2 — THE JEWISH NEWS
JNF Drive Gains Momentum;
Crum to Address Donor Drive
Purely Commentary
Friday, January 20, 1950
Four New Nominees
Listed for Federation
Election or) Feb. 15
The current drive to Match
previous goals of the Ladies'
Auxiliary of the Jewish National
Fund in fund-raising efforts for
land-redemption in Israel is
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Cornerstones of Our Freedoms
sading- journalism."
"Cornerstones of Religious Freedom in America," containing
An intimate friend of the late
selected basic documents, court decisions and public statements,
Wendell Wilkie, Mr. Crum was
edited with an introduction and interpretations by Joseph- L. Blau,
When members of the Jewish 'recently published by Beacon Press (25 Beacon St., Boston 8), is
one of his backers for the Presi-
dency but later became sup- Welfare Federation—all contri- another of the great books of our day the contents of which
porter of Franklin D. Roosevelt. butors to the 1949 Allied Jewish serve to _encourage continuation of efforts to protect our basic
Last-minute pledges and con- Campaign — hold their 24th an- liberties.
tributions may be made by call- nual meeting at 8:30 p.m., Wed-
This - review is a logical sequence to last week's article in
ing Mrs. Harry Buchman, pledge n.esday, Feb. 15, at the Jewish which this Commentator reviewed "American State Papers on
Community
Center,
nine
mem-
chairman, TY. 6-8420, or at the
bers - at - large- of the Federation Freedom in Religion," the magnificent record compiled by the
JNF office, 11816 Dexter.
Herald,• and Revielv Publishing Co. of Washington, D. C.
More major gifts announced Board of Governors will be elect-
Mr. Blau's introduction to the historic documents in his book
ed
and
a
proposed
amendment
last week included one of $401.50
is a splendid evaluation of the basic issues involved in the fight
from the 'Kepes Family Club; will be voted upon.
Nominations - for members-at-, for freedom in religion. "Since 1787," he pointed out, "the prin-
4 $250 from Mrs. Harry Rott; $250
from the Primrose Benevolent large, in addition to those pre- ciple of freedom of religion has been attacked, but never over-
Club, and $200 from Bessie First. viously announced, may be made thrown. The right of each individual to choose his own mode of
The following $100 gifts also were by petition, to be signed by not worship and to suffer no civil disabilities in consequence of his
listed: Mrs. Sam Adler, Mrs. less than 25 members of the choice has remained one of the glorious achievements of the
Jacob Richenbaum, Mrs. Abra- Federation and submitted, with founders of the United States. But it must be %stressed that the
ham DeRoven, Mrs. Jack Krass, the consent of the nominee; to prohibition of civil discrimination by the government does not
task. There is still a frontier for continuing the
BARTLEY C. CRUM
Turover Ladies Aid • Society, the executive of the Federation, complete t
he e founders for there is need to extend the ban be-
Speedway Petroleum Co., Mrs. not less than 10 days prier to the work of th
gaining momentum, Mrs. Mau- David Iwrey, Mrs. Nathan Sil- date of the annual meeting. In yond the political to the economic and social areas."
rice Steingold, chairman of the verman, Mrs. Herman Cohen; accordance with this provision,
In Mr. Blau's opirilon, "education rather than government is
drive, announced this week.
Schwartz Bros., and Dr. S. M. four petitions for members-at- the organ through which an aroused public opinion can put an
With Bartley-C. Crum as guest 'Beren t.
large have been filed with the end to undesirable and outrageous socio - economic consequences
speaker and Miklos Gafni as
Federation for James I. Ellmann, of the free religious choice of the individual." He adds that "keep-
guest soloist, a program of merit
Mrs. Samuel A. Green, Sidney ing education in the United States free of sectarian influence
is announced for the annual
M. Shevitz ancnlarry Yudkoff.
Mufti's Arab Enemy
has long been one of the primary struggles of believers in free-
donor event, to be held at 2:30
A proposed amendment to the dom of religion. There can be no failure here, or the principle
Finds Haven in Israel
p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, in the
By-Laws of the Jewish Welfare will fall. Public schools should in no way contribute or call at-
main auditorium of the Masonic
Federation providing for the tention to differences in the religious beliefs of pupils or teachers."
TEL AVIV (JTA)
Temple. Rebekah Frohman will
Mo- election to the Federation Board
*
•
hammed
Nimr
Hawari,
for-
accompany • Mr. Gain! who has
of GOvernors of all former presi- The Essentially Democratic Jewish Worship
mer commander of the Arab
been acclaimed as one of the
dents of the Federation and for-
paramilitary formation Ne- mer chairmen of the Allied Jew-
great singers of our time.
In making the point that there is "no contradiction between
jada, arrived at Haifa, hav- ish Campaign has been submit- writing for religion and writing against the clergy," Mr. Blau re-
Mr. Crum, author of "Behind
ing received prior assurance ted by Morris Garvett, chairman fers to the Jewish position as follows:
the Silken 'Curtain," gained fame
of sanctuary in IsraeL
as a member of the Anglo-
of the committee on by-laws.
