THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, December 22, 1918 77 Golda Meir Memorialized at Special Service at Shaarey Zedek In New York on Sun- day, a similar memorial service was conducted at the New York Hilton by the Labor Zionist Al- liance, the World Zionist Organization - American Section, the American Zionist Federation and the Conference of Presidents of .Major American Jewish Organ- izations. At a memorial service in Atlanta, Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader Rev. Mar- tin Luther King Jr., called the late Golda Meir one of the "most effective leaders" in the cause for human rights. Edelman Bernard emerges in a new role — as poet and philosopher. Active in real estate, the name Bernard Edelman was not limited to his busi- ness activities. It was read often, signed to statements in behalf of Israel, in con- demnation of bigotry, in de- fense of human rights for all. Now the name Bernard Edelman appears on a series of books, revealing his accomplishments, in the privacy of his life and now in print, as the author of six books issued simultane- ously. They are filled with poems and they express the philosophic and social atti- tudes of a public spirited citizen. The books are now available in local book stores. The six are titled: "Sidewalks of My Mind," "No Sun Without Shadows," "Poems of Life and Times, lost one of their most effec- tive leaders. Golda Meir was more than just a prime minister of a courageous na- tion. She was an inspiration to all who believe in peace and the dignity of human- ity. She was a symbol of de- termination and persever- ance. She was a beacon of strength and, at the same time, she was a leader who kept in touch with the needs of her people. "It is not just Israel which has lost a leader. The world has suffered a loss of one of its most outstanding citi- zens ... ." Mrs. King said, "People who believe in and work toward human rights have Stamps Cite Leaders, Flowers 1.•••••••••••••••••• mNom....- rot mt. ea • those repatriated Poles were about 15,000 to 20,000 Jews. The Polish govern- ment knew that Poland was a Jewish graveyard and that the prospect of repat- riated Jews remaining in Poland for very long was not very good. The Polish gov- ernment invited ORT, which had been expelled from Poland after the war, to return and provide voca- tional training to the repat- riated Jews. "Several delicate policy questions were presented to ORT. What, for example, would the U.S. State De- partment think of ORT working in a Communist country? What would the government of Israel think? I made inquiries in both places. The State Depart- ment did not discourage us; quite the contrary, ORT would be 'another window' through which to see what is going on in Poland. "In Jerusalem, I sought the advice of Golda Meir, Her immediate reaction was one of excitement — 'God bless you and ORT. Go!' I observed that it might cost as much as $100,000 and that that much less would be available for the precious ORT program in Israel. She replied without de- lay, 'Go to Poland sothat the repatriated Jews will know that they have not been forgotten. "A year later, Fannie and I went through one of the workshops where several hundred men and women were learning simple skills. It was an exciting experi- ence to hear two women talking about us, that is, ORT and the American Jewish community, and saying in Yiddish, 'Sie hobn uns nicht vergessen."They have not forgotten us' — the very words used by Golda in urging us to go to Poland. "Golda Meir was one of the most admired women, political and social leaders of modern times. Her very entry into a meeting hall led to a demonstration of re- spect, love, affection and admiration." In Washington, a memo- rial service was held at Adas Israel Congregation and the Israeli Embassy opened a registry of condo- lences. 60 8 Prof. William Haber, president of World ORT, this week recalled the encouragement the late Golda Meir had given to the ORT program as a vital force in the Jewish rehabili- tation program. Dr. Haber, in a tribute to the • late Israeli diplomat, also recalled that his wife, Fanny, was a classmate of Golda Meyerson Meir in the Milwaukee State Normal School. Haber recalled that Mrs. Meir preferred to go by her first name, Golda. "It carried no flourish of office or position. She was, after all, a warm, compassionate, kind, sweet person. Her status did not change when she was minister of labor, minister of foreign af- fairs, prime minister or occupied the highest councils of the Israeli Labor Party. You were always greeted by a warm handshake, a wonderful smile and fre- quently by a word in a lighter vein. "When (University of Michigan) President and Mrs. Fleming asked to ac- company us to Israel some years ago, Golda was prime minister. We arranged for her to see the president of the University of Michigan. She soon "took charge" and with executive manner pro- ceeded to explain the logis- tical problems which Israel faced. "She left her desk and pointed to the map, indi- cating that a mere nine miles separated the Jor- danian positions from the sea. A cannon on that position could cut Israel in two. A 'simple and powerful illustration of the importance of 'secure and agreed boundaries.' "I remember going to see Golda in 195.7. The Soviet Union had just decided to permit the repatriation of many thousands of Polish citizens who escaped into Russia in advance of the German armies during the Second World War. "It happened that among Radish led by Rabbi Israel Halpern of Cong. Beth Ab- raham Hillel Moses; and a brief benediction by Rabbi Richard Hertz of Temple Beth El. 44t1 Golda Meir's Encouragement to ORT Recalled by Haber Alton said. "She was my friend, comrade, teacher