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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals
V< inie 6 July 31, 1931 Number 8
\jt, the Congress
World Zionist Congress has held the center of the stage
or two weeks. The press of the world has kept its millions
tders informed as to the views and decisions of the repre-
iives of the Zionist groups of all civilized countries. British
nment circles, with their ears to the ground, tried to
and weigh the extent to which the Jewish people are
to go to reclaim the land of their forefathers. Other gov-
nts, with interests in the Near East, followed with more
i attention, the deliberations of the “spokesmen of the Jew-
i people.” In any words, it is not exaggerating to say that
the eyes of the world were trained on Basle to get an answer to
question: “Are the Jews serious about building in Palestine
tional homeland?” The Congress has spoken, but the non-
ish world as well as a good part of the Jewish people are
led, unable to understand what the Basle message means.
Weizmann, the great builder and Jewish statesman, was
mated from the leadership by the manipulations of party
ieians who sacrificed the cause of the Jewish people in order
gain their ends for their own small groups. The resolutions,
sed after heated debate, have not give a new understanding
nor advanced a solution for these grave problems confronting
he .Jewish builders in Palestine. The new Executive, instead
if being evidence of new strength, is definitely lacking in pres
ide and ability. To Zionists throughout the world, the election
Nahum Sokolow brings general satisfaction, coming as the
reward to a life devoted to the national cause.
W ithout striking a pessimistic note, one cannot help feeling
skeptical about the next two years in world Zionism. If at least
nily had been achieved at the Congress so that a coalition of
mre or less mediocre but willing leaders could consolidate and
perhaps advance the positions which the ten years of Weizmann
leadership had won for the Jewish people—but impartial ob-
■ reel's agree that the lines dividing the various parties within
Zionist Organization have been emphasized instead of eradi-
ed. Those American delegates who helped in the ousting of
W'-izmann, especially men like Abraham Goldberg who before the
>ngress had posed as a supporter of the Weizmann policy, will
haw to give an accounting of their actions to the rank and file
he next American Zionist convention. The Zionist Congress
adjourned for two years without achieving unity, and with-
i having decided on a political and economic route.
* * * *
H arimrg Withdraws
Felix M. Warburg is a sick man.
is rumored in circles usually well
formed that the eminent Jewish phi-
nthropist and leader will have to give
P all his communal and public activi-
s by the strict orders of his physi-
ms. Few figures in Jewish public life
health to his unique place at the head of American Jewry.
* * * *
Jewish Agency
The Jewish Agency for Palestine, holding its biennial meeting
in Basle, ratified the decisions of the 17th World Zionist Con
gress. The Agency leaders did not formulate any startling reso
lutions nor did they determine on a new plan of action. In view
of the present political and economic crisis which Zionism must
weather, the non-Zionist group believes that the best policy is
one of watchful waiting and consolidation instead of advance.
The definite withdrawal of Felix M. Warburg due to ill health,
the elimination of Dr. Weizmann as President, the voluntary re
tirement of Dr. Cyrus Adler from the Council give the impression
that the Jewish Agency has decided to play a minor role in the
Palestine movement during the next two years. There is a strange
sound to the report that the Jewish Agency had adopted a plan
to secure a million members, each one paying five dollars a year.
To us this resolution appears impractical. The World Zionist
Organization, with established machineries in almost every civil
ized country, was unable to achieve this goal or even to approach
it. One million members at five dollars is a tremendous undertak
ing. Coming from the Jewish Agency, which represents a group
of individuals of means whose connections do not extend into
the Jewish masses, the proposal takes on the form of a wild
joke sponsored by Mr. Sprinzak of Palestine. Mr. Sprinzak is a
victim of the old illusion that it is easier to get a million dollars
from a hundred thousand people than from ten.
* * * *
There's A Way ■ I
Saloniki is in a state of security and tranquility, according to
official reports received by the American Jewish Congress. These
reports indicate that the Governor of Saloniki has succeeded in
re-establishing order and that the anti-Semitism wave, which
threatened to overwhelm Greece, has been definitely stemmed.
One cannot help but compare the efficient manner in which the
Greek Government handled the anti-Jewish outbreaks, with the
indifference of the Rumanian Government at the time of the anti-
Semitic persecutions. This is simply additional evidence—if it
were needed—that a Government determined to halt anti-Semites
when they become physically dangerous can do so. Witness Soviet
Russia. Anti-Semitism there has not simply evaporated. It still
exists in circles opposed to the Gov
ernment. But the Soviet Government
places all anti-Semitic disturbances on
the crime register, punishable in some
instances by death. The Government of
Greece has regained the respect of the
civilized world by its efficient and stern
attitude toward the anti - Semitic
hoodlums.
* * * *
CONTENTS
Observations of Jewish Life
By DAVID A. BROWN - -
That Man Sokolow
By REUBEN BRAININ - -
ive won the affection and sincere es-
* m from all classes of Jewry as has
no to the distinguished son in law
the late Jacob Schiff. His untiring
‘‘rest in domestic charities, k ; s self-
; devotion to Russian Jewish colo-
ntion, his heroic efforts on behalf
the Palestine movement had pro-
lod Felix M. Warburg to the very
oground of American Jewish leader-
p. Ever since the death of Louis
rshall, it had become generally ad-
tted that Mr. Warburg was his suc-
>°r. Now that it has become known
Mr. Warburg’s physical condition
■he only and real reason for his
hdrawal from Jewish leadership,
re is general consternation in Amer-
n Jewry. We do not abandon hope,
’"'ever, that Mr. Warburg will over-
:ne his illness and return in good
Franz Werfel—Europe’s Ghandi
By EGON MICHAEL - - - - *
A Portrait of Myself
By PHILIP M. RASKIN - - -
A Timid Soul on Broadway
By PHINEAS J. BIRON - - - -
New York Topics
Special to The Southern Israelite -
Highlights and Sidelights
By MARTIN GOLDE
Social Notes
Southern Notes
Foreign News
In the Limelight
National News
Bernard Edelhertz
Bernard Edelhertz, publisher of the
American Hebrew, has passed on to
that great beyond. His tragic death has
startled the many friends whom the
former Assistant Attorney General made
during his lifetime. Mr. Edelhertz was
an immigrant from Russia who suc
ceeded in making his way through his
own ability and untiring energy. Fif
teen years ago Mr. Edelhertz acquired
control of the American Hebrew, one of
the leading English-Jewish publica
tions in this country. As a publisher,
Mr. Edelhertz’s record is one of contin
uous building which, in view of the
difficulties encountered by an English-
Jewish publication in a city like New
York, speaks volumes for the vitality
and perseverance of the deceased.
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