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The Southern Israelite Page 11 random thoughts (Continued from Page 9) w hat we need in this rather patched- nn messy world of ours is to give re- jipion a chance to breathe. What- e vor little we do have is being smoth ered to death under a blanket of creed and dogma. KFPRINT FROM the “AMERICAN MERCURY" AN AD THAT appeared in a Pierre, S. D. ( newspaper: "CITY OF PIERRE , .hallentred to debate: ‘Resolved that the beb.f that the world is round is heathen be lief with nothin* b«hind it but ignorance and [the Devil’." The challenge is issued by a profes- Lnr. Most of us will smile at this. Yet L e find in several states of the United States laws that insist we must take the Biblical account of creation as the [only true one. The language is not [that, of course, but in effect is what jis meant by antievolution laws. All [through the trial in Dayton the issue (was raised that the Biblical account .if creation must be accepted. That is (hat man was created perfect and [then he degenerated. It’s hard to even smile at ignorance. THE IDEA OF RABBI LOUIS ;KOSS, OF BROOKLYN, TO FORM a Jewish Book-of-the-Month Club has ome merit. But the statements made hat Jews are, as a rule, indifferent o hooks by Jewish authors or to )ooks on Jewish subjects does not teem to me to be accurate. For ex- mple, let us take some of the very ames that are mentioned in an ar- icle discussing the Jewish Book-of- he-Month Club, Emil Ludwig, Andre laurois, Ludwig Lewisohn, Jacob Vasserman, Lewis Browne. I contend hat these authors have been widely cad by Jews, probably by more Jews n proportion to their numbers, than y non-Jews. I don’t believe for a mo- ient they were read by Jews because he books were written by Jewish au thors, hut because the books were well ritten. Lionel Feuchtwanger cer tainly attracted a large Jewish audi- inee with his book “Power.” At the ame time there are a large number if Jews who would, I am sure, be at tracted to a book if they knew the ^uthor was a Jew and in that way h a club as suggested may benefit Jewish authors. But it seems to me ore important to call attention to Foks, on Jewish subjects. I am not ■•‘•"Id on the plan to have the books ®iosen by two rabbis, one writer, a Business man, and a woman. I prefer B 1 have my books recommended by Buthors, critics and publishers. That’s | peir trade and they know, or ought J know, good books. THE VOICE OF AMERICAN JEWRY ^Continued from Page 3) Bjnion on other issues could be ar T e< ^ at. Some even expressed th< r p< that the Jewish Agency woul< t e institution which w r as the sub of tbis writer’s interview. Sine< B e > 'tended Jewish Agency is ex ■e<\e( to represent every group ii ■merica n Jewry, the Jewish Agent" Provide itself with the authoritj V lr ‘ on other Jewish topics. On* Bv' 1, t pointed to the name “Jewisl as the ideal name for ai b zat Jon representing the com ■ ‘ 1 publl c opinion of the Jewisl ■>rriniunity. I ( meantime, however, issue arise every day which are of import to Jews as such, regardless of their general religious, economic or politi cal views. The question as to how opposition to the presentation of the Passion Play is to be conducted is one which every Jew can discuss with out feeling that he is infringing upon his philosophy of American life. The problem of raising funds for the dis tressed, the persecuted, the famine- stricken, the uneducated both here and in other lands is a pressing one to all who identify themselves with the Jew ish community. The work of the Anti- Defamation League, splendid as it has been, does not adequately cover the ground. There are hundreds of related problems which concern American Jews as such and as a whole. Today there is friction, indifference, even hostility. This tends to a general dis ruption of the Jewish community. The voice of American Jewry will very likely be stifled if it is not given strength and authority by the various groups within American-Jewish life. (Copyright, 1929, by Seven Arts Fea ture Syndicate.) IN THE LIMELIGHT DUE TO THE change in health of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organization, the session of the Zionist General Council was transferred from London to Ber lin. The meeting will take place May 31. ADOLPH LEWISOHN, Philan thropist and music patron, celebrated his eightieth birthday recently. Mr. Lewisohn is credited with the merger of various Jewish charitable organiza tions of New York into one group, un der the name of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies. He donated the School of Mines Building to Columbia Univer sity and makes possible the summer evening concerts held for eight weeks every year in the College of the City of New York Stadium, his gift to the college. He has for years been a lead er in prison reform and has con tributed large sums to the Mount Sinai Hospital of which he is a direc tor. BARON EDMUND ROTHSCHILD, known as the father of the oldest Jewish colonies in Palestine, con gratulated I)r. Chaim Weizmann warmly on the success of his negotia tions for the extension of the Jewish Agency. This expression of opinion represents a change of attitude on the part of Baron Edmund who, it is stated, was not in favor of the project last year when he was approached concerning the matter. His present concurrence, it was further stated, does not imply his intention to become himself, a member of the Council of the Jewish Agency. REAR ADMIRAL JOSEPHTHAL, member of the United States Naval Reserve, died. He received a medal for thirty-five years of service with the State Militia. The Government of Rou- mania, for his services to that coun try, gave him the grand cross of the military order of Roumania, the high est award within its gifts. He or ganized the firm of Jo^ephthal, Lou- cheim & Co., members of the Stock Exchange, the Cotton Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. 1 java lizard with white antelope T8 50 H This smart dress-sports tie— by Garside—is also fashioned in white antelope with black morocco—or in black satin mat kid with patent leather. —STREET FLOOR RICH'S me