July 30, 2010
100 Years Ago in the Forward
One hundred and six Jews, who were attempting to flee terrible conditions in Russia, drowned near Kherson Province when their steamship went up in flames and sank. Among the dead were many women and children. The steamer, Lovki, was packed with passengers, mostly Jewish emigrants. As it made its way over the Black Sea, it collided with another ship. Panic ensued, and the passengers ran riot, trampling each other. Many jumped overboard, and a number of mothers threw their children overboard, as well, thinking the children would have a better chance. Then, suddenly, the engine exploded. The ship heaved upward, and then down, sinking into the sea, with all its passengers.
75 Years Ago in the Forward
Thirty-seven Jews were arrested in Berlin and other German cities on charges of smearing the German nation, selling on the black market and having affairs with German women. In light of the numerous attacks on German Jews, President Franklin Roosevelt called Hjalmar Schacht, Germany’s economic minister, to express his dismay at the hounding of Germany’s Jews. Roosevelt also contacted Germany’s ambassador to the United States and personally told him the same. This was the first time the American government officially addressed the Jewish problem in Germany.
50 Years Ago in the Forward
The Arab League has decided to begin an economic boycott of Iran after the shah’s de facto recognition of the State of Israel. The league announced that all Iranian companies will be put on its black list, and it hopes that the rest of the Arab countries will follow in Egypt’s footsteps and cut off diplomatic relations with Iran. Egypt’s ambassador has already left Tehran, and Iran’s ambassador and his staff were expected to depart from Cairo soon. In a speech in Alexandria, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser said that the shah gave in just so that he “could get a few dollars in American aid.”
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30