THE JEWISH CHRONICLE conditions. Could • their efforts be successful, the prosperous American Jew might be lifted out of his con- tented materialism and, by means of religion, be reborn to dignity, nobil- ity, and spiritual power, he might make of Judaism a vital force. Here if anywhere lies the hope of American Mrs. Hanna Blumenthal, widow of Judaism. the late Louis Blumenthal, died last When one takes stock of. conditions, Thursday night at the home of her however, is hard to hope. The few daughter, Mrs. Israel L. Scheinman, men who it arc working fare but ill. of 90 Rowena street. Mrs. Blumen- They have no and no thal was 75 years of age and had been common aims. organization There is in sight no a resident of Detroit for forty years. striking personality who can lead a Mrs. Blumenthal was a sister of revival; Judaism by its very nature David W. Simons, president of the tends to produce commentators and Shaarey Zedek ,Congregation, and was dialecticians rather than leaders fired herself a member of the synagogue with the zeal of religious awakening. during her residence in Detroit. In- The great Jewish leader in the nine- terment took place at the Smith Ave- teenth century was Isaac M. Wise, nue Cemetery of Shaarey Zedek, the founder in America of so-called Rabbi A. M. Hershman officiating. "Reformed Judaism." The movement Surviving Mrs. Blumenthal are her succeeded because it had a prosaic daughter, Mrs. Scheinman, and two aim—to deorientalize the practice of sons, David and Harry S. Blumenthal. the synagogue and to remove the sacredness from the long-established customs entailed by observance of the dietary laws. Besides, it sailed on the Death of Miss Blanche Cone On Saturday, February 25, there current of the spirit of the time; what it effected would probably passed away at Harper Hospital Car- reforms have come about even without organ- rie Cone, beloved sister of Mrs. Rosa ized effort. But it made no attempt Hersch and Miss Blanche Cone. Miss to give Judaism that which a religion Cone had been ill but a short time must have if it is not to perish; ele- and her death came as a great shock vation, imaginative insight, spiritual to her many friends. Few are the power, a realization of majesty of young women in our community who God, a yearning of his the love. A well- had deservedly won so many staunch conducted Relormed congregation friends as Carrie Cone. Self-forget- hardly differs from a body of agnos- ting and eager to serve in every good tics. Two phenomena show pretty cause, her passing leaves a void in the clearly where modern leadership is hearts of a wide circle of friends and guiding Judaism: the large numbers dear ones. The funeral took place of Jews who are professed agnostics, from the residence of her sister, Mrs. in all the senses of that convenient Rosa Hersch, on Monday afternoon, term, and the equally large numbers Rabbi Franklin officiating. who seek in various mystical sects the consolations of religious roman- . ticism. (Continued from page 4) The present status of American either for the world or for itself, that Judaism makes its value as a religion it should maintain its integrity. by which men can live distinctly ques- At this point one immediately thinks tionable. Aided by persecution and - of Zionism. This is a concrete move- poverty, it furnished admirable disci- ment impelled by a genuine idealiSm. pline to a race naturally stubborn and It knows what it wants to do: it has tenacious. Persecution, poverty, and an organization; it is achieving defi- discipline gone, what is life?