at
iliE n critui ll Lw is n antor l t.

gAGE FOUR

*i ■ t

•■ I

tt

I

• .4t

SPROTT EWISfi RONI

IIB

AMIN

...L..- AV. ,/ 4.8. -dr 4.1.

it %Id

/VI OA.

1•••• ■ ••

Palilisheil Meekly lry Th. Jewish Chronicle Publishing Ca,

b..

Joseph J. Cummins, President and Editor
Jacob H. Schakne, General Manager

vicariously upon those who cannot retaliate. The Zion-
ists of the victor nations, the authors of their degrada-
tion, who came to Vienna gives them the long sought
opportunity of avenging themselves without danger of
punishment.
Despite any mitigatory reasons we may offer to ex-
cuse these borderland Hakenkreuzler, the whole affair
is disgraceful. It shows that the wounds of the war
have not healed; the scars are very thin and ready to
break open with the slightest pressure or disturbance.

virjpr

/3"1"

HERE AND THERE

-31

/P.

Zjijilinsa

"ns .2*.

[ The American Jewish Congress As a
Unifying Force in American Jewry.

By BERNARD

G. RICHARDS

—J

Hies, A Detective Agency.

ference of Jewish national organize-
>
The American Jewish Congress
tions held in June. 1921, and made
has, since its formation in 1916,
up of representatives from all impor-
proven to be a unifying force in the
tant organized circles is another in-
Jewish community life in the United
General Offices and Publication Building
- by precept, by con-
stance of this kind of co operation
States not only
525 Woodward Avenue
pointing the way to further, more
stantly summoning all classes and
Cable Addis: Chronicle
0
systematic and more comprehensive
Telephone: Cadillac 1040
groups in Jewry to united action in
Londe. Oflice.
rs'
united action on the part of Jewry.
our
of
matters
affecting
the
interests
14 Stratford Place, London, W. 1, England
The
agitation
begun
the
year
before
people, but also by the notable ex-
by the American Jewish Congress in
Per Year
$3.00
ample
of
having
actually
brought
to-
Subscription, in Advance
the interest of an effective effort in
We had hoped that the realistic elements of the
gether all American Jewish forces to
most reach thin
behalf of the refugees brought a re-
T. bow ',alkalies, all correepondenc• end nes" matter
compose their differences of thought
Zionist Organization of America would realize that
ollie• by Tuesday evening of each week.
sponse from all groups and impor-
and to labor together in the great and
Jewry
is
the
paramount
problem,
but
again
we
learn
Intereet
of
subjects
tant
organizations as soon as the need
op
historic
task
which
was
placed
be-
To Denton Jewish Chronicle Incites correepoedeoce
be bee Jewl•li people. but disclaim. reeponeibillily for am Indorsement of the
became clear, and the joint commit-
that
men
are
much
more
concerned
about
their
own
pet
fore American Israel in the matter of
clime anpreeeed by th• writer..
tee,
which was subsequently formed,
presenting the claims of Jewish peo-
theories that the welfare of a people.
has by this time practically secured
ple before the Peace Conference of
Ellul
8,
5685
There
can
be
little
question
as
to
the
position
of
the
largest
part of financial means
August 28, 1925
Versailles in 1919.
required and arrived at a program
the executive committee of the Zionist Organization of
The distinctive success there and
of meeting the needs of the immi-
then achieved, with the great aid of
America, according to the following resolution:
grants stranded in the European
the American government, was as
ports and those who had made their
"Whereas, we believe that the best interests of
Mrs. Henrietta Wineman, widow of the late Leopold
much due to the alliance of all the
way to Canada and Cuba, etc. Dele-
classes and groups in Jewish life as
Wineman, announced the gift of $75,000 to the United Jewry require that all efforts for Jewish colonization
gates have been sent to several coun-
to
the
democratic
form
of
organiza-
should
be
concentrated
on
Palestine."
The
resolution
tries in the interests of the refugees.
Jewish Charities for the enlargement of the North End
tion with its attendant popular ap-
So we have the example as well as
does
not
say
for
part
of
Jewry,
or
some
effort,
but
it
peal, which at a time when public
