The Maccabaean

A Reply to a "Mission" Rabbi

The following letter was received by THE MACCABAEAN, together with a note of information from its writer that is was refused publication by the "B'nai Brith News" for which it was originally written.

Editor B'nai B'rith News1248 Tribune Bldg.,Chicago, Ill.

For the sake of truth and fairness, two principles inscribed on the banner, of the B'nai B'rith, I hope you will give space in the columns of your highly esteemed paper to the following article:-

Several weeks ago, Rev. Dr. Joseph Kornfeld, of Columbus, Ohio, delivered a lecture at the Temple B’nai Jehuda and B’nai B’rith Lodge of Kansas City, Mo. There were several features in this lecture, with which the writer cannot agree.

"The triumph of the Jew in his Martyrdom," was the leading sentiment in the lecture. "The Jew," said Dr. Kornfeld, "when persecuted, did not try to run away to a remote shelter, but stood there and took his punishment" (cheerfully, I suppose), "he would not go back to Palestine in spite of persecution."

I fail to understand "the triumph" of letting the other fellow beat you into a pulp and not even trying to get away.

His assertion that "the Jew would not go back to Palestine", is not born out by history. The Jew merely did not know how; he lacked the energy, audacity and acumen necessary to carry out that for which he was fervently praying three times a day.

At the B'nai B'rith Lodge, Dr. Kornfeld stated that the members of the B'nai B'rith were against Zionism, because working for the enfranchisement of the Jew, it would give the anti-Semites a chance to say, "We cannot enfranchise the Jew for he wants another country." Dr. Kornfeld made a statement that if taken seriously, would do great damage to the cause of the B'nai B'rith for he may know there are a great many Zionists in its ranks; Dr. Kornfeld could have stated that some members of the B'nai B'rith, himself included, are against Zionism.

As to his fear of what the anti-Semites. will say, he is contradicting himself, for in his lecture he greatly admired the Jewin the centuries past, who was not afraid of being burned for his ideas and in the: same lecture Rabbi Kornfeld would sac-- rifice Zionism for the sake of a trifle like social enfranchisement. As a matter of’ fact, since the Zionist Movement is in: existence even the most rabid anti-Semites. like the Russian Novoe Vremya have: more respect for the Tewish rare

The Irish in this country have a high standing. A number of the United States presidents were of that sturdy race and no one blames them for supporting Ireland. On the contrary, we all admire them for it.

When a Jew is not admitted to an aristocratic club, no one inquires of his Zionist affiliations, or whether he is orthodox or reform, it is enough for the gentiles to know that the candidate is a Jew and that seals his fate.

Respectfully Yours, DR. BENJAMIN BELOVE. 426 Shubert Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.

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