Purely Commentary
Senator Taft at JNF Event: Recalling Noted Family Record
Interesting recollections about three generations of a famous American family
will be recalled at the annual dinner of the Jewish National Fund, at which Matilda
and Morris Brandwine will be the honorees.
The appearance here of Senator Robert Taft, Jr., as guest speaker at the dinner
will inspire recollections about his father, who was among the most noted advocates
of the Zionist idea in pre-Israel years, during his years as U. S. Senator from Ohio—
a post now held by his son, the JNF scheduled speaker—and by his grandfather,
President William Howard Taft. who also served as Chief Justice of the U. S.
Supreme Court after his White House career.
President Taft abrogated the treaty with Czarist Russia. that was in effect
from 1832, in December of 1911. Russia had refused to honor passports held by Jews
born there who had become naturalized American citizens. The U. S. Congress reg-
istered its protest in a resolution condemning such prejudicial action against naturalized
Americans. Prominent leaders of the American Jewish Committee, notably Cyrus
Sulzberger, Jacob H. Schiff and Cyrus Adler, were in frequent contact with President
Taft to express the Jewish views in the matter. Taft had committed himself against
the prejudical Russian actions before his nomination for the presidency and during
the political campaign of 1908.
As Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, at numerous functions, • in pub-
lished articles, President Taft affirmed his interest in justice for Jews who suffered
from discriminations in European countries.
Senator Robert Taft, Sr., headed the American Christian Palestine Committee
and worked closely in support of Zionism with his co-chairman Senator Robert Wagner,
and also with Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg.
On Oct. 26, 1945, Senator Wagner introduced in the U. S. Senate, in his own and
Senator Taft's behalf, the historic resolution "favoring action by the United States
looking to the restoration of Palestine as the homeland for the Jewish people."
Now, Senator Taft's son, Robert Taft, Jr., in the same postion his father held
in the U. S. Senate, pursues a task equally noteworthy. On every occasion when
Israel has needed support, or when Russian Jews needed defense and intercession,
the present senator from Ohio has acted firmly, promptly and nobly.
There was not an instance when encouragement for Israel and assistance for
Russian Jewry was needed, since 1967, that Senator Taft did not play a role that
honored the memory of his grandfather and his father.
On July 25, 1967, Senator Taft spoke in Israel at the dedication of the Taft
Library, honoring the memory of his father, in Kfar Silver, the agricultural school
established in Israel in honor of Dr. Abba HiBel. Silver.
Senator Taft will be among the speakers at the 77th annual convention of the
Zionist Organization of America, in New York, June 30. It will be another mark of
recognition of his pro-Zionist and pro-Israel position.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandwine have well earned the honor to be accorded them by
the JNF on Monday, and it is an added mark of respect for their labors* that Senator
Taft should be the speaker on that occasion.
Politics of Many Facets: The Effects of the M. E.
Presidential Mission, Young Congressional Aspirant,
Communal - Incident . . . Gentile Figures of Eminence
By Philip
Slomovitz
Apprehension . . . Dependence — Upon the U. S. Creeping Doubts
Senator Taft, as an important member of the Republican bloc in the U. S.
Senate, may be confronted with serious questions _regarding the current status of
U. S.-Israel relations.
Doubts are cropping up regarding the validity of many pledges made to Israel
by American spokesmen in view of the new developments in the Middle East.
It is asked: is American aid sufficient to counteract the dangers stemming from
Cairo, Riyadh, Damascus and Beirut?
Senator Henry Jackson's challenges can not be ignored, and the false hope
that Russian influence is being reduced in that area of the world has not been sus-
tained by facts.
In view of Gen. Moshe Dayan's cryptic remark, after President Nixon's, pledge
of nuclear provisions for Egypt, that the question is not whether Israel can trust
Egypt but rather whether Israel can trust the United . States. It is time to treat
mounting concerns with seriousness and an aim to avoid danger to Israel's future.
