Ventonr,pisit NS. roff:A`, NS> r/As: Id. „or . Ns. rAt Nfw"Or— THEY) ETED1TiEWISII ei-RONICIA TM ONLY 110/0•1 %LW MAP. INIAIWKI ■ 111 Published Weekly by The lowish Chronicle Publishing Co., Inc. JOSEPH J. CUMMINS, President JACOB MARGOLIS, Editor JACOB H. SCHAKNE, General Manager Entered as Second-rims matter March Z. 1916, at the Postogice at Detroit. 1879. Mich., under the Act of March 3, General Offices and Publication Building 525 Woodward Avenue Telephone: Cadillac 1040 14 Cable Address: Chronicle London Office. Stratford Place, London, To W. 1, England. $3.00 Per Year Subscription, In Advance limns publication, all correspondence and news matter must reach this office by Tuesday evening of each week. The Detroit Jewl.h Chronicle invites correspondence on subjects of Interest to the Jewish people, but disclaim. responsibility for an indorsement of the views expressed by the writers. Adar 19, 5686 March 5, 1926 Vilna Troupe and the Yiddish Theater. The Yiddish speaking community of Detroit had an aesthetic holiday last week at the performances of the Vilna Troupe, which played the Dibbuk by Ansky and Motke Ganeff by Sholom Asch. These artists again baffled by their collective con- summate artistry, and one must say collective artistry advisedly because it is so difficult to single out any special member of the cast for particular mention. The only distinction that can be reasonably made is based upon the importance and significance of the part, but even here the minor roles were played with such finesse and finish that they too stand out in definite re- lief. The story of the Dibbuk is simple. A young man and young woman are plighted to each other by their parents even before they are born. The father of the girl becomes rich and forgets his promise. The young people meet and fall in love with each other. The love is unrequited. The young man dies and the spirit of the young man enters the soul of the girl. The Rebbe is asked to exorcise the evil spirit which has possessed the young woman. He calls upon all the powers of heaven and earth to drive out this stubborn Dibbuk, but all to no avail. All the intense and profound mysticism of Chas- sidic Jewry is portrayed in this tragedy of Ghetto life. Folk superstition, Kabbalistic lore, philosophic sub- tleties are inextricably woven into this drama of An- sky's. Despite the numerous opportunities for sensa- tionalism and theatricalism which the play affords, not ry once did the Vilna Troupe employ these cheap and meretricious devises which a company less skilled and honest might have used to get over. The depressing inadequacies of the Circle Theater, the home of the Yiddish drama were never so apparent as during these remarkable performances of the Dib- buk. One felt that the artists were using symbols and substituting drops for scenic effects. Despite every effort to concentrate upon the delightfully spoken lines, one could not but feel the synagogue walls were crowd- ing the congregation out of the place. All of this brings us to something which must be said in fairness to the Jews of Detroit who insist that the preservation of the Yiddish drama and literature are essential if a cultural Judaism is to be perpetuated. It may be argued and particularly by those who have lost their appreciation of Yiddish that these master- pieces can be saved through translation, and in support of this contention they can point to the splendid English performances of the Dibbuk at the Neighborhood Play- house in New York. But despite all this there is yet a difference which can be sensed by those whose tra- ditions, background and training are rooted in Yiddish life and speech. Many Jews today are anxious to sever all connec- tion with Yiddish, thinking thereby to prove their one hundred per cent Americanism. By this expedient they become poorer inasmuch as they lose an authentic art form, a rich and colorful language, and are not en- riched by any creative values, because unfortunately America has as•yet not made any worth while contribu- tions in those special fields. If one wants concrete proof of the validity of the Yiddish drama, we would suggest to anyone thoroughly acquainted with Yiddish and English to see the Vilna Troupe and then visit the American theater. The su- -J periority of the Yiddish is amazing. The American stage seems amatuerish, sentimental and unauthentic. We are persuaded that the Yiddish drama should have a theater where the actors can do their best work. The Hastings street house is certainly very unsatisfac- tory for the reason that this neighborhood is no longer Jewish and for the more valid reason that the theater is small and ugly, with a stage so inadequate that it makes it practically impossible for the actors to pro- duce any play satisfactorily and effectively. Messrs. Littman and Fischson have done splendidly under most trying circumstances. They are anxious to give Detroit Jewry the best available Yiddish drama, but they cannot do so on Hastings street. We can have a Yiddish Art Theater in Detroit and should have it. New York City has subsidized its Yiddish Art Thea- ter. Are there not men and women of means sufficient- ly interested in the Yiddish drama to help build a thea- ter in a Jewish locality? 