Page Four
THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Thursday, September 21, 1933
The Jewish Western Bulletin
Published Every Thursday by
THE VAN-OOUVEE JEWISH ADMINISTEATIVE COUNCIL 2675 Oak Street, Bay. 4210   -   -   Vancouver, B.C.
BULLETIN COMMITTEE: Chairman—J. W. Herman
Committee—I. J. Klein, Wm. N. Zimmerman EDITOR—S. A. GoldBton, BJ^.
fiend all news items to the Community Centre.    For advertifdng rates, Pbone Community Centre Secretary, Bayview 4210
Vancouver, B. C, Thursday, September 21, 1933
EDITORIAL
A Rosh Hashona Message
P^O'E the past three years our Rosh Hashona Editorial has dwelt largely with the religious view of the Holy Days. This year it is not our intention to repeat what we have said on that subject, for we feel that the Ritual of that day will bring forcibly to the
worshippers the meaning and significance of the SPEEAD OP Holy Days. Today, we would like to say something HITLERISM   about the present world's situation and how it
applies to Rosh Hashona. We have been living in terrible times during the past year. Apart from economical difficulties—the crisis in Oermany has caused many a tear and many an uneasy moment to us all—^living though we do, in the land of Liberty under the British flag. Not only are the teachings of Hitlerism and the Nazis taken a strong hold on the German nation but we cannot blind our eyes to the fact, that the obnoxious teaching is spreading through all lands and has reached the shores of Canada. The happenings of the past few weeks in Montreal and Toronto should awaken us for preparedness. While it may not be as seriousi as the Press would have us to believe we know that the propoganda is spreading fast audi while there is no outward sign in this province, still tho.se in position to know—those who are watching—advise us that all is not so well on the "Western Front" as we imagine or at least pretend to imagine. Hitlerism or to put it plainly—^Anti-Semitism—in its vilest form is gaining grounds. "Forwarned is forearmed" and so let us be prepared to meet it— let us be ready to fight it with every weapon in our power.
Warnings
At a recent meeting of the Jewish Community we were warned by one of the speakers that we must look locally before we go abroad. Again, this, was repeated by a well known Zionist at a meetings of the B. C. Branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress when he said "that we must take stock of ourselves and take action to kill the enemy while in its infancy. How are we to do this? The remedy is easy. We must spread the gospel of good-will and brotherly love to all men, irrespective of race, color or faith.
Peace and Goodwill to All Men
Our Rosh Hashona prayers teaches us brotherly love—our Torah continually preaches the same axiom. We must show our friends and neighbours what we really are. Don't let them run away with the idea, that we are simply money grabbers—^small traders—that ■we worship the golden calf—but let them know us as we really are—God fearing men and true citizens—loyal to the flag under which we live. Let them not think because we believe in the Jewish faith that our teachings compel us to act differently. There is no faith that teaches better citizenship—more loyalty than the Jewish faith! Why then are we so misunderstood!
Unity The Eemec^y
The answer again is simple. It is because Jewry is disunited. Even in this City—small though the Community is—we have many different sections. I am not referring to the methods of prayers-
The message and slogan for 5694 should be a United Jewry readiy and willing to forget past indifferences, united in one cause, the uplifting of our faith. If we do this, and we are optimistic enough to think it will be done, we will be fulfilling God's wish and then we can rightly say in accordance with the traditional prayer Kol Yisrael Ha-Chayam.
"All Israel are brethren". This is the only means of fighting the common enemy "United we stand, separated we fall."
Our sincere and earnest wish is that this, our New Year Message, will sink deep down into the heart of every Jew, and find a ready response.
the different ways of approaching God by the Schara Tzedeck Congregation or the Beth Israel Congregation. I am referring to something bigger and larger. I am referring to a perfect unity m the Community—a united Jewry. Jews Avorking Avith one aim and object—the spread of goodwill and brotherly love and a better understanding. But how can we.attempt to teach our neighbours this when Ave are bickering among oureelves and fail to understand one another. First, let us take stock of ourseh^es. Let us unite Avith a common object. Let us forget our petty gricA'ances, our small ambitions, our minor indifferences. We cannot all be generals in the armies^—private soldiers are also needed. What matters it, if Ave are not Presidents or Secretaries so long as the Avork is done and done Avell. Hoav can Ave teach brotherly love, good Avill and better understanding to others, Avhen aa^c do not practise it ourselves. Another thing Ave must kill and kill beyond redemption, is the mistrust that exists in our mJdst. Those aa^ho are our leaders today and bear the brunt of the Avork, often sacrificing their very livelihood for the benefit of the Community leaving all pleasures on the side, attending meetings of this and that organization, night after night, rain or snoAv, cold or heat, are subject to unfair criticism and abuse. Andi peculiarly the criticism comes from those Avho preach the gospel of brotherly love, yet for some unknoAvn reason refuse to take office. Is this fair? Is this equitable? Is this JcAvish? Hoav, again can Ave ask our Christian neighbours to trust us, AA^hen Ave do not trust one another. Today more than ever a united JcAAa-y is necessary. We knoAv not Avhat the change of tide Avill bring. Preach brotherly love—yes, preach good Avill— yes, but first of all let us take stock of ourselves and establish this feeling in our OAvn midst. The time Avas ncA'er more opportune, the moment never more propitious. Let our Rosh Hashona message be "Peace and goodAvill to .all men". But let it also be, first, a united JeAvry. When Ave are united as Ave should be, aa'c can go forth to our neighbours and teach them the same lesson. But, Ave cannot do so, before Ave practise among ourselves, AA^hat Ave preach to others.
