World Press Digest

The London Times, in a leading editorial on the Jewish scientists who have been compelled to leave Germany because of the “Aryan Paragraph,” says:

Scholars of the twentieth century have been sent on their travels by a resurgence of nationalism in its crudest form. The immediate occasion was the enforcement in 1933 of two German regulations, one of which bluntly decreed that officials not of Aryan origin were to be dismissed, the other that officials whose previous political activities did not offer the assurance that they would invariably and without reserve support the National State might be dismissed.

These decrees hit mainly at Jews, though not exclusively. But the question of race is subordinate. What mattered was that 1,200 scholars and men of science, for no reason connected with their work—which was, indeed, in many cases of supreme excellence — found themselves cast upon the mercies of private charity in a country where they were objects of official contempt. It did not need men of their intellectual ability to see the intolerableness of the situation, and 650 of them took the serious step of leaving a country to whose real soul most of them were attached by the strongest bonds of affection.

This extraordinary migration was a challenge to the rest of the learned world. For neither scholarship nor science can serve the nationalist spirit, and their devotees have long formed a true international brotherhood. The fact that it was Germany which had driven so many of her intellectual leaders into exile added force to the appeal. Once more the land which raised the prophets would fain slay them. The call produced a generous response, and not least in Great Britain, where with other bodies the Academic Assistance Council has given notable help under the presidency of Lord Rutherford.

REICH JEWS REFUSE CONSOLATION OF AGE

Speaking on the future of the Jews in Germany, the Juedische Rundschau of Berlin says:

When we consider the situation from the Jewish aspect, it reflects an entirely different appearance. Is dying consolation? The Jewish people, and they include the German Jews, cannot adopt this tone of resignation. We do not wish to console ourselves with the thought that we are all old people and that we are going to have few children. Our youth must not have that feeling of being superflous. It must be said emphatically: “We are not liquidating.” Our youth is seeking new life and can find it.

WANTS YOUTHS’ IDEA ON THE SYNAGOGUE

The Detroit Jewish Chronicle, in an editorial on the attitude of the Jewish youth in America towards the synagogue, says:

Jewish synagogue leaders are rightfully worried over the problem of attracting the youth to the congregation. What is the cause of the estrangement, they ask?

Certainly, the elders are not the ones to give answer to this question. If they could reply to this perplexing query, there would be no problem. It remains for youth to state their grievances.

It is for this reason that the service at Temple Beth El on April 7 acquires significance. The young people of the congregation are to take charge of the service, and it is expected that interesting views will be expressed on the central theme to be discussed: “Relations Between the Temple and the Youth.”

Such religious services by the youth should be encouraged in all congregations—Reform, Conservative and Orthodox.

LAUDS ZIONISTS FOR NEW UNIVERSITY COURSE

Commenting on the projected establishment of a chair for English history and literature at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the London Jewish Chronicle says:

The Zionist Federation of Great Britain, which has taken the initiative in the matter, is to be congratulated on a step which has been long overdue. The new chair, it will be seen, is to be devoted to English history as well as English literature. It should thus play a valuable part in promoting among the Jews of Eretz Lisrael a better understanding of the mentality, the ideals and the institutions of the mandatory power. The need for such an understanding is unmistakable.