e
Friday, Augusf I, 1947
THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Four
As the Editor
Views the News...
World Enemy No. 1
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More Ships Are Coming
British misrule in Palestine, directly re-
sponsible for outbursts of violence, has re-
sulted in so many acts of tyranny that they
have accomplished one thing: they have uni-
fied the Jewish community in a spirit of re-
sistance which threatens to increase restless-
ness rather than to end it.
The British administration in Palestine has
gone so far in its perversion of the sacred re-
sponsibility entrusted to it by the League of
Nations since World War I that it even has
prevented the construction of pipelines to
assure Jewish settlements with drinking and
irrigation water. This is an inhuman act un-
heard of even in the long history of Colonial
mismanagement.
* * *
Great Britain's worst crime is the obstacle
placed in the path of tens of thousands of
Jews who are seeking entrance to Palestine.
Until recently, Jews caught entering Pal-
estine have been sent to Cyprus where a de-
tention camp was set up for 10,000 people.
Up to the time that "Exodus 1947" reached
Palestine's shores, this camp became over-
crowded and the mighty British empire has
found an excuse for denying the immigrants
even this temporary refuge in a barbed wire
camp in the proximity of Palestine. Basing
its action on the ground that Cyprus already
shelters 15,000 Jews, the surviving 4.551 Jews
on the "Exodus P947" were sent to France.
*
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It is clear that there is something very un-
savory about the latest British inhumanities.
The claim that Colombia has offered visas to
the "Exodus" immigrants has been denied.
There are conflicting reports with regard to
a purported agreement between Britain and
France as to responsibility for the immi-
grants and their subsequent rehabilitation.
Meanwhile the three Jews who were mur-
dered on the "Exodus 1947" by the British—
including William Bernstein of Los An-
geles—represent a challenge to the con-
science of mankind not to permit the contin-
uation of such policies. The reactions of Jews
to the British policy of destruction is sym-
bolized by the life of the American victim
of British misrule. His brother, Morris" -Bern-
stein, said of him:
"My brother Bill was always ready to fight for
his convictions. That's why he enlisted with the
Haganah. He wanted to serve them in a capacity
in which he was best fitted. During the early
years of the' Wail, he left college, where he was a
medical student, to join the Merchant Marine.
Subsequently, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and
rose to an officer's rank. When the war ended,
Bill couldn't tolerate reading about. the terrible
conditions of the Jews of Europe without at-
tempting to do something about it. This was typi-
cal of him. He joined the Haganah because he
knew that this was the only force in the world
that was doing something materially to bring
Jews into Palestine—a place to which they be-
longed. He died as he lived—a fighter for his
people and his country."
The Jewish tribute to William Bernstein
is certain to take the form of solidification of
Jewish manpower in support of Jewish
aspirations in Palestine through more enlist-
ments and the sailing of more ships to the
shores of Eretz Israel. The illegality of Brit-
ain's acts in preventing Jews to land on the
shores of Zion will be challenged by vessel
The Fabulous Menken
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Allen Lesser's Biography
Gives Brilliant Portrait
Allen Lesser. able writer who recently was
named editor of the Menorah Journal, became
interested in La Belle Menken, the great actress
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of the last century. For nearly 14 years he searched
for and collected practically every available
thread that could be woven into a complete story
of the eminent artist. The result is a great biog-
raphical Work that reads like a novel, Lesser's
"Enchanting Rebel.: The Secret of Adah Isaacs
Menken," published by the Beechhurst Press, 296
Broadway, New York.
It is a magnificent story. Far from being a
whitewash of the woman who was admired and
condemned, feted and honored by royalty and
the masses and then suddenly made an object of
rumor and attack, Lesser's work .succeeds in
showing the genius of the famous portrayer of
the daring role of "Mazeppa."
The fabulous and enchanting Menken made
no secret of her Jewishness, although there is
contradiction in the two statements quoted in the
book-Lone in which she is said to have been born
a Jewess and another in which she is quoted as
having "embraced" the faith. The important point
is
that she practiced the Jewish faith; that on
14*ENCV
..)1.160
Sept. 22, 1863, she observed the Day of Atonement
and the theater where she played "Maieppa' was
dark on that day; that she condemned the perse-
cution of Jews in Europe; that she wrote many
for the Cincinnati Israelite where she re-
'Metropolitan Boston's Jewish Community Council and poemt
sided with _her -first husband whose name she
the New England Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation bore to the end.
League of Bnai Brith have issued a statement in which they
Only when she was flattered by her friend,
point out that while, in the past, Gerald L. K. Smith was George Sand, the eminent French writer, who ' 1'
offered
to become-her child's godmother, did she
completely ignored in the press, he had a field day of free
consent to "cast aside her Jewish religious scruples
publicity when he was routed from a speakers' platform by without a qualm and prepared the baby for
hecklers. Smith, former head of the American First Party baptism."
She played with Edwin Booth during her early
who now is seeking to organize the Christian National Cru-
years on the stage. Emile Zola immortalized her
saders and to reorganize the Christian Front, immediately in his novel "Nana." Among her friends were
seized the opportunity to pose for newspapermen as a martyr Alexandre Dumas, Walt —Whitman, Charles Dick-
ens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Algernon
to freedom of speech.
Swinburne and scores of other great men
Charging that the hecklers obviously were Communist - Charles
of her time.
inspired and "played right into Smith's hands," the Council
The Menken was not only a great actress: she
and ADL statement point out that the 650 persons who also was an able poet and her book of pciems,
went into several printings.
gathered noisily in historic Old South Meeting Hpuse in Bos- "Infelicia,"
woman who played the "naked drama"
ton for the express purpose of heckling Smith drew squads and This
gained fame as the "naked" actress—stem-
of police to keep order and flocks of newspapermen—which ming from her "Mazeppa" role—was referred to
by Swinburne, who called her his mistress, in
was just what Smith wanted. The sta ment continues:
famous line: "Lo, this is she that was the
"Smith gleefully urged the heck ers on, now acting as this
world's ,delight."
cheer-leader, now assuming the stances for the newspaper
Lesser did a magnificent job with his magnifi-
photographers, and occasionally exhorting the booing audi- cent subject, and his biography, which reads like
pep
romance,
is a top literary creation.
a
ence to greater effect by shouting 'Come on you dopes,
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Platforms for Rabble-Rousers
it up!' Finally Smith called for a police escort and left the
hall with his party. Upon his return to his hotel Smith con-
tacted local newspapers and provided them with statements
portraying himself as a martyr to the cause of free speech."
The charges by the Boston Council and ADL opens up
anew an old problem, whether it is advisable to fight bigots
and crack-pots through public discussions, or whether it is
advisable to ignore them entirely.
There is a powerful faction in Jewish life, as represented
by the two Boston organizations, which believes that undue
publicity is given to rabble-rousers by giving them an audi-
ence of hecklers. Detroit has had similar experiences with
Smith. When he held his meetings at the Maccabees Hall
without fanfare, the newspapers ignored him; but when a
large crowd of pickets turned out to heckle him at Northern
High School, there were extra police squads, newspaper pho-
tographers and several injuries.
Apparently there is a great deal of truth to the admoni-
tion of the Boston Jewish civic-protective organizations that
rabble-rousers should be ignored rather than given a plat-
form.
The question immediately arises as to where those who
are organized to fight bigotry will draW the line if they are
to follow the warnings to refrain from providing a platform
for rabble-rousers. -
Thus, Walter Winchell, in a recent syndicated column,
after vessel. Some will undoubtedly evade the
British. Those destined to be victimized by published an "almanac" of professional anti-Semites and na-
the mighty British navy will emphasize Brit- tive fascists in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Antonio
ain's shame before the conscience of man- and Chicago. He, too, gave publicity to the rabble-rousers.
kind. And in the end these boats must come Is this type of expose also to be banned as part of a program
through. Palestine, the only spot on the globe to ignore the bigots?
The Christian Science Monitor published an article by
that is ready to welcome the homeless and
dispossessed in Israel, is the only acceptable Garson Hubbard, a recognized authority on South African
HOME for the European survivors. And to affairs, revealing that race hatred and growing nationalism
defend HOME people will fight • to the end. in the Union of South Africa is nourishing a growing fascist
movement in that country. Since such revelations tend to
create uneasiness and a certain amount of fear wherever the
facts are studied, the question forced to the front is whether
Member Jewish Teleffraiihic Agency Independent Jewish
the battle against anti-Semitism and all aspects of fascism
Press Service. Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Religious
and rabble-rousing is to be limited to mild discussions or
News Service. Palcor Agency.
