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E.W I S-H- -N-EW S
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.Commentary
I
Quotation of the Week
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
TEARLESS L. M.:iBIRKHEAD
L. M. Birkhead is well known to De-
troiters. The former.- Kansas City .Uni-
tarian minister had the distinction of be-
ing attacked at an American Jewish Con 7
gross meeting by Coughlinites, at Central
High School, in December, 1940. It was
the only instance of an organized anti-'
Semitic public attack in Detroit.
Dr. and Mrs. Birkhead chose Detroit
for a week's vacation last week, in cele-
bration of their 30th wedding anniver-
sary. As usual, Dr.. Birkhead combined
pleasure with work against the reaction-
.aries during his Detroit stay, by attend-
ing a meeting in the Maccabees Auditor-
.ium which was addressed by Gerald L.
K. Smith and Rev. Harvey Springer of
Denver.
The fact that the most violent anti-
.Semitic utterances were heard at this
meeting* should help Dr. Birkhead, who
is the head of Friends of Democracy, in
the fight against intolerance in America.
• *
*
*
RAMPANT ANTI-SEMITISM
In normal times, a visit - in our city by
Dr. and Mrs. Birkhead would have been
good copy for the society pages. •
Today, it is a warning to the complac-.
eat not to be blind to the rising- tide of
danger from anti-Semitic quarters.
Dr. Birkhead is upset by the "timidity"
of Jews as well as Christians in the bat-
tle against intolerance.
He is not frightened by the fact that
G. L. K. Smith calls him the chief "tor-
turer" of patriots—Smith being the pa-
triot—but is more deeply concerned over
indifference in the ranks of those who
should fight the rabble-rousers to a fin-
ish.
*
*
*
THE CAREY INCIDENT
"Free men are not 'ersatz' people. They know how to pull
together, respecting one another, proud to look after the fight for
their homes and communities. -
"This is the idea which has impelled the community chests,
which have long demonstrated that men can live together in volun-
tary cooperation, in mutual good will, and mutual security. It is the
idea of. the War Chest, which has been expanded to include our
Allies—the people we mean to live with in peace, as well as die with
in war.
"It is an immediate, concrete, and practical aid to people , here
and abroad, to keep them alive, primarily. It is a tangible proof that
we mean it when we say this war shall not turn out to be idiocy.
We mean to stop this slaughter once and for all, and to do this,
people who feel the same way have to be kept alive to help us make
a peace that will last. It is just as simple and practical as that."
,
—RAYMOND MASSEY, Famous actor who portrayed
the role of Abraham Lincoln.
Between
You and Me
Program of Action
For War Veterans
By SAMUEL J. RHODES
Commander, Department of Michigan
Jewish War Veterans of the U. S.
By BORIS SMOLAR
• (Copyright; 1943, Jewish Telegraphic Agency,
Inc-)
-._, • -.
The war Which we fought 25 years ago
has been resumed. It is the same war
against the same main enemy, Germany
—but this time far stronger, more ruth-
less and determined. Allied with it is an-
other enemy, Japan—crafty, treacherous,
cruel and fanatical; to whom we . can
neither give nor from whom can we ex-
pect quarter. Unless we win this wax, as
Americans we will lose our freedom and
as Jews—our very lives.
WASHINGTON _BACKGROUND
There was quite a scene between Con-
gressman Sol Bloom and Congressman
Einantel' _Geller over the question of
. Jewish meMberS of Congress
should _ keep quiet during - the present
visit to Washington : of the to sons of
King - .Ibn Saud ; ; The dispute took
place when Congressman . Bloom, as
chairman of the Foreign Affairs -Com-
mittee, called in all the Jewish inemlaers
of Congress and indicated to them that
the State Department would be very
Much embarrased if Jews in the United
States issued insulting attacks against
King Ibn Saud. or his two sons during
the latter's stay in this country . . .
The signs are not lacking, that while
Hitler and his Nazi gangsters are losing
the war in its military and political as-
pects, their ideas of racism and doctrines
of racial and religious hatred and perse-
cution have made considerable headway
in the United States.
Congressinan Celler lost his temper and
*
*
*
Best proof of the fact that anti-
announced bluntly that in •a radio ad- JUST ON VACATION
Semites and crack-pots are still rampant
dress which he was to broadcast from
was provided by the 'stupidly anti-
The Coughlins, Pelleys, Winrods,
New York, he would mince. no words in
Semitic - ,and- viciously un-American po-
denouncing Ibn .Saud as. an enemy of KiihnS, Gerald K. Smiths and other Anti-
litical pamphlet distributed here by Ed.,.
the Jews in Palestine When it came Semites are not dead. They are just on a
ward Carey.
to the actual broadcast, Celler changed vacation for the duration. Once this war
Repudiation of Carey's act and Cerp- his mind, however, and limited himself is over, they will come scurrying out of
oration Counsel Paul E. Krause's con-
to the. mild hope that the.. two Arab their rat holes and resume their vicious
demnation of such Fascistic outbursts is a
guests of the U. S. Government return attacks.
most welcOthe sign that the American to their country „with . the feeling that
We .of J. W. V. must be ready when
people will not tolerate - the spread of public Opinion. in. the United States
3ibels. But this should not put us to wishes to - see Jewish development in that time comes. We are pledged accord-
ing to our constitution:
sleep but should rather keep us fully Palestine. expanded.
awake to the menace of anti-Semitism to
"to uphold the fair name of the Jew
the Jews and to America.
Congressman Bloom also addressed
and to fight his battles wherever un-
a select group of Jewish writers in New
justly assailed; to encourage the
The battle against bigotry goes on, and
York, appealing to them to abstain from
doctrine of universal liberty, equal
the vigilant ones—among whoni Dr. 'L.
attacking the two Arab princes in the
rights and full justice to all men; to
M. Birkhead occupies a place of honor—
Jewish press . . . High Government of-
combat the powers of bigotry and
will continue to render great service to
ficials indicated to Zionist leaders that
darkness wherever originating and
-the democratic cause.
they hoped the Zionists would refrain
whatever their target; to instill love
from any possible act which the Arab
of country and flag and foster and
notables might consider an insult. . .
perpetuate true Americanism."
Even the always-aggressive Committee
To be able to play our part in defend-
for a Jewish Army was told by its presi-
By BORIS SMOLAR
ing the rights of our people as Americans
dent, Senator Johnson, to behave . . .
and Jews we must be strong not only in
The Bloch Publishing Co., oldest Jew- The Zionist attitude is that nothing will spirit, idealism and purpose, but also in
ish publication house in the U. S., is now be done that can embarrass the Arab numbers. This means concretely that WE
celebrating its 90th, year of existence .. . visitors, unless the visitors themselves MUST GIVE OUR SERVICE MEMBER-
One can truly say that there is not a Jew make public statements which are anti- SHIP PROGRAM THE FIRST CALL
Zionist.
in the United States Who , hasn't at one
UPON OUR TIME, ATTENTION AND
time or another benefited from the booki
No Zionist leader here, I learn, will EFFORTS.
published by this concern . . Though a - make any attempt to meet the Arab
* * *
private enterprise, the Bloch Publishing princess, unless the State Department PERMANENT HOME
. Company has become a national Jewish itself arranges such a meeting on its own
Closely allied with the matter of ob-
institution as a result of its contribution initiative.
taining new service members is the proj-
to Jewish educational activities in this
By the time this is published, Presi- ect of acquiring for J. W. V. its own per-
country . • Which reminds us that the
dent Roosevelt will already have con- manent home.
Jewish Publishing Society of America, a
ferred with the two Arab dignitaries on
non-profit making institution, has enter-
The Department of Michigan, J. W. V.,
ed the 56th year of its existence . . . Arab-Jewish relations in an effort to in- has voted to raise a fund of $25,000
duce
their
father
to
change
his
anti-
Since its establishment, the Jewish Pub-
among our own members towards ac-
lication Society has published over 250 Zionist stand and act as mediator be- quisition of a home. With this fund in
titles and has distributed close to four tween Jews and Arabs on the Palestine hand we propose to ask the general com-
million books . . Two of its recent questions. This is only one of the rea- munity to double or treble it. We will
books are among the three Jewish titles sons why the sons of Ibn Saud were in- aim to make this a truly Memorial
vited by the President to visit the United
selected this year by the American Li-
Home, dedicated to the memory of the
brary Association as the best Jewish States . . . The other reason is American brave, gallant Jewish boys from Detroit
oil
interests
in
Saudi
Arabia.
books of the year . . . These are Dr. Salo
like Capt. Ruben Iden and others who
Baron's three volumes on "The Jewish
* *
have fallen in battle and to those others
Community" and Leo Schwarz's "Me- THE JEWISH FRONT
who will make the supreme sacrifice -and
moirs of My People."
to the spirit of loyalty and patriotism of
Friends of the American Jewish Con- all men of our faith in service.
* * *
The Chicago Jewish Forum, a quarter- ference are grumbling . . . They keep
on asking why the Conference did not—
ly magazine, has just announced the
like
the Jewish Labor Committee—issue Lipsky gave a general review of the
three winners of its "1942-1943 Writers
a
detailed
statement on the visit which atmosphere under which the Conference
Contest" . . . The first prize of $75 went
its
delegation
paid to Secretary of State was held.
to Prof. M. F. Ashley, Montagu, Phila-
Cordell
Hull
.
