THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, July 2, 1982 61
Rescue Efforts Via Spain Recorded as Historical Record
Jews with a record of
Spanish backgrounds had a
better chance of escaping
from Nazi persecutions.
Thus, under Franco,
thousands of Jews acquired
haven in Spain and thus es-
caped the concentration and
death camps.
In spite of the ambiva-
lence by Spain towards na-
tionals abroad, Jews were
considered Spaniards by
law and by that token were
able to find relief from
threats.
There was intervention in
behalf of Jews of Spanish
/ origin by foreign diplomatic
`resentatives from Hun-
_fy, Romania, Bulgaria
and France, who were able
to intercede in their behalf.
Prof. Haim Avni, who
heads the Institute of Con-
temporary Jewry at the He-
brew University, relates
these facts in a revealing
study, "Spain, the Jews and
Franco" (Jewish Publica-
tion Society).
His study estimates
that from 1942 until the
end of World War II, some
7,500 Jews found haven
in Spain and thus es-
caped the Nazi terror.
Prior to these years, in
the early periods of
Nazism, many more Jews
began to arrive there and
the total number escap-
ing the Hitler terror is
approximated by Prof.
Avni as having reached
40,000.
Many more could have
been saved, this important
and thoroughly re-
searched study maintains.
But there was the Spanish
record of hostility traced to
the Inquisition. The author
also ascribes blame to Al-
lied indifference.
Dr. Avni's studies provide
a most valuable chapter in
the history of th,e Holocaust.
It deals with the complete
story of Spanish-Jewish re-
lations, commencing with
World War I, and provides a
record also of the restora-
tion of Jewish rights since
Franco, now recorded in the
role of currently function-
ing synagogue activities
and the life of the present
community of Spanish
Jews.
New hopes arose after
Franco's death for renewal
of Jewish communal activi-
ties in the country. Dr. Avni
states:
"This hope became
reality when, in May 1978
in a democratic referen-
dum, a new constitution
for Spain was ratified.
Article 16 ensured all
Spaniards that 'freedom
of ideology, religion, and
worship for individuals
Richard Lobenthal, direc-
and communities is
tor of the Michigan regional
guaranteed, with no
office of the Anti-
more restrictions on their
Defamation League of Bnai
expression than may be
Brith since 1964, has been
necessary to maintain the
awarded the ADL's highest
public order protected by
honor given to an ADL pro-
law.'
fessional, the Milton Senn
"Contrary to the prev-
Award.
iously existing 'basic laws'
Lobenthal
is
— which were repealed —
past
president of the Michigan
the new constitution de-
Association of Human
clared that 'there shall be no
Rights Workers, past
state religion. The public
president of the Coordinat-
authorities shall take the
ing Council on Human Re-
religious beliefs of Spanish
lations, a member of the
society into account and
Michigan Advisory Corn-
shall maintain the con-
RICHARD LOBENTHAL
mittee to the U.S. Commis-
sequent relations of cooper-
sion on Civil Rights and a and WJR.
ation with the Catholic
member of many boards of
He previously served at church and the other con-
agencies and organizations.
ADL offices in Texas, Ok- fessions.'
He speaks regularly on lahoma, Virginia and North
"Even though this dec-
civil rights on WDET-FM Carolina.
laration did not preclude
the possibility of preferen-
tial treatment for the
Catholic church (in the field
of education, for example) it
17515 W. 9 Mile Rd.
clearly re-established, as in
1931, full constitutional
Suite 865
emancipation for the Jews
of Spain. Thus, a sound
Southfield, Mich. 48075
legal basis was provided for
organized Jewish life,
which had been expanding
in Spain all the while."
It was during World War I
that encouragement was
given to Jewish studies in
Spain, and to a measure of
revived Jewish activities.
The role at that time of Prof.
Abraham Shalom Yahuda
ine conducting cultural ac-
tivities, delivering lectures,
is inspiring thellebrew cul-
tural revival there.
Of special interest is
the haven Spain pro-
vided at the time for the
co-founder of political
Zionism with Theodor
Herzl, the eminent Dr.
Max Nordau. This is the
Paste in old label
relevant reference to
Prof. Yahuda and Dr.
Nordau in Dr. Avni's
book:
"In 1915, the government
made plans to establish a
chair of Rabbinical Lan-
guage and Literature at the
University of Madrid, in
addition to the chair of He-
brew Language that had
existed there since the 16th
NAME
Century, and to appoint
Yahuda to this chair.
Effective Date
"Zionist leader Max Nor-
L
dau, who as an Austrian
Lobenthal Gets ADL Award
vaded Spain. 'Some of the
clergy's bulletins, express-
ing the worst kind of politi-
cal and religious reaction,
snapped at Yahuda like a
pack of wild dogs,' was how
Max Nordau described the
anti-Semitic reaction."
In the World War I era
there was little hope for suc-
cor. Prof. Yahuda left Spain
in 1921 and Nordau before
him and the early efforts at
a return to amity awaited
the post-Franco period.
Thus, the Avni book is a
volume of major historical
significance.
Jewish Baseball Quiz
By YITZHAK BEN-CHONE
Copyright 1982
Erwin Lynn Features
What pticher surren-
dered Dick Sharon's first
citizen was forced to leave major league hit?
France during World War I
Mike Kekich. On May 14,
and take up residence in 1973, in the eighth inning,
Spain, called this event a the Tigers' right fielder
`Spanish surprise.'
doubled, scoring one run.
"He considered the an- Joe Coleman yielded six
nouncement of the creation hits, as the Tigers defeated
of the chair tantamount to a the New York Yankees, at
royal decree, and the wide- Yankee Stadium, 8-0.
spread publicity surround-
In 1968, the New York
ing it was as good as a pro- Mets and the Houston As-
nouncement abolishing the tros established a record
Edict of Expulsion, 'because by participating in the
it is patently clear that the longest night game in
king of Spain cannot invite major league history, 24
a Jew to perform official innings. Who scored the
functions without thereby only run of this game?
canceling the decree invok-
Norm Miller. On April 16,
ing the death penalty upon 1968, Miller opened the last
any Jew who dares to enter inning with a single, his
Spanish borders.' "
only hit of the game, off Les
There is also this re- Rohr. He advanced to sec-
vealing fact in the Avni ond on a balk, to third on a
grounder and later scored
historical record:
on an error. The Astros de-
"The creation of the chair feated the Mets, at the As-
of Rabbinical Language and trodome, 1-0.
Literature and the ap-
What pitcher surren-
pointment of Yahuda to dered Hank Greenberg's
that chair were strongly op- first National League hit?
posed, indicating the hostil-
Hank Borowy. On April
ity toward Jews that per-
15, 1947, opening day,
MAX NORDAU
Greenberg's sixth inning
double scored Billy Cox
with the only run of the
game. The Pittsburgh Pi-
rates defeated the Chicago
Cubs, at Wrigley Field, 1-0.
Harry Danning, who
appeared in the 1936-37
World Series, had three
hits and two RBI's, in one
game. What pitchers'
allowed the hits?
Bump Hadley and Ivy
Andrews. On Oct. 9, 1937,
in the fourth game, Dan-
fling's second inning single
off Hadley scored Hank
Leiber. Batting against An-
drews, he singled in the
third inning and his
seventh inning double
again scored Leiber. Carl
Hubbell yielded six hits, as
the New York Giants de-
feated the New York Yan-
kees, at the Polo Grounds,
7-3.
I never hear the rattling
of dice that it does not sound
to me like the funeral bell of
the whole family.
—Jerrold
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