THE DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE

PAGE FOUR

gogue its silence, Phil tolerantly
masses of coppery hair drawn softly amused, Myra on tiptoe with antici-
back from a broad, low forehead, and
pation, strangely happy . .
a happy, tender light its the blue-
In an incredibly short time they
black eyes.
were standing in front of a beautiful
Their friendship had sped swiftly
gray stone structure.
and surely. Early they had discov-
"Beautiful building, isn't it, Myra?"
ered the congeniality of the tastes.
"It is." fervently, "and to think I've
Their life histories were brief and
similar. Both, orphans, discontented never been lucre before."
"My first offense too," Phil ad-
with the narrowness and monotony of
small-town life, had wandered to the mitted.
city seeking that elusive, tantalizing
They entered quietly. The service
imp, "opportunity." Phil, with a turn was drawing to a close. The last
for mechanics, obtained employment sweet strains of a vaguely familiar
in a machine shop where recognition hymn, sung by a white-shawled, skull-
of merit was rapid. Ile attended a capped choir, found an answering
shafting school three nights a week chord in the girl's heart.
and danced the other four.
The men filed out. The women de-
situation.
Myra had supported herself through scended irons the curtained balcony.
per
year
$2.00
-
-
-
Subscription, in advance
business college working afternoons All made their way to the gymna-
and Saturdays. Now on $211 a week sium, where the Seder was to take
publication, all correspondence and news matter must reach
Long ago, it was predicted by those who had studied the ques- and with her skill in sewing, she al- place.
To insure
that any attempt to create a ways managed to appear very nicely
this office by Tuesday evening of each week.
partisan
standpoint,
Myra and Phil, a little aloof, fol-
tion from a non -
and fashionably clothed. A rather
Editorial Contributor Jewish commonwealth in Palestine would naurally nice with the strenuous life for a girl, but she en- lowed the crowd. Laughing, chatting
-
•
RABBI LEO M. FRANKLIN -
happy groups Of men and women, iso-
most rabid opposition at the hands of those non-Jews who had prior joyed it.
lated couples like themselves, men
Chronicle invites correspondence on subjects of interest to right to the land and who according to the principle of self-deter-
Myra broke the silence..
and women alone, trooped down the
The Jewish
for an indorsement of the
"Do you know . , Phil, dear, that this stairs. Quickly and quietly the vast
mination, were undoubtedly entitled to hold it. Such opinion has
the Jewish people, but disclaims responsibility
an anniversary of our meeting? It
been increasingly' verified by practically all correspondents except is
crowd was seated at long tables
views expressed by the writers.
was just three months ago tonight
decked with snowy cloths, with silver
those whose writings were inspired—not to use a stronger term.
that you asked use to waltz. Do you
that glistened and wineglasses that
Moslems and Christians are aroused over reports that Pelestine will be remember?"
turned over to the Zionist. They are bitterly opposed to a Jewish state in
"Remember? Will I ever forget?" sparkled in the cheerful light.
There is much loose talk both in the pulpit and out of it as to the Palestine and to ass influx of Jews supported by American and European gold.
The two new comers found them-
She laughed. "Now you're joking."
Jews' attitude toward Jesus of Nazareth. Jews, themselves, too fre-
They declare the land belongs to the inhabitants, and invoke the prin- But in her heart of hearts she knew selves at a center table in the midst
of
a strangely cosmopolitan group.
he told the truth and the knowledge
quently indulge in exaggerated eulogies of the man of Nazareth, perhaps ciples of self-determination as propounded by President Wilson.
A plump man of means with gleam-
The Syrians say they are ready to accept a reasonable Jewish immigra- made her glad.
with the idea of catering to their Christian friends or perhaps for the
ing shirt-front and diamond stud
She was silent a moment.
tion and to grant full religious liberty to every one. On the other hand,
purpose of indicating thbir broad-mindedness.
"And do you remember, Phil, how rubbed elbows with an emaciated
they protest against a partition of Syria and declare that the country will
Not the least of the offenders in this regard are some of the Reform be ruined if the Jews get Haifa (in Syria on the bay of Ancre, at the foot I turned back after I had said good- creature in frayed collar and a suit
shiny with innumerable pressings. A
rabbis, who never tire of singing the praises of the Christian Saviour ; of Mount Carmel), and the Armenians get Alexandretta on the gulf of bye, to tell you 1 was Jewish?"
"Funny," she smiled reminiscently. woman with an enviable social posi-
of describing hint as Jesus the Jew and of givinghim rank with the fore- Alexandria.
"I can't explain to this day why 1 did tion in gray taffeta that rustled luxuri-
may
most of our prophets. Of course, such exaggeration serves no good
Aside from any sympathy or lack of sympathy that one
that. I didn't know whether you were ously faced a drab tired business girl
purpose and only tends to befog our attitude toward one whose place in have with the establishment of a Jewish commonwealth in Palestine, Jewish or not, but I just had to tell in unrelieved black—a saleslady, ms-
history no fair-minded man would minimize but whose personality none the protest of the Syrians and others seen, to be well founded. It is you, and somehow . I was so glad questionably, who sought the atmos-
phere of a home denied her on this
quite in line with the situation as described in a recent article by when you said, 'I am too.'"
the less is subject to varied judgments.
