Purely Commentary
'0 Jerusalem r: A Theme That Harbors
Enmities and Blinds the Statesmen . . .
A Finkelstein Blunder ... Pegler Memo
By Philip
SiOMOVitZ
ert R. Reynolds of North Carolina, Congressmen Hamilton Fish and i No gain. What loss? Well—most
John Rankin—all known for their reactionary views.
of the people who make America
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laugh would be gone, for one thing.
and
many of the people who touch
Rebuke to Pegler by Decent Americans
.
Pegler was met head-on by fair-minded Americans who could not our hearts every day; poets, writ-
tolerate his bigotry. One of the most impressive articles published at ers, dramatists, journalists, best-
that time was by Philip Wylie, the popular columnist, who wrote in the loved radio and movie stars and
now defunct PM, in the Miami Daily News and other newspapers the musicians — thousands upon thou-
sands of these. We'd lose hundreds
. .
following, on Jan. 25, 1944:
Last Sunday he became involved in a rather unpleaant incident.
of
philaists,
nthrop myriads
eger,
A in e r i c a's group inevitably turn upon others. lesser
k Pegler,
l
West
ones and h undreds of th ou-
A Christian Doxology was sung during the Jewish service he con-
of
nny-
d
his
Johnny-
'
—
d
.
I dare say 50 per cent of the anti- sands
ducted at the White House. His sermon closed wih the Adorn Olam. stuck whistle. stopped
an s or the kindest people in
one-note campaign against crooks Semitic talkers known to me are '
He was a good sport about the trinitarian hymn, and for his readiness
besides.
Our
culture
not to make a fuss over "Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." Presi- in labor long enough the other day also anti-Catholic. Suppose their be knocked
ock ed out and the throat Of
dent Nixon owes him a vote of thanks for his silence. But, do we? to mutter that there wasn't any words, which have the same dark- our mirth would be cut. Quite a
But the praise for Dr. Finkelstein came a bit too soon: at the ' anti-Semitism in America — just . ling color that made pogroms in loss. But it's nothing. We'd lose SO
outset the President went all out to commend the religious leader; people worrying about it—and what Europe, become reality? Against ninny scientists that the progress
and the head of the Conservative movement in this country went even was all the fuss? Well, some of my ' vrhom would they strike next?
of man would be set back the
further in his sermon to invoke the Mission of God in acclaiming the best friends are anti-Semites. I . But let us half-suppose it. Like length of your whole lifetime. We'd
know
that
the
very
great
majority
the
shrewd
hillbilly
in
the
fable,
let
rise to leadership of the current President of the United States.
the millions of babies and
of Americans do not take part in us turn propaganda into imagined lose
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That's why the Washington Post challenged the pattern of religiousthis sinister fad, polls have made reality
- happened—what? Sup- adults their research was going to
-
have
saved.
We'd lose thousands of
services in the White House and criticized resort to political motiva- that clear, but there is too much of pose all Jews
If it vanished at the stroke
men now thinking up instruments
tions in religious programing in the Chief Executive's headquarters.
it here in Miami, and in New York, . of midnight.
ht. What
evil would
be of victory—and all the unaccount-
What
blessing
would
re-
It will not be at all surprising if those who are determined to pro- Boston and Chicago for the corn- undone? g
able engines they would have ID-
the separation of Church and State principle will now call for a fort of common citizens like me. To , suit? What's this talk all about?
The next day, there would still vented for the empire we call the
change in the adopted administration religious program. The President i say it doesn't exist is like putting
future. If we had caused this, we'd
has a perfect right—a personal duty—to observe as he personally a brick on the safety valve. That's be as many crimes committed,
pleases. But when the White House is turned into a religious temple, i what a column is, isn't it, Peg? capita. Prisons would remain pro- lose the American Constitution and
its Bill of Rightsy,
, our security .
