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Published Weekly by The Jewish Chronicle Publi•Iing Co, Inc
Entered as Second-class matter March 3, 1916, at the Poet,
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Sabbath Readings of the Law.
Pentateuchal port on— 13:17-17:16.
Prophetical portion- -Judges 4:4-5:31.
January 30, 1931
Shevat 12, 5691
Retain Communal Unity.
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THENEntorrjEwisnefROMICIE
Less than a year ago, American Jews re-
;joked over the unity that was effected in
their ranks, with Palestine as a basis for
discussion. The organization of the Allied
Jewish Campaign was heralded as the hap-
piest occurrence in the history of our people
in this country because it united Zionist and
non-Zionist, Reform and Orthodox, into one
camp, for the best interests of all Israel.
Unfortunately, however, the time was evi-
dently not yet ripe for such unity. Because
the failure of the Allied Jewish Campaign,
due to the economic depression, has made
the alliance short-lived, and the American
Palestine Appeal and the Joint Distribution
Committee are now again organizing their
forces separately and, we are almost
tempted to say, dividedly.
The failure to guarantee the union of
forces in American Israel is particularly
regrettable because it was controlled by
financial considerations. We had hoped
that the organization of the Allied Jewish
Campaign would lift the ideals included in
this cause above partisan and financial lines
and would so solidify American Israel as to
guarantee unity. This national effort hav-
ing failed, we desire to hope that in our own
community, which was the first to prove to
the country at large that unity is possible,
the united front which has been established
for more than five years, and which has
helped in creating better understanding
between the various elements in the com-
munity, will be retained and strengthened.
We are on the eve of gigantic appeals for
funds in this country. In the words of Dr.
Cyrus Adler, president of the American
Jewish Committee, "the world is closing in
on the Jewish people." Everywhere crises
are threatening Jewish existence. In East-
ern Europe there is starvation. In Palestine
there are visible attempts to interfere with
the progress of Jewish achievements. There
are numerous obligations to Jewish institu-
tions in this country, not to speak of the
local obligations. All these appeals will
best be cared for provided duplication is
eliminated in campaign machinery and a
multiplicity of drives is avoided.
The Jewish Welfare Federation of De-
troit has proven in past years that it is
capable of achieving unity by pooling all
forces into one and by eliminating waste in
campaign efforts. It has retained its ma-
chinery under the able chairmanship of
Mr. Henry Wineman and the executive
directorship of Dr. John Slawson. The Fed-
eration owes it to the community not to dis-
solve this unity, but rather to strengthen it.
It is better to serve as an example to he
country at large by advocating unity, rath-
er than to revert to division in Jewish
ranks.
The motto of the Federation and its con-
stituent agencies in the impending cam-
paigns should be:
Unity in the community!
Jewish Arbor Day.
A non-Jewish friend of the Jewish peo-
ple and of the Zionist cause called the edi-
tor this week to suggest a metaphorical
change in the famous saying of Napoleon,
"Scratch a Russian and you find a Tartar."
Said this Gentile friend: "I have been read-
ing with interest anti delight the news of
excavations in Palestine which serve as
proof of the truth of Biblical and Jewish
history. It convinces me, to invoke the
famous observation of Napoleon on Russia,
that if you scratch the soil of Palestine you
find Israel, and that it is impossible to dis-
associate Jews from the Holy Land."
This observation is so appropriate to the
observance of Chamisho Osor b'Shevat, the
Jewish Arbor Day, which occurs on Mon-
day, Feb. 2, that we quote it with pleasure.
It is evidence of anpreciation in non-Jewish
quarters of the achievements in the Jewish
homeland where, in observance of Arbor
Day, young and old ••ll be singing praises
to mother soil and will plant trees as a sym-
bol of the inauguration of the spring season
in the Land of Israel.
In direct contrast to the cold and gloomy
season in this country and in other lands
where the bulk of the Jewish population is
now to be found, Palestine Jewry is enjoy-
ing the glories of the most beautiful in
nature, in one of the most charming little
countries in the world. Chamisho Osor
b'Shevat symbolizes a return of the Jewish
people to its natural agricultural calling.
