Ohio Jewish Chronicle, 1931-01-16

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Central Ohio's Only
Jewish Newspaper
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A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER FOR THE JEWISH HOME
Devoted to American
and
Jewish Ideala
Vol. XV — No. 3
COLUMHUS, OHIO, JANUARY i6, 1931
Per Year $3.00; Per Copy loc
BytheWay By David Schwartz
A Black Deed of the Reds
I can appreciate, even if I refrain from applauding, the Soviet's liostility to re¬ ligion, but I confess, it seems to me, tliat even the reddest Communists could have hesitated a bit from carrying this hostility to the point that it was done this week.
I ^ refer to the news bulletin of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the Communists this week destroyed the graves of two famous Chassidic rabbis, one of them being none other than that of the Baal Shcm Tov, the father of the Chassidic movement.
He, Too, Was a Revolutionist It seems to me that the Bolshevists should have felt at least a psychologic kinship in the Baal,Shcm Tov.^ Dr. Me¬ lammed of the Reflex used to give us some rather fantastically conceived and titled articles—you recall that of St. Paul and Leon Trotsky. Well, it wouldn't even take a brilliant Melammed to write an article, captioned Lenin and the Baal Shem Tov—showing some marked simi¬ larities in the two.
Certainly, the Baal Shcm Tov, like the Bolsheviks was a revolutionist. He was of course, a religious revolutionist, but the Bolshevists, too, are religious rev¬ olutionists. They say, "Away with the church and the synagogue!"; The Baal Shcm_ said, "Away with the legalism and doctrines and heaviness of religion. Joy and recognition of all as part of the Uni¬ versal Beingj is all that is asked of yon." "They study the Talmud so much, they haven't, time to think of God," com¬ mented the Baal Shem Tov. It seems to me that in a fundamcntar sense, the Baal Shem Tov was.more of a revolutionist than the Bolshevists.
Prophet of the Proletariat . And like the Bolsheviks, too, the Baal Shem Tov stood for the proletariat. He consorted with the publicans with the "am haaretz". with the sinner, with the so-called fallen woman. . .
The Bolshevik champions the proleta¬ riat and snaps his fingers at the bour- geoise with their culture. ^ The Chassidim championed similarly the simple minded and said, "Away with your petty Lamdanith/' It was pretty much the same thing.
Chassidim and Schnapps I personally never had the good for¬ tune to come into very abundant ac¬ quaintance with Chassidim. But the lit' tie knowledge I have, predisposed me very much in .their favor. I remember in particular ihe way the few Chasstdirji that' I know wouia iiandie tlicir "schnapps."
There was no sneaking about the process with them. They drank it as though it tickled the good Lord far inore than it did even themselves. \Vas it not a "mitzvah" to be cheerful? Was not the cardinal sin the denial of joy? Did not tlie Baal Shem Tov place his ban on asceticism as being the one thing blas¬ phemous?
The Cure of Jack London Now it seems tb me, if you are going to take your liquor at all, take it with aplomb, take it with no excuses', as the Chassidim did. ¦ I believe, moreover, that is the only way you can take it, if you desire to be temperate, paradoxical as this statement may appear.
You remember how Jack London was cured of his'habit of drinking? The formula used by his wife was simply this: When she marri,ed Jack London, the famous writer was very much ad¬ dicted to drunkenness. And so she con¬ sented to marry him only on one condi¬ tion—a strange condition, you may think. It was this: That London would have to get drunk any time his wife demanded that he do so. And she made it her busi¬ ness to insist on his being drunk very frequently. So frequently that the.thing grew nauseous to London.
She had merely, as you see, reversed the process and it worked., I am aware that this sounds very fantastic. Never¬ theless, I would not be surprised if some method like this wouldn't work far more effectively than the customary swearing oif process.
