[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.–Editor.]
The play “Paul Among the Jews”, by Franz Werfel, the famous German dramtist, having given rise in Germany to rumors that Werfel had been baptized, Werfel has made a statement to the “Israelitische Familienblatt” in which he says:
“I am very glad to have the opportunity of publicly denying these false reports. I have not been baptized. I will never be baptized. I have never given up my Judaism. I am a Jew in every thought and feeling. I cannot understand why my drama on Paul has given rise to such doubts as to my loyalty to Judaism. I think that in this work I have created a national tragedy. What moment in Jewish history is more tragic and more significant than this which I have made the center of my drama? The destruction of the Temple itself is less important as a catastrophe. The tremendous question which Israel put to itself at that time: ‘Has the Messiah come?’ and the answer which history gave to this question, is it not the most tragic reproach of Jewish history? Are not all the people in my drama who break down under the weight of this question Jews? And is not the real hero, the glorious figure of Gamaliel?”
PRAISES RABBI SCHULMAN’S ACT
The rabbi who, according to a story appearing in the “American Israelite,” refused recently to participate at the funeral services of a prominent and wealthy member of his congregation because the family invited a bishop to officiate at the services, is Dr. Samuel Schulman of Temple Beth-El, we learn from the orthodox “Jewish Daily News” of yesterday. In an editorial by I. L. Bril in the English section, we read:
“We often have occasion to differ from Dr. Samuel Schulman, the rabbi of Temple Beth-El of this city. However, we always take pleasure in calling attention to anything that he may do which reflects honor not only upon himself but upon the community.
“Recently. Lee Kohns, merchant prince, who was intimately related to the Straus family, died. Mr. Kohns was a prominent member of Dr. Schulman’s congregation. Bishop Gaylor of the Episcopal Church officiated at the funeral services conducted at the home, and Dr. Schulman read the prayers at the graveside. Now what happened? The ‘American Israelite,’ the official organ of Reform Judaism in this country, tells the complete story.”
Reproducing the story, the paper concludes:
“Hats off to Dr. Schulman.”
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