Community Clinic of Westminster avenue, which has
the precedent of united action.
opinion counted for so much served
been operating for seven years. The new building, states unequivocally "Jewry" and "all efforts."
The experience in this kind of work
to focus world-wide attention upon
which has been accumulated by the
If
we
are
to
include
all
the
Jews
in
the
tragic
thea-
which will be in the nature of a health center, will be
the just claims of the Jewish people.
American
Jewish Congress and by
built on Holbrook avenue east of Oakland on land ac- ter from the Rhine to the Urals there are 9,000,000
Jews throughout Eastern Europe
other bodies would furnish an excel-
Jews who find life hazardous and difficult, but of these
continue to be grateful to American
lent basis of larger and more exten-
quired some time ago by the United Jewish Charities.
Israel for this work of benevolence
sive work for the prevention of in-
The majority who avail themselves of the services 9,000,000 over 7,000,000 are confined to Russia and
and far-sighted preventive relief
ftingements upon the rights of Jews,
Poland,
where
conditions
for
millions
are
so
acute
that
which resulted in having the minority
clinic
are
Jews,
although
it
is
non-sectarian
and
wherever practiced, the effort of com-
of the
clauses written into the treaties, and
the
urgent
need
is
colonization,
otherwise
starvation.
bating
all forms of vicious race preju-
is supported and maintained by the Community Fund.
naturally all of our brethren, far and
dice, the more thorough consideration
We
are
dealing
with
millions
of
men,
women
and
chil-
The new clinic will continue non-sectarian; this fact
wide, who are interested in the Jew-
of the subject of immigration and re-
ish re-settlement of Palestine, con-
lated problems, etc. This experience
was especially emphasized by the donor, with the add- dren who are living in that precarious state of economic
tinue also to bless the efforts of the
would also indicate that through a
ed provision that in the event the clinic property was uncertainty which borders on actual starvation for a
Congress delegation before the Peace
A
Unique
Birthday
Party.
union of larger forces, through wider
sold or the clinic abandoned the proceeds should be de- large number. If we are to believe the testimony of
Conference in behalf of that land.
and clearer consultation, through the
Each year it is the practice of Mr.
men
and
women
without
personal
motive
then
all
must
The
second
or
permanent
Ameri-
awakening of wider public interest in
to
purposes
equally
helpful
and
beneficial
to
the
voted
and Mrs. I. Dreyfuss of Jackson,
can Jewish Congress, formed at the
all these questions, much more could,
that
the
conditions
of
the
Jews
of
Europe
call
admit
Miss.,
to
give
a
birthday
party
for
people of Detroit.
in the end, be accomplished in behalf
adjournment
of
the
original
body,
for immediate concerted effort to relieve the distress their only child, Margaret, but it is
We hope that this gift is but an earnest which
of the oppressed and unfortunate
really a party for the children of the which according to agreement was
by
the
most
efficacious
means
at
our
disposal.
whom we are seeking to aid as well
Methodist and Baptist Orphanages convened on a temporary or war-
presages the building of a community center and hos-
as in the interest of that Jewish
time basis, has for numerous reasons,
It
is
about
time
the
Jews
of
America
got
down
to
and
the
children
of
the
Mississippi
pital in keeping with the standing and importance of
perhaps also that of human
standing and dignity which we are
cases without regard to personal or emotional predilec- Childrens' Home Founding Society, including
the Jewish community in the City of Detroit.
perverseness
and
stubbornness,
not
endeavoring to maintain.
and the ladies of the Mississippi Old
tions.
The
greatest
possible
absorption
by
Palestine
A large and comprehensive Jewish
been able to rally all the Jewish or-
The feeling that Detroit Jewry is recreant in its
Ladies' Home. Some 400 children and
ganizations
and
circles
which
be-
organization formed on a democratic
