THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish •Chronicle conzniencing with issue of July 20. 1951
Member American Associaton of EncIsh,lewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
Published every Fr , day bN The Jewish News Publishing Co.. 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865. Southfield. Mich. 48075
Phone 356-8400
Subscription $7 a sear. Foreign $8.
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This. Sabbath. the fifth day of Nisan. 5730.-the following scriptural selections
w:11 be read in our s-ynaggOues:
Pentateuchal portion. Lfrit. 12:1-13:50. Prophetical portion. 11 Kings 4:42-5:19.
Candle lighting. Friday. April 10. 6:49 p.m.
VOL. LVII. No. 4
Page Four
April 10, 1970
Dr. Goldmann Negates His Achievements
Apart from the amazement caused by the ting to utter realism as a must in considering
article by Dr. Nahum Goldmann in Foreign Israel's welfare• anvthing approaching de-
Affairs, there is added confusion over the as- featism could obviate possibilities of peace
sumptions as well as the conclusions. talks that might delim:t some of the dangers.
The Goldmann argument is unconvinc-
There is no doubt that Israel faces great
ing. His view of the RuSsian attitudes does
difficulties that could end in tragedy. But to
not
strike us as realistic. While he approaches
assume that at one time we. had support for
the issue. he does not deal effectively with
Zionism in liberal ranks and that there were
the uncompromising determinism of the
so few great leaders who backed the move-
Arabs not to deal with Israel but to destroy
ment, as against the vcicl in. the present. is
the state.
to blunder.
He is right in his evaluation of world
Liberals (Oswald Garrison Willard. Nor-
man Thomas and many others) were hardly Jewry's position. It is on the score of Israel-
Charles E. Tuttle Co. of Rutland. NI.. in a publisher's note to an
Diaspora
relations that we face the most
friends of Zionism: some of them were bitter
work it has'just reissued, expresses this view:
serious challenges of all. As long as that re- historic
antagonists. Also, there were many more
"There are many reasons why this reprint of Hannah R. London's
lationship retains its cemented power. there 'Portraits of Jews by Gilbert Stuart and Other Early American Artists'
good friends than are accounted for by Dr.
will be lesser fears for Israel's future.
GoldnOnn, and there are quite a few even
is important. but the chief ones are that it depicts the not inconsider-
Dr. Goldmann must offer a better solu- able role of these Jewish families played in the history and development
now. I
of Colonial America, and it points up the great debt these artists owe
tion
to
Israel's
troubled
future
than
he
did
But that's beside the point. At issue is
to their Jewish patrons."
in the Foreign Affairs essay.
Dr. Goldmann's proposal for a neutralized
There is an important fact to make note of in this comment: that
In his recent book as well as in his For-
Israel. Isn't it clear, under present conditions,
the portraits do call attention to many important figures in American
tinguished
leader
wno
was
responsible
for
so
that neutralization even if it were possible
Jewish history and that a valuable chapter in this record is to be
eign Affairs article, Dr. Goldmann, the dis-
would be confronted by, grave dangers.
from the story told in pictures.
mally posiCve accomplishments in Jewish life, learned This
volume was edited by Hannah R. London, and the publish-
How can anyone possibly equate Israel
negates much of what he had achieved. What
ers call attention to her being, in private life, Mrs. B. M. Siegel
with Switzerland? How wonderful that would
a pity ! It hardly contributes to the hope for
who is "justly called 'the foremost living authority on American
be for the world if it were at all possible
peace !
silhouettes.'" There is a commendation by Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach,
But it is an utter impossibility, and the dan-
Meanwhile there is a maverick role in
an authority on the subject, and there is an introduction by Lawr-
gers can grow more serious , by
Dr. Goldmann's having undertaken to act on
- resort to
ence Park.
the pessimism that marks Dr. Goldmann's
Supplementing this volume the Tuttle Co. also has issued "Minia-
his own in a proposal to have a dialogue with
analyses.
Nasser. without having consulted the Israel tures and Silhouettes of Early American Jews," also by Hannah R.
London—a
volume that combines the two volumes "Miniatures of Early
government.
He
has
been
persona
non
grata
It is true that we must face facts. that
with many Israelis. and the rejection of his American Jews" and "Shades of My Forefathers."
there needs to be a realization that Israel can
The
portraits
and the miniatures are in themselves valuable as a
approach-to-Nasser role by the Israel govern-
not either hold on completely to the land she
by noted Americans, and the volume by Mrs. Siegel
ment is understandable and should have the collection of art
acquired or to aspire to more territory. Both
early
American Jews' portraits has the special merit
dealing with the
aspects, could be suicidal. But while submit- concurrence of Jews everywhere.
cf her having written about the lives of the eminent Jews as well as
Portraits and Silhouettes of Early
U. S. Jews Have , Historic Merits
those who portrayed them.
Thus, we have in this collection the plates of Mordecai Manuel
Noah, Abraham Touro, Jonas Phillips. Jacob Franks and Mrs.
Franks and many other important figures of colonial times.
The stories related about them by Mrs. Siegel, which she had
shared with the American Jewish Historical Society, her descriptions of
their works and their roles in Jewish history, the labors of the artists—
all serve to create a desired good interest in an important historical
period of Jewish pioneering in this country.
Similarly. in the miniatures and silhouettes. Mrs. Siegel introduces
many important personalities. There are some repetitions. but the addi-
tional figures are vitally significant. Among them are Rebecca Gratz.
