2 Friday, October 14, 1983
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
Three Anniversaries — Each With Historic Jewish
Message — Emphasizing Importance of Bnai Brith,
Hadassah's Youth Aliya and Brandeis University
By Philip
Slomovitz
Glory of Hadassah, Services of Bnai Brith, Cultural Standards of Brandeis U.
Anniversaries have vital significance for individuals surely be forthcoming from President Ronald Reagan soon.,
as well as communities. In family matters they contribute All the other Presidents who served in this century are thus
toward strengthening the home. In organizational affairs represented in their historic messages:
they serve to give strength to the community.
A society formed for the furtherance of such noble pur-
Historic significance attaches to three important an-
niversaries on a national scale now being celebrated with poses as that of Bnai Brith should not only excite the en-
thusiasm of its members, but should also inspire the good
invitations for world as well as American salutes.
The 50th anniversary of the Youth Aliya tasks inau- wishes of all who desire to see humanity bettered and the
gurated by Hadassah has a deeply moving worldwide in- higher instincts of our nature cultivated.
—Grover Cleveland
terest.
Bnai Brith, at 140, also has become important on a
Hearty good wishes to Bnai Brith . . . all success in its
worldwide scale. -
work of strengthening the ties between man and man, and
Brandeis University, the youngest in years, marks its contributing to the uplift and betterment of humanity. It has
1 4
35th year with impressive accreditation to notable scholar- been a great educational and enlightening factor in our
ship which benefits the American academic factor and in- American life.
vites global interest because the scholars emanating from
—Theodore Roosevelt
that campus benefit mankind.
I have great respect for Bnai Brith because of the good
DR. ISRAEL GOLDSTEIN
* * *
ABARM SACHAR
which it has done. It is a body of representative American
Hadassah's record of citizens that deserves the approval and encouragement of all
The Bnai Brith 140th anniversary commences like a
health services in Israel has their fellow citizens.
holiday for American and world Jewries.
a 70-year history marked by
—William Howard Taft
* * *
gratitude from the tens of
The fine work of Bnai Brith . . . undoubtedly contri-
Brandeis University's 35th anniversary has a very
thousands who have had the
important aspect in the advancement of Jewish cultural
movement's aid in Eretz Is- buted to the uplift and betterment of the nation. I have been
aims. It is not a Jewish university per se. Such roles must be
rael, and from the tens of particularly interested in the work of education and philan-
retained for Yeshiva University which has such a specific
thousands in the Diaspora thropy, and the effort to destroy the provincialism of pre-
share in Jewish institutional life as well as in the ad-
who were given an oppor- judice as between races.
vancement of the traditional Jewish values. Brandeis U. is
—Woodrow Wilson
tunity to be benefactors in
Jewish-sponsored.
Even in such a role it is important.
time of need. The movement
I hope that all America will catch the spirit of Bnai
The success of Brandeis U. is what is especially impre-
brought succor to the Brith in campaigning against all movements aimed to rend
ssive. It has emerged as one of the great colleges in the land.
Jewish settlements in the concord of American citizenship. Fraternity must be the
Its facilities are highly acclaimed. Its graduate body_ al-
Palestine during World abiding purpose of our people.
ready includes influential leaders in - many spheres of
War I. A great lady ap-
—Warren G. Harding
thought.
peared
on
the
scene
to
guide
HENRIETTA SZOLD
With the inauguration of Dr. Evelyn Handler as the
the activities of a group
As my acquaintance with Bnai Brith has widened, my
university's fifth president, Brandeis "holds a special • re-
whose members rose into the greatest of women's move- regard for its high aims and effective methods has increased.
sponsibility to the Jewish community as an educational
ments. Henrietta Szold had the vision for the mobilization
—Calvin Coolidge institution sponsored by the people whose tradition is edu-
of the Jewish women into the Hadassah ranks more than 70
years ago.
It is a pleasure to bear witness to the high ideals of cation." She continued her description: "To carry out this
responsibility Brandeis must continue to strive, never
public
service that animate Bnai Brith, and to the practical
It was during the tragic years of Hitlerism that this
settling back, with the fruit of past labors."
noble woman rose to very great heights. Jews were being intelligence with which its broad policies of social service
It is properly indicated, evaluating the Brandeis U.
sent to death camps. In the final stages of the Nazi and philanthropy are carried into execution. Its usefulness,
role, that:
onslaught on humanity, more than a million and a half of not only in the United States but also in Europe and the Near
The university is ranked among the best in the
the Six Million who perished were children. The few East, is everywhere recognized with gratitude; while in this
nation in many undergraduate and graduate de-
country
I
would
especially
commend
its
example
in
working
thousands who were rescued were the blessed who were
partments, and its Jewish studies programs are
reached by one of the most important elements in the re- for mutual maganimity, understanding and cooperation be-
the largest in the world outside of Israel. One pro-
tween
all
races
and
creeds.
scue efforts during World War II. It was the Youth Aliya
vides a two-year course of study leading to a mas-
—Herbert C. Hoover
movement that helped the rescued and brought them to
ter of arts degree in Jewish communal service,
Eretz Israel. The inspiration of Henrietta Szold was a chief
Bnai Brith has effectively served the well-being of
preparing students for leadership in schools,
element in that historic task.
