THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, February 27, 1970-35 Czech Jewry's Precarious Status By JIM COLLINS (Copyright 1970, JTA, Inc.) Announcements Feb. 23—To Mr.- and Mrs. Alan J. Greenwald (Carol Schultz), 20156 Woodburn, Southfield, a daughter, Pauline Joyce. • • • Feb. 17—To former Detroiter Dr. Philip Rosenbloom and Mrs. Rosen- bloom of Nashville, a son, Samuel Trent. • • • Feb. 12—To Mr. and Mrs. Law- rence Simmer (Sharron Thomas), 6916 Alderley Way, Birmingham, a son, Scott Allan. • • • Feb. 11 — To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fanelli (Michelle Klay- man of Detroit) of West New York, N.J., a son, Paul. • • • Feb. 11—To Mr .and Mrs. Leon- ard Anstandig (Donna Goldstein), 29570 Everett, Southfield, a son, Brian Craig. • • • Feb. 5—To Dr. and Mrs. Brian Kerman (Charlene Bernstein of Windsor), 29185 Fairfax, Southfield, a son, Sean Daniel. • • • Feb. 5—To Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Kowalsky (Cherna Bodzin), 24120 Westhampton, Oak Park, a daugh- ter, Julie Michelle. • • • Feb. 4—To Mr. and Mrs. Allen Krass, 23400 Lake Ravines, South- field, a daughter, Michelle Ruth. • • • Jan 29—To Dr. and Mrs. Rich- ard S. Robinson (Nancy Milan), 19884 Cranbrook, a son, Mark Daniel. • • • Jan. 21—To Dr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Marks (Judith Weisman), 13661 Elgin, Oak Park, a son, Edward Gordon. • • • Mr. and Mrs. Barry E. Goren (Sandra Lober), 27320 Mar- shall, Southfield, an adopted son, To Craig Stuart. REV. GOLDMAN L. MARSHALL MOHEL 353-5444 RABBI JOSHUA SPIRO Experienced Mabel Serving in Hospitals & Homes 544-2864 Recommended by RABBI Physicians Leo Goldman Expert Mohel Serving Hospitals and Homes LI 2-4444 LI 1-9769 SHALOM RALPH MOHR U 7-9489 mu SNAIALL ZACHARIASH 'MOHIEL 3414595 LONDON—The occasional claim that Jewish communities in Czech- oslovakia have not been attacked since they never involved them- selves in politics can be sustained only by those who follow the Czech and Slovak press and radio in the most cursory fashion. Non-involve- ment of the Jewish community in politics in the given conditions is self-evident, but it has offered little protection against some vicious sal- lies. Quite recently, the Prague Jewish community was singled out for such a broadside from Prague radio when an obscure commenta- tor, Lumir Hanak, charged that prior to August 1968, the occupa- tion of Czechoslovakia by the War- saw Pact troops, regular youth lectures had taken place on the premises of the Jewish religious community in Prague. They had been devoted to "Jewish national and not to religious topics proving Zionist efforts to separate Jewish youth politically from the rest of Czechoslovak youth. The impulse for these efforts, according to Hanak, came in the wake of the "Israeli aggression against the Arab nations" which led to a "revival of national alle- giance among part of the Jewish youth in Prague who had ceased to be mindful of its Jewish past. "All this," Hanak said, "had already started before the counter-revolu- tion commenced to grow its horns and was spoonfed by foreign Zion- ist centers which considered that under Dubcek's leadership, the country offered a suitable play- ground for various forms of Zion- ism." Thus, Zionism "played its role conjointly with Czech and Slovak nationalism, anti-Sovietism and the 'K231 Club' of former poli- tical persecutees," It also mani- fested itself in "recruiting leading scientists and other public figures for Israel." The commentator conceded that he was laying himself open to charges of anti-Semitism and racialism. There were of course also non- Jews involved in the overall trend of developments. "Side by side with Kriegel, Sik, Goldstuecker, Mlynar and Liehm" (all of Jewish origin) "there also were Smir- kovsky, Vodslon, Pavlicek, Pacov- sky, Pachman and others" (gen- tiles who, like the Jews and others who denied their Jewish origin, have since been removed from pub- lic life or left Czechoslovakia). "However, it is necessary to reflect on the fact that one-third of our citizens of Jewish descent went to the West after August 1968." The Prague Jewish community is known to have protested at govern- ment level against the insinuations of the broadcast and stressed that the series of lectures referred to was purely cultural. Whether, in the light of the changes in Prague at the end of January, there will be a satisfactory reply to these protests remains to be seen. Jewish public opinion in the West is being occasionally molli- fied by reports—some bona fide, others inspired—on the continu- ous effort of the Czechoslovak state to finance Jewish institu- tions, maintain and repair syna- gogues and renovate old ceme- teries. Such reports should be read with caution and in conjunc- tion with the overall picture pointing to a