Rabbis Proclaim ‘cherim’ Against Communist Library in Russia

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The struggle between the Orthodox Jews and Communists in the township Zhukevka, District of Briansk, reached its climax when the local rabbis proclaimed a “Cherem” against the Communist reading room. excommunicating all who enter there.

The activity of the rabbis in spreading religion in the Ukraine is giving much annoyance to the Jewish communists. Their official organ, the “Emes,” again complains that hundreds of Jewish religious schools and Yeshivas are functioning in the Ukraine. Cantors travel through the villages, rendering Jewish religious songs. Jewish traditional charity organizations including the Hachans sath Kalleh, which provides dowries for poor brides; the Lechem L’Evioinim, which gives bread to the poor, are functioning openly. The villages and towns are flooded with religious books, rabbis render decisions on questions of ritual and books are issued urging the continuance of traditional Jewish purity of family life, the newspaper complains, urging the authorities to suppress these activities.

The Communist Charkov daily “Der Stern,” reports a number of cases where Batei Midrashim, houses of study, were converted into workmen’s clubs. In Ushomir, Volhynia, the synagogue was transformed into an artisan club.