The Jewish Western Bulletin
Official Organ 6i      Vancouirer Jewish Administratmr Comidl
Robt. L. Zieil
Ruth Toubman.
.Committee Chadrman ..Soeiety Editor
;;Friday,. March 15,4^6
Published Weekly Every Friday at 2675 Oak Street — — BAy. 4210
Business Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Satiirday and Jewish Holy Days. Entered as Second Class Mail Msitter at Ottawa I shaU try to correct errors when sho^ to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true
views. -^Abraham Lincoln
VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA, FRIDAY, MARCH 15,1946
EDITORIAL
PURIM
By FRED A. STERN
Purim is a joyous day on the Jewish calendar. Somehow the Jew has learned to make a joy of his tragedies. Purim recalls to us the attempt of an earlier Hitler to destroy the Jew. That attempt was frustrated — and the frustration of Haman's anti-Semitism has become an occasion for rejoicing.
Haman's attempt to destroy the Jews :v^as totally defeated. The modem Haman, Hitler, had, alas, more success. He almost annihilated the Jewry of a whole continent.
What theii is the lesson of Purim? Is it that ithe attempts against the Jews will always be defeated? In the light of what happened in Europe; we can scarcely say this is its lesson. Rather Purim seems to tell us that always the Jew is in danger. Not always can a Queen Esther save us. If salvation is to come, it must come from the whole of Jewry itself being aware of the fact that the day of the brotherhood of man has not arrived yet, and that the Jew, as a minority people, must always be conscious of this.
The lessons of Purim are two; that the Jew must always strive for the promotion of the ideal of the brotherhood of man, and, secondly, that he must always be on the alert against confusing the ideal with the reaHty — always realize that the end of all the Hamans is a long, long story.
This may not be the most cheerful sort of lesson, but it is the only kind of a lesson that will prove of any practical value. '
Junior B. B. Girls      Singers Wanted
For Folk Society
9 RABBI Levy, representing local Jewry at the organizing committee of fhe Canadian Folk Society, would hs pleased to hear from those interested in choral singing for the Jewish section of the International Music Festival to be held next May. Phone FAir. 3335.
• THE PARTY in honor of Jack Kahn, the "B. B. Baau" was held on Saturday, March 9. From the viaw of the Junior B'nai B'rith Girls the party was a huge success.
At the first Sunday meeting of the B'nai B'rith Girls an initiation was held, officiated over by Miss Evelyn Gross, junior advisar, and aided by Miss Rita Weinstein, councillor. The bazaar was also discussed and the girls were oon-gratulated by the advisers for making it such a huge success.
The next general meeting wili be held on March 24, and you will be informed well ahead of time, so let's see a large turn out at the next meeting. Rsmember to come and come on time.
Peretz School
0 THERE WILL BE a Purim Party for the children of the Peretz School, at wnich time the childran will receive "Shalach Mones" from the Mooter Farein. There wrill be good things to eat and the children will have a program prepared for this occasion.
A parent, student and teachers' meeting is planned for the end of this month. More about this at a futiure date.
Mid-term exams for all childreii will also take place this month.
This will be a busy month for the Peretz School and will be followed by a busier one next month when the grand bazaar takes place. This for April 24, 1946.
Sub'Seniors
• ATTENTION Sub-Senior Coim-cil of Jewish Women! Keep in mind a very important meeting on Tuesday, March 26th, 8:00 p.m., at the home of Lil Poplack, 3708 West 36th Ave. Make it a point to be there. New project to be discussed and we need the opinion of each and every member. Remember your Pledges to the National Pro-dect — for Medicinal Supplies and Comfort Items to war torn Europe. We expect a contribution from aU Sub-Senior Members. For further information, please call Faye Cohen, KErr. 4205L. It is an obligation we cannot afford to overlook.
The Guest Speaker will be Mr. Ben Pastinsky. Please attend. It is important that you be there.
