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THE
SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
For SOUTHERN JEWRY
VOLUME XII
JVNUARY, 193«
NUMBER 52
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
T he most popular contribution ot* Marxism to prcscnt-day thought
is a catchy retrain which begins with the sing-songy phrase, “It’s all
economic.” Its widespread appeal is due to the ease with which it
may apply to most of the world’s ills religious prejudice, labor unrest,
fascism, war, depressions and the whole alphabet of social phenomena.
That many of the evils from which the world suffers today may bo
attributed to economic causes is true enough; the theory that “It’s all
economic,” however, is so much M arxian nonsense. And the proponents
of the theory are like a comedy chorus who know tho lyrics to only one
song.
There is no greater error than the belief that all the oppression which
Jewry suffers today springs solely from economic causes, or that anti-
Semitism in the past has been the result ot financial depressions, bank
holidays and inflation. This is not to sav that the modern version ot
religious bias has no economic side. It does, and to a greater degree than
past prejudice. Still it is only one piece* ot a puzzle which has many
pieces.
Religious intolerance is still largely based upon ignorance and supersti
tion. Men are driven today as in tlu* past by a medieval distrust of other
faiths, burning tear of that which is alien.
Until all men understand
the underlying motives of
religion, until the basic sim
ilarities in all faiths are
realized, bigotry will always
rear its head to blow from
its dragon-like nostrils the
poisonous smoke of anti-
Semitism.
In America, for the first
time in the history of the
world, a concerted effort is
being made to break down
the barriers which exist be
tween opposing faiths.
Although since the lNtli
Century there have been
short-lived movements di
rected toward this sublime
end, this is the first which
reaches the masses, the
fir>t which has swept be
yond the church into the
schoolroom and the home.
The National Conference
of Jews and Christians has
been a pioneer in this work,
blazing new trails with its
series of inter-faith round
tables. In celebration of
its tenth anniversary, the
Conference has launched a
drive to establish at least
one religious round-table in
every state in the union.
President Roosevelt’s warm-hearted endorsement of the work being
done by the National Conference of Jews and Christians tells the story
of America’s new lesson to the world:
"This country is thoroughly committed to the principle of civil and
religious liberty. Instead of deploring the variety of racial strains and
spiritual traditions which are an inherent part of our people, we welcome
I hem as a token of the freedom that we enjoy and believe that the common
life is enriched by what each of these groups contributes. In this nation
we proclaim the equal rights of all religious groups whether of the majority
or of minorities, and find our unity in a common citizenship. Freedom of
speech, of the press and of assembly are guaranteed to all by the Bill of
Rights.
"This American doctrine is challenged or denied in other parts of the
world today. It is my earnest hope that divided opinions regarding situa
tions in other lands than ours will not create cleavage betw r een religious
groups in our own nation. Philosophies dominant in totalitarian states
must not be allowed to disrupt the cordial relationships which now exist
among Protestants, Catholics and Jews in America. We believe in demo
cracy, a happy combination of freedom and responsibility. Our fathers
fought for it and left it to us as our heritage We are determined to main
tain it and to demonstrate
in America the possibility
of a community in which
men of diverse racial origins
and religious convictions
can live together in mutual
respect, friendship and co
operation in all those mat
ters that make for human
happiness and national
well-being.
“The perpetuation of
these democratic principles
demand, as they deserve,
our devotion and sacrifice.
We must not hold them too
cheaply at a time when
they seem to be receding in
some quarters where they
were once valued. Rather
they must be intelligently
fostered and bravely ad
vanced. I welcome the
effort of the National Con
ference of Jews and Chris
tians to increase in local
communities the number of
its Round Tables of leading
citizens of all faiths who by
mutual consultation and
planning may deal with
occasions of distrust or
misunderstanding and pave
the way to cooperation.”
Table Of Contents
ClloWN Pni.NCK OF Lalghter _ _ J
Hy Louis Hekursky
(ik.ms From The Old Would. 5
Hy .Midi red Lee Moses
Tn e Road To Peace. . 0
Hy Orin Horst eu
Jewish Infli'ence Ox Ailah Economic Life 7
Hi/ Dr. .11 [red Honne
Stepson Of The Soi tii . . . 8
Hy Soul .S’. Spiro
Freedom In The Dark . . . 13
Hi/ Dorothy Thompson
Vi'osti.e Of Social Jr,stick 15
Hy Hu rl rum Jon us
In War And Peace. 19
Hy Hernunl Hostcil
When The Homeland Was In India 21
Hy Kloetzel
Rehearsal For Revolt 25
Hy Arnold Z lucid
Review Of Foreign Affairs 27
Hy Estelle M. Sternberger
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