Press Archives,
Parliament Bldgs.,
Victoria, B. C,
PLAIN TALK
ByAL SEGAL
Picket Line
I am. always hearing it said by critics that the Jews- are a "different" people; by which is meant that,: they are not like their neighbors. ;
Yet I find it horribly irritating at times to discover how much-like Mr. Babbitt they are. Not that I have any right to expect Jews to be any better than the simple clay of which all people are made; if there are many Babbitts among the Gentiles, there certainly should be proportionate number of them among the Jews. This is all in accordance with the constitution, the laws and the ordinances of human nature.
But I: am forever being haunted by my early Jewish education which taught me that.exceptional conduct is to be expected of Jews because as people they have lived so long and have had so niuch experience and because the riest of the world is so very critical of Jews.
\ Bemused by this instructjLon, I feel distressed to see Jews behaving like Mr. Babbitt. Mr: Babbitt, for instance, certainly would take the matter up with the trustees of his church the minister gave a sermon in be-f of sharecroppers or other people ike them. Mr. Babbitt would threat-n to resign. -
"A minister," he would say, "should now his proper place," by which r. Babbitt would mea.n, that the inister's position is that of attorney aking to; heaven for Mr. Babbitt's luL--Mr) BabWtt- tofr^had^a^gopd hing of it on earth and wants the ame thing in heaven. Much like Mr. Babbitt are some of e Jewish citizens of our city which, ong other noble Jewish institu-ons, has the Hebrew Union College.
ese citizens have been resisting ppeals in behalf of the Union of erican Hebrew Congregations hose current campaigrn I commend-d here recently.
"No," they say, "none of our money ill go to an organization that supports a rabbinical college whose students have been pickets in a strike."
It seems that awhile ago there was a certain strike in the city: Clerks had walked out! Clerks of all people! Clerks are supposed to be patient and take everything; clerks, above all other working people, are expected to be polite, to smile when they have toothache, to speak softly to the customer who deserves a sock in the nose, but these clerks rudely had gone on strike.
It was wintertime and the striking girls couldn't keep on picketing and carrying banners all day in the hor-' rid weather. A girl's toes freeze in the ceaseless tramping up and down in front of the place; the wind knaws her bones which are not protected by the Persian lamb, the mink or otter.
So a number of the Hebrew Union College's students took it upon themselves: They would help the girls to picket, to carry the banners, to suffer the weather • in their stead through part of the day. For part of each day these students put away the abstractions of Jewish philosophy and took up living a portion of the current life by marching with,banners at the street corners.
This was regarded as a scandalous performance by some. These said that students . for the rabbinate should mind their own business. And what was their business? Well, first of all it was to look respectable at all times. Since in time they would be rabbis they must learn to carry the respectability of all Israel.
They asked, What was Judaism coming to when its future rabbis • were so far from the lofty functions of religion as to go marching with strikers?
To be pickets on the streets, to carry banners for striking shop-grirls was not in line with the dignity that was required of young men who were going to be rabbis. This wasn't anything like the aristocratic elevation the best people felt as on Yom Kip-pur they marked dowTi the center aisles of their temples, as they ih-(Continued on Page Z)
Canadian Congress Norman C. Levin Viee-Pr^s*
NOBMAN C. UBVII^
FRANCE GLAMPS DOWNONANTi-
PARIS (WNS)—Anti-Semitic and anti-French propaganda was expected to be further curtailed with the issuance of two decrees by the French Cabinet which pressed its campaign aji^inst Hitlerite agitation. One decree makes it obligatory for printers to show the source of all printed matter intended for distribution in public places. The second decree extends to the French colonies the recent law controlling import of foreign press matter, which is aimed against Fascist and Nazi propaganda.
Evidence of Nazi propaganda said to involve the possibility of espionage, which is a capital crime under a recent law, were disclosed in France with the arrest of four Frenchmen in Dunkurque, a military port of the English Channel. According to Le Petit Parisien, the investigation in Dunkurque began when the local postmaster called in authorities to check on hundreds of letters from Germany, addressed to a Dunkurque inhabitant with pro-Nazi inclinations. The authorities found, on opening some of the letters, that they held a clue to part of the Nazi propaganda setup in France. The suspect, the addressee of the hundreds of letters, was said to have worked in Havre, Brest and Dunkurque, all important French military ports.