What's really happening? Is this country becoming a colony of Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and Qatar? sOur government was lax in man? g
internal affairs and permitted an energy crisis so to stifle our economy, and
oppress the common man, that we are partners in enriching a few oil potentates.
There is much talk about the new Nixon policies forcing Russians out of
Middle East influence. As if Russia, soon to travel freely through the Suez Canal,
has not already gained the upper hand; as if the Russian domination in certain
Arab areas has not already given the Kremlin an upper hand. As if one could trust
the sheiks to limit their being beneficiaries to the United States: isn't there enough
evidence to show that Arabs would not hesitate to accept doles from both the USSR
and the U. S.?
Perhaps there is the timely warning to this country in the humor of Art
Buchwald, who, penning on "Henry got peace at any price," wrote, inter alia:
"The Arab billions are at work,—in the campaign against the Jewish state.
New forms of propaganda, defiance of the American aims at an accord—while
accepting disengagement the Arabs claim a right to invade Israel and murder
civilians. They have the billions but refuse to assist their own coreligionists whose
refugee status they perpetuate while accepting aims from the United States.
"It isn't easy to fight this type of enmity, and the new form of American
even-handedness can prove very damaging."
There is cause for concern, of multiplying apprehensions, resulting from the
Nixon-Kissinger roles in the Middle East. A new cold war is - brewing and it will
be as difficult to fight as the hot wars. The Jewish state is in real trouble, and the
United States may have added to Israel's worries.
Courage, Atomic Style . . . Disarmament Follies and Weapons for All
Dr. Henry Kissinger tells the world that peace is more visible than ever. The
miracle man's words are no longer interpreted as wishful thinking. But while he
expresses his hopes the war threats are mounting, Israel is told that she must keep
moving to the brink, Faisal demands Jerusalem and the terrorists continue to train
suicide squads to invade Israel and attack children in schools and defenseless women
in their homes.
The President came to Israel with advice: that the people should be courageous,
that they have as much courage in peace and in war. What have they been doing
until now if not holding on to courage—to survive?
Israel has a guideline from the first chapter of Joshua:
,"Be strong and . of good courage."
True: Mr. Nixon is not denying means for strength to Israel. Since Egypt is to get
nuclear fuel, so will Israel. Does that solve the problem, postponing disa-rmament,
giving the Arab states everything they want (Syria hasn't received sufficient materiel
from the USSR and must now have military hardware from the U. S.)
Members of Congress are as concerned as the Israelis over the new develop-
nients. Nuclear technology can lead to 'atomic weapons. The whole business of ap-
peasing militarists, the new avenues that have opened for Israel's enemies to demand
her destruction, point to new uncertainties and undiminished dangers to the Jewish
state. There were kind words between . diplomats at the state dinner for Mr. Nixon in
Jerusalem—aimed to match the exchange of courtesies in Arab capitals. But they
have not spelled out security for Israel. The struggle for survival continues unabated.
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Senator
Robert Taft Jr.
- Senator
Robert Taft Sr.
Senator
Robert Wagner
Catholicity of Frank Angelo
Frank Angelo represents an acculturation of journal-
ism. With a record of friendships for himself and his news-
paper (Detroit Free Press), in all spheres of Michigan
life, he is the type of master of all facets in newspaper-
Om who reaches out to every element in -the community
he serves.
Perhaps this is the way to describe him: as a news-
man who serves his community.
That is why, at the Sigma Delta Chi party in honor
of his 40th anniversary in' journalism, Frank's associates
in all the communications media vied for opportunity to
praise and bless him.
Frank is an Italian Catholic and from both spheres
he has inherited geniality and respect. He is all charm—
the human-Italian way, and he is catholic in the sense of
its universality.
(Random House Dictionary of the English Language
has a definition that is capitalized and another lower-cased.
The latter defines catholic as "universal in extent . . .
liberal: - to be catholic in one's tastes, interests . . . con-
traction of phrase kata holou according to the whole . . .
In this sense, Prof. Solomon Schechter spake of Conserva-
tive Judaism as cath—olic Judaism).
That is why Frank is at home with all faiths.