P
there is cause for challenge and for protest against the injection of People like you and me ought to portionately as full. The incidence
o ur self-re -
everybody's libert
religious dogmas into American life.
use a pound of steam and the free of gangsters and rapists would rise
spect, and the immortal souls Of
Dr. Finkelstein has not helped his own position by introducing the press to get the record straight. slightly. The number of corrupt
contributed
to the
defense of the existence of "a little super-sensitivity" among the critics. Jews can't. They would be arguing political leaders and office holders those who had
Since he admits that he knew in advance of the service that the Doxol- against those who have already ' would hardly diminish by a hand- I measureless catastrophe even by
ogy would be included, his excuse not only is lame: he is no longer condemned them. That leaves us. ful. We'd lose ground in the war, talk. "Information, please," would
guiltless. He had an opportunity to ask for the omission of a Christian Wherefore, your analyst is putting where hundreds of thousands of be wiped out. We'd lose Barney
i Baruch and Hedy LaM arr
that was to be part of his service, and he did not utilize it. out an extra.
hymn that
' good Allied soldiers were missing,
True: a President's invitation is never rejected, but that does absolve
I have heard hundreds of mali.. and because the Axis would lose I bert Einstein, and—Hell! and
Think. Think honestly. That's A
a participant in a President's project from criticizing contents or from cious charges
charges brought against the I nodoby. No problem of the peace it takes.
asking for changes—especially when religious convictions are involved. Jews by people I know, most of %;ould
would change
- b
Ur
E
c ange a h air
rea
. Even
P S.—In the brief moment
On this score Dr. Finkelstein's role can not be excused.
whom should know better.
tt
These ; Palestine would then be the Arab took to set down the above facia.
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Perhaps it is not out of order to recall that the late President charges are always of two kinds, problem it always was. The M r. Pegler has changed his mind.
Eisenhower's
minister
of right
faith to
was
an avowed
anti-Zionist.
was often
his either charges that could be made strikers would still strike; John L. He now sees that there is anti-
personal
affair
and his
hold
any view
he wished. It But
haunt
Semitism. But, he says, it is the
4 per still
it was referred to every time the Eisenhower Middle East policies were with
exactly equal
truth
Lewis
and
Petrillo
cent more
humanity,
or lies.
The against
people all
us.
There
would
be would
doing of Marshall Field and PM.
under scrutiny. That was
especially
true
during
the have
period
of better
con- who make them are unable or un- food—but distribution would buckle, They are responsible (in
Sinai
Campaign
and
it would
been
Peg-
troversy after the 1956
g to check
fact
find out 4 per cent more material for ler's
nervous
willing
h k
d and
fi d
1
, fast-shiftin
g b rain)
if the President had not been suspected of being influenced by that truth. So they repeat lies without clothes—and nobody much left to
the
bit
b
-
of
anti-Zionist, anti-Israel religious minister. Religious influences should the slightest realization of their make the clothes. and, of course.
unassimilated Americans and for
be kept away from the White House doors..
taxes would rise 4 per cent. The
origin of their monstrousness.
the thoughtless cruelty of those
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movies and the radio wouldn't miss .
They blame Jews in particular a beat, in spite of what the anti 1 ■ other Americans who haven't a
The Sanctimony About the '0 Jerusalem !' Exclamation
for those human failings of which Semites have said Only the quality right to the dignity of that name.
A New York Times editorial. Tuesday, with the sanctimonious we are all guilty equally, and which
1 Marshall Field and PM„ eh? If
Id suffer The . market w ould sa.
ould
heading of "0 Jerusalem!" introduces a note of confusion. It asks !have led to the misery of this hour w o
true, then Pegler is respond-
pse, for
m there.
uu
are n 0 7 ' that's
ut not collapse,
for speedy solution of the Middle East problem. 'but it creates a -thou.h it is plain even to them ' but
ble for all the strikes, and by his
doubt whether the editorial writer undertook to make a full study of that the Jews have suffered most that many Jews in it and the aver- own definition. Come, come, pal.
: age Jew is poor, in spite, aga i n, at
the situation.