It is very appropriate that this return
should take place on the soil which our
Gentile friend has so beautifully associated
with Israel.
1- )rit0rr, /num (ARON lat
Jews in Politics.
In a recent article, which appeared in our
columns, the noted historian and economist,
Charles Edward Russell, made a plea to
American Jews to enter the political arena.
"We need in public affairs in this country
the strong asset of the Jewish ethics and we
need at all times the spirit of democracy
that breathes through the Jewish sacred
writings and is apparent in the Jewish his-
tory and traditions," wrote Mr. Russell.
A sad commentary on this appeal and
tribute is the following editorial from the
New York Times of January 7, under the
heading "Neither Race Nor Religion:"
The only questions admissible concerning an
applicant for office are, according to Thomas
Jefferson: "Is he honest? Is he capable?"
But there are those in this city who would
change all that. In connection with the elec-
tion of the borough president of Manhattan to
succeed Mr. Julius Miller, strong appeals have
been made to the mayor and to Mr. Curry of
Tammany Hall to name a Jew. The petition-
ers flatly state that retention of ''a Jewish ap-
pointee in the office of borough president" is
something which the Jews of this city have a
right to insist upon; and they add that "failure
to appoint a Jew would be an implied dispar-
agement and unpleasant reflection either upon
the integrity or the ability of the Jew to hold
important public office." But the real dispar-
agement is cast by the very tone of this state-
ment. It implies that a Jew might not be
selected were he not able to press the claim
of his race or religion. There could hardly be
a more "unpleasant reflection" than that.
We do not forget that such a demand may
have been fostered or encouraged by the course
of the appointing power in this city for many
years past. Tammany is made up of many
heterogeneous elements, and has been anxious
to ingratiate itself with each one of them. As
a consequence, the offices have often been
divided according to national origins. When
the mayor has had, for example, to choose a
city magistrate, his stipulation has virtually
been that the endorsers must bring him the
name of a German-American, or an Irishman,
or an Italian, or a Jew, as the case may be.
This plan is supposed to convey a special com-
pliment to a specified group of voters in this
city. The method is one intended to cater to
the "Italian vote," the "Jewish vote," and so
on. Strictly speaking, it is an affront to such
a vote. It suggests that the groups singled
out for favoritism cannot produce a man whose
qualifications would be no outstanding and
superior that he could be chosen for office
without any favoritism at all.
It is much to be hoped that the man elected
by the Manhattan aldermen to succeed Bor-
ough President Miller will come somewhere
near measuring up to his abilities and record
for public service. But the search for such a
man should not be limited by any cramping
requirement of locality or of religion or race.
From the ranks of our people have come
so many distinguished and loyal public ser-
vants that it is a matter for sincere regret
that Jews should have committed the error
that is rightly criticized by the Times. On
more than one occasion, in these columns,
we expressed our views on the question of
participation in political affairs by Jews,
and we urged that the guiding principle for
Jewish candidates for office be ability to
serve. We urged our people that their ap-
peal for votes or for appointment to office
should not be on the ground of their relig-
ious affiliation, but on the strength of their
ability and desire to serve their fellow-
Americans.
With a few unimportant exceptions, Jews
have earned great distinctions in American
public life. To enumerate all who have
served this country faithfully since the
founding of this Republic is impossible in
this limited space. Suffice it for us to name
the present great Jewish servants of the
American people,—Mr. Justice Louis D.
Brandeis, Lieutenant-Governor Herbert II.
Lehman of New York, Governor Eugene
Meier of Oregon, Governor Arthur Selig-
man of New Mexico, Chief Justice Henry
M. Butzel of the Michigan State Supreme
Court, and many others too numerous to
mention, who stand out as symbols of the
Jew's deserved place in the political life of
the land. But it is just because we expect
only the best and sincerest type of service
from Jews that we must be careful in choos-
ing our representatives, and must encour-
age only the ablest in Jewry to seek office.
Mr. Russell is right. Jews owe it to this
country to participate in its political life.
But the New York Times is also justified in
its plea that honesty and ability should
guide the choice of candidates for office,
and that religious and racial issues ought
to be eliminated from campaigns. Jews
will best serve their fellow citizens when
they avoid such issues and when they
choose to seek public office only when they
are recognized as deserving of anti have the
ability for public positions.
