The Jewish Answer Main

By ALBERT KLEIN

(Copyright, 1951, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate)

After nearly 20 years of answering every imaginable
question about Jews and Judaism, a Now York scholar-Zion-
ist-communal leader is practically surprise-proof.
Bernard G. Richards, chairman of the Jewish Informa-
tion Bureau, sums it up like this, "Here we are: what would
you like to know?"

A Letter That Made History

R. J. Moses, Founder of Georgia
Peach Industry, Defied Bigot

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Established in 1932, after many years of discussion among
you can• not name an act of my life which
New York Jewish leaders on the need for a clearing house on
Raphael J. Moses, a famous Southern
dishonors either, or which would mar the
Jewish information, the bureau has built up a tremendous store-
orator and statesman, who served as a
character of a Christian gentleman. I feel
house of reference material and a reputation as the plAe to get
Major in the Confederate army, might
it an honor to be one of a race whom per-
the answers. The questions pour in at the rate of 500 a month to
have been forgotten quickly and for all
secution can not crush; whom prejudice
the bureau office at 103 Park Ave. in mid-Manhattan. An estimat-
time, were it not for a history-making let-
has in vain endeavored to subdue; who,
ed 500,000 queries have been handled to date.
ter he wrote to an anti-Semite and for the
despite the powers of man and the antagon-
One question about which Richards admits he doesn't have
part he played in making Georgia the
ism of the combined governments of the
the answer is how knowledge of
world, protected by the hand of Deity, have
Peach State.
the existence of the bureau has
burst the tempolar bonds with which preju-
penetrated to such places as the
Born in 'Charleston, S. C., in 1812, (he died
dice would have bound them, and after
West Indies. Europe is a major
in Brussels in 1893), the son of Israel Moses,
nineteen centuries of persecution still sur-
source of queries, as might be
he was a descendant of the well known Lurie
vive as a nation, and assert their manhood
expected. The bureau also, gets
and Nunez families. Winning fame as a law-
and intelligence, and give proof of 'the di-
ica,
letters from India, South Afr
yer in Florida, he moved to Columbus, Ga., in
vinity that stirs within them' by having be-
and even the Moslem countries.
1849 and at once entered state politics. He was
come a great factor in the government of
Questions come from Jews and
acclaimed as an orator from his youth and he
mankind.
non-Jews, from all types of so-
was welcomed in Political circles as an able
cieties, organizations, institu-
campaigner.
"Would you honor me? Call me a Jew.
tions, schools, the press and
Would you place in unenviable prominence
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he
government departments, seek-
your own un-Christian prejudices and nar-
enlisted in the Confederate army and rose to
ing trustworthy information on
row-minded bigotry? Call me a Jew. Would,
the rank of Major. He was attached to the
questions of fact and knowledge
you offer a living example of a man into
staff of Gen. James Longstreet as Chief Com-
about all phases of Jewishness.
whose educated mind toleration can not en-
, missary of Georgia and was affectionately
The questions fall into two
ter—on whose heart the spirit of liberty and
general categories. One is con-
the progress of American principles have
cerned with practical problems
made no impression? You can find it illus-
on where to get help with social
trated in yourself. Your narrow and be-
welfare needs. The second deals
nighted mind, pandering to the prejudices
with academic matters and for
of your auditory, has attempted to taunt me
this classification Richards has
by calling me a Jew—one of that peculiar
4 the help of an advisory council
people at whose altars, according to teach-
of distinguished scholars.
Bernard G. Richards
ings of your theological masters, God chose
For instance, tracking down persons who at one time have
that his son should worship. .
lived in New York is a recurring assignment. .Richards, whose
"Strike out the nationality of Judea,•and
record of Jewish communal service goes back to the clays of the
you would seek in vain for Christ and his
New York Kehillah, frequently turns to such Jewish old-timers
apostles. Strike out of sacred history the
as Louis Lipsky, the veteran Zionist leader.
teachings of the Jews, and you would be
A saddening aspect of this phase of the bureau's work are the
as ignorant of God and the soul's immortal
questions about the fate of Jewish leaders of the pre-Hitler Euro-
mission as you are of the duties and ameni-
pean Jewish communities.
ties of social life.