. (Continued from page 1)
SIX MILLION JEWS DIE SINCE 1939?"
While the Luncheon was an $8.00 per plate.one, many of our members very generously contributed much more — some from $25.00 to ?100.00.   Orchids to those women.
Another highlight of the afternoon was a contribution of $1,600.00 m.ade by Mrs. H. Sabblut, on behalf of a group of men and women, v/ho, during the year, hold socials and parties, and tax themselves each week. This is the third contribution these i>eople have made, and so far are responsible for .saving over eight children. Compliments and greetings to all members of this group. Their efforts are fruitful and most humane. Several of our members held socials for Youth Aliyah, and made very fine contributions to Youth Aliyah. Thanks to them.
The B'nai B'rith Auxiliary contributed $150.00 to Youth AHyah this year. The Auxiliary each year assist in this cause. Many thanks for their kind co-operation.
The Zhitlovsky Group contributed $25.00. Our appreciation is expressed to them for their assistance.
Mrs. B. Shapiro, Chairman of tlie Hadassah Coimcil presided and introduced Mr. Freeman. iVfcs. Jessie Allman, Chairman of the Lillian Freiman Chapter of Hadassah thanked the speaker.
Mrs. Max Grossman once ag'-un was responsible for the table decorations which are always symbolic of the work of Youth Aliyah and always an inspiration. Mrs. Grossman has siiice the inception of Youth Aliyah given this fine service.
It was a fine Limcheon and a Big Job well done.
Henrietta Szold Chapter of Hadassah
Cordially Invites You To Attend A
PURIM TEA
TUESDAY, MAECH 19, 2-6 P.M. 2675 West 33rd Ave.    Proceeds for Children's Village
Bjr BABBi LEON SPITZ
• THE Purim festival offers' a formula to combat anti-Semitism. And ho wonder, since it was during those Purim days, just about twenty five himdred ye^s ago that Jews lived for the first tune in their history in Galuth. Aiid it was then that Jews met the Anti-Semite face to face — and triumphed over him.
To the question, how did he do it? a rereading of the Book- of Esther will afford the answer. No, there is no miracle about it at all. Fact is, the Purim festival is unique in this respect that nothing supernatural is mentioned in its connection. It is also imique in that the name of God does not occur in the entire story. It presents just this one problem, the problem of An.ti-Scmitisn2 and affords a; realistic solution,, which seems to have a substantial; ainpunt of merit.. .: -.
And yet it is this holiday about which poets have composed songs and ditties beginning with the Medieaval Shoshanat Yakob to "Hainan was a Wicked Han" and "In Shu Shu shu shu" so popular in OMT American Simday. schools.-It is this festival which has evoked not a few of the great masterpieces, by the master-painters Of i
A.Z.A.
• HERE'S GOOD news! Clifford Brower,   A.Z.A.  director ar-i
rived in Vancouver from Los Ang^les this Thursday,March 14, and will remain witto us until;; Sunday, March 17. A gigantic'f joint meeting will take place this Sunday, Mai-ch 17, in his honor, at the Community Centre, 8 p.m.
Our chapter has at last been fortunate enough tt> obtain club sweaters—they ara blue and wlhite "V" neck pull-overs—that's what you want, isn't it fellows? Bring the money for them at this Sim-day's meeting, March 17, and make sura that you too will be proud to wear an A.Z.A, sweater. As soon as a suitable crest is designed by any of the members, they too will be lat yovr asking.
A ping pong tournament, organized by ou:- enthusiastic sports rliairman. Max Power, went over big Jat last week's meeting, although "Tubby" Wolfe and Aaron (Tiny) Tennenbaum did show possibiliti-as, "Flash" Bill Moscovf-itz went home with the laurels after defeating Normy Archeck:
Totem Chapter
• SATURDAY'S the big nighti The night on which the Totem
Mixer will be hela. There wiU be prizes , refreshments, dancing, everything. See any member of the Totems for tickets. Clifford Brower, director of District 4, has arrived in Vancouver and will be at the mixer. Put on yovr thinking caps, get out your pens and start writing because on this coming Simday the preliminaries will be Iheld to decide who is going to debate against Judaea.
