THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 2 Friday, April 3, 1481 Purely Commentary Ben Siegel's Pioneering and the Family's Roots in Many Jewish Communal Functions B. Siegel is an important name in the Detroit commu- nity. It is appended to one of the oldest mercantile com- panies in the state of Michigan. The 100th anniversary of the B. Siegel Co., now being observed here, emphasizes the role of the founder of the company, Ben Siegel, who came to Detroit in March 1881. He was 20 years old and not only ambitious but wise as a merchandiser. The firm gained status even during the early years as an ad- vertiser, and its founder's wis- dom was imbedded in the humane factors — in the inter- est that first began to be aroused when the founder began to pre- sent a pair of shoes to every newborn child in the city. Ben Siegel, who was born in Germany in 1861, was educated at Mannheim Baden. He came to the United States in 1876, BEN SIEGEL started his merchandising career at Selma, Alabama a year later, and opened Siegel's Cloaks, Suits and Furs, in the old Hayn's Bazaar, in 1881. The B. Siegel Co. developed from it. Benjamin Siegel was active in his business until 1931. He died Nov. 11, 1936. Leo Siegel succeeded his uncle as head of the business, guiding it for 11 years. Leo Siegel died Oct. 18, 1947. Leo's brother, Eugene, succeeded him in the business in 1947. He died in 1948. He was succeeded by Clarence A. Karmer who directed the business until 1961. Presently, Bernard F. Walker is chairman of the board of the B. Siegel Co. This record merits recording in order to indicate the early affiliations of the Siegels. The records that were compiled by the late Irving I. Katz show that Benjamin Siegel joined Temple Beth El in 1899. The Katz historical records, which deal with the founding of the United Jewish Charities in 1899, indicate that the Ben Siegel contribution was in the amount of $25. Notable are other accumulated records which show the following: Ben Siegel joined the Pisgah Lodge of Bnai Brith in 1920. The Phoenix Club membership list shows him as an affiliate in 1923. In 1923 he was also listed as a member of the United Hebrew Schools. In that year, his wife was listed as a member of the Jewish Woman's Club. There is much more to the Ben Siegel story. The im- migrant from Germany kept his store closed on Saturdays in observance of the Jewish Sabbath. His successors for a time kept the Woodward Avenue store closed to business on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. That was the practice also at the time by the Himelhoch Co. and other merchants. The practice of religious observances was abandoned more than half-a-century ago There is another aspect to the Siegel story that needs recording. When the late Dr. Leo Birkhead commenced his campaign as a Christian leader opposing anti-Semitism, the late Leo Siegel became deeply interested in the Friends of Democracy movement that was organized by the Rev. Birkhead. He supported Birkhead financially, encouraged him in the battle against the anti-Semitism of Henry Ford, Father Charles Coughlin and the many others who formed hate movements in the 1930s. These are facts never to be forgotten in the role of a family that emerged as a great mercantile group and at the same time showed a deep interest in humane and justice- seeking movements that affected their Jewish co- religionists and American fellow citizens. . The Guilt of Legitimizing the Palestine Liberation Organization There is no end to the guilt, shared by governments, religious movements, trade organizations, who lend credi- bility to the gang that threatens Israel's life. British offi- cials are meeting with the PLO. Vatican officials have given legitimacy to the organization whose main excuse for existing is the aim to destroy Israel. Saudi Arabia and her cohorts apparently have no fears about securing adherence to their demands for military and other assistance, else there might have been a cessation of threats against Israel and the emphasis on their endorsements of the PLO. Even the International Mone- tary Fund is being dragged into the pro-PLO campaigns. In a recent article in the business section of the New York Times, Clyde H. Farnsworth wrote: Saudi Arabia may agree shortly to contribute more than $3 billion a year to a new lending facility for poor countries, a facility managed by the International Monetary Fund, Finance Minis- ter Rene Monory of France said March 3. Monory, who is the new chairman of the mone- Ben Siegel's Pioneering Story and His Jewish Communal Interests ... Dramatization of Masada Story and a Challenge to Veracity of Josephus The National Tragedy The Prayers of the Nation for Its Public Servants A national tragedy has been averted. The President is recovering from the wounds of a would-be assassin. The entire nation joins in prayer for his well- being, for an end to insanity that turns human beings into beasts. The nation prays for the health of the men serving with the President in important duties. They, too, were victims of a deranged mind. May the occurrence of the tragic Monday be a lesson for unity in reducing the dangers that confront public officials and innocent citizens. Let there be a control of guns that may to some degree reduce the dangers that cause tragedies like those that shook the nation on Mon- day. The prayers of all citizens are for the wel- fare of President Ronald Reagan, his family, his associates in the government service. May there be an end to barbarism and a reduc- tion in insanities. tary fund's interim committee, the top policy- steering body for the 141-nation lending institu- tion, told a gathering of reporters that the prob- lems were now technical rather than political. He said he was "relatively optimistic" that de- tails could be worked out 'before meeting May 21 in Libreville, Gabon, of the top financial officials and central bank governors from Third World and industrialized countries that sit on the interim committee. It was the strongest official indication so far that a negotiated settlement could emerge from a dispute last year over representation by the Palestine Liberation Organization at the joint an- nual meeting of the monetary fund and its sister lending institution, the World Bank. Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing Arab countries threatened to withhold financial sup- port for the two institutions unless the PLO was given observer status. But the United States and some Western allies objected to PLO representa- fion. A formula was found to keep the issue from distupting the meeting in Washington last fall. Pending a broader settlement, however, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have still, refused to inject their petrodollars into either the monetary fund or the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as the World Bank is formally known . . . Arab monetary sources said that they had pro- posed leaving the question of who sits as an ob- server either to the chairman of the meeting or to individual countries. In either case it would be an individual decision, as opposed to an institutional decision. There is no limit to the areas which PLO is invading and it often gets a measure of credibility in this country. Exceedingly threatening is the declaration by the Sy- rian president that the PLO will have freedom of movement in his country. He has given total endorsement to the PLO's movements and his declaration, accompanied by a warning to Jordan whence the PLO has been expelled marks an added menacing addendum to the villainy perpetrated from -the Middle East on a global basis. That is why the provision of added military assistance to Saudi Arabia, an official backer of the PLO, the legitimizing of the enemies of Israel by British, French and Vatican officials; the encouragement for the chief enemy of Israel in this country as well, represent growing threats to human rights and to the peace of the Middle East. It is to be hoped that there will be total rejection in this nation's capital of whatever encouragement may be offered to the growing movement of enmity for Israel. Repudiation of Extremism: Realism of Congressman-to-Be State Representative Mark Siljander, winner of the Republican nomination for Congress in the Fourth Michi- gan District, is conceded election to the U.S. House of Representatives from his overwhelmingly Republican dis- trict. His triumph marks an interesting addendum to the disputes over the so-called Moral Majority. Spokesmen for the latter maintained that they helped him in his political campaign. Siljander, himself a Chris- tian religious leader, refutes such claims. He stated after his successful campaign in the primary on March 24: By Philip Slomovitz Certainly, Christians were involved, but it's ridiculous to suggest that we're all Baptists . . . or we're focused on one narrow-minded theology. Our Berrien County coordinator was a Jew, and that's far from the Moral Majority. My voting record was supported by the Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce, too. What I'm saying is, there's great diversity here. The point at issue is the successful candidate's per- sonal religious devotions. He is an observing Christian who cherishes devotionl-But he adheres to the basic American principle of religious freedom which cautiously avoids im- posing restrictions on anyone. With such a recommendation, the Congressman-to-Be should prove to be a great asset to American idealism, to this nation's emphasis on fair play, to justice for all in the strengthening of beliefs in religious freedom. It will be interesting to watch him in his new official role, especially since the Separation ideal is frequently under challenge. Masada Story's Dramatization and the Digging Into Historic Roots About Traitor Josephus In her youth, Trude Weiss-Rosmarin was already acclaimed as the most knowledgeable woman. Talmudist. Her editorship of the monthly Jewish Spectator gave her a high rank as a critic and as a devoted student of Jewish history. Her frequent criticisms of the United Jewish Appeal and of some Zionist endeavors are subject to scrutiny. One wonders what is to be achieved by contribution towards weakening of some of the major forces in Jewish life. Criti- cism should, must! be encouraged. But it must be construc- tive criticism. Dr. Weiss-Rosmarin currently earns the gratitude of her readers for her important statement regArding Flavius Josephus whose records were utilized to show that the heroes on Masada committed suicide rather than submit to slavery of the Romans. She continues to maintain that this was a Josephus fabrication. Trude Weiss-Rosmarin certainly qualified as a digger into the roots of Jewish history. She doesn't tell anything new when she brands Josephus as a traitor. But she does it, and that merits appreciation. Nevertheless, the Masada story, as it will be dramatized for four successive nights this coming week, exites interest and fascination. A great deal of effort has been expended in the preparation of the televised story. Massive material has been prepared as a basis for the eight-hour, four-night show. The dramatists have pub- lished extensive reading material on the subject, including this chronology: 63 BCE Pompey captures Jerusalem. Judea is under Roman control. 36 - 30 Herod fortifies Masada. Herod proclaimed King of Judea by 35 Roman Senate. 4 Herod dies. Judea is placed under rule of Roman 6 CE procurator. Pontius Pilate is procurator of Judea. 26-36 John the Baptist is executed. 28 Jesus of Nazareth is crucified. 30 The Emperor Caligula attempts to place 40 a statue in the Jerusalem Temple. Nero reigns in Rome. Christians are 54-68 persecuted. 66 • Jewish rebellion against Roman rule breaks out in Judea. Flavius Josephus is Governor of Galilee. Josephus surrenders to Romans. 67 Vespasian is proclaimed Emperor of 69 Rome and leaves Judea. His son, Titus, becomes commander of the Roman Legions in Judea. 70 Titus begins siege of Jerusalem. The wall, city, and Temple are destroyed. 600,000 civilians are massacred. Flavius Silva, governor-general of 72 Judea and commander of the Roman 10th Legion, marches against Masada, where Judean resistance forces have been concentrated since the destruction of Jerusalem. Masada falls. 73 Josephus completes his histories of the 78 Jewish War. The deep appreciation for the show is understandable. Masada televized will surely inspire further study and dis- cussion. If other criticisms also emerge, in addition to those already provided by Trude Weiss-Rosmarin, they will serve as emphasis that factual studies are vital for historical records. There have been entirely too many distortions — the contributions of claimants to scholarly standards that have not been earned. The truth must always be the final- ity to all studies, even if they settle into a TV program.