cannot in our time exceed a half million Jews. We are ladies gather for the day at one of the
duty and obligation persists and refuses to be downed.
basis of representation could make it-
longed to the first congress. But the
largest
parks
which
is
chartered
for
When we think that smaller communities, with hos- not speaking of a few years but of a whole generation. the day, and each amusement device fact remains that beside the notable self not only more useful in carrying
of the last three years, in pre-
through the tasks reqired but could
pitalization problems not nearly so acute as ours, have The Zionist Organization admits that it costs $5,000 to as well as the lake are turned over to efforts
aid in the development and crystaliz-
venting the violation of Jewish rights,
children. A large meal is served
raised millions we cannot but feel that the communal settle a family in Palestine and we shall not enter into the
combating anti-Semitism, in help-
ation of public sentiment and opinion
in
at noon. Street cars are chartered to
the
economic
limitations
which
make
the
earning
of
ing
refugees
and
in
fighting
for
a
which would make it easier to carry
social spirit is either dormant or absent. We cannot
bring the children to and fro. This is
these tasks through, bringing support
liberal
attitude
toward
the
immi-
a
livelihood
by
the
settlers
a
problem
of
no
mean
im-
quite an event at Jackson and does a
believe it is absent for Detroit Jewry is part of Ameri-
grant, we have continued to promote
from ever-wider circles.
great deal of good in fostering better
port.
can Jewry which has done such great work along these
Recently it became necessary for
the cause of Jewish unity again, both
between the various de-
Even by the furthermost stretch of one's fancy a understanding
the American Jewish Congress and
by precept and example, by having
lines. Then, too, the need for a broad patterned corn-
nominations. Little Miss Margaret
other
bodies to agitate for the re-
233
national
and
central
organize-
half million Jews are not all of Jewry who are in need recently
birth-
. th
h
I
munal center is a condition precedent to the solution
sumption of Jewish relief work in
day and as has been her custom, she tions and committees in 100 or more
of many juvenile delinquency problems. Those who of assistance, and what of those other millions? Are had as her guests at Livingston park cities working together in connection Eastern Europe. We believe that this
agitation and the attendant publicity
immediate problems affecting
are most competent in such matters feel that their work they not to be considered at all? If the resolution had for the day all the children of the or. with
in the Yiddish and English-Jewish
our people, instead of each group
must remain inadequate and unsatisfactory until such stated that most effort should be given to Palestine phanages of Jackson, and all the lad- speaking and acting by itself, in per- press have brought about the re-
ins of the Old Ladies' Home. On this
colonization
we
may
not
agree
but
still
that
would
not
haps
a
manner
that
would
have
in-
quired reconsideration of the prob-
a center has become a fact.
occasion Julian Feibelman of the He-
lem. A well-organized and better-
such duplication and confu-
Those fearful souls who would not offend the Gen- be tantamount to advising the Zionists of America to do brew Union College, Cincinnati, made creased
balanced Jewish community, giving
sion as still exist. To be sure, there
of the most beautiful talks ever
tile by creating a Jewish hospital need really not troub- nothing to assist any other colonization scheme. The one
are now three or more groups of
each component part of it the oppor-
delivered in Jackson.
Zionists
have
gone
to
all
Jewry,
Zionists,
non-Zionists
Jews, but the American Jewish Con-
tunity of voicing its opinion, would
le themselves overmuch, for no one contemplates an in-
prevent the necessity of carrying on
grass,
by
holding
together
the
largest
the
plea
that
as
Jews,
as
stitution which would be sectarian. Those who favor and even anti-Zionists, with .
Dutch Jewss Honored.
