Poge Two
JEWISH   WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, January 25, 1957
B.C. Zionist Organization strongest in Canada says retiring president
A presidential report which indicated a most active year by the Pacific Region of Zionist Or-ganizaion of Canada during 1956 was presented by Irving G. Chert-kow, retiring president, at the annual meeting of the organization this week.
Mr. Chertkow pointed out that the past year had been a very critical year for the people of IsraeL He cited the fact that "Her externa! relations with her Arab nations worsened" in referring to Israel's "Punitive action' against Egypt* of last fall.
Immigration into Israel had once again been increased, he stated, with newcomers arriving from North Africa, Poland, and Egypt.
Ttaraing to the local scene Mr. Chertkow referred to the purchase and construction of the new Camp Hatikvah at Oyama, B.C. as *^s-siMy our largest dndertaking for the 1956 seasmi.'*
Other activities reviewed by Mr. Chertkow included the second annual regional conference held last September, the Negev Dinner honoring Sam Rothstein, and the expanded public relations program of the Zionist Organization.
Mr. Chertkow reported that the'
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Lon Lefohn bad raised more tban $220,000. The 1956 Israel Bond campaign headed by Haroia Free-
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 1957 NOW DUE
YOUR EARLY PAYMENT WILL BE APPRECIATED
man produced the sum of $270,000, and the current bond campaign has raised close to $150,000. Speaking of youth activities, Mr. Chertkow disclosed that "The Young Judaea movement is not in a healthy state at the present moment..
"It would seem that if we are to have a properly organized Judaean Movement in Vancouver, then we must follow the lead shown us this year by the Beth Israel. A
proper
group worker, such as the Jewish Community Council and Beth Israel have, is necessary if we are to continue in the Judaean field^ and I urge that the incoming'Executive give serious consideration to this matter."
Turning to the state of the Zionist Orgasizatsoiis throughout Canada, Mr. Chertkow. said It, *<has taken a steady downward trend in most parts of the countiy^* but *Hbe opposite would seem to hold true for Vancouver." The retiring president expressed the view that the Zionist organizations in B.C. "has expanded and progressed since 1948 . . . (and) is among the strongest in the country."
Mr. Chertkow reported on the organization of a new Zionist men's club in Vancouver and a new student Zionist group at UBC.
Commending the local Jewi^ press, Mr. Chertkow stated "our relations with the Jewish Western Bulletin hav^ been excellent and we are most pleasdd with the coverage of interna-ionai news . . ." He also expressed his appreciation to executive director Leo Marcus, office secretary Mrs. Marg Adelberg, and a special vote of thanks to the Hadassah.
ISRAEL INFORMAtlON SERVICE GRITICIZED IN KNESSET
DR. CLIFF AMES was elected treasurer of the Zionist Organization Pacific Region at the annual meeting this week. Dr. Ames has been playing an increasingly active part in Zionist affairs here. .
JERUSjALEM (ZINS)—It is true that during the Smai campaign Israel's information services did not prove effective, admitted Prime Minister Ben-Gur-ion, in answer to questioning by Chaim Ariav, General Zionist deputy-speaker of the Knesset.
Mr. Ariav stressed the fact that the failure of Israel's propaganda placed Israel at a serious disadvantage just when it most needed good public relations.
Mr. Ben-Gurion explained that prior to the launching of the Sinai operations, the highest security considerations prevented any moves to prepare public opinion. Here Mr. Ben-Gurion revealed for the first time, that five days before Israel's lightening move into Sinai, only one man (Ben-Gurion) himself) knew the Zero hour. He also made it clear that Israel's diplomats abroad first got
CONCERN OVER ISRAEL BOND SETUP AND
JUDAEA
BY
Aspects of the work of hte Zionist Organization 6t B.C. which require special attentibn were dealt with by Leo Marciis executive diirectbr, in his report to the annual meeting this week
Mr. Marcus reviewed the work the organization in relation to the Jewish National Fund and the United Jewish Appeal, the Israel Bond Drive Young Judaea, Camp Hatikvah, and public relations activities.
Discussing the Bond drive,''Mr. Marcus pointed, out that while the Zionist Organization of Canada "has no direct responsibility for the sale of State of Israel Bonds" the Zionist
Editor's view
A. T. ArnoM
Anti-Seiiiitism among Hiingdricin refugees
THE crisis in world affairs which first developed in Eastern Europe and the Middle East last fall has only now made itself felt in a most direct manner on the Jewish community of Vancouver.