Another propaganda expediency was seen in the appearance of elaborate posters on all main streets, subways and public places in Paris, picturing the Reich as a land of joy and beauty. Indignant Frenchmen tore down many of the placards and smeared others with anti-Nazi slogans.
Last week a "popular edition" of the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" appeared in Paris. The volume, which is prohibited under the anti-racial law, had several times previously been circulated in France, but the current one, entitled "Peril Juive" (Jewish Peril), intended for mass circulation, was delivered at the doors of booksellers during the night, anonymously and gratis.
By an overwhelming vote . tt^e Western division of the Canadian. Jewish - Congress at the convention; in Calgary. decided to increase the boycott against German and Italian goods. Joint Councils fashioned af-< ter the Vancouver example were endorsed and this city was commended for its exemplary work-in uniting all parts of the community in this work. Mr. Boris Victor and Mr. Nathan Ne-metz, Vancouver delegates, explained in detail the joint efforts-^of the, non-Jewish and Jewish bodies and H. M. Caiserman, National "Secretary, lauded the eflficacy of this type of work. Funds were voted to prosecute the boycott. ; ; ;
In 'recognition of Vancouver's good example, Mr.-Norman Lievin, chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress of B.C., was'elected Vice-President, of the Western Division.
A full report of. the refugee situation was given by the National President, Mr. Samuel Bronfman, as well as Mr. A. A. Heaps, M.P. A national, survey of farm lands has begun under Congress auspices. In the event of the government allowing refugees into Canada, only farmers will be eligible. All committees will be expected to contribute to a simple effort in money raising immediately after this survey. ^
Mr. Bronfman closed the Confer-ience with a plea for unity of all sections of the Jewish community in Congress. Premier Aberbart opened the parley, and delegates were oiffl-cially welcomed to Cilgary by Mayor Davison.
lOCALZIONiST lOLD GQNFERENG , AUG.20
WESTERN GANADA HADASSAH MEETING
MRS. B. SHAPIBO
A Western Conference of Hadas-sah will be held in Regina, Sask., on the 3rd and 4th of September.
Mrs. B. Shapiro, of Vancouver, will be the delegate from Britis'h Columbia.
The Regina President will open the Conference, and the opening address will be given by Mrs. D. Gotlieb, Western Vice-President.
The guest speakers will be Dr. Mae Bere-Mereminski of Tel Aviv Palestine, Mrs. Dunkleman of Toronto,
A Zionist Conference of all fac-iiions, General Zionists, Poalei eirei ;Zion, Mizrachi and their affiliate groups, Hadassah, Pioneer Women, Junior Hadassah, Habonim and 'Ju-idaeans will be held on Sunday, Aug.
Iv Jewry the world over, has been ral-. lying to .the banner of Zionism in Response toHhe emergency situation Existing today. Reports indicate that the Zionist activity in every other banadian and American city has been increased greatly in the past months and Vancouver Zionists will
.have many interesting problems and
-plans to discuss at- this conference. f. The morning session will be devoted to discussing the resolutions and jto forming «a Zionist Council of Van-
|couver, and an extensive educational program has been arranged for the afternoon, the highlight of which will be a symposiurii on "The Pales-:-tine White Paper and it's effect on Jewish Life today." This Conference is open to all interested in Zionism. Visitors are welcome and all wishing to have a voice in Zionist affairs in this city are invited to come and
^participate. Throu||h the courtesy of
Jthe Council of Jewish Womien, their beautiful campsite at Crescent Beach has been made available. This will
J provide excellent picnicing facilities for the families of all attending. ■ Those having no means of trans-
iportation please phone Seymour 3085 or Pair. 6238-L and be at the Com-
■cunity Centre at 9.00 a.m. on Aug.
'20.
E:jyL Goldsmith Elected Memljer of General Goininittee
Convention Report Sabmitted at Meeting
E. U. GOLDSMITH
B.B,PIGNIG
EVER HELD
.Z.A. GONGLAVE SEPT. 1-4
Over 700 persons, .the greatest number ever to attend a Jewish outdoor event in Vancouver, were present at the 29th Annual Picnic of Vancouver Lodge, No. 668, B'nai B'rith held on Sunday, August 6th, at Bowen Island^
Due to the fact that all monies raised are for Public Relations work, everyone was most generous in patronage of the refreshment stand and the various features.
TJie winning ticket -for the raffle was Number 32,687. The prize has not been claimed to date, and the winner is requested to do so by communicating with Mr. Sam Izen at 62 West Hastings Street, Telephone SEymour 4217. The second price, a fox fur, was won by Mr. Percy Ber-ekson, with Number 32, 474.
