Apprehension over the political future marred Passover celebrations by Yugoslavian Jewry today. While carrying on relief work for their coreligionist in Austria, former Czechoslovakia and Hungary, with whom most Jewish families, particularly in the Croatian province, are closely interrelated, the Yugoslavian Jews feel that the sword of Damocles is hanging over their own heads as a result of the country’s encirclement by anti-Semitic states and Germany’s drive to the southeast.
The Union of Jewish Communities, with permission of the authorities, dispatched a truckload of Passover food in Vienna and is also attempting to provide kosher meat for the Viennese Jews.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty of Yugoslavia’s position has provoked extensive emigration preparations among Jews in Zagreb and other centers. It is believed that many would have emigrated earlier if immigration possibilities had existed. Most of the emigrants are planning to go to Palestine and South America. On the other hand, anxiety of the Jews over their future in Yugoslavia is finding expression in conversion to Christianity. Three hundred wealthy Jews, who have hitherto provided a third of the Jewish Community’s tax income, have been baptized in Zagreb alone. Unrest has been augmented in the last few days by increased agitation on the part of the German minority in the Slovenia province adjoining Austria.
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.
