Page Four
THE JEWISH NEWS
As the Editor
Views the News
SPEAKING OF FOREIGNERS
The Taut' of Bilbo
Senator Theodore G. Bilbo's filibuster
against the FEPC re-created scenes remin-
iscent of very dark ages.
His charges against Jews and Negroes, his
misrepresentations and fulminations, caused
Senator Robert A. Taft to declare that the
blocking of the appropriations bill by a hand-
ful of men is "outrageous."
It is good to know that indignation is ris-
ing everywhere and that all elements in our
population are outraged by the Mississippi
Senator's actions.
The Washington correspondent of the
Christian Science Monitor, Richard L. Strout,
made an important comment on the disgust-
ing spectacle in the U. S. Senate when Sena-
tor Bilbo was preaching the doctorine of
"white suremacy."
Referring to the Mississippian's attack on
Eugene Meyer, publisher of the Washington
Post, and his slurs on Jews and Negroes, Mr.
Strout wrote:
"It was against this background of grad-
ually mounting resentment over charges that
seemed better based on the floor of a Nazi
German assembly than the Senate of the
United States that Republican members
finally burst bounds."
This is interesting and. encouraging. It is
interesting that a bigot is not permitted to
get away with anything; and it is encourag-
ing that correspondents do not hesitate to
compare bigotry with Nazism.
As long as Americans feel that way and
act courageously, the "bilbul"—the libel—
of Bilbo can not prosper.
THE JEWISH NEWS
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1`, 1AURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOV1TZ
FRED M. BUTZEL
- ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
rnruir
SLOMOVITZ, Editor
A. It. BRASCH. Advertising Counsel
VOL. 7—NO. 17
JULY 13, 1945
The Week's Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the fourth day of Ab, 5705, the
following Scriptural selections will be read in
our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 1:1-3:22.
Prophetical portion—Is. 1:1-21.
On Thursday, the Fast of Ab (Tisha b'Ab),
the followinc, selections will be read:
b portions—Morning, Deut. 4:25-
Pentateuchal
40; afternoon, Ex. 32:11-14; 34:1-10.
Prophetical portions—Morning, jet. 8:13-
9:23; afternoon, Is. 55:6-56;8.
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers'
Questions About Jews
The Oswego Refugees
Two great American newspapers, the New
York Herald Tribune and the Washington
Post, have joined in pleading the case in be-
half of the 969 "token" refugees who remain
at Fort Ontario, Oswego, N. Y.
The New York newspaper speaks of such
a move as "just and humanitarian," and the
Washington Post declares: "It is hard to re-
patriate people who have no country—peo-
ple, who are rootless and homeless and dis-
possessed and unwanted anywhere on earth.
The situation becomes all the more difficult
when one thinks of these people not as an
abstract thousand refugees but as a thou-
sand individual souls . . . entreating a nation
of 135 million to take them in, to grant them
a chance to live among us and to share our
heritage."
Will the cry of these unfortunate people
be heard? Will they be given a chance to
remain here and to build a better future for
themselves while they contribute to the up-
building of America.
The case of the Oswego refugees is a real
challenge to the sense of justice of the Am-
erican people.
Friday, July 13, 1945.
1. What does Tisha b'Ab commemorate? 2.
How is the day traditionally spent? 3. Who is
the prophet associated with Tisha b'Ab? 4.
What flower is associated with Tisha b'Ab?
—A. U. B.
I. Tisha b'Ab commemorates the destruction
of the First Temple in 586 BCE, and the Second
Temple in 70 C.E. 2. The day is traditionally
spent in fasting and synagogue prayers. 3. Jere-
miah, whose Lamentations are read. 4. The
thistle, which boys used to throw at passers-by
in European communities on Tisha b'Ab.
Talmudic. Tales
By DAVID MORANTZ
(Based upon the ancient legends and philosophy found in
the Talmud and-folklore of the Jewish people dating back
as far as 3,000 years).
THE LION AND THE CRANE
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FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT/ DESCENDANT Or
CLAAS VAN ROOSEVELT WHO MIGRATED RC71,1 HOLLAND IN
Courtesy Appreciate Amerrca, Inc.
Anti-Semitism in France
Even free France is not liberated from the shackles of
anti-Semitism.
Recently, we reported the tragic conditions which pre-
vail in little Czechoslovakia, to which we had been in the
habit of referring as being among the great liberal countries
in the world.
Now, we are given a view of the new France where anti-
Semitis. m flourishes.
Harold Callender, one of the ablest correspondents of
the New York Times, writing from Paris, describes the ex-
istence of bigotry among the French and states that "even
some French prisoners returning from Germany had been
touched by such propaganda while in prison camps."
Of greater importance in evaluating this condition is Mr.
Callender's report that—
"Since the liberation of France , there has been what
some called a new trend toward anti-Semitism, notably on
the part of those who had acquired apartments or businesses
belonging to Jews and who desired to retain them."
This is a perfect evaluation of Nazi-inspired ideas which
have caught hold in countries like France and Czechoslov-
akia. Mr. Callender - reports that the anti-Semitic spirit is
traceable to the Petainist movement and that the followers
of Marshal Henri-Philippe Petain are spreading the doctor-
ines of anti-Semitism.
Regardless of the new motivations, we know the origin
of the movement, and we share the fear that reactionaries
will fan the flames of hatred, especially during forthcoming '
political campaigns.
The United • Nations, acting coll.ectively, can solve the
problem and can cause the elimination of anti-Semitism.
Firm assertion that property belonging to Jews will be re-
stored to them and that those insisting upon retaining it will
be considered criminals would help. A determined stand
against the spread of bigotry can go a long way toward
wiping out the ideologies of the Nazis.
