t

Page Two

Purely
Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

m&

AN IRISHMAN AND JWV
An Irishman, out of admiration for the
spirit of charity of an eastern post of
Jewish War Veterans, joined the group,
but was forced to resign when his Irish
ancestry was , discovered. His generous
Jewish comrades, however, have per-
mitted him to attend meetings, to ex-
press opinions, but without right to vote.
Having made the AP wires, we wonder
whether the Newark Jewish veterans
think this is so smart. We would con-
sider it a poor publicity stunt if the
Catholic War Veterans were to boast of
having been so generous as to admit to
membership—without the right to vote
—of a Protestant or Jewish fellow-
veteran. If a non-Jew feels at home in a
Jewish veterans' post. or a Jew in a

THE JEWISH NEWS

A Task of Heroic Proportions •

Editorial in New York Herald Tribune
Jewish
Americans, who oversubscribed the $100,000,000 goal of the United ways
of
Appeal last year, will readily realize that the task of restoring to normal
life the despoiled and decimated victims of Nazi frightfulness has 'only begun.
Little resettlement has as yet been possible Opportunity for Jewish refugees in
Palestine is still an unsettled issue of world politics. Hundreds of thousands remain
in European camps for displaced persons. Because of the enormous task ahead,
the United Appeal's goal for 1947 has been increased to $170,000,000, and Henry
Morgenthau Jr., former Secretary of the Treasury, has akcepted the general
chairmanship of a drive "to save from despair and destruction the pitiful remnant
of Jews who remain alive in Europe."
The United Jewish Appeal combines the fund-raising activities of the Joint
Distribution Committee, United Palestine Appeal and the United Service for New
Americans. The first group provides basic and supplementary funds for the re-
habilitation of the destitute thousands still in Europe. The second will provide
for land acquisition, economic and agricultural development, cultural and other
activities to make it possible for Palestine to absorb immigrants as self-sustaining
citizens. The third group will aid refugees who come to this country.
The three chairmen of these groups, Rabbi Wise, Charles J. Rosenblum and
William Rosenwald, announcing Mr. Morgenthau's acceptance of the central chair-
manship, said: "An obligation of heroic proportions has been undertaken . . . we
feel confident that under his leadership once again America will rally generously
and promptly." This is an appeal to all who feel that the restoration of dignity
and opportunity to individual human beings victimized by war is essential if we
are to win the kind of peace for which we fought.

Friday, January 24, 1947

BetWeen
You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1947, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency. ins.)