. . Especially since it is
Secretary Hull, I learn, displayed
delphia, for an article "Are the Jews a
known
that
the
Secretary was rather special interest in the Palestine resolu-
Race?" . . . The second prize was given
to Martha Manerof, Chicago, - for a short impressed with What he heard from the tion. . . He asked the delegation for a
delegation . . . Well, it can now be told memorandum on the absorptive capacity
story "A Thorny Cactus" . . . The third
prize was won by George F. Rofrlich of that the delegation had four speakers of Palestine . . . Many persons will be
who kept Hull's interest for a full hour interested to learn that other high of-
Sweet Briar, Va., for an article "Zionism
. . . Rabbi Abba Hine' Silver was one ficials of the State Department have also
in Changing World Politics."
of them and he presented the resolution displayed substantial interest in the res-
which the Conference adopted on Pales- olutions which the American Jewish
The Strictly Confidential Column is
tine . . . Rabbi Freehof enlightened the Conference adopted . . . Some of them
omitted from this isue of The Jewish News
Secretary of State on the Post-War reso- inquired as to why only four delegates
due to the illness of Phineas Biron. It will
lution . . . A Bnai Brith representative voted against the Jewish Commonwealth
appear again next week.
spoke on the Rescue resolution and Louis resolution.
-
Solid Education
.4111..
,...•••• ■ •
4,4n• Tr Mar 9.11
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•••• ■
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Friday, Qctober 8, 1943
Heard in
The Lobbies
By DAVID DEUTSCH -
-
. (Copyright, 1943, Independent
Jewish Press Service)
THIS IS DIFFERENT
It wasn't so long ago, as years go, that
the State Department very pointedly
told Wilhelmstrasse that the American
press was free and that no one could
take responsibility for its remarks on
any Subject and certainly not the United
States Government. What happened to
that credo in the case of Emir Feisal, son
of King Ibn Saud of Arabia, with respect
to whom many requests were made that
no critical comment should be publish-
ed? .
Rumor has it that one wit is referring
to the "Interred Committee" of the Am-
erican Jewish Conference instead of
"Interim Committee." Idea being that
somebody is hoping that the whole thing
will die before it acquires too much life.
Whatever anybody might say about
Secretary Hull, you'll have to sympa-
thize with him when you read that one
day he saw a delegation of the Ameri-
can Jewish Conference; the next day a
delegation of the JeWish Labor Commit-
tee; and- the third day a group from the
Agudath Israel. Hull is a very patient
man or a very wise one—probably both.
But as for the Jews: If they are patient
about this, can they be wise?
Recently New York City Councilman
Stanley Isaacs wrote to *me, saying in
part, that excessive timidity prompts
some • people to "frequently urge that
Jews stay out of public office altogeth-
er." One wonders whether these timid
people are not the ones who wish to
"reduce the number of Jews in high
position in the United States." (See Am-
bassador Dodd's diary, New York, 1941,
p. 145.) Two organizations with offices
in New York City, somewhere around.
Fourth Avenue, are said to have been
laboring directly and indirectly toward
the accomplishment of this end.
* * *
BRING ON ELLSBERG
They'll probably be sending for Cap-
tain Edward Ellsberg to get to Naples
quick. He's the man who made ship
salvage a certainty instead of only a
risk. Ellsberg, who's sometimes mistaken
for just a kid-story writer, was the first
American salvage ofifcer in the Medit-
erranean last year. His great job at Mas-
sawa, Eritrea, won him the Legion of
Merit from the Navy. Boy, won't the
Germans be mad to find that their scut-
tling of ships at Naples doesn't in the
slightest bother this Jewish boy, Ells-
berg, who raises those hulks almost as
easily as if they were pancakes.
* * .*
ABOUT PEOPLE
If you're planning to begin sending
appropriate 70th birthday messages and
testimonialS to Rabbi Stephen S. - Wise,
try him at his new apartment at 91 Cen-
tral Park West, New York City.
Jewish audiences ought to be on the
lookout for Larry Adler, the superb har-
monica player. He's been entertaining
the troops in the Middle East and thinks
Tel Aviv is one of the finest testimon-
ials to Jewish genius. But -Larry is fol-
lowing in famous footsteps. Years ago
Jascha Heifetz used to traipse around the
Palestine Jewish colonies, giving violin
recitals for free to the hard-working pio-
neers as they sat in the fields.
Arab-Jewish Unity
By BEN SAMUEL
(Copyright, 1943 J.T.A.,, Inc.)
(Based on Information Supplied by the
National Jewish Welfare Board.)
The only Mohammedan soldier at
Camp Blanding, Fla., has found provision
for his spiritual needs through the of-
fices of Chaplain Charles S. Freedman,
Jewish chaplain at Blanding. The sol-
dier is Pvt. Richard Hamasse. He ap-
pealed to Chaplain Freedman to allow
him to attend Jewish services at the
post. Since the Hebrew and Arabic
languages are basically similar, Fvt.
Hamasse felt that he could get a good
deal out of the services.
Chaplain Freedman gladly granted the
request—and went 'further than that.
He arranged a meeting between the
private and an Orthodox family in Jack-
sonville who readily consented to help
the Mohammedan soldier maintain the
dietary requirements of his creed when-
ever he's in that city on week-end pass.
Mohammedan and Jewish dietary laws
are not dissimilar.
Pvt. Hamasse said he felt sure he
could turn to Jewish people for help be-
cause he has been helped by them be-
fore. For seven years the Hamasse
family lived in Miami, Fla. There, too,
residents of Jewish faith gave them re-
li • us assistance.