Object to the Film “city Without Jews”

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Objection to the presentation of a film with a Jewish theme was voiced by leaders of both the anti-Semitic movement in Germany and leaders of the Jewish community.

The Berlin theater “Alahamber” featured a film production of Hugo Bethauer’s famous novel “A City Without Jews.” In a statement issued by the Verein der Nacional Deutschen Jugend, the organization protested against the production of the film, referring to a statement issued in 1924 by Dr. Naumann, president of the organization, when the book was first published. In his statement, Dr. Naumann protested against propagating the idea that a State deprived of its Jewish citizens must disappear merely because of the fact that without the Jewish commercial ability and quickness it would be incapable of existence. Jews must be desirable. Dr. Naumann said, not as financiers or relatives of American financiers, not as able directors and attorneys for one purpose or another, but because of the conviction that worthy is not only that Jew who distinguishes himself by particular intelligence or wisdom, but also the average hard-working Jew who feels himself a German and cooperates for the welfare of the Fatherland.