such an agitation. It would have
number of affiliated organizations and
, Jr., president of
L. A.
easier, simpler and more direct
the Jewish hopsital idea want it non-sectarian, but if human beings, they should assist in this great humani-
commun i ties
the Weldadigheidsfond for the Nether-
unifying force in Ameri-
means of ascertaining the sentiments
tarian
work.
Those
who
believe
that
there
are
other
one
great
the trustees, the staff, the directors and patients are for
lands, has been created a Knight in
the Jewish public, or establishing
can
Israel
and
has
done
the
largest
colonization schemes on a parity with Palestine have a the Order of Orange Nassau. This share of work in preventing conflict of
the most part Jews it will have the atmosphere which
the facts as they relate to the life of
right
to
ask
Zionists
to
assist,
but
in
the
face
of
the
reso-
is
regarded
as
a
signal
honor
for
our
brethren across the seas. Less
and
duplication.
But
though
we
have
will enable our observant Jew to feel happier, which
Dutch Jewry, as the newly created
centralized control of relief activities,
nearest to it, the goal has not
no doubt means speedier and more satisfactory recover- lution it should be a serious and difficult task to get Knight confines his public work al- come
more open conferences and consulta-
yet been achieved. We therefore
any assistance from Zionists for any other colonization most entirely to Jewish causes, and is continue to summon and call all Jews tions, would lend the aid of a healthy
ies.
particularly active in the synagogue.
public opinion to all our efforts.
to come together and unite in one
May we not hope that the splendid gift of Mrs. plan other than the Palestinian.
the position as president of
For the problem of meeting the
representative and authoritative body
It must be remembered that the Russian Jews can- holding
Henrietta Wineman will lead the way to the creation
the Council of the Nederlandsche
needs, of securing the means, of
American Israel.
not go to Palestine even if they chose to do so. They Hoofd Synagogue for many years. of The
arousing
interest and particularly of
of those agencies so needful to the proper individual
American Jewish Congress will
are in Russia and willy nilly must remain there, creating Long years of public service have also meet again next fall. The call will spreading an exact knowledge of
and social health of our growing Jewish community?
been recognized in the case of another
what
the
needs
are and what the tasks
a new economic, social and religious life under the in- co-religionist, J. Polak of The Hague, then go out once more to all Jewish should be—is largely
a matter of dif-
and communities to
exorable conditions imposed by the Soviets. They can- who has been created Knight in the organizations
fusion
of
a
wider
responsibility
send representatives, to assemble
not solve their problems unaided and it is unfair to order of the Netherlands Lion. For once more, to join and to help shape among our people for the preserva-
years Mr. Polak was assistant
tion of the legitimate rights and the
the organization as united wisdom
them to dissuade their American brethren to withold some
director of public works in Weltevred-
welfare of Israel. The lack of any
The riotous demonstrations which took place in
will counsel, giving voice, dignity and
en
(Dutch
East
Indies,)
and
since
his
considerable number of Jewish lay-
them.
i:Ip:i v risib igtyL„v t, o are evrz section o f
Vienna previous to and during the Zionist Congress aid from hnno
return to Holland has acted as tress- .r
men with a thorough if not expert
they
when the time comes that the Zionist Or-
w.
nnoug
A
'
urer and secretary of the important
knowledge, of some of the Jewish
seem almost incredible to us.
are not all Jews.
ganization will show a more generous spirit toward the organization, the "Volksbond."
problems like that of immigration
Being
brethren
and
having
the
from free of all sorts of mob demonstrations in the
colonization
movements
than
the
naked
resolution
in-
and related questions, is a standing
same
interests
closely
at
heart,
all
form of Klan riots and race wars yet we cannot find