Decorum During
Divine Services
The Editor, The Western JeAvish Bulletin,
Dear Sir:
I have perused with considerable interest tAvo letters that Avere published in your column in the last two Aveeks under the caption "Appeal for Funds during Divine Services." With your kind permission I would like to take issue with your two correspondents firstly on their tactics and methods of criticism, and secondly on the merits of the question Avhich they have seen fit to bring before the community.
In the consideration of a question which invites two distinct and diametrically opposite opinions, one usually feels called upon to observe he courtesies and allow the opposition an opportuntlty of presenting their case before passing sentence of condemnation. Furthermore the rules of fair play and common decency require that in approaching the ques-ion, one should at least refrain from becoming abusive. For obviously a rational decision cannot be reached when the only material provided is an rrational argument obscured by the personal prejudices and reactions of the writer.
It occurs to me that your two correspondents could very easily have presented their cases without iiaving recourse to abuse and deliberate discourtesy. Besides degrading what might otherwise be a meritorious criticism into a gross and disagreeable challenge, such conduct only precipitates the formation of factional divisions within the community, which in this period of national crisis, is extremely short sighted and even stupid.
With respect to the arguments presented by our enterprising forensic neophytes, I am moved to quote the maxim "ignorantia neminem excusat," which, Avhen translated, appears in the familiar form of "ignorance is no excuse." I make use of this aphorism Avith no feeling of temerity, because it Avould appear to be distinctly apropos.
Let us consider the facts. The Jewish National Fund is without question the greatest national enterprise of all history. It assumes that character because it is the actiA^e working agent of our Great Cause, and because Avith-out it Zionism Avould be irreparably crippled. It has as its object the transplantation of a people, the purchase of the soil of the Holy Land in order to give it to our pioneers. It has as its workers splendid men and Avomen Avho Avork tirelessly and unselfishly toAA'ards this national object. It has as its methods of securing money for the purpose of carrying into effect its object, every possible device for the promotion of its Avelfare.
Throughout the year the ceaseless activities of the National Fund proceed. Every effort is made to secure funds. But nOAv when another occasion arises that affords opportunity for raising much needed capital, the complaints of our "Lovers of Decorum" blossom forth in all their glory. Let me remind them that Germany and her bloody anti-Semitism are not as far removed as might appear. This is a time of crisis—perhaps the greatest crisis in our long history. And it is at this juncture that the National Fund and through it, Zionism, is straining every effort to rehabilitate Palestine, and to re-establish there our national home.
It is to be inferred from the Avords of our friends Avith the journalistic aspirations that the National Fund is something alien—an intruder—a beggar to be turned from their door on religious occasions, and to be invited to come through the back entrance on days Avhen the householder attends to his routine tasks. Speaking from a personal point of view, and not as the represeuLalive of any organization, I say to them, that all their worship, bo it for only three days or for the
of their own.
The National Fund is a part of us— it is the living, dynamic heart of our sorely stricken people. Are we to selfishly ignore it? Are we to relegate it to the hours of 2—4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays?
There can be no occasion too small, nor can there be occasion too great for the National Fund. The merits of the National Fund Appeal should be so obA'ious that an explanation Avould be superfluous.
In ridiculing the efforts of the National Fund workers one of the correspondents noticed that the National Fund Committee was encountering difficulty in collecting its pledges and accused them of being energetic gentlemen who take the line of least resistance. The only answer that one could possibly give would be to request our critical friend to step doAvn from his lofty perch, join the Committee, see what work they really are doing, and perhaps contribute some work on his own accord. To put it in the vernacular, the shoe appears to be on the other foot.
Again, our impulsive critics reserve out of their protest the question of the German Jewish Appeal. May I suggest that in so doing, they are really begging the question. For if the religious holidays are in reality as they appear to believe, then no appeal of any kind, however urgent or worthy, should be allowed to disturb the "decorum of the services." If the appeal is the disturbing factor, hOAv can they reconcile their logic with their sentiment? If it is because of the urgent predicament of the German Jcavs that they would allow an appeal in their favor, then I can only say that they utterly fail to realize the meaning and significance of the Jewish National Fund, and the vital part that it plays in the preservation of the Jewish people. To take the position that one appeal should be refused and one alloAved is entirely inconsistent, and if I may say so, would simply imply that their reasoning, if not fallacious, is at least confounded by bias and prejudice.
Further, may I say that it Avas extremely bad form for the proponents of more decorum to bring upon the coming appeals a good deal of abnoxi-ous publicity, as permission Avas granted to the National Fund by both congregations to hold them. Their complaints should properly have been directed to the boards who recognized their duty in granting permission, or at least should have been aired at some other time.
Unfortunately neither of the kind gentlemen wJio have the interests of the community so greatly at heart were inclined to publish their identity, but preferred to hide themselves behind the skirts of a nom de plume.
May i again suggest to them that one should at least have the courage of one's convictions. I am quite willing to publicly declare that Avhile I understand and appreciate the benefits of "decorum", I value much more highly the JeAvish National Fund which offers a sah'ation to our people, and brings within their grasp the ful-fllgient of a dream over tAvo thousand years old.
Sincerely yours,
HAROLD FREEMAN.
s
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