America Amish Perio&cal Cotter
November 22, 1940
CLIFTON /MINIM - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO
p urely Commentary •
In 1918: When Chamberlain Supported
the Zionist Cause
The death of former Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain revives interest in the man who ha;
been branded "the great appeaser" and who has
been blamed for Jewish woes in Europe, in Pal-
estine--everywhere, in fact.
Much was expected from this man. His father
was a great friend of the Zionist cause, and it
was expected that he, too, would support Jewish
aspirations for a redeemed Jewish National Home.
But during his administration we had a new dark
period for Zionism. Under him, former Colonial
Secretary Malcolm MacDonald released an un-
friendly White Paper. New restrictions were pro-
mulgated. Then came the war, and with it were
shattered all the schemes of men who were con-
sidered friends of a Jewish Palestine and who
betrayed that friendship the moment they ac-
quired power in the British government.
It has been an unfortunate policy on the part
of British officials to pledge us wholehearted co-
operation when out of power and to go back
on their words when in power. Chamberlain was
not an exception to this rule. In 1938 his admin-
istration handed down evil decrees. But on Oct.
13, 1918, at a Zionist demonstration at the Alex-
andria Theater in Birmingham, he made this im-
portant statement:
The sympathy of the British Government
with Zionist aspirations does not date from
yesterday. You have already been reminded in
Mr. L. J. Greenberg's letter that in the year
1903 my late father, who was then Colonial
Secretary, was deeply interested in the Zionist
Movement and in the efforts which were
being made to obtain National Territory
for the Jewish people. My father was anx-
ious to find such a territory within the limits
of the British Constitution. He endeavored
to find it in East Africa. I have reason to
know that his practical sympathy and his
full recognition of Zionist aims won the
gratitude of the Zionists themselves, and if
his proposals did not actually materialize,
that was due to the fact that Zionists felt
that they wanted something more than se-
curity and a pleasant country to live in;
they felt that, remote as at that time must
have seemed the prospect of freeing Palestine
from Turkish misrule, yet that Palestine,
with all its associations and traditions, was
the land which could satisfy their dearest
hopes and aspirations.
Today the opportunity has come. I have
no hesitation in saying that were my father
alive today he would be among the first to
welcome it and to give it his hearty support.
In the declaration of Mr. Balfour were
laid down two conditions attaching to the
government's recognition of Jewish aspira-
tions. The first was that nothing should be
done which would in any way prejudice the
civil or religious rights of non-Jews in Pales-
tine, and the second was that nothing should
be done which would injure the rights or
political status of Jews living in other coun-
tries.
I know that Zionists accept those two con-
ditions willingly and even gladly. If they go
to Palestine, they will go determined to enter
into the most cordial relations possible with
the Arabs, who have in front of them, I be-
lieve, a great future and will revive a great
civilization and who will probably exert a
powerful influence throughout the Near East.
As for Jews in other countries, for it is cer-
tain that all Jews will not desire to become
Palestinian colonists, there are many who a re
happy and contented where they are, who
desire to retain their position in the coun-
tries in which they were born and in which
they have earned the respect of their fellow-
citizens. It may be that among some of them
there may be fears lest the establishment of
a new Jewish State should provoke some
suspicion of their loyalty to their own coun-
try and the new State which is to be set
up by their own people—lest, in fact, it
should be said to them in words which have
become so familiar to us: "If you know
a better 'ole, go to it."
I think the answer to these suggestions
depend s very largely upon the future po-
litical actions of Palestine. If the new Jewish
State which is to be established there is to
be merely another isolated, separate, small
nation, then I think it is conceivable it must
be the prey of political intrigues, as have
other small nations in the past. But if, as
I rather hope, while preserving its own na-
tionhood intact, this new State should be
associated with some great and progressive
people, such as those of the American Com-
monwealth or of the British Empire, then in
such a case it seems to me that those fears
which I have mentioned would be groundless,
and that the existence of this new Jewish
State would only add to the dignity and in-
fluen ce of Jews in other countries.
