Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval–Editor.]

The opinion that the statement of Michael Kalenin, president of Soviet Russia, regarding the Jewish colonization plan, can be interpreted favorably or otherwise, according to one’s leanings, is expressed by the “Day” of July 16, in an editorial commenting on the statements, which appeared last Thursday in the press, by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver and Reuben Brainin, both vice-presidents of the Zionist Organization, who gave divergent opinions on the colonization plan.

But quibbling about Kalenin’s statement, the paper contends, is not of any importance. The important thing, we are told, is that–

“The Jews in America have to understand that the colonization work in Russia must be helped. For the millions of Russian Jews who are unable to emigrate to Palestine something must be done on the spot and colonization is one of the chief remedies in this direction.

“It should also be clearly understood that the help for Russian colonization work must under no circumstances be given at the expense of Palestine, for Palestine is the first and most important position gained by the Jews since the war. It is therefore neither in the interests of Palestine nor in those of Russian colonization that a vice-president of the Zionost Organization should use a statement by a Soviet official to attack the colonization plan, just as it is not good for Palestine when officers of the Joint Distribution Committee attack Zionism,” the paper concludes.

LAUDS CHOICE OF JUDGE WILLIAM M. LEWIS

The choice by the Zionist Convention of Judge William M. Lewis of Philadelphia to head next year’s United Palestine Appeal for $7,500,000 is regarded by the “Jewish Times” of Baltimore as a wise step.

Writing in its issue of July 2, the paper remarks:

“That Judge Lewis should be drafted for the task is not only a compliment to the man because of the international recognition which the position involves, but it is proper recognition of his past unselfish services in the cause of Zionism, in behalf of Jewish Education and philanthropy, in furtherance of things which have as their aim the flowering of a full Jewish life in America. It is fitting that Philadelphia, the leading center of an all-inclusive Jewish community, should supply the leadership for the nation.

“Being of the people, Judge Lewis is in a position to rally the latent strength that the rank and file of American Jewry has shown in the last campaign.”