PROV/NCJAL LIBRARY ■ .
ICTcniA, o.r-
A
"The Only Jewish Weekly j West of Winnipeg"
Vol. 5, No.-^
VANCOUVER, B.C., THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1935
$L00 Per Year
TI-__
By D. Hi
B^nai 3'rith Meeting
Outstanding Success
JNF EMISSARY
LOCAL WOMEN PLAN AFFAIRS
Hadassah and Pioneers Plan Important Affairs—Seek Community Support
YOUTH IN THE SYNAGOGUE
A pressing problem to the rabbis and to all who are interested in developing the religious activities of the youth is how to get the young people to attend the synagogue.
Various attempts have been made with varying, sueeess, and we feel certain that, despite the radical extent to which some of these efforts have gone, all such attempts are praiseworthy. But the most recent attempt made has, we feel, been reduced to the ridiculous.
We refer to the turning over of the pulpit to the youth. The writer has had some familiarity with this method, haying once had the privilege of occupying the pulpit under such arrangements. His criticism can, therefore, not be considered biased, as it quite probably applies as well to himself as to others.
But it is not to be doubted that at times this method leads to a profanation of the institution of the synagogue and. to a rieductio ad absurdum of the office of the preacher.
Insofar as the services are concerned, the youngsters can take place of the cantor quite readily,, and the Jewish tradition of having laymen officiate renders it quite easy for young men with some knowledge of ivri and some coaching, by. a rabbi.:to,.be:c!an tdarfl. evening. But wften the youngsters stop singing'and procee"irt<or'-pre-sent before an audience in a sacred and receptive mood its philosophy and its castigation of other philosophies the tuiiig becomes fluicu-lous and a parody of the function of a rabbi.
Recently it has-been the fate of the writer to listen to a young high school child undermine- science by presenting its hypotheses one by one, and with sledge hammer blows of quotations from Shajtespeare and oratorical contest phrases knock to pieces all the accomplishments of modern thought from Galileo to Einstein.
Elsewhere it would have been funny. When the furnniness would have become excessive we would have walked out. A bolder spirit would perhaps have taken steps to. cut the "oration" short. Biit in the synagogue one not only had to listen to it, but to preserve a pious mien and avoid nasty remarks to one's neighbor.' Surely this is tempting men more than the martyrs of old were ever tempted!
But it is even'more iinportaint to consider that in using the platform of the synagogue for this purpose the endorsation of the religious institution w^s., given to the speech, and any inljeliiigent member of the audience is quite at liberty to conclude that such are the teachings of the Jewish religion.
And after that he is not very intelligent if he ever comes ^ack.
Banquet To Be Given at the
Centre on Saturday
The Lilliam Freiman Chapter Hadassah and the Young
tt,^T^'rt !• ""^l^Pioneer Women's Organization are both planning important the Jewish National Fund Commit- . , , , , , , • _^ _________......____________......._________^______^______tee,.Rabbi J. L. Zlotnick. who has "^^^^^ P^^^^ soon, and both are seeking the support
occasion was the Sixth Annual doodwifl Meeting! Gu^^ tiie Lodge were His Worship Mayor G. G. McGeer, K.C., M.L.A.; seven:- months, will leave for Both Zionist Women's organizations are presenting novel Deputy Mayor Alderinan Charles E. Tisdall, Aldermen J. J. Buenps Aires where he will con- and attractive programs, and it is to be hoped that they will be
PROMINENT CIVIC OFFICIALS ATTEND
An epoch making meeting in the history of Samuel Lodge was held in the Community Centre last Tuesday evening. The
The solemn initiation ceremony was conferred on David Diamond and David B. V/^dlinger.
Features of the initiation were the singing of "Eli, Eli," by P. P. Brother J. B. Jaffe, and a cello solo, "Kol Nidre," by Eugene Mahrer.