The fact that Samuel Levy was finally
elected president of the Borough of Man-
hattan tines not alter the principle involved.
It is simply fortunate that the office should
have gone to a devoted Jew, Mr. Levy be-
ing president of the Yeshiva College of the
Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, a
good Zionist, a public spirited citizen and
an able executive. The delight that a man
of his ability was chosen is a relief from the
anxiety that the choice of an undeserving
anti less able man might drag the Jewish
name into trouble. To avoid such anxiety,
the application of the Jeffersonian princi-
ple is always advisable.
In this connection we are pleased to com-
mend the governor of this state, the lion.
Wilber M. Brucker, for the wisdom with
which he has chosen his Jewish appointees.
Charles Rubiner, Mrs. Joseph II. Ehrlich.
Herman A. August and Fred M. Butzel are
names that appear among his recent ap-
pointments, and they are names of leaders
of whom the Jewish and non-Jewish com-
munities may feel justly proud.
"
A O 9.09
BY-THE-WAY
Tidbits and News of Jew-
ish Personalities.
By DAVID SCHWARTZ
INTERMARRIAGE
If one may believe a report that
comes to my ears, the recent wed-
ding of Minerva Aaronson, the
New Ilaven Jewish girl, to the son
of John Raskob, did not take place
without some strenuous objecting.
And strangely, enough of the
objections, I hear, canny from the
poor Jewish family. Their objec-
tions were, of course, based on the
religious differences. The Aaron.
sons, I understand, are Orthodox
Jews, and felt that the union of
Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism
boded no good.
In at least two conspicuous in-
stances the objections to such
unions are more pronounced on
the Catholic side. The case of
Irving Berlin is a notable instance
of this. The Mackays, all renorts
to the contrary notwithstanding,
have never forgiven Ellin for wed-
wing the song writer.
A similar unyielding attitude
was taken by the parents of the
Catholic wife of the late lloudini.
It was not until 12 years after
their marriage that the parents of
Houdini's wife Permitted hint the
hosPitalit• of they home. Hou-
dini's mother, on the other hand,
eltough the wife of a rnbhi, cheer-
fully welcomed her Catholic daugh-
ter-in-law.
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Charles Joseph
I
CLIPPED the following from the Rev. Dr. Sam-
uel Parkes Cadman's syndicated column appear-
ing in many newspapers throughout the country.
It is interesting insofar as it shows the attempt of
a leading Christian divine, one who has interested
himself in an effort to create a better understanding
between Jew and Gentile, to answer a problem
which has baffled the "best minds" in Jewry:
Q.
garded with such dislike because I am a Jew?
A. • There may be several reasons for your
unfortunate experience. Begin with yourself.
What is your attitude toward others? If it
kindly, just and considerate, or harsh, unfair,
and overbearing? Be harder on what you are
and what you do than you are on the people
you meet. There is always the possibility that
a decided change in you will produce a cor-
responding change in them. Try it out to tile
full.
I regret to say that racial and religious in-
tolerance plays too large a part in our social
separations. Mn
e began in tribal relations by
believing that their particular faith was the
only way of escape from a fearful doom and
the only passport to future blessedness. Or-
thodox Judaism and Orthodox Christianity
alike clung to that idea, and it made them
stern and implacable toward other races and
other religions.
Again, custom and habit are exceedingly
slow to change. The things which have always
been done have a strong claim on our allegi-
ance. They may be and often are stupid and
harmful, yet they persist, and the enlightened
souls who show as more excellent methods of
life usually encounter irrational antagonism.
So you and I and all our fellow citizens have to
face this huge and burdensome load of ignor-
Ullee, nut: understanding and dislike inherited
from the lower stages of human society.
Let as join forces as Jews and Gentiles to
repudiate it. Hate of any race or religion
hurts those who foster it far more gravely than
it hurts its objects. Aware of this, we have
to unite against the senseless and costly preju-
dice which robs all involved in it of the best
there is in men and conditions. Nothing less
should satisfy us, whatever may be our breeds
or beliefs. In their blending, not in their
stratification, America can make a great con-
tribution to the advance of God's one family
on earth and in Heaven.