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
whether it is to be an all-out fight.
Miners and Michigan Press Association.
*
•
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Whatever the approach is to be,. it must be clarified so
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Allied Jewish Campaign of Jewish Welfare Federation of
Detroit. 40 cents N.] year.
to face issues. Unless we are to have proper guidance from
Entercd as second-class matter Aug. 6. 1942. at Post Of-
the proper sources, on the basis of mutual understanding
fice. Detroit. Mich. under Act of March 3. 1879.
among both the non-Jewish as well as the Jewish elements
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
fighting intolerance, we face the danger of confusion that will
Philip Slomovitz
Maurice Aronsson
not only aggravate the situation but will hinder rather than
Isidore Sobeloff
Fred M. Butzel
Judge Theodore Levin Abraham Srere
help the cause of justice and decency against intolerance and
Maurice H. Schwartz Henry Wineman
racial and religious hatreds:
pnri it SLOMOVITZ. Editor
One thing is certain: there MUST be discipline - within
our ranks in handling the problem and the community at
AUGUST 1, 1947
VOL. XI—NO. 20
large should, by all means, abide by decisions of national
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
organizations. It is the responsibility of those who guide such
This Sabbath--Sabbath Nahamu (the Sabbath of
policies to decide when we are to resort to public demon-
Consolation—the sixteenth day of Ab, 5707,) the
following Scriptural selections will be read in our
strations and when we are to refrain from such actions. If
:synagogues:
we do not abide by such guidance, our case becomes more
THE JEWISH NEWS
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 3:23-7:11.
Prophetical portion—Is. 40:1-26.
. 3
difficult to defend. .
Igereth Zion
By DR. NOAH E. ARONSTAM
To my people in Dispersion,
Peace without end!
Be not dismayed by the tyranny of the oppressor
his lips.
Nor by the foul mutterings
They are but the poisonous 'b
breath of vipers
That spends itself impotently
Against the iron wall of Destiny.
This has happened as of ancient days.
Gird thy loins with strength,
Fill thy heart with the sweetness of hope,
With the trust that nothing can avail
Against a higher Will,
Against the prophecy of old:
"I will redeem thee,
Thou shalt be redeemed."
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers
Questions . • •
What is the origin of the custom of cele-
brating birthdays?
The exact date of the first birthday celebra-
tion is not known. What seems to be certain
however, is the fact that this custom is a very
old one. It is mentioned in the Book of Genesis
that the Egyptians celebrated the birthday of
Pharoah. The Greeks and the Romans celebrated
the birthdays of the living as well as of those
members of the family who were already dead.
Insofar as the Jews are concerned neither Bibli-
cal nor Talmudic literature pays much attention
to this custom. It seems that birthdag celebrations
were never typically Jewish. It is said that the
great Rabbi Isaac Elchanan of Covna protested
vehemently against this custom. Generally speak-
ing, it seems to be a cultural rather than a re-
ligious matter.
•
• •
What are the "Sandak" and "Kvater?"
The ceremony of circumcision seems to have
been established with many details during the
ages. It is generally believed that in about the
10th century it became customary to have an-
other man (besides the father of the child) hold
an infant in his lap, while it was circumcised.
This person is called a "Sandak." This term
seems to correspond with the Greek word mean-
ing "Godfather." It also has been customary to
have a specially appointed person, the "Kvater,"
bring the infant into the room to be circAnn-
cized.
• • •
What were tke Noaehie Laws in Jewish
theology?
Seven basic moral principles which, according
to Pharisaic doctrines, applied to all descendants
of Noah, and, according to one version, were re-
vealed to Noah himself. They forbade idol-wor-
ship, blasphemy, murder, sexual irregularity, theft,
cruelty to. animals, and established civic righteous-
ness.
• •
•
Do more men or women read the Bible?
According to the American Bible Society more
than twicec as many women as men read the Bible.