Vol. VIII.
TORONTO, ONT., JUNE 10, 1927
No. 33
Editorials
JEWISH NATIONALISM NOT THE ISSUE IN'THE
MONTREAL ELECTIONS
THE MENTORS1 CLUB
The claim is still being made in some sections of the Jewish press and in many intelligent circles of Jewish observers that the recent election campaign in St. Louis division, Montreal, had more than a mere passing, local, or political significance. The ghost of the Jewish issue which was dressed up in the white raiment of Jewish idealism and trotted around during the campaign refuses to disappear on the morning after." The supporters of the defeated candidate had apparently so intoxicated themselves with the fumes of their "nationalistic" twaddle that they still continue to prattle about the profound Jewish issues and ideals that were at stake. And their persistence in speaking in their lofty propagandist pitch which they assumed during the campaign, and which they should have discarded in their sober, post-election moments is apt to gain credence for their [ claims among circles unfamiliar with the special circumstances of the case,
Jewish public life is sufficiently laden with problems as it is. It is unnecessary to magnify family squabbles among politicians to the proportions of national problems, and to transfigure petty, selfish ambitions into the glories of national aspirations. The tendency to exaggerate the importance of commonplace events, and to bloat newspaper items into chapters of world-history is only too evident :in our Jewish world. The effect of this is to add to the confusion which prevails among us, and to postpone the crystallization of a sane standard of values.
It was a strange spectacle to see such an acute observer as the col-jnmnist of our Montreal contemporary suddenly break the leash of [restraint, and convert his sparkling column into a labourious tirade against those who refused to be taken in by the buncomb of the so-[called nationalist candidate. Usually so deft in lancing the putrid [pockets of pretension on our communal body, and so agile in tripping jup bombasticity, he suddenly changed his whole demeanor and [�started preaching wisdom like a veritable president of a Jewish jCongress. Discoursing in the idealistic implications of the campaign, k nevertheless read an apologia for the introduction into it of the [unsavory political realities. There only lacked an explanation as to rhy this realist in politics, who nevertheless visioned an ideal in the icampaigr.. so forgot the realities of campaigning that he kept away jfom the campaign and refused to commit himself publicly in favour idealistic standard-bearer. Elections are not won by post-Wecuon retroactive endorsation.
�or our part, our object in recurring to the subject of the campaign to maky it clear once again that we think that the Jewish public touki re ent the disingenuous attempts of politicians to hitch the ]ciple- and ideals of Jewish nationalism to pull their political
ins.
in oi] rra: i t: � ish r. Mid r real
first editorial on this subject, we deliberately spoke in �u aiming merely to expose the exploitation of the ideals of � tionalism, without unduly interfering in the campaign.
t care which side would win, knowing that there were �ies involved. We did care that ideals which were dear to Continued on Paqb 17
By Rabbi Ferdinand M, Isserman The Mentors' Club is an organization of young men and women in Toronto, who are the leaders of the Boys' and Girls' Clubs. They are volunteer workers and have organized groups of underprivileged boys and girls for recreation and character building. To these young men and women the community owes a debt of gratitude. They are building finer and better Jewish citizens. We feel that the real badge of aristocracy is service. Such a badge every member of the Mentors' Club is entitled to wear.
TRANS-ATLANTIC FLYING
That the thrill of adventure has not been smothered in our age of brass was evinced by the spontaneous and universal applause which hailed the spanning of the Atlantic by intrepid aviators. The New York "Times" reported that the interest in both trans-Atlantic flights was so great that twelve extra telephone operators, working all night, were required to handle the thousands of inquiries about the progress of the fliers. Other newspapers reported similar interest on the part of their readers. Millions of people breathed sighs of relief when the announcements were made that these explorers of the air had landed on the continent of Europe.
What these flights have done for aviation is incalculable. Rumours about companies organized to establish trans-Atlantic passenger air service are rife. The American continent has suddenly become aware of how backward it has been in the development of air transportation. In Europe regular air-services between the large cities have been established for years, and travelling by aeroplane is no longer a novelty. We know of no regular passenger air-service on the continent. But this deficiency will, under the impulse given to aviation by Lindberg and Chamberlain, be remedied. Why should it not be possible to fly from Toronto to Montreal, New York or Chicago?
No sooner had the news of Lindberg's landing at Paris been flashed to the world than the war heads of nations began to conjure up a new military menace. They saw the possibility of explosives being sent over the Atlantic from Europe to America and vice versa. They feared that this new achievement of man might make for greater destruction.
Our thoughts were exactly at the other pole. We rejoiced that men were brought closer to one another. We believe that the international good-will which Lindbergh's modesty and heroism generated was but the harbinger of the more intense international friendships which closer contacts will make possible. How tiny the world is getting to be! It is shrinking before our gaze. New York and Paris are. but thirty-three hours apart. Most of the ill-will and prejudice in the world is due to ignorance. Bringing peoples into more frequent association tends to break down barriers of suspicion and misunderstanding. The new proximity of peoples demonstrated by Lindbergh and Chamberlain will make for peace, as it will help man to see the beauty of cultures other than his own.
Continued on Page 23
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