4 \IO poses is bent upon starting another conflagration be- fore the old one is extinguished. Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy, must needs have other peoples over whom he may tyrannize and whose liberties he may destroy. • There are well authenticated stories from reliable sources that all is not well in the ranks of the Fascisti. His two chief lieutenants cannot wait until the master has passed away, they must fight for the spoils before his demise. Farinacci and Federzoni had a sharp con- flict over the suppressing of the famous Italian paper the "Mattino of Naples." Mussolini knows what is going on in his own party, so when the Bavarian Minister complained about the treatment of Germans and Austrians in the Tyrol it gave the dictator an opportunity to wave the flag and rattle the saber. Not since that other braggart mili- tarist of Potsdam hurled defiance at the whole world, has such war provoking language been heard in Europe as that of Mussolini before the Fascist Parliament. No doubt it was for home consumption, and was in- tended to unify and solidify, but yet it offended un- armed and helpless Germany where a prideful spirit still lives. Streseman answered not in the bellicose manner which no doubt would have come from Germany of a decade ago, but in a temperate, analytical speech in which he showed the infantile bumptiousness of the hero of the black shirts. He threatened to take the matter before the League of Nations which too is a dan- gerous expedient for Mussolini with his swollen egoism may refuse to recognize the authority of the League. This may result in an impasse, or it may affront the other League members to the point that some drastic steps may be taken. All is not happy because of the untoward state of affairs in Europe, and with an irresponsible speech maker as the head of a people suffering from delusions of grandeur who can predict what may be precipitated. In the meantime there is much nervousness, while the minorities in the Tyrol are experiencing some of the delights which that age old minority the Jews have endured in all the countries of Europe for centuries. The league and the Locarno Treaty are going to be tested if not by this episode, then surely Mussolini will be sure to furnish the test by something else he will do or say. Disturbing the Peace of Europe. It took more than eight years to achieve the Lo- carno treaty with its reservations, patches and weak- nesses. It took an even longer time to admit Germany to a position of near equality, by permitting her to be- come a member of the League of Nations. No one acquainted with the course of European his- tory since balances of power, favored nations, secret treaty have become part of the terminology of Euro- pean diplomacy is beguiled into the belief that these latest covenants are approximately fool proof. Yet they do have a certain validity and are resistances which must be overcome before hostilities can be open- ed. The peoples of a fatigued, disillusioned, poverty stricken Europe do value them as a protective armor, even though they know they are not bullet proof. The festive air of the Locarno Spirit is still fresh, but a Caesar who bellows like an ox and strikes heroic Nt. *IL mr. Roll ICLE regIV.' 114., /UtViC944MtWg \ - Among the Bessarabian Chalutzim DIGEST To Relieve Polish Situation. aVe By V. SKVIRSKY 0 (Copyright by Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The present acute situation of the Jews in Poland has been the subject i sh knight of the soil with mother The journey from Beltz to Belitch- of many articles, editorials and calls e arth. en—a distance of some five miles is a to relief action in the American Jew- At last we arrive at the threshing veritable pleasure. The road undu- ish press for the past few weeks. Now s bed. I behold a sea stretching in lates among the hills and vales. Fields the two central organizations of Pol- runt of me, snow-white and gold; stretch on both sides. ish Jews, the Verband of Polish Jews pearl white maize and golden wheat. , and the Verband of Galician Jews, The driver, a sturdy country lad Ye seat ourselves on sonic sacks and and the numerous Landsmannschaften with broad shoulders, talked to me my guide tells me briefly the history have responded by calling conferences about Belitchen. Ile has been there of the farm. What the chalutzim need and inaugurating a relief campaign. several times, carrying all sorts of above all, is land—well established people; the young folk of Beltz walk, The Jewish Daily News of Feb. 24 farms. During the five years in which , but the staider citizens go there by writes: "A Jewish writer who has ; he Ba'chalutz organization has been fiacre. Ile is kept especially busy on made a journey through Poland with n existence in