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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals Volu ic 6 APRIL 30, 1931 \ n Anniversary lay 6th Dr. Sigmund Freud will celebrate his 75th anniver- e date is an important one in world science. Few scholars lined the certainty of immortality as Freud has today. His les in psychoanalysis have been recognized as epoch-making sphere, comparable to Einstein’s theory of relativity, or lergson’s philosophy of creative evolution. Dr. Freud, :ul of his ever-growing fame, has been working steadily at the popularization of his scientific findings, making them more hie to the millions of laymen, who feel that his message is of ince, not merely to the medical profession, but to every r child. The monarch of the subconscious world has never relaxed in his interest for the Jewish people. Like his great con- temporary. Albert Einstein, he has time and again evidenced a mess, not only to be claimed by his fellow Jews as one of their wn. hut to lend prestige of his name whenever it could be of ulvantage to the Jewish cause. His anniversary will be celebrated throughout the world as that of an ethical personality and one of the most brilliant minds of our time. I ivo Great Jewish Merchants Isaac Gimbel and Michael Friedsam were two Jews who won extraordinary distinction in the field of commerce. They became known, not only for their abilities and their financial success, but also for their interest in questions outside their money-making activities. They won the respect of their communities, and there fore. to that extent, maintained the reputation of Jewry. Yet one cannot hut wonder at the relative indifference which both of these men showed, but during their lives and—so to speak—after their show, to specific Jewish problems. It is right and proper that lews, living in a country which has afforded them such singular opportunities as characterize America, should give generously to every form of philanthropy. But it would not be at all unbecoming to show a little bias in the Jewish direc tion. Such a bias would not be resented : y non-Jews. It happens that in the last tew years—and particularly during the the crisis—the Jewish economic e has been showing symptoms of Hie growth of larger organiza- tne gradual concentration of capi- 5ve resulted in the gradual thrust- of the smaller distributor, the lass middle-man. And since the ->d a disproportionate segment of umbers in that class, the Jewish H'ty. as a whole, has suffered ore severely than any other see the population. At a time like erefore, the few Jews who are the top should show an unusual in Jewish problems. One type who was foremost in Jewish iropy, without ever losing sight obligations as an American was the never-to-be-forgotten Straus. But Nathan Strauses ’ ver y few and very far between. A’u in her 3 (lecai Jew. ’he. r thi-. teal;-. inter*. citiz t Nath are, CONTENTS Colonel friedsam Passes By Robert Stone - 4 1 hat Blind faith By Stanle/ Hero - . 5 Jews Enslaved in franee By Pierre Van Paassf.n - - 6 The Case Against Anti-Semitism By Joseph Brainin - 7 Jewish Women Urge National Cooperation By Estelle Sternberoer - 8 Does Economic Discrimination Against the Jew Exist? By J. X. Cohen - 9 Speculations About the Religion Of Tomorrow By Rabbi I^ouis I. Newman - - 10 Conference on Jewish Education - 11 More Cynicism from Poland A week ago we had occasion to refer to the curious duplicity which characterizes Polish anti-Semitism: soft words and human promises abroad—particularly in America—and brutal indifference to boycott laws and general discrimination in Poland itself. Almost as if it had made up its mind to add an illuminating comment on our remarks, a Polish newspaper coolly announces its reversion to its regular policy. The Gazetta Warshawska has long been noted for its virulent attacks on the Jews. Kecently, because of a pending loan for Poland abroad, the Gazctta Warshawska suspended its attacks. It now announces that, the loan having been secured, the editorial policy returns to normalcy. We are no longer astonished at this type of cynicism. What, however, is a never-failing source of surprise to us is the gullibility of the Jews everywhere. A news paper or an individual, with a life-long record of calumny and Jew-baiting, a government with a long history of indifference to pogroms, or of suspected connivance at them, has only to utter one kind word, or has only to cease for a few days to utter unkind words, and Jews will cheer for the great humanitarian triumph. Nay, there are individual Jews who will come forward with claims: they were the ones responsible for the change of heart; they were the saviours both of Jewry and of the paper or government in question. We do not urge that Jews ought never to forgive anti- Semitism in a government, or in a newspaper, if there has been a genuine change of heart. But this eagerness to accept every kind word at its face value seems to indicate less soft-heartedness than soft-headedness. A lather of the Emancipation French Jews are preparing to celebrate appropriately the hundredth anniversary of the death of Bishop Gregoire, the priest who introduced into the French Chamber of Deputies the bill giving the Jews of France civic equality. The event is surely worth recalling. While France was not the first modern country to remove Jewish disabilities, the example set by that country probably had more effect than any other incident in hastening the re moval of the medieval forms of discrimi nation. It was part of France’s general influence in the direction of modern liberalism—an influence of which the effects are still visible in world history. We know today that the generous im pulses which actuated French revolu tionaries in their attitude toward Jews outran the spirit of the time. A hundred years after the magnificent example we find a Europe which may still be divided into various zones as far as Jewish rights are concerned. Laws may be passed with the best of intentions—but unless there is an enlightened and recep tive public opinion to back them they have the worth of propaganda, and little more. Who, one hundred years ago, would have foretold that in the twen- (Continued on Pa^e 18) ‘5 Cer * 1st a- d ,« second class matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, Ga , under the Act of March 3nl, 1879. Published month y by The Southern Newspaper Enterprises, Inc. Subscrption Rates: r.e Copy, $1.50 per year » advance The Southern Israe ite inv tes correspondence and literary contributions, but the Editor is not to be considered as sharing the views expressed by except those enweiited £ the Editorial columns. Established 1925. M. Stephen Schiffer, Mana*in* Editor. All communications for publication should reach this office not later char - * >ach month. Extra Edition.