On the date decreed by the "neo-medieval government of Germany" for an auto-da-fe of books by Jewish authors, the Menorah Society will conduct a symposium on "The Function of the Artist in These Times" at the Park Crescent Hotel, Riverside Drive and 87th Street. Prominent artists and writers will lead the discussion, which will take place after a dinner for the group. Lee Simonon, theatrical designer, Diego Rivera, distinguished painter, and Gilbert Seldes, author, will be the chief speakers.
"We propose to re-examine the rights and duties of freedom of thought and expression—the place of the critic and creative artist—in modern civilized society," the Society announces.
"It is a grave error to isolate the present persecution of the Jews in Germany from the Nazi persecution of all liberals and republicans, even though the German Jews are by no means all liberals and republicans. For thus we permit the Nazis to draw a Jewish red herring across the basic issues of humanity and freedom that are involved."
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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.