Roumania it has had to ' days like Lag B'orner, or on the the object of studying the present eco- migrate from one place to another and twentieth of Tammuz, the place is nomic situation of the Polish Jews his continual migration has taken covered with visitors on these days. has brought back to America the news away from its creative work and the The driver mentions the chalutzim that all the Jews there are starving, effect of its pioneering forces. How with great respect. Ile is quite will- that they literally die out because of can one's work be productive when it ing himself to go to Palestine and he a lack of nourishment, and he asks: has to be carried on, on hired land asks me whether his branch of busi- Will America let the Jews of Poland from which one may be told to go at ness has any prospects there. I tell thus perish?' The Jews of Poland any moment? him that there is no great demand are as in a beleaguered city, and the "Belitchen is our first attempt to enemy is hunger. Part of them are for drivers there, but he is not dis- carry out our work on our own land doomed. And the inevitable end comes couraged; he is also versed in the and to concentrate in one place all the to them slowly. Can America save craft of blacksmith, and with his different branches of farming. The those who are thus condemned to die, whip he points with unconcealed 110 hectars which we own are those brethren of ours, whose fate is pride at the wheels of his cart which enough to enable us to extend our ac- sealed? Of course. And they are he had made with his own hands. tivity to various branches of agricul- about to start some action, but this We leave the main road and turn ture starting with the growing of action is proceeding so slowly, while to the left—uphill—we clamber up wheat, rye, and maize and ending with death is not waiting. At the confer- the cultivation of vine and with vege- a path which seems to have been ence of the Polish Verband, action was table gardening. As side branches we trodden out quite recently. promised . But what is a mere prom- intend to introduce cattle breeding, That is Belitchen, the driver points ise to those who starve?" this is a matter for the future. In the to a few houses huddled together in For the past 11 or 12 years," bee culture and dairy farming. But a far-off valley. writes the Forward, relief activities 10 months we have been settled in "We are already on the Belitchen Belichten we have built the huts and for the Jews of Europe assumed three estate," he tells me with a smile. forms: relief sent by American rela- sheds, sowed the fields and brought "You can see the vineyard there! order into the kitchen 'garden which tives to their people in Europe; relief That is where the farm ends." We had been neglected for years." by the various Landsmannschaften to drive on. The landscape is beautiful "And how did you get the means?" their several cities and towns in Eu- and reminds one of an idyllic land- I interrupted. rope, and the relief action of the Joint scape in the Ukraine. On the hillocks "The initial sum for the acquisition Distribution Committee for all sorts of the groups we got as a loan. Mon. of relief work everywhere. It is sheep nibble the grass. Shepherds in their picturesque dress doze not far ey difficulties followed and they haunt strange, it is almost incredible, that from their flocks and the dogs try to us still. What you see there," he of the three forms of relief, the Joint get as much warmth as posible. indicated with his hand the whole Distribution Committee should be the "Shalom,"'the greeting comes from farm, "has cost us so far about 1,700,- first to respond to the cry now coming somewhere very near. I look round 000 lei (11,700) and we have to pay from Russia and Poland, notwith- a little startled and I see a whole another 400,000 lei next month. standing the fact that the J. D. C. is party of chalutzim engaged in some "Where did we get all this money, not directly connected with any par- field work. They do not interrupt you ask? We received some money ticularly region any more than with their work but let me pass without from the Zionist funds, some more other regions ,and that the leaders of any more remarks. from the Ila'chalutz campaign which the J. D. C. are German Jews, who "Look those are the fields already we organized last Easter all over the are only nationally related to our sown with the winter crops," my driv- country, as for the rest, we have got brethren in Eastern Europe. And, on er says, drawing my attention to the to raise it ourselves. Many a time the other hand, it is just the Lands- Belichten was on the point of shutting fields lying quite close to the path. mannschaften, and the relatives, who down, but we have hung on tenacious- "All the peasants from the neighbor- have sooner lost all their enthusiasm ly and here we still are . for the relief work, and it takes now hood come to ask the chalutzim for ad- "Belichten," he concluded, "is not vice in agricultural matters." so long