Synagogues Now Converted into Apartment Houses in Russian Towns

A new stage in the program of changing the character of synagogues in Russian towns was reached when the Soviet of Kineshma, Ukraine, decided to convert the local synagogue into an apartment house.

The synagogue is to house six non-Jewish families.

The Central Executive Committee confirmed the decision of the local Soviet, which explained the reason for its action in a statement that the working Jews of Kineshma do not require a synagogue.

A Jewish delegation from the village of Tcherno-Ostrov, district of Proskurov, petitioned the local Soviet to accord better treatment to the rabbi of the village. The delegation argued that the rabbi is essentially a worker who performs his duties in behalf of the community and is therefore entitled to the benefits of insurance, medical aid and other facilities enjoyed by trade unionists. The matter will be decided by the Soviet court.

A campaign against the news service from Russia of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency is being directed by the Yiddish Communist daily, “Emes.” The organ of the Jewish Communists published recently its fourth editorial attacking the J. T. A. correspondent in Moscow, B. Smolar. The paper finds objectionable the kind of news items circulated by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency from Moscow. The censorship exercised by the Soviet government officials is not sufficient precaution for the Yiddish Communist daily. The editorial refers in particular to a news item concerning an occurrence in a Charkow shoe factory, where the Jewish workers refused to participate in a so-called Socialistic competition arranged for the purpose of increasing the industrial output.

The “Emes” declares this news item to be “entirely untrue,” forgetting. however, that the same item was published and featured prominently in its brother organ, the Yiddish Communist daily “Stern,” of Charkow.