PUBLISHED BY The Vancouver Jewish Administrative Council
Vol. IV., No. 45
VANCOUVER, B. C, TTORSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1934
$1.00 Per Year
Institute of Jewish Affairs
The Institute of Jewish Airairs, under the auspices of the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Israel, was ofllcial-ly Inaugurated last Tuesday night, January 30, with the Reverend F. H. Wilkinson, the rector of Christ Churcli Cathedral, as the lecturer on the topic "The Contribution of the Old Testament to Modern Culture." Reverend Wilkinson was given a very warm welcome by the large audience in attendance, after being introduced by Mr. E. R. SugaiTisan, the President of the Men's Cliib.
In speaking on the subject. Rev. Wilkinson said in part that "culture was not to be confused with an exaggerated nationalism spelled with a capital 'K', nor was it to be confused with the snobbishness of those people who consider themselves cultured. Culture is the 'training by which riian's moral and intellectuar nature is Elevated'."
Beginning with a characterization 6f the Hebrew language in the Bible, Rev. Wilkinson continued to describe the contributions of the Old Testament to English Literature both in content and style, to the musical oratorios of Handel and other composers who took their themes from the Bible, to Western Law, and to Ethics, which the speaker characterized as possessing the three elements of conceited-ness, realism, and objectivity. Rev. Wilkinson ended his lecture with the contribution of the Old Testament to the ideals of social justice and world peace.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. Suigarman called on Rabbi Cass who expressed the hearty thanks of the audiience to Rev. Wilkinson for the scholarship, the beaut^^ the inspiration of his address. The second of the series of public
night, February 13, at 8 30 p.m., at the Community Centre. Th? Reverend Doctor Hugh Dobson, the Social Service Secretary of the United Church of Canada in the Western Provinces, will lecture on the topic "The Debt of Christianity to Judaism." A capacity audience is expected for his lecture. The members of the Institute are invited to bring their friends with them to his lecture, v
Canadian Young Judaea To Complete Scholarship Fund for Hebrew University
The Canadian Young Judaea Scholarship Campaign for the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will this year open on February 15 and continue for two weeks. Preliminary arrangements are now under way and the entire attention of the Federation is being concentrated on this undertaking, in which over 200 clubs in 48 cities and town in Canada will participate.
The objective for the Dominion has been set at §1,500.00 to complete the Five Thousand Dollar Endowment Fund for the estabUshment of scholarships at the Hebrew University in the name of Canadian Young Judaea. Already three such Scholarships have 'been given to students carrying on research work at the University and it is hoped to Increase this num7)ei' during the coming year.
The Hebrew University, on Mount Scopus has made rapid strides since its inception on April i, 1925, it has gained world-wide repute and has drawn many great scholars from every country in the world to it. The extension courses recently established in Tel Aviv have attracted a great deal of interest and tTie enrollment is steadily increasing.
But above all the Hebrew University is falfllling an important function In creating a permanent home for Jewish learning and scholarship. At present it is carrying out a signitlc-ant expansion programme.
At the beginning of its ninth academic year it has established 14 new professorships for exiled German-Jewish scholars.
Special activities will -be undertaken in every city in Canada for the University. The Campaign is being conducted through the National Office of the Federation of Canadian Young Judaea, In Montreal.
Says Restoration of Jews To Homeland WiU Cure World of Anti-Semitism
Seattle—"Jews are disliked because they are a small minority and because the world is ruled by hate, not by love. And the Jew has no defense. All he has is his voice of protest. Only when we are restored to the land of our fathers and the Jews are a nath.n among nations will anti-Semitism be no more."
This was the declaration of Judgft Jacob Kaliria, Seattle communal worker,, at the open forum discussion ol "Anti-Setnitism: Its Causes and Cures", at Herzl Synagogue here. Participants in the discussion included Edmon Wienir, Nathan Glesin ana Max Friedman. P. Allen Rickles, Congregation president, was cjhairman.
"Anti-Semitism reduced to its simplest terms means that *we are not liked'," Judge Kalina declared in his talk. "And persons who tell you that there is no anti-Semitism because you yourself may not have come in touclj with it, are living in a fools' paradise or just kidding themselves."
8,
German Jews ^ Now in Palestin<
Jerusalem— Nearly eight thousand German Jews are now in Palestiriq and the German department of the Jewish Agency for Palestine has i25,-i 000 pounds with which to settle thenj on the land, in addiOon to the fund|, the settlers themselves have, Dri Arthur Ruppiri, head of the colonlzal tion depiartment of the Jewish Agency-' disclosed at a":press conference here) Dr. Ruppin told .the journalists of tiri plans developed by the Agency f'( the settlement of the German Jewis;| refugees.