to kindle that extinguished en- a long stretch what the Ila'chalutz We are now close to the farm. The Fascism expressed itself in many grotesque and of- thusiasm again. And yet, the present village stands out distinct in all its de- by actively in the country ought to be. situation in Europe and especially in ten crude forms. Italian Fascists thought that castor Poland is such that millions of Jews tails, the River Stay in the distance, We can's manage to give employment oil administered an enemy was the last word in persua- will simply perish, if the various re- the well In the middle of the court and here for more than 100 to 120 people the chaluzoth in their white aprons, while the Ila'chalutz in Roumania has enterprises will not work hand in siveness. Our own Fascists, the Ku Klux Klan, think lief looking from afar like strange white a membership of over ROO. hand and will not throw all their en- that it is a rare piece of imagination to dress in night ergy into the relief activity. The J. birds. At last we arrive in the court- like necessary yard. An energetic, clear-cut greet- rayll tooveerstatbhlsh farms D .C. has now begun its $15,000,000 gowns and pillow slips and parade before the awe- The example of our first farm has ing from the supervisor of works—a drive and this drive must be supported struck citizenry. The master minds among Bavarian by every Jew in America. But these young, slim, well-built chalutz—and shown us that we have the people with Fascists stage beer garden revolutions while the Rou- $15,000,000 will not cover even a small I am surrounded by a circle of us." At this point, the dinner bell inter- pretty girls who are occupied in clean- of the present needs. The rela- manian brand drives Jewish students out of universi- part and hIe took ing up the huts. I am invited to the l r e uapvt tives must again resume their remit- rest and first but where the chalutzim live. The thr eedofou the tances to their people, and also the ties. chalutzim who all came to see hut, built of clay, is half buried in the Landsmannschaften must re-organize of All these performances fail to appeal to the fancy and resume their work of saving the ground, the two large windows, how- me off the farm. of the comic opera Fascists of Vienna. They first con- lives of our unfortunate brethren. The ever, give enough light and air. ceived of the subtly profound notion of an Aryan thea- Verband of Polish Jews has now un- Clean beds with blankets and white SOCIAL FESTERS dertaken to carry out a campaign pillows, brought from home, a decent ter, where only Aryans may attend and only Aryan among the Polish Landsmannschaften. library,and a small first-aid store. In masterpieces may be performed. This comic opera We appeal to the Landsmannschaften, the corner a small space is reserved I am in complete sympathy with for the managerial staff. I notice are simultaneously branches of idea failed, as it should have, but still the intelligenzia which , the Workmen's Circle, as well as to all two chalutzim lying asleep at the Walt Whitman when he characterize and cognoscenti of Fascism have not exhausted all the other progressive organizations, to other end of the room. "They are criminals as festers on the diseased of society. The criminal is our acumen and mental resiliency. As proof of this the participate vigorously in this cam- our night guards," the supervisor ex- body littleness written large. if society gen- This participation of the plains in Hebrew. "They guard the beating of the Jews at a recent performance of John paign. branches of the Workmen's Circle farm at night, and besides this they erally acted seriously and sincerely in and other progressive labor organiza- Galsworthy's "Loyalties" assuredly attests. feed the horses which were at work consonance with ethics and morality will not only insure a united the day before." "Is this their usual in little things there would be no In this play of Galsworthy a Jew is shown to be a tions front in the relief work, but will also occupation?" I ask. "Oh, no," one of large ones, or they would be rare gentleman and a British officer a thief and liar. Ac- result in a fair distribution of the my companions replies. Every cha- freaks, to shock and shame us. When people lie, deceive, pilfer quite com- lutz does night work by turn." cording to the credo of Vienna Fascism every Gentile sums collected." I look at the supervisor. I know monly in small matters thinking it In another issue, the same paper is impeccable while every Jew is a black-guard. Since devotes him personally. He is the son of a to be of no importance because they an editorial to the $15,000,000 small they should not be surprised Galsworthy so far forgot himself so as to reverse the drive of the J. D. C. which is to begin rabbi, who has left his home after are if natures not well balanced commit strife. The contrast flashes roles the upholders of sacred Aryanism- decided to shortly in New York. The paper is some the larger breaches of law. The