Purely Commentary
Crimea, Birobidjan, Mirages . . .
Crimea, Birobidjan, Mirages
By Philip
SIOMOVitZ
Postponed Unity
great Ingathering have our people found a measure of consolation
for the millions of our martyred dead trapped and slaughtered in
the countries of Europe.
This is the legacy of the new United Israel Appeal, Inc. It
is the trustee of a great historical ideal. As we streamline our fund-
raising structure, the vicissitudes of the past should cause us to
beware of the future and the surprises it may have in store for
us, as for all mankind. "The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor
slumbers," says the Holy Writ. We must keep watch and ward if
we aspire to be worthy of our sacred trust.
There is no denying the realism of Dr. Neumann's review of a
chapter of our fund-rasing history. The matter he referred to is in
the past, but it is worth recalling. Perhaps it will be a lesson for those
in our own time who may yield to attempts to belittle the Israeli
creative labors which are no longer experimental—which are prag-
matic and truly life-saving.
Israel Seeks Legislation
to Curb Security Leaks
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Israel's
Cabinet discussed at its weekly -
meeting here a proposal for legis-
lation that would impose severe
penalties on former government
officials, who, after leaving public
service, disclose secret facts that
had come to their knowledge while
working for the government.
Another legislative. proposal dis-
cussed by the Cabinet concerned
treatment of persons charged with
violation of security regulations
by having contacts with foreign
agents. The proposal called on the
government to ease the 15-year
prison term for persons convicted
of such a crime.
In his address on the occasion of the reorganization of major
Israel fund-raising activities and the fusion of the United Israel Appeal
with the Jewish Agency, Dr: Emanuel Neumann reviewed the 40-year
history of fund-raising for Israel and recalled some of the clashes with
the Joint Distribution Committee, the involvements of the Keren Haye-
sod and the Jewish National Fund, and especially the attempts that
were made to introduce a Crimean project for agricultural settlement
in Russia.
All but the efforts in and on behalf of the Land of Israel had
collapsed, they were unnatural and therefore unacceptable and could
not possibly encourage responses from the masses to whom their ap-
peals were directed.
In relation to the division in Jewish ranks over the Russian pro-
posals, Dr. Neumann pointed out in his address:
"The occasion for such a clash arose in 1925 when the leader-
'. ship of the Joint Distribution Committee was persuaded to adopt
a project for Jewish colonization in Crimea and the Ukraine, with
the active support of the Russian Soviet Government at that time.
In retrospect it may seem strange that the leadership of the JDC,
NEW YORK, (JTA) — "In 1965 report, Louis Broido, newly-elected are all deeply grateful to both of
solid citizens, fervently devoted to the interests of fellow Jews,
JDC chairman, paid tribute to Ed- them."
and certainly anti-Communist in outlook, should have joined hands there were as many Jews in need ward M. Warburg for his out-
The drastic cut in JDC income
of
Joint
Distribution
Committee
with the Soviet Government in an effort to ease and stabilize the
standing work during the 25 years imposes a special responsibility on
assistance
as
in
1964,"
Charles
H.
position of Russian Jews suffering from the effects of the Bolshevik
he served as chairman of the Joint members of the National Council,
Revolution. Both were sincere — though undoubtedly the Russian Jordan, JDC executive vice-chair- Distribution Committee.
Sal Satinsky, JDC National Council
man
and
director-general,
stated
Government had good reasons of its own for promoting such an
chairman declared in a message in
in
the
agency's
annual
report
issu-
Broido,
who
is
Commissioner
of
needs
serve
internal
Soviet
effort. Certainly, it was calculated to
the annual report.
ed
here:
"But,"
he
stressed,
"in
the
New
York
City
Department
of
while holding out to the Jews the promise not only of economic
He stressed the importance of
rehabilitation, but also of some kind of Jewish autonomy in a 1965 JDC had lost $7,000,000 — Commerce and Industrial Develop-
nearly a quarter of its 1964 in- ment, said: "During most of that keeping the communities informed
corner of the Russian Empire.
come."
quarter-century, I was a member of JDC's stringent financial situa-
"This effort, with the far-reaching commitments it involved,
Jews
This loss represented repara- of the Administration Committee tion and the effect on needy
might have passed without serious challenge, were it not for
agency's
overseas.
He
lauded
the
of
the
JDC
and
I
had
the
oppor-
its attendant circumstances. The new fund raising campaign of tions money which the JDC had tunity to observe at close range Community Information Program
the JDC was launched with the Crimea project as its new and been receiving annually since 1954
what he did and what was done which brings JDC country directors
very special feature. The new campaign manager was aggressive through the Conference on Jewish by Moses A. Leavitt, our long-time and other overseas personnel to
in temperament. He was inclined to play up the new venture rather Material Claims Against Germany.
