Between the Lines

Every Jewish leader in America, whether he is a member of the B’nai B’rith or not, should be interested in watching the order’s fourteenth quinquennial convention now being held in Washington.

At no Jewish gathering in America have problems of American Jewry been so thoroughly discussed as at this convention. While other central Jewish organizations usually spend most of the time at their conventions in discussing problems of Jewry abroad, the B’nai B’rith meeting is devoted almost entirely to the problems of Jews in America.

THE WATCHFUL EYE

From the presidential message delivered by Alfred M. Cohen at the convention, and from the report submitted by Sigmund Livingston, chairman of the Anti-Defamation League, one can see that the B’nai B’rith watches Jewish life in America more closely than any of the other central Jewish organizations. The facts which were brought out by these two important leaders of the B’nai B’rith—and the clarity with which these facts were brought out—best testify to the watchful eye of the B’nai B’rith and its fine work.

It may not be news to many that anti-Jewish discrimination in employment is practiced in America. Those who have had a chance, however, to acquaint themselves with the full report of Mr. Cohen on this subject, will be startled at the extent to which this discrimination has reached. As the international president of the B’nai B’rith, Mr. Cohen was quite frank in his details, and outspoken in his condemnation of Jewish enterprises which refuse to employ Jews.

OPEN WARNING SOUNDED

This is the first time that leading Jews in America heard a warning from one of their most important Jewish leaders that “the situation has become extremely grave.” This is the first time that a leader in American Jewry has stated openly and without hesitation that if proper attention is not paid to the growing anti-Jewish discrimination in employment, it will reach “insurmountable proportions.”

The plea for greater unity between the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress which Alfred M. Cohen voiced in his message to the B’nai B’rith convention will be commended by many who have long felt the need for such unity At no other time has such unity been so essential to American Jewry as it is now. At no other time has the split in Jewish ranks in America been so harmful to Jewish interests, as it is today.

CONDEMNING PUBLICITY SEEKERS

Commended by many will also be Mr. Livingston’s plea to certain Jewish leaders to be less greedy for personal publicity and more dignified as spokesmen for Jewry.

The desire for publicity has done plenty of harm to Jewish interests in America. This desire has actually become a phobia. Certain Jews in America who figure in public life have already developed this desire to such an insatiable degree that they are ready to do all kinds of things just to see their names in the press more often.

This sin, of which a good number of Jewish public men are guilty, is by no means an asset to the interests of those whom these men claim to represent. This seeking after publicity at any price should be combatted as a menace of Jewish interests as any other developments which are injurious to the Jews. It is injurious not only because of its vulgarity but often because of its direct harm to the Jewish cause.

EXAMPLE WORTH FOLLOWING

Mr. Livingston, as chairman of the Anti-Defamation League, deserves great credit for bringing this delicate problem out into the open. The fight against publicity seekers who, utilizing their public position, put personal glorification above communal interests, is as important as the fight against the defamation of Jewish prestige.

The present convention of the B’nai B’rith, judging by the proceedings of the first two days, is the most serious and most constructive gathering which American Jewry has had this year. It is high time that other Jewish organizations followed the example of the B’nai B’rith and concentrated less on publicity and more on actual work.