Jews in Roumania Not Merely Religious Community but National Community and Ethnical Minority Dr. Ebn

The Jews in Roumania are not merely a religious community, but a national community, an ethnical minority, Dr. Mayer Ebner writes in his paper, the “Ost-Juedische Zeitung”. If ever the day comes when all the specifically Jewish demands have been granted, there will cease to be any need for a Jewish party and a Jewish policy. But not till then will it be possible for Jews to orientate themselves along general viewpoints and to join the Roumanian parties. We have tried to conduct Jewish politics by joining Roumanian parties. But the cartel system has not justified itself.

There are about 150,000 Jewish voters in Roumania, Dr. Ebner proceeds. Judging from past experience, about 50,000 Jewish votes will suffice to give us the necessary 2 per cent. quota with four seats in Parliament. The probabilities are, however, that we shall exceed this figure by far. With the collapse of the policy of the Union of Roumanian Jews, there is a general feeling that Jews cannot do anything else than vote for the Jewish list.

We had hoped that after its political failure, the Union would be capable of a fine gesture, and would recommend the Jewish voters to vote for the Jewish list. So in our last editorial we hinted at a conciliation list. But we did Dr. Filderman an injustice. Instead of recognising his defeat and withdrawing into private life, or showing magnanimity and blessing the idea that he had come to curse, he is attacking us. We do not mind. By all the signs, we shall win. The majority of Roumanian Jews will declare themselves with us, for an honest, openly-avowed Jewry which recognises itself as an ethnical minority, in the same way as do the Germans, the Magyars, and all the other minorities, as national entities within the framework of the Roumanian State.