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THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

ample kiwis are at their disposal to carry on their highly important loyalty would seem as incongruous as for a man for/ally to declare
his love for his mother or his wife.
And for practically 100 per cent of .1merican Jewry this is true.
inc great need, perhaps the greatest of all, however, still remains
to be supplied. We refer to the lack of workers in the field. The Of course among the millions of Jews in this country will occasion-

Issued Every Friday by The Jewish Chronicle Publishing Company
activities.
ANTON KAUFMAN
•
•
•
•
•
President

MICHIGAN'S JEWISH HOME PUBLICATION

Subscription in Advance

$1.50 per year

Offices 314 Peter Smith Bldg.

Phone: Cherry 3381.

RABBI LEO M. FRANKLIN,

Editorial Contributor

\Velfare Board is making strenuous efforts to obtain the services ally be found one deluded or distorted individual who, unabl e to
of young men well equipped to take charge of the welfare work in sense the distinction between right and wrong, will not be a whole-
the camps and cantonments. They are offering very considerable hearted patriot, but fur him his co-religionists will have only an
inducements to such young men. A training school has been opened unspeakable derision and :l11 immeasurable disdain.
l in New York. Those desiring to serve both their
In the light of this conviction which expresses the feeling of the
by the lb ari

country and their faith could do no better than to put themselves

All correspondence to insure publication must be sent In so as to reach this into touch with the men having in charge the affairs of the Jewish
Ake Tuesday evening of each week.
Welfare Board in the United States Army. and Navy.

The Jewish Chronicle invites correspondence on subjects of nterest to the
Jewish people, but disclaims responsibility for an Indorsement of :the views
expressed by the writers.

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

in America almost to a man, no bit - mat declarathm of loyalty i.

necessary at our hands. There is no sacrifice whit-11 America can ask
!
of its citizens which the Jew in this country will not willingly

eagerly make. In times like these. whatever else we may I/C,

Dr. Aronstam's Defense of Professor Bergson

In a recent issue of our paper, we had occasion to speak of the
widely heralded proffer of Prof. Henri Bergson to affiliate himself
fur a limited time with the proposed lehre• University in Palestine.

In this connection we said:

A Plea for Simplicity in Relation to Confirmation
It should not be necessary in times like these to urge upon anyone

"This is very interesting news in light of the fact that the emi-
nent Professor has publicly and on mone than one occasion denied
his loyalty to and his affiliation with the Jewish faith. It is possible
not only the poor taste, but the actual sinfulness that is involved in that recent events in the Jewish world have influenced him to change
any form of undue extravagance. Particularly. grotesque would it his attitude toward Jews and Judaism? Or may it be that in the
seem to associate wastefulness in any form with any sort of religious proposed university he sees a rare opportunity both for professional
advancement and for real service in the world of scholarship?"
celebration. It is therefore not too early,. though several weeks
'1',0 the last sentence in this paragraph Dr. N. E. Anniston of
still remain before the confirmation season, to sound a word of
this city' strongly' objects. Ile writes among other things to this
warning into the ears of the parents and friends of the thousands
paper:
of children who on the coming Shabuoth will pledge allegiance to the
"Assuredly a man of Professor Bergson's stamp, one of the
faith of their fathers.
greatest philosophers of the age, in whom France and the world at
Unhappily like so many other occasions in modern life the day large take pride, need not be chasing after professional advancement.
of Confirmation has become in many communities a time for lavish I lis career is made and his reputation established to such a degree,
display and for extravagant and foolish gift giving. The whole mat- that it would be a credit to any university to receive this famous
ter of gift-giving has become so much a mechanical formula without savant as the head of its department of philosophy. I cannot see
moral value, that it has long been a stench in the nostrils of right- how professional advancement' plays any role in this particular
instance. When Bergson returned to the fold, he was prompted by
minded men and women. Gifts arc given, it is fair to say., in a very
other motives than those of professional aggrandizement. In him
large majority of instances, not through the promptings of unselfish the voice of nationalism spoke loudly and called with a clarion call
and generous friendship but in accord with a burdensome social to his Jewish consciousness. Not all of those who return to us are
custom which has developed.
actuated by selfish motives; in many, the call of the race rings
As a rule, gifts do not even imply thoughtfulness of selection as louder than egotistic motives."
The fact that Dr. Aronstani cannot see how professional advance-
they were exchanged only on the most signifi-
once they waen
II 1

cant occasions of family life and by those who were nearest and

JeW ,,,

ment may have played any role in this particular instance does not

really decide the question. It is difficult for anyone to get into the
The custom of giving rich gifts to children on their confirmation inner consciousness and so to read the motives of another, but the
clay somehow savours of the barbaric and the grotesque. For many fact remains that when a man, even of Bergson's greatness, turns
years the Rabbi and the people of Temple Beth El of this city have his back upon all his past, one has the right to wonder at that change

dearest to each other by ties of kin and affection.