THE WINTER SEASON
The winter season of conventions and
meetings of Jewish organizations is
now in full swing . . opened with
the impressive annual meeting of JDC
and will be followed this month by
conferences of the American Jewish
Committtee, Council of Jewish Federa-
tions and Welfare Funds, and Jewish
Labor Committee . . . The annual meet-
ing of the American Jewish Committee
marks the 40th anniversary of the exis-
tence of the organization . . . The status
of Palestine will be one of the major top-
ics-of discussion, in addition to the prob-
lem of normalizing life for Jews in
Catholic post, what's wrong with such
Europe and enabling substantial num-
comradeship?
bers of displaced Jews to enter the
Your Commentator steps farther in
United States ... Matters relating to the
this respect. The thought would be hate-
forthcoming Foreign Ministers confer-
ful if the "ci'Mr.1 were to boast of having
ence in Moscow, which will prepare
By PHINEAS J. BIRON
By . ARNOLD LEVIN
a number of Jewish members. instead
the text of -a peace treaty for Germany,
of making comradeship. totally separated
(Copyright. 1947. Independent Jewish
(Copyright, 1947, Seven Arts)
also will be considered . .. The inclusion
Press
Service,
Inc.)
from religious pressures. the natural phe-
in the treaty of provisions for restitution
YOU'RE FIRST, WALTER
n,an•non. It would be equally as dis-
WASHINGTON LINE
Now that Walter Winchell has launched to Jews of property looted by the Nazis
ta,:teful to hear of a Jewish center either
Dr. Silver's appeal to all elements in
rejecting non-Jewish applicants for mem-
Palestine for a truce in the interim per- a campaign against comics using distaste- will be sought.
The American Jewish Conference has
iod of Anglo-Jewish discussions, and Da- ful dialect jokes, a clamor is rising that
bership or boasting of having them.
increased its budgets with a view to in-
There need be no worry of an impend-
vid ben Gurion's reported optimism fol-
he, Winchell, clean up his own column tensifying its activities in connection
ing rush of Jews and Christians for mem- lowing his meeting with the British colo-
bership applications into groups of other
nial secretary. seem to bear out the ru- . .. We agree . . . His offensive Mefoof- with the German peace treaty and the
faiths. But when these things do happen,
mors that Britain is seriously considering sky series are decidedly on the "black problems of securing restitution of Jew-
there is no ground for boasting over
Jewish statenood. The size of the state, list" ... And it was Winchell who penned ish property in former Axis countries.
proposed by Britain. is extremely disap- the most insulting gag of all time when It adopted a budget of $300,000 to finance
natural good will and of converting them
its expenditures in 1947, which is an in-
into publicity stunts.
pointing but constitutes reportedly _ a good
he wrote "business is so bad that even crease of $50,000 over its 1946 budget .. .
• • •
bargaining base. Stranger than fiction:
One top-flight British negotiator is said Gentile's are starting fires" ... Yes, Wal- The annual conference of the Council of
AGGRAVATED SEPARATISM
Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds
to oppose the severance of Jaffa from ter, you'd better set the example.
It is unfortunate that barriers •should
will be devoted primarily to problems of
the Jewish state. Said he: "We want this
• • •
})f• set up 'Unwisely between the varying
American Jewish communal. life .' . .
settled once and for all, and a pro- STRANGE BUT TRUE
elements which make up the American
It will present an overall analysis and
gressive Tel Aviv alongside a retarded
population. The natural barriers of faith,
Came across this interesting item . . . perspective of Jewish community serv-
Jaffa would be a constant reproach and
color and social affiliations are- serious
A nationwide poll revealed that 48 per ices . . . But discussions on problems
enough. without creating the unneces• ! reminder to the Arabs of their own fail-
ures and an irritant in the relations be- cent of the people in this country recog- and programs concerning Jews in Europe
sary and unnatural ones. Out of such un-
nized the picture of Albert Einstein . . . and in Palestine will also occupy a good
tween the Arab-Jewish state."
natural phenomena stems anti-Sernitisrn.
44 per cent identified James F. Byrnes deal of the four-day conclave.
•
•
•
Serious people frequently ask how
... 43 per cent the movie actor Van John-
The convention of the Jewish Labor
ATLANTA LINE
anti-Semitism could be eradicated in the
son . . . And 58 per cent unhesitatingly
world. Keith 'Wheeler. C'hic'ago Times
Hefty Herman, Gene Talmadge's big recognized Elsie, Borden's publicity sa- Committee. which will take place at
Atlantic City simultaneously with the
correspondent in .l•ritsalein. has cabled
boy who has executed a Hitlerlike putsch
cred cow.
gathering of the Council of Jewish'Fed-
an article on _the subject to his news-
