Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

« « SOUTHERN NOTES » » Atlanta, Ga. CANTOR JOSEF ROSENBLATT' ... A Suggestion of Caruso. . . . Cantor Josef Rosenblatt, who for many years has pleased the audiences of two continents, will appear in Atlanta on Jan uary 15, 1933. Born in the Russia of the Czars, the musical world has seen him leap from the "Wonder Child” of Vienna to a position of preeminence as an artist of tunned stature in the sinning firmament. Josef Rosenblatt celebrates four dec ades of song, during which time he has given hundreds of sacred concerts and conducted religious services in the four corners of the earth. The great cantor and tenor has been acclaimed not only for his rare voice, but also for those characteristics that stamp him as a man of principle and conviction, for during his many years of activity he has never violated the precepts of the synagogue. Having mastered a stupendous reper toire of compositions in six languages in addition to llelnew and Yiddish, the opera has fought vainly for his services, offering stellar roles and fabulous re tainers, but of no avail. The story of Cantor Rosenblatt’s prog ress in the synagogue and upon the con cert stage reads like fiction. At the age of four he had already begun to imitate his father and the choir in synagogue chants. When eight, Josef toured Cen tral Europe, conducting religious services and giving sacred concerts, and when he was twelve, influential people sought to bring him before the Austrian Em peror, Franz Josef, but he refused on re ligious grounds. When he was fourteen, Josef Rosenblatt began composing, and he now has over four hundred religious compositions, a patriotic anthem, a lul laby, and other musical pieces to his credit. Josef Rosenblatt, at nineteen, became Chief Cantor of Pressburg, and five years later he occupied the same high post at Hamburg. In 1912, Cantor Rosenblatt came to America, where he immediately became the leading Cantor, assuming his duties at the Congregation Chab-Zedek. Six years later, in May, 1918, he made his concert debut at Carnegie Hall, in New York City, where he received the un stinted praise of both the public and the press. Since then, he has earned the highest acclamation of critics in both America and on the continent. The following quotations will show the regard with which Cantor Rosen blatt is held. The New York Times says, “Josef Rosenblatt is the possessor of a phenomenal tenor voice—in his operatic airs there was more than a sug gestion of Caruso.” The Musical Courier: "Throughout, his program was a sheer delight, and his versatility was pronounced in the various types of songs he presented. From the old opera aria through the Jewish folk songs and re ligious chants to the appealing lullaby sung in English, Mr. Rosenblatt was interpretatively and artistically satisfy ing and wholly at ease.” IIadassah News The victory luncheon, the culminating event of the membership campaign being conducted by the Atlanta chapter of Senior Hadassah was postponed till Tues day, January 3. The luncheon will be held at 1 o’clock at the Jewish Progressive Club on Pryor Street. The luncheon will be in the form of a box luncheon, each member bringing her own sandwiches and enough for the guests she invites; the membership com mittee will invite as their guests the new members made during the campaign. Members are permitted to bring as many guests as they wish. The recent monthly meeting of the Atlanta Unit of Junior Hadassah showed that much gratifying progress is being made by this organization. Miss Bessie Geffen, cultural chairman, reported that the dramatic group is now working on a one-act comedy and proposes to pre sent it at the next regular monthly meet ing of the Unit. The Young Judaean chairman, Miss Lottie Goncher, an nounced that this Southern Conclave of Young Judaea will be held in Atlanta late in December, and requested the cooperation of all Junior Hadassah members. Miss Rose Cherkas, chairman of the parliamentary law class, under the instruction of Miss Rebecca Shuman, reported splendid attendance at the meet ings of this group. A special drive for new members is being made under the di rection of Miss Polly Gershon, member ship chairman, who outlined plans for the drive. Welcome was extended to the following new members who were pres ent at the meeting: Misses Rose Tesler, Men Eplan, Frances Hoffman, Dora Taffel, Esther Siegal, Bessie Silverboard, Fannie Sicro, Sara Sinkoe, Dora Zion, Anne Bromstein, Sara Rice, Esta Clein, Bess Goldstein, Elsie Lichtenstein and Regina Weinberg. Miss Helen Balser was appointed chairman of the commit tee in charge of writing to Meier Shfevah, the school for Jewish children, located in Palestine and maintained by Junior Hadassah. Miss Perle Bokritsky was ap pointed chairman of the Follies to be given in February. A talk on the pur poses and importance of the Jewish Na tional Fund was given by Miss Anna Raiser, who is on the National J. N. F. Committee. A report bv Miss Frances Heilman, J. N. F. chairman of the At lanta Unit, stated that Maccabean Day, the day when little Jewish flags are sold for the purpose of raising money for the Jewish National Fund, will be observed by the Atlanta Unit. An enjoyable pro gram was presented with Miss Bess Lut- skv presiding. Mr. Julian V. Boehm, a well-known local amateur magician, de lighted the members with his sleight-of- hand tricks, and Mr. Mendel Segal, ac companied by Mrs. Fannie Segal Gold stein, rendered two musical numbers which were well received by everyone present. After adjournment, a social hour was enjoyed and refreshments were served. The attendance prize was won by Miss Celia Weinberg. The Mrs. Nathan Strauss Unit of the Junior Hadassah, in Augusta, has been the sponsor of two of the season's most successful affairs, the first being a “Gypsy Bridge,” during which entertain ment was furnished by many novelties, and the second being a "Bohemian-Studio Party.” This