Jewish Communities Throughout Country Arrange for Lectures by Professor Smertenko

Many Jewish communities throughout the country are availing themselves of the offer made by the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” of lectures by Professor Johan J. Smertenko, well known author.

The lectures are offered by the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” as a free service to the Jewish communities. Requests for Professor Smertenko to lecture are pouring into the office of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” from every part of the country, but because of conflicting dates only a limited number of lectures could be arranged for the next five weeks.

Professor Smertenko will first speak before the Y.M.H.A. of Trenton, N. J. tonight on the subject, “The Melting Pot and the Ku Klux Klan.” The following day, March 12, Professor Smertenko will speak at the Jewish Community Center of Arverne, L. I. on “The Challenge to American Jewry.” On Sunday, March 14, Professor Smertenko will speak at the Y. M. H. A. of Perth Amboy, N. J.

Professor Smertenko’s schedule also includes Albany, N. Y. on March 15; Syracuse, N. Y, March 16; Rochester, N. Y., March 17; Buffalo, N. Y., March 19; Cleveland, O., March 21; Detroit, Mich., March 22; Milwaukee, Wis., March 24; Davenport, Iowa, March 26; St. Louis, Mo., March 28; Louisville, Ky., March 31; Cincinnat, O., April 1; Charleston, W. Va., April 6; Pittsburgh, Pa., April 7; Washington, D. C, April 8; Baltimore, Md., April 10 and 11; and Atlantic City, N. J., April 13.

Only a few dates are not yet filled and communities in the neighborhood of the above cities may still apply, preferably by wire. Between April 15 and April 20, Professor Smertenko will be available for lectures in the neighborhood of New York; between April 26 and May 2 for lectures in the following New England cities: New Haven, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester, Boston and Providence.

Professor Smertenko will write for the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” a series of letters on Jewish life in the United States, based on his observations during his tour. A comprehensive survey of the active forces in American Jewry will be given in this series.

JEWISH COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES

The permanent organization of a Jewish Community Chest in Harrisburg, Pa., was decided upon at a meeting held last Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. This organization will combine all campaigns and appeals for Jewish organizations, and will conduct one annual campaign. Included under this head will be all local Jewish agencies, all national organizations, and, this year, the United Jewish Campaign and the United Palestine Appeal. Mr. Joseph Claster was elected president of the Chest.

Albert Goldman, Commissioner of Plant and Structures of New York City, was appointed Chairman of the Bronx division of the United Jewish Campaign, according to an announcement made by William Fox, Chairman of the New York drive for $6,000,000 in the United Jewish Campaign.

The Cleveland, O., campaign for the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society of Denver, Colo., was postponed until fall. It was declared that the postponement was made in deference to the United Jewish Campaign which will be launched in Ohio on April 12.

The nine-day campaign to raise $500,000 for a joint building for the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations in Baltimore, Md., came to a successful close Monday when subscriptions totaling $525,115 were reported. This assures the immediate completion of plans for the new home.

The campaign ended at a luncheon at the Southern Hotel, attended by 310 workers. The largest single donor to the fund was Aaron Straus, chairman of the campaign committee, who gave $50,000, ten per cent of the total sought. Not only Jews, but non-Jews made contributions. Working girls, members of the Y. W. H. A., gave $5,500.

In appreciation of the work of Mr. Straus, the campaign committee pledged sufficient funds to erect a bungalow at Camp Airy, near Pen-Mar, Md. It will be known as “The Y Bungalow.” The camp, used by working girls during the summer months, was built by Mr. Straus.

Several hundred persons attended the fourth annual banquet of the Hebrew Theological College in Chicago at which Harry A. Lipsky was toastmaster. $45,000 for the school was raised at the dinner.

Rabbi Ephraim Epstein and Rabbi Saul Silber, Samuel Philipson, chairman of the banquet committee and Samuel Ginsburg ‘were the speakers.

At a regional conference of the United Jewish Campaign of Central Ohio held in Columbus, Edward J. Goodman was elected chairman of the drive which will be launched on April 11. Harry Kohn and Edwin J. Schanfarber were elected vice chairmen, Simon Lazarus, treasurer, Joseph Schonthal, veteran Columbus philanthropist, was named honorary chairman as a tribute to his many years of philanthropic work in the community.

David A. Brown delivered an address in which he depicted conditions in Russia, Poland Roumania and other sections of Europe.

CORRECTION

In a recent report published in the “Bulletin,” in which the State officers chosen in the United Jewish Campaign for North Dakota were gives, the name of Mr. Harry Lashkowitz of Fargo, N. D., vice-chairman of the Campaign, was incorrectly spelled.

AMERICAN ZIONISTS URGE AID FOR RFFUGEES STRANDED IN PERSIA ON WAY TO PALESTINE

Action to bring relief to the Russian Jewish refugees stranded in Persia on their way to Palestine on foot was taken by the United Palestine Appeal, it was learned yesterday. A cable despatched to Col. Frederick H. Kish, political representative of the Zionist Executive in Jerusalem, was made public by Emanuel Neumann, national director of the United Palestine Appeal. The cable read:

“American Jews deeply stirred by reports of Russian foot wanderers to Palestine stranded in Teheran. Urge relief and assistance to reach Palestine. Cable measures taken.”

A statement issued by Mr. Neumann declared: “The exodus of the several hundred Jews from Russia, who set out on a trek for Palestine, dramatizes more vividly than anything that has happened lately the intense drang nach Palestina which agitates the Jews of Eastern Europe. They have suffered untold hardships and many of them have died on the way. A large number are now stranded in Teheran. Recently, a small vanguard succeeded in reaching Palestine.

“This remarkable incident will go down as one of the most significant happenings in the modern return of the Jews to Palestine.

“The officers and workers of the United Palestine Appeal have been profoundly moved by these reports and expect that the necessary steps will be taken to facilitate the further journey of these foot wanderers to their goal.”