dif- through my mind between the young fully confident that the importance of prove it by beating up the Jews in the audience. This this drive will not be questioned by rabbi's son who guards the farm at ference is only one of degree, of quantity of quality, between the spectacle must convince everyone of the daring and anyone and that the campaign will he night, and his grandfather, the Chas- liar, the not pilferer, the deceiver, the sid, who used to get up at midnight generously supported by all Jews. originality of Fascist thought. By the unusual expedi- However, in view of the present catas- to weep over the exile of the shekhi- cut-throat, the thief. God pity the man who tampers and palters with ent of pummelling Jews they would correct the manu- trophical need of the Jews in Poland, nah. We leave the but and return to the conscience even in the petty. lie is script of Galsworthy and put the Jew in his proper this sum of $15,000,000 seems quite courtyard on the path to perdition. and I come across a few inadequate . When this sum was de- If we really desire to lessen or even chalutzim with haggard, sickly faces. place. cided upon a few months ago, no one the supervisor anticipates eliminate criminality in the large let If this were the condition of any considerable num- expected a situation in Poland such my "Fever," us eradicate the tiny criminal ten- question. "Until we have dried up as developed later. It is, therefore, ber of Viennese it would be tragic and dangerous, but the duty of every Jew to donate to the the marshy Stay we shall have ma- dencies in ourselves and others. The to cure festers on the social fortunately the lunatic fringe of Fascism is decreasing. J. D. C. fund much more than was ex- laria raging, but it is not so bad in only way winter," he added with a smile. "Be- body is to sanctify and integrate the pected of him in the course of this J. When we compare the last outbreak with the one D. C. campaign. sides, there are the last, everybody social constitution. — Rabbi Alexan- else has already had his share and is der Lyons. which occured before the Fourteenth Zionist Congress The Day says editorially: "It is nec- well again." essary now to draw the attention of we realize that the power of Fascism in Vienna is di- the We go to the second hut, the home Landsmannschaften to the present WORTH NOTHING minishing. We cannot but feel that this episode is a tragical situation in Poland, where, of the girls. White curtains at the windows, prints on the walls. Every- as a result of the acute economical dainty morsel for the comic spirit. thing breathes cleanliness and you are crisis, unemployment prevails every- It is peculiar, to say the least, tlur at once aware of the woman's touch where, and suicides are but common, a man in comfortable circumstance which makes everything clean and everyday occurences. Many of our will indignantly refuse an offer of comfortable and neat. societies do not know what is going even a friend to support his childro , The chalutzoth complain to me that on in their native cities and towns. in their food and clothing and y' even here on the farm their work is Many of the members of such organi- According to recent reports from Harbin, China, zations limited to the kitchen. In the kitchen complacently allow others to supper' have not the time to devote to which furnish these chil Yiddish has been banned in schools, meetings and busi- relief activity. But then let such or- indeed, I find several girls, standing institutions the stoves, their cheeks aglow dren religious instruction. If he i ness, but may be used in the synagogue. This is not ganizations ask themselves: what do about too proud in the one case he might with the steam from the huge boil- they exist for? There is no justifica- the work of the Chinese, for these tolerant and wise tion ing pots. The chalutzoth speak with to be in the other. The reason w'hy' for their existence. if they do not fails or refuses to co-operate in people have not yet resorted to the stupid expedients engage in social work. And these envy of the chalutzim who are work- he ing in the fields not far away and re- supporting the religious education of must make no of repression practiced in the Occident. Those respon- Landsmannschaften his children is not lack of pride but call longingly the happy days when special effort to render relief, they sible for the edict are former members of the infamous need not wait till the J. D. C. carries they too had worked in the open, in deficiency of religion. Such and to• dividual is likely by his example to kitchen gardens of their homes. Black Hundreds of the Czar who succeeded in having out its campaign. For there are mil- the The conversation is broken off. A counteract and neutralize what the of dollars in their hands now, children are taught. Accordingly, he a law passed in 1920 making the use of Yiddish un- lions good looking, slim girl, has come up deposited in the banks of New York nothing for what he gets and it lawful except in the synagogue. The law was not en- City. All they have to do is just make to the well to water the cows. I gaze pays is likely to be worth nothing.