Jewry's Role in Human Advancement Not until the 19th Century did secular literature earnestly enter the Jewish mainstream within Europe and America. A chorus of voices was heard, those of Jewish writers and poets within whose ranks were nine winners of Nobel Prizes for Literature: German author Paul Heyse (1910); poet Nelly Sachs and novelist Shmuel Agnon (jointly in 1966); Isaac Bashevis Singer (1978); playwright/novelist Elias Canetti (1981); and Joseph Brodsky (1987), also America's fifth Poet Laureate in 1991. And others: HENRI BERGSON (1859-1941) b. Paris, France Philosopher The "mystical" attributes he assigned to mind and matter has pervaded much of modern philosophy and has influenced literature. His writings stressed the importance of the élan vital (vital impulse), opposed to a static, purely scientific view of nature and evolutionary change. He reasoned that individuals may know matter through intellect but detect the life force and reality of time through intuition. One of the most original thinkers of the 20th Century, the College de France Professor was elected to the French Academy in 1914 and received the Nobel Prize for Literature three years after. BORIS PASTERNAK (1890-1960) b. Moscow, Russia Poet/Novelist After studying the law, music and philosophy he turned to literature and published several outstanding volumes of imaginative, lyrical poetry (1917, 1922) that est- ablished his literary reputation. Although he earlier supported the Soviet revolution, his disenchantment with Stalinism was mirrored in his political poetry and short stories. Censured and barred from publication, he shifted to translation and criticism--until his masterpiece, Dr. Zhivago, an epic novel of the tragic upheavals of 20th Century Russia. Acclaimed worldwide, it inspired his selection as winner of the 1958 Nobel Prize for Literature which his government forced him to decline. vJ U-I C/) LU CC F- LU U-I 32 SAUL BELLOW (1915-) b. Lachine, Canada Novelist The dean of contemporary U.S. novelists established his rep- utation in 1953 with The Adventures of Augie March—followed by dis- tinguished works often concerning the moral dilemmas of people adrift in an indifferent society. He was credited with inventing "the first major new style of American prose fiction since Hemingway and Faulkner." A short story writer and playwright as well, he received three National Book Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Humbolt's Gift (1975), followed by a Nobel Prize for Literature one year later. He also authored Seize the Day (1956), Herzog (1964), Mr. Sammler's Planet (1970) and his latest, The Actual, in 1997. -- Saul Stadtmauer Marvin Novick Marvin Novick Receives Award At a recent brotherhood instal- lation at Temple Beth El, Marvin Novick, a past congregational president, was named this year's recipient of the Robert L. Rosen- bush Award, which is given an- nually to a temple member who is committed to scholarship, wor- ship and deeds of loving kindness. Mr. Novick's temple accom- plishments have included the presidency of Married Group, and chair of numerous committees, in- cluding religious school and per- sonnel. He is treasurer of the Endowment Board. Among his other affiliations are the Oak Park Board of Education, of which he is a past president; the Democratic Party, where he served as 18th Congressional Dis- trict chair; and Providence and Sinai hospitals where he was a chairman and trustee of the for- mer and vice chairman and trustee of the latter. Mr. Novick also is a past board member of the Jewish Federation of Metropoli- tan Detroit. Nationally and in- ternationally, he serves as vice chairman ofthe Board of Trustees of the Union ofAmerican Hebrew Congregations, treasurer of the World Union for Progressive Ju.- rlaism and sub-committee mem- ber and adviser of the International Committee of the Jewish Agency. SAE Calendar COMMUNITY The Jewish Genealogical So- ciety of Michigan will meet 11 a.m. Sunday, June 29, at Temple Beth EL The program will feature artist, speaker Rafael Gruber. There is a charge. Call (248) 373-1942. Fresh Air Society's annual meeting and election of offi- cers will be 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Camp Maas. COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY SENIORS The Detroit Friends of ALYN Hospital recently honored Dr. Mark Diem. Shown with Dr. Diem is organization president Miriam Goldberg. Shown at the Young Israel of Metropolitan Detroit dinner are the honorees of the Young Israel branches. Standing: Dr. Eric Peterson, Young Israel of Southfield; Dr. David Berris, Young Israel of West Bloomfield; Anne Berris, Young Israel of West Bloomfield; Manny Mittelman, Young Israel of Oak Park. Seated: Rochelle Peterson, Young Israel of Southfield, and Bessie Mittelman, Young Israel of Oak Park. • • • The AJE Midrasha Center will host a lecture by Rabbi Kolton from the Birmingham Temple 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, June 30, at Barnes and No- ble in West Bloomfield. The collected works of Maxim Gorky published in the Soviet Union in 1956 deleted all his complimentary references to Jews. Among them was the writer's report of a remark by V.I. Lenin: "There are few intelligent people among us. We are, generally speaking, a gifted people, but intellectually lazy. An intelligent Russian is almost always a Jew or a man with Jewish blood." Harold Berry & Irwin S. Field, Co-chairmen Harriet F. Siden, Secretary Founders/Sponsors: Walter & Lea Field The Metro Detroit Attorney Division of State of Israel Bonds recently honored Judge Paul D. Borman and Judge Gus Cifelli at its annual Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award Dinner. Over $960,000 in State of Israel Bond investments were raised. Shown seated are: Rabbi Irwin Groner, Judge Paul D. Borman, guest speaker Richard M. Joel, Judge Gus Cifelli and Leon Hart. Standing are: Sheldon L. Miller, dinner co-chairmen Ira J. Jaffe and Albert L. Holtz and Leonard B. Schwartz. Young At Heart, Congrega- tion Beth Achim's senior group, will hold its annual picnic noon Thursday, July 3, at the synagogue. For reser- vations, call (248) 352-8670. Week-long Elderhostel pro grams will be held starting Sunday, July 20, at Butzel Conference Center. For in- formation, call (248) 661- 0600 SYNAGOGUES N'Shei Rosh Chodesh of West Bloomfield will host a gath- ering to celebrate the new month 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at the home of Mrs. Levine. For information, call (248) 619-2599. WOMEN Hanitillsrael Chapter of Na'amat USA will mw,, *2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, ai, th Crown Pointe building.