Purely Commentary
Philanthropy Revolutionized Under 'Peanut Butter
King' Zuckerman's Leadership . . . With Youth and Lay
Leaders as New Establishment in U. S. Jewish Ranks
Orthodox Pro-Nixon Acclaim and the Protesting
Three-Factional Opponents . . Jews in All Ranks,
Sharing Attitudes of Americans on Vietnam Issue
By Philip
Slomovitz
The Hawks in Orthodox Ranks—and the Many, Many DoveS in Jewish Ranks
An ultra , Orthodox English-Jewish periodical last week flashed a five-column 72 - point headline:
"Jewry Approves Nixon's Policy." Anyone who accepts such judgment on its face value could be left with
the impression that the American Jewish community in the main Supports the President's drastic act.
Indeed, on behalf of National Young Israel and the Rabbinical Alliance of America, statements were
issued backing the Nixon Vietnam policy. 1
But while the Orthodox were taking this stand, there were declarations from our national organiza-
Detroiter Paul Zuckerman had more than mere fund raising in
ar.rtounced through the Union of American He-
mind when he assumed the general chairmanship of the United Jewish tions, and a firm stand against the President's action was
as well as the Conservative and
Appeal. At the end of the first six months of his services as the country's brew Congregations. by Jewish rabbinic leaders representing OrthodOxy
Reform
branches
of
American
Jewry.
There
was
no
doubt
about the action of all branches in Judaism be-
top leader in the greatest humanitarian effort in American Jewry's
experience—and on the eve of his 60th birthday—Zuckerman defined cause the I:ABC statement did include the names of Orthodox rabbis,
There is no doubt that we are like all other Americans: our ranks are divided on the subject. But
his aims as 'being primarily to provide security for Israel and to
assure a home for the escapees from persecutions and for those desiring it certainly is erroneous to say that "Jewry Approves Nixon's Stand. The truth is that some Jews support
to link themselves with the Jewish people's historic ambitions for a that stand, if we are to accept in earnest this JTA report:
great spiritual regeneration in the ancient homeland. In the process,
BOSTON (JTA(—Twenty-nine persons including six Boston area rabbis were arrested at the John
his aspiration is to
F. Kennedy Federal Building here May 17 during a demonstration against the Vietnam war. The
• Democratize our philanthropic activities and make the layman
demonstration, organized by the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis drew about 300 persons and was
peaceful.
a factor in our activities side by side with the professional in framing
policies and directing the social service and humanitarian labors
The arrested persons were released on $1,000 bail each pending a hearing before a Federal
for Israel and world Jewry.
Magistrate scheduled for May 31. They were charged with violations of federal regulations involving
• Draw in the youth and build our future leadership from our
trespass and obstruction of federal property. The demonstration began with prayer services outside
ranks.
the building. The demonstrators remained outside for two hours and, while some of them blocked one
entrance, they were not molested by police.
• Etrive for every active leader to visit Israel and to share first-
hand knowledge of the major cause in behalf of which so much assist-
But police moved in when about 35 demonstrators, more than 15 of them rabbis, entered the
ance is needed from American Jews.
building and sat on the floor singing Hebrew songs. The six rabbis arrested are all affiliated with
Reform
congregations. They are Rabbis Herman Blumberg: Daniel Polish: Herman Pollack; Ben-
The national UJA leader commenced his analysis with the last item
jamin Rudaysky; Cary Yates: and Lawrence Kushner. Also arrested was Arthur Alintuck, president
on his cumulative agenda. As chairman of L'JA's Operation Israel,
of Temple Beth Elohim Congregation of Wellesley. Mass., which is Rabbi Blumberg's congregation,
prior to his assuming the top job in the movement, he introduced a new
and Mrs. Malka Rudaysky, Rabbi Rudaysky's wife.
program of activities. Instead of one or two missions to Israel, he
succeeded in enrolling many hundreds for study missions to Israel—
The demonstration was attended by people of all ages, but rhany were students. All of the rabbis
arrested were in their 30s and 40s except Rabbi Pollack, Hillel' director at MIT, who is 64. The
there were periods last year when there were four and five missions
a month, some for men and women, some for youth alone or men alone
Massachusetts Board of Rabbis represents all three branches ofi American Judaism but its member-
ship is largely composed of Reform and Conservative rabbis. Last week the board denounced Presi-
or women alone—and there were missions for professionals.
dent Nixon's decision to mine the harbors of North Vietnam.
