Western Bulletin
PUBLISHED BY
The Vancouver Jewish Administrative CQHricil
Y0I.-3. No. 4^\-\\
VANCOUVER, B.C., TBURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1933
$1.00 per Year
Ge^^ci^^vi^ffhaften Spteaker
''' ' ISkAEL MEREMINSKY ; Vancouver Zionists are "awaiting eagerly the arrival here.^of Mr. I. Mereminsky, Palestine b'^Xour Secretary and member of'the Action Committee of the Zionist congress and'of the Jewish Agency." ^
Mr. Mereminsky Tisite|[ V Tersom6 five years ago, left an indeiiible impression on|th()se who came in contact with fiinii. He is iiow'^siting this country W the interests of Palestinian labour and the organization of an American,^ Hecha-iijtz, His visit to this! ic;lt;y will be de'vpted to'thti Geverkshafteh campaign, and local workers^ii^are cooperating in making his visit .a suc-■ cess.
The local committee are''endeav-oui-ing to give all Vancouver Jews an opportunity to hear hinj^^ are arranging ;for;a-popular banquet on 1-obruary 28th. More detail^ will be
3)rii)ted when available.-
■ f - • ■ * ■-*■ . * K
Interest, in Props^nda
Even the best Zionists aniong us iised to be bored by tti^ M?^^ empty speeches that weire fed us by the usual missionaries sent^ys. Their Avdfds, even when well iiifopied and; well delivered, seemed to us to have; Ittle connection with pur'^Jiife here except theoretical, and to-a large extent Zionism ranged with other altuistic digihterestedness to us,; Under conditions pi'evailing here it seemed very ufilikely that we should^ ever obtain any benefit ^rom a country in a continual crisis ever needing sifd. 'z'''
Unfortunately, condif^lons here
took a turn rather vibiently some three or four years ago.'^p imake us realize rather vividly aiid painfuliy that our life here is ndt^^eiirly as stable as the prosperous- among us believed in the "good" Vears, and that: "theory" has a very practical value. "Common sense^^ and "experience of life" in the oMinary sense of the words suffered rattier badly when the bubble of X)\ir self-confidence was pricked. .
At the same time the ab.^.ence of xinemployment in Palesttuie and the flood of capital into tR||, Gountry with the consequent reisult^hat Palestine is the only "point p^f \prosper-ity" have tended to make ,us realize, that our homeland is "no -mere depository for excess funds in good' t!-mes, but an actual,-Yihyestment that bears grer.ter dtvicyfeuds than most of those more favbui'ably considered. r.C?'
It will therefore be-w^ no ordinary interest that th6 next Palestinian visitor will be received by a cbmihunity more than half-awakened from" a state of dull sa:ti.ety and bonafl.self-confidence. " ■"■ . - Wplcome—Israel Mereminsky.
WILL BRITAIN ACeEPT ENTIRE ZIONIST POLICY
The position of Zionism, with the crisis in jevs^ish life and the eternal economic Armaggedom in the background, is discussed in a statement issued by Nahum Sokolow, President of the Jewish Agency and the World's Zionist Grganizatien. Urging Jews to join the Zionist Organization, Mr. Sokolow declares that Zionism signifies salvation for tens of thousands today, as it will for hundreds of thousands in time to come. It signifies the economic aud moral redemption of Israel. It is the only dignified answer to perr secution without, and disintegration within. A policy of despair or of impatienee cannot be countenanced. Strength is in hard work, real heroism lies in material sacrifice. There is no reason for despair. To refuse to work for the realization of a Jewish Palestine because we can only get it in instalments is a very cheap excuse for indolence. Compared with the thousands of years of sustained hope and martyr-like endurance, a decade or two longer is of no consequence. The future .belongs to those who will wait and work—the future is ours. If in proportion to the great expectations we have to some extent fallen short in our ^endeavours, it is not of much significance. We are sure to succeed,; history points that way. In Zionism alone all Israel are brethren. "We are on the road to.Zion, and must be helped and shall be helped on that i-oad by Gri-eat Britain. Great Britain can. be impressed only empirically through our systematic work, our tenacity and devotion. All other methods of ai-gumentation are doomed to failure. SOONER OB liATER GREAT BRITAIN WILL ACCEPT OUR ENTIRE ZIONIST POLICY. But before :that issue is raised, the problem to be solved is the. acceptance of the Zionist policy by the whole of .Jewry.
