(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The League of British Jews, called into existence at the close of the world war with a view to opposing the rise of anti-Semitic tendencies and the nationalist movement among Jews, decided at tis annual meeting yesterday to continue its work. The decision was taken following a discussion on the question of whether the organization is to continue which was raised in the report submitted to the meeting.
Lionel Rothschild, who presided, stated that the League now has little to do and some felt that it was inadvisable to air in public views which serve no purpose. He, however, feels that the League of British Jews should continue its work unobtrusively.
Claude G. Montefiore took exception to the view of some of the members that the League is no longer needed. The aims which the League has set out to combat have not been abandoned. “The views which the League opposes are held honestly and sincerely by the other parties, just as we honestly and sincerely oppose them. The spirit of nationalism is contagious and provokes similar exaggerated nationalism among the racial and national minorities” he said. “Due to the decline in religious faith among a large minority of Jews, their idealism seeks an outlet in nationalism. The vicious circle is further completed by the fact that anti-Semitism causes Jewish nationalism,” he stated.
Commenting upon the present conception of Zionism which the Leagu originally set out to combat, Mr. Monte fiore stated that “the Zionism of the British Government is comparatively safe and tame. It is not easy, however, for East European Jews or German Jews to be eager about a national home which is divorced from Jewish nationalism.
“Our influence is not so small as our antagonists think. We hold two great principles: first, that the Jews are linked by their religion and not by nationality; second, that religion is no bar to the fullest participation in citizenship. This is the true, final solution of the so-called Jewish problem everywhere,” Mr. Montefiore declared.
Sir Philip Magnus, vice-president of the Anglo-Jewish Association, stated that he was inclined to believe that the League of British Jews has already achieved its object and should, therefore, cease to function. Since he heard the argument of Mr. Montefiore he is in favor of the League’s further existence. The Jews are only a religion, even the Palestine Jews are Palestinians of the Jwish faith, he said.
Mr. Charles Cohen urged the members of the League not to forget that the Jews are also a great, ancient race. “Although we condemn the assertion that the Jews are a nation, we must remember that the Jews are a great, distinctive race.”
Dr. Chaim Weizman, will be guest of Northern Massachusetts Zionists on Tuesday, May 15th. He will address a luncheon being arrainged in his honor by Max Shoolman, New England Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal, and a public meeting in the evening at the Chelsen High School Anditorium, it was announced by Elfhu D. Stone President New England Zionist Pegion. Rabbi Irving Miller of Chelsea, is General Chairman of the Arrangments Committee and Henry Yozell. Secretary-Treasurer.
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.
