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PUBLISHED BY
The Vancouver Jewish Administrative Council
Vol. 4, No. 15
VANCOUVER, B. C, THURSDAY, JULY. 13, 1933
$1.00 Per Year
Should a Rabbi Preach
On Economic Problems?
(Extract of an address delivered by Professor M. Kaplan at the Twenty-first Annual Convention of the United Synagogues of America).
"What are the grounds for objecting to the rabbis, to preachers, engaging in the discussion and teaching of economic problems and their significance for human life? Why do the laymen object? Because they maintain that the rabbis are not experts in matters economic. "Shoemaker, stick to your last" is the principle that seems to prevail—that the rabbis should not meddle in matters of economy. There is also the apprehension that as soon as Rabbis allow themselves to express their views on this matter, these views are usually not in accord with the status quo and for that reason they constitute a disturbing element. People do not like to be disturbed in their thinking or mode of living. It is not at all unusual for the representatives of a congregation to ask for someone to fill their pulpit to add "Please tell the gentleman not to talk Socialism." Any sermon which contains the word 'Social' or 'Socialism' is at once termed 'Socializing' and when you mention that word you wave a red flag. In fact, one of our graduates discusserl the conception of God and a prominent memiber said 'It was a very good sermon, but I don't think that the synagogue is a place to discuss God.'
"Rabbis do reckon with the wishes of their congregants. They arc, after all, human, and in many cases, afraid of losing their livelihood should tRey displease their members by touching upon these vital subjects. Of course, you will say that a rabbi ought to sacrifice his livelihood for which he thinks to be the truth. That, of course, would involve the rabbi taking additional courses in martyrdom and not all rabbis are made of the stulf of marlyrs. The fact that speeches that touch vitally and keenly upon human life are kept apart from preaching and teaching, is one for which both rabbis and congregations are equally to blame. The typical religious leaders and laymen rationalize their objection of mixing religion with economics on the ground that religion is to help the individual adjust himself to life, but religion trespasses the moment it tries to meddle with the economic process. The moment religion tries to advocate definite social conditions and machinery, it goes beyond its own provisions into fields from which it ought to keep out of. The purpose of this afternoon is to expose the fallacies of this ....
"In the first place as Jews we ought to know better than to have this conception of the function of religion. As Jews we accept the Torah as a model of what religion ought to be. Now, when we come to the Torah what de we find? We find that it does not merely appeal to the individual conscience. We find that it administers justice. What are all these laws contained in the portion of Exodus? There we have a detailed statement of laws governing the administration of justice—The Torah seeks to prevent expiation. There are laws against usury. The Jew was bidden to avoid not only, the transgressing the laws of interest but the slightest suspicion of doing something for the one who lent the money that might be interpretated as interest on usury paid him for the favor done. The Torah seeks to regulate the relation of employer to worker. All the laws in the Talmud about the worker are in the spirit which is expressed in the statement "The worker always receives first consideration."
Even the law of contract is qnalifled in the case of the relation between worker and employer. The Torah seeks to limit excess power. A king may not accumulate more wealth than is good for the community. A king even. What would the Torah say of the uncrowned kings that govern society at the present time who known no limit to the accumulation of wealth. The Torah orders want and poverty to be stamped out. In the Jewish religion, providing for the needy is not merely a matter of philanthropy, but humanity. In the Jewish religion, relieving poverty is regarded as a means of demon, strating the reality of God in human life ....
"If this is the conception of religion which we find throughout our literature, which is articulated in every expression of the Torah—what becomes of the contention that religion should address itself to the individual conscience and should have nothing to do with social justice? It is all very well to assign to religion the appeal to conscience, but suppose economic conditions reach a state where few can afford to have a conscience? . . . .
Hitler Warned Persecution Of the Jews Is Alienating ' English-German Friendship!
LONDON — The wave of protest against persecution of the Jews in Germany by the Hitler regime culminated last night in a deeply injpressive non-Jewish m.ass-m.eeting in Queens Hall where three thousand people gathered to hear distinguished leaders in all walks of British life denounce the discrimination and brutality prac. ticed against the Jews in Germany.
In one of the most striking demonstrations against intolerance since the protest here thirty years ago against the Gzarist pogroms of the Jews in Russia, representative British leaders warned Adolf Hitler that his program of persecution and discrimination was alienating British friendship from Germany.