Dealing with the situation of Jews in the Diaspora, Mr. Sokolow notes that in some countries of Central and Eastern Europe our middie-class has been reduced to beggary, Jewish labourers who lived frpin. hand-to-mouth in ordinary tiines are now, during the industrial crisis, literally suffering direct want. Jewish benevolence, hardly surpassed aniong other nations, is unable, under present conditions, to cope with the increasing poverty. In addition, the new outbreak of persecutions has to be taken into account. Jews are not everywhere subjected to massacre; in many places they would prefer speedy, brutal death to the slow extinction from destitution and starvation to which hypQ-critieal, !ariti^seimtisifi:<5ec^^ ttiroiigh e^
After describing the progress achieved in the development of Palestine, revealing a cardinal antithesis between the Diaspoi*a: and Palestine, Mr^ Sokolow says that it would be false modesty hot to note the success of the Jewish National Some, even, in its present imperfect stage. We lare distressed, he says, that tens of thousands of young and able pioneers are sufferings morally and materially, waiting in suspense for ^their turn to be admitted to the only place of refuge for them, the sole haven of their hopes. The sight of middle-ciiass Jews in some countries doomed to extinction at a time when they wotild be useful in the development of the Jewish National Home, thus lessening the terrible congestion as well as becoming in Palestine a creative and productive factor, weighs gravely with us. We need much larger tracts of land; the land at our disposal willnot accommodate more than a handful. Without "displacing" anybody, but, on the contrary, benefitting all around us, there is room for new settleraents and for new towns and industries. Our only way to fight prejudice is to w'ork; P'alestine must be created through labour. "IN THE SWEAT OF OUR BROW" must earn it.
Mr. Sokolow goes on to regret the aloofness and inadequate support on the part of considerable sections of our own people. Burdened -even with ^11 .possible Umitatioiis, we could make great progress if we had sufficient means. How can we criticize others for anti-Zionist tendencies and irresolutenes^, when our own people are aloof or indifferent? We recognize our task as one far itoo great and bej'ond our own financial means. It is .absurd for •non-Zionists—and there are a few non-Zionists left in these days —to stand laside watching us trying ;to drag the load of centuries out of the mud. The cart will not be moved up the hill unless the whole House of Israel puts its shoulder to the wheel. It is cowardly to stand by as onlookers and yet, despite our lack of support from the rich, nothing is more touching than the gradual growth of our funds through the contributions of the poor. The time must come when we shall have new hundreds of thousands of Jews flourishing on their homesteads in Palestine, peaceful and respected citizens, a valuable source of national wealth and stability, an element of peace and progress, in contrast witli their brethren degraded by homelessness.—,S. A. G.
Junior Council Valentinie Dance
r We are pleased tq^. advise our readers that we iiave secured three articles from the pen ;of S. Petersky, M.D., CM., L.M. P.O., entitled "The Jmish Problem.'' These wilT appear in our next three issues.
Dr. Petersky is 'well known to the Jewish CJom-munity and needs no introduction, and we\>:feel sure that his articles will be followed with great interest.
Arrangements have been completed for the eighth annual Valentine Dance to be held on February 14,: at the .Commodore Cabaret, which promises to be the event of the season.
The Committees in charge of arrangements are as follows:
Convenor—Miss Dora Levi.
Co-'Convenor—Helen Swartz and Mary Pastinsky.
Publicity—Emma Jossem and Rae KagnofE.
Tickets—Esther Nemetz, Ruth
Morris and Anita Newman. Programme—Mrs. W. Fisher, Ad-rienne Zimmerman and Mrs. Mary DuBain. Entertainment—^Anna Levi. Patrons and Patronesses — His Worship Mayor Taylor, Rabbi •and Mrs. Pastinsky, Mr. and Mrs. W. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Kahn, Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Kostman, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Jaffe, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Greene, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Shubb, Mr. and Mrs. A., O. Koch, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Herman, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Plant, Dr. and Mrs. Sam Izen, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Chess, Mi", and Mrs. C. W. Swartz, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Levin, Mr. and Mrs. N. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. C. Matoff, Mr. and Mrs. M. Edwards. Dancing will ba held from 9 to 1. Ole Olson and ''^3 orchestra wiil Supply the music. Entertainment will be provided by Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Moore and Bill Griffen.