and boss (Anon served as Mrs. Meir's deputy prime minister)." Allon said world assessments of Mrs. Meir's leadership were often wrong. "She was not tough — but a very strong, extremely sensi- tive leader. She was de- eply concerned about the social issues — helping the underprivileged, im- proving Jewish educa- tion and aliya. "This person, although small in stature, was one of the greatest leaders we ever had." Allon said Mrs. Meir never lost faith, even during the darkest hours of the Yom Kippur War. "She was in complete command, even when many of our strongest leaders lost faith." Alton said Mrs. Meir summoned him to the hospi- tal before she died. Although gravely ill, she wanted to discuss the pros- pects for a peace between Egypt and Israel and she wanted to hear from Allon about a drive he was leading to unify the kibutz move- ment. The program concluded with the chanting of El Mole Rachamim by Cantor Jacob Barkin of Shaarey Zedek; a congregational recitation of I Jewish Welfare Federa- tion, Mrs. Meir's "Contri- bution to the coming day of peace is inerasable. The monument to her memory will not be mar- ble or metal, but the fash- ioning of a far better Jewish life the world over." Frieda Leemon, national president of Pioneer Women, recalled her per- sonal experiences with Mrs. Meir and Golda's many con- tributions to the people of Israel. A scriptural reading by Rabbi Irwin Groner of Shaarey Zedek preceded a personal tribute to Mrs. Meir delivered by Yigal Al- Ion. "I was associated with Golda throughout my life," 1 More than 600 persons paid tribute to former Is- raeli Prime Minister Golda Meir on Sunday, at a memo- rial program at Cong. Shaarey Zedek sponsored by the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan De- troit and its rabbinical commission. • The 50-minute program opened with a color guard presentation by the De- partment of Michigan Jewish War Veterans and brief remarks by John Shepherd, president of the community council. Marian Shiffman, vice president of the council, read excerpts from Mrs. Meir's autobiography, "My Life." According to George Zeltzer, president of the I www , ww. ww. 1 OM WwW , ...... •••• ■ ' ,•:"." I ^ '• t i - 2-007,ei vp ' I •nnw2.00 — 03 ,..... =.<.... ....0..... 1 WOW. 'nner 1 I ...1•015 wwireawa AO I i i - I i . t §.40 P ACMCTIO MOTEC7 WII.D FLOWERS 'rine! own 1771113FD 131110 P1071.C7lO W. ROWERS ' / 1.10 W. 41.0WERS The Philatelic Services Division of Israel's Ministry of Communications has issued two new sets of commemorative stamps. The first set honors prominent figures in Israel's modern history, from left, Max Nordau, Berl Katznelson and Menahem Ussishkin. The second set shows protected wild flowers, including from left, Iris Nazarena, Iris Haynei and Iris Lortelli. Bernard Edelman ' s Poetic Books Stress Human Factors Love and Hope, Anxiety and Fulfillment, Yesterday and Tomorrow," "Shadows and Dreams," "The Edge of Things" and "Mood and • • • The Wedding Day Lay choll doe dee nay kross kallo, pen-nay shabos nay kabalo Come my beloved with a chorus of priase to welcome the bride on this happiest of days Our hearts are filled with mixed emotions, stirred by memories of the past God gave us this precious hour and side by side we stand .steadfast The dawning of this day brings forth, our little girl — now grown up To speak the ageless golden words and sip the wine from nature's cup But like a pair of book ends that hold the gone-by days Our thoughts return us to the past in oh so many ways Only yesterday a child with broken toys beneath her feet Her magic laughter built a bridge between the bitter and the sweet With spirit shining in her face and no day void of bliss The sweetness of her girlhood is surely to be missed Dry your tears my beloved, memory is such a fragile thing We'll keep the image in our minds and wait to see what new dreams bring Go forth dear child, open wide the doors to life Love rules all the world — you are his wife Hebraically oriented, with a love for the Jewishly traditional, this poem gives evidence of numerous others in his inspired works. Another notable drawing of a lad in prayer accom- panies this poem "Coming of Age" about a Bar Mitzva boy: BERNARD EDELMAN • Rhythm." Each of the books is filled with illustrations and the drawings are by author Edelman. They are exemplary of the multiple skills of author- artist and his books are at- tractive as art and litera- ture. As the titles of his books indicate, they deal with love and life, with the human factors of everyday experience. There are a number of poems which indicate the Jewish interests of the author. A typical example is his drawing of the Shaarey Zedek of Detroit, in South- field, and on the page oppo- site it is his poem "The Wedding Day": • Coming of Age An era has passed — a milestone in life Our hopes, our dreams are being fulfilled Our boy a scholar of our faith's holy laws The torch of ages, eternal light will guide his life Our culture from antiquity will weigh on his soul Today he has crossed the threshold to manhood His boyhood life stops short — adult life calls out to him Like a fresh leaf, he is the future tomorrow Yet he belongs to people thousands of years old He strides with his ancestors, proud and invincible Nourished by the roots that feed us from the past He comes of age into a world we barely know We stand here — our hearts beating loudly The years have been very short So many precious memories we hold Wrapped in dreams of yesterday But now Our child is a man The servant of God's plan It is evident that the Ber- nard Edelman poetic works are labors of love. That dis- tinguishes the author who has turned an avocation in poetry and art into books of notable attraction.