At the conclusion of the initiation ceremony the guests assembled in the banquet room. Brother Harold Freeman acted as chairman. After the toast to "The King," Bro. Freeman extended a very warm and cordial welcome to the visitors on behalf of Samuel Lodge. "It is my pleasant duty," declared Bro. Freeman, "to'welcome our guests on. behalf of Sainuel Lodge; ,j pace
RABBI J. L. ZLOTNICK
Organization to further the interest of ..Argentine Jewry in the development of the Homeland. He will be, absent from the city for
McRae, G. C. Miller, Thomas Wilkinson and Halford D. Wilson, ^ campaign for the Zionist His Worship Magistrate H. S. Wood, K.C.; Oscai- Orr, City Prosecutor, and Gordon Scott, Assistant City Prosecutor. In addition a large gathering of non-Jewish friends of the members of Samuel Lodge was present. ,
At the commencement of the ineeting the Lodgis Room was crowded to capacity. The President, Brbther Phillip Lesser, presided, and extended a very cordial welcome to the visitors. "It is with a very great deal of pleasure>" declared Brother -Lesser, "that Samuel Lodge welcomes you. These Goodwill-Meetings, held annually for the past six years, have grown; from -the desire of the B'nai B'rith to acquaint our non-Jewish friends v/ith the aims and ideals of our Order and to engender a feelings of goodwill and understanding. Each year we see established an ever-increasing feeling of goodwill.
"This meeting tonight is our annual "At Hoirie" to bur friends and neighbors. We hope you wiU aU find it both interesting and a pleasure."
prayers for the mutual welfare of both Jew and non-Jew. Toniorrow evening the Jews will usher in Passover — the Christian Easter'.' It is our hope that out of the common bond we have in the spirit understanding will come to melt all sorrows in the consuming fires of love. If we could vunite in this common bond of th^ spirit, then differences between nations would disappear. It is not tolerance which we seek, but a real understanding for each other."
Brother David B. Wodlinger replied on behalf of the newly initiated members: "On behalf of the
newly initiated members let me say Auxiliary are holding a re-
„. .________________.....______ that we are very happy-to belong in honor of. Rabbi Zlotnick
ayeaT:S2imn^^ , taJ^is-^i^B^idtli^-^a^ v
nual Groodwill Meeting. It is our ially pleased that toniglit's meeting °~ ™'
Intention at-this meeting to invite is one of goodvrill. Goodwill is the citizens of Vancouver to wit-" prevalent in Canada, but bigotry, ness our ceremony of initiation, hatred, prejudice and tyranny pre-Our aim is to bring about a closer vail today in many countries. From understanding with one another." times immemorial there has been An inipressive address was then the struggle of man for a better delivered by Brother Rabbi Cass world —for a happier society in to the newly initiated members: which right and justice shall pre-"It is my honor and privilege," de- vail.
clared Rabbi Cass, "to address a "In the history of the Jew is the few words to the initiates. history of civilization; Our his-
tory began with the dawn of civilization and will end in the shadows of eternity. If we are to have goodwill, then there must be an understanding on both sides of the past history of the Jew. "For over fifteen centuries the
encouraged in their work by a large attendance.
Hadassah Bazaar Palestine n.ght
mu T ill- T^ ■ /-II- * . The Pioneer Women are present-
The Lillian Frieman Chapter of *^
Hadassah's major event of the year a Palestine night that will not
will be held this Sunday, April 28, only provide an evening of splen-
in the form of a bazaar and carni- did snjoymeat, but will also be
vial. This will take place at the highly educational and inspiring.
Community Centre at 8 p.m. The it will aid at recreating Palestine
whole community is urged to at- atmosphere by a portrayal of Pales-
tend this worthwhile event, which will be both entertaining and interesting. Due to the generosity of many of
tinia;n life and some parts of the program which have already been revealed include Palestine singing
German refugees In Palestine.
our citizens, Hadassah has been and a play dealing with the life of; able to collect a.great number, of beautiful as well as needed articles, which will be raff led or sold at Further announcements will be the bazaar, and it is hoped that published in the Bulletin about the everyone will be there to partici- affair which will take place in the pate in the fun of winning and pur- centre on May 20th. chasing these articles.
The members of Hadassah are -
requested to bring their ccitribu-tions for the Home Cooking Table in the early part of the evening.
The beautiful cloth will be drawn for on Sunday night.