All of us have of course been deeply disturbed by the turn in international affairs these past few months. iSut now the Jewish community is being brought face to face with the situation as a result of the unexpected influx of over 50 Jewish immigrants.
This is the largest groiip of Jewish refugees in many years who haye come to Vancouver for per-
from Max Bookman, Ottawa correspondent of the Western Jeyvish Newis of Winnipeg. Bookinan discloses that there were anti-Semitic outbreaks among Hungarian refugees in St. John, New Brunswick; directed against Jews destined fgr western points (WJN, Jan. 17). He also cited a report of fist-fights between Jews, and non-Jews among Hungarian refugees in Australia.
Bookman states that ^^ungarian Jews fleeing from terror in. Hung^ to Canada and elsewhere are among those who have changed tideir names and! listed themselves as other than Jews. Once out of
manent settlement. Because of the size, of the group,   Hungary a goodly number of Jews have declared as well as on account of the special circumstances of their arrival (see page one) a considerable strain is being placed on the resources of the local Jewish community.
if we fully understand why these people have come here however, we will realize that it is our solemn responsibility tp help them, just as we have always helped every Jewish refugee who has arrived in our midst.
Along with all the other refugees these people left Hungary to escape the danger of further political upheavals and disturbances. But in addition we should not overlook the fact that the Jews had the same reason for fleeing Hungary, as did all Jews before them who ever fled any other country.
it appeared strange indeed when we first read reports that the Hungarian outbreaks had been un-marred by anti-Semitism. But after checking more recent information from various sources and after discussing the situation with some of the Hungarian Jews who are now here (see story on page one) we can conclude that anti-Semitism was far from an unimportant factor and one that further complicated the situation in Hungary.
As a result of the attitude and actions of the Hungarian refugees, both Jewish and non-Jewish, the anti-Semitic element in the situation has finally come to light.
About ten days ago more than 1,000 Hungarian refugees at a processing centre in Vienna staged an anti-Jewish riot because they were told that Jews were getting preference in obtaining entry into United States.
their Hebrew origin and as a result their compatriots have revealed their anti-siemitism.''
Among refugees from Hungary arriving in Winnipeg it has been reported that while Jews supported the fight against coihmunism they also suffered hostility because of the fact that there were some Jews among the communist leaders.
Here in Vancouver we can confirm the fact that some of the Hungarian refugees have been afraid to reveal their identity as Jews. Therei have been several who had listed themselves as Catholics but disclosed that they were Jews after being absolutely sure that there was no danger of any repercussions.
One case has even been reported of a refugee who admitted privately to a representative of the Jewish community that he was Jewish, but when he was asked his religion later by a gentile iminigration official in the presence of the Jewish representative he steadfastly claimed to be Catholic.
Several of the local Jewish arrivals from Huhgafy told the Bulletin this week that there were no open anti-Semitic outbreaks in Budapest during the revolutionary upheavsil last October. But there were pogroms against the Jews in some of the small towns. They also reported a couple of anti-Jewish incidents aboard the ship coming to Canada.
Frankly it doesn't make us very happy that we have established anti-Semitism as a factof' in the Hungarian situation. We must recognize however that the basic reasons for helping Jews in distress today, whether they come from Hungary, or Egypt or other countries are still the same. And our respon-
office in Vancouver has played a role in the bond campaign which ik ''unparalleled by any other Zionist office or region in the country." -Mr. Marcus criticizes the plaa of brining to Vancmiver a bond worker for the duration of the campaign, pointful out that after the bond worker leaves the Zionist office has to assome the colledfibii of oufetandin^ pledges and also gets tiie criticism for mistakes made in tiie campaign. "If we are to bear responsibility in the long run for the campaign, said Mr. Marcus, "then we must be directly responsible for it during initial and actual operation."
He went on"" to declare that "the practice of' bringing outside bond people to this city during a campaign is unnecessary and the responsibility for the campaign should rest with the Zionist office, provided that by resolution of the executive We are designated this task months-in advance . .
Discussing youth activities, Mr. Marcus pointed out that while there was "a very happy camping season" last summer "Young Judaea in Vancouver during the current season is not in a happy state of affairs ... The acquisition of a Shaliach did not seem to.better pur situation."
