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THE JEWISH CHRO

The only Jewish publication in the State of Michigan
Devoted to the interests of the Jewish people

Vol. II. No.19

_ DETROIT, MICH., JULY 6, 1917

$1.50 per Year

Single Copies10 Cents

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Rabbi Rosenau's Presidential Message To
Central Conference of American Rabbis

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[Dr. Rosenau's presidential message to the Central Conference of American
Rabbis in session . at Buffalo last week deals with practically every problem con-
fronting the Jewish people. Ills inessaie is of vital interest to every Jew in
America. Owing to the length of the entire message, only the most important
topics are presented to our readers.]

I

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ideals for which America has stood since the day that the fathers called into
existence our government. It ought not be necessary to declare that nations,
like men, if they would glorify themselves, should glory in this, that they
understand and know God and His will. Oft indeed bills are proposed, advo-
cated and passed in legislative halls, of the benefits or the detriment of which
the people should be cognizant. If benefits accrue from the adoption of bills,
the people should aim to make them permanent institutions; but if, on the
other hand, detriment results, the people should not hesitate to strive to nullify
bills when once they hayc become laws.

ALMOST hesitate to speak the classic Jewish greeting which rushes to
my lips, as we arc once more gathered together in conference at this, the
twenty-eighth annual convention of our organization. I fear lest it might
sound like empty mockery in the face of the clash of swords and the roar
Regulation of Marriage and Divorce.
of cannons, of which it is well-nigh impossible for us to be obvious. And yet
A
resolution
now
before Congress, promising an improvement of public
I shall make bold to utter that greeting, because I know that you prize no
morals by the regulation of marriage and divorce laws, is the Senate Joint
blessing more highly than that of which the greeting is expressive. Let me,
Resolution No. 34, introduced into the sixty-fifth Congress which reads:
therefore, extend it and may you regard it voiced in all sincerity: Shalom
"Congress shall have power to establish and enforce by approp-
Alechem—"Peace be to you!” Though peace to its full extent is now denied,
riatc legislation uniform laws as to marriage and divorce; provided, '
may a sufficient share of it be yours so that, with calmness of judgment and
that every state may by law exclude, as to its citizens duly domiciled
mastery of feeling, you may at least be enabled to discuss the problems which
-
therein, any or all causes for absolute divorce in such laws mentioned."
are ours to solve, and, with strength and might, you may depart from this
twenty-eighth—Ko-ah—convention equipped once more to persevere in lead-
We, the descendants of that people to whom the sanctity of the family
ing the people toward the attainment of that which is best and noblest in
.
life was ever , the guarantee of the sancity of the social order, should earnestly
join and actively work with other organizations for a nation-wide appreciation
Judaism and in life.
.
of marriage and the defense of the home. I would, therefore, suggest that this
We, the leaders, must indeed evince and cultivate not only calmness to
Conference resolve to enter, together with the International Committee of
make our conventions productive of immediate good. but also perseverance to
insure the remote fulfillment of Israel's mission. With the whole world en- Marriage and Divorce and other agencies, upon a compaign of propaganda,
gaged in war, we recognize how far removed, despite the - constant preaching which shall in due time help to make for uniform marriage and divorce laws
and planning of world-peace, is yet the dawn of the Messianic era. Swords, throughout the United States.
unfortunately, refuse to be beaten into plough-shares and spears into pruning
1
Immigration Bill.
.
hooks. Every nation lifts up sword against nation and betakes itself to
Prepared as we should be , to lend support to the bill just quoted, we
learning the art of war. Humanity does not promise soon to "be holy as God
should
be no less prepared to change the immigration bill now in force.' The t •
is holy." With the "Mene, melte, tekel, ufarsin" written large and clear by
immigration bill has a long and interesting history. In every Congress con- 4
the finger of God, the need of Israel's survival with its ancient message of
vened in recent years it was introduced with the emphasis laid latterly on :!
peace to mankind is all the greater. Israel must continue to be the "priest-
the so-called Literacy Test. While the president of the United States had ;
people." It must, with every opportunity, prove that humanity cannot live
•
vetoed it in every previou s s instance as in the last, the immigration bill . was
"by bread alone." It must protest for many centuries, in the future as in
f
passed over President Wilson's veto. There was no want of .protest rom
c cons
the past, that human security is annihilated by materialistiiderations.
It must proclaim with unremitting endurance; Not by alight nor by power, various sources against its passage. Now that the immigration bill witfi its
literacy test is a law, the nation shall have to wait for the future to prove E
but by My spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." Had men heeded the lesson
whether or not the bill is a mistake. Suffice it to say that, the opinion of
Israel preaches in word and deed, the present world-tragedy should never
our law-makers notwithstanding, a bill which takes into account a man's
have been enacted. Ilad they prized religion and all for which religion makes