The proceeds will be used for payment of a pledge to the Jewish Or-phanage and for the Community Centre. * * *
Bialik's Birthday
February 19th
The Zionist Organization, together with the Poale Zierie Zion Organization, will celebrate the birthday anniversary of our national poet, Chaim Nachum Bialick.
Thig proinises to be a colorful event. Local .artists have airranged to contribute their talent for this occasion, ;^nd all imenibers and friends of the Zionist Organization and the Poale Zierie Zion Organization, are cordially invited to attend.
This affair will be held at the Jewish Community Centre on Sunday night, February 19th, starting at 8 p.m.
* * *
Zionist OrgajHzation Election To Be Held IVXonday, Feb. I3th
An important meeting for the pur; pose of electing officers for 1933, will be held at the Community Centre on Monday, February 13th, at 8 p.m.
All members of the Zionist Organization, and all those interested in Zionism, are urged to be present, to elect the proper persons to carry on the work of Zionism in Vancouver.
A report of 1932 activities and finances will also be submitted at this meeting.
'mZ.A. Debating To'^amament
The forthcoming Debating Tournament' sponsored by the local Chapter is off to, a flying start. At a meeting held Mi. the Goinmunity Centre last Sunday, seven organizations, who havs sent notice of intention to participate, were present. These includ^, ]^omg Taukumft Club, Sub-Juniors; J^^iunior Council, Menorah Socieiiy^,'^ Y«un^^^ Judea Club, Young Judea.JGirls; and A.Z.A.
At this meeting a final set of rules, to be MB|?€}ctive throughout the tour-nameiitV v^a^^ chosen 'by the representative^ {of these organizations and f prmj^yyi ^approved.
. It also passed that the semifinal, d^^^ates be closed to the public and .that these debates shall be on oh4''siil^ject only.
A CO&inittee was then chosen from; Itti*^ (Representatives of the organization , to pick a topic for the debate.^,
The" personnel of the Conamittee is as follows: I. Pelman, A.Z.A., Milton Share, Menorah Society, Harry Levinsbn; I'Young Tsukumft Club, Dave (:F6iiks, representing Young Judea Girls.
The subject will have been announced'by the time this issue of the Bulletin reaches its readers. Should there still be any difficulty in interpreting or understanding any of the'rules, the organizations are requested,.to get in touch with Mr. Lipspn, ,by phoning Bay view 5.864-L, and 'if' %ere .are a,ny other difficulties, please get them cleared up at dnce.jf^s; the debate must be held according to schedule. The first round of the eliminations .will be piqked .by.Jthe ■Committee and. must be ready to deba,te by February 26.
The ..organizations concerned will be notified aS to the particulars of the subject, whether negative or affirmative, etc.
If any further information about the particulars of the debate is necessary, the organizations are requested to phone Mr. Lipson as above.
Young Judea Tb Hold Schdjarship C^ampaigh
Canadian Young Judea is once more launching a Scholarship Drive for the Hebrew University in Palestine, and Vancouver Judeans are prepared to do their share for this worthy cause.
Mr. J. Youngson, leader of the Vancouver Isriah Club, has been appointed by the National Campaign Committee of Montreal as Regional Vice-Chairman for our city.
A joint meeting of representatives of the various local young Judea Organizations as well as the Ivriah Club will meet Saturday, February 11, at .7:.30 p.m. at the Community Centre, when plans will be formulated as to ways and means to raise funds for this Scholarship.
"Soviet Russia
Renewal of The Dollar Inquisition
Soviet Russia is in the limelight today. Everybody is anxious to hear and to read all that can be said or written about it. Preachers use it as subject from their pulpit from a religious aspect, speaking only from book knowledge. Writers in our magazines tell us different stories which lead us to believe that "All that glitters is not gold" in that country. Our daily papers have been full of it. One writer, Dr. W. J. Robinson has written a book, "Soviet Russia—As I Saw It" based on his own personal experience and observation during a few months spent in that country. This is now appearing in the "Suii Paper" everyday. His stories are rich in suffering— oozing with blood—and -dripping with sentimentalism and as a inat-
tie.s to be real.
ter of fact appear too tn\ of ab.surdi-Countess Tolstoi, daughter of the late Leo Tolstoi, says that things were never worse. She has sent u plea to the League of Nations and to the leaders in Europe, China and America to "unite in a common protest against the torture of millions of defenseless Fnissian people."