Mr. Marcus urged the engagement of a qualified group worker for Young Judaea an# said that if this cannot be done "we should get out of the youth field altogetiier and alow those agencies which can proper-y service youth to do so."
word on the operations only from press reports.
This subsequent confusion and inefficiency in presenting Israel's viewpoint to newspapermen in Israel and abroad, said Mr. Ben-Gurion, was because one man was confined to his bed, an allusion to Mr. Ben-Gurion*s illness during the first days of the campaign.
This explanation has not satisfied the many critics who demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the entu-e subject of Israel's information and public relation services.
Haaretz deyotes an editorial to this problem and states that the Prinie Mimster's statement proves that he not appreciate sufficiently the
hnportance of public information in israiel's foreign policy. Illness is ao excuse it declares, because facts have proved that during this illness other problems of the Government were dealt with by subordinates.
JEWISH THEOLOGY COLLEGE OPENS
IN MOSCOW
LONDON (CWJA)-^A rejkirt of the official Soviet Tass* Ne\vs Agency loir consuiaers dbrdad announced that a Jewish feligiouft ligher educational establishment lad been opened in Moscow for b& traming of Jewish religious
eaders. ^ its, principal, Rabbi Solom Shlifer,
described as the Chairman of the Moscow, Jewish community, was reported to kave told a Tass correspondent that the new school would educate its students in the spirit of the Jewish sacred books, in the spirit of humanism ■ and aspiration for peace. The opening of the college was said to have been attended by the Rabbis of the synagogues of Moscow and its surroundings and by many members of synagogues.
500 bond prospects still unoinvassed
D. Lou Harris, of Toronto, national chairman of State of Isroel Bor^ds, visited Voncouver last we?H-end to. dtiscuss the current drive with local leaders.
it Is reported that ovier 500 campaign cards are still ih hands of canvassers who are u to complete them without fii delay.
the
JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN ISRAEL SAID BADLY OVERBURDENiD
It was also reported that the Austrian authorities sibility to our fellow-Jew remains unchanged, tried to prevent any. Information on the riot from      We are confident that having been fully acquainted
getting out of the Siezenheim camp where it occurred with the facts, the Jewish community will respond
and placed extra guards to keep out journalists and generously to the appeal of Congress and the Jewish
photographers. Family Welfare Bureau for aid in this new refugee
Another important report on this situation comes emergency.
TEL AVIV aerusalem Post) "The law courts are on the verge of a general collapse because of the staff s|iortage,'* declared Judge Y. Eiseriberg, Director of tl^e Courts, at an emergency meeting of the Lawyers As-ociation held here January 3. Tie Minister of Jtistice, Mr. P. ^osen, heai;d serious cphipiaints of the semi-par^iysi^ resultiiig roni siiortages of judges, clerks and asslsiEuts in tuc coiifts.
The Minister, revealed that with the new budget, employees would be added to the Ministry staff. He had written to the Prime Minister asking for new premises for the Tel Aviv
courts, "which resembled dark cages," Judges sit in converted bathrooms foi: lack of space.
The Presidents of the three District Courts complained about the piling up of cases due to the lack of judges. Dr. B. Halevy, President of die, Jerusalem' Court, rioted that the shortage would increase when the iCnes-set endorsed its Liegal Coimmittee's. decision, that three Judges must sit on cases where a minimtun sentence of seven years is invbived;
Judge Eisenberg complained bitterly that there were^ thousands of <^ses awaiting judgment and IL. 250,000 ih fines awaiting cbllectibn.
THE JEWiSH WESTERN BULLETIN
Published Weekly Every Fridoy at 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver 9, B.C.
ABRAHAM J, ARNOLb, Publisher, and Editor ' BERTHA ARNOLD/ Advertising end CircttlaHon
Official Organ of the Jewish Community Council of Vancouver
DR. J. V. WrilTE, President MORRIS SALTZMAN, PublicoHon Choirman LOUIS ZIMMERMAN, Executive Director
PHONES: Bulletin Office, BA. 3125; Evenings, BA. 3098 Community Centre Office, CE. 1168
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FRIDAY, JANliARV 25, 1957
Condle-ligjiting Time Sobboth Eve., Januory 25, 4:38; Februory 1, 4:40