indictment of our highly centralized
Elman
Buys
Stradivarius.
important elements in Jewry have
dicates.
and exclusive leadership. We will
a parallel in all our mass aberrations.
Mischa Elmen, the violinist, has
acted in unison on occasions outside
never have sufficient and more com-
bought a Stradivarius which he says
of the time when they co-operated in
The American hooligan must have some pretext
petent workers unless we will invite
will be the finest in the United States
the congress. You will recall that
In
the
matter
of
immigration
exclusion
our
less
or reason for his riotous outbursts. We cannot imagine
more and more people to voice their
during the last few years at impor-
is equaled only by a few in Eu-
noisy K. K. K. is consistent. To them 100 per cent and
opinions, to consider the questions
the most irresponsible mob acting in such a disgrace-
tant hearings on the immigration
rope. It cost him $50,000, and he
to share in the work. That is the
ful fashion as did the Hakenkreuzler, especially against American means exactly what it connotes to the ex- claims that he knows its history from question in Washington, and in mak- and
central idea of the American Jewish
the
time
it
awe
manufactured
in
the
ing
representations
or
pronounce-
tremist
literalist.
The
modest
program
of
discrimina-
group
of
intelligent
and
peaceful
foreigners
who
Congress as it is one of the funda-
a
ments with regard to other subjects,
year 1717.
mental motives of democracy.
According to Ehnen, it belonged to
came for the purpose of a convention with a program tion and exclusion of Albert Johnson and his Nordics
the leading Jewish groups or organiz-.
Forms of organization can easily
is
not
acceptable
to
them,
for
they
would
admit
no
im-
the collection of Mme. Recamier, a cel-
ations participating in work relating
of construction and melioration.
be arrived at once the principle of
ebrated
French
leader
of
society
who
to
general
Jewish
interests
have
come
According to reports the property damage done was migrants. They may carry the theory of non-con- was exiled from Paris by Napoleon. together, conferred and co-operated representation and of fair-play is ac-
upward of $4,000,000 while the loss to business is in- tamination to its logical conclusion and even exclude In 1801 she is said to have sold it to like members of one body. You will cepted. Where there is a will—to
consider the other man's will—there
remember the joint statement made
Marshal Count Molitor, who distin-
calculable. The sufferers were not the Jewish mer- any foreigner who may choose to visit us for pleasure guished
is a way. Experience has also taught
by the Jewish organizations of Amer-
himself in the Napoleonic
chants, hotel keepers and restauranters, but the Chris- and study. This latter position would really be the cor- wars. It remained in the Marshal's ica in 1922 in answer to the "Proto- us something in this direction. But .
rect
one,
inasmuch
as
there
is
danger
of
dilution
of
above
all, every Jewish organization,
cols of the Elders of Zion" when this
family until it passed to the dealer
tian. This loss may mane a salutary sobering influence
every group in Jewish life, every
amazing document of frenzied fiction
sold it to Elman. It was Elman's
for the practical business man of Vienna must eventual- genuine 100 per centism by the shortest sojourn of any who
community ought to have a voice in
was issued by a Boston publishing
third Stradivarius and he says he will
the management of Jewish affairs.
ly realize that irreparable damage will be done unless non-American in our midst. The vagaries of the ex- use it in his forthcoming concerts.
house and given such wide publicity
Let more voices be welcomed in
clusion mania are countless. No absurd program the
in this country.
some steps are taken to prevent such occurences.
counsel and more hands be raised to
The
Emergency
Commit.
'
on
Jew.
Ex - Klan Men Organize.
Klan announces would surprise us. The next logical
We frankly admire those in charge of the conven
do the work.
ish Refugees organized at the con-
The Rocky Mountain News of Den-

