Vienna Library's Yield of Private Files
Of Theodore ilerzi Sealed Until 1977
VIENNA—(JTA)—Two files of
papers of Dr. Theodor Herzl
containing his political and lit-
erary testament, one sealed
package and several dozen pri-
vate letters and photographs
were discovered in the library of-
the Vienna Jewish Community.
The sealed package bears the
inscription, "Herzl's letters—do
not open for 40 or 50 years."
The package bears the date
March 1, 1937, which means that
it will not be opened until 1977
or 1987. The package was sealed
by Moritz Reichenfeld, executor
of Dr. Herzl's estate.
In his literary testament, the
founder of the political Zionist
movement wrote on Feb. 12,
1897: "What I was for the Jews,
the coming generations w i 11
judge better than the present
large masses." In another pas-
sage he wrote: "My name will
grow after my death."
In another testament, written
March 5, 1903, Dr. Herzl ex-
pressed the wish to be buried in
the same grave with his father
and sister until "the Jewish
people carry my body to Pales-
tine." One of the two files con-
tains letters to Dr. Herzl's
friends and parents, as well as
missives f r o m colleagues in
Paris, Constantinople and other
places, and drafts of speeches
and articles.
The Jewish community here
will hand over the .complete file
to Dr. David Lewin, Israel repre-
sentative in Austria, and Franz
Jambor, director of the Jewish
Agency office in Vienna.
2—THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, April 7, 1950
Congress Chapter
To Sponsor Wise
Memorial Meeting
World Jewry Mourns Leon Blum;
Kibutz in Israel Honors Work
Of Deceased World Statesman
Jewish communities through- world leader and Zionist, a ki-
out the world are mourning the butz — Kfar Blum — was es-
passing, on March 30, 10 days tablished in Palestine. It now
Stephen S. Wise Chapter of before his 78th birthday, of Leon is one of the best functioning
the Michigan Council of the Blum, three times Premier of settlements in Israel.
American Jewish Congress, will France, president of the French
death came as a shock
commemorate the passing of Socialist Party and a noted Jew- to Blum's
his
friends,
since he had been
Rabbi Wise, who died April 19, ish leader, and Zionist.
in good health. French President
1949, at the Northwest Syna-
career dates back to Vincent Auriol, upon hearing the
gogue, 7045 Curtis, Wednesday h Blum's
i s association
news, went straight to Joy-en-
evening, April 19.
with the giants
Josas,
Blum's country home in
Community leader s of all in French poli-
Paris
where he died. The
faiths will discuss the contribu- tics, his parti-
French Parliament arranged a
tions and services of Dr. Wise cipation in the
eulogy for Blum, who was
to the Jewish people and to battle to secure , :
France's first Jewish and first
justice in t h e
Socialist Prime Minister.
famous Dreyfus
Born in Paris, Blum achieved
Affairs, his
academic distinction at an early
struggle against
age both in letters and law.
the Nazis 'and Leon Blum
Only 22, he was a recognized
his efforts- in behalf of social- poet and a literary and dramat-
ism.
ic critic. He was three times
As Premier of the Popular Premier and failed by only . 10
Front government in 1936, he votes to head the government
formed what became known as for a fourth time in 1947.
"France's New Deal." His' trou-
bles, however, came from the
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Communists and the sitdown Agency Council Elects
strikes challenged his leader- Krolik, Mrs. Broder
Nothing New Under the SunLAlways Looking for Bogeymen
ship. However, he succeeded in
Why is there so much fright over the CoMmunist danger - in
establishing the five-day 40-
Julian H. Krolik and Mrs. Hy-
hour week.
this country, when there are so few of these genuine "reds?"
man C. Broder were re-elected
He was arrested and tried by to the board of directors of the
Aren't the searchers for "dangers" and for spies under our
the Nazis. At the Riom trial in Council of Social Agencies of
beds displaying a lack of faith in the American people who, al-
1942 he defended the Popular Metropolitan Detroit at its an-
most solidly, are anti-Communist and could never be swayed by
Front. He was taken to Ger- nual meeting.
the dogmas of the Kremlin?
many and for a itime it was
Krolik, a co-chairman of the
feared 'that he would be killed. Allied Jewish Campaign, is a
True—we must guard against spies from Moscow. But, isn't
However, he escaped with his vice president of the board.
LATE DR. S. S. WISE
there a better way than the Mundt Bill or witch hunts? Have we
life and was returned to France
The Council of Social Agencies
mankind. Participants will in- in 1945.
lost faith in the FBI and our police forces?
is the Red Feather service of the
clude Rabbi Moses Lehrman of
A strong supporter of the Community Chest which
The death of Harold Laski in a sense served to bring to the Bnai Moshe, who will speak on
pro-
Zionist cause, Blum for many
fore some of the fear psychoses which have been created by the "If Rabbi Stephen Wise Were years acclaimed the efforts of motes orderly social planning
panicky in our midst every time a liberal who was too extreme Alive Today" and Rev. Merrill 0. the Jewish pioneers in Palsetine, through democratic processes of
for Them advanced his theories. The Detroit Free Press, for in- Bates of the Unitarian Church especially the labor element. As discussion among important 34`).•
stance, treated him as an out-and-out Communist. The New of Grosse Pointe, president of a fitting tribute to the great cial agencies in the metropoli-
tan area.