A recent professor in some university has demonstrated the same principle in (Continued on page 4)
TUNE   IN   ON   RABBI
JACOB TARSHISH
TOMORROW
The ninth nf a scries of radio sermons will be brondcaBt from the Bryden Road Temple tomorrow (Sunday) at 11 a. m. The theme of the rabbi's ad¬ dress will be "The Common Peo¬ ple," being a look into the life of the average man and woman. Lincoln said: "God must have loved the common people, for He made so many of them."
Tho radio addresses of Rabbi Tarshish have evoked responses from all over the state; even folk from neighboring' states have sent in letters expressing their appreciation'. The oHicers : of the Temple want to make it clearly understood that the Sun¬ day services are inter-denomi¬ national id character and are open to the general public.
Address of Sidney  G. Kusworm Stirs
Large Crowd at B'nai BVith Gathering
In the New Virginia Hotel
Work of the Order is Described; Outgoing Administration is
Lauded; Justin L. Sillman is Presented with Diamond
Studded Menorah; Incoming President Reads
an Inspiring Message
Scarlet  Mask   Player   Is  a
Member of Sigma Alpha
Mu Fraternity
Richard Joseph, New York City, plaij^s a featured part in "Hands Up," 12th an¬ nual production of the Scarlet Mask Club of Ohio State University, which appears locally at the Hartman the eve¬ nings of Jan. 22, 23, and 24, with a Sat¬ urday matinee.
Before entering Ohio State, Joseph ap¬ peared on Broadway. This gives him a background for the character part he plays in "Hands .Up."
Joseph is sport editor of the Makio, Ohio State year book, and assistant news editor of the Lantern, Campus daily pa- pen He is also a member of Strollers' Dramatic Club and is an associate editor of Sun Dial, Campus humor magazine.
Workers' Meeting       I
k
Dr. S. B. Maximon to Ad¬ dress 0. S. U. Me¬ norah Sunday
Mr. S. B. Maximon, Reg¬ istrar of Hebrew Union College, will address the Menorah Society of Ohio State University. Sunday afternoon at 3 o'dock. His tallt is entitled "Whither," and is an aAalysis of Re¬ form Judaism.
The meeting will take place at the Hillel Founda¬ tion, 96 East Eighteenth Avenue. Be sure you are there.
Rabbi Werne to Review Life
Of Nathan Straus at
Agudath Achim
i^*
These oHic«rA ol Zion Lodge No. 62, B'nai fi'rith vrcre installed at ccrcraonlos held In tht> New Virginia Monday night.    Sidney G. Kusworm of jpayton, O^ was tho principal speaker.
In the picture, left to right, back row, are Justin Sillman, outgobig president; Ri^rt L. Mellman, idea president; Harry Sdiwartz, warden; Isadore W. Garek, secretary. Front row, Jacob B, Wolstein, outer guard; Ben Z. Neustadt, president, and Joseph C. Goodman, treasurer.
The following announce- J \ ment has beeti ie^ued by i ; the associate chairmen of \ t the Hebrew School Drive; j I all workers in the pri?aont f I campaign are urged to heed ( j  as well as read it: }
I ''Be sure to attend the J ] rally for workers in our big } j drive for the Talmud Torah. y I Important announcements j (  will be made at this rally at \
The committee on arrangements for the grand installation exercises of Zion Ledge No. 62, B'nai B'rith, which took place Monday eycniiig, January 12th, at the New Virginia Hotel, deserves a great deal of credit; for as a result of this committee's efforts a brilliant program was presented to a gathering of more than 300 people, men and women.
The following officers were installed by Sidney G. Kusworm of Dayton, past president of District No. 2, B'nai B'rith, and one of the shining lights of the great philanthropic order of which Zion Lodge is a vital part:—Ben Z. Neustadt, presi¬ dent ; Robert L. MeUmaii, vice-president; Isadore W. Garek, secretary; Joseph C. Goodman, treasurer,; Harry Schwartz, warden; Jacob'B. Wolstein, outer guard.
