Three major problems face American Jewry, Jewish education for the growing American Jewish generation, completion of the relief work in Europe and the rebuilding of Palestine, declared Louis Marshall, president of the American Jewish Committee, in an address he delivered Sunday night before the opening session of the convention of District Grand Lodge No. 5 of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith, leading American Jewish fraternal organization which has a membership of over 70,000.
An ovation was accorded Mr. Marshall when he rose to speak before an audience which crowded the Temple to capacity. Many were turned away because standing room available was all taken. In the audience were many prominent non-Jews who came to hear Mr. Marshall.
The three Atlanta daily papers welcomed Mr. Marshall in cordial editorials, his visit being considered an auspicious event. The editorials praised the B’nai B’rith for bringing Mr. Marshall to the South and inviting non-Jewish leaders in the community to attend the meeting.
The convention was called to order by J. S. Brail, president of Gate City Lodge No. 144. Rabbi I. L. Freund of Goldsboro, N. C., delivered the invocation. J. N. Reisman, chairman of the convention committee, welcomed the delegates to Atlanta. Joseph A. Wilner, president of the District Grand Lodge, in his address spoke of the work of the B’nai B’rith, especially the (Continued on Page 4)
Hillel Foundations H. A. Alexander, member of the National Executive Committee of the I. O. B. B., introduced Mr. Marshall.
The audience rose to its feet and for many minutes applauded as Mr. Marshall came forward to speak. His subject was “Present-Day Jewish Problems.”
“The first problem I wish to touch on is the preservation and perpetuation of the Jewish people in America. It is true we have all the rights and privileges which all others have in this country. It is true that the Constitution of the United States and the Constitutions of the several states guarantee freedom of conscience. It might therefore be asked why is the preservation and perpetuation of the Jewish people a problem in America? The answer is that it is a problem of ourselves, not of the outside.
“We have these guarantees, but do we do our part toward the preservation and perpetuation of our Jewish culture Jewish traditions, Jewish faith, in a word, Jewish civilization?
“Our ancestors came here poor in this world’s goods. They worked hard. They prospered, but they never forgot the Jewish heritage and Jewish traditions and Jewish learning. Compared to them with their poverty, how infinitely poorer we are who have acquired material goods but have forgotten the things which really count, namely, our Jewish culture, our Jewish history. Our Torah, that wonderful map of life, is unknown to the growing generations.”
Touching upon the work of the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundations, Mr. Marshall said, “All honor to the gentleman who started the Hillel Foundation work. I am acquainted with these activities. I have great respect for their vision and their ideals. But I want parents to do something for their children before they reach the university age. Then there are those who do not go to colleges and universities. They too must be remembered. The Hillel Foundations, good as they are and needed as they are, must be looked upon as only part of the problem. But that part is important, too, and the work should be supported.
“My plea to American Jewish parents.” Mr. Marshall continued, is to pass on the great heritage of our people to their children. Jewish education is too important to be relegated to an hour, to an hour and a half a week basis. It must be made an integral part of the life of the Jewish child.”
“Turning to the second problem, Mr. Marshall spoke of the situation of the Jews in Europe and the work done by the Joint Distribution Committee. He spoke of the fact that the task is almost done, but not quite. He appealed to the B’nai B’rith to help collect the funds from those who already subscribed to the European relief funds and have not yet paid their subscriptions.
“The B’nai B’rith can do much to help, for it has the ear of our people in so many places, large and small and I appeal to the delegates of District No. 5 to lend their moral support in this important Jewish work.”
As to the third problem. Mr. Marshall said. “Palestine, the land of our fathers, is the concern of every Jew whose heart beats in unison with Israel. No Jew can be indifferent to Palestine. Every Jew must help develop the land of the Hebrew prophets.”
Credit is due the Zionists for having taken the initiative in the work, he declared, praising their persistence and perseverance amidst many discouragements. “But Palestine is not a problem for Zionists alone. It is a problem for Zionists alone. It is a problem on which all Jews must participate. It means a united Jewry and that is an important by-product of the work we have undertaken together-Zionists and non-Zionists.
Mr. Marshall said there are many more problems in Jewry today, but “if we solve the three problems mentioned, we will find it easy to solve any of the others. These three-Jewish education, helping the Jews in Europe and the rebuilding of Palestine, are the foremost problems which press for immediate solution,” he declared.
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