The Jewish community of Detroit demonstrated its solidarity with Israel at a dinner here at which Detroit Jewry raised to $3,750,000 their purchases of Israel Bonds, Nearly 1,500 men and women attended the event which was a tribute to Philip Slomovitz, founder, editor and publisher of the Jewish News of Detroit. The dinner marked the 25th anniversary of the English-Jewish weekly, Mr. Slomovitz 70th birthday and 50 years of distinguished service by him in the field of journalism.
Mr. Slomovitz, who was honored for “courageous service to the Jewish people, to Israel and to humanity,” was presented with the Israel Achievement Award by Ambassador Arieh Eshel, deputy director general of the Israel Foreign Ministry. Mr. Slomovitz received many tributes on the occasion. Hyman Safran, president of the Detroit Jewish Welfare Federation, congratulated the publisher and the Jewish News on behalf “of a grateful Jewish community.” Gov. George Romney, who was unable to be present, sent a message of greetings.
The City of Detroit presented the publisher with a proclamation of June 12 as “Philip Slomovitz Day” and the Michigan Legislature adopted a resolution honoring the publisher. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey sent a message hailing the honors to “my friend, Phil Slomovitz”, whom he described as one of the “great editors and publishers” who have made “outstanding contributions to the cause of brotherhood, to social and economic justice.”
In his response, Mr. Slomovitz said that he was “dedicated to the cause of the liberation of my people” and that “there has to be a tremendous effort on behalf of the Emergency Campaign.” He disclosed that he was planning his 11th visit to Israel soon and that his son, Carmi, and family, would go to Israel next month for the World Zionist Conference. Ambassador Eshkol, discussing Israel’s battle last week, said that President Nasser “wanted a new Auschwitz or Maidanek” and he said “there will never be another Auschwitz.” Philip Stollman, the dinner chairman, called on the audience to rise for a moment of silent prayer for the Israeli Jews who died in battle last week.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