Archbishop Presents Resolution
Lord Buckmaster, Chancellor of England from May, 1915 to December, 1916, presided at the meeting. The Archbishop of Canterbury presented the resolution of protest which was adopted by the meeting. The resolution was seconded by the Rev. Dr. J. Scott Lidgett, vice-chancellor of the University of London and a Free Church spokesman, and by the Earl of Iddesleigh, a Catholic.
Lord Reading was the only Jewish speaker of the evening and he offered thanks on behalf of the Jewish community.
In the assembly were over sixty members of both houses of Parliament, members of the peerage, scholars, statesmen and church dignitaries.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was the principal speaker at the meeting. He visibly moved his great audience to tears with his description of the suffering innocent Jewish children undergo in the schools -of:- Germanyii. He warned against the potential danger of the atmosphere of hatred in which the children in Germany are being raised under the Nazi regime.
Einstein Welcome in Reich?
LOS ANGELES—Citizens of this city have just learned that tales of persecution of Jews in Germany are "absolutely false." Dr. George Gyssling, new German vice consul here has so informed them.
"Professor Einstein would be perfectly welcome in Germany," Dr. Gyssling stated. He added that "the few Jews who have met with violence in Germany have not been singled out because of their race but because they were Communist leaders and agitators."
All this brought a vigorous denial from Joseph Jonah Cummins, publisher of the B'nai Brith Messenger. Speaking over Station KELW, Cummins reminded his listeners tnat Dr. Gyssling's predecessor had also tried to make people here believe these statements.
Synagogue Fight Returns To Synagogue for Decision
PATERSON, N. J.—A quarrel that began in a synagogue, resulting in charges and counter-charges of atrocious assault and battery, will be' settled in the synagogue, according to a decision of Judge Thomas Kennedy of the Second District Criminal Court here.
Judge Kennedy agreed to permit Rabbi Rosen, chief orthodox rabbi here, to preside at the trial which will be held in a synagogue instead of in court. Both parties to the dispute, it is understood, have agreed to submit to Rabbi Rosen's rulings, and the court will also accept decision in the case.
"W^hat has happened which had made it more difficult for the business man today to conduct his business on as high a plan of morals at it was cxDnducted even 100 years ago? We all talk about the industrial revolution. There is nothing violent about that revolution. An industrial revolution means a radical change has taken place in the industrial life of the world by reason of the fact that the human being has perfected his tools—so that more activity has been augmented. Within the last decade, since the war, technological development has reached a point within 10 years, equal almost in development to that which it took almost 100 years before the war to attain. It is high time we should understand the effect of machinery on the moral and spiritual influence of the race ....
"Judaism should teach us two things; First, that the present crisis in not merely an economical but a moral breakdown. We should therefore regard any promise of recovery as an illusion unless it include the free play of the forces of decency and righteousness; second, that religion must realize that there is a third alternative besides control which it dare not assume, and exhortation by which it can accomplish nothing. That alternative is education. The pulpit, the adult study group, and the religious school must be utilized to make the laity fully familiar with the economic process,, the social machinery, by which it is carried on, the moral and spiritual implications of both process and machinery, and the methods by which they mighf be made to serve the human welfare."
Lecturers Aid Refugees
L')NDO.\—'^e turers at the London School of Economics have decided to devote part of their salaries each month to aid their colleagues in Germany who were deprived of their posts in the wave of opposition against German Jews.
Their contributions will be given to
the fund maintained by the Academic Assistance Council, an organization formed last month to succor German-Jewish professors.
Nazi Drafts God in Fight Against Jewish Influence
BERLIN—"Germany's fight against non-Aryans must become a religion!" declared Dr. Joachim M. Gerke, chief
of the race department of the Third Reich, in an address yesterday before students of the Berlin Technical School.
Herr Gerke told the students that the fight must be recognized as "something which God wished us to do," for the purpose of eliminating "Jewish poison from our German bodies."
Francois Coty Fined, must Print Apology For Defaming Jews
PARIS—A verdict against Fraifcois Coty, millionaire perfume manufacturer and newspaper publisher, was delivered today by a French court, charging him with printing in his papers articles defaming Jewish ex-soldiers. Coty was ordered to publish the court's verdict in his newspapers, L'Ami du Peuple, Figaro and eight others, and was compelled to pay a fine.
The Union of Jewish Ex-Soldiers accused Coty of stating in his L'Ami de Peuple that the veterans' organization and various Jewish sports or. ganlzations here were merely disguised revolutionary bodies.
There were exciting scenes in the court-room on June 24, when Coty appeared to deny that he was anti-Semitic. He said he was opposed only to anarchists, communists and international financiers, but respected conservative Jews. Jeers and cat-calls were heard in the court-room during the publisher's testimony and the presiding judge had to threaten repeated, ly to clear the room unless quiet was restored.
The case marked the first time Coty was taken into court and sued for libel in connection with alleged inciting articles appearing in his newspapers. On June 1 the trial started but was postponed due to Coty's illness. At that time his lawyers stated that the articles in Coty's papers did not refer to the Jewish ex-soldiers, most of whom are war veterans, but to irresponsible groups.
Sir Lewis Cohen Dead
ADELAIDE—Sir Lewis Cohen, nine-times mayor and lord mayor of this city, died here suddenly at the age of 8i. He was a native of Liverpool, "England, and was educated at Jewish College, Edmonton. He was a meiiiber of Parliament for North Adelaide from 1887-1893 and for Adelaide, from 19n2-1906. He was prominent in Jewish communal life and was knighted in 1924.
Spain Willing to Give Citizenship to Sephardim
MADRID—The readiness of the Spanish Government to grant Spanish citizenship to Sephardic Jews if the ap. plicants are in a legal position to accept citizenship, was announced today by former Foreign Minister Luis de Zaluetta in the course of a press conference when he was asked to elaborate on his statements before the League of Nations Council during the discussion of the Bernheim case, that Spain was friendly to the Jews.
Describing the "lasting love" of the Sephardic Jew for Spain, its language and its culture, the minister declared that this action was the least Spain could do in return, within the limits of international etiquette, and would be to the spiritual interest of all Spanish descendants.
Adolf and Paul
The story is told of a young peasant woman who had given birth to twin boys, one of whom she called Adolf, for Hitler; and the other Paul, for von Hindenburg. The pastor of the parish called to congratulate her, and asked, laughingly, "W^ell, how do you keep them apart?" "That's easy," replied the radiant mother; "Adolf shrieks all day and Paul sleeps."
Reich Women Coordinate
By Expelling Jewesses
BERLIN—Though paying tribute to the services rendered by Jewish women to the German cause, delegates at a conference of German housewives today resolved that in order to bring their organization in line with the present regime they were compelled, in view of the prevailing situation, to expel all German-Jewish women from their membership lists.
J. D. C. DRIVE
Rabbi Jonah B. Wise, head of the German relief campaign of the American Joint Distribution Committee, announced on July 9 that New York and 213 other communities throughout the States have contributed $708,-000 towards the §2,000,000 fund for the relief of German Jews. Of this amount New York City contributed $375,000.
Beth Israel Inaugurates
Open Lecture Forum
Rabbi Bokser and Rev. Hugh Dobson, D.D., Will Discuss "Religious and Social Justice"
With the coming Tuesday night, July 18th, at 8 p.m.. Congregation Beth Israel will inaugurate a series of five lectures on the general subject of "Religion and the World." The outstanding problems confronting the modern world in society, politics, economics, and religion, will be discussed by speakers authoritative in the respective fields.
The subject for Tuesday night will be "Religion and Social Justice." Rabbi Ben Zion Bokser will speak on the attitude of Judaism and the Rev. Hugh Dobson, D.D., Western Secretary of Social Service and Evangelism on the United Church of Canada will speak on the attitude of the Church.
The addresses will be followed by an open forum discussion from the floor. Preceding and concluding the discussions, a musical program, drawn from the talent of the music circle of the Beth Israel Y. P. L. will be olTered. The lectures will be held in the Community Centre under the auspices of the Beth Israel Men's Club.
The entire community will be welcome.
Jewish Administrative Council
Three Meetuigs of Different Sections of the Council Were Held on Monday, July 10
The Bulletin Committee met at 7.15 with Mr. Norman Levin presiding and went through their usual routine business.
Following this the Budget Committee held a session with Mr. Harry Rosenbaum in the Chair. The matter of overdue taxes was fully gone Into and the question of decorating the building, and alteration to the large hall was fully discussed and a com., mittee appointed to get the necessary data.
