Britain’s Famous Jews

London.

Tolerated here, persecuted there, but everywhere a people to be reckoned with.

Over twenty centuries have rolled by since the Jewish nation was uprooted from Palestine and scattered over the face of the earth. Today, fifteen million souls are spread over the face of the globe. They emigrate; they settle down in one country after another; and they bring that nation to the height of power, until they are mistakenly driven forth again.

The once mighty, Empires of Rome and Spain bear witness to the influence of the Jew. In each case when the Jew was banished from the political and public life of the community its prestige waned.

With the withdrawal of the Jewish contribution to the arts, sciences, and literature of a nation, it is irreparably impoverished.

HITLER’S MISTAKE

Such considerations should be borne in mind by Herr Hitler. His triumphs may be spectacular, but in the long run Germany will rue the day. Jew-baiting has been in the forefront of Herr Hitler’s campaign, and now that he is Dictator his mailed fist falls heavily on the Hebrew community.

Never since 1848 has the position of the Jews in Germany been so precarious. The “pogrom” which then ensued caused the flight of the most prominent and most talented members of the Hebrew community. France, England, and America welcomed them, at Germany’s expense.

Since then the vexed question appeared to have been settled. The Jew and the Gentile had settled down on terms of amicable accommodation. In every nation the Jews had reestablished themselves in their old positions in finance, the arts, sciences, politics, and journalism.

BETH DIN METES JUSTICE

Even Soviet Russia abandoned the old Czarist policy of Jew-baiting. Most enlightened countries gave him a place and profited thereby. Great Britain, in particular, knows that though there be undesirable Jews, the proportion of desirables is higher with them than with any other race.

Then again, in connection with the undesirable Jew, it is not very well known to the public that the Jews themselves set out to curb his activities.

In the Beth Din, the Jewish House of Judgment in London, justice and correction are meted out with a firm hand. The very existence of this court is a remarkable testimony to the way in which the Jews have preserved the customs and rites of their forefathers.

At the same time, guiding the destinies of the 300,000 Jews in England today, helping them to hold up their heads, to be independent of our charities, and faith-fully to obey our laws as well as their own, is the Parliament of Jews of the British Empire.

SITS ONCE A MONTH

Correctly known as the Jewish Board of Deputies, this “Parliament” sits every third Sunday and admission to the public gallery of the Adolph Tuck Hall in the Jewish Communal Center is free to all. Yet its very existence is comparatively unknown outside Jewish circles.

Prominent among the 300 deputies present at the most important meetings are such well-known political figures as Major Nathan, M. P., Mr. Barnett Janner, M. P., Lady Spielman, Sir Isidore Salmon, Mr. Lionel Cohen, K. C., Sir Philip Hartog and others. The president is Mr. Neville Laski, K. C.

Only on the occasion of the observance of the Jewish New Year are bigger gatherings of influential Jews to be seen. Rich Jews and poor Jews are then united for ten whole days. During these days of penitence in all the fashionable synagogues of our cities we see the modern Lions of Judah—such eminent Jews as Sir Herbert Samuel, the Montagus, the Roth-schilds, the Montefiores, and the Waley Cohens.

Concentrating our attention for the moment upon the activities of the Board of Deputies, it can be stated that it is representative of every important Hebrew congregation or institution in the British Empire. Its assistance is therefore sought on some wide and far-reaching problems, as well as some purely domestic matters.

At one time it will be pressing for the change of the date of some academical examination which might otherwise preclude the attendance of devout Jewish candidates. On another occasion it will make representations in connection with rules governing the slaughter of animals, so that the Jew shall enjoy his “kosher” meat according to Mosaic ritual.

Another Jewish consideration is wrapped up in the common belief that Jews live upon the charity of the country under whose shelter they live, and in that sense they must therefore be parasites and undesirables. Such is emphatically not the case in England.

When a Jew is “down and out,” the Lions of Judah, in the persons