The B'nai B'rith magazine · 1927-06-01 · 9 (6.1927) · p. Seite 368

368 B'NAI B'RITH MAGAZINE The Color of a Philanthropist*s Money THE Associated Jewish Charities of Chicago has refused a gift of $20,000 because the giver had made his fortune as a bootlegger. When the philanthropist replied that he was no longer a bootlegger, he was answered that since he had gained his money by illicit means, the gift was tainted and, therefore, could not be accepted. "We rather like this. In refusing to help sanctify the law-breaker's ill-gotten gains, the charity organization gives notice in effect: '' You can not dishonor the Jewish name and then buy your way back into the good will of your fellows by charity. You must know that while your money will buy you fine raiment and gorgeous vehicles and splendid mansions, it cannot buy for you a good name. Thus you may learn that, despite your accumulations, you are the poorest of men. This is your punishment.'' About the Money of a Billionaire JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR., has sent a check of J $50,000 for the Young Men's Hebrew Association fund of New York. "Although I have not been solicited," he wrote, "I trust you will accept the enclosed check for $50,000 as an expression of my deep interest in the work which your organization is doing.'' To billionaires in general we commend a consideration of the way Mr. Rockefeller uses his money. He is seen employing it for the purposes of friendliness and understanding which the world needs far more than it needs machinery. To billionaires in general we commend an inspection of the beauty of a hand that is extended in amity to its fellows. They Who Go to Spy Out the Land IT IS written that when, after forty years, the Israelites came to the edge of Palestine, Moses sent messengers "to spy out the land." These, it may be accepted, were experts who not only knew what there was to be known of agriculture in that time but also could perceive whatever military problems might arise from the Jewish occupation of the land of Canaan. And now another group of messengers is departing "to spy out" the timeless land. They go as unbiased experts of the Jewish Agency, that non-partisan organization of Zionists and anti-Zionists who have joined together to study the problems of Palestine and to serve them. They are not concerned with the old controversies of Zionist and non-Zionist; they accept Palestine, and the question they seek to solve is: How can this land be made habitable for the largest number? The land is to be spied out again in the light of finance by Felix "Warburg; in the light of industry by Sir Alfred Mond, British industrialist; in the light of social need by Dr. Lee K. Frankel; in the light of agriculture by Professor Elwood Mead. Beautiful is the eternal pageant of the Jew pursuing everlasting ideals. The Gold That is in Palestine PALESTINE is rich with gold mines, announces a British naval officer who has made investigations. This reminds us of the story of a king who desired to conquer a neighboring land. The people of this land were men of peace, tilling the soil, worshipping only God, exalting only ideals, giving their minds only to learning. So that the envious king could find no cause for quarrel with them. But one time this king let it be known through deceitful emissaries that there was gold in the neighboring land and even exhibited specimens of pure gold to the eyes of the people. So that where their eyes had been calm with contentment, they became avid with desire; where they had worshipped only God, they gave their hearts to gold; where they had exalted ideals, they lifted up now their greed; where they had loved peace, they turned to quarrel with one another for the possession of lands. Their strength had been in contentment, in God, in ideals, in their love of peace. Lacking these, they were conquered. We make a wish for Palestine. It is this: If there is gold in the land may it never be found. Education in the Province of Quebec IN THE province of Quebec there are no public schools. Education is in the hands of the Protestants and the Catholics who conduct Protestant and Catholic schools. The Jews, perforce, send their children to the Protestant schools. In a recent election a Jewish candidate ran on the issue of separate Jewish schools for Jewish children. He was defeated. It is our opinion that this Jewish candidate would have been in a stronger position had he made public schools his issue. He would probably have been defeated anyway but he would have brought to the consciences of his fellow-citizens the iniquity of a European educational system that has no place on the North American continent. To demand separate Jewish schools is only to condone the evil. tfe 3£ " 3r How Judaism May Be Destroyed JEWISH Communists in Zhitomir, Russia, have decreed that Judaism must be destroyed. So they have seized a synagogue and turned it into a Communist club. "Now," they say with a great deal of self-satisfaction, "we have commenced the destruction of Judaism." But these little men ought to learn a lesson from history. Judaism cannot be destroyed by destroying synagogues or even by destroying Jews. Judaism, it seems, can be placed in danger of destruction only by making Jews excessively comfortable and prosperous so that they are beguiled from their faith and become indifferent to it. The indifference of the Jew may alone accomplish what all his futile enemies have failed to do.