62 Friday, January 8, 1982 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Search Begins for Jewish Roots at Heritage Center By FERN ALLEN World Zionist Press Service — JERUSALEM Thousands of Jewish youngsters in Israel and in the Diaspora have been dis- covering their Jewish roots as they probe parents and grandparents for informa- tion about their past, about their family tree and about those generations preceding them, often in quite un- familiar circumstances and distant places. The Jewish Family Heri- tage Society, an Israel- centered organization which aids those in search of their origins was estab- lished five years ago . by Prof. Isaac Halbrecht to help stop assimilation. "In the hearts of most Jews in the Diaspora and in Israel there is little or no Jewish heritage. They have mini- mal knowledge of Jewish values and traditions," said Yehuda Ben-David, a foun- der and now director of the organization, known in He- brew as "Moreshet Beit Saba" (legacy of my grandfather's house). The Jewish Family Heri- tage Society is trying to bridge the gap between Jewish identity and the threat of assimilation. While making youngsters aware of their family roots, the questionnaires also help them appeciate their Jewishness. For instance, a young Israeli boy who grew up in a secular environment decided that he wanted to prepare for his Bar Mitzva in a heder (reli- gious school), after learn- ing from his parents that in Jewish tradition this aspect of Jewish educa- tion was considered an honor and an obligation The Jewish News is .. . I Your wig lo the wor order a subscription or gift subscription today! I as NE MB us NB Es am m EN No Is • • wl I The Jewish News I 17515 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 865 Southfield, Mich. 48075 I Gentlemen: Please send a (gift)subscription: I NAME I ADDRESS I CITY STATE ZIP From: If gift state occasion [1] $1 5 enclosed NM all IMO MEM= Ell MI • • IM MN MI • OM OM INS OM MI MOM= OM II•1 Ell OM MI • • in their family for count- less generations. Other unknown stories have emerged as a result of filling out the question- naires. For instance, a 17- year-old Israeli girl learned that her parents were mem- bers of the underground Zionist organization in Baghdad. A young Moroccan boy, upon questioning his grandfather, discovered that when he worked as a merchant he had to sur- round himself with car- riages and defend himself with arms to prevent hostile tribes, which he encountered, from attack- ing him as he crossed the desert. The Jewish Heritage Society is also involved in obtaining documentation on Jewish communities around the world. Racing against time, researchers are photographing cemeteries and monuments before they are destroyed. Valuable archives are also being purchased, such as one from Portugal which contains extensive informa- tion on Jewish families dur- ing the Inquisition. The archive revealed the names of many Jews who recon- verted to Judaism and were burned alive by Catholic clergymen. All of the information sent to the organization is being fed into a computer at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, located on the Tel Aviv Univer- sity campus. Once the ex- tensive information is categorized, thoge who have sent in the ques- tionnaires can come to the computer and receive a printout of the informa- tion they gave plus data on their ancestors' town and even information on unknown relatives. "The computer will be- come a world center for Jewish families. But a corn- puter can only give out what it digests," noted Ben- David. Every effort is now being made to publicize the importance of filling out the questionnaires to corn- munities in Israel and abroad. Following the suc- cess of its first world con- gress in Israel last summer, hundreds of educators, ar- chivists and representa- tives of Jewish organiza- tions agreed to help in dis- tributing questionnaires. "We want to have a popular movement concerning Jewish family heritage, in- volving everyone in kinder- gartens to senior citizen homes," Ben-David said. The questionnaires some- times have unexpected re- percussions. A youngster, whose grandparents were killed in the Holocaust, learned that their last name was Saloman. Later he found out that Joel Moshe Salomon, founder in 1878 of Israel's first village (Moshava) Petakh Tikva, bore the same name. Whenever he hears the name mentioned he feels great pride that perhaps one of the great personalities