Digest of World Press Opinion

The sixtieth birthday anniversary of Dr. Chaim Weizmann is widely commented upon in the American Jewish press.

The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, in an editorial, states:

Dr Weizma##’s position in world-Jewry is unique. Lord Melchett did not exaggerate in the least when he characterized him as “the greatest leader in Jewry.” Since the outbreak of Hitlerism Dr. Weizmann has applied himself to the task of the settlement of German refugees in Palestine. It is his hope in the near future to return to his scientific studies as director of the Daniel Sieff Chemical Research Institute, in Rehoboth, Palestine. American Jewry joins with the Jewish people throughout the world in wishing him many happy returns of the day!

SHOWED THE WAY

The Jewish Press of Omaha states editorially:

Lloyd George declared often that Weizmann’s ability as research worker in the British War Ministry underlay the issuance of the Balfour Declaration. Whether or not this is true, it is true that through the stature of his ability he was able to make Englishmen in high official positions realize what the Zionist ideals and hopes really were. By March, 1918, Weizmann was recognized throughout the world as the leader of the Zionist movement and went to Palestine to act as liaison officer between Great Britain and Palestinian Jewry. From that time one, the life of Weizmann was the history of Zionism and phenomenal Palestinian development.

For the benefit of the Jewish people Chaim Weizmann brought to statesmanship the patience and skill of his chemical laboratory. By his efforts on our behalf, Weizmann has impressed himself upon the consciousness of the Jewish people. The Jewish people the world over do honor to him on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, letting him know that “his sacrifices are appreciated, his achievements acclaimed, and his work is crowned with honor.”

SEE HEBRAIC ORIGIN OF THANKSGIVING DAY

The American Anglo-Jewish press devotes numerous editorials to the Thanksgiving holiday, some of which point out that the Pilgrim Fathers who instituted Thanksgiving Day in 1621 did it under Hebrew influence.

Dr. S. Felix Mendelsohn, in the Chicago Sentinel, writes:

In this country citizenship is determined by allegiance to the state and not to any religious confession. Church and state are completely divorced from one another on these shores. We Jews differ from non-Jews primarily in matters religious and we are therefore unable to observe the religious festivities of our neighbors. We are unable to celebrate Christmas because it is not a national but a religious holiday. Thanksgiving Day, however, is a one-hundred per cent national holiday and all Jews are therefore duty-bound to observe it fully and wholeheartedly.

It is of particular interest to Jews to realize that Thanksgiving Day is Hebraic in origin. The Pilgrim Fathers, who instituted this festival in 1621, were religious noncomformists who denied the religious authority of kings and bishops and adopted the religious authority of the Bible instead. These early immigrants to our shores therefore read and studied the Bible daily and it was this sacred book which impressed upon their consciousness the idea of gratitude.

HOW TO CELEBRATE

The Detroit Jewish Chronicle comments:

It is as Jews that we should be especially thankful for our status as American citizens. Before the law, we are the equals of all groups inhabitating this land. We are free to worship as we choose. The swastika loses its magic powers on these shores.

We have much to be grateful for in this country. And because we are so blessed as American citizens our Thanksgiving Day must be celebrated not merely by feasting, but in the traditional Biblical manner: by giving our share towards the alleviation of want, by presenting our tithe for the relief of the needy, and at this time especially by remembering the millions of unfortunate fellow-Jews who are compelled to live under the heels of oppressors.

WERE BIBLES DEVOTED

The Jewish Press of Omaha, Nebraska, writes:

The Pilgrims came to this country to escape oppression and tyranny, to be able to worship as they saw fit, to live in righteousness and justice, with equality to all. They endured untold hardships for their ideals. We can rightly be proud that in so ably helping to lay the foundation for the most glorious country in the world these Pilgrim Fathers—founders of the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate—were devotees of the Old Testament and the Hebraic influence was strong in their daily lives. In fact, they even borrowed the idea of the thanksgiving feast from the customs of the ancient Hebrews.

The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle comments:

We may well be thankful this Thanksgiving Day, 1934, that we have finally come to that point in civilization where the welfare of each individual has become the practical concern of organized society. We now realize that we can never have recovery or prosperity or even normalcy until Every man, woman and child in America is well fed, well clothed, well housed and well educated.

HILLEL ORGAN FINDS STUDENTS SNOBS

Are Jewish students snobs?

The Hillel Post, published at the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation at the University of Illinois, answers this question in the positive. The paper writes:

It would seem a rash statement to say that most of the Jewish students on campus are snobs. The majority of people would not believe it. Yet, since actions are supposed to speak louder than words, the statement might appear as a very close approximation of the truth.

Webster’s collegiate dictionary defines a snob as one who meanly admires station and material possessions. Now in every day life snubbery and snobbery often travel hand-in-hand. And to snub a person all one has to do is to treat him with neglect (also according to the dictionary). As a specific example, To Pass by Without Greeting him.

Do not wear a front of pseudo sophistication and uppishness. You can spread cheer and good will simply by saying hello. It is so easy to be congenial.

HOLDS PEACE VITAL TO ZIONIST PROGRESS

The urgent necessity for peace in Zionism is emphasized by Professor Brodetsky, the head of the political department of the Jewish Agency, in an article published in the November issue of “Hadassah.” Professor Brodetsky writes:

I have been asked to write a “party ideology” on behalf of those Zionists whose views approximate to my own, and who are often referred to as “General Zionists—A.” When I first received this request I felt inclined to put together something in the nature of a party program, but I am becoming more and more convinced that the methods of party politics adopted by parties in Zionism today constitute a serious danger, and that it is the first duty of Zionists to concentrate on the most important task of the movement today, namely the elimination of party strife.

The most urgent need of present-day Zionism is internal peace.