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Get that whistle jammed on the old
from it. That lack of logic. of heart, ' the illiterate folklore.
tune again. The new note's sour
There is suspicion that all the facts are missing from that writer's , of wisdom, is at once the saddest
and screechy.
effusion of sanctimony, else• how could he possibly speak in terms and the snidest of man's weakness-
of Arabs being denied their rights in East Jerusalen when so many ' es. Numberless times in his history
This column appeared in the Congressional Record, Friends of
new avenues have been opened for them!
he has punished one group or an-- Democracy reprinted it as a pamphlet entitled "Westbrook Pegler Is
The distressing fact about that editorial is that it fails to recall , other in spiteful vengence for some Answered," and the brochure contained this message from Rex Stout,
the 20 years of Jordanian rule when, in defiance of the United calamity brought about by the another well known writer; "This mesage should be read carefully by
Nations. Jews were not permitted to get near the holy places in that greed or the stupidity of all groups , every American who is concerned for the welfare of our country and
portion or-Jerusalem. they were barred from the Western Wall (is it together. Hitler did it most recently the preservation of its traditional liberties."
any wonder that the Wall's liberation was cause for worldwide Jewish to Jews. then to Protestants and
While Pegler spouted hatred, he was answered by America's
rejoicing?), and many synagogues were destroyed under Arab rule. Catholics. Shall we follow him?
liberals. The literature of the columnist of hate now repI8sents one of
Dr. Finkelstein's Bad Luck at White House
Dr. Louis Finkelstein, the very observant, pious Jewish leader
who is closer-to-Orthodoxy-than-to-Conservatism, occasionally meets
with tough luck in propagating his views. He has been drawn in the
past into controversy over his views in his two-volume work "The
Pharisees." He has been involved in several religious disputes in
which he has been challenged. He has met most of his challenges well
and there is no doubt about his utter sincerity.
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There is a limit to one-sidedness in sympathies uttered with ' To be an anti-Semite is to repudi- the dark chapters in American journalism.
crocodile tears when newspapers, without searching for the root of ate our Constitution and to deny
problem, talk about fairness to Arabs while ignoring—as they ' every syllable of meaning in the
have done thl'ough the years—justice to the Jew. "0 Jerusalem!" story of America. People don't
sounds like such a heart-rending cry while speaking of the Arab rule. think of that, but every law we
when those 14stio. utter it should accompany it with an expression of have made is based upon the prin-
guilt over the, silence of the centuries and the recent decades in ciple of the individual and his
relation to the Jews, Israel knows the silence and will not abandon ' rights. Talk does not often lead to
The steady increase in the number
NEW YORK—Recent reports in-
its historic sites, and an undivided Jerusalem is among them. I chaos. But there has never been a dicate a sharp increase in the num- of Jewish refugees in Vienna, Rome
Once again Jerusalem is a medium for diatribes against Israel. chaos that was not proceeded by ber of Jews who are applying for and Paris has placed a very heavy
Again, at the UN, inspired by Arab and Communist hate-mongers, talk, much talk, all prejudiced. emigration from Poland as a result burden on the Joint Distributi011
the Holy City has become a basis for debate and venom. As in the I ignorant, underground, dishonest, of a government announcement Committee and other Jewish wel-
past, the basic facts are ignored. Israel's contribution towards the and evil. My mean-talking friends June 10 that as of Sept. 1 Polish fare organizations, he said. "Hun-
elevation of the Arabs above the sub-standards into which they were are not planning action. The very Jews would no longer be permitted dreds are delayed in the transit
forced by their compatriots are belittled, an effort is being made to thought would make them shudder. to apply for emigration to Israel centers waiting for their visas and
restore Jerusalem to a status that would bar Jews from their ancient But the tone their muttering takes "under relaxed provisions."
other migration papers to be proc-
City of Peace. Bigoted Christians and Moslems gloated when Jews is the sort that can stampede idiots
This was reported by Samuel L. essed and while they wait they must
could not get near the Western Wall—the only remaining wall of —and has done so a thousand Haber, executive vice chairman of be cared for by JDC," Haber stated.
the Ancient Temple. And the UN is being used as a platform for times. They are people who should! the Joint Distribution Committee,
Louis Broido, JDC chairman, an-
the haters. How shameful these acts are at the UN ! not stand as poor examples to the at a midyear meeting of the board nounced the signing of an agree.-
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less intelligent, the less decent, the
ment in Israel creating an Associa-
of directors in New York City.
vicious, and morally deficient.