In his brilliant address Brother Kus¬ worm not only outlined the history and
country. It brings together in Jewish fellowship, men of diverse viewpoints. Orthodox and Reform, Conservative and Liberal, the Zionist and the non-Zionist, the Nationalist and the so-called *1W>% American,' men of great wealth and men of moderate meECiis, the business man and the working man, the old settler and the newcomer, the Eastern and the Western Jew—men horn in Russia, Germany, Eng land;,Poland and the Orient, as.well as those born in America. Here differences of politics aild philosophy are subordi¬ nated to a common ideal of Jewish cul ture and human service. Membership ib open to every Jew who has attained the age of twenty-one years, who has been recommended by two members of the organization, and wHose application has been approved by the vote of the local unit;—the Lodge.
The Open Forum Committee of the Congregation Agudath Achim wishes to announce that Rabbi I. Werne will re¬ view the life of Nathan Straus at the next meeting of the Open Forum on Fri' day evening, January 23, at 8 p. m.
Cantor Freedman will sing. There will be a discussion of the lecture, which the rabbi will lead, and questions per¬ taining to Jewish life and history will be answered by Rabbi Werne.
As I See It
By A. M. N.
WILL    KEVIE\K   HIS    OWN
BOOK AT BROAD STREET
TEMPLE  FRIDAY
the. af'hic.veraents flf the. Order in the .past  In concluding his address Brother Kus
^ the Hebrew School on East i
I Rich Street, Sunday after- {
} noon at 3 p, m." j
I (Signed) Harry Schwartz, j Max S. Bogatinj
1 Associate Chairmen,
SCHONTHAL CENTER WEL¬ COMES GROUP MEETINGS
Dr.. E. J. Gordon, President of Schon¬ thal Center, welcornes all groups inter¬ ested in philanthropic activities to meet at the Center without charge.
In this time of depression, no doubt, every organization will make an effort to save as much of its funds as possible to relieve those suffering from the effects of the depression. . In order to meet this condition the Center is extending the use of the building.
To make arrangements for such meet¬ ings call Miss Rose Sugarman, Executive Director, of Schonthal Center, 555 E. Rich St., ADams 3329.
For a niinimum charge, Schonthal Center's auditorium and kitchen may he secured for weddings and parties.
Arrangements may be made for the use of double or single rooms for brij^ge parties as a small cost.
A Large Attendance Is Expected at Sev¬ enth Annual Conference of Central Tri- State Regional of Junior Hadassah
Program for G>nference to Be Held Here on January 24 and
25 Has Been Announced by Mrs. Charles Estrin
of Cleveland, Acting Regional Chairman
Program for the seventh annual con- fcfence of the Central Tri-State Re¬ gional of Junior Hadassah, to be held in Columbus January 24 and 25, has been announced by Mrs. Charles Estrin of Cleveland, acting regional chairman.
Mrs. Elma Ehrlich Levinger will be guest speaker at the senior-junior lunch¬ eon. Following the precedent of former years, the senior and junior organiza¬ tions hold conferences simultaneously, the two groups meeting at luncheon, program for which is arranged by the juniors.
The conference will open on Satur¬ day evening, .iwith a meeting <iV iinit presidents, regional ofHcers and chair¬ men. Editors, reporters, and members of the business staflf of tlie Region News will hold a breakfast at 8:30 Sunday morning.
Rabbi Lee J. Levinger will pronounce the invocation at 10 a. m., following iregl^r^Upn.ftf delegates, itjiU Miss Ro§e D^tmgcr,  president  of   the  local   unit,
will give the address of welcome. Mrs. M. J. Lewis of Cleveland, senior regional president, will greet the delegates, and Mrs. Estrin is to give the president's re¬ port to the conference. The morning ses¬ sion will be devoted to appointment of committees and discussion of regional problems.