A good deal of information is tucked away in Richards'
encyclopedic mind, stored with the observations of half a cen-
"I am not angered, but while I thank
tury of active participation in Jewish life. A long-time leading
you for the opportunity which you have
given me to rebuke a prejudice, confined to
Zionist and one of the founders of the American Jewish Congress,
a limited number, distinguished for their
Richards is a leading Jewish scholar. Lecturers, authors, rabbis
bigotry and sectarian feelings, of which you
turn to him for information and material on Jewish subjects.
are a fit exemplar, I pity you for having
All this work is handled on a small budget provided by central
been cast in a mould impervious to the man-
organizations and a few indiViduals in New York, and allocations
ly and liberal sentiments which distinguish
from some Jewish welfare funds.
the nineteenth century.
There is • one New York institution which is particularly
thankful for the existence of the Jewish Information Bureau
"You are not created without a purpose;
and that is the New York Post Office. When a letter arrives
nature exhibits her beauties by the con-
addressed to "The Jews of New York," or "The Jewish Communi-
trast of light and shade; humanity illus-
ty of New. York" or even to "Judische Hilfskomitee., New -York,
trates its brighest and noblest examples by
U.S.A." the conscientious mailmen no longer worry about what
placing its most perfect models in juxta-
to do with it. They send the letter to B. G. Richards.
position with the meanest specimens of
mankind. So that you have the consolation
of knowing that your mind has been thus .
deformed in the - wisdom of the Great Archi-
RAPHAEL i. MOSES
tect, that you might serve as a shadow to.
bring forth in bold relief the brightest tints
By TERRY ELMAN
of that beautiful picture of religious toler-
identified as "the honest commissary." He had
(Copyright, 1951, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
ation engrafted in the constitution of the
the distinction of receiving the last rationing
Rosh Hashanah Menu and Recipes
United States by the wisdom of our fathers.
order issued by. the Confederate Government.
Honey-Broiled Grapefruit or Fruit Cup iq Sherry Wine
I have the honor to remain sir,
Chicken -soup with Fingerhuetchen
Gefilte fish
One
of
his
sons,
Albert
M.
Lurie,
died
a
Baked Squab
(Noodle Puffs)
•
Fresh green salad
"Your most obedient servant,
Carrots Knadel
hero's death in the Civil War. Two other
Prune and raisin compote
Sponge cake
sons,
Israel
M.
Nunez
and
Raphael
J.
Moses,
Hot tea with lemon
"RAPHAEL J. MOSES.
Jr., also enlisted as volunteers in the Confed-
Baked Squab : Stuff squab with favorite family dressing. Place
"Columbus, Ga.,
erate army.
squab on a bed of onions. For every four squabs .add one
"August 29, 1878."
Several years ago, in a series of articles
cup of orange juice, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, one-half cup
on "Men of Mark in Georgia," in the At-
sherry wine. Baste every 10 minutes for one hour and 10 minutes.
Moses was elected to the Georgia Legisla-
Keep partly covered for first 25 minutes. Bake in 450 degree oven
lantic Monthly, Major Moses was identified
ture in 1866. He was popular as a lawyer and
for 15 minutes. Reduce beat to 350 degrees and continue baking
as the father of the peach industry in his
his oratory drew large audiences. An interest-
for an additional half-hour, basting every 10 minutes with the
state. By stage coach to Macon, by railroad
ing story is recorded about a peddler who de-
drippings in the pan. If necessary, add a little more sherry wine.
to Savannah, on vessels to Philadelphia and
posited his hard-earned savings in the Co-
New York, this distinguished leader sent
Stuffing: Brown 2 large onions in chicken fat. Acid 2 boxes of
lumbus Savings Bank and sat down under
shipments of fresh fruit to eastern and
fresh mushrooms, cut in small slices. . When cooked add one
an elm tree for a rest. Two hours after he
northern markets. Thus, as the first ship-
pound of liver cut in small pieces. Soak one loaf of bread in cold
had left his few dollars with the bank clerk,
per of fruit from his plantation, "Esquiline,"
water. Squeeze out and break into mixture. Add garlic, salt and
he heard the rumblings of a crowd near the
at Columbus, Ga., nearly a century ago, he
pepper to taste, also a little sherry wine.
bank and discovered that the State Bank
became an important industrial figure and
Carrots Knadel: Scrape and cut a bunch of carrots fine. Add
Examiners had closed it. He managed to gain
the term "Peach State" for Georgia may be
a good-sized sweet potato, peeled and diced. Pi,it in pan together
his way indoors and demanded his $600, but
with barely enough salted water to cover. Cook until tender but
