Cabaret entertainer Josephine Baker today was refused permission here to adopt an Israeli child. Miss Baker, who had asked for such permission “in order to educate the child in the spirit of peace and brotherhood between peoples,” was denied the request by Moshe Shapira, Minister of Religious and Social Welfare. In her application, she said she had already adopted five children of various nationalities and religions.
On behalf of Mr. Shapira, a Ministry spokesman declared that, while Miss Baker’s humanitarian impulse is appreciated, the Ministry could not permit a Jewish child to be taken away from Israel at a time when every effort is being made to bring Jewish children into the country.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