S
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Legal Chronicle
"On Seventh Avenue"
Now at Littman's
Rosenberg Heads
By Philip Slomovitz Community Council
Yiddish Section
istrative affairs and in the loyalty of our women
to Palestine, and was conquered.
Veterans at Hadassah conventions who were
witnesses to what had happened at the Cincinnati
convention tell us that they consider the Ben
Gurion incident the most thrilling at that parley.
Apparently the labor leader underestimated the
political shrewdness and knowledge of Zionism
by our women. He told a matter of fact story
in his address and was challenged. The result was
an adjournment of the session, its reconvening,
a change in attitude on the part of Ben Curios
who then began to speak as he would to a World
Zionist Congress, and a final aftermath after
hours of arguing in which all was forgiven in a
love scene that caused Mr. Ben Gurion to kiss
one of the charming ladies in a display of admir-
ation.
All of which is interpreted as placing another
feather in the smart hat of Hadassah, and as
having taught a lesson to one of the ablest
leaders in world Zionism.
•
Aaron Rosenberg was elected
chairman of the Yiddish culture
section of the Jewish Commu-
nity Council by unanimous vote
at the conference held last Sun-
day morning in the Workmen's
Circle Educational Center. Other
officers elected are: Vice-chair-
men, Joseph Bernstein and Alex
Belkin; treasurer, Dr. Jack Koe-
nig; secretary, Israel Drachler.
Members of the executive com-
mittee are: Karl M. Mindell,
Israel M. Hertz, Joseph Heide-
man, Abraham M. Jaffin, Louis
Raphael, Leo Spunt, Samuel
Lieberman, David Teitelbaum,
Mrs. Limis Warren and Jack
k
Pecherer.
Mr. Bernstein reviewed the
work of the Yiddish Culture Sec-
tion during the past year when
representatives of the lecture bu-
America's Leading "Community Firm" reau made more than 125 ap-
Have you noticed the latest issue of the 1940- pearances.
In addition to the lecture bu-
41 "United We Stand" tolerance and democracy
stamps issued by the Council Against Intolerance reau, the Council, in cooperation
in America? It is the work of one of the most with several other groups inter-
deserving groups in America that are fighting ested in Yiddish culture, under-
took celebrations honoring three
for the cause of democracy on this continent.
James Waterman Wise, illustrious son on the outstanding Yiddish writers.
Mr. Drachler reviewed the
eminent Dr. Stephen S. Wise, is the research con-
sultant of this Council, and he has been respon- steps leading to the creation of
sible for a number of splendid pro-democracy the Jewish People's Library
projects, including a manual for teachers, a toler- which is now located at Dexter
and Cortland and has several
ance map and other creations.
This introduction calls for a few words re- hundred regular readers.
Among the work authorized
garding America's leading "community firm"—
the Wise Family. Dr. Wise's contributions to by the conference, to be under-
America and to Jewry are too well known to taken during the coming year, is
require repetition; and we have said a few the continuation of the lecturo
things in this column about Mrs. Wise (Louise and concert bureau on a wider
Waterman Wise), who is not only an inspiring basis, continued support of the
leader in her own rights but who is an able Jewish People's Library, and the
painter and a brilliant translator of fine literary creation of a special committee
works from the French. But there are two other on the theater charged with re-
sponsibility for bringing to De-
Wises who must not be forgotten.
There is "Jimmy." We mentioned his present troit outstanding theatrical com-
major job. He is co-author with Dr. Lee J. panies with a Yiddish repertoire.
Levinger of "Mr. Smith, Meet Mr. Cohen." He is
the father of the idea incorporated in the map
"Americii; a Nation of One People From Many
Countries," which received ➢itir;g:'s Franklin D.
Roosevelt's commendation. He is an able editor,
author of numerous articles and several fine
Pierre van Paassen, author of
"Days of Our Years" and famous
books.