A 'Roxy' Theatre Opened By Palestine Entrepreneurs
Jerusalem—A Roxy Theatre has been opened in the Holy City by a group of German Jewish immigrants whose motive in thus christening the new moving picture house has not been divulged.
The immigrants from Germany havf been engaged in rehabilitating themselves and as a result there are seven new cooperative societies just registered and twelve new partnerships In Jerusalem alone.
Among the latter there is a press piSot^gHpiiei^^
shops, a restaurant called "Hallo", a bookshop, a pharmacy, a trade paper and a factory for the manufacture of spirits. The Reich expatriates have also organized a credit and thrift society for German Jewish settlers wifii headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Talmud by Candlelight
Chicago—Like their bearded ance.s^ tors in the ancient days of the Oil Testament,'four hundred students at the Hebrew Theological Seminary iri Chicago had to study in the evening^ by the light of tallow candles. Al| electricity was cut -oiX by the Conx^, monwealth Edison Company because? of an unpaid $155 liglit^^lilll. And due-to the absence of Rabbi Saul Silber* who alone has tlie power to sign; checTts, no money could be found to' meet the bill.. The company refused; the offer of another rabbi at the sem-' inary to raise $50 as partial payment.;
The Veteran Zionist Leader
French Jews Donate Nine Million Francs For Refugee Relief
Paris—French Jewry has contriuut-ed nine million francs for relief work among refugees from Germany, Baron Robert de Rothschild revealed last week in launching an appeal for support of the refugee work at a meeting attended by members of the com.-munity originally from Eastern Europe.
The noted philanthropist severely criticized wealthy refugees for being indifferent to the plight of their needy brethren and announced that a group of wealthy German Jewish refugees had finally constituted themselves into a body to aid less fortunate exiles from the Reich.
A million franc campaign among Eastern European Jews to raise funds to aid refugees was decided upon by the meeting. Among those who addressed the meeting was Baron Alfred Guntzbourg.
Senator Justin Godart presided this week at the opening of a home for young refugees. The youths in residence at the new home will be trained in agriculture in preparation for permanent settlement in Palestine, the Argentine and elsewhere.
French Paper Denies
Stayisky Was Jew
Paris — Accusations in the French i anti-Semitic press that Alexander' Stavisky, the swindler who commit-4 ted suicide after being involved in a I huge fraud ring, was a Jew, have been 1 refuted by the important Prenc)i weekly "Je suis partout." | ^
The French paper revealed that -Pariousr-- pubMsher- of^-Ihe Bordeaux^ newspaper Midi, sold to the Nazis forged bonds g-iven him by Stavisky, which the Nazis knew to be fraudulent but accepted in order to control the paper. Darious, according to "Je Suis partout", submitted himself directly to the control of Berlin, attacking the German refugees in France on direct orders from Berlin.
At the same time it was revealed that Stavisky was non-Jewish and that both his parents and grandparents were non-Jews. He was instrumental in converting his mother to Catholicism from the Greek Orthodox faith, vvhich the French press mistook for conversion from Judaism. There was some agitatiion against the Jev^'s, but it was conflned in the main to insignificant anti-Semitic sheets.
Menachem M. Usishkin
Menachem M. Usishkin, the oldest leader of the Worlds Zionist Organization and World Director of the Jewish National Fund, celebrated his seventieth birthday last year. Born on the 1st of Ellul 5623 (1863) the veteran Zionist became a leader in Zionist work fifty years ago. He is the oldest statesman in Zionist work and although not quite as old as Nahum Sokolow he has been associated with the movement for more years. He began with small things and after years of labor reached great ones. His one thought and one ambition throughout his life was to make Palestine the National Home of the Jews and it is fervently hoped he will be spared for many years to see his dream fulfllledi
At the 18th Zionist Congress held in 1933, congratulations wfere tendered to him on his seventieth birthday and resolutions unanimously passed that as a mark of appreciation for the work he had done in the cause of Zionism to establish a settlement in Palestine to be named after him.
To celebrate the event, Vancouver Zionists (comprising the Vancouver ^'Zionist;. Organization^ The - -Lillian Freedman Chapter of Hadassah, The Pioneer Women, Jr. and Sr. and all branches of the Young Judaeans) will hold a social evening at the Community Centre on Sunday, February 11th, at 8.30 p.m., to which the general public are invited. The programme will consist of the best talent available in the city comprising, songs, sketches, musical items, recitations, etc. Refreshments will be served.