Jewish communities to report on
flamboyantly, riding roughshod over the sensibilities of the Pales- The grants, which averaged around executive vice-chairman, whom we the developing situation overseas.
so unfortunately lost in 1965. We
tine-oriented elements of the community. To top it all, the Com- $7 000 000 annually ended in 1964
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munist press, especially in Yiddish Communist organs, both in and despite increased efforts by
Soviet Russia and here, went further in heralding the Crimea American Jewish communities
Boris Smolar's
project as the new goal destined to replace the Zionist and "im- through the United Jewish Appeal,
perialist-inspired" program for a National Home in Palestine. In only a fraction of that sum was
made
up
in
1965,
Jordan
reported.
,
their Communist eyes, Britain was Enemy Number One, with the
Zionist Movement as its tool and accomplice.
As a result, he said, JDC was
"The public controversy, which erupted in the Jewish community, forced to curtail its programs in
threatened to become acrimonious and harmful. The issue of many countries. Even so, JDC
`Cremea vs. Palestine' was loaded and explosive. The Zionist and aided nearly 413,000 needy Jews
By BORIS SMOLAR
pro-Palestine groups, though loyal supporters of relief programs, in 1965, compared with 430,000
(Copyright, 1966, JTA, Inc.)
were apprehensive of the effects of the new campaign with its assisted the year before.
COMMUNAL TRENDS: What changes are ahead for the Jewish
three-year goal of 515,000,000. They feared that the Crimea idea
Among the cutbacks he noted
might be sold to the Jewish public as something in the nature of were curtailment of clothing dis- communities in this country in the next decade? . This is one of
a substitute for Palestine and were determined to prevent such tribution to children in Morocco, the major questions that will be thoroughly examined at the or -
a diversion of Jewish interest and effort. It was at this point that Tunisia and Iran; tightening the coming General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and
responsible Zionist leadership cast about for positive and con- eligibility requirements for admis- Welfare Funds . . . The Assembly — which will take place in Los
structive answers to the dangers which they sensed."
sion to the old age homes of Mal- Angeles — will be held in the middle of November; however prepara-
The Zionist elements proceeded to explore methods of combatting ben, the JDC welfare program in tions for discussions of this and other issues of major concern to
the illusory schemes like that "Crimean." The formation of the Karen Israel; and a cut of more than American Jewry are already in the making . . . Another important
Hayesod, under the world leadership of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, under $1,000,000 in JDC subvention to the question on the agenda of the CJFWF Assembly will be: How will
the American leadership of Dr. Neumann, eventually led to amicable French Jewish community despite government expansion into the field of social welfare affect voluntary
relations with the JDC. Today there is a partnership on a sound basis. the presence of thousands of needy agencies? . . . Huge government funds will be spent for medical
Dr. Neumann's recollections serve to indicate how blind some sec- Jewish refugees, particularly from aid, through Medicare, and for anti-poverty programs in which Jewish
health and service agencies are engaged .. . Jewish hospitals, homes
tions in Jewry were to the real needs for relief and for mass settlement North Africa.
for the aged, family and child care services, vocational services stand
of Jews -in the only area where they can feel at home — in the Land
"In every one of the 30 to benefit a great deal financially from this expansion . . . The
of Israel. Time proved the validity of Zionism.
countries in which JDC operates, government has made it clear that it welcomes the "partnership" of
Time also proved that those who had leaned towards Crimea and
there have been cutbacks," Jor- voluntary agencies, and Jewish community leaders — as well as
Birobidjan had erred and thereby postponed unified action by all
dan stated. "We tried to cut with-
Jews in behalf of the Zionist proposals. Had they acted in unison many out causing- suffering. But in the p rofessionals — play no small role. already in sharing their ex-
periences of many years in the fields of welfare work . . . The
of the Six Million might have been rescued.
From time to time Birobidjan — the mythical "Russian Jewish process people were hurt, people Assembly, at which the foremost leaders of the Jewish communities
did suffer!'
throughout the country will pool experiences and ideas, will also
state" — reappears in the news. For example, from Die Welt of Ham-
Of the 413,000 aided in 1965, take up the very important question of Jewish -education . . . The
burg we have this item: that "at a press conference in Moscow Aaron
to
Vergelis said it is doubtful if it is practical to establish Jewish schools 97,000 were assisted in Israel, over delegates will seek to establish what can the Jewish federations do
assure
quality
and
relevance
in
Jewish
education
.
.
.
The
question
79,000
in
Europe,
and
more
than
as they existed before the war, in face of technical progress. But it is
intended to try such an experiment to establish a Yiddish school in 56,500 in the Moslem countries. how can the momentum of increased fund-raising be carried . forward,
Another 5,000 received aid in other to leave the plateaus farther behind, will be another major item on
Birobidjan."
to
This is part of the misleading tactics which are in no way helpful countries. In addition, approxi- the agenda of the Assembly . . . The gathering will also attempt
establish
what
will
continue
and
what
will
change
in
overseas
needs
mately
175,000
were
aided
by
the
to the few Jews who are in Birobidjan and only befuddle the issue
for Jews elsewhere. Vergelis, the editor of Sovietish Heimland, the JDC relief-in-transit program which and services . . .