DON'T TALK—TELEGRAPH
Talking about Houdini, semi-ids
me of a story that is told of the
great wizard. As is well known,
the domestic life of the Houdinis
was unusually happy—one long,
protracted romance.
But on one occasion, the two
were at some party, and Mrs. Hou-
dini became unduly loquaciour.
Houdini smilingly winked to his
wife to keep still. But a woman is
a woman, Finally Houdini ex-
cused himself from the home, re-
turning some 10 minutes later. In
another 10 minutes a telegram ar-
rived addressed to Mrs. Houdini.
She opened it and read: "You are
talking too darn much." Signed:
your loving
Harry.
MAKING PILPULISTIC
POPULAR
It appears that my request of
Editor Slomovitz to define the
word "pilpulistic" was anticipated
by the Detroit journalist, who had
already been attracted by the idea
and had written an editorial on the
subject.
Slomivitz agrees that the future
of the word seems very roseate. I
trust we shall not be mistaken in
our predictions. It is a great
word and let no one mistakenly
believe that words are unimpor-
tant. A new word means a new
idea. And a word such as "pilpu•
little," if it becomes an active
phrase of the vernacular, might in
time produce a miniature revolu-
tion in our mental world. And
what word is so characteristically
Jewish as "pilpulistic"? How
better, then, can we promote the
Jewish influence in America than
by fostering the use of that term?
I should like to organize a "Societe
for the Promotion of the Word
Pilpulistic," and I nominate Ds its
first president Assistant District
Attorney Stone of Boston.
A PLEASANT LITTLE RACKET
The news iust announced that
visas to America would not in the
future be granted to Polish citi-
zens marrying Americans will put
an end, in my opinion, unfortu-
nately, to what had become in a
mild form a racket. Undoubtedly
many Polish Jews married Ameri-
cans merely for the opportunity it
provided of leaving Poland for
America. A considerable number
of American Jewish girls made
capital of the opportunity, it has
been charged, of getting a hus-
band in that fashion.
I don't know how much truth
there is in the charge, for the fact
is that the girl in America stands
a far better matrimonial chance
here than in Poland or any other
part of Europe. America is the
only land where there is actually
an excess of men over women.
GO WEST, YOUNG WOMAN
I know that my statemen• will
be challenged when I say there are
more men in America than wit-
men, but if you in feel in the
challenging mood, just consult the
World Almanac, In the East and
Possibly in the larger cities of the
West, you will find there is a ,light
excess of women over men. But
this is more than offset by the
sparser populated sections of the
West, where there is a prepon-
derance of the male of the species.
The woman who doesn't like her
matrimonial chances should take
Horace Greeley's advice and "go
West," according to statistics.
Actually, whether it would be
good strategy to take the western
trip, I do not know, for whil e the
Proportion is in her favor in the
West, the possibilities of meeting
people may very likely be greater
in the heavier populated zone,.
FUR AND PHILOSOPHY
Alfred Lief, the versatile young
scribe who recently gathered to-
gether in two thick volumes the
dissenting opinions of .hr--tire
Holmes and Justice Brandeis, is
now at work on another collection.
He proposes to collect the Zionist
utterances of Einstein, and the
great savant has given Lief access
to his papers for that purpose.
While Lief thus busies himself
in these intelligentzia opuses. for
his bread and butter, he holds
down a prosaic editorial job--that
of editor of a trade journal—"Fur
Age."
HECHT ON ZIONISM
While, thus, we are soon to have
an Einstein volume pleadints for
Zionism, several other Jewish wri-
ters b.—at joined
o
o t forces
the
oc
r: t, t o f the
extent o
attacking the philosophy
and prat.
