Page Six
THE JEWISH NEWS
iPurely
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- = COMMENTARY ===
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By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
( Copyright 1942, Independent
Jewish Press Service)
The Nasty Rumors
From anti-Semitic quarters em-
anate disgusting stories about de-
ferments granted Jews who are
eligible for service in the U. S.
armed forces. They are stories
that are heard in New York and
San Francisco, Chicago and De-
troit. They are the nastiest ru-
mors—and are the most difficult
to fight.
Look at the record and take a
glance at the Jewish social scene.
There are lists, miles in length,
of names • of Jews on all fronts in
the present war. We hear from
them from "somewhere in the
southwest Pacific," from Palest-
Me, from England and Ireland,
from Iceland, ad infinitum.
Our Jewish centers have been
depleted of men. Does that mean
anything to the anti-Semites?
It means nothing to those who
wish to believe rumors—and
there are always ready ears for
any story that will malign the
Jews.
* * *
Officials Are Absolved
One thing is certain: the men
in responsible positions are not
to blame for these rumors. They
know better. They know that
when a man is up for induction
he is not asked his religion. It is
only when the - Jewish Welfare
Board hands a new inductee a kit
containing a Bible and prayer-
book that his religion is estab-
lished.
That's the genius of America—
no matter who was chosen for
office on Nov. 3, or from what
party. In Europe anti-Semitic
nonsense emanates, from public
officials; in this country, bigotry
comes from the crack-pots.
* * *
A Story In Proof
There are so many stories of
Jewish heroism that it is difficult
to list them all.
For instance, here is the latest
story about a Detroiter. Franklin
"Bob" Linx was not of age when
he enlisted in the Navy. He had
to get his parents' permission,
and he received it in spite of the
fact that his brother, Edmund,
Jr., only a year his senior, was
already in the Navy. Franklin
"Bob" Linx was on the Destroy-
er O'Brien when it was sunk
along with the _Wasp. He was
picked up, with a broken arm,
from a life raft, and was heard
from only a few days ago, after
several weeks of anxiety on the
part of his despairing parents.
This boy is one of many, many
Jews who, are cheerfully risking
—yes, giving—their living in the
battle against the world's scourge
of Nazi-Fascism. And yet the
anti-Semites, who are themselves
products of • the • Hitlerite spirit,
persist in spreading nasty rumors
about our people.
But the truth will out, and will
become known in the course of
time. Then the triumph of justice
will be truly worldwide.
* * *
The Jack Singer Story
There are many other stories
that could be related in this con-
nection. For instance, there is
Jack Singer, the International
News Service war correspondent
who died on the Wasp. Editor and
Publisher this week devoted a
long feature article to his ex-
ploits. He, too, was a hero of this
war, although he was not in the
armed forces, but served in the
ranks of the correspondents.
Blessed be the names of those
who are dying for the cause of
decency and justice. Their su-
preme sacrifices will count in the
end.
Robert Cummings plans to go
into active duty as commander
of a Civil Air Patrol Squadron
after completion of his current
picture. He's a flyer . . . has
been an instructor in the C.A.P.
• for some-time. - -
Pisgah to Observe
85th Anniversary
Friday, November 20, 1942
Senaior-elect Ferguson Joins
Sponsors of • Palestine Home
Sunday Afternoon and Eve-
ning Ceremonies to be
Accepts Membership in American' Committee; Pledges Aid
Held at Hotel Statler
to Assure Freedom for All; Denies
Race Prejudice
This Sunday, Pisgah Lodge No.
34 of Bnai Brith, will celebrate
its 85th anni-
versary with an
impressive all-
day program at
Hotel Statler.
The festivities
will commence
at 2 P. M. with
the registration
of candidates.
The public is in-
vited to attend
the initiation of Rabbi Folkman
the 85th anniversary class at 2:30
P. M. Initiatory exercises exem-
plifying the teaching of Bnai
Brith will be recited by Pisgah
Lodge Degree Team with the as-
sistance of the Halevy Singing
Society, under the direction of
William Gayman.
The degree team consists of
Elias Goldberg, Mr. Leib, Aaron
Rosenberg, Joseph L. Straub,
Clement J. Weitznian.
Rabbi Folkman to Speak
Following the initiatory cere-
monies, Rabbi Jerome D. Folk-
man, president of District Grand
Lodge No. 6 will deliver the
principal address of the after-
noon. Other features of the after-
noon program will be a response
by one of the newly initiated
members, Ben Rose; presentation
of awards to those who secured
the largest number of new mem-
bers during the anniversary drive
conduncted by Isadore Starr,
chairman of the membership
committee, ana. greetings by Ru-
dolph Meyersohn, president of
the lodge.
