THE JEWISH NEWS

Page Two

Heard in
The Lobbies

By ARNOLD LEVIN

(Copyright, 1944 Independent Jewish
Press Service, Inc.)

CAPITOL NOTE

Vice-President Wallace has e',1 :d
great interest in the founder of Hassi-
duth. Israel Baal Shem Toy. In a letter
to Cantor Louis Novick of Washington,
D. C., the Vice-President writes of "the
very great usefulness in times like
these of the Baal Shem doctrine, not
only to Jewish people but to people ev-
erywhere. Baal Shem undoubtedly was
one of the great prophets of 'the com-
mon man. His simple preaching of hope
and joy under the most difficult of con-
ditions must never be forgotten."
* * *

PALESTINE LINE

Chava Bovshitz, Hebrew playwright,

is an observant Orthodox woman. The

premieres of plays take place on Satur-
day nights, with the curtain rising at 8
p. M. When the Habimah presented a
play of hers, Miss Bovshitz had figured
that she would be late by 10 minutes,
if she were to leave her home after
HAVDALAH. No one is admitted after
the curtain rises. The Habimah manager,
out of deference for the playwright, post-
poned the opening by 10 minutes. Miss
Bovshitz made it and didn't miss her
first act.
The Palestine coast guard has a spe-
cial unit of religious Jews. The unit con-
sists of Yeshiva students, Yeshiva in-
structors, and leaders of Mizrachi, Or-
thodox Zionist organization. It has also
some enlisted women, as Orthodox as
the menfolk. The library includes a Tal-
mud set and other religious works. The
only portrait on the wall of the mess
hall is that of Chief Rabbi Herzog of
Palestine.
The following item has some relation
to Palestine. A young man in an RAF
uniform, with the word Palestine on his
sleeve, just below the shoulder, has been
greeted enthusiastically on the streets
of New York City. People have stopped
him and asked about Palestine. He
smiles and obligingly tells of Jewish
Palestine's war effort. At times he is ac-
companied by a charming young girl.
She is his bride, a "graduate" of one
of the farms in this country training
pioneers for Palestine. He is Aaron Re-
mez, son of the Palestine • labor leader
David Remez.

* * *
HEADLINE . WITH A BLUSH

A constant reader of the New York
Post calls our attention to a headline
whose writer must still be blushing. A
story about Justice Murphy's having
joined a Catholic Committee for Human
Rights, whose aim is to fight anti-Semit-
ism, was headlined: "Justice Murphy
Heads Anti-Semitic Group." It happens
to us, too, sometimes.
* * *
Bridge Expert Ely Culbertson, author
of an acclaimed plan for postwar reor-
ganization, who does not omit Jewish
Palestine from his scheme, as others
seem to do only too frequently, is ex-
pending hard cash to give his plan pop-

ularity.

Scholem Asch's

Messiah Complex'

Discussing Sholem Asch's newest work,
"The Apostle," his recent interview in
the Christian Herald and his disavowal
of some of the statements contained in
the interview, Dr. Robert Gordis, writing
in the Reconstructionist, says:
it is obvious that Mr. Asch has
traveled a long road. Whatever the cause,
he seems to have developed a MeSsianic
complex, a feeling that he can disregard
two thousand years of recorded history
and deeply rooted forces, powerfully
alive today. It seems to be his impression
that, through his books, he can create a
new type, the 'Gentile-Jew' or the 'Jew-
Gentile,' as he calls it in 'The Apostle.'
We are not disposed to argue the idea.
Christians as well as Jews will reject
the new hybrid as the unreal creation
of a febrile imagination. At most, 'Asch
can only succeed in creating a few more
Christians from ignorant and indifferent
Jews—all for the love of Israel.
"In the 'Ballad of Reading Gaol,' Oscar
Wilda sardonically says:
`For each man kills the thing he loves,
The brave man does it with a sword,
The coward with a kiss.'
"Perhaps, after all, it is not strange
that in this day of spiritual chaos a
Jewish writer of distinction should con-
tribute so markedly to the weakening of
Jewish solidarity and the distortion of
Jewish values,—all for the love of

C4

.

Israel."

.

Quotation of the Week

"Jews fight in the armies of the United Nations. They fight in the
guerilla bands of occupied and conquered countries. They fight under
the flags of their adopted countries and under no flags at all. Despite
this, the myth persists that Jews are not a belligerent people, but rather
a race of merchants and moneylenders.

"Palestinian Jews have given the word 'work' new meaning and
new dignity. The methods they have employed in creating a new
civilization on the unfertile earth of Palestine have opened the way to
what is probably the only sound, scientific and economically feasible
solution for the agricultural rehabilitation of most of Europe. What
they have accomplished in the deserts of the Holy Land raises them
to a level with the Russians in vitality. Many are of Russian origin,
and many are of German, Romanian, Lithuanian, Polish, Italian or
American derivation. Physically, and in the mode of their living, the
Palestinian Jews are more like Americans than like Russians. And
that goes all the way down to appreciation of ice-cream sodas and
cellophane packaging. In their love of freedom of action and speech
and their devotion to political democracy, the Palestinian Jews even
more closely resemble Americans.

the Jews have contributed tangible weapons which peace-
makers can employ in rebuilding Europe and in giving its peoples a
new purpose in life. Jews have shown in Palestine that the forces
of nationalism can be turned inwardly to benefit nations rather than
outwardly in wars. Jews fight, too."
—Frank Gervasi, Cairo Correspondent, in Collier's Weekly

Purely
Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

THE COMING SECOND FRONT

The recent raid on Ramat Hakovesh
in search for Jewish "deserters" from the
Polish army gave rise to a delightful
story, according to which Marshal Stalin
. is said to have told Prime Minister
Churchill that the Soviet Union does not
recognize "invasion" of the Jewish col-
ony as a substitute for the long-awaited
second front.
It would not hurt if the military au-
thorities in Washington were to . imbibe
this bit of humor as commentary on their
objections to the Congressional Resolu-
tions on Palestine.

* * *

RICHARDS' INFORMATION BUREAU

Between
You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

Copyright. 1944, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

COMMUNITY NOTES

The first conference of editors and
publishers of Anglo-Jewish weeklies in
America, which is taking place this
week-end in Indianapolis, is an interest-
ing development in American Jewish life
. . Much criticism is leveled against the
Anglo-Jewish press, but not all of it is
justified . . . The fact remains that the
Anglo-Jewish home-town weekly news-
papers are beginning to play a more im-
portant role in. Jewish community life
. . . And it is not true that they are as
unimportant as some quarters are inter-
ested in presenting them . . . The best
repudiation of this allegation are publi-
cations like the Boston Jewish Advocate,
the Pittsburgh Jewish Outlook, the De-
troit Jewish News, the Indianapolis
Jewish Post, the Wisconsin Jewish
Chronicle . . . What is true is that New
York, where more than a third of the
entire Jewish population of America re-
sides, has no worthwhile Jewish weekly
in English . .. This despite the fact that
New York is the center of Jewish life in
the United States . . . But those who be-
lieve that a New York publication can
take the place, or fulfill the functions of
any of the Anglo-Jewish newspapers
published in the provincial cities are mis-
taken . .. These newspapers are becom-
ing more and more of a necessity for the
various local Jewish drives and a part of
local Jewish communal life.

Friday, Apr$ 28, 1944

Strictly
Confidential

By PHINEAS J. BIRON

(Copyright, 1944, by Seven Arts
Feature Syndicate)

OVER HERE

We hope you didn't miss Frank Ger-
vasi's recent article, in Collier's, on the
Jews as fighter's in this war . .. Which
reminds us to tell you that a corres-
pondent reports that at the Shriners'
convention at Kansas City . last month
there was a big parade, with decorated
cars and all—and one of the cars fea-
tured a banner proclaiming: "Onward,
Christian soldiers! Jews make uniforms"
. . . Boston's Police Commissioner Thom-
as F. Sullivan, who last week admitted
that the present anti-Semitic campaign
in Boston is "an organized attack," is
trying to withdraw his statement . . .
What pressure is changing his mind for
him, we wonder?

* * *

PALESTINE NOTES

Washington political salons are these
days entertaining Col. Vincent Sheean,
author of "Personal History," etc., now
here on leave from Italy . . Sheean,
who a few years ago spoke of the Grand
Mufti of Jerusalem as a fine and wise
humanitarian, still is very pro-Arab . . .
He does his best, we hear, to convert
pro-Zionist Senators and Congressmen
to the anti-Zionist viewpoint . . . The
Mufti himself, you'll be glad to hear, has
been forced by Allied bombers to move
from Berlin to Saxony . . . And he has
just issued an appeal to the Moslem
world to hold prayer meetings for seven
days to ask for the success of Adolf Hit-
ler's forces . . . Es Werd garnit helfen.
Must reading on the Palestine ques-
tion is Emanuel Neumann's "Zionism
and the Arab World," which is the text
of Neumann's testimony before the For-
eign Affairs CoMmittee of the House of
Representatives.

* * *

FOR LIBERTY

There's a new Liberty Ship named
the Harry L. Glucksman, after the late
executive director of the Jewish Wel-
fare Board, who died six years ago . .
The vessel, built at Savannah, Ga., was
launched the other day with Mrs.
Glucksman doing the honors . . . An-
other Liberty Ship, to go down the ways
later in the spring, will be named after
the late Michael Edelstein, the Con-
gressman who died of a heart attack
after • delivering a fiery defense of the
Jews in reply to a defamatory oration
by Representative Rankin.
Sgt. Barney Ross, who has just re-
ceived his medical discharge from the
Marines, is planning to raise funds for
a parish church for Father Frederick
Gehring, the heroic chaplain of the
Guadalcanal campaign . . . If and when
Barney's life story in filmed, by the way,
the role of the prize-ring and Marine
fighter will probably go to John Gar-
field.

