From the DJN
Davidson
Digital Archive

looking back

Gov. George Romney, left, served as Michigan governor from 1963 to 1969. He is pictured here with Congregation
Shaarey Zedek’s Rabbi Morris Adler, center, and Max Fisher, circa 1965. Rabbi Adler died in 1966. In 1967, Romney
launched an unsuccessful presidential bid with Max Fisher serving as finance chair. •

T

he Feb. 19, 1943, issue of the JN
had two very interesting head-
lines. First, a sub-headline declared
“Brotherhood Week Observed by Detroit
Jews.” Accompanying the headline was a
drawing of George Washington with an
essay about his response to a letter from
“the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, R. I.,
dated Aug. 17, 1790.”
Washington wrote:
“The citizens of the
United States of America
have a right to applaud
themselves for hav-
ing given to mankind
examples of an enlarged
and liberal policy; a
policy worthy of imita-
Mike Smith
tion.
All possess alike
Detroit Jewish News
liberty of conscience and
Foundation Archivist
immunities of citizen-
ship.” Moreover, “May
the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who
dwell in this land, continue to merit and
enjoy the good will of the other inhabit-
ants…”
Worthy sentiments, indeed. Our first
president’s desires were not always followed
by all Americans over the course of history,
but still, Washington certainly nailed the
goal. I am, however, left to wonder — when
was Sisterhood Week in Detroit?
The main headline read “Rumania Offers
to Free Jews in Deal with Allies.” This is
interesting. Initially, in 1939, the king of
Romania attempted to remain neutral
in World War II, but fascists soon took
over the government and allied itself with
Germany. And, it also collaborated in the
persecution and/or execution of as many
as 250,000 Jews. It seems that Romania had
seen the writing-on-the-wall, that the Nazis
were losing the war, and simply wanted to
improve its standing with the Allies.
I assume that any opportunity to save
lives was important regardless of where it
came from. In August 1944, by the way, King
Michael I of Romania overthrew the fascist
government and offered his support to the
Allies. I hope I’ll see the outcome of this
particular offer in the JN. •

Want to learn more?
Go to the DJN Foundation archives,
available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

78

February 22 • 2018

jn

Courtesy Prof. Samuel and Lillian Levin Archives of Congregation Shaarey Zedek

Historic photos are curated by the
Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.

