Reuben Brainin, veteran Hebrew writer and Zionist, cabled his protest against a recent adverse pronouncement issued against him at a conference of Hebrew writers in Tel Aviv, under the chairmanship of Chaim Nachman Bialik.
In a cablegram from South Africa, where he is now traveling in the interests of the Russian colonization fund, Mr. Brainin protests against the sharp expressions used in the statement issued by Chaim Nachman Bialik, in which Brainin was termed “a traitor to Zionism.” He expresses the belief that the opinion formulated in the Bialik statement was based on an interview with him published in the “South African Jewish Chronicle.” The interviewer misquoted him, Mr. Brainin says, and the entire story was “a journalistic farce.”
He expresses astonishment that the Palestine Hebrew writers rendered judgment on him in his absence, and declares: “My work in behalf of bringing relief to Russian Jewry is consistent with the best traditions of the Zionist movement wind its hopes. I always emphasize the national duty of Jews toward the upbuilding of Palestine.”
As the Year Turns, Support the Journalism You Trust. JTA covers the stories shaping Jewish life around the world — with the depth this moment calls for. As you reflect on the year ahead, consider a gift that keeps independent Jewish journalism strong.
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.
