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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals
Volume 5 FEBRUARY 28, 1931 Number 24
Courage and Vision
Young Judaeans throughout the Southeast are observing March
as Young Judaea month. Special programs have been arranged in
every city where there exists a club. The Southern Young Judaean
Association is to be congratulated upon its undertaking such an
ambitious program, and the Atlanta Council deserves much credit
for sponsoring many literary, social, and athletic activities. Cooper
ating most cordially with the Southern and the Atlanta Young
judaea clubs is the Jewish Educational Alliance, headed by Edward
M. Kahn, which organization offers its physical facilities and the
guidance and advice of trained leadership. The Alliance has always
been the center of Young Judaea activities in Atlanta. Work with
|ewish boys and girls constitutes its major activity. Young Judaea
is a Jewish youth organization. It aims to develop among Jewish
youth a consciousness of kin and a loyalty and attachment to
their own people. It ties up the historic past with an interest in
current Jewish problems and a faith in the future of the Jewish
people. In the smaller communities in the South the Young Judaea
Club is the only link that binds the Jewish boys and girls to their
people. Boys and girls can be reached best through club fellowship.
The informal and self-governing features of the club make a special
appeal to the ambitious boy or girl. It is in the club that youth
learns to restrain selfish interests. It is in the club that group
interests and team-work become the dominant influence. It is in
the club that the individual learns the first lessons of good citizen
ship and develops social-mindedness. The Young Judaea Club can
perform all these tasks plus the wonderful opportunity for develop
ing wholesome Jewish personality and well-adjusted Jewish char
acter. Young Judaeans in the South must possess courage to pursue
their aims with vigor and vitality. They must have the vision to
see beyond the immediate horizon and have faith in the future of
the Jew as a creative force among the peoples of the world.
* * *
Straus’ Jewish Will
“It is my wish that none of my children or grandchildren shall
ever marry out of the faith and I enjoin upon them always to be
and remain good Jews.” Thus wrote the
venerable philanthropist, Nathan Straus,
in his will, which has just become known.
A striking, straightforward plea in these
days of intermarriage.
Nathan Straus’ Jewishness was mark
edly devoid of clannishness. His philan
thropic gifts were non-sectarian and
bore the stamp of a broad, all-embracing
humanity.
But the Grand Old Man of American
Jewry was proud of his spiritual
heritage and never hesitated to fight
I to the last ounce of his strength for
a tolerant interracial and inter-religious
1 relationship.
Mr. Straus believed that Jews and
entiles could best respect one another
they remained good Jews and good
ristians, respectively.
■ Nathan Straus’ post-humous appeal
nis family—that is, to his people—
be and remain good Jews contains
he essence of his philosophy of life.
Eugene Oherdorfer Is Dead
Eugene Oberdorfer, Sr., nationally known insurance man and
for more than thirty years treasurer of the Republican party in
Florida, passed away February 22nd. Outside of the affection of
his close associates and the respect of his many acquaintances, few
realized his intense participation in the political, religious, and
civic interests of his community. Born in New York, he moved to
Jacksonville, where he became deputy clerk of the Federal District
Court, and took an active interest in the affairs of the Republican
party of the State. Even after his removal to Atlanta, he continued
to serve as treasurer of the Florida State Republican organization
until two years ago, and only two months before his death he was
named treasurer of the Georgia Republican Committee.
In addition to his political activities, Mr. Oberdorfer was an
outstanding leader in civic and religious affairs in Atlanta. He was
a founder and past president of the Burns Club, and during the
war served as director of Jewish welfare work in this section. He
was past president of the Jewish Educational Alliance, of the
Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, and of the National Order of 21.
He was also a member of the Yaarab Temple Shrine here. In every
Jewish activity since his coming to Atlanta, he took a prominent
part, as well as devoting much time to the general upbuilding of
the city. Scanning even this small glimpse of his life one can
appreciate the constructive influence in both civic and religious
circles that Mr. Oberdorfer endeavored to further in years of untir
ing effort. His passing has bereft our community of a loyal citizen
and a spirit devoted to Judaism.
* * *
Let Us Be Gay
This week we are celebrating Purim. Wherever Jews live there
will be rejoicing and hilarity. The Jews of Poland, who are bat
tling with the spectre of hunger; the Jews of Germany, who are
fighting the mad anti-Semitism of Hitler; the Jews of Palestine,
who are straining every effort to hold the Jewish position in Eretz
Israel; the black Jews of Abyssinia, the Israelites of France—all
of them will be reading the story of Esther and of the liberation
she brought the Jews of Persia in their
hour of need from the most notorious
anti-Semite of all time, Haman. And in
our own country this year Purim will
be celebrated with more joy than for a
long time.
* * *
A Courageous Action
Monte Lemann, of New Orleans, was
the only one of the eleven members of
the Wickersham Law Enforcement Com
mission who refused to sign the joint
report presented to President Hoover.
He appended an individual statement in
which he recommended outright repeal
of the Eighteenth Amendment. The ac
tion of Monte Lemann has been hailed
as courageous and dignified. It is being
lauded as the only logical course open
to a man of convictions. There have been
some cheap politicians who point to Le-
mann’s Jewishness and charge him with
dissenting out of political ambition.
All unprejudiced observers will praise
him for his courage and independence.
CONTENTS
Have Christians Forgotten the
Golden Rule?
By Mrs. Estelle M. Sternberger - -
- - 4
Should Weizmann Resign?
By Henry Montor - ------
- - 5
Why Jewish Folk Are Not More
Jewish
By David VVeissman
- - 6
March—Young Judaea Month
- - 7
Southern Notes
- - 6
Society
- - 8
In the Limelight
- - 9
National News
- - 11
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1st and 15th of each month.