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THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, January 29, 1932
THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Published Every Friday by THE VANCOUVER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE 2675 Oak Street, Bay. 4210 — Vancouver, B.C.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Albert O. Koch, Chairman; P. Lesser, S: Eothstein, Dr. S. Peterslty
B. Margolius EDITOR: S. A. Goldston, B.A. Send all news items to the Community Centre. For advertising rates,
phone Bay. 4210
24
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1932
THE JEW'S MAGNA CHARTA
A NOTABLE CANADIAN ANNIVERSARY
Jewish Girl Guides,
Vancouver Coy. No. 13
On Wednesday last Mrs. Goodwin Gibson, the commissioner of District No. 2, accompanied by District Staff Captain Mrs. Campbell jpaid a surprise visit to the Jewish Girl Guides. -The Commissioner inspected the company and addressed the Guides on "Guide Work." The visit was totally unexpected and made a deep impression on the girls. We regret to announce that this now is an open company and girls of any faith may be admitted.
PREVENT INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION IS AIM OF PROPOSED MEASURE
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ACCORDING to an article that appeared in the Toronto Mail and Empire, 100 years has just elapsed since Lower Canada granted political equality to the Jews. The demand, of the early Jews in Canada is one of the romances of our country. The first Jewish settlers in Lower Canada early proved their fidelity to their new country by financial aid and military services in the defence of Canada. In 1807 Ezekiel Hart (who was born in Three Rivers) w^as elected to the Assembly of Lower Canada for his native place. When the Legislature met in January, 1808, he went to Quebec determined to take the path in the same form as other members, and insisted upon his right to be sworn in the Jewish fashion, which was done. The next day he took his seat. His right to do so was challenged and after bitter debate a resolution was adopted, which asserted, "that Ezekiel Hart, professing the Jewish religion cannot take a seat nor vote in the House," and the resolution passed 21 in favor and 5 against.
In May, 1808, another election was held and Hart was again • elected for Three Rivers. , When the House met in April, 1809, he took his seat, but a few days later a similar motion was passed, that disqualified him again. This was followed by a Bill to disqualify Jews from sitting in Parliament and this would have been carried had not Sir James Craig, the premier, dissolved the House.
The matter then rested till 1829, in that year a bill was introduced to give the Jews the right to keep registers of births, marriages and deaths. This bill was passed practically unanimously, but Royal Assent was refused. An amended bill passed in 1830 was sent to England, and was assented to in January, 1831. In •March, the same year, a bill was introduced whereby Jews were granted the same rights and privileges as those enjoyed by other subjects of His Majesty in the province. This was passed in time, and William IV 57 and is regarded as the Magna Charta of the Jews in Canada.
Court Orders Temple Emanuel Bids. Fund To Be Divided Among . Original Donors
Finis was written to an interesting chapter in the history of the Jewish
Community in Vancouver on Friday, January 22, when Chief Justice Morrison of the Supreme Court of British ■Columbia directed that the trustees of the Temple Emanuel Building Fund, namely Jacob Izen and Dr. Samuel Petersky, return to the original don-(Ors: to the fund, their share of the monies now held in trust.
An application was made to the "court by the trustees through their ■counsel, Mr. D. E. McTaggart, for 'directions and advice as to the disposition of the fund. Mr. McTaggart ibriefly went over the history of the defunct congregation. He told the ■;c'ourt of the organization of a con-•gr^gation of Israelites in Vancouver •ih ;1900^. The purpose of the congrega-tib'ri w'as to establish a Templo Avhere •the semi-refbrtti method would be ob-'^erved as itjontrastcd wfth- the' orthodox. Names of certain old-tiine: resi-.dtfttis were.reatd; out,fS?-.being the'or--ganizera, An.cla.aJKg-.i/:tM .follo^ving, Samuel Gintzberger, Abraham.-Grpss-man, H. Freund, A. D. Goldstein, Jac-
ob Izen and others. It was pointed out that in 1911 plans were made to erect a house of worship and that over $18,-000 was donated by members of the Congregation. A piece of property was bought, and all plans for the erection of the building were completed when the war broke out, and plans Avere dropped. The Congregation dwindled in size and influence and nothing was done until several years ago when the property was sold and $7500 realized.
Mr. C. F. McLean appeared on behalf of the estate of Jacob Fleishman. He pointed out to the Court that the late Mr..jFleishman had donated $500. As representing the estate, Mr. McLean asked the Court to direct the winding up of the Congregation, and the appointment of a liquidator. Mr. .Morris Siskin appeared for another donor and made several suggestions as to the disposition of the money.
Mr. Max M. Grossman, representing donors of $12',800 of the original $18,-OOO,. argued that the monies should be returned to the donors by reason of the fact tliat- tlie trust had failed. Mr. Grossman rdyipwed the entire history of the Congregation,^ He ren-•dered valuable assistance to the Court ^by reason of his'close connection with 'the Temple and its affairs.
After a iQijg argument, during which .counsel cited -numerous cases
Lord Reading III at Luxor
Lord Reading, secretary of state for foreign affairs in the British Government, according to word received, is seriously ill at Luxor. Hie has just completed A visit to. Palestine; accompanied by Lady Eeaiding. Lord Reading is 71 years of age and is perhaps the most prominent member of the present British Government. Late reports state that his Loi-dship is suffering from bronchial .trouble and influenza and is improving. His condition is not as serious as reported. -.-oQo---
Soviet Govt. Permits Jews To Send Passover Food
After lengthy negotisitions of the H. I. A. S. of Canada, word has been received that an understanding has been reached; whereby the Soviet government will permit the sending of Motsas and other food stuff for Passover to their relatives in Russia.
An official announcement to this effect was issued today by the Society which is now making the necessary preparations to organize largo shipments of Matsas packages to Jews living in the Soviet Union.
setting out the law on trusts that failed in their purpose, his Lordship directed the return to the original donors or their representatives, of a pro rata share of their contributions, out of the trust fund. He also gave the trustees liberty to j)ass their accounts and be discharged.
We are advised by ivlr. A. H. Fleishman that it is his intention to appeal the decision of the judge.
ALltVS
We are now organizing a Jewish Husband and Wife 6 Pin Bowling League. Phone your entry to office.
Toronto, Jan. 29. A bill wliich will prohibit discrimination against Jews on the part of insurance' companies will be introduced into the Ontario Legislature by Deputy E. F. Singer, it was announced.
' The legislation proposed will be in the form of an amendriient to the Ontario Insurance Act, due for consideration at the next session of the Legislature.
Some months ago Mr. Singer complained to the .government that Jews had reported to hiin that they had been refused automobile insurance because of race. This led the Ontario Insurance Department to send out a
questionnaire to bring out information as to their attitude on insuring Jews.
The companies are reported to have been so nearly unanimous in denying that they discriminated against Jews that it appeared for a time that it would be unnecessary to take any further remedial measures.
During the last few years most of the fire and casualty insurance companies licensed in Ontario, many of them foreign, have laid down a policy of refusing to underwrite business if the insured happen to be Jews, regardless of their' nationality, birthplace, reputation or standing, Mr. Singer stated, explaining the reasons for introducing his bill.
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