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Show Jew And Gentile Solomon Levitan, a Jew, was elected this fall state treasurer treas-urer of W isconsin. The stcry of his rise from peddler to (mi! of ;he most important positions in the state is a romance of linciLy politics. WIk'.i I.evitan went to Wisconsin he was 18 a;vl there v.' re few j !vs in the state. He grew up with Gentiles. The :-v v. uiii.iic.n open to him was peddling. But he studied conditions and people. Whc'i,. , cr he would be invited to spend the night at a farmer's house "Sol" would always pay for the accommoda-tio:i accommoda-tio:i and help with the chores. He was always "willing to 1.i :c t'i" short end." It was not long before he had won con-iide'i'-e and many friends. 'ih nesty. tact and kindness," he offers as the touchstones ;un-:i which to build success. And toleration. " The open sesame of opportunity for a Jew, it seems to n:e," he say, "is to make himself a part of the people with whom h..' i'ves. We who are Americans must make our-Fihe-s the best Americans we know how. "I think we have lived too much to ourselves. In Europe v.v lived all together in our Ghettos, and there was no need for mixing vith others. But in this country we have to lie cul work with people who do not understand us at all. "it is up to us to overcome all this prejudice and mis-un;U mis-un;U rstaiidir.jr and the only way we can do it is to give more than we expect. We must not strive to be different. I have bun wiih Gentiles 45 years and I know they will not close the door-; to a man if he will go half way. "While I believe in becoming Americanized, I do not believe be-lieve in the false pretense which prompts many Jews to deny their race. Many trv so hard to explain that they are some different kind of a Jew. Many join Gentile churches to gain prestige. Such false pretense will win nothing but disfavor. Our Jewish people have so much to be proud of that they should not bo ashamed of their race, and others will look down upon thi'm for so doing. "Honesty, kindliness, tact, modesty and hard work will ovovomo any obstacles and bring success to any Jewish boy or girl." |