Hofmann are also included in his book "Theater Caravans." They have all vanished—the wan- dering theatrical groups; the Jew- ish townlets and the Jewish audi- ences. Samuel J. Harendorf, diffident, reserved, always courteous and ele- gant, was vice-chairman of the Association of Jewish Journalists and Authors in England, and often addressed meetings as a Zionist and adherent to the World Jewish Congress. Samuel J. Harendorf's death is a great loss to the Yiddish press. It is hard to believe that anyone else can take his place in London. His widow, a charming Viennese, is highly esteemed by all who have come to know her. Journalists and actors, artists and friends partici- pated in a tribute to his memory at a meeting organized by the Associ- ation of Jewish Journalists and the World Jewish Congress. Culture Institute !Sifts Requests for Research Funds Harendorf be came the editor of NEW YORK — Requests for Yiddish papers in Vienna, in Mun- grants during the academic year kac and finally in London where, 1969 - 1970 totaling more than $400,- from 1940 onwards, he also ran a 000 for advanced Jewish scholar- Yiddish press agency. He was cor- ship have been received by- the respondent for Yiddish dailies in National Foundation for Jewish New York. Tel Aviv. Buenos Aires Culture. and Montevideo; his articles were Rabbi Daniel Jeremy Silver, popular and widely read: his ap- president of the foundation, an- peal was to the Jewish masses. nounced that more than 20 appli- and he often wielded his pen in cations have been processed for support of a topical cause. grants. Forty-nine major institu- In 1943 the English press was tions of higher learning are rep- full of liarendorf, the author of the resented by the applicants about "King of Lampedusa" which play- half of whom are graduate stu- ed to capacity houses for several dents seeking aid to complete years. Whitechapel's Yiddish thea- their work for the doctorate in ter had put on plays since 1882, but some area of Jewish studies. none had ever achieved the sensa- While expressing gratification tional and glittering success of at the growing number of ta- Harendorf's "King of Lampedusa." lented persons devoting them- The play was staged in Palestine, selves to the field of advanced the Argentine Soviet Russia as Jewish studies, Rabbi Silver ll as on the BBC. and the film- voiced concern that the founda- well were acquired by a film tion will be able to assist only a ing company. ' small proportion because of its In June 1943, the papers splash- limited funds. ed the story of a Jewish pilot, S. He pointed out that the amount Cohen, brought up in Whitechapel awarded each year has been who, singlehanded, captured the merely a fraction of the funds re- island of Lampedusa and for a few quested, and that for every appli- hours was its "absolute monarch." His fellow-pilots promptly nick- cation approved five have to be down for lack of funds. named him "King of Lampedusa." turned "American Jewry can ill afford to * * * Harendorf was on his way to lose the promising young scholars interview the parents of the pilot, who may turn to other fields w with the intention of writing an where attractive fellowships are article about him, but on his way available. The investment of a re- to Whitechapel he suddenly decided latively small amount by the to return home and write a play American Jewish community will about Cohen. Thus the "King of yield enormous dividends," Dr. Lampedusa" was born. It was a Silver said. At its recent meeting, the founds- popular play with a popular theme. Harendorf, who had interested , tion's academic advisory council himself in the theater for many reviewed the applications and years, had blended Jewish long - made recommendations for awards. ings and dreams in the play. He I Members of the council are Salo transposed Herzl's "Old New I W. Baron, Harry A. Wolfson, Ger- Cohen, Nahum Glatzer, Sidney Land" into Lampedusa where " all son the acts of men were dreams at Goldstein, Robert Gordis, Moshe Greenberg, S. Schwarzs- first and later became dreams child, Jacob Steven Neusner, Arthur Hy- again" (Herzl). In "Lampedusa" man, Isaac _Rabinowitz, Samuel the Whitechapel pilot becomes Lou H. Silberman, Mar- king, surrounded by a Jewish gov- Sandmel, shall Sklare, Isadore Twersky and ernment, and he married a girl Solomon Zeitlin. from Golders Green. When he In the eight years during which awakes, he finds himself back in the National Foundation for Jewish the tailor's workshop in White- Culture has been conducting its chapel .. . current program, it has made 182 Moshe Sharet saw the play in awards. London and in 1944 sang its praises , , , I at a meeting in Tel Aviv. At the time little did he dream that he himself would 10 years later—in 1954—became prime pinister of the State of Israel. -a a * In 1955 Harendorf's book, "Thea- ter Caravans," appeared depicting episodes and the adventures of his life with Yiddish wandering thea- trical troupes. Dr. Aaron Steinberg, the histor- ...34X-.4.1 4 ailltr941441911 .05Crib.eS Ghetto Diary. Published TEL AVIV (JTA)—The diary of a Warshaw Ghetto rabbi who died in a Nazi extermination camp in 1942 has been published in Hebrew by a "public committee for publication of the diary." The document is that of Rabbi Shimon Hobberband, archivist of the Warsaw Ghetto, whose accounts of the events of the Ghetto were found after the war. Woodford's Story Relates Jewry's Role in Detroit Two historians who have delved into Detroit's history have authored another volume about this com- munity. In "All Our Yesterdays," published by Wayne State Univer- Friday, Mogest 1, 1969-15 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 'Babi Yar' Novelist Defects to West LONDON—It was reported that the liberal Soviet writer Anatoly V. Kuznetsov, who had been criti- cized by Soviet conservatives after the publication three years ago of his documentary novel, "Babi Yar," has defected to the West. He had been reported missing from his hotel here Tuesday. In "Babi Yar," Kuznetsov de- scribed the massacre near Kiev, where he was born. It's Nice To Deal With Joe Malkin'. DEXTER CHEVROLET sity Press, Frank B. Woodford and Arthur M. Woodford trace the many backgrounds, deal with the various nationality groups that have set- 20811 W. 8 Mile tled here, and make casual refer- ences to the Jewish community. between Southfield & Telegraph Mentioning the first known Jew- ish settler here, Chapman Abra- ham, the authors have this to say about the Jewish settlers in the A family is a unit composed not Prices Quoted Over early years of this century: The Phone. "The Russians began to arrive in only of children, but of men, wom- substantial numbers about 1900. en, an occasional animal, and the Many were Jews fleeing the po- common cold.—Ogden Nash. groms and persecutions of their Czarist homeland. They first estab- lished themselves in Detroit on the lower east side along Hastings and adjoining streets. As their numbers Fine Clothes for over 35 years increased the colony pushed north along Oakland avenue and they "the great discount store with quality clothing" expanded again into the near north- west section. Progressive and in- dustrious, the Jews firmly estab- lished themselves as an important influence on the city's business and professional life." WE COMPLETELY DISREGARD COST AND OFFER The Woodfords review the histo- ries of Temple Beth El and Con- FAMOUS MAKERS TROPICAL AS WELL AS YEAR gregation Shaarey Zedek. They tell ROUND SUITS AT REDUCTIONS THAT DEMAND of the various movements made by INSTANT ACTION. the two synagogue groups. 534-1400 H ARRY THOMAS SALE!! Israel's Largest Knit Plant Announces Expansion TEL AVIV — An investment of close to $600,000 for expansion of Lena Knitting Works, Ltd., Israel's largest knitting plant, has been an- nounced by the managing director, David Cohen. The company employs 400 — as compared to 40 in 1959—and distri- butes work to another 200 women for home-finishing. Lena's exports in 1968 totaled $1,250,000; this year they are expected to reach $1,500,- 000. Exports now are 85 per cent of production. After England and Scotland, Is- rael has become the third country in the world to manufacture pure cashmere knitwear. ORIGINAL FEATURED PRICES $98.00 TO $150.00 NOW $6950 $7950 $89 5° Thousandt. of Garments—All Models—All Hand Tailored H ARRY THOMAS 15200 W. 7 Mile Road 5 Blocks East of Greenfield, Corner Sussex Open Daily 9:30 to 6 SUNDAY 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. what's a funny place for a phone? That depends a lot on your sense of humor. If splashing through the house to answer a telephone leaves you a little cold, then perhaps there is nothing funny about an extension telephone in the bathroom or dressing room. Extension telephones save steps and let you do your telephoning from where you are. Call your Michigan Bell Business Office or ask your telephone man. For as little as ninety-five cents a month (plus tax) you can have an ex- Michigan Bell tension telephone in any funny Part of the Nationwide Bell System old place you'd like.