"Didn't make use mad either." Ile festive night.
In the light of all this, we cannot hold Ns too strict account the editor Mr. Gibbons to which reference was matte its these columns some laughed. "But really, what difference
Young and old, rich and poor, new-
of a local daily paper, who its advocating the closing of all places of busi- time ago. All in all, the situation in Palestine seems far less promis- does that make? If you had run hack comers, transients, strangers, all of
w h o
ness for three hours on Good Friday, asserts that even the J ews has ing than it did even a short while ago. Let us hope that our and shouted, 'I'm a Portuguese different climes and widely diversified
Zionistic friends have not over-reached themselves and so hurt in- Swede,' do you think I would have interests, yet all united by the bond
deny the deity of Jesus, regard him as the most perfect ma who
of a common belief. a comtnon faith
less?"
ever lived. This is no time to cutter into theological disputations or to stead of helped the Jewish cause which is dear to them as it is to all cared
\ I yra remained silent. His indif- that bridged the gulfs and made
make assertions that may tend' to create bitter feelings between ourselves of us. Whether indeed they have done so, it is likely that the near ference to his faith hurt her. l'hil brethren of all the throng.
was not a scoffer or an unbeliever.
and our good Christian neighbors. But it may in all fairness be said, future will tell.
"Blessed art Thou, 0 Eternal, our
Ills life merely moved its grooves un-
that Jews who are not unacquainted with both the history of Judaism
God, King of the Universe—" the
tenanted by his kinsmen, barren of
opening words of the beautiful Seder
and of Christianity, will not agree to the characterization of Jesus that
synagogues or temples that thrill and
service, chanted in the language of
inspire. Forced through circumstance
has been made in the editorial referred to.
• In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Isaac M. to move in a Christian world,' he his fathers. stirred to its depths the
Jews of the liberal school regard Jesus as a great reformer, the im- \Vise,
twit noteworthy books by American rabbis have appeared in Cin- gradually because accustomed to it heart of the youth who had come to
press of whose character and work is indelibly stamped upon our present cinnati One under the title "Centenary Addresses," is the work of Dr.
and quite content. His pure unrelig- be amused.
lie followed the English translation
day civilization. While they recognize the fact that notch of his teach- David Philipson, for a number of years a colleague of Dr. N sse, an
1 iousness troubled Myra.
ing was essentially Jewish, they would not by any means grant that all the other on "The Aims of the Jewish Religious School," is front the pen ! He read her thoughts. "You're with ass eager interest.
"Blessed art Thou, 0 lord, who
of his doctrines arc consistent with the theological dogmas nor even with of Dr. Louis Grossman, successor of 1)r. \Vise its the pulpit of 11'ne ' ashamed of me, I knoviT, but tell me baths preserved us alive and sustained
how many times have you been to a us." His eyes wandered down the
the ethical principles of Judaism. Moreover, the characterization of
ogtte or a temple since you've
.
Yeshurun Congregation.
Jesus as a perfect man is foreign to the thought habit of the Jew. No
page.
Dr.
Philipson's
book
contains
a
newly
written
estimate
of
the
life
•
bY e i g g here ) "
man perfec-
"Blessed be he who preserved his
man can be perfect. At most, man may strive to ward hu we attribute and work of Dr. Wise, and in addition other addresses written on the
"Not very many times, I'm afraid,
promise Limo Israel."
tried awfully hard. Why,
tion which always falls far short of that perfection which
Ile raised his wineglass to Myra.
occasion of the centenaries of such great Jewish reformers as Samuel hiit I re all
time
,
to Deity. Even the greatest of our teachers is described in the Biblical lloldheins, Abraham Geiger, and Max Lillienthal. Included in the vol- Wile!' 1 tirst came I advertised
An old familiar phrase arose spon-
itoli a
taneously
to his lips.
records as having yielded to the temptation of anger because of which
Ur. Philipson's very notable addresses tinder the title; lantit,ilaygainlitfiutirtiawrreoo:vnassyn
response..
. '1 . .
"Next year—" He stopped and
he was denied entrance into the Land of Promise to whose boundaries um
I
"Israel, the International People," and others of similar tenor. The pub- Girls are a nuisance I know. Then
looked
at
the girl at his side. Her
ns the
he had led his people. The assertion of the editor that in the thought of lication of the book at this time is a fine tribute to the memory of the cause to the League House. I
eyes, black as night, now shone with
only Jewish girl here. On Sunday
Jews, Jesus is of all men, the one perfect one, should serve as a warning
an inward lights. Her sweet, oval face
greatest leader that American Israel has yet produced.
morning when the whole bunch troop
was aglow with a radiance that ema-
to those who speak its the name of the Jew and of Judaism, to be cautious
The same may be said of Dr. Grossman's book. Dr. Grossman has off to church and leave use alone, I
of their words. I.00se statements frequently require explanation, and specialized for many years its religious pedagogy, and his book will no feel so queer here"—she put a hand nates from the soul.
