Daily Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does indicate approval–Editor.]

The hope that New York Jewry will “go over the top” in its drive, inaugurated last Sunday, to secure its quota of $6,000,000 toward the United Jewish Campaign, is expressed by the Jewish press.

The “Forward,” describing the plight of the Jews in Eastern Europe, concludes: “The undertaking of relief is a tremendous one and requires as much money as can possibly be raised. We hope that the Jews of New York who know the extent of the need of their fellow-Jews, will open their hands wide and contribute more than the official quota for New York calls for.”

The “Day” points out that whereas the other peoples of Europe have recovered to some degree from the ravages of the war, the Jews are today in a worse condition than at any time in the past. “And what makes the Jewish situation still worse is that the powers of resistance, of endurance, of hope and courage have gradually been exhausted. The Jewish endurance, the belief in tomorrow, the faith in their brothers, the more fortunate ones who escaped before it was too late, has waned.” But at this critical moment American Jews will prove their loyalty to their fellow-Jews, the paper asserts, concluding: “It is but necessary to tell them what is happening over there and ask them to give–and they will give.”

All divisions and differences, the “Jewish Daily News” urges, must be wiped away to make room for a united front of New York Jewry. “No matter what differences may divide us in regard to other issues, we can and must have a united front for the relief drive to include all classes and elements of Jews” the paper says.

The “Jewish Morning Journal” sees in the results of Sunday night’s dinner, which inaugurated New York’s drive, an example to be followed by the Jewish communities throughout the United States. “The results of Sunday night are splendid,” we read, “although, bearing in mind the number and wealth of New York Jewry and the large number of Jews here who do not fulfill their full duty, one’s enthusiasm must be a bit reserved. Yet the other Jews who are spread in all parts of the United States, have something to learn from New York and it is to be hoped Sunday’s lesson will have the desired effect.”

An editorial in yesterday’s New York “American” urges non-Jews to give a helping hand to the United Jewish Campaign.

“Opulent America, always quick and generous with aid for the suffering,” the editorial avers, “will in the coming fortnight have a wonderful chance to sustain this reputation.

“The organization in charge of this campaign of mercy is appealing primarily to American Jews, but the call is to humanity, and the response should be in proportion.”

A NON-JEWISH PHILANTHROPIST ON NATHAN STRAUS

An appreciation of the personality and philanthropic work of the Hon. Nathan Straus by a non-Jewish public man and philanthropist is contained in Edward Bok’s new book “Dollars Only.”

“I do not think,” Mr. Bok observes, “that the business acumen of a man like Nathan Straus will be particularly glorified when he passes away. What his commentators will remember is his wonderful work for unfortunate humanity which he has done, and, happily, is still doing: a work which has been distinguished because of the presence of the quality of self-help to those for whom its benefits are intended to reach. It has been given to few men to be spared to see the results of their marvelous work as has been the privilege of Nathan Straus. No man of his generation has been more successful in pointing the way to the truest service of a larger number of people: to help people to help themselves. And this will be the capstone of his monument.”

FORD’S FIG VS. JEWISH PLUMS

It is comical, says Jacob Fishman in the “Jewish Morning Journal” (April 25) to see Ford, who is seeking to get Muscle Shoals for a fig, charging that the Jews have “grabbed the Sesqui-Centennial plums.”

Referring to a recent article in the “Dearborn Independent” in which it was charged that the Jews have obtained the best concessions for the Philadelphia Exhibition, Mr. Fishman remarks: “It is clear that the ‘Dearborn Independent’ will continue to be anti-Semitic. If it omits anti-Jewish attacks for a week or two it is only due to the fact that it has exhausted its stock of libels and it is no longer a simple matter to invent new ones.”

READING’S ACHIEVEMENT

Lord Reading’s achievement in India was particularly extraordinary, the New York “Times” of April 25 emphasizes, because it had been considered impossible for a Jew to handle the intricate situation in India.

“It was argued that a Jew would find it impossible to create among Hindus and Moslems the prestige that should inhere in a British proconsul. That would be particularly true at a time when racial and nationalistic feeling in India as elsewhere, was at superheat. But the event has belied the forecast,” the “Times” asserts.