THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

6

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

Issued Every Friday by the Jewish Chronicle Publishing Company.
General Manager
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ANTON KAUFMAN
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Michigan's Only Jewish Publication.

Editor

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

The resignation of M r. Harry Friedenwald, since its inception the
secretary and one of the most ardent members of the American Jewish
Committee, brings forward from a new angle the very wide differences
among our leaders that threaten, as never before, a serious break in
American Jewry. One needs to have followed the currents of American
Jewish life during the past . half decade only superficially to have recog-
nize(! that a breach of a very critical character has been impending. And
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
essentially a laymen's movement. In the none too remote background
is that wave of conservatism which began to spread over the eastern
states a few years ago, and which some were glad to prophesy meant the
beginning of the end, so far as Reform Judaism in this country was
concerned. Of course, they were mistaken, for the fact is that while
in the last decade Reform Judaism has become more constructive in char-
acter than it was during the earlier years of its development, it is stronger
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-
content and unrest in the ranks of practically all parties within American
Jewry. Under such circumstances it is not to be wondered at that a new
and altogether disproportionate emphasis came to be laid upon the divid-
ing elements within Jewry rather than upon the essential /Principles which
make all Jews brothers to each other.
It is only when the ground has been prepared as it has thus been
prepared for a breach among the people, that differences such as have
arisen recently in regard to the Jewish conference or congress can arouse
such bitter antagonisms and such mutual denunciation as have latterly
marked the affairs of some prominent and helpful organizations of our
American Jewish life.
The resignation of 11 r. Friedenwald from the American Jewish
Committee and the bitter tone of the correspondence between him and
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
to be hoped that for the sake of the organizations concerned, but espe-
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-
vision of Jewish forces could be chosen than the present. True friends
of the Jewish cause will look well to the attitude that they take in these
matters. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." The foes of
the Jew would welcome the sight of internecine strife among us. Let
us lay down our petty differences, born often of selfish motives, and let
all Jews work together for the great cause of peace and righteousness,
which Israel has .sponsored through many centuries.

A.Campaign for Cleaning Up

A few days.ago the Montefiore Club, an organization of intelligent
and high minded Jewish young people of our city, addressed a circular
to a number of leading organizations, asking for their co-operation in a
campaign to bring about cleaner physical conditions in the congested dis-
tricts of our city, with special reference to the so-called "ghetto" district.
Such an undertaking, if successfully carried out, would serve as an object
lesson of no mean significance. The conditions that obtain in the con-
gested districts of Detroit are a menace to the physical and moral health
of the people. Especially to the youth of these neighborhoods is the
danger very great. Poisoned by the foul gases that arise from sewage
and garbage not properly cared for, deprived of the natural rights of the

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.
Rut 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
with 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.

A Word of Warning

The unprecedented prosperity' of Detroit has brought to the city
during the past year or more many thousands of men and women who,
through their thrift, their energy and their ambition, will surely add
much to the permanent well-being of the community. But with these,
as always happens in such cases, have also come a mixed multitude who
are content to live by their wits and upon the bounty of the community.
Among these has been a fair proportion of Jews. Some of these are
young men well equipped to earn their own way, if only they are willing
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-
well," unwilling to gain an honest livelihood, who address themselves
to the charitably inclined men and women of the city, asking for all sorts
of assistance. We wish to warn the community against helping any
such applicants without due investigation. The very best method of
procedure is to refer such cases to the United Jewish Charities, which,
through its officials, will thoroughly investigate every case called to its
notice, and in the measure of its powers will relieve distress in whatso-
ever form it may appear. Thousands of dollars are wasted every year
in a community like this by generous hearted people upon tramps and
transients. If they would send these funds to our organized charities
they would go far to reduce distress and misery instead of encouraging
beggary, imposition and pauperism.

The Making of a Will

The frequent will contests which figure in our courts of law and the
domestic scandals that are commonly aired in the trial of the same, ought
to be effective warning to men and women of large means to dispose of
their property to good effect during their lifetime. Were this suggestion
generally followed, families separated through unfortunate misunder-
standings about money matters would often be held intact. Family skele-
tons would be kept within the closet. The wealth itself would be used
to better purpose. In this connection a word as to the making of a ill
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
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
obtains through them is the little inheritance tax which may be collected
from their heirs on that portion of their estate which has not been suc-
cessfully concealed. Ought not every man in making his last will and
testament consider not only his immediate family, as his rightful heirs,
but also those community institutions which have helped to make society
safe and comfortable for himself and his family ? Ought not every man
of any considerable competence wish to leave some bequest to philan-
thropic, educational and religious institutions? It is not safe in most
cases to expect the heirs of an estate to do their social duty in these
matters as a tribute to the departed. The only safe way for a man to
insure his memorial is to arrange for it himself in life. In making his
last will and testament, it is well for every man to think of this.

