PURELY COMMENTARY Emma Lazarus Continued from Page 2 very strange "brethren!' Moreover, Lazarus, in her exposition of the meaning and importance of the concept of Jewish nationality, applied the concept by advocating repeatedly that the persecuted Jews of Europe be encouraged to emigrate to Palestine, there to rebuild their national home Writing fourteen years before Herzl published The Jewish State in 1896, Emma Lazarus was a forerunner of Zionism in its loosest sense. As Louis Harap has pointed out, she did not share the later theory of the inevitability of anti-Semitism or the concept of "ingathering of exiles!' For her, Palestine was seen as a possible "secure asylum" for oppressed Jews, but certainly not for United States Jews, for "Today, wherever we are free, we are at home" Yet even this pre-Herzlian advocacy of the restoration to Palestine of persecuted Jews and the reconstitution there of the Jewish nationality provoked severe criticism, especially when she presented it to the general public, as she did in her article "The Jewish Problem," in the Century in February 1883 (advance extracts of which were published in the American Hebrew when she failed to meet her deadline for the next installment in her series of Epistles). A great American personality has her name recorded for all time with her New Colossus that is an inspiration from Liberty Island reverberating throughout the land. Her essays invite indelible recording in Jewish history. The Schappes-edited book makes both possible. Zamenhof's Esperanto: A Centennial Recognition Numerous attempts have been made through the centuries to overcome language difficulties by formulating a single international language acceptable to all. Only one such effort succeeded. A few days ago the celebrants of the centennial of that language met in Warsaw to acclaim the triumph of the language — Esperanto. A fascinating history emerges in the gathering last month of 6,000 jubilants in Warsaw. In addition to acclaiming their linguistic triumph under the Esperanto name, the celebrants called attention to the fame of the Esperanto creator — Ludwik Lazar Zamenhof. It is well to acknowledge that mockery greeted Dr. Zamenhof at the outset. He soon began to enroll adherents. Linguists and scientists soon began to acclaim his ideal. Soon translations of the Bible and popular selections from Russian and German literature appeared in Esperanto. That's how Zamenhof aimed to prove Esperanto could become an international literary tongue. The first 40 FRIDAY, 5EP9, 4, :1987 Esperanto International Congress was Numerous Esperanto clubs in these outlet. Therefore he participated in the held in France in 1905. The sixth countries include professionals and formation of the Overseas News Agen- Esperanto Congress was held in academicians in all walks of life. cy. From it circulated the reports and Washington in 1910, when Zamenhof Such is the triumph of what was commentaries of the most distinguish- delivered a series of lectures in ed authors. considered either a dream or a Esperanto. It was as a leader in the ranks of the An Esperanto postage stamp was linguistic confusion. Ludwik ONA that he helped in the assembling issued in Hungary in honor of Zamenhof the linguist, Jewish of the most distinguished foreign cor- Zamenhof and Esperanto. In scholar and Zionist attained a great respondents in the Free World. He was Zamenhof's honor two statues were goal. A world movement marks the a leader among them. A listing of their erected in Poland — one in Warsaw in triumph of his vision. names would be a veritable en- 1928 and another in Bialystok in 1934. cyclopedia of journalistic genius. - It is necessary also to emphasize Victor Bienstock, His notable essays of the recent that Dr. Zamenhof had dedicated decade, published in daily newspapers, Jewish affiliations, as a member of the 50 Years A Major utilized for their great value in the Choveve Zion, having pioneered in the By-Liner Jewish press, did much to elevate the formation of this youth movement, and place of Israel among the democratic Victor Bienstock is a name that by- as the author of a pamphlet, "Hilelismus," deigning Judaism as a lined most important chapters in the forces in the world. They were among the most illuminating commentaries on history of American journalism. philOsophy of humanism. These chapters comprise volumes world conditions and on the problems Basic Zamenhof biographical facts are presented in the Encyclopedia covering the happenings of some plea- that irked the people of this nation. sant years and the challenging ones in Judaica: It is not easy to write a tribute to the most turbulent periods in American so dear a friend in a time of deep Zamenhof, Ludwik Lazar and Jewish history. sadness. The writing of it becomes a (1859-1917), Polish philologist Victor Bienstock was a creative matter of deep pride in the close and creator of Esperanto. Born man in our profession. He directed the association I had for nearly half a cen- in Bialystok, Zamenhof studied destinies of the Jewish Telegraphic tury with so eminent a journalist. Mine medicine and specialized in Agency during the critical years of was an association with him in JTA, in ophthalmology. He acquired his World War II, in an era that was mar- ONA, in the current concluding decade interest in philology from his red by the Holocaust, as well as in the of his professional gifts that have helped father who was a language happier period of Israel's redemption. create dignity in the American and teacher: In the critical years preceding, dur- Jewish experiences. The blessings of his For several years Zamenhof ing and in the aftermath of the World memory will always be an inspiration. engaged in research work in the War, he was among those who knew the I'll always remember that he not only Yiddish language and began to need for interpretive journalism, for by-lined journalistically but always in write a Yiddish grammar, which news coverage that needed a courageous friendship. was not completed. From his youth he had contemplated the idea of creating a simple international language which would facilitate and advance relations and mutual understanding between nations. In 1878, he completed the writing of the first pamphlet which contained the fundamentals of the new language. It contained only 900 root words and a grammar with 16 rules. It was published in 1887 under the title Lingvo Internacia ("International Language"). Zamenhof signed it with the pseudonym "Doktoro Esperanto" ("Dr. Hopeful"), hence the name of the language. We are indebted to a Christian Science Monitor correspondent, Cynthia N. Wenz, for her evaluative analysis of the Esperanto history and the centennial anniversary celebration. She points out that the "building block structure of ESperanto" makes it easy to acquire a vocabulary. She notes that "from a base of 16,000 roots taken from many languages, some 150,000 words can be formed. Sixteen basic grammar rules without exceptions and each of the 28 letters of the alphabet have only one sound." The lack of instructors for native teachers is indicated as an impediment to the growth of Esperanto. Besides, it is admitted, English, French and Spanish already have attained dominant usage. Cynthia Wenz points out in her article on the centennial of Esperanto that hundreds of thousands are now adherents of the language and the Universal Esperanto Association in 1986 reached a record membership list Civil rights leader, the late Bayard Rustin, center, meets with Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg to discuss of 40,589 representing 104 countries. understanding and cooperation between blacks and Jews.