PURELY COMMENTARY
The Jewish News At 50:
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44
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1991
Editor Emeritus
T
he approach of the
new year, 1992, in-
vites festive recogni-
tion of the observance of the
50th anniversary of the The
Detroit Jewish News.
It is already a matter of
widespread recognition that
it is an occasion not limited
to our own city. the impact of
life, creativity, literary ac-
complishments, roles in the
battles for justice and
resisting prejudice make it a
global event.
If a simple truth is needed,
it is provided in the new his-
tory of Detroit by Dr. Sidney
Bolkosky (WSU Press).
It should be indicated at
this point that whatever
symbolism we might resort
to in relation to the Jewish
News anniversary, Dr.
Bolkosky's work has a chief
adjunct in the Michigan
Historical Society and the
Michigan Historical Society
History Journal. This is a
group that must be given
unstinting support.
In a summary of Dr.
Bolkosky's work, Bernard
Wax, executive director
emeritus of the society, says:
In a moving conclusion
to this study, Bolkosky
examines Detroit Jewry
during " a year of change,
1966-1967," marked by
three crises, the
assassination of
charismatic rabbi Morris
Adler, the Six-Day` War,
and the Detroit riots. The
Jewish community re-
sponded admirably and
nobly in his estimation to
these disastrous events,
not unlike its efforts to
deal with the other tur-
bulent occurrences of the
twentieth century. Detroit
is a unique community
and this is a unique vol-
ume. Be sure to read it.
In discussing the Jewish.
News 50th year, it is impor-
tant to take into account an
occasionally heard criticism
of Dr. Bolkosky's research:
there is too much of the
landsmanshaften in it with
not enough about the many
dominant personalities in
the non-Jewish community.
During at least the last
half of the 1914-1967 years
covered by Dr. Bolkosky,
there were many common
expressions about "masses"
and "classes".
It was the unending con-
flict between incoming im-
migrants and many in the
established groups who were
charged with assimilating.
The landsmanshaften have
left memories filled with
respect. They were the
Americanizing elements
which produced leadership
in our lives, the geniuses of
America, the distinguished
personalities of world Jewry.
Recalling "masses" and
"classes", taking into ac-
count their roles in the
building of American socie-
ty, let' us assign dignity and
respect to landsman-
shaften.
Yiddishe Gass:
Philanthropy
In Harmony and
Dissonance, Dr. Bolkosky
gives due consideration to
philanthropies. Charitable
motivations include large-
scale activities with em-
phasis on the rescuing of
children from Nazism in this
country and wherever it was
possible.
These were efforts of the
JDC together with the UJA.
There was one dramatic task
of settling rescued orphans
in Detroit, pursued by a spe-
cial Detroit women's group
that is unmatched in its
humanism.
Jewish Women's European
Welfare Organization is ac-
knowledged in a brief refer-
ence as one of the groups
which conducted relief work
among the needy. This wo-
men's group dates back to
1920. Dr. Bolkosky earns
our gratitude for retaining
knowledge about these wo-
men. As he informs us, this
group brought from Poland
300 orphans who were set-
tled in foster homes here and
in Canada. They were pro-
vided with all their needs
and many were later
reunited with their families.
The very few who have a
memory of this group may
marvel why it is being
forgotten by children and
grandchildren.
Historical Society:
A Vital Sequel
As continuity of the
knowledge we are acquiring
in the new history of Detroit
Jewry, we are being enrich-
ed by one of the most impor-
tant cultural movements in
our midst. We owe a debt of
gratitude to the Michigan
Jewish Historical Society.
The newest edition of its
journal, assembled under
the editorship of Judith Can-
.
tor, keeps giving emphasis
to our historiography, to the
movements of merit and the
personalities leading them.
There is an especially ex-
citing account of Detroit ex-
periences by Fred M. Butzel
in an interview given half a
century ago to William Box-
erman, the first executive
director of the Jewish Com-
munity Council.
An entire history can be
written about our women's
movements, with emphasis
on Hadassah, National
Council of Jewish Women
and special concern for
mothers' clubs. The Butzel
reminiscences help to in-
spire such an interest. They
are reminders of women as
leaders in our community.
The Hanna Schloss
Building on Hastings Street
in the early years of this cen-
tury was not only head-
quarters for our social ser-
vices and the United Jewish
Charities, it was the athletic
arena for Jewish sports
lovers. The prominent
basketball teams in the
community were always in
the limelight here. It was an
inspiring center for lovers of
sports. Judy Cantor adds
glory to the facts about our
early athletes as represented
in the Fred Butzel memories
and appended features in the
new Michigan Jewish Histo-
ry Journal.
Senior Citizens
Rise To Heights
Our senior citizens acquire
special _recognition for lit-
erary achievements and
aspirations. They are the
senior adult writers at the
Jimmy Prentis Morris Jew-
ish Community Center. In
evidence is an annual vol-
ume just made available for
the 35th year. This is a 100-
page edition, printed
through the kindness of the
Alexander Hamilton Life In-
surance Company, filled
with poems, essays, life
stories.
In the current volume,
Harold Norris, professor of
law at Detroit College of
Law, has contributed his
poem "The Liberty Bell."
Norma Goldman continues
as a guide to the literary
minded senior citizens.
Through the years she has
been the group's associate.
She continues to lend dig-
nity that grows inspira-
tionally, making the Senior
Writers' Journal a source of
pride to the entire Detroit
Jewish community.