The noted Yiddish author Sholem Asch today issued a statement to the press explaining his motivation in writing several books on Christianity. Asking the press to publish his statement “for fairness’ sake,” Mr. Asch charged that the majority of his critics had never read his books.
“I knew what I would have to pay for writing my books, but I was ready to do it for rapprochement and brotherhood between two brothers, since I see in such a rapprochement a prerequisite of our existence in Israel itself, as well as in the world of nations. I am convinced that all our troubles came from our isolation and we need partners with whom to form one human family,” Mr., Asch’s statement said.
The author expressed the opinion that Israel would have a “raison d’existence” only as an advance post of western civilization in Asia. He supported selective immigration into Israel “since unlimited Eastern immigration kicks us back 25 years, and we cannot remain one small drop in a dirty Levantine sea.” He also favored lessening of government influence in the life of the private citizen and added: “I came to Israel as a free man, not just to shout ‘hurrah’ to everything.”
Mr. Asch revealed that in the future his new books would appear in Hebrew. “I am leaving you soon, but my books will remain and I want them to be read first before I am attacked or criticized,” he declared.
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.