The subj-act for the prelims is the pros or cons lof the revolts in Palestine, so everybody try out as we want to put up a little agahist the Judaeans. This will be a graat contest of wits as the competitors will ba the best A.Z.A. and Judaea will have to offer. Who will win the cup? Who shall ba the victor? For the answers to tnese questions come to the banquet in the large Lodge Hall, on March 31 and find out.
There's big news in the air. Heralds blast cut the tidings with great revelry. What is this great happening that evei^ne is talking about? Why tne Spring Flannel Frolic of course. This event is so great that both .119 and the Totems shall put it on.
All you boys who want to join the Totems phone Arnold Nemetz, Alma 1903R. Pledge classes wiU ba starting soon so hxury and get the particulars on how to join.
There will be a special meeting of the Totems on Sunday, March 17, in the Commmiity Centre at 1 p.m. In the evening there will be a joint meeting of 119 and the Totems in honor of Cliff Brower. Everyone out.
Christehdom which are exhibited in the finest rNational Museimis and GallCTies.ih many-a Europecm Capital. . Ihese Purim paintings are to be found even amOhg the pricei^ objects d'art which Goraring and his hoodlums have looted and hidden away, how to be rediscovered one by one by American art experts. Piiriiri launched the Yiddish Ilieatre with Esther as the charming heroine, Mordecai the popular hero, and Haman the villain par excellence. In the suimy climates of Italy and South-em France Piu-im carnivals were in vogue while in Germany and Hollandish Synagogues Haman was btimt in effigy and with unrestrained glee. To this very day in a thousand Synagogues his name i<; hissed and mimicked on Meglllah night to, the accompaniment/of
of the cotmtry of their! adoption, : they participated in tiie life about them, they attained posts of honor "and of prestige. And simultaneously they had their own organized Jewish life and they adheerd to their faith, and to their tradi-tions. And then. Anti-Sentiitism struck.
The.,causes were the perennial causes: jealousy, race hatred, the Jews were aliens, they were — that greatest of imforgiveabl^ crimes — they were DIFFERENT, in the words . of the Megillat Esther, "Their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep tiiey the King's laws." Haman too alludes to the loot which would be poured into the Royal IVeasiiry by confiscating Jewish property, "I wiU pay ten thousand talents of silver:,; to .bring it into the kuig's
. '•Enlargernerit and Deliver^ce will arise unto the Jews from another source," Mordecau challenged Esther when she hesitated to make the supreriiC sacrifice for her people. «
Sacrifice! Yes, there must be those who, inoire alive to the problems of Jewry and placed strategically where tbey can help their people, must be willing to render the needful service even to the pomt of personal sacrifice. Noblesse oblige. They who are endowed with wealth, or prestige or influence or talent — with their ammiuution in the protection, of their fellow-Jews. For in the security of the entire Family of Israel is assured the peace and the seciirity of every individual Member of that Family.
And l^ly, Covu-agc.
h^-nanklappers and. every ot^^^^^      treasurie.s." TTiprft i.<! too the eenu- on, * \^
variety of festive noisemaker.
. I)ealing as it does with the most oerious problem of Jewish life, the perennial ciurse of Anti-Semitism, the festival has become the merriest' and the gayest in the Jewish calendar. The Order of the Day includes v.'ihe driiiking, tiie Purim Seuda: or Banquet to top off the holiday which has been laimched on Megillah nig^t by the public reading of' the Story of Esther. It by no means neglects the givuig of charity to the poor and it stresses the practice of Shaladi Mones or the exchange of Presents among relatives and Mends. Everj; ear mark of festivity lends its bit of gaiety to make this the most glamorous of Jewish holidays. And so it goes.
E'ut why all this?