literacy rather than his industry and thrift, as qualification of eligibilty for
in accordance with Israel's scheme of civilization, there should now be no
entry into America, runs counter not only to human experience but also to
warrant for the exclamation:
the best American traditions. In order that our shores may continue to be
"0 Judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts. And men have lost
the asylum of the persecuted and the place of opportunity, I would recommend :
their reason."
that this Conference, together with other organizations, put forth every pos-
A year ago when we met in conference, ours was the prayerful hope that
sible effort to have the immigration bill now in force modified to meet the
by this time the much-desired amity between nations might. be re-established.
exigencies which shall arise when the war shall have been brought to a close.
How great is our disappointment! How keen our sorrow over the calamitous
It is then that we shall in all likelihood stand in sore need of foreign elements
lot of nations once standing high in the federation of mankind! The woeful
for the development of our resources and the building up of our country
struggle T1OW waged is with you and me and everyone an obsession defying and be called upon once more to open our gates to those who knock suppliantly
our escape. It is a veritable, ever-present nightmare. Little did we dream
at them for entrance.
that the United States, too, would be forced into this world-quarrel. Long
While in the main the immigration' bill is an American problem, it pre-. .
and carefully did the present administration of the government plan to keep
cipitates also a Jewish problem. In consequence of the immigration bill—pro-
us out of war. 'But the whirlpool which was ever eddying round about us
vided it remains unchanged-many of our unfortunate co-religionists shall .-
have to continue their residence in lands limited in opportunites for the sup- I
dragged us into its depths.
port of their familieS and the preservation of self. God forefend that the time
Loyalty to Country.
shall ever come when, amid peace, men shall be restrained from seeking a
Now that we, too, are parties to the war, our duty is patent. We must
better lot elsewhere than is offored them in an unwholesome atmosphere sur-
pledge our country that love and loyalty which, with the help of God, shall
charged with penury, persecution and suffering.
lead it to victory. America, ever standing for a democracy which promises
freedom and equality to all, must not be allowed to lose its glorious pre-
American Jewish Relief.
eminence. Patent as is each man's duty, we, together with the preachers
As we contemplate that the opening of our gates is no more than a duty
of all faiths, will do only the right if we exhort the people to patriotism,
dictated by a sense of humanity and an appreciation of irmerican tradition,
many-sided in its character. In times of war men arc needed, not only to
there also looms large before our mental vision our responsibility to relieve
fight on battlefields, but also to render service at home. There is no one who
the suffering now visiting our brethren who live and expect to continue to live
cannot do something to strengthen the bulwarks of the nation.
in the war zones. We note with pleasure the handsome gifts already made
We arc proud of the Jews and Jewesses who, unable to perform military
by United States to the Ten Million Dollar American Jewish Relief Fund,
duty, have contributed to the popular Liberty Loan. We are proud of the
the raising of which was launched at the close of the month of December, 1916,
Jewish men and the Jewish women who are rendering aid by counsel and
at a mass meeting held in the city of New York. We rejoice over the activity
work on commissions appointed by the federal, state and municipal govern-
displayed
by the members of our Conference in their own and other com-
{la
•
ments. We are proud of. the Jewish physicians and Jewish nurses N% io
!nullities to make possible the fund's eventual completion. Although appar-
gone to the front to administer relief to the wounded and dying. But we
ently much has already been contributed, much more needs to be given before
are proudest by far of the thousands of Jewish officers and Jewish privates
the ten million dollar mark shall have been reached. It ought not be difficult
who are enlisted in the United States army and navy, and who arc thus
to get the sum asked if all the people will do their share both by way of
demonstrating their willingness to risk health and life in the defense of
financial aid and personal influence. Ten million dollars for a large and
fines
.
country.
prosperous Jewish population like that found in America is not an exorbitant
As at the time of the Spanish War, the Civil War and the American Revo-
figure when compared with the £200,000, equal approximately to $1,000,000,
lution, the Jew heroically took his place alongside of his Christian comrade,
which English Jewry, severely tried for three years,- is collecting for the
so in this w ar he stands shoulder to shoulder with men differing with him in
Jewish war sufferers in Russia. Since it is the privilege of rabbis to stimulate
faith but li nked i n dissolubly to him by those sacred tics which spring from
the finer sensibilities of the people, I would recommend that in one of the
the consciousness of having a common country, a common nation and a cons-
sermons to be. delivered during the coming high holidays the present woe of
.
Mon flag.
co-religionists in the war zones be described and appeals for generous
our
'
Legislation.
contributions
_
19 the Ten Million Dollar Fund be again made.
While the war calls for patriotism of diverse kinds, we must not neglect
(Continued on page 11.)
of patriotism calculated to preserve the
•
to pay attention to that special form