(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
At the second examination by the police authorities, Sholom Schwartzbard, who shot Semion Petlura, declared that his act was long premeditated but he kept it secret.
Schwartzbard’s flat in the Boulevard Menilmontant is poorly furnished. His watch repair shop has been closed. A search made by the police at his home and shop revealed nothing except his letter to his wife before the assassination. The letter, which is in French, read:
“The time has arrived to avenge my unhappy people on Petlura who is guilty for the murder of thousands of Jews. I must fulfill my duty. I beg you to be calm. I alone will answer for the act of revenge. Farewell. I will not forget you.”
The “Jewish Morning Journal,” New York, published an appeal to its readers, and started a fund to aid in the defense of Schwartzbard.
The paper states that “although Schwartzbard’s act cannot be approved and he has not consulted us, we are nevertheless duty bound not to abandon him at the present moment when death sentence hangs over his head.
“A host of our enemies have been aroused. They want to blacken the victim of pure motives with dark innuendos.
“Let that Jewish heart which has felt so deeply the Jewish sorrow know that behind him there are Jews who understand, who have compassion for him, and who want to help him, although they cannot bless his act.” the appeal read.
The sum of $405 was announced as received on the first day. Among the contributions were: $250 from the “Morning Journal” and $25 each from Peter Wiernik. Jacob Fishman and Joseph Barondess.
JEWISH COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES
A new synagogue for the Congregation Tifereth Israel. Passaic. N. J., is being erected.
The new building will cost about $80,000. Work will be started at once, and it is expected that the building will be ready for the New Year services in September. Rabbi Mendel Chapler is the rabbi of the synagogue.
Committees for the Eleventh Triennial Convention of the National Council of Jewish Women were appointed by Mrs. William D. Sporborg, president.
Mrs. Henry J. Sporborg will serve as Chairman on the Program. The Committee on Resolutions will be beaded by Mrs. Daniel Myers, with Mrs. Charles Stern as Vice Chairman. Mrs. Ignace J. Reis is Chairman of the Committee on Rules, and Mrs. Maurice Goldman. Commissioner of Elections.
Miss Hannah Hirshberg is Chairman of the Committee on Revisions, and Mrs. L### B. S### of the Committee on Credentials.
Mrs. ###
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
