June 23
100 YEARS AGO IN THE FORWARD
As the city of Bialystok burns in a massive pogrom, its Jews have begun fighting back heroically. From the rooftops and from windows, Jews have begun to shoot back with rifles and handguns. As to who gave the call to attack the Jews, all fingers point to the government — even members of the Duma are saying so. In the meantime, two young Jews have been arrested and charged for allegedly throwing the bomb that set off the current unrest. Though they are in prison, their lives are in great danger on account of the huge mob waiting outside the prison to kill them.
75 YEARS AGO IN THE FORWARD
The current economic crisis has had devastating effects on the lives of Jewish women in the poorer neighborhoods of New York. Many of them, especially those with families to care for, now have to find ways to bring money into the home. As a result, an increasing number of women have turned to street peddling, something that traditionally had been a man’s job. And for those who have been in America awhile already, peddling is the lowest of the low — one of those jobs that one does when there is absolutely no alternative.
A packed courtroom listened intently as sentencing took place for the three bankers who ran the U.S. Bank into the ground, losing the savings of nearly 400,000 depositors. Bernard Marcus, Saul Singer and Herbert Singer were all found guilty and sentenced to terms of up to six years in Sing Sing prison. Before reading their sentences, the judge spoke of how many thousands of people were destroyed financially by the bank’s crash. The judge also noted that the bankers had sent out notices as late as July 1930, imploring depositors to buy more shares so that they could make more money.
50 YEARS AGO IN THE FORWARD
In his first speech to parliament in his role as the new Jordanian prime minister, Sayid Mufti declared that never, under any circumstances, would Jordan sign a peace treaty with Israel. He also said that he would fight for the 500,000 Palestinian refugees, who now live on Jordanian soil, to be returned to their homes. Continuing with anti-Israel rhetoric, Mufti said that the Jordanian government was prepared to sign anti-Israel military agreements with all Arab countries. He added that Jordan was prepared to receive financial aid from Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
C O R R E C T I O N
A piece that appeared on this page last week incorrectly gave the final score of the World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Iran. Mexico won the match 3-1.
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