tire of Zionism. Among others. I
refer to Ben Hecht, who in his
a14- 1 4,14,1P5V(Tq'ff
"e4d-ssei-hsidssesen,
(Turn to Next Paget
Will you please tell me why I ant re-
I
IIAD the opportunity of meeting Margaret San-
ger, the doughty champion of the birth control
movement in this country. The day following,
through a striking coincidence, I received a letter
from a reader in Baltimore who enclosed a clipping
of a sermon delivered on that subject by Rabbi
Calisch, in Richmond, Va. At the risk of seeming
immodest I quote a part of the letter because such
appreciation gives one courage to carry on in a
thankless and widely criticized task: "American
Jewry is richer by having such fearless, forceful
writers, such as yourself, voice their sentiments
and express their honest, intelligent views on sub-
jects of Jewish interest. Unfortunately too few
of our people appreciate the educational and con-
structive value of your syndicated column, and
are ready and willing to lend themselves to con-
demning criticism when your views are not in sym-
pathy with theirs. However, you have earned the
felicitations and good wishes of all, and I sincerely
hope you will continue to serve your people with
good cheer and worthy counsel for many years to
come."
Thank you! Brickbats are much more plentiful
than bouquets, which is perhaps one reason why
the latter are so much appreciated.
I never knew, or at least had forgotten,
F RANKLY
that the Central Conference of American Rabbis
had in the year 1925 placed itself on record as
recognizing the importance of parenthood as a way
of meeting social problems. Therefore Dr. Calisch
asserted that he believed he seas quoting the atti-
tude of official Judaism in stating that the faith
did not permit companionate marriage, but did.
under certain conditions, not only permit birth
control but recommended it. He believed that
many would live to see birth control legalized. All
this was interesting to me because I had presided
at a meeting at which Mrs. Sanger spoke and the
meeting was held under Juwish auspices. Even
those who are slaves of certain traditions and in-
hibitions must realize that controlling parenthood
is an intelligent approach to meeting not merely
our economic problems, but in developing a higher
quality-population. Malthus figured. out that the
day was coming when the earth would be over-
populated and the struggle for existence would be-
come too acute. Anti Mrs. Sanger quoted another
outstanding authority who in a recent book stated
that he believed that within 50 years standing room
only would be the rule in this country. I do not
believe that. At the same time thoughtful persons
must appreciate the tragedies of the handicapped
brought into existence through cruel thoughtless-
ness.
IN LITERATURE sent out by the B'nai B'rith
statement is credited to Prof. Edward Chauncey
Baldwin, professor of English literature at the Uni-
versity of Illinois which is both interesting and
true. Professor Baldwin said:
Formerly, no university teacher with any
consideration for his students' feelings would
h-•e sehiccted them to the embarrassment of
being identified among their classmates as
Jews. This somewh it furtive attitude, so
characteristic of the Jewish student formerly,
has given place to a self-respecting manner
which is neither arrogant nor cringing. For
this change there is no other explanation pos-
sible than to ascribe to the work of the Hillel
Foundation.
Now that's high praise indeed. And take this
statement from the same authority. Formerly out
of 300 Jewish students only 100 were registered ass
Jews. This year out of 600 students 575 have
registered as Jewish. So it looks as if the Jewish
youth in a strange environment needs something or
somebody to strengthen his backbone, increase his
moral courage and his self-respect. If the Hillel
Foundation has done this it deserves credit. much
credit.
I
WAS talking to Maurice Hindus the other day.
He just returned from Russia, where he spent
five months. Hindus, as most of you know, wrote
the best book that's appeared in this country on
Russia, "Humanity Uprooted." He told me that
the Soviet government is winning the fight to rid
Russia of all religion. They are not doing it s•1
much by prohibition or force as by education and
suggestion. In the Russian movies the villains are
always clergymen, a business man or a bootlegger.
Everywhere children are taught atheism; Jewish
children no exception. So it seems that if the
present system continues that in the next genera-
tion or two Russia will actually be a Godless land.
An interesting observation Hindus made was that
Palestine was a helpful outlet for the Jews of East-
ern Europe who, especially in Poland, are in an
unenviable economic position. While the general
opinion seems to be that a Jewish problem should
be worked out in the country in which Jews live.
some of us think that Poland doesn't care whether
the Jews ever work out their problem in Poland, or,
for that matter, whether Jews stay in Poland.
.44.54
• ,
ttl.
Fighting Anti-Semitism With
Education
Address Delivered at Convention of Union of Ameri-
can Hebrew Congregations in Philadel-
phia on January 21.