Thrilling to be Jewish',
Sigh
' s Aimee mcrnerson
Seek 2 Millions co Settle German Jews in Holy Land
A campaign to raise $2,000,000 for the settlement of German Jewish refugees in Palestine will be launched throughout the nation, Jewish leaders who attended a conference recently to complete arrangements for the campaign, announced here.
Among those present at the conference were Nathan Straus, Jr., chairman of the Greater New York Campaign; Bernard S. Deutsch, president of the Board of Aldermen, who proposed the resolution; Jacob Pishman, editor of The Jewish Morning Journal; Magistrate Benjamin E. Greenspan, Louis Llpsky, Paul Block and George Z. Medal ie.
Seattle—The world's most famous woman evangelist. Sister Aimee Sample McPherSon, waved carmine-tipped fingers in an expressive gesture here this week in her hotel suite and, with the light glancing from her sleek, carefully waved blonde coitfure, declared in a hoarse voice:
"I believe with all my heart that the Jews are God's Chosen People. Through them have come the greatest blessings the world has ever known. It must be thrilling to be a Jew. And if I were a Jewess, I probably would be doing the same work I do now. You know, if you're a Miriam you've got to play your tambourine.
And then, leaning forward:
"You know, I like the tambourine. That's why I use 'it so much. It's joyful. And religion should be joyful. Remember how King David danced 'with all his might'?"
Col. Teddy Roosevelt
Joins Anti-Nazi League
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, son of the late President Theodore Roosevelt, has accepted the office of vice-president of the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League to Champion Human Rights, Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, first vice-president of the League announced yesterday.
Rabbi Silver also announced that Frank P. Walsh and Congressman James M. Beck of Pennsylvania have joined the board of directors of the League.
Congregation Beth Israel
"Junior Council Sabbath" was very well attended last Friday night by the members of the Junior Council and their friends. During the services. Rabbi Cass called on Miss Esther Nemetz, who spoke briefiy on the ideals and activities of the Junior Council, and on Miss Rae Lipson, who read a very inspiring prayer. Rabbi Cass preaching on the text in the Biblical portion of the week "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation," discussed the question "Is Holiness Outdated."
"The sense of holiness," said Babbi Cass, "lifts one from the plane of ordinary living, and invests life with values nd meaning akin to the divine. We can no more do without such experience in human life today than we can do without physical sustenance." The rabbi described the two great progressive movements which have contributed to the development of the sense of sacredness in human life—the contributions of the Prophets of Israel who emphasized the element of social righteousness, and that of Rationalism which fulfilled the human need for knowledge and power ovc physical nature. "The ideal of holiness for our age," concluded Ranbi Cass, "does not consist in attacking the so-called secularism of the modern age. Only by seeking out the truth, and by applying that truth to the social and spiritual Tife of man, shall we be able to fulfill our historic charge—to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
The attendance banner of the BetTi Israel Sunday School was won by Class Aleph, taught by Miss Adrienne Zimmerman, for the coming month. The class had an average attendance of 93.75 per cent for the month of January.
Keep Friday night as Congregation Night!
Saturday Evening Popular Dances at the Community Centre
The next popular dance at the Community Centre will be held on Saturday next, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. As usual the latest of music will be provided by the Ambassador Orchestra, added to which there will be several specialities. The admission price is only 25 cents and an enjoyable evening's entertainment is assured.
It is anticipated that the next dance which will be held on Feb. 17, vvill be under the auspices of the Young Tsukumft Club.
The Centre Committee take this opportunity of extending their thanks to the Young Judaeans for the able and efficient manner in which they sponsored the dance on Feb. 3.
Accommodation will be provided at these dances for those who wish to play bridge.
Samuel Lodge to
Increase Membership
Anli-Defamation Commission Donation for Books
Gets
Vancouver Jewish
Administrative Council
The regular monthly meeting of the Vancouver Jewish Administrative Council will be held on Monday, Feb. 12, 1934 at 8.15 p.m. in the Community Centre.
AGENDA
1. Minutes of previous meeting, as herewith submitted.
2. Correspondence.
3. Reports of Standing Committees.
4. Reports of Special Committees. .
5. Appointments to various committees and new members to Board.
6. Accounts payable.
7. Good and welfare.
The public is cordially invited to be present at this meeting.
At a well attended meeting of the Samuel Lodge, authority was given the membership committee to proceed with a membership campaign, to extend from March 1 to May 1, 1934.