York Herald Tribune, more reserved in its judgment, looked upon the Detroit Chapter of t h e
him as a theoretician. The contrast in the two editorials is so United World Federalists, will
marked that a study of both will be of ihterest at this time. talk on "The Greatest Chal-
The two newspapers presented these views after Laski's death: 1 e n g e Facing Our American
Democracy."
FATHER OF THE NEW DEAL
HAROLD J. LASKI
Favorite musical selections of
Rabbi • Wise will be sung by a
(Detroit Free Press, March 27, 1950)
New York Herald Tribune
By BORIS SMOLAR
The death of Harold Laski in London
March 27, 1950)
Temple choir.
(Copyright, 1950, Jewish Telegraphic Agency,
Tao.)
Friday removed from the international
Dr. David B. Gaberman, presi-
Professor Harold Laski achieved fame
scene a figure who had tremendous in- as a publicist at an unusually early age; dent of the chapter, will be March of Time
fluence upon modern American and British' he kept through all his years a spright- chairman. All are invited.
liness of mind and manner. His death,
political and economic thought.
American Jewry is coming of age . . . Jewish institutions
interrupting suddenly the prolific flow of
throughout
the United States are now celebrating the 200th anni-
With John Maynard Keynes, Laski was his writing and teaching, leaves unre-
solved the controversies and passions
the guiding genius in the development of
which surrounded his whole public career.
versary of their existence . . . Some also celebrate their 150th an-
the Socialistic trend which found its full He is known chiefly, perhaps, for the
Arabs Retain DPs
niversary and the first 100 years of their existence . . . Actually
expression in the rise to power of the role he played as the philosopher of the
British Labor party in its post-war as-
British Labor Government, and in this cendaney—a powerful influence urging
American Jewry is now about 300 years old ... At least, according
Country in the New Deal.
it to the Left. Yet there is hardly an On
to the records of the U. S. Government . . . These records show
American,
university
that
has
not
at
one
Laski was so far to the left in his
that the first Jewish congregation was established in 1654 in New
thinking that it was impossible for most time or another over the past thirty years
been host to him as lecturer; the whole
NEW YORK — (JTA) — The York, when the city was known as New Amsterdam ... The city
People to discern any dividing line be- modern generation knows his books, and
at
tween his brand of Socialism and Com- it is as a scholar and political theorist— governments of the Arab states
that time had about 800 Jewish residents ... At about the same
munism. It was very largely his theories a scholar of amazing erudition and a in which Palestine Arab dis-
sonorous style—that he will be longest
which brought British radical labor into remembered.
placed persons are now living time Jewish congregations were formed in Savannah, Ga., Charles-
power; yet when that power was at-
ton, Va., and in Philadelphia ... These were the first Jewish don-
In his political philosophy, Professor are not permitting the refugees
tained the Labor Party had to disavow Laski was a foremost exponent -of the
to obtain employment in order gregations in colonial times ... However, 100 years ago—in
Laski to avoid bald acceptance of Corn- free man's right to dissent. His earliest
1850---
books were an attack on prevailing to remain eligible for United there were already 80 congregations in the then
inuniam.
31 states of the
theories of sovereignity. which, he argued, Nations financial aid for the
Union . . . Today there are about 4,000 Jewish congregationS
Laski once was on the faculty of Har- subjected the individual to an oppressive
refugees.
vard University. His open espousal of the Power. Professor Laski found the whole
throughout the country.
American traditional congenial to his
This
statement
was
made
by
Boston police strike in 1920 led to his emphasis on diversity and to the multi-
Dr.
Walter
Clay
Lowermilk,
U.S.
dismissal and he was forced to leave the plication of centers of authority. As a
This year, the Jewish community in Charleston is observing
reformer, however, he seemed to give soil conservation expert who has
country.
less and less weight to these things. Hav-
the
200th
anniversary of its formation .. . In Philadelphia, Con-
However, when Franklin Roosevelt came ing- won the freedom of dissent for him- just returned from a visit to Is-
gregation Rodef Shalom is celebrating its 150th anniversary .
into office, the welcome mat again was self, having seen his own views become ra,e1, at a press conference held
embodied in strong political forces, he be-
Put out for this radical who glorified Rus- came steadily less tolerant of others. This
under the auspices of the Ameri- And in San Francisco, Detroit, Cleveland, Utica, New Orleans
and
sia. lie was a constant visitor at the was the paradox of his life, and its can Christian Palestine Com-
other cities, Jewish congregations are now celebrating, or pre-
White House during the days when the tragedy. In a characteristic phrase he mittee.
paring to celebrate, their 100th anniversary . . . Centennial
New Deal was being formulated. His in- once spoke of "Reason and Freedom—
those twin goodnesses whose triumph gives
The author of the Jordan Val-
cele-
fluence on Roosevelt and the Brain Trust- what of beauty there is in the ultimate
brations will this year be held by Jewish congregations in at
ers was so great that much of the course texture of men's lives." But the Marxism' ley Authority plan said that the
least
this Nation has followed since 1932 can which he preached with increasing fervor Arab states—including Trans-
28 states . . It is characteristic of the march of Jewish life in
left
little
room
for
reason
or
for
freedom.
be attributed directly to him.
jordan, E g y p t, Lebanon and America that many of these old congregations were originally
and converted some of his most am-
bitious writings into mere tracts.