The Committee and Vancouver Lodge wish to extend their sincere appreciation to all who so kindly helped with the sports, refreshments, and Bingo.
and Mr. A. Winnipeg.
M. Shinbane, K.C., of
RABBI SAMUEL CASS BACK FROM EAST
The Government's drive against racial incitement brought about the arrest of Francois Etienne, director of the news sheet. Pays Libre, and his subsequent imprisonment for distributing anti-Semitic pamphlets in the streets. Etienne, leader of an extreme Fascist group, said he was not the author of the pamphlet but had been forced to circulate them by order of his party. Newspapers insisted that authorities investigate Eti-enne's financial backing.
After spending several weeks in the East, Rabbi Samuel Cass arrived back in Vancouver last Wednesday. His residence is 1298 W. 10th Ave., telephone number BAyview 8822, or I the Community Centre BAyview 4210.
LONDON (WNS)—According to reports from Prague nearly 200 Jewish students in Bohemia-Moravia and Carpatho-Russia have received Palestine immigration certificates. Seventy-five of the students, the report stated, have registered for the Hebrew University iii Jerusalem; 40 for the Hebrew Technical Institute at Haifa; 10 for the new Bazalel Art School and 28 to the Hauser Conservatory.
COUNCIL WOMEN TO HOLD SUPPER
Council of Jewish Women announce that they will hold a Picnic Supper on Sunday, August 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at their camp at Crescent Beach. Anyone wishing transportation phone Mrs. Albert, BAy. 6097L.
HARRY ABLOWITZ RESTING EASILY IN HOSPITAL
Friends of Mr, Harry Ablowitz, Hon. Secy, of the Vancouver Jewish Administrative Council, who took suddenly ill last week will be glad to know that he is progressing satisfactorily and resting comfortably in Vancouver General Hospital.
DANZIG (WNS)—Sixty Jews, unable to work under the Free City's anti-Semitic law, were confined in the first concentration camp opened in the Danzig territory at Guetland. It was reported they would be put to work at construction of barracks, and later at building fortications.
THANKS AND APPRECIATION
VANCOUVER LODGE B'NAI B'RITH wishes to take this opportunity of thanking each and every one of the business men and women of Vancouver who so kindly and generously donated prizes and money for its picnic.
It is impossible to thank each one Individually, but the Lodge wishes each one to know that without his kind and willing help and assistance the picnic could not have been the great success that it was.
Vancouver Lodge wishes to sincerely thank the supporters of the picnic—one and all.
Eagerly awaited by the younger Jewish community of Vancouver is Friday, September 1st, heralding the beginning of the Pacific Northwest A.Z.A. summer conclave. Opening at this date, the conclave continues through Saturday and Sunday to Monday, September 4. With three hundred members spread over seven chapters In Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Portland and Vancouver comprising the Pacific Northwest district, Vancouver local chapter 119 will be hosts to over a hundred of these young men and fifty young women journeying to Vancouver to join in the summer festivities.
...,.CItoasJDJL.many„.weeI^^^ ous activity, the Conclave Committee headed by Jack Davis have at long last issued the Conclave program, polished to perfection and only awaiting the participation of these young men and young women to make these, the opening days of September, the greatest in the history of Vancouver A.Z.A, and the younger Jewish Community.
The conclave will officially get under way with a solemn Sabbath at Beth Israel on Friday, Sept. 1 and with several get-to-gether affairs immediately following. In true A. Z, A. spirit, the yoimg men will join in the morning services at Beth Israel on Saturday and, following a day's tour of the city in all its summer splendour, will gather at the Conclave Ball, Georgia Hotel at 9 p.m. where, together with the many girls from out of town and the local men and women, three hours of georgeous revelry will follow that arises only out of the mutual acquaintanceship of old friends and the common association in a mutual cause. A reception committee of the three most popular girls in A.Z.A. circles, Helen Cohen, Aim Paghin and Lorraine Glucks-man, will officially welcome the visiting guests at the ball.
Sunday the A.Z.A. track and field meet—business session from 11 to noon and stag luncheon from noon to 1.15 at the Jewish Community Centre, and an A.Z.A. revue from 9 p.m. onwards will complete a busy week-end for the participants.