"That's how we succeeded in teaching our leaders, and leaders-
American Jewish philanthropy has taken a sharp turn around the
corner, going upward, assuming new trends, emphasizing the Estab-
lishment's soul searching aimed at revolutionary objectives.
to-be, the basics of our needs, the objectives of our services,"
Zuckerman said "These mission-participants returned from Israel
imbued with a great ideal, dedicated to our labors, determined to raise
the standards of giving, themselves emerging more generous."
lie proved his point by quoting figures: "I am responsible for
900 American Jewish communities where we conduct campaigns.
They can be as large as New York and I,os Angeles and Chicago, or
Philadelphia, Cleveland or Detroit; or as small as Sandusky, 0., or
Paducah, Ky. I am ready to go anywhere to meet with my fellow
Jews to fulfill our obligations to our people."
Facts are facts. and truth is irrefutable. It is easy to speak for the mass of the people: it is all-
too evident that there is a mass movement that desires an end to war and withdrawal from areas in
which we do not belong.
But the President's aims can not be rejected in their totality. Who is to doubt that he desires
peace? And didn't he advance offers that could lead to an understanding and an end to the conflict?
At the moment—in an atmosphere of hopes that the President's Moscow negotiations will be suc-
cessful both for Vietnam and the -Middle East—the hopes and prayers of the American people are for
solutions that will bring peace and save the human spirit for AmeriOa and the world.
Jews are like their fellow citizens: some arg hawks, many, many are doves. May the dove of peace
bring the long-awaited olive branch.
He has brought unprecedented results as of the end of the first
of his year's services: "We are now $43,000,000 ahead of last year in
UJA accomplishments, with more than $216,000,000 pledged, compared
with last year's $170,630,000. And we are still moving ahead. We now
Seven residents of the Detroit the Jewish communities lack the
have 17 contributors of $1.000,000 and more each. We are building senti- area will be among the 123 grad- facilities to train their future
ment to assure its repetition next year, as long as we labor to fulfill uates honored when the Jewish leaders.
an historic obligation."
Theological Seminary of America
Rabbi Charnov, who will enter )
"What we do,•• Zuckerman said. "is with the fullest cooperation holds its 78th annual commence-
the U.S. Navy as a chaplain im4
of our lay leaders. They share with us planning for campaigns, and ment June 4.
mediately following his ordina
many of them enter the role of total leadership while viewing with us
tion, is a native of Michigan. He
Jacob Barkin, cantor of Cone
Israel as she is and learning from her leaders when we are on missions
completed
undergraduate studies
Shaarey Zedek, will be installed
together.
at the University of Michigan
as an honorary fellow of the Can-
More important than anything else we are accomplishing is the
and entered the seminary in 1968
enrollment and participation of youth. It is we in the Establishment tors Institute at the exercises, to
During his seminary career, he
who are creating a new Establishment—a role of equality for public take place at the Park Avenue
has won the Bessie and Morris
Synagogue in New York.
service and Jewish identification between young and old. Both genera-
Greenberg Prize in modern He
The local students receiving de-
tions are sharing with us the obligations to Israel—often there are three
brew literature and the Alexan
generations in the ranks of leadership and volunteers—and with such grees in courses include: Leon
der Lamport Prize in Talmud)
enrollment we can not, as we must not,
Waldman of Berkley, who will be
both in 1971. Last June he re
In Zuckerman's credo for an Esta. blishment of young and old, ordained as rabbi, teacher and
ceived the degree of master of
lay leaders and professionals, is merged assistance to Israel and the preacher: Stanley M. Rosenbaum
Hebrew literature from the semi
obligation to give all possible aid to the settlement of Russian Jews and Paul Schneider, who will re-
nary. This year he will receive
in Israel. "We hope to see the integrati on of 70,000 new settlers in ceive masters degrees: and Elaine
a second masters degree in addi
Israel this year,'' he said, "and most of them will be from the Soviet Friedlander, Lynne Rosman and
tion to his ordination.
Union •'
Elaine Strasberg, who will receive
A graduate of the University (id
From Peanut Butter King of America—he is the largest producer bachelors degrees. Bruce Charnov Michigan, Rabbi Waldman entered
of
Adrian
also
will
be
ordained
as
of the product in America—Zuckerman has emerged as the top
the seminary in 1967. Since 1956,
rabbi.
lay leader in philanthropy.
he has been involved with the
Among
the
32
new
rabbis
to
be
Ramah
camps as camper, coun-
In his Jewish leadership role, in addition to serving on the boards
of Undel Israel Appeal, ,Joint Distribution Commdtee and HIAS, ordained on this occasion. two are selor and supervisor. From 1964 to
Zuckerman is one of the three Americans, with Max M Fisher of foreigners who plan to return to 1967, he was assistant director of
Detroit and Melvin Dubinsky of St. Loins, on the world executive of their native countries to serve the Melton Research Center ih
Jewish communities there. Both Columbus; 0. He also has been
the Jewish Agency for Israel.