party, the culmination of an extensive membership drive, was very informal, and guests indulged in various enjoyable games, with prizes being given to the winners. Many varied and unu sual methods are being resorted to by the Junior Hadassah members in a determined effort to raise their quota in the "(Jive or Earn” project, as those reaching the goal by the end of December will l>e in vited to a delicious luncheon. The Cul tural Group, under the direction of Mrs. Anna Averbuck, is receiving the full support of the organization. The last meeting of this group featured a very unique idea, The Battle of News, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A. Z. A. The Atlanta Chapter observed Inter national A. Z. A. Day, recently, with the presentation of the Judas Mac cabeus Degree at the Hebrew Benevolent Temple. Rabbi Abraham Shusterman, of Athens, Georgia, was the principal speaker. Phis year marks the fourth time that the Atlanta Chapter has given this Sec ond, or Judas Maccabeus, Degree, and it was quite fitting that Rabbi Shuster man be the guest speaker, since his close contact with the students of the Uni versity of Georgia places him in a po sition to recognize and deal with the problems of the Jewish youth. Those who took part in the degree work were: Joe Blass, Nace Cohen, Ar- thus Gottesman, Leonard Greenbaum, Raymond Hirsch, Irwin Krick, Meyer Levy, Sidney Parks, Helvin Pazol, Na than Smith and Simon Wender. Following the usual custom, new Alephs were presented to the Supreme Advisory Council. They were: Alephs Moses Abelsky, Alex Epstein, Manuel Ep stein, Aaron Rose, Morris Siegel and Nathan Smith. Athens, Ga. I)r. Max Cutler, famed Chicago cancer specialist, is now heading the free pub lic clinic in Athens, 'l'his action is in the form of a repayment of a debt of gratitude to the town that received him as an immigrant boy from the Ukraine, taught him to speak English, and sent him on to fame as a cancer specialist. Mastering the English language in a very short while, finishing grammar and high school work with honors in six years, and taking off honors at the University of Georgia in three years proved a just forerunner for the excellent work Dr. Cutler has turned out in the fight against humankind's most dreaded ailment. Athens and all Southern Jewry is proud of Dr. Max Cutler. Speaking on "Religion and the Lay man,” Harold Hirsch. Sr., delivered a stirring address to the students of the University of Georgia at the semi-monthly open forum in the Stern Community House in Athens. This open forum is under the direction of Rabbi Abraham Shusterman, and is given in the effort to promote better religious understanding among the University students. Mr. Hirsch’s talk proved to be one of the highlights in the history of the forum. Augusta, Ga. The activities of the Jewish popular tion in Augusta are such that great ef forts have been made and maintained it keeping the spirit of cooperation in thr forefront. One of Augusta’s leading citi zens who is always willing to lend helping hand is David Slusky, Sr., vice president of one of the largest banks ir Augusta, and senior member of the firrr | of David Slusky Sc Son. The recent erec tion of his building shows a distinct con j tribution to the city’s business center, 'lire building in its simplicity reacts to j David Slusky’s character and his abilitv as a builder to progressive Augusta Honor has been bestowed upon David] Slusky by the mention in the "Teller," a magazine published by the First Nationa Bank of Atlanta. Southern Jewry is proud] of David Slusky. Jackson, Tenn. Addresses by Mr. Alexander Klein, ofj Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mr. Philip Levitch of Memphis, Tenn., were the features of] the program given in conjunction with! the Sixth Annual Tour of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. A j large attendance was drawn, and thr program was highly praised by all. E ttiory Vniversity The Beta Nu Chapter of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity of Emory University recently held its first initiation and Banquet in Atlanta. The initiate* were: Mr. James Weinberg and Mr Irving Greenberg, of Atlanta. Following the initiation, the member* j of the Fraternity and its pledges enjoyed] an elaborate banquet in honor of its new members. Dr. Joseph Yampolsky, facul ty member of the Emory University Medi cal School, read a most interesting and instructive resume on the "History of| Medicine.” Those present were: Alfred Citrynell. Noah Feldman, Ralph Cohen, Harr Parks, Dr. Joseph Yampolsky, Irving Greenberg, James Weinberg, Aleck Smith Edward Greber, Clarence Scheinbaum Harvey Cummins, David Gillman, Isa dore Cohen, Jack Levine, and Al Fried man of the Emory University Medical School; Julian Jarmowlosky and Milton Blum of the University of Georgia Chap ter; and Dr. Nathan Regal, resident a? the Grady Hospital of the University of Tennessee. Miss Annette Geffen, daughter ofj Rabbi and Mrs. Tobias Geffen, of At lanta, and who is now attending Emon University, has received the highest honor possible to attain at that school, the election to Phi Beta Kappa, the na-j tional honorary fraternity. Miss Geffen formerly attended Girls’ High School in Atlanta, where it will be remembered that she carried off the highest honors. Charleston, S. C. The young people are showing a ten-j dtney toward the journalistic field throughout the South at the different! schools and colleges, where honors a re | being bestowed upon them, as is the cast' in Charleston, S. C., where Hannah Pry stowskv, who is editor-in-chief of the I Memminger High School paper, “Thr j Clarion.” This young lady also was thr recipient of a gold medal at the timr of her graduation from the grade school Honors, however, are to be divided in] Charleston, because Abe Banov, another youngster, is editing “The Bantam,” the j Boys High School paper. (Continued on page 15) [12] * THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE