Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

“broken Hearts,” Film of American Jewish Life, Shown in New York

February 26, 1926
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

A film portraying Jewish life in America, produced by Jaffe Art Film Corporation, was presented at a luncheon of a group of prominent New York newspaper men and communal workers at the Hotel Astor. The film, “Broken Hearts” is based on the play by Z. Libin. Maurice Swartz and Lila lee have the principal roles. The play was also directed by Mr. Swartz.

Mr. Louis N. Jaffe in speaking of the nature of the work attempted by the Jaffe Art Film Corporation, declared, “It was our desire to portray Jewish life as it is and not as the majority of American showmen have made it look. When Alan Dale, dramatic critic of the New York “American” declared ‘Off the stage with the grossly exaggerated Jewish caricature’ he touched the most vulnerable spot of Jewish showmanship in America.

“On thing I cannot emphasize too strongly is that the Jaffe Art Film Corporation production will never sacrifice an iota of the dignity and beauty of Jewish tradition and custom for the sake of acquiring a possibly larger field.”

Leading Jews of Chicago, III., participated in the dedicatory exercises of the new temple of the Anshe Sholom Congregation.

The building, one of the finest examples of synagogue architecture in Chicago, was completed recently at a cost of $300,000. Court Judge Henry Horner and Superior Court Judges harry M. Z. Fisher and Hugo Pam Delivered addresses. Others who had part in the ceremony were Rabbis Ezriel Epstein, Rabbi Saul Silber, Joseph Weil, former president of the congregation; Charles H. Shapera, chairman of the building committee; Cantor M. A. Levy, and Harry Morris, president of the congregation. Max Shulman acted as master of ceremonies.

The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,400 and the Talmud torah has class rooms which will accomodate 300 students. It also has a large assembly hall, seating 600, of the Ohave Sholom, Mariampol, one of the earliest orthodox congregations in Chicago, with the Anshe Kalvaria. In 1870, a group of orthodox Jews from Mariamopol formed a benevolent society, which soon assumed a religious character and was the beginning of the congregation.

The amaigamation of the two congregations forming the present temple came about in 1916. In 1910, Rabbi Saul Silber was called to the pulpit and has remained as the organization’s spiritual leader since.

Anshe Sholom has nearly 800 members, a Chevra Shas, a Chevra Mikro, a ladies’ Auxiliary, and the loan association known as the Yitzchok Elchonan Gemilath Chassodim.

The Jewish community of Orlando, Florida, pledged $10,000 for the United Palestine Appeal at a banquet at which Judge Julian W. Mack was the guest of honor. This drive marks the first Jewish campaign in Central Florida.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement