Turkish Prosecutor Makes Charge Against I.o.b.b. for the Jewish Demonstration

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The Turkish branch of the Independent Order B’nai Brith, the American Jewish fraternal organization engaged in religious and welfare activities in many countries, figured prominently in the accusation formulated by the state attorney at the trial of nine Constantinople Jews held on the charge of having participated in an anti-Turkish manifestation at the funeral of the Jewish girl, Elsa Niego.

The prosecutor declared in his address yesterday that the Constantinople lodge of the I. O. B. B. contributed the amount of £950 toward the funeral expenses of the Jewish girl who was murdered by the Turkish official, Osman Bey, when she rejected his marriage offer. By asserting that the I. O. B. B. made this contribution the prosecutor attempted to prove that “the Jews had planned the anti-Turkish manifestation beforehand.”

A raid was made by the Constantinople police on the offices of the I. O. B.B. lodge following the prosecutor’s address in court, but nothing incriminating was found. The event called forth great excitement in Constantinople, particularly among the members of the Order.

In his address the prosecutor played up to the anti-Semitic agitaion which is now going on in the Turkish press in connection with this affair. He made accusations against Judaism and alleged that not only the nine Jews who are held as prisoners, but thousands participated in the anti-Turkish manifestation. “If there had been sufficient police force at hand, a thousand Jews would now be standing trial.” the prosecutor declared.

The proceedings were adjourned until Wednesday when the defense counsel will present his case. Sentence is expected to be pronounced on Wednesday.

More than 1,000 members of the Eutaw Place Temple, Baltimore. Md., attended special services held Friday night (Sept. 16) in celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Rev. Dr. William Rosenau as rabbi of the temple, known as the Oheb Shalom Congregation.

Addresses were made by Rabbi Charles A. Rubenstein and Rabbi Rosenau. The services ended with a reception to Rabbi Rosenau, who recently returned from a two months’ trip abroad.

Since Rabbi Rosenau became rabbi of the congregation it has grown from a few hundred members to more than 1,000 families.

Joseph B. Strauss of the High School Department of the City of New York has been engaged as the new principal of Temple Israel religious school. New York City. Mr. Norman Gerstenfeld. formerly of the Institutional Synagogue and Young Judaea has been engaged as the principal of Temple Israel’s East Side branch.

Mrs. Sara F. Brandes has been appointed the executive secretary of the Community Center.