Sub-Junior Council
some four and one-half months,
^'^L'^i" P^"""^!": will blar Vn^mlnd t^e "wSwhUe
work that is being done by Hadas
pate.in the High Holy Days services in September.
The Executives of the Congregation Shaarei Tzedek and the
Plans for the forthcoming Mother and Daughter Banquet" to We hope_that our Jewish citizens., take place early In May are ahready
being discussed.
This is an annual affair held in conjunction with the Junior Council Girls and at which the installa-
sah in looking after the sick, as well as conducting a training school for girls, and many other
Palestinian projects to whicl'; we tion of the newly elected officers
lend our assistance.
for the year wiii take place.
iflaem'ber^^^ wfll attend.
International: The Rambam festivities are showing no signs of waning. At this rate they may keep on until his 900 anniversary. In Jerusalem, Chief Rabbi Cook is organizing a Rambam library that will act as a popular scientific library inthe heart ofthe Holy City. The University library is too far
By JULIUS SHORE; Continued From Last Week
The cause I have chosen to term "Social Ambition" brings us face to face with the other all-powerful psychological perversion permeating so much of our Am«ican Jewish thought,- and lliis, in brief, is the "cult of Goy-Worship.'^ The "ma-yoofeshic,"
XTXe'cHhe'cKraM - ^l^- "-t^tV. p«Kluee.,tWs-Ub6k-is p^teMy r4-
the B.B. reading room Is too popu- ^^f*"'^ ""'"^ mamagcs than any single other
lar in its apepal. The new library
has already been presented with a It places the most ignorant gentile in an honored positidn
large number of books; important and his actions and thoughts become the criteria by which all
institutions have promised their Jewish acts and conduct are judged. It takes a pride in asso-
cooperation; the University library ciation with, and imitation of, the Gentile. K it, at least, were
promised its duplicates, and discriminating enough to select the Qentile in accordance with
Then °^ scholar and intellectual or even, moral worth in the sense in which humans
Think of what prejudices has done came conuiuerprrsecut'ion. As yet Physician, Dr. Aaron Maziah will honor each other, then it could be excused or even accepted.
probably devote the house of the _
scholar which he willed for the This may bring about the psychological predisposition neces-
housing of a Jewish midcal library, sary to mixed marriage in several different ways. It may cause
_ the person influenced by it to despise Jews and his Jewishness
poland—It has become mono- cause him to seek to hide his connection with his c<Hnmun>
tonous for us here to read eternal- ^^V- Or it may react less strongly upon him, simply giving him ly of the poverty of East European undue reverence for Gentile associations and connections.
Jewry. It must be more painful Here he begins to feel that no Jewish girlis really good enough;
than that to them. So we read of but, strangely, he forgets to be critical of the non-Jewish girl,
a German Jev/ish refuge commit- ^'o marry any Gentile girl becomes to him an accomplishment
ting suicide in a public library in of which to be j^rou^,
Shavel, Lithuania because he was ^^^^ ^g^^^^ ^ff^^^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^
hungry, and in Poland _ titanic _ef- ^im to consider his own friends inferior mdividuals. As a re-
"I would like to say a few words of goodwill—of this gathering of the citizens of Vancouver in goodwill and fellowship. It is said that civilization has sectional or group strife. It is said that in this age the candle of understanding is being put out by strife and prejudices. Jews were agriculturists.
today to a nation of 60 millions—^a though continuously conquered and nation once great in civilization persecuted and nearly extermin-and culture. ated, they have survived. Long ."In coming together we do so after the Jews lost their national with the desire to emphasize this homeland they have retained their unity between man and man. We customs, language and literature, must all work towards the end of That is because of their religion, the Unity of Humanity. Our task which has been the greatest con-calls for a heavy drain upon sin- tribution to mankind. The concep-cerity, loyalty, patience and cour- tion of the Idea of Monotheism is age. Let us hack away at this rock a living tribute to the Jewish of prejudice—it will crumble into people. The Jew acknowledges dust and prejudice will turn into Continued on Page Four
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Friday, April 26, 1935.
