Page Six
THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Thursday, Sept. 13, 1934
H ABIMA
Do you know the story of the Habima? Much has been v/ritten on this famous group of actors, but this writing has never been collected or collated, and remains scattered and incomplete.
Many people do not know anything at all about one of the most interesting of modern Jewish institutions, so we will bring a few notes on the subject here.
The Habima is 'a Hebrew Theatre company that was organized in Moscow under the Soviet regime in 1919. Anyone at all acquainted with c&nditions there knows how difficult it was to organize it and how daring the project. Moscov/ was the starving capital of a war-torn hungry nation in the throes of the most violent revolution in world histoj^, following the most disastrous war in history. The new regime had all it could do to provide food for its own officials, combatting foreign foes, organizing world revolutions, frustrating persistent efforts of internal counter-revolutionaries. The new organization was Hebrew, which smacked of clericalism, had no assets except the enthusiasm of two men, Ben Ari and Zemach. Furthermore it was favored with the bitter enmity of the Jewish section of the almighty Commimist Party. It "had no money, no men, no plays, r.o teachers, no supporters, not even unity and harmony within its own ranks.
Despite these obstacles the company progressed, and under the patronage of Bialik and Gorky soon became one of the world's best companies.
Its teacher was the Gentile Vachtangov, who knew no Hebrew but learned to feel Jewish life, became perfectly assimiliated into the group and led it from success to success. It performed the greatest dramas in Hebrew and did it with an artistry and refinement that became the marvel of the world. The work of the Russian Vachtangov for Hebrew culture has never yet been adequately appraised.
But Vachtangov died.
In 1925 the company left Russia and began a world tour that turned into a world-wide march of triimaph. European dramatic circles opened their eyes at the new marvel in the world of footUghts—a marvel that had grown up unseen in dark and murky Russia.
But the triumphal march almost ended disastrously. The success was so great that by the time they reached America the poison of "individual initiative" has seeped into the com-:pany. Various offers made to unfed and tortured actors by Broadway and Hollywood could be refused only with increasing difficulty. Many succumbed, and the Jewish world is still strewn with actors v/ho advertise themselves as "Late of the Habima."
Services
Gathering the faithful remnants, the company "retreated" into Jewish Palestine where they were supported financially by German Jews who preferred to remain anonymous.
The history of the company in Palestine has been phenomenal. During the last year 130,000 people visited their performances, and the repertoire has been increased despite difficult conditions.
Recent additions to their long list of successes include Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and Feuchtwanger's "Jew Suss."
The company became a part of the New Palestine to an indescribable degree. There is not a man, woman or child who does not know the players. From time to time they leave Tel Aviv to perform in other cities, and even in smaller centres. All this despite "competition," for the Hebrew theatre in Palestine is a flourishing institution. Aside from the Habima there is the little less artistic Ohel (now on European tour) and the Mat'atch (comic and satiric theatre.)
Recently the Habima established a library of drama, that is the first of its kind in Palestine.
Plans are complete for other activities. However, these plans are endangered by a shortage of fimds, especially since with the ruin of German Jewry, much of the regular budget has not been forthcoming.
New Year Greetings to our Jewish Policyholders and Friends
BRENTON D. BROWN, Manager
$22 Rogers Building Doug. 5101
New Year Greetings
iOc^sCe%£!::'iOc
Ladies' and Gents'
G. CARLO, Mgr.
1118 Granville Street
Phone Eraser 6J4L. Take 6 or 7 car
Monumental Works
J. FORSTER Local and Foreign Marbles. Granites. Old Monuments Cleaned. Cemetery Lettering.
5528 Eraser Ave., Vancouver, B.C.
KOL NIDRE—Tuesday Evening, September 18—
6:15 p.m................................................Kol Nidre Chant
Mr. K. Katznelson and Choir
7:15 p.m........................Sermon by Rabbi Samuel Cass
"ISRAEL AWAKE"
.if;
YOM KIPPUB—Wednesday, September 19
8:30 to 10:15 a.m.............Shacris (morning) Services
10:15 to 11:00 a.m..........................Reading of the Torah
11:00 to 11:30 a.m. ?
Yizkor (Annual Memorial) Services
11:30 a.m....................Sermon by Rabbi Samuel Cass
Subject: "The Sins of Modern CiviUzation"
12:00 to 3:00 p.m............Mussaf (additional) Services
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. . .........Special Children's Services
4:00 to 5:00 p.m......... Minchah (afternoon) Services
5:00 p.m. to 6:20 p.m..........Neilah (closing) Services
We Are Authorized TORGSIN Agents
Gdynia-American Line
446 Howe St.
TRIN. 2707
Vancouver, B.C.
Cascade Laundry & Dry Cleaners
LIMITED
extend Hearty New Year Greetings to their many Jewish friends and customers
801 Beach Avenue
Seymour 4672
The festival of Succpith begins this year on Sunday night, September 23rd,i and continues until Tuesday evening, October 2nd. TJ^e first two and the last two days are observed as complete holidays. Synagogue Services will be held as follows:
SUCCOTH EVENINGSl-
Sunday, Sept. 23—Monday, Sept. 24
6:15 p.m............................Maariv (evening) Services
SUCCOTH MORNINGS—
Monday, Sept. 24—Tuesday, Sept. 25
9:00 a.m..........................Shachris (morning) Services
10:30 a.m..................Sermon by Rabbi Samuel Cass
SHEMINI AZERETH-^(8th Day of Festival)
Sunday Night, September 30th—
6:00 p.m.............. .......... ...............Maariv Services
Monday Morning, October 1st—
9:00 a.m............... .........................Shachris Services
10:30 am............... ......Yizkor (Memorial) Services
RABBI CASS V/ILL PREACH
SIMCHATH TORAH—(Day of Rejoicing in the Law)
Monday Morning, October 1st—
6:00 p.m................................................Maariv Services
Tuesday Morning, October 2nd—
9:00 a.m................... .....................Moraing Services
10:00 a.m......................................Reading of the Torah
VANCOUVER COMMUNAL TALMUD TORAH
A special meeting is being called for Saturday, September 15th at 8 p.m. sharp at the Community Centre to discuss the reorganization and future plans of the Vancouver Communal Talmud Torah.
The present Board is making this appeal to all men and women, young and old, to come and ^;ake part in the shaping of the affairs of the only educational institution of the community. The youth of Vancouver are particularly invited and
expected to be there. Show what your interest is in educational raatters. >
We, the present committee, feel confident that if the Jews of Vancouver were more conversant with the splendid ground work already accompUshed and with the plans mapped out for tiie future welfare of the institutoin—that they would not hesitate in coming to its assistance with their moral and financial support. The Talmud Torah must cease once and for all to be regarded as a sort of step-child and kicked around as a politcal football. It must once and for all be properly organized as a perfectly functioning and going concern. And it must once and i'nr all take its place as the community's foremost institution.
To this end the widest range of discussion will be given its affairs and. if only conducted with sincerity and participated in by all, no doubt a solution will be reached to this vital and vexing problem.
Here is your chance to .voice your opinion and offer constructive criticism.
The committee would like to draw to your attention that the institution and its reputation as a first class educational instrument must necessarily be intimately bound up with and directly proportional to the quality of the men who run it.
Remember, therefore, that its future and welfare will be shaped according to the degree of intelligence and ability dis-l-^layed by the men you are to elect to run it. Do not, therefore, neglect your duty. Come and take your part in the discussion of its affairs. Above all see that the PROPER MEN—qualified for the task—are chosen to run it.
IT IS YOUR DUTY TO BE THERE
k^ep telling ' to keep selling!
What have you to SELL to the 71,000 families who read Vancouver's HOME Newspaper every day?
The
VANCOUVER SUN f
A Great Advertising Medium !
New Year Greetings to our many Jewish friends and customers
Did you visit our new Tea Rooms? If not, come in any time on Wednesday night, Sept. 19th, before, during or after the Yom Kippur dance. It is just across from the Vancouver Hotel on Georgia Street.
787 West Georgia St. 605 Granville St.
Patronize the Only Jewish Baker in the City
LONDON BAKERY
Special Twice a Week Russian Pompemicke! Egg-Twist—Special Every Friday. Place your order with tlie driver, or telephone FAIRMONT 122 439 East Seventh Ave. E. GOLD, Proprietor,
EINSTEIN ON CONGRESS CAMPAIGN
Professor Albert Einstein, noted scientist who is living at present in the United States, has sent a letter to Mr. S. W. Jacobs, K.C., M.P., President of the Canadian Jewish Congress, containing a message of encouragement for those working in behalf of the Emergency Appeal for the Relief of Stricken European Jewry, launched throuighout Canada, September i2th to 26th.
The letter was written in response to Mr. Jacobs invitation to the scientist to be the official guest of the local Campaign Committee. While regretting his inability to accept the invitation, Dr. Einstein states his complete accord with the himiani-tarian object of the Appeal and adds further that "so long as we Jews accomphsh our brotherly duty in an inviolable solidarity offering reciprocal aid, we make an effective contribution towards strengthening the idea of international understanding and justice, the aim which our Prophets have set us as the liighest and most essential of our responsibilities to mankind."
The letter, which* was written from the Einstein summer home at Watch Hill, R.I., is as follows:
Watch HiU, R.I., August 24th, 1934
Mr. S. W. Jacobs, K.C., M.P., President, Canadian Jewish Congress, Montreal. Dear Mr. Jacobs:
How I woul dlike to accept your invitation to come to Montreal for the Campaign. But I am convinced that I can best serve the Jewish cause by remaining at home and devoting my life uninterruptedly to my work. As for your very important undertaking, aiming to better the Jewish situation, I permit myself to say the following:
What military defence forces represent to the other nations of the world, the feeling of an inviolable solidarity offering reciprocal aid means to the Jewish people. So long as we accomplish this ideal and hold it aloft the Jewish people will never be menaced by total aimihilation no matter how brutal and numerous our enemies may be. And so long as we accompUsh our brotherly duty in this respect, we, by that very fact, make an effective contribution towards strengthening the idea of international understanding and international justice, that aim which our Prophets and Teachers set us as the highest and most essential of our responsibiUties to mankind.
With sincere expressions of my esteem,
(Signed) A. EINSTEIN.
Attend the Bialik Memorial
GEORGIA HOTEL
NEWS STAND
C. O. PATTERSON Manager
Cigars Pipes Sundries
PATRONAGE APPRECIATED
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MR. AND MRS. A. ROTHSTEIN AND FAMILY
wish all their relatives and friends a Happy New Year and well over the Fast.
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