Page Four
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
August 18, 1949
Views and Reviews-
By A. J. ARNOLD
OVER THE WIRES—While waiting at station CKMO last Sunday to participate in the "This is Our Story" program discussion on the UJA drive we watched the news coming in on the wire services. A couple of items caught our par ticular attention.
The first was the news of the overthrow of the Syrian government, which had itself taken power in a coupe a few short months ago, aiid the execution of its president, Husny Zaim. This violent change of the government of Syria, the second this year, followed upon the earlier outbreak of violence in Syria this month in which a Damascuis synagogue was- bombed and six people killed.
There is no evidence of any direct connection between these developments but it can be assumed that both are the result of the deteriorating conditions prevailing in Syria as well as other Arab states, as a result of having lost the war against Israel.
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DENAZIFICATION??—The second item over the wire service which we iFound even more interesting was the news that Germans in the western sector of occupied Germany who had worked for the denazification boards were experiencing grave difficulties in obtaining employment after leaving the boards. This revelation may certainly be interpreted as further evidence of the serious shortcomings of the denazification program as a whole. And coupling this with the news of last week's anti-Semitic riot in Munich leads us to believe that the prospect of revived anti-Semitism in Germany is
an immediate danger.
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ABOUT THE RADIO PROGRAM—Re-
turning to the local scene and "This is Our Story," we believe that last week's roundtable discussion on the UJA was a worthwhile effort although it could have been improved upon considerably. However, this program did show that greater possibilities for vastly improving the show as a whole exist if the wider resources of the community can be drawn upon in a spirit of friendly cooperation.
ARMS EMBARGO ENDS—The United Nations lifted the Middle East arms embargo last Thursday, August 12, and on Friday, Britain announced that the sale of arms to Arab states would be resumed.
Aubrey Eban, Israel's UN representative, argued against removing the ban before the Security Council. Canadian delegate General McNaughton, among others, favored the removal of the embargo which was. a recommendation of the final report of Palestine mediator. Dr. Ralph Bunche. The British and American representatives declared that they would not Want to see an arms race in the Middle East but nevertheless the majority voted to remove the ban.
The speed with which Britain announced resumption of the sale of arms to the Arabs would seem to indicate that Eban's worst fears may be realized and that Israel may be forced to assume the additional burden of not letting itself be outdistanced in" an arms race. The Arabs have no more to gain than the Israelis from such a development but we doubt whether the leaders of the Arab states recognize these facts.
Regarding Yiddish in Israel
By B. CHUDNOVSKY.
Principal of Vancouver Peretz School
History has a way of settling problems. Let us, for example, consider the question of the Yiddish language. For many years there were among our people some who were, and still are, the bitterest foes of Yiddish as a language. "Jargon" was one of the gentler adjectives which such elements used to describe Yiddish.
It is not our intention to take up the "blistering salvos'* which issued from the "big guns" of the anti-Yiddish brigade. We shall perhaps return to this question at soihie future date. For the time being it is interesting to point to the discrepancy in the underlying principle which prompted the anti-Yiddish attitude.
Generally speaking the antl-Yld-dish attitude stems from two sources.
The first can be described as the "snobbish attitude." Such an attitude was prevalent amongst those who looked down on the mass. With complete contempt they disregarded the developments which are taking, place amongst the grass roots of our people. It is to the credit of the intellectuals amongst the Jewish people that by and' large they left such a position. The truth of the matter is that the ear of the mass of Jewish people could only be caught in the language which they used and understood. Because of this, such renowned figures as Mendele, Sholom Aleichem and Peretz came to the people in the Yiddish language. They came not only as "users" but also as "builders" of Yiddish.
Our main concern at this time howeven is with the second source. Here we find a group of people who had the illusion that they can best serve the cause of creating a national homeland of the Jewish people by fighting the language of the Galuth. The struggle for a homeland became synonymous in their minds with a struggle against Yiddish.
It is this principle which is receiving a "slap in the face". History is meting out the punishment and ironically enough the location is the State of Israel.
We bring these facts to the attention of those who are still guided by this so-called "principle."
Yiddish is not menely being "tolr
erated" in Israel, It is being treated with respect. Hqw can it be otherwise? It is the language with which our people struggled and suffered and created for almost one thousand years. Yiddish belongs to the Jewish people. Yiddish has found its place in Israel.
It is no accident that the highest institute of learning in Israel has created a seat for Yiddish. Yes, the Hebrew University has a course devoted to the Yiddish language and all that was created and is still being created in Yiddish. There are several Yiddish publications being issued in Israel today. The government of Israel has in. dicated what their attitude is to Yiddish when they removed an army personnel supervisor because he refused to record Yiddish as a language, when it was given him by an army recruit. The Histadrut (v.'hich is led by Mapai, the largest single party in the Knesset) now publishes a regular Yiddish publication called "Di Goldene Kait" (The Golden Chain). Borrowed from I. L. Peretz, the name of the publication is fundamental to the principle which governs the attitude towards Yiddish. Yiddish is part of the golden chain of Jewish life; yes, a decisive portion of that chain.
The above is not to indicate that all is well. There are still those who persist in their senseless struggle. History is grinding on. It is time to call a halt to such an attitude with respect to Yiddish!
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(We call your attention to the ad of the I. L. Peretz School, which contains a curriculum outline of the School. Study the outline, and register your child at the Peretz School for kindergarten or evening classes.—B.C.)
National Council Of Jewish Women
The next general meeting of the National Council of Jewish Women will be held September 7 instead of the usual meeting date, as this date has been given up for the activities of another organization.
An interesting program is being arranged and members and friends are urged to attend.
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National Council of Jewish Women, Vancouverf Section, through their Congress Co-ordinating Committee for the Care of European Children, have undertaken a new project in the form of scholarships for Vocational Training. These Scholarships will be made available to as many as possible of our new Canadian children, who wish to continue theirt studies along practical lines. Funds have been raised for this project by Council members and augmented by the voluntary generous contributions of Mrs. I. J. Klein, Dr. Morris Fox, and Mr. A. Sereth, who realize the value and necessity of this undertaking.
B*nai B*rith Ladies
B'NAI B'BITH I.ADIES CHAPTER NO. 77: This Chapter is proceeding with its fund raising activities even during the summer vacation by viray of a rummage sale to be held next Monday afternoon at 1 p.m., at the Arcadian Hall, 6th and Main, and parcels for rummage by members and friends of B'nai B'iith would be greatly appreciated. Phone to the president, Mrs. F. Vandt, CEdar 7897, or the vice-president, Mrs. H. Sabblut, CHerry 9171, to arrange for parcel pick-up.
The next function of this organization will be a social evening planned at the Community Centre, Saturday evening, September 10th. B'nai B'rith continues to increase its aid to Israel and everyone's support is essential to promote its activities.
ENDORSEMENT GRANTED
Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority Fashion Tea August 24
W. VAL WABBEN
Mr. Warresn, a member of the publicity conunittee of the United Jewish Appeal campaign, is In charge olf advertising for the drive and conceived the series of full-page ads running currently in the BuUetin. Mr. Waren is district manager for British Col-umbia of the Ellis Advertising Co., of Buffalo, N.Y.
He came to Vancouver three years ago and has contributed
his services in aid of Jewish pro-ects when calleid upon, last year he assisted the Talmud Torah in its campaign.
Before coming to Vancouver, Mr. Warren had a colorful career . in public relations^ advertising and photography with the BCAF, the National Film Board, and other organizations. He was director-cameraman fofr the National Film Board for over two years, worldng on the "Canada Carries On" series and newreels.
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