co-operated to minimize, if not utterly to wipe out, the custom of

and to seek any one of a dozen possible motives for it. After all,

to the givers, while money gifts received by the confirtnants were

that professional advancement was actually the motive of Bergson's

1'1'111•1111ff

Chicago's Conference on Religion and
the Synagogue
the
auspices
of the Chicag., Rabbinical Association, there
unth..,

has been held during the week just passed the Second Annual Sprits;

Conference On Religion and the Synagogue. Under the patronage of
some of Chicago's foremost Jewish citizens, representing the mem-

bership of all the larger congregations of that city, and under the

leadership of the Rabbis of these various congregations,' a program

of unusual interest and of real importance was carried out.
Problems of present significance to all Jews, as well as discm , -
sions of prime interest to Rabbis and other sch o lars found a place in

the program. Such meetings as these cannot fail to awaken a new
enthusiasm for religion and the synagogue. To the Rabbis of Chi-

cago who arc responsible for this Second Annual Spring Conference,
the gratitude not only of their own people is due. lout as well as that
of the Jewry of the country to W110111 they haye set a notable and

praiseworthy example.

S.S.

IlUILMIKISE11111.11

WIWI NV

VIITTTD Burn
OCIVatroUJIT

Inspired by the splendid example that Ivas thus set by the Class

of this class have unanimously decided to minimize the social feature

Friends who wish to extend their greetings and congratulations to
parents and children will be welcome in their homes but the utmost

simplicity of arrangements will everywhere prevail.

It goes without saying that the ceremonial itself will be as simple
and as dignified as it is possible to make such a ceremony. The

O F DETROIT

return. \\'e ventured this suggestion among others, including in

them the possibility that recent events in the Jewish world may

Established 1853

MAIN

and Gratiot –Mack and Mt. Elliott
Gratlot and Meetings—Woodward and Eliot
Jos. Compel' and Newton—Hamilton and Webb
Ferndale and Bertnewelle

A New Question for the Church

.\ legal tangle that may lie far-reaching in its effects has arisen

in connection with the controversy between the Calvary Presby-

terian Church of Detroit and one of its members. This member

r"

had, acc,0-ding to all accounts, made himself fairly obnoxious to sonic

Small to ask, because you'll never miss a
quarter now and then for a Thrift Stamp.

service is everywhere changing for the better.
tution free from taxation, has no right to close its doors against any-
In time progress toward a greater dignity and a more religi o ns one who wishes to participate in its public exercises of worship,
celebration of the occasion Temple Beth El has stood well among presuming, of course, that such person does not interfere with the

gradually be lifted to that place of dignity and honor which it ought

to occupy in the scheme of our religious life.

The I. 0. B. B. Joins the Welfare Board

The announcement that the Independent Order of It'Nai B'rith

A big thing to do because every quarter
that you and your neighbor loan to Uncle
Sam brings the end of the war just that much
closer.

oderly conduct of the services.

It develops that this question has never before been brought to

the attention of the courts and that there is no precedent upon which
a decision in the matter may be based. IN'hile it seems likely that the
decision will favor the right of the church to admit or to exclude

W110111 it desires from

participation in its worship, a contrary

Will YOU Buy

decision would certainly open up some very large and important

questions for practically every church and synagogue in America.
\\Init. for instance, would happen in the light of such adverse

Thrift Stamps

has finally decided to cast its lot and to work whole-heartedly with
decision as to the rights of the church, to those synagogues that on
the Jewish Welfare Board in the United States Army and Navy
the High lioly days rigidly exclude from participation in their serv-
will be welcome news to all who are eager to promote the hest inter- ices those W110 ill) not pay a stated admission fee? Or what would
ests of our boys in the camps and cantonments and at the front.
become of the pew-rights of the members of those congregations,
I ,rks was stated in these c o lumns sonic months ago, any attempt where the assigned seating system still prevails, who have paid large
at the part of a single organization to stand by itself in this great sums for the privilege of occupying certain pews on the rare occa-
work is not only foolish but futile. It timk the IlMai B'rith in some sions when they attend services, but who arc unwilling to permit
districts all too long a time to recognize this fact. Now that they others to occupy them even during their absence?
have joined the one Jewish Welfare organization that is recognized
These and other questions are more or less directly involved in

and officially sanctioned by the Government, it is not necessary to the case at issue and which, it is asserted, will be carried to the
inquire into the motives that prompted the desire on the part of sonic Supreme Court for decision by whichever side loses in the lower
of the leaders of this organization to act independently.
courts.
That the attitude of many leading members of the B'rith
in Detroit and throughout Nlichigan had a large share in bringing

about time official union of forces, there can be no doubt. Perhaps
nowhere else were men so determined as here to make the welfare

Professions of Loyalty

we !lute

by the daily. press that a number of denominational

of the boys at the front their prime consideration to which every

church conferences have of late passed resolutions of loyalty to the

party interest had to subordinate itself.
Throughout the country the same feeling undoubtedly prevailed,

Government in the great conflict in which we are engaged.