Major Benjamin Nones. Rabbi Gershom M. Seixas and scores of others.
The second portion of the second volume under review is en-
titled "Shades of my Forefathers." and in it Hannah London (Mrs.
Siegel) continues to provide the treasures that make these works so
noteworthy.
In the latter portion of these collected works, there is a foreword
by the late Rev. John Haynes Holmes. Commending the entire project,
Dr. Holmes wrote about the - .momentous record" as embodying the
"pre-eminent qualities" of "remarkable people" and stated:
"Miss London's first collection of pictures was hailed as `a most
valubale contribution to the history of the Jews in the United States.'
This second gallery is a fresh contribution of similar value. The two
books constitute together an unanswerable challenge to the ignorance
and indecencies of anti-Semitism:*
There is no doubt about the remarkable character of these works.
the pictures. the silhouettes and portraits form a veritable treasure.
The stories related to them and informatively to a knowledge of early
American Jewish history. Combined, these books are genuine gifts to
the most valuable art and history book shelves.
Coming also from Charles E. Tuttle Co. is an interesting book by
Kate Sherry., "Specialty Cuts and How to Cook Them." '('hose able to
a. pple y . these lessons to kosher meats will find the new book of great
value.
Handleman Gift for Communications Studies
There is nothing more vital in human ance of our present as well as our past.
relations than communication between man
In all these factors in the turbulent era in
and man. Without proper understanding of
which we live there is need for communica-
basic social needs we can be led to destruc-
tion—there is an obligation to increase knowl-
tion. Only by reaching the minds of those edge and to introduce such means of teaching
with whom we come in contact, only by estab- and reaching out to our neighbors and to our-
lishing a relationship that can lead to coop-
selves that there will be the best available
eration can we possibly attain amity in our
means of educating ourselves and eventually
mutual relations with - our neighbors. with our providing the best means of ecumenical
understanding among our fellow men.
fellow men.
Whether in the field of religious coopera-
Since communication is the most vital
tion, or in matters involving the urban crisis.
need in aociety today, the introduction of
or in the civil liberties and the civic protec-
another university department for that pur-
tive spheres—unless we know the issues we
pose—a pioneering venture in higher educa-
can sink into such a state of misinformation
tion in American Jewry—should be welcomed
that our social structure can collapse.
with acclaim.
In the Jewish aspects of Iniman relation-
The Joseph and Sal ly Handleman Center
ships. we are confronted by many conflicting
for Study of Commun ication of Man's Hu-
tasks. The issues involving Israel have created manity. fraying been made possible as a new
such crises that unless there is understanding
department at Dropsi e University by the
there will be great harm to the struggling
generous gift of the J oseph Handiemans. is
small state that is fighting for survival against
one of the most commendable developments
great odds. And major in that problematic for our communal structures. American Jewry
issue is the position , of Jews themselves. If
is certain to benefit fro ni such a venture, and
Jews do not know and understand all aspects
the opportunity that will not be provided to
of the problem there will be even greater
extend education in the field of communica-
danger than confrontations with non-Jews.
tions is a most Welcome occurrence in Ameri-
Because Jews must do battle in establishing
can Jewish life.
the truth of the Israeli position and therefore
The Handleman gift comes on a happy
must be the first to be well informed.
occasion—at a time when Dropsie University
This applies also to the civil rights move-
is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Under the
ment. There have been too many rash state- presidency of Dr. Abraham Katsh. new prog-
ments about black anti-Semitism. without as-
ress is being registered at the Philadelphia-
certaining properly the vastness of such a
based school of higher learning for American
Jews.
charge or the possible smallness of the truth
relating to it There is an obligation to estab-
Already, many of the most noted Ameri-
lish the truth.
can Jewish scholars can point to having
In the civic protective sphere there is the acquired their maturity in learning at the
emergence of niisconceptions about anti-
Dropsie-based classes. Now. with the Handle-
Semitism. there is a forgetfulness of what had
man gift providing an extension of opportu-
occurred in the 1930s and 1940s. and the
nity for higher studies, new accomplishments
Holocaust is an all-but-forgotten phenomenon, become possible. We greet Dropsie University
Too rapid a decline in educational en- on its 60th anniversary and commend the
deavors similarly affects American Jewry. Handlemans on their vision in having estab-
Unless there is the greatest emphicis on the lished a vitally needed department at the
educational needs in our communities we will great school of learning and teaching in Phil-
suffer no end from a spreading Jewish ignor- adelphia.
Guide for Jewish Concepts
•
Based on ethical Jewish teachings, with .emphasis on important
Jewish classics, a new guide book published by Boai Brith Adult Jewish
Education Department, serves to define major Jewish concepts.
In "A Sense of Duty" Rabbi Simcha Kling deals with character
development, education of children, prayer. Sabbath observance, loving
the land and other themes.
The manner in which the classics are resorted to as emphasis on
specific subjects is indicated in "Loving the Land" in which Rabbi
Kling draws upon "The Kuzari" by Yehuda Halevi.
Then there is the section devoted to "Study" and here the author
draws upon the .famous Haim Nahman Bialik poem "The Talmud
Student."
For the chapter "Preserving Life" the author goes to the Talmud,
Tractate Yczna. For "Going Beyond the Law" we have the text of I.
L. Peretz's Story "If Not Higher." In every instance the author has
resorted to the most impressive in Jewish literature and traditions.
Many vital issues are covered in this paperback, and the suggested
list of additional reading serves an added good purpose.