'"' Following the joint senior-junior luncheon, a round-table discussion of unit problems will be held. The business ses¬ sion will close with the repbrt of confer¬ ence committees and election of oOicers. ,^ ?eniof^s aiid Juniors will meet again at dinner, when Mrs. Irma. Lindheim of New York, former national president of Hadassah, will be guest speaker.
Delegates and visitors ito the cpjiference will be guests of the local unit ai a dance from 10 p. m. to 1 a. m.
Convention headquarters will be in the Ne^ Honp^, >vhere all affairs will. ^^ held.   ¦ - -
but told of its present problems and ac tivities as well as its future plans. He stressed the work of its anti-defamation league, its Hillel Foundations, its hospi¬ tals and sanitariums, and its general ac¬ tivities of a cultural and humanitarian nature.
"No Order in the world," declared Mr. Kusworm, "stands more unflinchingly for the fundamental principles of humanity. No other O'rder in the world has a more spotless reputation. It is ever alert to do good and to "love peace, mercy, and jus¬ tice. It is ever alert to remove prejudice of Jew against Jew and also to create a better understanding between the Jew and- non-Jew.
*'Today the B'nai B'rith is a fraternal organization of world-wide activity with lodges, at present, in nineteen countries— the United States of America, Canada, the Republic of Panama, England, Hol¬ land, Denmark, Germany,. Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo¬ slavia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Greece, Tur¬ key, Syria, Egypt and Palestine.
*'The purposes of the Independent Or der of B'nai B'rith are expressed in the preamble of its constitution, which read as follows :—
"The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith has taken ui>on itself the mission of uniting Israelites in the work of pro¬ moting their highest interests and those of humanity; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor and patriotisrii; of supporting science and art; alleviating the wants of the poor and needy; visiting and attending the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of per¬ secution; providing for, protecting and assisting the widow and the orphan on the broadest principles of humanity.
"The membership of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith in the United States is drawn from all the groups that make up the Jewish population of this
worm praised the outgoing administra tion headed by Justin L. Sillman. He also predicted a year of brilliant achieve ments by the incoming administration headed by Ben Z. Neustadt. . Mr. Kus-" worm was introduced by Dr. Louis Kahn.
Edwin. J. Schanfarber, past president of District No. 2, then presented on be¬ half of Zion Lodge a diamond studded Menorah to Brother Sillman as a token of the Lodge'3 high regard and esteem. One of the features of the meeting was the inspiring message of the incoming president, Ben Z. Neustadt, which dealt with the outstanding problem confront¬ ing American Jewry, namely Jewish Edu¬ cation. Mr. Neustadt stressed the im¬ portance of a knowledge of thitigs Jewish and pointed out how Jewish culture and Jewish idealism can beautify.Jewish life in America. He concluded by giving his conception of what the B'nai B'rith stands for.
"It is my fondest hope," he asserted, "that the coming year the spirit of har¬ mony and cooperation will reign supreme in our Lodge, so that the splendid pro¬ gram being mapped out by the incoming administration will be carried out in a most successful fashion. Brethren, I earnestly ask your supiiort for a still greater year of .achievement, a year of cooperation and brotherly love, a year of good thoughts and good.deeds. I thank you."
The musical program for the evening was furnished by Cantor Ansel Freed¬ man of the Agudath Achim Congregation who san^ several appropriate selections accompanied on the piano by his daugh¬ ter Toby. Before the close of the meet¬ ing Brother Aaron M. Neustadt an¬ nounced that Dr. Lee J. Levinger will be the chief speaker Monday evening, Janu¬ ary 26th, at the New Virginia Hotel, Third and Gay Streets, The theme of the rabbi's address will be "The History of tbe B'nai B'rith" Order."
