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“Like animals caught in a trap” are the Jewish refugees from Germany, Rabbi Morris S. Lazaron declared on his return here after a six weeks’ stay in Europe, three of which he spent in Germany.
The most heart-breaking aspect of the Jewish situation, as he saw it in the refugee countries and in Germany itself, is that of the young people to whom practically every door of opportunity is closed.
Whatever may be the hope of mitigation of the legal enactments against the Jews of Germany by the present rulers of that country, the present need cries out to all humanity, Rabbi Lazaron says in his statement, which pays tribute to the Joint Distribution Committee for its work on behalf of the Jews of Germany. His statement follows in part:
“The Joint Distribution Committee still has work to do. Keeping itself far from political entanglements it has ministered relief to tens of thousands, Christians and Jews alike, since the needs of the World War called it into existence. I venture to say that at no time has it ever been summoned to so great a task as that which challenges it today.
A BIG JOB
“Until you have spent an afternoon in the Paris committee’s office, sat in with that kindly efficient group, heard the stories as they tell them, you have no idea of the enormity of the task.
“Not that the countries surrounding Germany have not been generous. They have done much, particularly France. But after all, the problem was not of their creation. It was thrust upon them and they have their own economic difficulties to face. But the exigency of the world situation makes the task of relief a terrible one.
“And it should be said that not only Jews alone are helped. A fair percentage of Christians, especially in Prague and at Paris are helped, for human misery bears down on men without regard to creedal distinctions and loving kindness has no denominational label.
“I have referred only to the work outside Germany. Inside too, the work goes on. I spent some time at one of the training schools. Here are clerks, college men, saleswomen, several medical and law students who were fitting themselves to be carpenters, machinists, gardeners and farmers some will stay in Germany. Many, the great majority, would go to Palestine.
‘NON-ARYAN’ CHRISTIANS
“The tragic situation of the ‘non-Aryan’ Christians in Germany is hardly appreciated by Christian America. Between three and four million people, who for some generations had lived as Christians, found themselves one day classified as Jews, with all the disabilities that implies, merely because a grandfather or grandmother was a Jew. Many of them are helped by the Joint Distribution Committee. The great majority, legally disowned and too proud to ask help, are a tragic chapter in the present story.
“The future? One can bu# hope that the present rulers of Germany may mitigate somewhat the legal enactments that have brought such a burden of human misery into the world. But the present need cries out to us. It is not a task for the Jews alone, but for all men, whether they be Christian or Jew.”
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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.