in Georgia, addressed a Klan mass meet-
• • • *
erations and Welfare Funds, will deal
paper. Referrimg to the "ugly word," anti-
ing in honor of Grand Dragon Green in DISCRIMINATION FRONT
with problems of immigration, aid to
Semitism, he expresses the view "that
Atlanta several weeks ago. The legisla-
Orchids to the Council on Dental Edu- Jews in Europe, and with' the fight
the root -lir-anti-Semitism lies in the fact
ture's arbitrary conduct in' electing Her-
cation' of the American Dental Associa- against bigotry.
that the Jews are the world's only home-
man is explained by the fact that Geor-
•
•
tion . . . The Council sent out a letter,
•
le s s race. and that if they possessed a
gia will have a $140.000,000 road-building to every dental school in the country,
LETTER TO BILBO
country to which any Jews anywhere fund and Gene had already pledged con-
stating its opposition to the selection of
could return, the evil disease of anti-
' Senator Bilbo, while in the Judah Tou-
tracts and arranged for the road to pass students on the basis of race or religion
Semitism would vanish from the earth
near certain farms and taverns. Now that . . . We doubt whether it will eliminate ro Hospital in New Orleans, received a
at last."
Gene is dead. only Herman would keep
letter from Oscar Leonard, author of xi
It is especially interesting that he
the pledge. Victor Riesel, the New York the quota systems, but it is a fine gesture, "Americans All" and lecturer for the
nevertheless.
"
should have quoted Mrs. Goldie Myerson,
Jewish National Fund of America . . .
Post's ace reporter, quotes a Georgia pol-
The Anti-DefamatiOn League is to be The letter may have given the Senator
head of the Jewish Agency political de-
itician as saying, after Herman's election
commended
for
its
comprehensive
report
par tment, as follows, in explanation of by the legislature had been agreed upon:
fond for thought . . . It said in part: ..
'the Jews' fatal vulnerability":
"The news came that you have been ad-
"The roads of Georgia have been paved to the New York Commission Against
Jews must be Jews. It's not good Raying'
Discrimination
...
The
report
names
ho-
and repaved tonight." Of course, Herman
mitted to the Judah Touro Infirmary for
that .tees would escape persecution if they'd
tels,
summer
resorts
and
real
estate
firms
backing
him,
an operation . . . I wonder whether you
also has some "plain folds"
convent to he assimilated ss ith populations
among whom they live. Jews in Germany
his backwooders to whom a man's fire- practicing discrimination . . . More than know that Judah Touro was a Jew, who
were one of the most thorough's• assimilated
200
firms
are
listed
.
.
.
Now
let's
see
gave his entire fortune to Jewish and
house red suspenders are evidence that
people in the world. but we know what
happened.
non-Jewish institutions . . . That tens of
he is "one of -us folks." Victor Riesel hit whether Mr. Dewey will invoke the ex-
Truth is that Jews cannot be completely
isting
laws
which
penalize
individuals
a poetic high-note in reporting the Geor-
thousands of persons. irrespective of l ∎
submerged with any other people. Jews are
different. Jews have contributed greatly to
gia scene. "A white hood is being drawn and companies guilty of discriminatory .creed or race were helped by these insti-
the world's culture. in literature, art, sci-
today over the gray dome of Georgia's policies.
tutions ... You have said some very ugly }
ence. There's something about this culture
• • •
peculiarly Jewish. If the Jews were com-
state capitol," he wrote.
and incorrect things about the Jewish
pletely absorbed into another people this
• • •
. . . Now you
people, my dear Senator
BROADWAY GOSSIP
BOOKS
culture would be lost as a racial entity. And
_why should this culture disappear?
Our apologies to Miss Sophie Udin,
are being healed in a hospital founded
the
great
Negro
actor,
will
Canada
Lee,
"We are different. That cannot be denied.
founder and director of the excellent in- be featured in John Garfield's next film. and financed by a Jew and named in his
We have something that cannot be explained
or identified. but it, is something that other
stitution;the Zionist Archives, and editor l
Kurt Weill's music for Elmer Rice's memory . . I am wondering what effect
races don't have.
of The Palestine Year Book for 1946, pub- , Street Scene" is slightly superlative . . . that will have on your ideas on racialism
"Undoubtedly the basis cause of anti-
Semitism lies in our difference from others.
lished by the Zionis, Organization of Kurt, whose first ,effort on these shores . . . I asked my publishers to send you, .
"Since the difference exists and since we
America, for a delayed review of the was the 1937 score for Max Reinhardt's with my compliments, a copy of my book •,
have so much to contribute to the world's
second annual volume of the year book. saga of the Jewish people, the "Eternal "Americans All" . . . In it you will find