PABBf I-EE a.XEVINGEI^
Jr. Hadassah Meeting in the Ball Room of Neil House
Junior Hadassah will meet Sunday at 3 p. m. in the Junior Ball Room of the Neil House,
Miss Helen Gottlieb, 1710 Bryden Road, will play several piano selections, and a skit, "Time." will be presented by th^ following: Miss Tessie Grossman, Miss Helen Schwartz, Miss Sarah Luper, Miss Edythe Brief, lliss Bertha Tevers, and Miss Mary Monett. Miss Ruth Frank is coaching the playlet, which'is a take-off on Junior Hadassah's fund- laising project, "Time."
Mrs. Robert N-. Suid will read tl|e prayer at the opening of the. meeting. The business session includes election of dele-
t
gates to the Central Tri-State Regional conference, to be held in Columbus on January 24 and 25, and discussion of plans for the conference.
Many   Thanks   to
Freedman    and
Daughter
Cantor His
Secretary I. W. Garek has sent a let¬ ter of thanks to Cantor Ansel Freedman and his daughter, Toby, for their splen¬ did contribution to the success of the in* stallation exercises' of Zion Lodge which were held at the New Virginia Hotel on Monday evening, January 13th. He ex¬ pressed the hope that the cantor and his daughter will' soon consent lo participate in another B'nai B'rith program.
Rabbi Lee J. Levingcr, director of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation of Ohio State University, has accepted an invita¬ tion to occupy the pulpit of the East Broad Street Temple on. Friday evening, January 23, at 8:15 P. M. On this oc¬ casion Dr. Levinger will review his own book, "The History of the Jews in the United States." This book has elicited favorable comment in educational and religious circles throughout the. land. Many reviewers have referred to its au¬ thor as one of the outstanding authorities on this subject. Cantor Morris Shimony will chant the prayers. The ladies of the Sisterhood will receive in the social room after the services in honor of Rabbi Levinger.
On Monday evening, January 26th, the rabbi will talk before Zion Lodge No. 03, at,the New Virginia Hotel, Third and Gay Streets, on "The History of the B'nai B'rith Order." More details re¬ garding (his meeting wilt appear in next week's issue of the Chronicle.
The stoppage of immigration into the United States has given an extraordinary impetus to the Englishrjewish Press of this country, It is now a foregone con¬ clusion that the Yiddish Press—powerful and helpful as it has been—is doomed to disappear from the arena of Journalism.
That this press lias been of invaluable service tp American Jewry in particular and the nation in general cannot be gain¬ said. However, its very existence as a vital factor in .molding Jewish public opinion is now being seriously threatened.
The old generation which has been so devoted to and affected by the foreign language press is gradually passing on; the young generation of native-born Is¬ raelites is not interested in it, prefer¬ ring the big American dailies and week¬ lies.
In the last 13 years more Jewish week¬ lies printed in English have been estab¬ lished than ever before in the history of America; and the Jews of this land have given these periodicals a most cordial welcome.: In fact, several, of them have not onl^ become very influential and widely circulated; they have also reaped large financial.returns for their publish¬ ers."
Some time ago in a conversation with the owner of one of these papers 1 pointed out to him that although it took the American Israelite which was founded by the late Dr. Isaac M. Wise over a generation to become a paying proposition his (my friend's) enterprise,, started 10 years ago, won success almost instantly. It is interesting, to notethat the Israelite, which now has a national circulation, was started by Dr. Wise in 1854. Its first 20 years were filled with struggles and trials, and it is only in the last twenty-fi.vc or thirty years that it has be'cn prospering. Today the average. Jewish weekly five years of age is on a paying basis and is constantly increasing in strength and influence.
That most of the English-Jewish pa¬ pers printed in Amcrjpa today have filled a crying need is undebatable. Qur Temples and Synagogues, ouf Lodges and Clubs, our community and relief drives, and our Jewish Educational iti- stitutions all must have publicity irt order to operate successfully and effectively.; Certain detractors of the English Jewish Press of America have declared that it IS not worthwhile because of the absence of good literary talent in its editorial sanctuaries..
