Assimilationists Turn to Zionism; Threat of Intermarriage is Ended

The phenomenon of mixed marriages between Jews and Gentiles has received a death-blow in Austria as well as Germany. Hitlerism has brought much suffering upon the Jews. But every cloud has a silver lining, and this, fortunately, is no exception.

Some positive results can already be seen in the new attitude towards Palestine. Even those circles which previously regarded Zionism as a futile pastime, or else opposed it as endangering the status of the Jewish communities in the Diaspora, now see Zionism in a different light. In Berlin, Vienna and Prague, political Zionism, with the ultimate aim of a Jewish National State, is more fully appreciated, for it has become a question of vital importance for themselves. The question of large-scale Jewish colonization in Palestine has ceased to be one of merely theoretical interest. The old strongholds of Assimilation have fallen, and their very leaders are showing their followers the only possible solution—Palestine. In the Congress Elections they even advised them to buy shekels and to vote for the moderate Zionist parties. Zionism and Jewish emigration to Palestine has become for them a burning question of practical importance.

{SPAN}###{/SPAN}

{SPAN}###{/SPAN} come race conscious. Jewish pride has responded to the terrible pressure from outside by strengthening its own moral defences. The old Biblical saying “out of bitterness shall come forth sweetness” once again proves to be not poetical nonsense, but a great political and sociological truth. There is no doubt that all along the line Jewishness is reviving and a great strengthening of Judaism is taking place.

PERSONAL TRAGEDIES

Unfortunately, but perhaps inevitably, in such a sudden change in the relations between Jews and Gentiles many personal and family tragedies must occur. There are many cases in which husband and wife has suddenly turned Nazi and refuses to live any longer with his or her Jewish partner. Such tragedies occur even with very old couples who have grown-up children and grand-children.