POLITICAL NOTES: Although Israel seems to have ceased to
Moscow Yiddish periodical, admits in this item that there are no cuts across national boundaries.
Jewish schools in Birobidjan. But there is nothing else of a Jew-
be
a
front-line target of the Arab rulers — because they are now
Expenditures for the year totaled
ish nature there, except for a mimeographed news bulletin that $22,0'77,000 as against $29,400,000 fighting among themselves — it still serves as a front-line dummy for
appears twice a week. It is doubtful whether there are Jewish children in 1964. JDC receives the bulk of penetrate the Middle East, and the present Soviet leaders have now
there to be served in a Jewish school, or whether there is any desire, its funds from the campaigns of which include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon . . . In her ambition to
enetrate the Middle East, and the present Soviet leaders have now
except to emigrate, among the handful of Jews there who are not the United Jewish Appeal.
resumed
the Soviet campaign to penetrate the Eastern Mediterranean
known to have a wish for Jewish survival.
In an introductory message to the . . . They do it in three ways . .. First by negotiating for a Soviet
Thus, the old mirages — Crimea and Birobidjan — creep back into
submarine base on Egypt's Mediterranean coast . . . Second, by
news reports — in every instance exposing the misrepresentations
offering technical assistance and arms to Syria, such as aid to build
Erhard Deplores Arson
about visionary schemes that have not materialized.
a dam across the Euphrates, similar to the Aswan Dam project in
at Berlin Jewish Center
Egypt .. . Third, by persuading a reluctant Nasser and the reluctant
'The Trustee of An Historic_ ideal'
Syrians to become friends again; after years of hostility, Syrian and
BONN,
(JTA)
—
West
German
Since "Crimea" played an important, if disruptive, role in Jewish
Egyptian politicians are now meeting each other under Moscow's
Chancellor
Ludwig
Erhard
de-
communal deliberations, and since the Zionist ideal alone emerged as
push . . . Moscow apparently believes she can cash in on the latest
nounced
an
incident
of
last
month
the major libertarian factor in Jewish life, the following concluding
evidence of disunity among the Arabs by supporting Syria and Egypt
portion of Dr. Neumann's history-evaluating address is worth making in which a building of the Jewish — the "revolutionary states" — against the "reactionary states,"
Community Center in Berlin was
added note of:
which include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebonan . .. In her ambition to
burned by arsonists.
Herbert Agar, in his history of the JDC, "The Saving Rem-
secure a new foothold in the Mediterranean Russia has scored a
Replying
to
a
letter
from
the
nant," summed up the Crimean experiment in these words:
first
victory by Nasser now permitting a "presence" of Soviet sub-
"The story of these Jewish settlers had as unhappy an ending Central Council of Jews in Ger- marines in Egyptian waters . . . At the same time the Soviet Govern-
.
many,
complaining
about
the
in-
appear
to
have
killed
them
all.
World-
as possible. The Germans
ment proclaimed itself the protector of the present government in
wide efforts have been made to get some news of somebody who cident, the Chancellor assured the Syria, which is opposed by many persons within Syria and outside
Council
that
all
Germans
of
good-
belonged to the .Agro-Joint colonies; but with the pOssible excep-
the country . . The renewed vilification of Israel in the Soviet
tion of one man (who claims to be the sole survivor) there is no will also denounce the arson and
press and at the United Nations Security Council, as "aggressor"
news. In 1956 James Rosenberg wrote to Edward Warburg, who react with horror to such deeds. against Syria, is part of Moscow's role of the protector of the new
In Bad Hersseld, meanwhile,
had succeeded his father as chairman of the Joint: 'We have never
regime in Syria . . . Israel thus has, for the time being, no chance
been able to find one bit of information as to what happened to four 19-year-old Germans were to succeed in its efforts to win improved relations with Russia . .
the 300,000 Jews who were settled in the Crimea and the Ukraine. arrested for painting swastikas and
On the other hand, Israel has now succeeded in improving relations
Four or five years ago I tried and was utterly baffled, and unable Nazi slogans in various places of with other East European Communist countries which are becoming
the
town
in
May
and
June.
The
to learn anything. My fear is that the whole wonderful work has
youths, who confessed to the van- increasingly independent of Moscow .. . Rumania has good trade re-
been destroyed!"
lations with Israel, and Poland's relations with Israel have substantially
Only in the miraculous rebirth of the State of Israel and its dalism, said that they did it in or- improved after Israel's declaration that she regards the Oder-Neisse
der "to test the reaction of the
border between Poland and - Germany as final.
• THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS population."
Loss of Reparations Curtails JDC Programs
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'Between You
. . and Me'
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