of Israel was his relative. Rabbi Tawlicki Rabbi Bencion Tawlicki, who held several pulpits prior to coming to Detroit, died Jan. 5 at age 96. Born in Poland, Rabbi Tawlicki lived 52 years in the U.S., 17 of them in De- troit. He studied at the Yeshivot of Radun and Slabodka. In Warren, Ohio, Rabbi Tawlicki held a pulpit until 1948 when he moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., serving there until 1950. He went to Toledo, Ohio, where he held a pulpit until 1964 when he moved to Detroit and made his residence at Borman Hall. Rabbi Tawlicki is sur- vived by nieces and nephews. Interment New York. M. Wishnetzky Wishnetzky, Morris among the leading dis- tributors in the country of Manischewitz products, died Dec. 31 at age 92. A resident of New York, Mr. Wishnetzky was a leader in Labor Zionist and Yiddish cultural circles. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Edward Wishnetsky of Detroit and Dr. Theodore Wishnetsky of East Lansing; a daughter, Mrs. Myra Dromi of Yamit, Israel; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchil- dren. Interment New York. Ethel Canvasser Ethel Canvasser, a member of Jewish women's and communal organiza- tions, died Dec. 20 at age 91. Born in Lithuania, Mrs. Canvasser was a life member of Hadassah, Pis- gah Chapter of Bnai Brith Women, Cong. Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood and Women. Device Aids Deaf Pioneer She leaves a son, George With Telephone of Westhills, Calif.; two NEW YORK — Johns daughters, Mrs. Julius Hopkins University has (Rose) Meskin and Mrs. awarded $10,000 to Dr. Ralph (Ruth) Greenbaum; Harry Levitt for his inven- eight grandchildren and 11 tion of a device that allows great-grandchildren. deaf persons to communi- cate with each other by Actor Dies at 58 telephone. NEW YORK — Char- Dr. Levitt, of City Uni- versity of Neyc'i York, mod- acter actor Harvey Lem- ified a pocket computer so beck, who appeared on that it can show messages Broadway as Harry Shapiro on its display area. Dr. in "Stalag 17" and on the old Levitt expects the profitable Phil Silvers comedy show, telecommunicator to be "You'll Never Get Rich," died Jan. 5 at age 58. available for about $200. James Cutler James P. Cutler, a com- mercial artist who also was affiliated with the broad- casting field, died Jan. 1 at age 48. Born in Peoria, Ill., Mr. Cutler came to Detroit about 10 years ago. He was a commercial artist known for his pen and ink render- ings. He was in professional radio for more than 20 years, having worked at the former WKNR as a disc joc- key, at WOMC as produc- tion manager for four years and at WCZY as a disc joc- key for one year. He hosted - a show from Healthy Jont on WCAR. He was a disc jockey in Peoria and in Atlantic City, N.J. In 1966, he came to Ann. Arbor where he was the opera- tions manager for radio station WAAM. Mr. Cutler was a member of the Model Railroaders Association. He leaves his wife, Marcy Leeds-Cutler; a son, John; and a daughter, Suzanne. Harold Somlyo Harold M. Somlyo, a re- tired comptroller and trea- surer for Kasle Steel, died Dec. 31 at age 65. Born in Detroit, Mr. Som- lyo was with the company for 45 years. He was a member and past president of Temple Israel and was involved in the construction effort for the new temple building. He was a member of Mosaic Lodge of the Masons and Moslem Shrine Club. He attended Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan and was graduated from Walsh In- stitute. He leaves his wife, Sarah; two sons, Barry and Carl; two brothers, Paul and Roy of New York; two sisters, Emily of North Miami Be- ach, Fla., and Mrs. William (Caroline) Miller; and one granddaughter. Ruth B. Goldman Ruth B. Goldman, a member of Jewish women's and communal organiza- tions, died Dec. 29 at age 84. Born in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., Mrs. Goldman was a member of Temple Beth El, Hadassah, Franklin Hills Country Club, National Council of Jewish Women and Women's American ORT. She leaves a son, Dr. Hubert M. of Northridge, Calif.; and three grand- children. Goldie Neumann Goldie Neumann, former member of Temp-. Beth El, died Dec. 23 in Scranton, Pa. Born in New York City, Mrs. Neumann lived 65 years in Detroit. She moved to Scranton five years ago. She is survived by her husband, Maxwell; a brother, Jess Abrin of Southfield; a sister, Mrs. Hy (Beatrice) Strutin of Scran- ton; two nephews and one niece. Interment Scranton.