And then there is the daughter—Justine Wise foreign correspondent, will speak
Polier. She is Judge of both the Children's Court on "Men and Events" in the
and Domestic Relations Court of New York. Her main auditorium of Temple Beth
social-legal-economic interests have made her a El, on Wednesday evening, Dec.
great asset to her city and state and she has 4. He will appear under the
the esteem and respect of the Bar of New York. auspices of the Men's Club of
IIere is a family of four Wises to take pride in. Temple Beth El.
They have rendered great service to America
and to Jewry. What a magnificent quartet!
Van Paassen Speaks
In Detroit Dec. 4
•
An Example of Good Journalism
We had occasion recently to criticize as ama-
teurish the judgment of the new editorial staff
of the New Palestine, organ of the Zionist Or-
ganization of America, for its unwise selection
of material for this weekly as well as for its
make-up.
What is good journalism, you will ask?
This week we were presented with the proper
answer to this question with the arrival of Vol.
7, No. 1, of the Congress Bulletin, the revised
organ of the American Jewish Congress.
Styling itself "A Weekly Review of Jewish
Interests," this periodical is just that. It is ex-
cellent in appearance, rich in content, ably edited.
The splendid editorials are supplemented by
articles by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Louis Lipsky,
Maurice Samuel, Ludwig Lewisohn. The readers
of Congress Bulletin will find that men of affairs,
who are well versed in Jewish problems, speak to
them with authority and with an appreciation of
the positive values in Jewish life. For instance,
Maurice Samuel's review of his own book, "The
Great Hatred," will help to explain a perplexing
problem and will clarify an issue that has been
bothersome for some time.
We commend the American Jewish Congress
on its "new" Congress Bulletin. It is a splendid
journalistic product.
•
A Detroiter Makes Her Mark in Music
The ovation given Emma Lazaroff Schaver at
the concert in the Masonic Temple on Nov. 14
was a thrilling demonstration for audience and
artist alike. Emma is one of us. She made her
initial appearance here in an east side synagogue
as a little girl, and later attracted notice that
placed her in great demand as a vocalist before
Detroit organizations. Her subsequent triumphs
are well known. She sang in opera, appeared on
the concert platforms in several countries and
has become the favorite of a large group through-
out this country.
Her concert here, after an absence of several
Last week we were given assurances by Sir
Norman Angell, Nobel Peace Prize winner and a years from the Detroit platform, showed marked
consistent friend of Zionism, that the present improvement in her voice. She is more than
administration is quite unlike the preceding ones master of her talent than she has ever been be-
and that we may look forward to greater co- fore. She possesses excellent control and she has
operation between the Jews and Great Britain commendable stage presence. She was wise in
in behalf of a Jewish Palestine. It is to he hoped selecting an able pianist—Paul Mayer—as her
that the previous inconsistencies of being for a accompanist, and she showed good judgment in
thing out of office and against it in office will the arrangement of her program.
Emma's husband—Morris Schaver—is an insti-
be abandoned, and that the British government
will set out to facilitate the establishment of a tution in himself in Detroit. For more than 10
Jewish National Home in Palestine in all sin- years he has been chairman of Gewerkshaften
cerity. Let the age of appeasement be considered campaigns. He has been active in Zionist proj-
a closed chapter in history—whether it happened ects and in Jewish cultural movements. His in-
terest in Zionism took him and Emma to Palestine
in Munich or in Jerusalem.
twice. Emma's concert triumph is due in great
•
Ben Gurion and the Ladies of Hadassah measure to the encouragement she always re-
from her husband.
David Ben Gurion, leonine leader of the Pales- ceived
It may well be said about Mrs. Schaver that
tine Labor Party (Histadruth), came to the con- a Detroiter has made an enviable mark in music
vention of Hadassah, the women's Zionist organ- and has honored her people with her attainments.
ization, learned a few details in Zionist admin-
"On Seventh Avenue," the
dramatized stage play based on
the novel that appeared in serial
form in the Forward, is the pres-
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Yiddish People's Theater, 12th
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day evening, Sunday matinee and
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