We are frank to admit that the average. Jewish weekly in the United States has not on its staff as capable writers as has, say for instance, the Nation, the New , Republic, or the Outlook. But we must remember that English Jewish journalism is still, in its infancy. It has not as yet had sufiicient time to develop, men of marked ability, men who are at home in every field of Jewish history and belles letters and who can write in classical English bn the problems confronting con¬ temporary Judaism..
We cannot expect such an eventuality for some time yet, perhaps another dec¬ ade. We firmly believe that the qualifica¬ tions of an editor of a Jewish weekly printed in English are very exacting..
He must, first of all, be imbued with a virile Jewish consciousness; secondly, he must be a profound student of Israel's past; thirdly, he must be familiar with Hebraic culture at first hand; finally, he must possess a facile pen with which he can elucidate Jewish problems and hap¬ penings everywhere. At pre?dU our peo¬ ple possess few such journalists; but in¬ dications point to the carly^ consummation of that time when every city in America, the size .of Columbus or Indianapolis,, will have a man at the head pf its Jewish newspaper whp will fully measure up to this standard. For the present, let us be grateful, for the: progress that has al¬ ready been made; then we shall prove . worthy of new and more advanced sieps. Instead of reviling and condemning it, let us rather give the English Jewish press of this country constructive and friendly criticism and thereby help it to improve and progress.
Mizrachi  Meeting   at  Beth Jacob on January 20th
On Tuesday evening, January 20tli, Rabbi S. M. Fine of Detroit will be the principal speaker at the Mizrachi mass meeting to be held at the Beth Jacob Congregation on Donaldson Street. Rabbi Leopold Greenwald will give an interesting report on the achievements of the Mizrachi organization in Palestine during the past year, Mr. C. H. Fur¬ man, president of the local Mizrachi, will preside.
PI TAU PI ELECTS
The Rho Mu Chapter of.Pi Tau Pi Fraternity elected the following ofiicerB for 1031 at a meeting held Sunday, January llth:—President, Jack A. Cj^S man; vice-president, Abe B. Wp^nfeld; secretary, Joseph Prince; trejjii^urer, Gus tavus Basch. '
We are confident that such an attitude will hasten the time when we shall be able to expect the same scholarship, eru¬ dition, aii^ technical skill from it (the iEnglish Jewish press) as from the high- class American weeklies mentioned above.
At present the^average Jewish journal aspires to do chiefly these six* things :-^,^ (1) Chronicle local events and social ac¬ tivities; (2) Present Jewish news from various parts of the U. S. and from for¬ eign countries; (3) Foster Jewish ideal¬ ism and racial pride; (4) Promote the best interests of national, state, and local Jewish organizations, clubs, and Syna- gogs; (5) Interpret world news from the Jewish viewpoint; (6) Stimulate in¬ terest in welfare and educational drives^ of alt kinds. More than this cannot reasonably be expected from them at the present time.
Wc feeli however, that the Jewish pa¬ per \vhich successfully carries out these salient purposes deserves the approval and support of its readers; for any think¬ ing individual, non-Jew as well as Jew, will concede that this is a program both broad and sublime—one that will elevate, the position of our people here and abroad commensurately with the degree, and effectiveness in xvhich it is executed.
It is quite safe to say that such papers as the Jewish Independent jn Cleveland, the Jewish Review and Obb"iW«;r, also in CliiVcland, and the Detroit Jewish Cheon- icle, the Pittsburgh Jewisl/Criterion, the Boston Jewish AuVC-eaie, the Buffalo Jewish lie^'^'w, the Baltiniore Jewish Tiniep.., 'the New York Aiiicncah He- bT^yS'. the Chicago lewish Sentinel, aijd ^'lie New York Jewish Tribune are pej-- formiiig work of an invaluable nalnt*. They are not bting published for merely selfish reasons; they are constantly striy
'        (Continued oh Page 4)
Have You Done Your Duty By The Coluinbus Hebrew School? :  Answer^Yes or No?