"Individualism . • . in religious teaching ties closely to the
The former commander has
American Commission of In-
Hebrew tradition. For many centuries there was no such thing
been strongly opposed to the
quiry on Palestine. He fought for
as . a Jewish` minister; the rabbi was a teacher only because he
exiled. Mufti of Jerusalem,
just rights for the Jewish posi-
was a master scholar. - He was not even a man of religion pro-
Raj Amin el Husseini, and
tion after learning the true state
fessionally; rather he was a man of ordinary affairs, often of
of affairs in Palestine and was his life has been threatened
very humble- position, who, in his studies in both the Written
in
neighboring
Arab coun-
among Britain's bitterest critics.
and the Oral Law, has gone farther than those- who sat under
Since, then, he has remained tries. The Israel authorities
him. The profession-al religionist, the- cleric, developed first al-
granted his request to be al-
one of Israel's staunchest sup-
most- by accident in American Jewry,.and ,for many years had
porters.
lowed to return.
- Hitherto unpublished popula-
little position among his own people. The Jews were essentially
Formerly one of San Francis-
tion data on Grand Rapids and democratic in worship."
co's leading attorneys, Mr. Crum,
17 other American Jewish com-
Orthodox
Cabinet
Bloc
The part played by Christians and Jews in the fight to keep
who went to New York to be-
munities and on the economic
come the publisher of the now Threatens Resignations and occupational structure of the church and state separate is described by Mr. Blau who
maintains that `,`secularism, the absolute separation of church
defunct PM, now is practicing
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Repre- American Jews is featuyed in the And state, is another concept dear to the American mind .. It
in New York. -
sentatives of the religious groups 1950 American Jewish Year. is a conscious and developed secularism which must be called
In May, 1949, Mr. Crum •re- in Israel may resign firom
•the Book, published jointly by the into play in our age, if freedom of religion is to survive."
ceived the "One World" award Cabinet if the governinent
con- American Jewish Committee and
"in recognition of his outstand- tinues to tolerate violation of the Jewish Publication - Society
What about the- right of people, to hold : opinions antagoniStie
ing record of liberalism in the religious edicts in the immigrant of America.
to religion? Mr. Blau replied: "Under a system such as ours, which
spirit of one world as an author, camps, it was announced at a
Marking the 51st year of pub- maintains the right of the individual to free ehoice among re-
publisher and political leader, meeting of all members of the lication, the Year Book sum- ligfaus positions, freedom to reject is as allowable as freedom to
his championship of civil rights Parliament belonging -to the Re- marizes activities of Jewish in- accept ... Once the precedent is established that the choice must
and of international justice, and ligious Bloc, convened at the terest throughout the world for be among the prescribed alternatives; it would become easier to
his valiant efforts to perpetuate initiative of the Hapoel Hamiz- 1948-49: It was prepared by the narrow- the, list of alternatives until the language of choice is
the American tradition of cru- rachi, the labor Orthodox party. American Jewish Committee, used In •thee real absence of choice, as in totalitarian elections.
under the _editorial direction The =same freedom to believe, to associate, to speak, to preach,
of korris:Fine,_ and appears in to missionize, and to prophesy must be granted to atheist and
theist, agnostic and gnostic, anticlerical' and clergyman, hetero-
a completely new- format.
The two feature articles, "The - dox and orthodox. The rights of those who believe in Unbelief
American Jew-: Some Demo- must be defended in order to place a secure foundation under
graphic '.Features," by Ben B. the rights of those who believe in belief."
By BORIS SMOLAR
*
*
`Seligman acting director...of the
(Copyright, 1950, 'Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
!Stultification of Thought'
Office
for,
Jewish
Population
Re-
Communal Notes
search, 7 and "Economic. Status
So much for the right 'of individuals. What about groups'?
Negotiations between the Joint Distribution Committee and and Occupational Structure," by
too, the able authbr of "Cornerstones of - Religious Freedoin
the United Palestine Appeal over their respective shares hi the Eli E. Cohen, executive director Here,
in America" makes 'an important pOint: "There are certain privi
1950 United Jewish Appeal have come to an end . . . JDC is to of the. Jewish Occupational
get 40 percent of the first $50,000;000 raised by UJA and 30 per- Council, analyze the recent leges that are granted to religious, educational, and charitable
cent of the next $2,500,000 . . . It will then - get 25 percent of any Jewish pOpulation surveys in At- organiationsz because of their character as non-profit-making
amount raised over $75,000,000 . . . For its program in 1950 the. lanta; Camden, Charleston, Erie, groups. These are chiefly privileges with respect to tax exemri-
JDC reqAires about $44,000,000 which 'is 30 percent less -than its Gr a n d Rapids, Indianapolis, tons and are, therefore, privileges under the law, subject to being
actual expenditures last year . . Up to last December, JDC Jacksonville, Miami, Newark, rescinded as they were granted. Churches are not immune to tax-
received from the 1949 United Jewish Appeal about $27,000,000 and Portland, (Ore.), Scranton, To- ation; they must be Specifically exempted . . . It is important
was expecting to receive an additional $13,000,000 during the ledo, Tucson, Utica and Wor- here to stress the point that, even in this exemption, religious
associations are placed above the law." •
month of December and thereafter . . . However, it also, received cester.