—Rabbi at her sunburnt face and her black the decision and share their own sav- forced until recently. limpid eyes and I remember Rachel Alexander Lyons. ings with their starving brethren. This piece of folly should convince those who would This American Jewry has done and for whom Jacob labored 14 years with father Laban. The oriental grace have Czarism back in Russia what would be the fate of will now do again . Also the relatives her BARNUM with which the girl draws up her pail have not ceased doing this ever since the ill-starred Jews who would still inhabit that coun- the beginning of the World War. Now of water, her voice in speaking to the cows which had on account of their dis- a A preacher who furnishes his peo. it is the turn of the Landsmannschaft- try. One does not have to be an alarmist or thirst begun to press too closely to- pie what they want instead of what penser of gloom to predict that the worst pogroms in en." gether—suddenly brought to my mind they should have is a good minister, The Jewish Daily News in another the Ukraine under Denikin and Yudenich would be but issue. points out the fact that it is a a scene in which she and I had taken but not of the Lord. Ile is better a dis a prominent part: it was in a holiday. Think of the morbid hatred of men who are quarter of the Jewish nation that is cussion at a public meeting in 1917. fitted for a business career and so he commercializes his pulpit. lie ought utterly destitute in Poland. "The able in a strange land to have such a law passed to pun- now She had been a student at that time. to promote religion, but he is a pur- Polish Verband has acted well by as- She had since left the university in ish a people whose only crime consists of belonging to veyor of entertainment. Still he isn't suming the initiative in this work. order to satisfy the call which had the same race as those whom they hated in Russia. We do not doubt that the Polish so- come to her to take part in the nation- humbugging his congregation. They don't know what religion is and he in America will do everything al renaissance of her people. I looked This venomous spirit is not manifested immediately af- cieties hasn't enough of it to help them. And within their power in this important at her and I began to understand the ter the supposed injury done, but after more than eight and urgent work, which is their duty real power of this call which brings yet such a man is called successful if he attracts a crowd. If crowds are to do. But this duty is not only of years have elapsed. the children back to their people and a criterion of church success it is a Polish Jews, but of all Jews in Amer- draws them with chains of love to its pity that Barnum did not go into the No one holds a brief for Bolshevik Russia, nor could ica." national banner. ministry. Ile would even have sur- Citing various appeals by Polish anybody be persuaded that the lot of Russian Jewry is The supervisor showing me around passed Billy Sunday.—Rabbi Alexan- and Jewish newspapers of Po- bring! rue to the rattle shed. I could happy, but yet when one thinks what would happen if Jews der Lyons. land to the mercy of other Jews, the not help comparing it with the huts the Black Hundreds were again in power one must be Hebrew Journal of Toronto says: in which the chalutzim and chalutzoth "Thus they appeal in Poland. But thankful to those in power. No doubt it could be much what is done by us here? How do we live. More rare, I commented, is tak- A PARADOX for the welfare of the cattle than better for Russian Jewry, but then again it could be respond? With the exception of two en for the welfare of the men and wom- Some women will disregard health Landsmannschaften, which collect at infinitely worse. May the Black Hundred emigres re- en. A little further on we came to funds for matzoth, these cries and comfort in order to secure beau the place where under a roof the ag- main in Harbin, Paris and Berlin to fulminate and rage least have so far fallen on deaf ears. Noth- ricultural i mplements are stored, ty. They will bob their beautiful and even though they do succeed in such infamy yet ing is being done to ameliorate the plows. harrows• sowing machines, etc., hair to conserve convenience. N, everything spick and span. For mo- wonder some people consider them their power is sure to wane. The day may soon come condition of the Polish Jews." mysterious. To me a woman is some ment you might almost think it a when the last word of Czarist pretenders is said and Asses sing badly because they pitch knight's armory, with the story of the times a perambulating paradox. — when the last folly of Black Hundreds is committeed. Rabbi Alexander Lyons. hard fight waged by the modern Jew- their voices so high. Another Fascist Spectacle. Anti-Semitism in China. Nt. . • wr wsie. .,421,71nXi). 4104 n 312 ■ 34 68 ja ›ir)\:) 51