—an in- nite results; and it is actuated by a distinct monotheism joined to an spirit of helpfulness and by. an ideal ethical tradition never formulated into of racial unity. But what value has a system, and only vaguely defined. Zionism for the perplexed Jew who None of the great Jewish philosophers wishes to live in the United States? ever succeeded in establishing a Jew- It may take his mind off his prob- ish creed; indeed, there was no need lem, but it offers no solution. Zion- ism is essentially a movement to help of one when common suffering some one else. American Zionists do wrought so effectual a bond. Now a no propose to emigrate themselves; more searching test awaits Judaism, a they aim at the establishment of a test that may decide its existence. .If state where oppressed Jews will have . it is to remain as a religion it must now show that it has power to restore peace. The final refuge is the small group the great bulk of prosperous Amer- who are attempting to revivify Amer- ican Jews to a state of religious activ- ican Judaism and fit it to modern ity. Whether after the lapse of cen- turies there are alive in Judaism any of the quickening impulses which will give it that power is a question that it is useless to debate—time must give the answer. .:. 4 Meanwhile Jews must face their problem squarely. They must realize fl that they cannot live on their an- tf AY cestors, and that when men point the finger of scorn they are not thereby justified in assuming that they have been chosen as the witnesses of Truth, 1' to live forever on their wrongs. The fact is that, if Judaism must be a group of men without religious ideals, incapable of making their intricate .1 self-consciousness meaningful and .1 yaluable, it is far better that Judaism should disappear. If you wish to benefit by these At all events it must be remem- great bargains, bered that, since the problem of Juda- make yoiir selec- ;1 tions now. ism comes from intense self-conscious- ness, persecution and sentimental tol- 11 1 4 1 erance are both bad for the Jew. The 41 4, one saves him the trouble of seeking H, & B. MARKS out his reason for existence; the other flatters him into a belief that there is 212 Michigan Ave. 41 no necessity for the search. If men Near Third St. it will treat Jews like other people, in- ql stead of nourishing their age-long no- I t tions of peculiarity, they will make it MAP easier for time to settle the Jewish z •5 11 .2.' er. "1". LIS 1 511 problem as it settles all others. OBITUARY Mrs. Hannah Blumenthal Passes Away I NM I I II I I I I I NM I= I 11 I NM I I LAST CALL .,. .,,,... , oil 4 • . ..gaelOWAVP 11 . 4 11 . INIMUtfa i 4 gs:0-NSKisi Mi.tgles&Aoltkil "..e*.41.V.v 4 m At .1 4ifoRtMteltqfkg.401 1ftlkttir . . . ' ,-, ., 1 Two Solid Carloads Have Just Been Received We are just in re- ceipt of two carloads of bed davenports and davenport suites. The orders were placed many months • ago and since that time prices have greatly advanced. By marking them at the old prices we save you 25%. There, is a most pleasing variety for you to choose from. There are Unifold, Duofold and Pullman Dav- enports, as well as complete three-piece suites. Mahog- any, Walnut and Oak fin- ishes—most popular cover- ings. -Cohen Co. COMPLETE HOME MIR/USHERS CORNER of MGM FIVE BLOCKS CAST./ WOODWARb NORM- tlotmc. rOtsgnENTO and IIASTINCS FIVE BLOCKS NQR111 GNATS°, EARS PASS THE DOOR, RELIABLE ESTABLISHED RENOVATORS 1905 JEWEL FEATHER MATTRESS & BEDDING CO. WILL J. DENT, Mgr. Latest improved Method of Cleaning Feather Beds and Pillows. Down Comforters and Roll Mattresses made from Feather Beds. Hair and Cotton Felt Mattresses Cleaned and Repaired. Ticks Laundered. New Ticking Furnished. Retailer of Beds, Mattresses, Springs, Pillows, Cushions and General Bedding ALL WORK GUARANTEED Phone Cadillac 895 We re-lacquer and refinish brass beds 359 Michigan Ave., Detroit, Mich. QUALITY OPTICAL SHOP , • A SMOKER'S CREDIT CIGAR ..r I I 1•••11MIN RG•DU lo < DAVENPORTS WHEN PATRONIZING OUR ADVERTISERS PLEASE MENTION , The Jewish Chronicle Whether you need glasses or not the knowledge will cost you nothing, and it may save you unnecessary suffering, as eye trouble often comes beforevou realize it. I offer the best optical service in Detroit at the smallest cost. W. E. CAMPAU OPTOMETRIST AND MANUFACTURING OPTICIAN 211 Griswold Street Holden Building CLYDE I. WEBSTER Formerly United States District Attorney Candidate for nomination on the Republican Ticket for • CIRCUIT JUDGE (Wayne County) Endorsed by Bar Association Primaries March 7th, 1917