Syria—refuse to allow the Arab Orthodox and later became Reform . . Among the synagogues
The fear of Laski that apparently lives after him is not too DPs to go off the relief rolls which are now 100 years old is The Temple Tiferet Israel in Cleve-
hard to
understand if we delve into history. Max Lerner, in his so that they can continue to re- land, of which Dr. Abba Hillel Silver is the spiritual leader . .
column in the New York Post under the heading "Harold Laski: ceive per capita grants from the This synagogue was organized with 47 .member families, but to-
United Nations. He charged day its congregation counts about 2,000 member families.
Luce to Labor," had these interesting things to say:
that in effect the United Na-
"I first got a glimpse of Harold Laski in 1919, when he was
tions was subsidizing the Arab
It will be interesting for many to know that the first build- •
walking across the Yale campus arm in arm with Henry Luce.
governments through the relief ing of this congregation was erected with a $3,000 bequest from
A Yale political club had invited the stormy young British
program for the Arab refugees. Judah Touro, the colorful Jewish figure in American history .
scholar to speak. Laski was under attack at Harvard for daring
Touro—though residing in New Orleans—bequeathed many thou-
to back up the Boston police-strikers. The very funny young
sands of dollars for Jewish congregations in New York, Boston,
Restrictions
Relaxed
men who put out the Harvard Lampoon devoted a whole cruel
Hartford, New Haven, Baltimore, Richmond, Charleston, Albany,
and stupid issue to him, and frantic alumni showered President
Buffalo, St. Louis, Mobile, Savannah-, Memphis, Louisville, Cin-
On Israel Food Gifts
cinnati and other cities . . . Some of them received as much
Lowell with demands for his dismissal. What these humourus
as
young men were perhaps too ignorant to know was that this
NEW YORK, (ISI)—The Gov- $20,000 under his will . . . There is a- "Touro Synagogue" in New
scholar, scarcely 25, had already founded a new school of politi-
ernment of .Israel has relaxed Orleans which he himself built in 1847 for the Spanish-Portuguese
cal theory . . . Many stupid comments have been written about
restrictions on gift food pack- Jewish congregation there . . . And there is a "Touro Synagogue"
his influence on the New Deal, especially the Know-Nothings
ages sent to residents in Israel, in Newport, R. I., which is now about 200 years old . . . The latter
who wanted to scare fools into thinking that Roosevelt was
has been designated by the U. S. Government as a national
it was announced by the Con- shrine
.
under the thumb of this foreign radical Svengali . . . Laski
sulate General of _Israel.
never hesitated in championing the socialism with democratic
Persons in this country will
freedoms. But he understood Russia and eastern Europe well
be permitted to send "self- This and That
enough to know that their choice could not be the same. He
packed" parcels, through t h e
Premier David Ben Gurion received a renewed member-
died in harness. But he also was sick at heart about a world
mail or by direct shipment, with- ship Israel
card from the Israel Labor Party of which he is a leader.
over which fear had cast a spell. He believed deeply that courage
out the services of Special
. . His occupation is listed as "Agricultural worker, presently
is the price of freedom. It is something worth remembering."
agents.
A family may receive monthly Premier" . . . . Judge Joseph M. Proskauer completed a book. of
The conclusion we draw here is that we suffer from panic.
which throws very interesting light on the development
Also—that history repeats itself, that the fears which impelled a number of such food pack- memoirs
of
Jewish
life in the United States ... The book will be published
students in.1919 to ask for his dimissal from Yale only antedated ages, up to a total weight of 25 next month by a prominent New York publishing house . . ..Dr.
the fearful of our own time.
kilograms, or 55 pounds. Single Chaim Weizmann will be the central figure in a motion
picture
What a pity that some responsible people should be so blind persons are permitted to receive based on a script .written by Leon Gutterman, the JTA columnist
monthly
packages
up
to
a
.total
to reality as to fail to see that exaggeration of dangers sometimes
in Hollywood . . . The film will be made in Israel and in Holly-
weight of 121/2 kilograms, or 271/2 wood
. .. The details. of the film -were discussed in Israel by Ed-
aggravates threats not so much to our democracy as to our think- pounds.
ing. For, we believe that democracy will survive and that in our
ward G. Robinson during his recent visit there . . . And speaking
Duty, about 5 cents per pound, of films, you will soon see in the United States two films
time, again, history will repeat itself and the fear psychoses will
pro-
is payable by the recipient in duced in with the cooperation of ,
be relegated to a background of total neglect.
the Jewish National Fund.
Israel.
. They are: "The Great Promise" and `tEin.Berara."
Purely Commentary
Between You
UN Relief Roils
AMON0011.51
:1-
and Me