Newspaper Page Text
THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals
VC UME6
MAY 30, 1931
Number s
j\ ’toneer Passes
s i 1 y B. Joel, the “King of Diamonds’’, one of the richest Jews
in ..e world, died the other day, bequeathing a huge fortune to
iescendants and to charity. There is romance in the life of
! Joel, who started out as a poor boy in Whitechapel, working
hi* way up to a controlling position in the world diamond market.
Sir Solomon B. Joel was a picturesque figure in more than one
wa> He amassed his large fortune as a pioneer, exploiting the
natural resources of South Africa in a modern business way so that
it could successfully compete with the other diamond mining
centers. Not long before his death he realized that South Africa
could never maintain its lead as a diamond center unless it was
made independent of the monopoly of the diamond-cutters concen
trated in Belgium. To cope with this situation he transplanted
several hundred diamond-cutters (the trade is a most specialized
one) from Antwerp—they were mostly Jews—and so made South
Africa not merely the greatest diamond mining center, but actually
the place where the diamond, after it is found, is made ready for
the jeweler. It is such a spirit of undertaking and daring that made
Solly Joel a unique personality in the business world of Great
Britain. A generous giver, he leaves the memory of a life well lived.
* * # *
A True Christian
Professor George Foote Moore, who died last week in his
eightieth year, was one of the foremost scholars in the United
States. He was professor of Hebrew and Biblical Literature at
Harvard and intensively interested in Judaism—much more so than
his official position required. An exceptionally gifted linguist, he
wrote many of his articles in Hebrew. One of his most interesting
essays, on Professor Klausner’s much-discussed book on Jesus,
appeared for the first time in the Hebrew monthly Hatoren, edited
by Reuben Brainin. Always eager to delve into Jewish history, this
Nage at all times evidenced an open mind and an unprejudiced atti
tude toward everything that affected
Jewish cultural life. He greatly admired
Jewish endeavors in Palestine and was
one of the first university professors of
his country to express his full approval
of and best wishes to the Hebrew Uni-
rMty at Jerusalem His death removes
1 K r eat scholar, a fine Hebraist and a
• friend and appreciator of Jewish
lition and culture. Though a non-
J tw * he received the honorary degree
Doctor of Hebrew Law from the
H< rew Union College, and only last
the Jewish Theological Seminary
m ’e him a Doctor of Divinity. The
tian-Jewish good-will movement
one of its best pioneers when he
-d away.
* * * *
ssolini a Friend
nito Mussolini, the dictator of
> is the recipient of a medal which
^resented to him by a delegation of
m recognition of his services in
securing the recent passage of the Jewish communities ordinance,
which definitely establishes religious autonomy for Italian Jewry.
There is this to be said about the Premier of Italy: Ever since
assuming power he has stood for equal treatment for all Italian
subjects, without regard to race or creed. He has at all times con
demned any symptom of anti-Semitism in his country. He has
definitely and conclusively told Herr Adolf Hitler that he could
expect no support in his anti-Jewish campaign from Italian
Fascism, which regards anti-Semitism as a relic of barbarism. Now
that Jewish religious autonomy has been established in Italy, due in
large part to the co-operation of II Duce, world Jewry should
indeed applaud the Italian statesman for his just and unprejudiced
handling of the Jewish problems of his country. In a Europe
infested with anti-Jewish hate Mussolini’s fair handling of the
Jewish minority in his country stands out as a beacon light.
* * * *
An Anniversary
Zevi Hirsch Masliansky’s seventy-fifth anniversary was cele
brated recently at an elaborate banquet in New York. Masliansky
is generally recognized as the dean of Zionist propagandists. For
almost sixty years he has spoken on behalf of the Jewish national
renaissance movement. He has become known as the “Matif
Leumi’’, or the “nation’s voice”.
* * * *
Jewish Education in Atlanta
The most recurrent refrain in American Jewish life today is how
shall the indifference of Jewish youth to Judaism be overcome.
From pulpit and platform has been broadcast a warning: “Jewish
youth is drifting away.” “Where is the Jewish leadership of tomor
row to come from?” Probably the most progressive answer to this
cry was to be found at a dinner sponsored by Mr. Henry A. Alex
ander, at whose invitation twenty of Atlanta’s Jewish leaders were
present. These leaders unanimously agreed that the continuation of
Atlanta’s present Hebrew School, headed by Dr. Beth Lahmy,
should be given financial aid in order to continue teaching Atlanta’s
Jewish youth until October, 1931, at
which time further plans will be made
to permanently maintain the Hebrew
School, headed by Dr. Beth Lahmy, with
an attendance of over two hundred
children.
The special committee appointed to
raise the necessary funds will, no doubt,
come to see you, and you, and you.
When they do come, give liberally, for
your help is needed to perpetuate and
carry on the spirit of Judaism that is
being taught to our Jewish youth here.
No finer cause than this could be found.
The nominal sum that is needed should
be easily raised.
So let us all take heed, and give, even
though times are not what they could
be, for a cause that every Jew should be
happy to contribute to. Do your bit to
carry on the spirit of Judaism by mak
ing possible the continuation of the edu-
. * Kd
cation of the Jewish leaders of tomorrow.
CONTENTS
The Story of the Falashas
By C. DAVIDSON 4
The Finale
By FANNIE BRICE 5
The Skeptic of Vienna
By REUBEN BRAININ 6
A Jewish Memorial to a Catholic
Priest
By STEPHEN S. WISE 7
Mexico and the Jewish Problem
By DAVID MANN 8
Resume of Annual Meeting of
Federation of Jewish Charities
9
Southern Notes
10
Social Notes
u
National and Foreign News
12
In the Limelight
• - • 13
r ed as second-class matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, Ga., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published monthly by The Southern Newspaper Enterprises, Inc. Subscription rates: 15 cents
°Py. 51.5® per year in advance. The Southern Israelite invites correspondence and literary contributions, but the editor is not to be considered as sharing the views expressed by the writers
nose enunciated in the editorial columns. Established 1925. M. Stephen Schiffer, > 301 Glenn Building, Managing Editor. All communications for publication should reach this office not later
e 1st and 15th of each month.
t