The last meeting was that of the Centre Board. Permission was granted to the Jlenis Club, of the Beth Israel Congregation to hold a series of five lectures on Wednesday evenings in the large Hall. Other items of business were discussed before the meeting adjourned.
Herzl Memorial Day
Under the auspices of the Vancouver Zionist Organization a memorial service V iil be held in the Schara Tze-deck Synagogue on Wednesday, July 19, at 8.30 in memory of the late Theodore Herzl, the father and found, er of the Jewish National Fund. Prominent speakers will address the assembly. A cordial invitation is extended to the whole community to be present.
Services will be held throughout the world on that date wherever a Zionist Organization exists and prayers offered for the repose of his soul and his life's work will be eulogised. It is the duty of every Jew to keep green the memory of a man whose dreams and aspirations laid the foundation of Palestine as the Homeland of the Jewish nation. Let us by our presence at this service show that his ideals were not in vain and his work appreciated.
Bowen Island Selected
For B'nai B'rith Picnic
For the twenty-third time in its history, Samuel Lodge B'nai B'rith, invites the Jewish Community to attend their picnic. This year It will be held on Sunday, July 23, at Bowen Island. These picnics have always been noted for their fine arrangements, the number and variety of prizes and the good time afforded those attending them. As a result, the B'nai B'rith picnics are something that the whole Community is looking forward to and it is becoming a place of re-union for many friends and families.
This year, as in past years, the idea of the B. B. picnic is not for money raising purposes, but to provide a good time. The Executive Committee again chose Bowen Island,, the ideal picnic spot. Grounds have been specially reserved for the exclusive use of Samuel Lodge.
A capable and energetic committee headed by Past President Harry Ne-metz and assisted by J. G. Shubb and Sam Hyman are now busy getting together the many and valuable prizes and arranging the sports program.
Tickets this year have been reduced to 90 cents for adults and 45 cents for children. Union Steamship boats will leave at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., returning at 6 and 9.30 p.m.
Make your plans now. Come to the picnic, bring your family and your friends for a day's enjoyment and relaxation.
Canadian Fascist
Parade Homeless
Canada Citizenship Rules Affect Jewish Applicants
"He who serves his country well has no need of ancestors."—Voltaire.
MONTREAL — The so-called Communist menace has brought instructions from the Canadian Secrolary of State, Hon. C. H. Cahan, to ail judges to exercise unusual care in the granting of naturalization papers.
"The large numbers of applications require at the present time greater carefulness and closer scrutiny than in ordinary times. There are undoubtedly Communist, Bolshevist and other illegal agitations being carried on in various parts of Canada, and' many propagandists of these ideas apply for naturalization, in order to camouflage their propaganda and also to preclude any proceedings for deportatTSn," stales his communication to the judi. cial officers.
This order has had its reprecussions in the local court where 63,foreign-born residents, mostly Jews, made application for citizenship and each one was asked the question whether he was a Bolslsevik or was commun-istically inclined.
MONTREAL—Fascists in this city are gloomy today, having learned that their July First Confederation Day parade is doomed to oblivion due to steps taken by the Metropolitan Commission to have the demonstration banned everywhere in Montreal and environs, as well as in all municipalities on Montreal Island.
The Metropolitan Commission's de--i.sion was preceded by an announcement from Mayor Herve Ferland, of, Verdun, denying the statement previously attributed to him that the Fascist Federation had permission to hold :ts parade on Verdun's streets.
At the commission's meeting Alderman Schwartz, a prominent member of Montreal's Jewish colony, condenui-ed the Fascist Federation of Canada as "a brown-shirt racket."
Hebrew Daily Indicates Palestine Loan Purposes
JERUSALEM—The loan which the Palestine  Government is reportedly seeking   is   for   2,500,000 Palestine pounds, according to llaarelz, Hebrew daily. The loan is to be allocated for the  following  purposes,  the paper reports:   Jerusalem   water supply, 1:300,000; Jerusalem drainage system, .1-200,000; Agricultural bank, l.T>00,000; settlement of landless Arabs tuOO.OOO; Jaffa port improvement, £150,000; Haifa water supply and drainage, £150,000; water supply and drainage in the villages, £150,000, and the Jerusalem central post office building, £50.000.