Monday, the final day of the Conclave, all affairs are to be held at the Georgia Hotel. Business sessions and an impressive initiation ceremony lasting until noon, an Extemporaneous speaking contest from noon to 1 p.m. and the final Banquet scheduled to start at 1.30 p.m. with the presentation of medals and a cup to the Chapter receiving the most points during the Conclave, completes the program of the Pacific Northwest A.Z.A. Conclave of 1939.
BRUSSELS (WNS)— Antwerp's liberal newspaper, Plandre, sharply criticized the Belgian Government's decision to deport 3,000 refugees who entered Belgium after April 30. The paper declared that "Belgium will not become bankrupt if she decides to spend another 6,000,000 francs on 3,000 refugees."
On the Belgian-German border "heart-breaking scenes are taking place daily," the Journal de Malmedy reported, "with whole families hunted like beasts while seeking to cross into Belgium."
At the recent convention of District Grand Lodge, No. 4, B'nai B'rith, the Jewish Community of Vancouver and Vancbuver^LodgeNo.. 668 B'nai B'rith were singularly hon-. Dured by the election of PP. Bro'. Ell ,M. Goldsmith as a member of the; General Committee of the District Grand Lodge.
Since he became a member of Vancouver Lodge eleven years ago, Bro^ ther Goldsmith has been intiniately associated with, the work of B'nai B'rith. He has served Vancouver Lodge as Vice-President, President, Monitor, Lodge Deputy and Zone Deputy, and has been Chairman of, many important committees. These include organization of the Employment Committee, Chairman of the Carnival Comniittee resulting in over $1,000.00 beiing raised for the Gymnasium Fund, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Convention Committee in 1934, Chairman of the Membership CJam-paign Committee, and at present, Chairman of the Refugee Committee.
In presenting Br. Goldsmith with a testimonial from Vancouver Lodge at the meeting last Tuesday, iP.P. Bro. J. B. Jaffe emphasized that Brother (loldsmith had sincerely and conscientiously devote^ hijnaself to the work of the Lodge, and that the, honor conferred upon biiti/'JEm ■ Vancouver Lodge .mis; th of this sincerity on behsdf;'of B'nai; B'rith. It was a pleasure! and a privi- .; lege to make this presentation, and^ an honor which was the result of sincere, devoted, and meritorious ser-. vice.
Tribute of £he fine service of Br. Goldsmith to the Lodge and to the Community was also given by the President of Vancouver Lodge, Dr. J. I. Gorosh. .
At' thT "'mefetrhl5''~^f'"V&iac^^ Lodge, No. 668, B'nai B'rith last Tuesday, detailed reports of the 76th Convention of District Grand Lodge, No. 668, B'nai B'rith recently concluded in San Francisco were given by the five delegates from Vancouver, Dr. J. I. CJorosh, Myer Freed-man, Harold Freeman, Nathan Fox, and E. M. Goldsmith.
Dr. Gorosh emphasized that this was the largest of any convention ever held, with an attendance of 366 delegates, togrether with 265 additional delegates from the Ladies Auxiliary. Every one of the 59 lodges in District Grand Lodge, No. 4, was represented, with delegates in attendance from British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Nevada, While at previous conventions there had been a feeling of security and safety, Dr. Gorosh emphasized that there was a decided feeling of being on the defensive. The keynote of the Convention was that everything must be' done for the defense of democracy. Jewry was safe as long as democratic institu~ tions in the United States and Can~ ada were preserved. When they were gone, then we were gone. We as Jews must ally ourselves with those organizations which were striving to defend us. America today was the last stronghold of Judaism, and the overthrow of democratic institutions on this continent would be the end of Jewry all over the World, For the first time the general sentiment of the Convention was of Jewry on the defensive, and the realization that we must do all in our power to fight for our rights and liberties.
Bro. Myer Preedman spoke of a session of the Grand Lodge devoted to anti-defamation, at which an address was delivered by Brother Richard E, Gutstadt, Executive Director of the anti-defamation Leagrue. Bro. Freedman stressed the fact that today a powerful government was using every resource in its power to bring about the downfall of the Jew. The Anti-Defamation League, with limited funds, was doing everything in its power to combat this problem, but was handicapped through lack of money. An appeal for funds would be made by the Anti-Defamation League in the near future, and Brother Freeman stressed the necessity of prompt and generous response.
P.P. Bro. Nathan Fox spoke of the important work of the Wider Scope. Last year over $42,000.00, with an average contribution of $5.00 for every member had been raised in District No. 4, and every lodge in (Continued on Page Z)