By MILTON M. ALEXANDER
The explanation of the creative
work of the Union of American
Hebrew Congregations is well
phrased in the foreword of a re-
cent publication of the Union:
"The love of learning," it says,
"has always been a characteristic
of the Jews. While other people
worshipped the aristocracy of
birth, the Jew venerated an aris-
tocracy that has its basis in schol-
nt ship and in learning." This is
the theme song of Jewish educa-
tion.
The task to which the Union and
its department of synagogue and
school extension stand committed
is the task of furthering the Jew-
ish cause by giving to our people
a better understanding of all
things Jewish.
Deeds, Programs.
"Everybody's business is no-
body's business" is an old story
that has been just as true in the
realm of Jewish education as in
any other field. For many years
we Jews were prone to complain
that nothing adequate was being
done to perpetuate the faith.
Methods of teaching were quaint
and inadequate. We complained
that our children were ignorant of
Jewish history, of Hebrew, of
Scriptures, of Jewish life and liv-
ing, of Jewish ceremonials and lit-
erature, and while we complained
Jewish interest continued on its
decline.
And then came the department
of synagogue and school extension.
It took to itself this prime Jewish
task of education. It organized
its forces. It enlisted understand-
ing leadership, where trained spe-
cialists were not available, it se-
cured promising men and provided
for their training. Together with
the Central Conference of Ameri-
can rabbis, it called into being the
commission on Jewish education
and the tract commission. It es-
tablished schools. It published
books. It developed programs. It
undertook to provide a Jewish
education for the children; in-
formed leadership for the parents,
and sustained and authoritative
propaganda among our non-Jew-
ish neighbors.
Publish Text-Books.
Through the commission on edu-
cation the department of syna-
gogue and school extension has is-
sued 91 publications, text-books
for children, guides for teachers,
inspirational volumes for young
and old. Its magazine, Young
Israel, a monthly publication for
Jewish children, develops in them,
at an early age, an interest in
Jewish reading. The little ones
love it and as they scurry through
its pages absorb a new and delight.
ful understanding of things Jew-
ish.
The department has developed
a curriculum, which places Jewish
education on a new and more ef-
fective basis. Its books are created
for children of all ages, and are
based upon scientific knowledge of
child phychology, and are so pre-
sented as to be attractive to the
child's eye.
The department undertakes to
train teachers, so that they may
effectively teach the children. It
organizes teachers' associations
and conducts seminars. It main-
tains fellowship for students and
undertakes extensive research for
the improvement of its methods.
25,000 Receive Tract..
What do Jews believe? What
of the Jew as an American? What
of Jew and non-Jew? What of
Jewish ethics? What of the Law
of Israel? What of the Jew in
philanthropy? What of Judaism
in democracy? What of Judaism
and international peace? These
and kindred subjects, discussed by
profound and responsible rabbis,
proclaim to truth about Judaism
to the rest of the world.
Twenty-five thousand molders
of public opinion receive the il-
luminating tracts as they are pub-
lished by the department every
three months. Preachers, teach-
ers, editors, lecturers, legislators,
bankers, business men-25,000 re.
sponsible, responsive, key men of
the country—are on the list.
143 :
t•lj'
.s
Sees Anti-Sem'tism on Decline.
On every hand in America to-
day we note an improvement in
the existing relationships between
Jew and Christian. Part of the
credit must of course be given to
the organized efforts for the
achievement of good will and hu-
man understanding. Part of it
must go to the superb example in
citizenship of such American Jews
as the late Nathan Straus, Louis
Marshall, and other fine Jewish
leaders who are still spared to us.
But a substantial share of the
responsibility for the improved re-
lationship between Christian and
Jew must go to the work that has
been quietly carried on by your
organization.
By organizing Jewish education,
by giving our children a sense of
pride in their Jewish origin, by
cultivating an intelligent Jewish
self-respect among them, we have
gone a long way in winning the
respect of our neighbors.
This educational work, aug-
mented by honest and informative
effort among non-Jewish groups,
has shown steady and gratifying
results. We Jews, who are the
first to resent evidence of
should be equally quick to ac-
knowledge any improvement in
human relationships. I think it is
safe to say that anti-Jewish feeling
in America is definitely on the de-
cline; that American Jews have
made real progress in winning and
holding the good will of people of
other faiths.
