Philip Slomovitz was born on December 5, 1896 in the Russian occupied Polish city of Minsk. Educated in Europe, Slomovitz came to the United States in 1910 and continued his studies in journalism at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He settled himself in Detroit where he instantly became an active member of the Detroit Jewish community and Zionist movement.
From 1918 to 1920, Slomovitz worked on the editorial staff of the Detroit News, and then began work as editor of the Detroit Jewish Chronicle in 1921. He continued work there until 1942; when Slomovitz founded his own, community-funded newspaper - The Jewish News . It became the most profitable English language Jewish paper in the United States under his management. He remained at the helm of The Jewish News until he sold the paper in 1984, but even after his retirement he continued to write weekly columns for the paper.
Slomovitz was an active member of the Jewish community in Detroit as well as a devoted Zionist serving as an officer on the American Jewish Congregation and the executive board of the Zionist Organization of America. Using The Jewish News, Slomovitz addressed issues concerning Jews in the United States after WWII. Never faltering, he brashly uncovered instances of Anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jews and Israel committed by members of the Army, prominent businesspersons, or government leaders.
During his 71 years as a newspaperman he never failed to write a weekly column except for the one week following his so-called retirement after selling The Jewish News in 1984. Slomovitz died on February 17, 1993 at the ripe age of 96.
- Slomovitz, Philip. Without Malice. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1978.
- Slomovitz, Philip. Purely Commentary. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1981.
- Slomovitz, Philip. The Jewish Book. New York: 1944.
From the guide to the Papers of Philip Slomovitz, undated, 1933-1966, (American Jewish Historical Society)