'Po our mind such resolutions seem strangely superfluous. Why
but there was not everywhere the same courage of expression. But should any men, and why should any organization living under the
this again is not a matter for which anyone need seek or should protecting folds of the Stars and Stripes, find it necessary in formal

receive any particular credit. It is enough that union, and we trust resolution to profess loyalty to this republic and to the high and holy
unity as well, has been effected. Now that all Jewish forces of any purposes of the furtherance of which it stands consecrated?
consequence in this country are working together for the welfare
We trust that Jewish organizations and the men who compose

of our men at the front, it is to be earnestly hoped, as it may well

them will feel with us that their loyalty and their devotion and their

be expected, that nothing within reason that can be done fur their

love to one country's cause is so absolutely unquestioned and unques-
physical, their intellectual and their spiritual welfare will be tionable that any expression of their attitude in these war times

neglected.
The supervision of the Jewish Welfare Board is in the hands of

1

It's a small thing to ask
it a big thing to do!

of the other members of the church in question as a result of which

by no stretch of the imagination partake of the character of a pating in worship with the congregation.
declamatory contest on the part of the children. The service will
It is conceded by his attorneys that a congregation has a right
be one distinctly of consecration. Niue') of the criticism that has been to exclude, for go od reason, those whom it wishes to exclude front
leveled at the confirmation as it has been conducted in some syna- its business sessions and from certain special privileges conferred
gogues has not been without foundation, but the character of the upon members, but they contend that a church, being a public insti-

congregations who have acted in the same spirit, confirmation will

OFFICE: Griswold and Lafayette

Chore

religious note, as is proper, will be emphasized. The exercises will he was suspended from membership and restrained from partici-

the pioneers. Under the inspiration of its example, and that of other

T

STATE BAN K,

of 1917, the Class of 1918 has decided to act in similar spirit, and the have influenced him to change his attitude toward Jews and Judaism.
writer is authorized to say', in behalf of the Class of I 9 18 of Temple Indeed, we share With 1)r. Aronstam the hope that this may have
been the inciting motive of the professor's coming back to us, if the
Beth El, with the full approval of the parents of the children, that
acceptance of a chair in a university vet to be founded may truly be
confirmation gifts are not wanted by them and that friends who
regarded as a return. But we really do not know what actually has
insist upon spending their money on such an occasion will please the
induced the good professor to come back to us. Neither Dr. 4ron-
children by sending the amount that they would thus expend to
stain nor the writer of this article has been able to penetrate the
some worthy charity.
inner consciousness of the great French professor.
In consonance with the same spirit, the parents of the children

of the Confirmation day and no elaborate receptions will be held.

Member Federal Reserve Bank

IRS

giving gifts to the children confirmed in the synagogue of that con- the desire for professional advancement is not altogether tutu:tinily
gregation. Last year not Only was the number of gifts given and as even a physician of Dr. .\ronstain's standing ought to know.
We did not say—because not knowing Bergson's motives as inti-
received reduced to an absolute minimum, but practically every-
child who received material tokens had the courage to return them mately as Dr. Aronstani apparently does We had no right to say—

turned over for the relief of Jewish sufferers from the war.

first and above all else. that we' are Americans.

would be superfluous. We trust that the Jews of America are so

intensely American, not only in their acts but in their feelings, in

competent and conscientious men. Fortunately comparatively their aspirations, in their ideals, that to make proclamation of their

Regularly?

JEWISH CALENDAR
5678-1918

5678

1918

Nkan
"

1 Rosh Chodesh—New Moon
Mar. 14
10 Shabbath Hagodol
Mar. 23
15 - 22 Pesach—l'assover
Mar. 28-Apr. 4
30 Roth Chodesh — First Day of New Moon
April 12
Iyar
1 Rosh Chodesh—Second Day of New Moon April 13
18 Lag b'Omer
April 30
Sivas
1 Rosh Chodesh—New Moon
May 12
6-7 Shovuoth—Feast of Weeks
May 17-18
19 Decoration Day
May 30
30 Rosh Chodesh—First Day of New Moon
June 10
Tamuz
1 Roth Chodesh—Second Day of New Moon
June 1 1
17 Shivoh Osor b'Tamuz
June 27
14
24 Independence Day
July
4
1 Rosh Chodesh—New Moon
Ab
July 10
10 Tish'ah b'Ab—Destruction of Jerusalem
July 18
30 Rosh Chodesh—First Day of New Moon
Aug. 8
Ellul
1 Rosh Chodesh—Second Day of New Moon
Aug. 9

5679

Tishri

1 - 2 Rosh Hash - shanah — New Year

Sept. 7-8