A. M. Cohen. President Lo. B.b., is Honored at Banquet on His Return

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Alfred M. Cohen President of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith was tendered a banquet at the Sinton Hotel, Cincinnati. Thursday evening, on his return from an extended tour abroad.

Oscar Berman acted as toastmaster at the banquet. The invocation was pronounced by Dr. David Philipson. The only address of the evening was made by Mr. Coben, and was devoted to a recital of his observations of Jewish conditions during his three months sojourn in England and on the continent.

Mr. Cohen spoke in terns of enthusiasm concerning the status of the English Jew. He said that it was very satisfactory. It is a matter of general knowledge that no official position is denied a Jew becatrse of his religion. Socially. too. he is regarded with reference to his merits. He had heard complaints. he said. from many coreligionists in England that the English Jew did not contribute to Jewish causes with the degree of liberality that rnight reasonably be expected. He said that his visit to Jews’ College where rabbis are trained and the absence of a Jewish center in the great city of London seemingiy warranted the accusation. He compared the home and physical equipment of Jews’ College with institutions of a similar character in the United States to the disadvantage of the former.

Mr. Cohen found that large numbers of Dutch Jews are apathetic in their Jewishness. The position of the Jews in Hoiland could scarcely be improved. No discrimination whatever exists against them. Notwithstanding this happy state of affairs in general life. mixed marriages are of frequent occurrence. In The Hague. he had been informed intermarriages reached twenty-five percent. of the total marriages among Jews.

The Pitisburgh Jewish Community has decided to support the $500,000 Fund now being raised by Hias. At a conference held at the Y. M. and Y. W. H. A. building in that city, it was decided to ralse a sum of $20,000. Mrs. Henry Finkelpearl is Chairman of the local committee.

Among those supporting the local drive are Dr. Samuel H. Goldenson, Rabbi Wolf Lefter. Rabbi B. A. Lichter. Rabbi H. Halperin, and Rabbi M. S. Sivitz Samuel Leibowitz. representative of Hias, will direct the campaign.