Illeeend•ri•••

BOSOM! s.

tter March t, ISM et the Natoli. et Detroit.
u•der lb. Act a March I, ME

Io

Palestine or Jewry, Which?

►

The Leopold Wineman Memorial.

New York Police headquarters
that when an aged Jew or Jew-
ess is lost, it is the best thing to send
the old man or woman along to Hies.
Here is one typical case:
An old Jewish woman was picked
up by the police. She did not even
know what part of New York her
children lived. The woman was
brought by the policeman to Iliac and
upon being questioned, it was found
that she had a bottle of medicine in
her 'skirt pocket. The label gave the
address of a Brownsville druggist. A
Hiss official immediately was dispatch-
ed over to Brownsville to the druggist
who, however, did not know the ad-
dress of the aged woman's people. A
visit to the doctor followed and the
physician did not have the address
either. It was finally decided to take
the woman over to Brownsville, right
into the section where the druggist
had his store and the doctor. his of-
fice. But that did not help. The Hies
man then had an original idea. He
took her past the Shul in the neigh-
borhood, still the woman could not re-
member. Meanwhile, the story of the
lost woman was spread about in the
neighborhood and in the evening the
daughter came into the drug store and
told all about her mother who had
been lost. The druggist said to her
that the Hiss man had been there with
an old woman. The daughter phoned
Hies then came down—and there was
the mother.

The Disgrace of Vienna.

I

thin for refusing to stage it in another city after every-
thing had been made ready. Many weeks before we
had felt that another city should have been chosen,
but to retreat in the face of the actual threat would
have been an admission that the Swastika are the rul-
ers of Vienna and Austria. The non-resistent gesture
of the Zionists was really magnificent and although it
will scarcely penetrate the fanatic minds of the luna-
tic fringe yet it must impress the thinking world with
the high, fine purpose of those who are seriously study-
ing the age-old problem of Israel.
The spectacle of Vienna was a microcosm of the
history of the Jew. Ever in an alien, hostile milieu he
had pursued his way determined upon the purposes
which engrossed him, but often less fortunate than in
this case, for not always did the authorities give such
excellent and adequate protection as did the Vienna
police.
At this distance it is rather difficult to understand
the reasons for such disgraceful outbreaks. The Aus-
tria and Vienna of before the war was not noted for
crude and physical force anti-Semitism. If it did ex-
ist it manifested itself in those academic forms peculiar
to Germany. What has caused the pattern to change so
radically? Why is the Jew the special target of all
these sinister excesses?
Austria is an overwheim.ngly and irretrievably de-
feated country. From a place in the sun as one of the
leading powers in Europe it has been reduced to a mere
Balkan state with less power and prestige than some of
its formerly despised neighbors. The foreigner is re-
sponsible for all this and consequently anyone who is
not of them is hated with all the bitterness and malice
which injured vanity and repressed egotism can en-
gender. It is impossible to vent the pent-up poison up-
on the victors, upon those directly responsible for their
present shabby and humilating position, so they do it

■

IS linetis4C77h5InsejosisitieNstry>ers7s,,......

step in purification should be the total exclusion of the
works of non-Americans. Prevent pollution from Eu-
ropean literature, science and philosophy should be em-
blazoned upon the banner of the hooded order.

ver, Colo., says that the Minute Men
of America, an organization formed
there recently by men who seceded
from the Ku Klux Klan, plans to
make itself nationwide in scope and
draw membership from factions in the
present Klan. Final action on the
plan awaits the outcome of litigation
between the Klan nad the Minute Men
over property which originally be-
longed to the "Invisible Empire" in
Colorado, the newspaper says. Re-
cently the Denver organization and
virtually every Klan body in the State
withdrew from the mother organiza-
tion in Atlanta and the property hold-
ings of the organization in Colorado
since have been in dispute.

The Institute of Politics at Williamstown, Mass.,
has proved itself a success if for no other reason than
the fact that sonic of our charmingly smug citizens
have objected to the frank criticism of us by those who
were invited to speak. The discussions although in
some few instances acrimonious were on the whole
clarifying and temperate with special emphasis on bet-
ter international understanding of those problems
which touch us all. Despite our apparent isolationist,
laissez faire policy, we really have a hankering to
know what currents are agitating the world mind,
while our apparent indifference to European opinion
is a thin pose easily pierced.

To Honor Turkish Jewess.

A movement has been started in
Palestine to erect a monument to Sar-
ah Aaronsohn, a native of Turkey,
who, being in sympathy with the Al-
lies during the World War, joined
"The Nili," an organization of spies
in the Orient in service of the English
and French, says "Equal Rights:"
Captured by the Turks, she refused to
reveal anything concerning her organ-
ization, though subjected to barbarous
tortures. Finally, while in prison in
Damascus. ehe managed to obtain a
revolver and killed herself. For thus
giving her life for the liberation of
Syria and Palestine the monument to
her was raised.

