The Jew in present-day Germany, Dr. Georg Bernhard, editor-in-chief of the “Vossische Zeitung” and President of the International Federation of Journalists, said in an interview wit hthe Paris “Hajnt” during his visit here, knows that it is possible to be a good citizen of his fatherland and get to be a good Jew and adhere to the Jewish traditions. The matter is difficult only for those Jews who think that they must always prove their citizenship and their Germanism. It is precisely these Jews whom the German people do not trust, because they are not in harmony with themselves. They are not complete Jews and therefore they are not complete men. “Take me, for instance,” said Dr. Bernhard. “My family has lived in Germany for many generations and adheres to Judaism. Must I prove my Germanism? The German Jew is a better German if he lives in accordance with the traditions of his ancestors. For only when the Jews return to the old forms of Jewish life can they carry on their task as promoters of world peace.
“I also take part in the work for the upbuilding of Jewish life in Palestine,” Dr. Bernhard said, “because I take the view that if we wish to work for world peace, we must first create peace for ourselves. The internal war in Jewry against the upbuilding of Palestine must cease. At the same time, I would advise the Zionists, however, to be more restrained in their fight against their opponents. The upbuilding of Palestine is a matter for all Jewry. We must not neglect this great Jewish task, for the world will not forgive us if we fail.”
Speaking of the extension of the Jewish Agency, Dr, Bernhard said; “Yes, that is a great thing, and not only because it will make it easier to provide funds for Palestine upbuilding, but principally because the existence of the Jewish Agency will proclaim that the upbuilding of Palestine is the task of all Jewry. It is very gratifying that the Zionists Organization has been able to win the support of such circles who have (###) stood aloof of from the Palestine work and have even apposed it.”
Dr. Bernhard also spoke of the frequent descriptions of Jewish creameries in Germany. He attributed them to the fact that a small section of the German youth had been depraved by the incitement carried on by the Nationalists. They did not refer, however, the real feeling of any considerable part of the population. They were a passing phrase in Germany and would disappear. In general, be said, the position of the position of the Jews in the German Republic is much more satisfactory and honorable than it was in the old Germany, where Jews could obtain a high position in the State or attain the rank of office only by accepting baptism.
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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.
