THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

6

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

Issued Every Friday by the Jewish Chronicle Publishing Company.
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ANTON KAUFMAN

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SAMUEL J. RHODES,

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Entered as second-class matter March 3. 1916. at the Post Office at Detroit. Mich., under the Act of
March 3. 1879

FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1916.

Mr. Friedenwald's Resignation from the

American Jewish Committee

child to play in great open spaces, and compelled to live amid conditions
of over-crowding that would be fatal to creatures less sensitive to these
conditions than human beings, it can scarcely be wondered at that chil-
dren in the congested districts of our great cities fall easy victims to
disease germs of the most virulent type.
But to the Jew these conditions present a special problem. As was
pointed out in these columns only a few weeks ago, there are many cir-
cumstances that not only incline but frequently compel the immigrant
Jews to live in neighborhood colonies. Warped by their very familiarity
Nvith evil conditions, they are not conscious of them until by some good
fortune they are lifted out of them and by contrast can appreciate the
degradation and danger amid which they have lived. Nor is it possible,
without the generous co-operation of their better circumstanced co-re-
ligionists, as well as the municipal authorities, for the people who live
in our crowded east side to better their physical environment. There
are too many people living within a small area to permit them to observe
the minute details of any sanitary code. Aside from this the scrupulous
care of streets and alleys in a neighborhood is largely a matter of edu-
cation. This was recognized by the Detroit Department of Public Works,
which some time ago published in various languages and distributed with-
out charge a pamphlet bearing upon the subject of keeping the streets and
alleys of the city clean. But public officials alone cannot accomplish all
that is necessary in matters of this kind. There must be wholesome and
organized co-operation on the part of the people. The effort of the
Montefiore Club to furnish such co-operation is a step in the right direc-
tion. They should meet with the encouragement and the commendation
of all public spirited citizens of Detroit, and especially of our co-religion-
ists who are interested in the physical and moral welfare of the people
of our great east side.

Harry Friedenwald, since its inception the
The resignation of
se:Tetary and one of the most ardent members of the American Jewish
Committee, brings forward from a new angle the very wide differences
among cur leaders that threaten, as never before, a serious break in
American Jewry. One needs to have followed the currents of American
A Word of Warning
Jewish life during the past . half decade only superficially to have recog-
nized that a breach of a very critical character has been impending. And
The unprecedented prosperity - of Detroit has brought to the city
let it be said in 'passing that this disastrous division in the forces of
American Jewry has not been brought about by the rabbis. It has been during the past year or more many thousands of men and women who,
essentially a laymen's movement. In the none too remote background through their thrift, their energy and their ambition, will surely add
is that wave of conservatism which began to spread over the eastern much to the permanent well-being of the community. But with these,
states a few years ago, and which some were glad to prophesy meant the as always happens in such cases, have also come a mixed multitude who
beginning of the end, so far as Reform Judaism in this country was are content to live by their wits and upon the bounty of the community.
concerned. Of course, they were mistaken, for the fact is that while Among these has been a fair proportion of Jews. Some of these are
in the last decade Reform Judaism has become more constructive in char- young men well equipped to earn their own way, if only they are willing
acter than it was during the earlier years of its development, it is stronger to work. Despite our prosperity, there is no room in Detroit for idlers.
And so it happens that there are great numbers of these "N'er-do-
and more certain of its future than it ever was before. The tidal wave
of conservatism did not engulf Reform, but it did stir the depths of dis- well," unwilling to gain an honest livelihood, who address themselves
content and unrest in the ranks of practically all parties within American to the charitably inclined men and women of the city, asking for all sorts
Jewry. Under such circumstances it is not to be wondered at that a new of assistance. We wish to warn the community against helping any
and altogether disproportionate emphasis came to be laid upon the divid- such applicants without due investigation. The very best method of
ing elements within Jewry rather than upon the essential principles which procedure is to refer such cases to the United Jewish Charities, which,
through its officials, will thoroughly investigate every case called to its
make all Jews brothers to each other.
It is only when the ground has been prepared as it has thus been notice, and in the measure of its powers will relieve distress in whatso-
prepared for a breach among the people, that differences such as have ever form it may appear. Thousands of dollars are wasted every year
arisen recently ill regard to the Jewish conference or congress can arouse in a community like this by generous hearted people upon tramps and
such bitter antagonisms and such mutual denunciation as have latterly transients. If they would send these funds to our organized charities
marked the affairs of some prominent and helpful organizations of our they would go far to reduce distress and misery instead of encouraging
beggary, imposition and pauperism.
American Jewish life.
r. Friedenwald from the American Jewish
The resignation of
Committee and the bitter tone of the correspondence between him and
The Making of a
other members of the committee may be regarded as a sort of climax
to the unpleasant differences that have arisen in the last years. It is
The frequent will contests which figure in our courts of law and the
to be hoped that for the sake of the organizations concerned, but espe-
domestic
scandals that are commonly aired in the trial of the same, ought
cially for the sake of Judaism in America and of world Judaism, that
these differences may be bridged. No more unfortunate time for a di- to be effective warning to men and women of large means to dispose of
vision of Jewish forces could be chosen than the present. True friends their property to good effect during their lifetime. Were this suggestion
of the Jewish cause will look well to the attitude that they take in these generally followed, families separated through unfortunate misunder-
matters. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." The foes of standings about money matters would often be held intact. Family skele-
the Jew would welcome the sight of internecine strife among us. Let tons would be kept within the closet. The wealth itself would be used
us lay down our petty differences, born often of selfish motives, and let to better purpose. In this connection a word as to the making of a will
all Jews work together for the great cause of peace and righteousness, may not be out of place. Every man living in a community owes to that
community a certain measure of obligation. Some men discharge this
which Israel has.sponsored through many centuries.
obligation in some part during their lifetime by communal service of one
sort.or another. Others live their lives so selfishly that the community
has
no advantage from 'their being a part of it. The most that society
A.Campaign for Cleaning Up
obtains through them is the little inheritance tax which may be collected
A few days,ago the Montefiore Club, an organization of intelligent from their heirs on that portion of their estate which has not been suc-
and high minded Jewish young people of our city, addressed a circular cessfully concealed. Ought not every man in making his last will and
to a number of leading organizations, asking for their co-operation in a testament consider not only his immediate family, as his rightful heirs.
campaign to bring about cleaner physical conditions in the congested dis- but also those community institutions which have helped to make society
tricts of our city, with special reference to the so-called "ghetto" district. safe and comfortable for himself and his family ? Ought not every man
Such an undertaking, if successfully carried out, would serve as an object of ally considerable competence wish to leave some bequest to philan-
lesson of no mean significance. The conditions that obtain in the con- thropic, educational and religious institutions? It is not safe in most
gested districts of Detroit are a menace to the physical and moral health cases to expect the heirs of an estate to do their social duty in these
of the people. Especially to the youth of these neighborhoods is the matters as a tribute to the departed. The only safe way for a man to
danger very great. Poisoned by the foul gases that arise from sewage insure his memorial is to arrange for it himself in life. In making his
and garbage not properly cared for, deprived of the natural rights of the last will and testament, it is well for every man to think of this.

Will