progress and culture, and resentment against
be
denied,
why
us does exist and cannot
Although an extremely useful handbook Road," has caught the rhythm of Ameri- a good deal about Judah Touro . . . You
should we alone, out of all the people, be
denied a nation of our own. Only when we
on Palestine, the second volume fails, can, life in the best Gershwin tradition. _
will also find some information about
have that nation, a place of our own, will
somehow, to keep pace with the first one.
anti-Semitism vanish."
Frank Sinatra will concert-tour the Jewish contributions to the development
of America ... Not that my people are the
Perhaps because the space devoted t
There is very little, if anything,- strik-
country when he returns from his vaca-
ingly new in this argument. It has been American Zionism is disproportionate. tion . . . Proceeds will go to interracial only group whose efforts deserve record-
ing, but as a Jew I felt that I nyittst .tell
advanced time and again. But its clarity This mainly should be a Palestine year organizations.
about my people and their efforts in be-
book.
proves the point we make: that there is book and not a Zionist year
•
Rumor has Louis B. Mayer selling all half of America .. It was and still is my
•
•
need for naturalness in human relations,
his
horses
except
Bernborough,
the
$295,-
hope, that Other groups will use "Ameri-
LIBEL SUIT
and thit it is possible for peoples to re-
horse.
cans All" as a model and tell of their
Judge Sam Heller. of the Municipal 000 Australian wonder
tain their identity and their cultures,
•
•
•
achievements and help to this country
without resorting to separatism or'sacri- Court, Chicago, has done well in fil-
. . . That might help counteract the poi-
ing a libel suit against G. L. K. Smith. INFORMATION PLEASE
ficing loyalty to heritage.
• • •
Albert W. Dilling, former husband of
There are seven Jewish members in the son you have injected into our American
"Lizzie," the lady of eccentric hats and House of Representatives , of the 80th life . . . I hope, my dear Senator, that'
REVENGE—WILD JUSTICE
eccentric hates who was to have been Congress . . . Adolph J. Sabath (D.), Illi- while you are reading the book in the lei-
Francis Bacon is the author of the
Smith's attorney, has withdrawn from nois; Sol Blooit, Emanuel Celler, Arthur sure a hospital gives, you will be stimu-
maxim that "revenge is a kind of wild
the case. This may indicate a rift in na- J. Klein, Leo Rayfielii and Benjamin Ra- lated in thinking out this racialism mat-
justice."
This is just what it was in Palestine tive fascist ranks. but it may also indi- bin, all of New York and all Democrats; ter ... Only a fool is afraid to change his
last week, when two Arab boys were cate that Mr. Dilling does not wish to be the seventh is a Republican, Jacob K. Ja- mind ... I hope you will * recover soon ...“
mutilated by Jewish youths as retribu-
a loser.
vits, also of New York.
COMMUNAL AFFAIRS
tion for the attack on two teen-age
•
•
•
Hamor,
by
Dinah's
two
brothers,
Simeon
Now that the Joint Defense Appeal has
Jewish girls. The girls were taken from
"AMERICANISM!"
and
Levi.
their Petach Tikvah homes and ,returned
The Rankin-Wood Un-American Corn- been included in the New York quota of
This
incident
is
reminiscent
of
the
the United Jewish Appeal, the American
24 hours later. According to a UP cable
story of another Dina, in Arthur Koest- mittee has recommended revocation of Jewish Congress is seeking the same ar-
from Jerusalem,. the girls identified their
ler's "Thieves in the Night." Dina's de- the second class mailing. privileges of all rangement . .. Negotiations between the
attackers when the vengeance - seekers
filement and murder in this instance, foreign language newspapers and period- American Jewish Congress and . UJA
raided the Arab village in search for the
.
too, resulted in exacting "wild justice." icals which do not carry English transla-
culprits. The Arabs were told to notify
leaders are __progressing in a friendly
It also served to drive Joseph, hero, of tions in parallel columns . . . Meanwhile,
the police that the explanation for the
spirit . . . As a result of increasing unity
Koestler's
book
whc.
was
in
love
with
they
are
silent
on
the
subject
of
news-
incident is in the Biblical portion of
in American Jewish life, we shall soon
papers
that
disseminate
anti-Semitism
Dina, into the terrorist ranks.
Genesis, chapter XXXIV, which de-
"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." and anti-Negroism . . . Nor is anything witness the expansion of the adminis-
scribes the defilement of Dinah, daughter
trative committee of UJA to include
But in human rela,tions in our time, said about Congressmen who use the halls
of Jacob, by Shechem, and the retalia-
representatives of Jewish Welfare Fund.
kind
of
wild
justice."
of
Congress
to
spread
Hitler's
lies.
tory murder of Shechem and his father, vengeance is "a

-

-

Heard in
The Lobbies

Strictly
Confidential