6:00 p.m.—Congregation Schara Tzedek Services. 8:00 p.m.
forts are made to relieve them- suit, he begins first to look for new friends or "elbow his way^
selves of the horror of the situa- — 4._____-i. -l'-i____x___x_ t_______-r-r r'
tion. Palestine is the only hope, and a "certificate" is a pledge of life which people will stop at nothing to get. So it was recently discovered that Polish Revisionists
■Beth Israel Congregation Services. Rabbi Cass registered as Poalei Zion in order will preach on "What Does the Jew Represent to obtain more certificates than is
coming to them.
As characteristic of the situation 60 per cent of Warsaw Jews ap-
It would be well for rabbis to remember that they have had a good deal of training to enable them to fulfill their offices; that the congregation comes to pray and to hear him; that it is unlikely that untrained youngsters can do the job as well as they; that if the youngsters will not come to synagogue as congregants and to' pray, but insist on condescending to teach the congregation, let them stay away.
No minority in history has ever sustained itself in the bosom of a majority unless fortified by a burning faith.
—^Race, Nation or Religion?"
Saturday, April 27,1935.
9:00 a.m.—Congregation Beth Israel Services. 9:15 a.m.—Congregation Schara Tzedek Services. 2:30 p.m.—Congregation Beth Israel Oneg Sabbos. 8:00 p.m.—Congregation Schara Tzedek Banquet.
Sunday, April 28,1935.
9:30 a.m.—Beth Israel Sunday School. 8:00 p.m.—^Young Judaeans.
8:00 p.m.—HADASSAH BAZAAR AND CARNIVAL.
Monday, April 29th, 1935. 7:00 p.m.—^Boy Scouts.
Wednesday, May 1, 1935. 7:00 p.m.—Cubs.
8:00 p.m.—Ladies' Auxiliary of Congregation Schara Tzedek.
Thursday, May 2, 1935.
8:00 p.m.—^Prince of Wales Lodge.
so to speak, into the higher strata of Jewish society. He prefers to become the "donkey's tail to the lion's head." This accomplished, he finds that his accomplishment pales and he goes farther afield to seek his fortune. He now attempts^ to forge a place for himself in the Gentile society he has so fer admired from a distance, but finds this a more difficult task; the doors are closed to him. In part, this may be a result of anti-Semitism, but just as likely it is not. Undoubtedly, he imagines this is anti-Semitism and he wants to convince the Gentiles that he is not a Jew like the other Jews. He is different. Actually what probably keeps him frcnn gaining ground in Gentile circles is the natiural exclusiveness of any social group. Few social groups, imless for some reason or other, they find an actual need for additions are loath to accept any new members. Most of the individuals in any one group already have enough friends and are kept busy with them without cidtivating new ones; especially new ones that are unlike themselves. After much difficulty, and probably after going through many indignities, and perhaps spending much money, too, he does succeed to get the fairly exclusive attention of a girl In the meantime, world Jewry belonging to the group of which he wishes to become a part, through the Zionist movement is Eventually he begins to feel such gratitude to her for "lifting doing all it can to save what it j^j^ the eyes of the worid," that he marries her. Or perhaps can. So Zvi Liberman of Pales- appreciation of the giri herself may be even less genuine, tine is leaving for Poland for the jje may simply feel that by such a marriage his welcome in second time to complete organiza- Qentile society will be assured. What ever his line of reason-tion of a group of 350 middle-class ^^^^^j^ jg ^he same: mixed marriage,
families who will settle in Palestine. The Jewish National Fund The final cause of mixed marriage that I intend to discusS; has allocated land for 100 families lliat of becoming involved, though more obvious is probably of the group. An attempt fa also the most difficult to analyze, not because of any prudidmess or being made to organize a group of inhibitions towards the discussion of the sex element, but simply 100 Chalutzim with small capital because of the complexity of the subject. And yet this is be-for a special project. Continued on next page
plied for aid for Passover. This is an all-time record.
The situation is driving to unity. A number of young members of the anti-Zionist Aggudah affiliated with the Miziachi Chalutzim and pledged themselves to work for Zionism in exchange for certificates.