due to his ingenuity.
his request was denied. He asked for the name
not soft. The water will mostly cook away. In the meantime,
After the Civil War. Moses was urged to
of a Jewish lawyer and was directed to the
be a candidate for Congress, but he refused
make the knadel by browning one-half cup flour :n hot pan, then
office of Raphael J. Moses.
to make a campaign. The Democratic con-
stir in 2 tablespoons shortening, salt to taste, and one teaspoon
Listening sympathetically to his story,
vention, however, nominated him for a place
sugar. Stir, and let the mixture form a round ball. Cover pan,
Moses
proceeded to the bank and the peddler
in
the
State
Legislature.
On
this
occasion,
an
add a little of the carrot water and let steam a few minutes. Put
identified the bank cashier who accepted his
incident occurred which resulted in the writ-
.knadel in center of carrot mixture and serve.
money, a Mr. Williams. In the presence of
Prune and Raisin Compote: One pound of prunes and one-half
ing of Moses.' famous letter. At the political
the peddler and the cashier, Moses addressed
convention, a man named Tuggle arose to
: pound of white raisins, add 3 tablespoons of sugar and thin slices
the gathered crowd and said:
deliver a vicious tirade demanding to know
of lemon. Stew gently.
if
"this
Christian
community"
desired
to
be
"Gentlemen, but two hours ago this pack
Halperin's Delicious Daffodil Cake
represented by a "Jew," The convention acted
peddler at My side entered Columbus, came
41/2 tablespoons orange and lemon juice
3 egg whites
7 egg yolks
mixed
to this bank, and Williams accepted from
quickly, in favor of Moses and with a rebuke
/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla
him $600 for deposit, knowing the while
to Tuggle.
1 tablespoon orange and lemon rind
3/4 cup sugar
1% cups cake flour
Moses was not present to hear Tuggle's at-
that the books of the bank were being ex-
cup sugar
tack. He heard about it and proceeded to
amined, that the bank would soon be closed.
Beat egg whites, adding a pinch of salt. When frothy, add
Had the depositor been a Gentile and the
Write this letter:
cream of tartar. Beat Tanta whites are stiff enough to hold up in
"I have taken time to authenticate a re-
cashier a Jew, that Jew would now be
.peaks. Gradually add three-fourths cup of sugar. Continue beat-
port which I heard for the first time on the
hanging from yonder tree. As it is, this
ing until stiff. Beat seven yolks of eggs until very thick. While
evening of the last day of the convention.
poor foreigner is helpless. In this bank I
beating, gradually add four and one-half tablespoons of juice, one
At West Point during our congressional
have several thousands of dollars on deposit
teaspoon vanilla and one tablespoon of rind. Beat mixture until
campaign, and in my absence, you sought
.. and I'll take my chances on its recov-
very thick. Pour seven beaten yolks over the eight beaten whites;
for me a term of reproach, and from your
ery with you all. But to Mr. Williams I de-
fold gently. Add one and one-third cups of cake flour with one
well-filled vocabulary selected the epithet
clare in your presence that if he does not
and one-half cup of sugar which has been sifted four times. Beat
of Jew.
return the $600 to this peddler within twen-
at lowest speed in electric mixer. Pour into a tubed angel food
"Had I served you to the extent of my
ty-four hours I will kill him!"
pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. When cake is placed in oven
ability in your recent political aspirations
raise the temperature to 350 degrees. Bake one hour. Invert pan;
The peddler's $600 was returned to him
and your over-burdened heart had sought
when cool, remove cake.
at once.
relief in some exhibition of unmeasured
Dina's Frosting for Daffodil Cake
This is the story of one of the heroes of
gratitude, had you a wealth of gifts and se-
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
the Confederacy, a man who was an even
lected from your abundance your richest
3 tablespoons crushed berries. In season
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
greater hero as a fighter for human rights
offering, to lay at my feet, you could not
2 unbeaten egg whites
and for' justice. By his oratory and his fear-
Place ingredients into top of double boiler. While the water
have honored me more highly nor distin-
lessness, Raphael J. Moses earned an im-
boils in the lower portion of the double boiler, beat with an electric
guished me more gratefully than by • pro-
portant place among the leading Southern
beater for 2 or 3 minutes or until it forms a peak.
claiming Me a Jew. I am proud of my line-
statesmen.
age and my race; in your secret censure
PAGE 100—JEWISH MEWS—SEPTEMBER 211, 1951

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