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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELI A MAGAZINE PERPETUATING JEWISH IDEALS VOLUME VIII. APRIL, 1933. NUMBER 4. a Member of a Persecuted Race” The activities of Rabbi Benjamin Goldstein on behalf of the ttcotts- boro negroes has cost him his post as Rabbi of Temple Beth-Or in Montgomery, Alabama. Rabbi Goldstein committed a serious offense according to Krnest Meyer, president of tin* Temple, a crime that re quired bis withdrawal as religious leader. The Rabbi presided at a protest meeting of whites at Birmingham and in the course of his ad dress said: “As a member of a persecuted race, I feel it my hounden duty to champion the cause of any minority discriminated against.” Such words are unworthy of a Rabbi whose main function, according to persons of the type* of Meyer, should be to whitewash every act of social injustice in order to please his board of trustees. Rabbi Gold stein’s dismissal is a stain on the Jewish community of America. Some official body, representative of the liberal Rabbinate of this country, should demand his reinstatement. We say this, knowing of course, that Jewish communal life is too disorganized and undisciplined for an effective protest. But one thing should happen. Some progressive congregation should invite Rabbi Goldstein to honor it by accepting its religious leadership. We need Rabbis like Rabbi Goldstein. and the proceedings of this convention should be carefully and seri ously watched by every Jew who has Judaism and human welfare ai| heart. To Boycott or ISot to Boycott Jewish Social Justice The most important trend in religion within recent years has been the growing awareness of the church and the synagogue with regard to the cruelties inherent in the present capitalistic social system in America. It has been aptly remarked by lteinhold Neibuhr, the dis- tinguished Christian theologian, that while there are only liberals in the colleges and the universities, there are real radicals in the churches. This is putting tin* matter in a nutshell. Religion is beginning to translate its ethical teachings into concrete action for human welfare. And in this work for the betterment of conditions the synagogue is taking a prominent part. For Judaism has always been concerned with social justice. Hence the announcement that the United Synagogue of America, at its twenty-first annual convention in New York in May, will devote its proceedings to a discussion of how the Jew can con cretely work for social justice, is a wel come announcement and in line with Jewish convictions. Although the psycho logical reaction of the Jew runs along the lines of social justice this subject has too often been ignored by the synagogue, for the obvious fear of treading upon for bidden ground and hurting some one’s feelings. The synagogue, however, feels that it is now compelled to consider this subject frankly and fearlessly. What is Judaism’s answer to present world prob lems! This subject will be discussed at the United Synagogue convention. It can be said without exaggeration that this will be one of the most important Jewish symposias that has been held in years, When a man of the prominence and responsibility of Samuel I’nter meyer, the New York attorney, advocates a strict Jewish boycott against German merchandise, the practicability of such a move must again be scrutinized, (’an world Jewry through boycott foree tb? German Government to its knees! A Jewish boycott in the I'nited States, France and Kngland would undoubtedly play havoc with mam thousands of small and big German business men; it would not. ir? ! believe, have a decisive effect on German trade and industry. Whit then would be the result! The advocates of a boycott expect that the protest and howl from the German victims of the Jewish boycott would make Hitler sit up and listen. This is, of course, speculative. On?] thing is certain. The Hitler Government would be supplied with i perfect excuse to reopen a campaign of violence against the 600,0* j German Jews. We repeat that a boycott is un-Jewish in concept Boycott is the economic form of war. It is true that such an attitud?] may not be popular at this time, but speaking for ourself, we fed it i disloyalty to Jewish ideals if we should join the hysterical cry fori boycott. We could understand it if a delegation of Jewish leaders with headquarters in Washington were to take over the task of enlighteninc the members of the Senate and House of Representatives so that uj official protest from the representatives of the American people inigr* be forthcoming. But to sponsor a boycott, which will give us front ] page space in addition to the editorial press support which we have] is quite futile and, so we say, risky. CONTENTS • PAGE The Settlement of Jews in Georgia By Joseph Leiser 5 The Crime of Reuben Brainin, The Zionist By Pierre Tan Paassen 6 Harold Hirsch By T. 7. Tobias. Jr 7 Prayers Before Business in Singapore By David White 8 The Microphone Presents By George Silverman _ _ _ 9 Society and Personal __ 10 The German Situation By Robert Stone — _ — _ 11 Southern Notes _ _ _ 12 National and Foreign Notes 15 Italy and the Jetcs There is something refreshing in Mus solini’s attitude to the Jewish question He does not recognize its existence in Italy and to prove it has apj>ointed GuiJ Jung, Jewish Minister of Finance, who# coming to the United States to participate in the International Conference with M authority to negotiate for Italy. Musso lini is the best exhibit that Fascism an<t anti-Semitism do not have to go together. Fascism or super-nationalism does not mean a hysterical cry for a pure race an<t a discriminatory attitude towards racial minorities. This is Mussolini’s explana tion for the “splendid Jewish record "of his party. Public opinion of world Jewry is not to be disregarded. Fascism has many opponents. An anti-Semitic attitude by Mussolini would have mobilized powerful adversaries to his regime. In the final analysis, Mussolini is a wise statesman who knows how to engage Jewish goodwill- Italy stands out as a progressive country whose leader knows how to differential between patriotism and chauvism. Entered aa second-dan matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta. Ga., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published monthly by the Southern Newapaper Enterprise*. Inc. Subacription ratea: $2.00 per year in - v1 ^ The Southern Iaraelite inyitea correspondence and literary contribution!, but the editor ia not to be conaidered aa sharing the views expressed by the writers except those enunciated in the ditorial columns. E- I92S. M. S. Miller, Editor; Mr. Stephen Schiller, Publisher; Nathan Lipton. Business Manager. Executive Offices, 301 Glenn Building. Atlanta, Ga. All communications for publication should re; .h ’- 1 office not later than the 10th and 2Sth of each month. - - -