Reports from all over Canada and the United States indicate that a rapid growth of membership is taking place. Toronto Lodge gained 350 members in a very short time, with the campaign in its infancy. Many lodges have doubled and trebled their membership. An opportunity will be given Vancouver ^ew
with the work of the order. A special dispensation from the Grand Lodge permits the applicants to join by paying only one half of the initiation fee during this campaign.
The Convention Committee report showed that the preliminary work has already started. The General Convention Committee has appointed various sub-committees and conflned arrangements regarding Convention quarters.
A pleasant surprise was given the Lodge when Brother S. Petersky presented a check for twenty-five dollars, given by an anonymous donor for the purpose of buying books dealing with the present Jewish situation. The donor specified that the money be expended under the supervision of the Anti-Defamation Commission.
At the conclusion of the meeting a most interesting address on Jewish Art and the Jewish Theatre was delivered by Brother Dr. Alexander Arkatov.
= Better is one smile from the living than fountains of tears for the dead.
Reich Press Attacks James G. McDonald As Paid Tool of Jews
BERLIN—The Nazi press, and particularly the Deutsche Zeitung, today launched a bitter attack on James G. McDonald, the High Commissioner named by the League of Nations to supervise the work of aiding Jewish and other refugees from Germany.
Mr. McDonald, who is now in the United States, is charged with havinu; placed himself "in the employment of Jews". He is receiving, according to the press, the fantastic salary of eighty thousand Swiss francs "while his work amounts to nothing, just a5 the work of the League of Nations Is itself useless."
The attack on Mr. McDonald is the outgrowth of Nazi resentments, nianf-fest in p'-ess commemts at the time the autonomous governing body created by the League to cope with the refugee problem met at Lausanne at formal action in behalf of the exil(?s from the Reich. The German government sought to block League action in behalf of the refugees and the Naifi press was especially vehement at what it described as unwarranted and uncalled-for acts.
The Community Talmud Torah
Graduating Class
For the first time in the History of the Vancouver Talmud Torah a graduation will be held. The graduating; candidates are: Bernard Reed, Sarm Wolfe  and  Mitchel   Snider. These-pupils  have  completed  the entire-course offered by the Talmud Torah-. and are preparing themselves for theit-final examinations. The graduates wflf continue their studies in Hebrew education   in   specially   graded "High School" classes to be opened after the graduation. At present there are nfne candidates for these new classes. Chamiso Osor Beshvat
V^^ednesday, January 31, the day of the "New Year for the trees" was celebrated by the Talmud Torah pupils of both branches of the Talmud Torah hall.
The gathering was opened by sing--ing the "Hatikvoh" and Mr. J, Young-son who acted as chairman putlined 4hB^sJgn^ifl^caii^6i^^th&'^ how this day is celebrated by the children in Palestine.
Mr. H. Wolkow and Mr. M. Jaffee spoke on the value of afforestation in Palestine. They also suggested that each child contribut towards the planting of trees in Eretz Israel. The suggestion was welcomed by the children with great enthusiasm. Bessie Omansky rendered a piano solo that was well received.
Dr. Resnik, Chairman of the Talmud Torah Board of Education, in a few words appealed to the children to carry the Talmud Torah spirit into their homes and to influence their* parents to be more interested in Jewish education. Community singing followed and bags of fruit were distributed to the children by Mrs. Schwartz, Mrs. Snider, and Mrs. Bloomberg, on behalf of the Ladies' Auxiliary. Mr. Horen, President of the Talmud Torah thanked the members of the Ladies;' .\uxiliary, teachers, and everyone who helped in arranging the affair.
Some people can't have a word together without having words.
Hitlerism Won't Go, Says
The 'Montreal Stac*^
MONTREAL—Open condemnation of the anti-Semitic campaign being waged in the Province of Quebec and a warning that the Hitlerite doctrines will not be tolerated, in Canada was voiced by the Montreal Daily Star in its editorial columns. Under the caption "Our Jewish Citizens", this influential Canadian paper said: "It is a matter for profound regret that In certain quarters both here and in the iancient capital there should recently have developed a campaign of anti-Jewish propaganda. This has taken the form both of articles in a section of the weekly press and of pamphlets, making various charges against the Jewish race in general and particularly against Canadian citizens of Jewish origin or race.
"Surely Canada ought to be the last place where such calumny should be fostered. Our Jewish citizens have long occupied a place in the community and have distinguished themselves by their law-abiding disposition.
"What is there to justify any campaign of calumny? What is there fn the record of the Jewish populatfon of Montreal or of Quebec to justify it? We know of nothing, and we da not believe anyone else does either.
"We want no form of anti-Jewish propaganda to gain a foothold' among us," the Star concluded.