The evening program will
commence at 6:30 with an invo-
cation by Dr. M. Franklin. Aaron
Droock, past president of Pisgah
Lodge and of District Grand
Lodge No. 6, will be the toast-
master of the banquet. Felicita-
tions will be extended by Ben
F. Goldman, chairman of the
85th . anniversary committee, and
Mr. Meyerson.
Banquet Speaker
Robert D. Lurie of Washing-
ton, D. C., national director of
Bnai Brith war service activities,
will be the principal speaker at
the banquet. Rabbi Folkman and
other Bnai Brith dignitaries will
also speak. Rabbi Jehudah M.
Cohen, director of the University
of Michigan Bnai 13rith Hillel
Foundation, will deliver the ben-
ediction.
The dinner and speakers pro-
gram will be interspersed with
musical and vocal renditions,
featuring Sally- Johnson and
Tommy Evans of the Civic Opera
Company, and violin solos by
Dave Diamond. At the conclu-
sion of the banquet there will be
dancing.
Among those who will extend
greetings to the gathering at the
anniversary banquet will be
Samuel W. Leib, president of the
Michigan Bnai Brith Council;
Louis H. Schostak, secretary-
treasurer of Michigan Bnai Brith
Hillel Foundation„Inc.
The Pious of Other Faiths
Judaism affirms that the pious
of other creeds are worthy to
take rank among the righteous
Jews and to receive their due
reward for their good deeds.
"The pious of all nations will
share in the Hereafter," is a well-
known Rabbinic dictium.
Don't figure t h e r e's time
enough later—Buy War Bonds
and Stamps NOW.
The cause of the redemption of the Jewish National
Home in Palestine has gained an important adherent in
Michigan by the acceptance of Judge Homer Ferguson,
U. S. Senator-elect of Michigan, of membership in the
American Palestine Committee and its Michigan branch.
Composed of Christian friends of a Jewish Palestine,
this committee has, rendered yeo- 0
man service to the Zionist cause. ported me in the November 3rd
In Michigan, the committee is
headed by Federal Judge Frank election. And the help I received
Picard and includes outstanding from men like William Fried-
leaders throughout the state.
man, Irving H. Small, Ben Bur-
Pledges Minorities Aid
dick, Joseph Kamil, Julius Plis-
Senator-elect Ferguson's ac- kow and man others, who have
ceptance of membership in the given of their time and money
American Palestine Committee Ian this campaign, was Very grat-
came simultaneously with a ifying.
statement he issued, pledging his
"It gives me a sense of satis-
untiring efforts to strive for the faction to know that false rumors
guarantee of freedom to. all of prejudice are not entertained
Americans, regardless of race or generally but are merely spora-
creed, and to fight for the rights
of minorities. His statement ex- .
presses regret over misunder-
standings that had arisen over
remarks he made in his debate
with Senator Prentiss M. Brown
prior to the Nov. 3 election.
Text of Letter
Judge Ferguson's statement to
Church Says He Quit
Jewish Army Cause
As 'Family Quarrel'
NEW YORK (JPS)—Because
his J-wish friends told him that
he was intruding in a "Jewish
family quarrel" by espousing the
cause of a Jewish Army, Dr.
Samuel Harden Church, presi-
dent of Carnegie Institute, re-
signed this week as honorary
chairman of the Committee for
a Jewish Army. Dr. Church's
action followed by several days
the anti-army speech delivered
by Arthur Hays Sulzberger, pub-
lisher of the New York Times,
who issued what was tantamount
to an ultimatum to enlightened
and liberal Gentiles to shun all
sympathetic affiliation with the
project of the establishment of a
Jewish military force.
a
dic and must vanish as quickly
as they are dispelled by truth.
"Very truly yours,
"HOMER FERGUSON."
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JUDGE HOMER FERGUSON
the editor of The Jewish News
reads:
"It has come to my notice that
there has been a misunderstand-
ing concerning certaih remarks
that I made during my debate
with Senator Brown over the
radio. I consider it unfortunate
that these remarks have been
interpreted as carrying with
them even a grain of prejudice,
as nothing could be further from
the truth.
"That I should have been
charged with even the slightest
motive of prejudice against the
Jewish people is particularly de-
plorable. I protest against it em-
phatically and resent the impli-
cations.
"True democratic ideals have
distinguished the American peo-
ple from the harassed peoples of
Europe and make it possible for
men in public life to make their
position clear whenever speeches
delivered during a political cam-
paign are misconstrued. Thanks
to the genius of America and the
freedom of our press that we are
are able to" establish friendly re-
lations and avoid prejudiced
judgments!
"Because I believe in the rights
of men, I also believe in the
rights of religious groups, as well
as national and racial elements
in our population.
"Under the circumstances, I
want my sentiments known. I
shall fight against the injection of
racial and religious prejudice in
this country; and I shall fight
any charge made against me per-
sonally of ever having entertain-
ed such prejudices.
"Naturally I am grateful to my
many Jewish friends who sup-
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