spreading deteriora- tion of cul t u r al monuments throughout the country. One re- cent report had it that "millions" of Czech crowns have been spent on the restoration of the Jewish Town Hall, the Alt-Neu Syna- gogue and the Pinkas Synagogue in Prague. This is an effort which, in fact, has been going on over the last 25 years chiefly with an eye on the tourist from hard-currency countries. At the official exchange rate, the ex- penditure reduces itself to 50,000 pounds sterling ($120,000) for every "milion" spent and such investment has meanwhile no • • • ..... doubt been recouped in terms of (Southern Bohemia) fell victim to a regional scheme providing for dollars. the building of a dam in the area Against this investment, now pre- of the castle of Cesky Krumlov sented as a gesture of benevolent (Boehmisch Kromau), ranking sec- understanding of Jewish cultural in size and architectural im- requirements, stands the substan- ond portance after the Hradschin Castle tial Jewish communal property of Prague. According to press re- throughout the country seques- ports, the dam project was due trated almost entirely after the to start "some time after the Communist coup in 1948: Aban- year 2,000;" according to other doned synagogues, Jewish meeting halls and schools, hospitals, old- reports, it has now been scrapped age homes and other welfare in- altogether. Another synagogue dis- stitutions with their buildings and mantled recently owing to "danger sites. They form part of that 'heir- of collapse" is that of Pribam in less property' which could not be Bohemia. Once a sizeable commun- claimed under the Federal Ger- ity, six Jews were left in the lo- man Compensation Laws and cality at the turn of the year. and which should form part of any restitution which may be negoti- ated between Czechoslovakia and West Germany if and when talks on a bilateral agreement between the two countries become topical. At the annual election meeting If 'millions" have been spent by of the Jewish Educators Council the Prague treasury on mainten- of Metropolitan Detroit, Sidney ance and restoration of the Jewish Selig, director of Beth Shalom cultural heritage of Czechoslovakia, Schools, was elected chairman. Other officers are vice chairman, there still remains a sizeable amount which, in other circum- Cantor Arthur Asher (director, Temple Israel School); treasurer, stances, would have gone to the credit of the surviving Jewish James Levbarg (director, Temple Beth El School); corresponding communities and their institutions both inside and outside of Czech- secretary, Rabbi Aaron Brander (director, Cong. Bnai David); and oslovakia. recording secretary, Rabbi Man- Jewish communal property off fred Pick (director, Akiva Day the beaten tourist track is, with few exceptions, on the point of School). The executive committee in- vanishing. The exceptions can be found where local initiative or cludes Albert Elazar, Rabbi Simon Murciano, Rabbi Martin Tatel- Western support have played a part. Czech students last year baum and Dr. Benjamin Yapko. The Jewish Educators Council helped to restore the ancient Jew- ish cemetery at Humpolec in Mor- of Metropolitan Detroit is com- avia and an adjoining building. At posed of full-time professional edu- Prostejov (Prossnitz) a Jewish cators of the community, Reform, school dating to 1816 which had Conservative, Orthodox and day among its renowned pupils Prof. school movements in Metropolitan Edmund Husserl, the philosopher, Detroit. and Dr. Moritz Steinschneider, the —Buffon. orientalist, was scheduled for res- Genius is patience. toration, together with the former ghetto of Prostejov, the largest in Moravia, once described as the "Moravian Jerusalem." Restora- tion work has been completed at the ancient ghetto, synagogue and cemetery of Holesov (Holleschau) in Moravia, and Czech newspapers have. also reported the restoration of the ancient cemetery of Kounice (Kaunitz) in Moravia. 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As recently as November 1969, Czech newspapers published photo- graphs of the neglected cemetery at Most (Bruex) in Northern Bo- hemia and the overgrown ceme- tery of Boskivice (Boskowitz) in Moravia, once a center of Jewish culture and learning. Restoration of some cemeteries destroyed by the Nazis—such as that of Cheb (Eger) in Bohemia was limited to the erection of a memorial. Synagogues in out-of-the-way places have suffered even where they are of substantial historical and architectural value. The 16th Century synagogue of Rozmberk South Haven, Michigan Wholesome, Exciting CAMP JUDAEA Jewish-Israeli Atmosphere Sponsored by Midwest Hadassah Zionist Youth Commission TWO 3 - week sessions For boys and girls 4th thru 9th grade June 28 ... July 19 July 19 ... 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