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The Southern Israelite
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Executive Offices: 161 Spring St., N. W.
Published In Atlanta Monthly by
THE SOUTHERN NEWSPAPERS ENTERPRISES, Inc.,
M. STEPHEN SCHIFFER, Managing Editor
Subscription Rates: 15 Cents Single Copy, $1.50 Per Year In Advance.
Entered as second class matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, Ga.,
under the Act of March 3rd, 1879.
All communications for publication should reach this office not later than
1st and 15th of each month.
The Southern Israelite Invites correspondence and literary contributions, but
the Editor Is not to be considered as sharing the views expressed by the
writers except those enunciated in the Editorial columns.
Our Problem
It is hardly necessary to explain the efforts that are being
waged pro and con the proposed change in the calendar which would
create a wandering Sabbath for the Jews and other seven-day
observers. There are those Jewish leaders who refuse to admit the
grave disadvantages to our Sabbath such a change would necessi
tate, but for the most part, our leading Jewish organizations have
loyally and firmly protested against the plan.
Very recently the magazine “Liberty” under the editorship of
Charles S. Longacre published a special issue devoted to the pro
posed calendar change. In its effort to bring pressure to bear against
the joint resolution of Congressman Porter requesting the President
to propose the calling of an international conference for the sim
plification of the calendar, “Liberty” urges the securing of signa
tures to a petition to the Senate and the House of Representatives,
requesting “not to recommend the calling of an International Con
ference by the President of the United States, or the acceptance by
him of an invitation to participate in such a Conference, for the
purpose of revising the present calendar, unless a proviso be at
tached thereto, definitely guaranteeing the preservation of the con
tinuity of the weekly cycle without the insertion of blank days.”
Our compliments to “Liberty” and our urgent appeal to every
Jewish citizen to respond to the realization of the situation that
confronts Jewry and the preservation of our Sabbath.
Your Pledge
David A. Brown in an article in this issue describes the splen
did work done by Jacob M. Loeb to complete Chicago’s payments
to the United Jewish Campaign 100%. This is only one of the many
noble responses to the United Jewish Campaign, which has broad
cast a plea to those having pledged support to their fund to pay
up their pledges so that the Joint Distribution Committee, which
has appropriated $310,000 to relieve the terrible calamities that
are causing indescribable suffering to Jews in Eastern Europe,
can be prepared to help.
Europe has experienced a miserably cold winter, and greater
misfortune is anticipated in the spring when the rivers overflow
causing devastation and disease. The Jewish Distribution Com
mittee must be prepared so that if such a situation materializes,
they can act immediately to save those in danger. Unless the United
Jewish Campaign collections are speeded up, it will be imperative
to borrow sufficient funds to complete their quota.
Bearing this terrible disaster in mind, do not put off paying up
as much of your pledge today as you are able to. And we feel that
no more forceful thought could be left with you than to quote Mr.
Brown’s urgent and sincere appeal, “Won’t you be another Jacob
Loeb—won’t your community be another Chicago ?”
Purim
The festival of Purim, or the Feast .of Lots, was ushered in
Monday evening, March 25, 1929 with the reading of the book of
Esther followed by. great festivity and joy. It was the celebration
to commemorate the deliverance of the Jewish people from the
hands of Haman by a decree from King Ahasuerus, won through
the loyalty and devotion to their people of Queen Esther and
Mordecai, her uncle, against whom Haman, the Prime Minister,
bore a personal grudge.
We are all more or less familiar with this beautiful story, but
we must also bear in mind that this celebration is significant not
only for its historical and Biblical value, but because its applica
tion is universal and century-old. In every age and in every land
where the Jewish people have lived, there have been those who,
like Haman, condemned the whole people because of personal
prejudices against individual Jews. But the. feast of Purim also
reminds us that there were always those faithful spirits in every
generation who challenged all prejudice and evil decrees and who
proclaimed the cause of Judaism and Jewry. And we cannot but
hopefully look forward into the future and feel confident that each
succeeding generation of our people, like their forefathers, will
continue to carry on the standards of Israel proudly and loyally.
I AM A JEW!
By Captain Ralph Willner
7 am a Jew—and just like you,
I carry a load on my back.
No matter where, it's always there;
A burden in a sack?
I am a Jew—and there are few
Who dare my load to lift;
They cannot see, it’s part of me,
My burden and my gift.
I am a Jew—thni life I hue
Inscriptions that forever live—
You cannot break that which I make;
There is no price for which I give.
I am a Jew—and looking thru
The ages that have passed
At a Throne—I stand alone—
It's meaning I have grasped.
I am a Jew, and like a Shrew,
A small and humble Race—
With all your might, and all your
spite,
You cannot take my place!
I am a Jew—and those who knew,
And you who know my stock,
Will give me cheers and smiles and
tears—
You will not stand and mock.
I am a Jew—7 am a Jew!
And those of you, however few,
Must knoiv forever and anon-—
7 am a Jew—7 am a Jew!
Editor’s note: This is an answer to
our editorial on “Conversion and the
Jews” in our March 1st edition.
Fast of Esther
JEWISH CALENDAR
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Purim ...
Rosh Chodesh Nissan
Thursday. April 11
Pirs^ Day of Pcssach
Thursday, April 25
Eighth Day of Pessach
Thursday, May 2
♦Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Saturday, May 11
Lag B’Omer
Tuesday! May 28
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Sunday, June 9
Shavuoth
♦Rosh Chodesh Tammui
Saturday', June 15
Tuesday. July 9
Fast of Tammuz
Thursday July 25
Rosh Chodesh Ab
Tisho B Ab
♦Rosh Chodesh Elul
Friday September, o
Rosh Hashonah
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Fast of Gedalia
Mnndav. October <
Yom Kippur ....
Succoth
Shemini Azreth
Sunday. October 20
Saturday, October 2b
Simchas Torah
Sunday. October 21
Rosh Chodesh Chesvan
Monday, November *
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
Tuesday December »
hirst Day of Chanukah
Friday, December a
NOTE: Holidays begin
in the evening preceding the
dates designated.
•Rosh Chodesh also observed the previous day.