Westbrook Peglees Hate Mania
"There is no doubt in my mind tion for the Planning and Develop-
Westbrook Pegler just plain hated. He didn't like Jews. He sus- i They just don't reason. They tell that during the summer we will ment of Services for the Aged In
pected Zionists and attacked them constantly. He was full of venom me — all of them — that some of see at least half of Poland's small Israel. The association, which was
against Negroes. their best friends are Jews and remnant of Jews come out," Haber created at the initiative of the
Joint Distribution Committee and
He had been what we consider a liberal and was a member of minutes
that there
are
"fine"
Jews.
later
they
belittle
and Five
de- declared. "This will undoubtedly
Franklin D. Roosevelt's National Committee in the early 1930s. But on mean Jews—thus thrusting knives include many hundreds who may in which JDC will serve as an
Aug. 14, 1947, he turned to the Right and adopted the Hitler code of in the backs of those "best friends." not have contemplated leaving but equal partner with local voluntary
"pride of race and lineage," calling it "legitimate and dignified." That's They are too empty-headed to per- have been forced to declare them- agencies, will develop a program
when he adopted the Nazi line—remember, Hitler had already been ceive that, by everybody else, selves lest they be trapped by the of institutional and community
services for all of Israel's aged..
defeated!—and in his delusion and fear that "probably" all of "Chris- their Jewish friends are automatic. pending restrictions."
Malben, the JDC program in Israel,
tian Europe" would be drowned by "the horrible bloody tide of Bol- ally included in their generality.
Haber reported that almost served mainly immigrants, he
shevism he posed a question: "In view of the situation that exists That is one measure of their stu-
3,000 Jews came out of Poland noted.
today, wouldn't you agree that they (the Nazis) were right?"
pidity. They ought to know, if they during the last eight months of
Dr. Martin Cherkasky, director
He didn't hide his prejudices. He affirmed his venom. He was anti- are over 10 years old, that the pro-
1968 and that 2,000 emigrated
union. He was linked with H. V. Kaltenborn in efforts to undermine the portion of fine people among Gen- during the first five months of of Monteflore Hospital, reported
New Deal. He referred to Roosevelt as "louse" and "fathead."
tiles runs just the same, to the last
1969. "It is still too early for the that JD() was spending about
the
Summer Will S ee Hundreds of Jews
Seeking Exit From Poland, JDC Told
decimal point. And they should re- figures on June but there is no
doubt that they will reflect the
member that whenever a group is
sharp increase in the numbers
disenfranchised or destroyed, man-
kind then has the tyrant or execu- applying for emigration," he said.
In addition to the exodus of Jews
tioner to deal with. In such a case
it would be—themselves. Finally, from Poland, Haber reported con-
they should have, been, taught this tinued eutigratitin from North
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS truth: Those who persecute 'one Africa: —
In 1944 he himself revealed that anti-Semites were deluging him
with letters of praise, but he denied being an anti-Semite at that time,
while criticizing Jews for adopting Zionism, for monopolizing the gar-
ment and movie industries, for resorting to Anglo-Saxon names.
The company a man keeps is the best indication of his character.
His articles were inserted in the Congressional Record by Senator Rob-
2—Friday, July 4, - 1469
$6,000,000 in Israel on health ted
welfare programs.
Describing a visit to Iran, Dr.
Cherkasky said "I don't knout
where anybody can buy as much
thuman Welfare for $1.500;000 WI
-JDC- does - in Iran." - •