At the moment
withar political groups fighting
, tPying
for control and for political advantages, it is doubtful wheth-
er this battle against Nazism will be carried to a 'successful
end. If conditions like those reported in France and Czecho-
Slovakia, not to speak of the situations in Poland, Romania
and elsewhere, are permitted to prevail, then it may well be
said that we defeated the German armies, but not Nazism.
The World Charter and Its Enemies
Our nation's leaders are united in the feeling that the
World Charter, as adopted at San Francisco , should be ac-
cepted and that the United States should strive to be the
first great power to approve it.
Senator' Arthur H. Vandenberg of Michigan, who was
one of the outstanding leaders at the San Francisco Confer-
ence, has made a strong plea for the Charter and is hailing it
as the hope of humanity.
But the crack-pots are nevertheless still at work to
destroy the effort that is being made to restore sanity in the
world.
Overseas News Agency this week reported that a million
telegrams will be fired at members of Congress in condemna-
tion of the World Security Charter by pro-fascist and so-
called "nationalist" factions in this country. The fact that the
opposition is being led by such groups as the Gerald L. K.
Smith America First Party, the "Citizens U. S. A. Com-
mittee," ex-Senator Robert R. Reynolds' American National-
ists Committee and similar groups points the way to a new
battle between the reasonable elements and those which have
been known to fight against liberalism.
But there is also a supporting movement for the cause
of the World Security Charter. ONA reports that 27 pro-
democratic groups are conducting a drive in behalf of the
World Charter, and in view of the genuine effort to assure
peace and security for the world there is ground for believ-
Mg that the lunatic fringe's campaign will fail.
Rabbi Joshua tells this story:
A lion once, while devouring his prey, got a
sharp bone lodged in this throat which caused
him much pain.
Being unable to remove it, he offered a large
reward to any animal that could relieve him of
this agony but no animal was willing to under-
take it.
Finally g crane came forward and offered to
see what he could do, which offer the lion grate-
fully accepted and promised him a rich reward
if he succeeded.
Inserting his long bill into. the lion's throat,
he got a firm hold upon the troublesome bone.
and, before long, had it out.
Upon demanding the rich reward that had
been promised, the lion roared:
"Get thee away from me! Is. it not enough
that I permitted thee to put thy head into .my
mouth without devouring it?"
Says the Talmud further on the subject:
"Ingratitude is worse than theft."
(Copyright 1945 by David Morantz)
For a handsome 195 page, autographed gift volume con-
taining 128 of these tales and 500 Pearls of Wisdom, send
$1.50 to David Morantz, care of The Jewish News, or
phone PLaza 1048.
Children's Corner
Dear Boys and Girls:
Next Wednesday evening will usher 'in Tisha
b'Ab—the fast day on which we commemorate
the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
It is one of the saddest days on the Jewish
calendar, since it marks the beginning of Jewish
statelessness and the dispersion of our people
throughout the world.
•
Many interesting legends are told about the
destruction and Tisha b'Ab. Among them are
the following:
As long as the Jews were able to bring their
daily offerings to God, the Temple was not taken.
The enemy was able to enter the city only after
the services in the Temple ceased owing to the
lack of sacrifices. When the enemy approached
the Temple, the gate shut of itself and refused
to open. It did not help the enemy one bit that.
he brought 360 camels laden with iron axes and
tried to force the gate open, but when one of
the enemy brought a swine, slew it, and
sprinkled its blood upon the Temple, thereby
defiling it, the gate opened and the enemy
rushed in.
Our ancestors behaved like heroes in the terri-
ble . battle that conquered Jerusalem. The High
Priest put on his robes and addressed the people.
"My children," he said, "the Temple is aflame—
you have no need of priests," and, so saying, he
thre w himself into the flames, followed by the
other priests, who sang psalms until they died.
When the soldiers took the Jewish prisoners to
Jerusalem, at one place by a river they halted
and commanded the Levites to sing the, songs
that .praised God Almighty. The Levites refused,
saying, "We do not sing to those who mock our
God," and, hanging their harps on the willow
trees that hung by the riverside, they continued,:
"Our songs are for Jerusalem and cannot be
ung in exile." The commanding officer wanted
s to kill the bold prisoners, but one man said to
Nebuchadnezzar, "When a flock of sheep is
placed in charge of a shepherd and a wolf steals
'a lamb, who is responsible to the owner?" "The
shepherd, of course," answered the King. Then
said the Levite, "Thou art the shepherd into whose
hands God has delivered his flock Israel. Remem-
ber, thou art responsible." ""
True, said the King,
and the men were not put to death but contin-
ued their sorrowful journey into the land of
.
exile.
In our own time, new heroism is being shown
by the people who are again building Palestine
as the Jewish Homeland for the many thousands
of homeless Jews.
I hope all of_ you will take time to read the
story of ancient Judea and will compare it with
the experiences of our own time.
UNCLE DANIEL.
GREAT HEROES OF TISHA b'AB
The names of great Jews figure in the story of
Tisha b'Ab.
Jochanan ben Zakkai founded the great school
at Jabneh in order to carry on Jewish learning
and thus assure that the Jewish spirit should not
die with the destruction of the Temple.
Rabbi Akiba died a martyr's death; He and his
pupils fought for the liberation of the Jewish
people under Bar Kochba.
Rabbi Judah ben Baba was another great hero
who surrounded himself with loyal pupils who
fled to the hills to carry on Jewish traditions.
He, too, died a martyr's death.
A pupil of Rabbi Akiba, Rabbi Meir, managed
to escape and later founded the school which
was known as the Meir Academy.
In all times and climes we had our heroes. We
have them today, as fighters for the cause of
freedom in all the armies of the United Nations
and as builders of a new Jewish future.