Unheralded anct4unsung, the able Jew-
ish scholar, Bernard G. Richards, super-
vises an interesting Jewish Information
Bureau, with offices at 103 Park Ave.
in New York.
There has just come to our attention
a brief report regarding inquiries this
Bureau has received during the past
three months from all English-speaking
countries. It is a revealing tribute to this
Bureau. All imaginable subjects are cov-
ered in these inquiries; Political, social,
religious and economic issues are covered
in the inquiries that were addressed to
Mr. Richards..
An able writer, one of the organizers
and first secretary of the American Jew-
ish Congress, Mr. Richards, although he
keeps in the background of official Jew-
* *
*
ish activities, remains one of the most
* * *
picturesque personalities in American WASHINGTON NOTE
ABOUT
PEOPLE
Jewry.
What did British Foreign Secretary
* * *
Ironic twist: The lady
the
Anthony Eden mean when he recently
WEIZMANN RETAINS THE "CHAIM" asked U. S. Ambassador Winant whether Anisfield literary prize won by Maurice
Samuel for his "World of Sholem
The temporary setbacks suffered by the United States would not like to take
Aleichem" is, we understand, a support-
Zionism frequently revives opposition, over the Palestine Mandate? . . . The
er of the Council for Judaism, which is
stemming from Revisionist ranks, to the question was posed to Ambassador Win-
anything but Zionistic or pro-Yiddishist
ant
in
Eden's
office
in
the
presence
of
a
leadership of the great leader of the
. . . Samuel was so flabbergasted when
third
person.'
world Zionist movement and the presi-
he received, from the Saturday Review
* *
*
dent of the Jewish Agency for Palestine
of Literature, the letter informing him
THE HOME FRONT
—Dr. Chaim Weizmann.
Of the award and enclosing a check for
A very interesting story is recalled
Did you notice that President Roose- $1,500, that he wrote to the editor of
about Dr. Weizmann. Shortly before the velt made his statement asking people
the Review: "Thanks for your letter and
war, he was asked why he did not plan and countries in Europe to help in the
your check—but I still don't believe it."
another trip to Palestine. Dr. Weizmann rescue of Jews from Hungary and the
Eddie Cantor is going to be on the re-
offered an explanation.
Balkan countries a day after the Ameri- ceiving end of some entertainment for
"You see," he said, "when I leave for can Jewish Committee addressed an ap-
. a change early next month, when he'll
Palestine there is usually an item in the peal to him on this subject? • . . Don't be given a dinner at which 'he'll be hon-
press reading: 'Professor Chaim Weiz- be surprised to learn soon that the
ored for having raised about $100,000,000
man left for Palestine' . . .
President has received a delegation of for charity in 35 years as an entertainer.
"On the ship I overheard Jewish pas- American Jewish Committee leaders to
sengers talking among themselves: 'Here discuss the question of post-war restora-
is Dr. Weizmann' . . . I am no longer tion of Jewish rights in liberated Europe,
`Professor Weizmann,' but `Dr. Weiz- as well as the Palestine question . . .
mann.'
The delegation would have been received
"When I land in Palestine there is at the White House last week, had the
usually a Zionist delegation greeting me. doctors not advised the President to re-
An innocent pamphlet of nearly 100
`Hello, Weizmann!'
cuperate from his recent illness . .. The pages was published in Warsaw under
"Now I am no longer 'professor' and first issue of the "Committee Reporter," the title, "How to Grow Parsley." The
not even 'doctor'.
a new periodic 8-page publication of the cover bore a drawing of parsley, and the
"As I go from the pier into a taxi, American Jewish Committee, made its year of publication was indicated as 1927.
the taxi driver slaps me intimately on appearance as a result of the decision of
This pamphlet enjoyed tremendous
the back with a greeting: 'Shalom the Committee to keep Jews informed success. Everyone wanted to know how
Chaim!' There is no more 'professor,' or concerning the Committee's programs, to grow parsley. Inside the pamphlet
`doctor,' of even 'Weizmann,' but just policies and activities . . . A new depart- there were the latest speeches of Roose-
`Chaim.' Can you blame me for not be- ment of community activities is now be- velt, Churchill, Sikorski, the Bishop of
ing such a frequent visitor to Palestine ing set up to broaden the Committee's Westminster and others, and also all the
as some would like me to be?"
membership base.
important recent speeches on the subject
Jews have reason to rejoice that Dr.
This is a new phase in the history of of Poland.
Weizmann retains his "Chaim"—in the the American. Jewish Committee and
The fighters of the Polish Underground
literal as well as figurative sense.
means a pronounced change in its struc- resort to even the most fantastic ideas in
When the great leader observes his ture . . . Members of the Committee in their constant efforts to achieve greater
70th birthday next November, we are communities will constitute local chap- safety and efficiency in the distribution
confident that free men everywhere— ters which will elect representatives to of underground publications. That was
Christians and Jews—will join in paying the General Committee on the basis of one of these tricks which now may be
tribute to him as one of the most bril- the Jewish population in their communi- revealed, for it dates back to 1942 and
liant men of our time.
ties.
is no longer used.

Parsley as Weapon
Against the Nazis