American Jewry and the nation. Its philanthropic achieve-
synagogues, youth groups and other settings in
Now, on the 50th anniversary of Youth Aliya, world ments are permanently enshrined . . . its endeavors in the
the Jewish community.
JeWry has the privilege of joining with Hadassah in recal- realm of education exhibit a far-sighted understanding in
Brandeis maintains close ties to Israel and
ling the concern and compassion that inspired the efforts to the problems of the younger generation . . . its program of
has awarded honorary degrees to the late prime
save those who could be saved, with Zionist leadership goodwill strives toward harmony among the component
minister, Golda Meir, Abba Eban, the former
providing homes for all who could be brought, under the elements comprising our American society.
foreign
minister, and Moshe Dayan, the late de-
then existing difficulties, into the Jewish Homeland. They
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
fense minister.
were havens at the time. They became homes with dignity
The fine patriotic service of Bnai Brith during the war
The history of Brandeis U. will always be identified _
with time. They are now the symbols of greatness among
years has earned a nation's gratitude. What impresses me
with the leadership of Dr. Abram Sachar. Under his direc-
,those who honored the obligation not to abandon the chil-
most is . . . that we may count upon Bnai Brith's service
tion, the great school attained world recognition and its
dren who were otherwise destined to be doomed by the
scholars
have a notable share in the advancement of
during
peace
as
we
counted
upon
it
with
such
good
results
Hitler annihilation insanities.
during war.
academics in this country.
Henrietta Szold, who was induced to remain in Hadas-
Not to be forgotten are earlier men of prominence who
—Harry S. Truman
sah leadership to pursue the Youth Aliya tasks, had the
contributed
toward the emergence of the university in
I am glad to express my appreciation for Bnai Brith's
cooperation of Eleanor Roosevelt and Baroness Alix de
bearing the name of the eminient Supreme Court Justice
achievements in promoting understanding, cooperation,
Rothschild.
Louis D. Brandeis. Dr. Israel Goldstein, who now makes his
Plans for the observance of the 50th anniversary of and goodwill among Americans of all races and creeds. I
home
with his wife Bert in Jerusalem, was among the very
Youth Aliya include world leadership of Nancy Reagan and know that the men and women of Bnai Brith, who have so
first who advanced the need of a Jewish-sponsored univer-
consistently
fought
for
the
freedom
and
equality
of
all
Aura Herzog, the wife of Israel President Chaim Herzog,
sity in this country. Morris Abram had a major leaderhip
and many other prominent women. The celebration is Americans, will continue to work unselfishly for the fulfill-
role
in the establishment of Brandeis U. They must not be
being co-sponsored by the U.S. Committee for UNICEF and ment of these great principles.
forgotten.
—Dwight
D.
Eisenhower
National Organization Advisory Council for Children, to-
Thus, a great university marks an important 'anniver-
gether with Hadassah.
Voluntary organizations such as Bnai Brith are an
sary and is deservedly honored for its achievements.
* * *
Jewish communities everywhere must treat the event essential part of a free society. .The long history and wide
as having a share in encouraging the great efforts which range of Bnai Brith interests have been a positive and con-
On the local scene there are anniversaries to be consi-
made Hadassah the rescuer of more than 225,000 children structive force for a good part of the history of our nation.
dered. The Zionist Organization's 50th anniversary of Bal-
from the hell of Nazism.-
—John F. Kennedy
four
Concert events has aspects of emphasis on Detroit's
* * *
Jewish history. This and other events are yet to be consi-
You have never tired, you have never faltered, you have
Bnai Brith is the Hebrew for Sons of the Covenant, and never lost faith in your cause; and your cause has given faith
dered. The national-scale events presently gain priority.
the movement now celebrating its 140th anniversary is, to your nation. You are pro-justice and pro-freedom.
indeed, what the name implies. It is no wonder, therefore,
—Lyndon B. Johnson
that the movement kept growing and in this century ex-
The highest standards of Bnai Brith, and of the United
panded to other countries, including Israel, and became
States, and of humanity, are one and the same today, tomor-
International Bnai Brith.
The movement's services are vast. The social aid pro- row, and in all the years to come.
—Richard M. Nixon
vided for the needy, with some emphasis on the elderly, the
cultural functions, the provisions in the Anti-Defamation
You, the sons and daughters of the covenant, have kept
League for the conduct of the fight against prejudice — your commitment to Judaism and to America. The glow of
these should be multiplied a dozen times. International your compassion illuminates the best of our nation's tradi-
Bnai Brith is both a social service movement, cultural, civic tional spirit of voluntary service to others.
protective and philanthropic.
—Gerald R. Ford
It is no wonder that since Grover Cleveland, all the
The men and women of Bnai Brith share with nze a total
U.S. Presidents recognized Bnai Brith's importance to this commitment to the preservation of human rights, liberty and
country and to the Jewish people in their messages.
freedom of conscience.
A statement on the Bnai Brith 140th anniversary will
—Jimmy Carter
MORRIS ABRAM
LOUIS BRANDEIS
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