The public relations work of
the union is carried on on a plane
of dignity, sincerity, and under-
standing. We believe that through
self-respect we can best gain the
respect of our neighbors.
4 ti 1-
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144
stn
Tribute to Israel.
In this connection may I remind
you of an incident that occurred
when the late Edwin Samuel Mon-
tagu, son of the late Lord Swayth-
ling, was sworn in to his cabinet
post in a late British government.
This distinguished English Jew,
the brother of the gracious lady
who is our guest at this meeting,
insisted upon taking his oath of
office in accordance with Jewish
rites, with covered head. his hand
resting upon a Hebrew Bible.
"When the ceremony was con-
cluded," said the London press
dispatch, "the House of Commons
rose to its feet and cheered." I
believe, my friends, that these
cheers were given, not as a for-
mality, but as a tribute to the
self-resnectin, character and sin-
cere ideals of a member of a re-
ligious minority.
In carrying tin its work the de-
partment of synagogue and school
extension deserves the unqualified
and whole-hearted support of
every JIM',
In the measure that it succeeds
will be future of Judaism in
America stand secure.
A BOOK CHAT
Commenting on Fannie Hurst's "Back Street," Anton
Reiser's "Albert Einstein," Cecil Roth's "History of
Jews in Venice," and Other Publications.
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
On the bookshelf of late 1930
anti early 1931 publications appear
a number of titles, some of which
will retain a position of perma-
nency in Jewish libraries. Fannie
Ilurst's "Back Street" and Lud-
wig Lewisohn's "The Last Days of
Shylock" must be placed first in
the list of new January, 1931, nov-
els. Each is a classic in its own
group, the first retaining the popu-
lar appeal which has made Miss
Hurst famous; the second being a
valuable addition to that group of
Lewisohn novels which mark the
noted critic's championing of the
Jewish ideal.
Anton Reiser's "Albert Ein-
stein" is certainly among the very
best biographies of 1930. In the
historical group Cecil Roth's "His-
tory of the Jews in Venice" is the
leader. In the latter division,
Rabbi Lee J. Levinger's "History
of the Jews in the United States"
and Dr. Jacob S. Golub's "Israe
in Canaan" are worth-while titles
Louis J. Gribetz's "The Case for
the Jews" is an excellent defense
of the Zionist cause.
Dr. Isaac
Goldberg's "Tin Pan Alley" is
classic which may never be re-
moved from the music shelf. Dr.
Shalom Speigel's "Hebrew Re-
born" is an excellent portrayal of
the renaissance of the Hebrew lan-
guage While in the kingdom of
art Manuel Chapman's "William S.
Schwartz—A Study" must be
given a position of first rank.
Miss Hur•t's "Bask Street."
Space permits comment in this
column on only a few of the books
just mentioned. Lewisohn's "The
Last Days of Shylock," published
by Harper's, will have to wait for
a column all its own. So will Shan-
man's study of Schwartz, Gold-
03i
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IN THE PUBLIC EYE
Dr. Johann Vaszonyi, son of the one-time Aiktrian minister of
justice, the late Dr. Wilhelm Vaszony, who died in 1926 from the effects
of an attack made on him by anti-Semites in the streets of Budapest
and who was one of the outstanding champions of the Jewish cause in
Hungary, has just entered public life by being elected for the first time
as a member of the Budapest city council.
"
•
•
A talkbt, based on the Dreyfus affair, is now being produced by
the British International Studios. The film is heir ,
• directed by Milton
Rosmer and P. W. Kraemer, Alexander Sarner. him n Jew, is play-
ing the part of Dreyfus. One of the principal seen ,
s in the film is the
reading of the famous "J'Accuse" letter by Zola, in which he names
the different people who caused Dreyfus to be wrongfully convicted of
espionage.
•
•
•
Pierre Paraf. famous author and son-in-law of the late Max Nor-
data, noted Zionist leader, was appointed attache in the French min-
istry of the interior,
•
•
•
Albert L. Ehrman has been elected president of the San Francisco
Stock Exchange. Ile is the third Jew to occupy this position, the
others being Sidney L. Schwartz and Bertram Alanson.
• R.9•4 29.0.AA A
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