Almighty God

To be entreated, and who payest heed
Unto the poor, how long wilt Thou from me
Be far and hidden? Night and day I turn
And with a steadfast heart I call to Thee,
And pour inc , ..ssant gratitude for Thy
Excelling goodness. 0 my King, with pain
For Thee my heart is torn, in Thee it trusts.
Dreaming this shut-in dream, it looks to Thee
For life's interpretation. This I ask
This is the plea to which I beg assent
My sole petition, neither more nor less.

Chaplin's Mother Seeks to
Remain.

Arrangements were completed by
the Immigration Bureau of the Labor
Department to present to Secretary
Davis for final action, on his return
from Europe Aug. 26, the application
of Mrs. Hannah Chaplin, 00 years old,
mother of Charles Chaplin, the film
actor, for an extension of her tempor-
ary leave to remain in this country.

SOLOMON IBN GABIROL

Translated by lernel
(Jeurich rublastion Seam.)

.

4P.

pa te- IN\ i rilb

., ,

.

re

.

Jewish Theater Emerges, Modernized
and Brainy From its Vale of Tears

DR. S. M. MELAMED

The mind of the Ghetto is dual,
self-contradictory. It adapts itself
quickly to new surroundings, and yet
it always retains its identity. It is
flexible, and yet it is the mind of a
stubborn people, hewn from rock. It
is both monotonous and a symphony
of tunes. It is the elegy with over-
tones of jazz. It is a product of
tragic experiences carried by bound-
less optimism.
What the Jews mean to the Ameri-
can stage need not be discussed here.
The facts are well known. David
Warfield is a Jew, so is George White.
Belasco is a Jew, and so is Charlie
Chaplin.... In the Ghetto, here and
abroad, the theater is the most pow-
erful artery in the life of the dwell-
PI'S.
Even before the modern theater
was introduced to the Ghetto there
wsa plenty of acting and playing in
it. The old-fashinoed wanderer called
Maggid was not only a sermonizer
but also an actor. Ile told his audi-
ences fairy tales and legends from the
Talmud. In addition he gesticu-
lated, acted, played and sang, and his
audience was more captivated by his
mimicry than by his moral deductions
and legends. As soon as the modern
theater was introduced into the
Ghetto it replaced the synagogue and
the temple. Every Ghetto dweller
without exception is a theatergoer
but only one in 10, or one in 20 at-
tends religious services on Saturday,
the religious day of rest.
The Ghetto Jew flocks to the the-

114,%

ater neither for amusement nor for
spiritual education, but to find refuge
in a world of illusion after a busy
day of prosaic work and hard strug-
gle. What place the theater holds
in the life of the Ghetto can be seen
from the following facts. There are
five times as many Germans in Amer-
ica as there are Jews, but there is
actually no German theater in Amer-
ica any more. However, there are 12
Jewish theaters in New York alone,
and six or seven in the country.
Upon arriving in this country from
Eastern Europe the immigrants
brought along fragments of the Yid-
dish theater, a few talented actors, a
few able playwrights and a burning
passion for the theater. But the will
to play and the talent to act do not
constitute a theater. There still re-
main problems of scenery, produc-
tion, organization of the ensemble,
finance, etc.
It took the Yiddish theater more
than 20 years to consolidate its posi-
tion and become the power in the life
of the Ghetto that it is today. The
Yiddish theater in America is not only
a center of art and literature but
also the greatest center of Jewish
philanthropic activity. Hundreds of
Jewish charitable, social and frater-
nal organizations in New York are
dependent upon the Yiddish theater
for their existence. Four perform-
ances a week in the Yiddish theater
are benefit performances, the pro-
(Continued on next page.)

AP

„Leer

ieer

un,

7C;

11. •