Will Durant, the famous philosopher, speaking in the Vancouver Hotel a few nights ago also told a most harrowing story. Surely all these reports cannot be false. Something must be radically wrong. I have watched in vain for some news of our coreligionists in that country and as little or no reference has been made to them, I allowed myself to think that perhaps all Avas well with them. Unfortunately my surmise was incorrect and if the information had come from a different
soui'ce I might have regarded it simply as an exaggeration. But it comes from one we all know by reputation—^the famous Jewish poet, Chaim Nachman Bialik, who vouches for the truth and accepts the full responsibility for the authenticity of these communications.
The first communication comes to Bialik from Moscow and the second from Kief. "You have no doubt been surprised that • I have not written you for so long. There is now a great deal to write, but I do not know whether any man can describe all that he has lived through in the past years in the free country. Never before in history have we read or heard of an inquisition similar to that occurring here. I, myself, did not believe it until I experienced it. I came from there only yesterday and it is difficult to remain quiet, when I know that I
left there many men in my own situation and who are faced with misfortune.
"Everyone walks about like demented, waiting for them to come for him. They take him, either at night from home or straight from work, so that he has not even a chance of bringing anything with him. When he gets to the appointed place, he is put into a room in which there are 120 to 130 people.
"The room is about fifty square metres in area, and there one is compelled to stay for as lang as appointed—some a month, but the majority as long as three or four months. I myself was there two months.
"You can imagine the temperatur and the human sweat, the whole of the time. The underwear and the
(Continued on page 3)
Vancouver Conununity Talmud Torah
HON. MEMBER BOARD OF EDUCATION
RABBI JAFFE
A meeting of the :51I^a,^c,e Committee was held on Thtti;sday evening last at which Mr. A. Q. Kpch presided. Every member of the Board was present. Many Bubjects of importance relating to the future of the schools were discussed. The fpUoAving Committees were apppint-ed to call on every psreijt in the City to secure corbperation in -the work. (1) A. Rothstein and J. B. Jaffe; (2) S. Rothstein and K, Katz-nelson; (3) A- O. Koch ^nd L L. Kostman; (4) N. J. Klausner and I. Lippvsky.
Registration of pupils will bp held every Sunday mqming in the Talmud Torah Hall (Heatley and Pender) - at .11 sum.. V It; w hold a celebration 6n Sund^^^ rua,ry 12th (Ghameshp.00.ur B' Shvott) for the children in the Talmud Torah Hall at 11:30 a.m. Re-freshments will -be provided by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Talmud Torah. Every Jewish child is Invited to be present. Addresses on .the significance of the festiyal will be delivered by J^bbi Bokser, .Rabbi Pastinsky, K. KJatznelson ^nd J. Jaffe.
Rabbi WplfeC^ in
Rabbi Wolff Gold, yhp is FjfiBl-dent of the Mlzwchi l^ipnl^^t O^gWi-izatioa of America, will a^^ddress the Vancouver Jewish Commuiilty at the Schara Tzedeck Syha^ogue, oh Thursday eyening, Febr^i^ry ,16.
He Is an eloquent spe^Ker, and his message will be of interest to all. ' .:■
Feb. 10—Friday:
8 p.m. — Beth Israel Seryi.ces. Theme—"What do we think of God?"
Feb. 11—Saturday:
9:30 a.m. — Beth Israel Sabbath
Morning Services. 10 a.m.—Talmud Torah Sabbath
Morning Services. 8:30 p.m. — "Ivriah Club" Open
Meeting.
Feb. 12—Sunday:
10 a.m. — Beth Israel Religious Classes.
10 a.m.—Talmud Torah Classes.
8 p.m.—B'nai B'rith Ladles' Auxiliary Social Evening.
8 p.m.—Sub-Junior Council Regular Meeting.
Feb. 14—^Tuesday:
7:30 p.m.—Boy Scouts and Cubs.
Feb. 15—Wednesday:
7:30 p.m.—Beth Israel Choir. 8:30 p.m.—Beth Israel History Class.
9:30 p.m.—Beth Israel Hebrew Class.
Talmud Torah Classes daily from 4 to 8:30 p.m.