The Southern Jewish weekly. [volume] (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1939-1992, 1939-09-08
Jews And The War!
BY z. TYGEL

BY Z. TYGEL
Nv the time this appears in print the black clouds
war NAV have blown away On the other hand, pOssit
war will have happened which civilized people wis
not even those who believe, do that in war with
Allied powers at the present time Nazl Germany wO'
Some may interpret it chauvinism on my part ii
speak specifically OF the Jews IN the pre-war atmospne
think that in doing l am manifestlng an mdtteren
to the ideals of humanity because unfortunately the Je
ish question will not to exist II war occurs.
it must be clear to everyone that in the event of
the Jews under Nazi domination doomed. Genera
speaking we Jews cannot hope to gain from war;
never have in the past. Nor plan for the tutu
Strengthening of positions in the Daspora and the II
Their rebuilding of Eretz Israel the improbable event
atty that new may bring an improvement OF
general status The possibility is that another halOcau
will mean new persecution and sufferings for In
case a people cannot hope for benefits that mig
accrue to us in consequence of the horrors of
Nevertheless, must not lose sight OF the realtle
We do not wish for but should one occur it must NJ
find unprepared has been the case IN the past
At this moment, while newspaper headlines scream al
radios bare the latest reports and rumOrs from
Europe and here are taut and strained,
am thinking of our Jewish fate. More specifically,
thinking of American Jewry There can be no questlt
that, in the light of the sufferngs and hardshps OF
brethren other parts of the world blessed with
full of wellbeing and freedom. We are five m
lion strong and proud in the consciousness OF our posO
We have given full mead toward the growth and dew
ment of this great democracy and we have kept the mr.
Of Judaism burning We are intelligent able and emerge
and participate in all the creative fields OF american
nifty in the world. We have large powerful OrganzatN
headed by important, responsible leaders.
But what is the total of all this in relation to
tremendous responsibility that has been placed upon Us
this most crucial fatefu hour of history? What
action have we taken salvage the lives of those brete
who have been maryred by the master OF Htesn
and what steps taking to safeguard those OF gu
brothers and sisters who now threatened with K
fate?
To ask this question is to it, The facts spea
for themselves.
Cast your eye upon the American Jewish scene an
you will see what mean. The government at Wasmng
of all other nations are in conference
and night planning feverishy how to their suoJect
Batteshps and merchant vessels are Teao
evacuate these citizens from the danger areas and
hem home. But American Jewry goes about It's H1Iar
amy, copacenty if the god OF Mars were not rlSe
hurl mankind into abyss of horror and 6oodspeo,
we Jews not faced with frightful calamity as
ur brothers and sisters not in the very mlds VI I'LL
LANCER zones of Europe! :,
Yet know not only that brethren are Pelle0 ~
greater danger than any other people but that
ems OF thousands of them refugees cast OUT
atlve lands and unwanted by anyone else, satele He
ess wandering in the dark of mo mans lfn0 dN
uffeted about the friendess OF the seven seas
Without haven without hope. We know that tney ar
forgotten Jews that the demOcracies do no. WeCU
hem, that they need special help immediately Wnetn:
ar breaks out not and that the responsibility rests
ne first instance upon u.s. Jews of America to enGer %
e for these unfOrtunates flesh of our tle DOOu
ur blood
Continued on Page Five)