No wonder that so many of the leaders in the profes-
sion were so profuse in praising him, that Mark Beltaire,
George Pierrot, Dick Femmel, James Clark and a score
of others from the national as well as local Sigma Delta
Chi ranks should have joined in tribute to him.
Many stories were told about .-Frank—when he was
editor of the Wayne State University Collegian and subse-
quently on the staffs of both Detroit daily newspapers,
gaining his high marks as managing editor of the Free
Press and now as its able columnist.
Frank is in evidence wherever there is a good news
2—Friday, June 21, 1974
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
President
Taft
angle of interest to all faiths, and Jewish gatherings often
share a le'hayim, a mazel tov, a shalom with him.
Perhaps the best story told at the SDX party re-
ferred to an incident when, in the presence of Fr. Clement
Kern, he resorted to a few too many expletives. Finally
Fr. Kern chided him: ",'rank, be careful, you shouldn't
use God's name in vain:" And Frank retorted: "I didn't.
I used it in lower case." That's Frank, genial and calm
when necessary" utilizing the right to be angry and be
irritated (wasn't Kissinger irritated in Salzburg_ last
week?). But there is always a sense of justice. That's the
catholicity of Frank Angelo.
The ZOA Presidency
A battle for the presidency of the Zionist Organization
of America, to be settled at the 77th annual convention of
the ZOA in New York next week, brings back memories
of the contest for that office at the convention in Detroit
in 1938
Dr. Solomon Gdldman was the victor at that time.
He had two formidable opponents—Dr. Israel Goldstein,
who later also held the ZOA presidency, and Dr. Israel
Herbert Levinthal, who did not again participate in Zionist
politics.
At the sensational 1938 banquet session, the three
candidates vied for the office in brilliant addresses. Dr.
Goldman had the support of the Detroit delegation. He
was hacked by Stephen S. Wise, Louis Lipsky and other
national leaders.
In the current battle for the high office, Dr. Joseph
Sternstein seems to have the basic support of most
Detroiters who will form a strong bloc at the New York
sessions, but a few are -backing Arnold Ginsburg of
Philadelphia. Another candidate is Samuel Wigder of
Lawrence, N.Y.
Dr. Sternstein has a notable record in Zionist and
Jewish communal tasks. He is a scholar, an inspiring
speaker, as he has proved on several visits here, dynamic
and dedicated.
His opponents, too, have good Zionist records.
Dr. Sternstein has gained support from Herman
Weisman, who is retiring, as 20A president; Jacques
Torczyner, former ZOA president, and prominent Zion-
ists who have endorsed him including Louis Panush of
Detroit. Ginsburg has support from some Jewish Na-
tional Fund leaders and strong backing from his fellow
Philadelphians.
It'll be an interesting battle, but present indications
seem to point to victory for Joseph Sternstein. He lends
dignity to his Zionist labors and if elected will surely be
a credit to the Zionist movement.
A Levin Name in the Limelight
A new political development of unusual interest is
brightening the communal skies.
The candidacy for Congress, 17th District, of Joseph
Levin, to succeed Martha Griffiths, is among the most
interesting in the current campaign.
Joseph is the son of the late Federal Judge Theo<. ,.,
Levin, whose judicial record was most impressive. His
mother comes from one of the most generous families in
Chicago, her brother having been among the chief sup-
porters of the' Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Joseph's brother is Michigan State Supreme Court
Justice Charles Levin. His cousin, Sancta. Levin, is a can-
didate for the Democratic nomination for governor. He
was Governor Milliken's opponent four years ago and lost
by only 50,000 votes. Another cousin, Carl Levin, is pres-
ident of the Detroit Common Council.
The father of Sander and Carl Levin, the late Saul
R. ,Levin, was one of the nation's outstanding authorities
on penology.
Joseph Levin is such a pleasant young man.who fol-
lows the family tradition of devotion to community and
country that his appearance on the political scene is a
welcome occurrence. It emphasizes the concern of the
younger generation in the nation's needs. More like him
should become politically active.
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