For the very simple reason that the Purim festival spelled to Every Jew of Every Generation the caU to fight the good fight with a pretty definite assurance that victory and triumph were just right aroimd the comer.- The Purim story mirrored the precariousness and the xmiqueness of Jewish Life in Exile.. Withal it reemphasizes the story-book formula that all's ■well that ends well, and every Jew lived happily ever after.
In every way Jewish life as lived in the Purim story mirrors Jewish life outside of Palestine in every age and epoch of Jewish history. Mordecai and Esther had Persian names, they spoke the language
ine Hitlerian tOuch,. .Hitler resentful . .of; certain individual Jev/s, determined to revenge hitiiself uport the entire Jewish nation. Likewise Haman in his day, resented MordecJai and Joiight to, massacre all the Jews.
Hut the Sduticn?
The Puriin fbrihula deniand^ the following ■ elements: Self-reSpjct, Unity, Faith/Courage and Sacrifice.
Selfrrespect — The Megillah is crystal iclear on this point." Mordecai the Jew did not kneel nor did he prostrate. No maitter v/hat the price, his Jewish self-respect permitted no compromises^
IJnity! Esther's counsel to Mordecai was, Go forth and assemble all the Jews of Shushan. American Jewry must present a tmited front in combatting its enemies. This is a first essential prerequisite before the cranks can be closed. It is a Must technique which every battle in human experience prescribes. Jews of every religious denomination and of every sort and manner of theoretical grouping, the maximum and the minimimi Jews are dutyboxmd to keep well in .mind Ben Franklin's revolutionary bonmot, "If we don't hang together, we shall each hang separately." Jews must releam to get along together and to embark on common action, to achieve their goals and to protect their rights.
Faith! A people must have faith both in its deistiny aind in its own power  to. achieve that destiny.
idecai and the Jews Of Shushan - displayed was to meet the eriemy it?. iJhysical. Combat.   It was the khid of courage wiich the Allied soldier displayed .whien he met the , Nazi ahdi Jap in battle. It was <he . kind of icouragelthe flower of the Yiddish Youth cf Pals?t:ns exhibits ■ in its battle for; free entry to Pal-astine. For too many thousand : of years The Voice has been The Voice of Jacob and the Hand was the Hand of Esau forever raised against his brother.   Perhaps the time has come when roles should be changed.  Let Esau whuie and w^il and protest to the civilized world, and let Jacob raise his hand to fight the good fight.
For. the Anti-Semite has no morality, and he has no conscience. He imderstahds but one language, and he must be dealt With on his own level. The Purim Jews stood up for their lives. American Jews too must come to grips with our contemporary Anti-Semites. We must fill our jails with Anti-Semitic gangsters, we must fill our insane asylimis with Anti-Semitic lunatics, we must combat every alien Jew-hater, we must harass and prosecute our Jew baiters to the extreme limits of the laws, we niust humble and shame our Anti-Semitic hoodlmns to such an extent that none wiU -wish to dare to become "fellow-travellers." . Purim's call to every Jew — .Exterminate the Anti-Semitic Thermites.
SARAH OSNATH HALEVY
JACOB BEN-AMI
JACOB MESTEL
THE JEWISH NATIONAL WORKERS' ALLIANCE
PRESENTS
The Foremost Actor of the Yiddish and English Stage
JACOB BEN - AMI
with the Weil-Known Singer and Actress
SARAH OSNATH HALEVY
the Known Actor the Known Actor and Monologist
JACOB MESTEL AL HARRIS
the Pianist
Max Lubetzky
in an original performance of
Drama, Comedy and Song
from the works of Sholom Aleichem David Pinski
I. L. Peretz H. Leivick
On April 2nd, 8:00 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre — all seats are reserved We urge all Jewish people to make sure and see this outstanding performance. Reservations may be obtained by telephoning Mr. Tennenbaum, MArine 1419 or KErrisdale 0626L Tickets $2.00 and $1.50