David Shofet of Teheran and Al- active in Leaders Training Fellow-
He began his communal labors in the ranks— as a worker in De-
fredo
Winter of Montevideo. came ship, the high school youth move-
troit's Allied Jewish Campaign and in behalf of civic arid ,Jewish causes,
to
the seminary in 1968, following ment of Conservative Judaisni,
and his memberships are in scores of organizations. lie rose to the presi-
dency of Detroit's United Jewish Charities and has won many awards— completion of their undergraduate serving as its national director ih
the Fred M Butzel Award from the Jewish Welfare Federation, honors studies. Both are sons of rabbis, 1969 and 1970. Rabbi Waldma
from the City of Detroit and a Zuckerman Forest planted in his honor and conic from countries where holds a master's degree from
by the Jewish National Fund.
He now heads the Velvet O'Donnell Corp and it is thanks to his tion of knowing that I served my people well—and when I serve m
sominlaw. Thomas Klein, who gave up a lucrative law practice to people well I also serve myself and my family well."
join his firm, that he is able to travel anywhere for UJA on short
The Zuckermans live in Franklin, Mich., and they now alsio
notice Ile aided the efforts of the Los Angeles Jewish community in
its U.IA activities I.A having risen from a $6.500.000 campaign to
reside whenever they are in Israel in their newly-built home in
Caesarea.
$24,000,000 last year—and his numerous trips from coast to coast have
given UJA a great boost.
Zuckerman was horn in Istanbul. Turkey, May 31, 1912. He was
His daughter. Linda (Mrs Klein). a University of Michigan Phi brought to this country as a child and his parents had been active ih
Beta Kappa graduate, and son, Norbert, now a graduate student at Jewish communal affairs. His mother, now in her late 80s, was an
Boston University. share their father's deep interest in Israel and in organizer of the European Jewish Women's Welfare Organization.
general Jewish affairs. This applies to his wife, the former Helen
The Zuckerman rise to industrial and philanthropic leadership
Fleisher, to whom he was married in 1937.
was marked by struggles, but his indomitable will conquered obstacleS.
Zuckerman has many hobbies — he is a good bridge player
When they were married. the Zuckermans lived with their parentS,
and an excellent wrestler—and when Teddy Kollek visits him in alternately. Their income was meager, but they never shirked com-
Detroit they share a common sports interest, wrestling.
munal responsibilities.
How does even a tough-looking six-footer like him manage to give
Art. travel, interest in ancient pottery and bronzes are the Zucker-
his time as a volunteer national leader, on beck and call always from man interests, besides the philanthropic.
communities small and large, with never a moment available for a
Among the major gifts made by the Zuckermans is the Zuckerman
good rest? Ito explanation: "I'd rather be tired and have the satisfac- Auditorium and Conference Center at Detroit's Sinai Hospital and the
.
library site they donated to the West Bloomfield Township.
7 Detroiters to Get Senunary Degrees; Barkin Is Honoree
2—Friday, May 26, 1972
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Copyright. 1970, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc
seminary. He is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Harry Waldman of Berkley,
and is married to the former An-
drea Schwarz of Glen Cove, L.I.
Rosenbaum is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Rosenbaum. A
graduate of the University of Mich-
igan, he also has a masters degree
from Northwestern University'.
After graduation, he plans to con-
tinue his rabbinic studies.
Schneider is a graduate of Bran-
deis University, and, like Rosen-
baum, plans to continue his grad-
uate studies toward ordination. He
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben
Schneider. While studying at the
seminary, he and his wife Marilyn
live in Parsippany, N.J.
The three candidates for bacca-
laureate degrees have all been en-
rolled in the joint program, op-
erated by the seminary in coop-
eration with Columbia University.
All three young women expect to
get a second bachelor's degree
from Columbia at commencement.
Miss Friedlander's mother is Mrs.
Jane Zaks. Mrs. Rosman, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil
Reed, and Mrs. Strasberg, daugh-
ter of the David Tanzmans, will
share graduation honors with their
husbands, Murray Rosman of Chi-
cago and Michael Strasberg of
Silver Spring, Md.
Jewish Daily Forward:
Happy Seventy-Fifth
On its 75th birthday, the Jewish
Daily Forward has earned the good
wishes of world Jewry.
It is now the major Jewish daily
published in Yiddish, and as such
it has become the standard bearer
of the great cultural values that
are imbedded in the richness Of
Yiddish.
It is a struggling language, but
the wealth of its literature is im-
perishable.
Those who carry its banner de-
serve commendation and encour-
aeement. In this spirit we wish our
Yiddish confreres the very best on
the 75th anniversary of a great
newspaper .