The new Year Book surveys
Those who seek to enforce "thought control" in this coun-
from UJA last year more than $14,000,000 from the 1948 dive
and campaigns of previous years . . . The UJA itself raised in developments on the American try are subjected to severe criticisms. Mr. Blau asserts that "all
cash during the first 11 months - of 1949 a total of about $76,000,000, scene affecting civil rights and forms of - thought control' end in the stultification of lhought."
in addition to over $30,000,000 received duririg the same period on civil liberties, and intergroup We are warned against renewed efforts to inject religious teach-
ings in the schools, The documents in the book sUbstantiate the
the account of the campaigns of 1948 and prior years . . . At and interfaith relations.
Varied activities and concerns basic principle in this book that "defenders of traditional Ameri-
present JDC owes $6,000,000 to banks .. .. Those interested in the
JDC system would . also like to know that the National Council, Within Jewish life during the can freedom must - either speak out, or lose religious liberty in
the corporate body of the organization, now numbers 10,198 mem- period—welfare, educational, re- the name of religious liberty."
*
bers . . . This group of outstanding community leaders is the di- ligious and cultural—axe mir-
recting force which elects JDC officers - and board members . . 1. rored by authbrities with broad Jack Henry's Speech and Other Documents
It also helps to formulate JDC's policies by bringing the thinking experience in these fields.
The important public statements -which form the major part
For the first time the - Year
and suggestions of the American Jewish community to JDC
headquarters.
Book contains a detailed analy- - of this book include Roger Williams' "The Bloody Tenent of
tic index to the contents. It also Persecution" (1644) ; William Penn's "The Great Case of Liberty ,
contains directories of national of Conscience" (1670) ; Thomas Jeerson's and James Madison's
Timely Topics
memorials which remain important precedents for Amen-
Judge Rifkind has been accepted by both the JDC and the Jewish organizations and pen- historic
can
action;
Richard M. Johnson's famous report to the U. S.
odidals,
a
bibliography
of
books
UPA as arbitrator on what UJA allocation to the United Service
for New Americans should be this year . . . The issue was a sub- of Jewish interest in English, Senate (1830) on "Sunday Observance and the Mail"; Zelotes
Fuller's address. "The Tree of Liberty" (1830) ; Horace Mann's re-
ject of heated discussion' at the national UJA conference in At- annual and fifty-year calendars, port
on religious eduCation (1848) ; Justice Felix Frankfurter's
obituaries, statistics , tables,
lantic City.
concurring opinion in the Vashti McCollum Case (1948), ruling
An agreement has now been reached between the JDC and graphs and lists.
out "released time" Bible studies in the schools, and numerous
the ORT under which the latter will receive . from the former
$1,100,000 during 1950 for its activities in Europe - and North M. Weitzman to Speak other declarations dealing with the separation of church and
state and prevention of the injection of religious studies in the
Africa.
schools.
New York University has set up a workshop course which To Kvutzah Saturday
Aniong the important docurhents are two of - special Jewish
will provide a selected group of 135 undergraduate and graduate
Kvutzah Ivrith will meet at
students from all over the country with the opportunity to study 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in the interest:
H. M. Breckenridge's speech on the Maryland
"Jew Bill" (1819f.
Israel's life and culture . . . The studies "will include. Hebrew Rose,Sittig Cohen Bldg., to hear
,
language and literature, as well as Israel's educational system, Moshe Weitzman, a visitor from which resulted in victory in the: fight for -justice for the Jewish
governmental and cultural institutions . . The course will be Israel, who will speak on "Edu- citizens:after a struggle of more than two decades.
supplemented by an extensive tour in Israel designed to give cation in the Kibutzim.
The speech of Jacob Henry (1809) in the North Carolina;
the students a knowledge of the geography of Israel, its cities,
M. Lipman, a member of the House of -Delegates in defense of .hiS right,. as a Jew, to take his
colonies, industry and agriculture . . Undergraduates and grad- staff of the United Hebrew seat. in the. Carolina House withaut affirming the divine authori-
uates will receive 6 and 8 credits, respectively, for these courses Schools and a recent arrival ty of the New Testament. After his speech he was overwhelmingly
. . In addition to members of the NYU faculty, the workshop from Europe, will speak about granted his seat. . .
will have the assistance of educators and -scholars of the Katz- the Jewish underground. 'Israel
- In its totality, "Cornerstone of Religious. Freedom in Amen-
nelson Institute of Higher Learning, the Hebrew University and Elpern will be chairman of the ( ca" is a very great instrument for good in the fight for the trat-
the Israel Ministry of Education.
evening. The public is invited.
ditiona:1 American freedoms.
Grand Rapids Data
Included in 1950
Jewish Yearbook
,
Between You and Me
.
-
•