Newspaper Page Text
THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals
ilume 6
APRIL 10, 1931
Number 2
igure Out of the Past
Rabbi Isaac Sher, for twenty years the head of the Slobodka
t-shiva, is now in America on a mission. To American-born Jews,
pecially of the younger generation, his name means nothing, or
, xt to nothing. But to those who brought with them to America
me of the European Jewish tradition his name evokes great mem-
es of a time that is no more. Yes, there was a time in Jewish
;te when little children dreamed of becoming great scholars and
tbbis; when youngsters thrilled to the thought of earning the title
• 7lui—young scholar and saint. To the men of the old generation
tac Sher was, fifty years ago, the guiding star and inspiration for
:ture life. Today a Jackie Coogan is more likely to rouse the
envy and admiration of the youth, and Babe Ruth has, among Jewish
youngsters, a great many more admirers than Einstein. Isaac Sher
represents not only a great Yeshiva but a great tradition. We hope
that on his mission he will fare better than his tradition has fared
in America.
* * *
. \ Stronghold Falls
Those who have had any acquaintance with the recent history of
South African Jewry will be shocked at the news which has reached
us from that country. For the last twenty-five years South Africa
was one of the bright spots in Jewish life. If the Jews there had
been more numerous South Africa would have challenged America
herself for the popular title of das goldene land. South African
Jewry was as generous as it was fortunate. It gave a higher pro rata
ntribution to Palestine and to European relief than any other
Jewry in the world. It was proud of its achievement and it rejoiced
m the absence of anti-Semitism. A couple of years ago the spectre
t anti-Semitis mrose in that country; and today the economic
security of South African Jewry has been thoroughly shaken. We
are speaking now not of the world crisis, which has shaken so many
peoples; we are alluding instead to that phenomenon which is so
familiar to the Jews of other countries: the revelation of the fact
'.hat the Jew does not manage to get a substantial footing in the
economic life of the country. He plays a transitional role, and when
the country settles down, as it were, to
its history the Jew is dislodged.
There are many soup lines for the
Jews in South Africa—something un
heard of, even undreamed of just a few
years ago.
Jewish stores are closing by the
^ore—the big chain corporations are
ashing them out of the field.
I o this may be added the universal
sease of overproduction and the spe-
d factor of the collapse of the dia-
nd market. The bad times will pass;
is inconceivable that they should
continue.
I he world is not coming to an end.
t when normalcy is restored, some-
ng curious will be observed,
he Jews will have been shaken out
heir position as merchants and dis-
itors.
he Jewish people will be relegated
rger numbers to the ranks of the
oyees.
Priesthood and Politics
People with short memories are taking offense at the fact that
men like Stephen S. Wise and John Haynes Holmes are “meddling”
in municipal politics in New York. The opinion is being voiced
that the function of the rabbi and the priest and the pastor ends
inside the synagogue and the church; as if synagogue and church
could mean anything if their influence never spread outside their
four walls. As a matter of fact there was seldom any crisis in
history in which priests have not played a prominent part; and in
spite of popular superstition to the contrary the men of the cloth
were as often found on the side of the people as on the side of
privilege.
In Jewish life the picture of the political rabbi is certainly not
new. Throughout the Middle Ages a series of practical rabbinical
leaders molded the secular life of the Jews. In modern times we
have seen a political movement like Zionism derive strength from
the practical interference of religious leaders.
If men like Doctors Wise and Holmes are compelled to abandon
the generalities of their profession and point their lessons at
specific evils and specific figures we have the times alone to blame.
It is a reflection on the lay leaders, who have bungled affairs till
now, rather than on the religious leaders if the latter must cease to
be teachers and become men of action.
* * *
Make Up Your Mind. Charlie
Charles Spencer Chaplin, who disputes with Einstein the dis
tinction of being the best-known human being in the world, does
not share Einstein’s Jewish enthusiasm. Charlie will neither affirm
nor deny that he is a Jew. Perhaps he is merely showing wit and
good taste: if he is not a Jew he refuses to parade the fact. And
perhaps he is not showing such good taste: he would rather not be
forced to a show-down. In any case, the Hitlerites of Germany are
insistent that Charlie is a Jew; and they assert this with great
vehemence in connection with his latest picture, “City Lights”,
now showing in Berlin. The Hitlerites refuse to see that picture,
and they refuse to let others see it.
It is a picture full of corruption—it
is the evil spirit of the Jew breathing
devastation on the pure spirit of Teu-
tonism. It is undermining the character
of Germany—it is demoralizing the de
scendants of Arminius.
In brief, it is Jewish!
What a role has been forced upon
Charlie!
It was strange enough that this in
genious and lovable comedian should
have been taken up by the very arty
people and shown to be a sombre genius.
It is still stranger that he should now
be made into a sinister influence aimed
at the integrity of Teutondom.
Charlie must make up his mind and
come out with the truth.
For once we wish that he were not
a Jew!
It would be interesting to have the
Hitlerites discover that “City Lights”
is nothing more than a harmless bit of
fun—and portrays Charlie in his true
role—the real clown of the movies.
CONTENTS
A Modern Interpretation of Judaism
By HANNAH 0. SHI'CHAFER
• • 4
Southeastern Conference of the National
Council of Jewish Women
- • 5
A Jew Who Became “Little Caesar’
By EDWARD c;. ROBINSON
- - 6
The Scarlet Trail
By FLORENCE ROTHSCHILD
- - 7
My Father, Cesare Lombroso
By GINA LOMBROSO
- - 8
Are Jews Too Sensitive?
By MURIEL ASHER
- - 9
What Is Behind the Dreyfuss Revival?
By PIERRE VAN PAASSEN
- - 10
The Sabbath
By BELLE A. LOWENSTEIN
- - 11
The Poetry of Mockery
By ALFRED MEISSINER
- - 12
The Voice of the Dead
By JULIUS MAYER
- - 41
The Man Who Defied Depression
By PHINEAS J. BIRON
- - 59
The Jews, An Appreciation
By W. W. GAINES, Atlanta
- - 62
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
41
59
62
nter*d as second matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, G*., under the Act of March 3rd, 1879. Published monthly by The Southern Newspaper Enterprises, Inc. Subscription Rates:
- s Single Copy, Jl.50 oeUvear hi advance The Southern Israelite invites correspondence and literary contributions, but the Edit**- is not to be considered as sharing the riews expressed by
•ters except those enunciated in the Editorial columns. Establfched 1925. M. Stephen Schiffer, Managing Editor. All communications for publication should reach this otfte# not later than
15th of each month.