"Next year—in our own home, our
explanations in almost every instance create misunderstandings which doubt be regarded as authoritative on the subject of which it treats. on her heart—"such a lonely, achy own little Jerusalem," he finished.
feeeliog. If 1 only had a Jewish girl
Myra struggled to answer, but the
in the end are difficult to overcome. •
is
a
tremendous
need
in
our
religious
schools
of
proper
guide
friend, or anybody." •
Thk,
"You have me, Myra." 'there was words would not come. There was a
books`both for teachers and pupils, and any carefully written contribu-
lump its her throat, a queer, happy
a note of earnestness its the voice that
lump that she didn't resent.
tion to this field is most acceptable.
the girl.
And suddenly the voice of the old
Another new book that has just made its appearance from the press thrilled
Under this slogan the American people will go forward this week to
"I know, Phil, but you don't care
do what will be perhaps the last bit of work that as civilians they will of the Jewish Publication Society of America is "Jewish Contributions for things Jewish. "She smiled rue- rabbi, chanting the story of the De-
liverance, because blurred to the youth
be called upon to do for winning the war. It would be a bit of superero- to Civilizsstion--An Estimate," by Joseph Jacobs. \\'e have not yet had fully. "You're worse than I am."
Phil laughed. "lint that has nothing who had grown content to move in a
gation on our part were we to surge the people of Detroit, and particu- the privilege of reading the book, which has just come to our desk, but
Christian world. The faces of those
tly it glance at its table of contents and a knowledge of the character of to do with going to the dance to- about him, strangers, believers and
larly the readers of this paper, to come forward generously and promp
ith Dr. Jacobs' work is sufficient guarantee that the book is one that is well night. thistle up, dear."
Nlyra ran up to the little room that unbelievers, all bound irrevocably by
with their subscriptions to the Victory Loan. Patriotism combines w
a common past, and vague and indef-
considerations of business advantage to surge the people of this country worth careful and conscientious reading. .\ further review of the book was home to her to get her wraps. inite as it might be, a comnum fu-
That lonely, achy feeling was in her
not to be laggard in the response that they will make at this im
te to the will be given its these columns hereafter.
ture—faded from his vision.
heart again.
He was a little boy again in a stiff,
A few weeks later, just as Phil was
appeal of our government.
great adventure
.
about to leave for his drafting class, Blister Brown •collar and a brown
At no single stage in the process of carrying on the
velvet suit. He was at another Seder.
the phone rang long and clainour-
to its successful conclusion has the American people fallen down. And
ously. He answered a little Out of His own grandfather. a regal figure
it will not fail now. Still, we must be warned not to give car to the fool-
humor. It was late and he was anx- enthroned on white pillows and clad
sensing the situation, feel that
in a long, snowy robe and skull cap,
ish ratings of those who, not properly
into to solve a problem that was
presided, his father beside him, his
because here and there there has been apparent waste or extravagance
troubling him.
dear mother, rosy with happiness,
"Hello!"
he
said.
on the part of the government, the people should not be called upon to
opposite. He felt again the thrill of
"Hello!"
pay the bills. Let it be said again, as it has been said many times before
joyous
sanctity, the feeling of unusual
The voice at the other end of the
cleanliness—the smells of the herbs,
that the wonder is not that so many mistakes were made in the conduct
line was sweetly familiar.
(Continued irons page one)
With
the
taste
of the w ine. Again he could
of the war, but that it was accomplished with so few errors and
"'this is Myra, Phil; Ins so glad I
them. For an instant she was forced
see his grandfather standing at the
found you home."
comparatively little waste of energy, of money and of life. After mouth, that was reassuring. With all
head
of
the
table, wineglass in one
Such
has a stranger's curiosity she wondered into his arms. Her eyes. black now
"Why, 'Myra," Phil's voice vibrated
where he came from, this dapper and di.tended, were looking directly with happiness. " \\hat an unexpected hand, open Magadan its another, wel-
all, every red-blooded American must realize this. The government do
done its share. The boys in the camps and on the battlefields have ne young man who was a laborer, this 11110 his own. Her mouth trembled pleasure, you don't call site often."
coming the Prophet Elijah. Again
their share. Now it is up to us. Let us during this Victory Loan finish sleek-haired dandy who seemed such with some inward emotion. She re-
"Myra's voice, breathless and hur- he was that proud little boy who was
privileged to usher in the Angel of
leased
herself
with
difficulty
and
held
a slimily fellow.
ried. interrupted.
the job.
"Phil, dear, I want you to come Redemption.
The orchestra started up a lively out her hand.
Ile awoke from his reverie wills a
"I am Jewish," she finished simply. over right away. \\'e're going out
fox-trot.
start. \\hat had become of that little
His answering clasp hurt.
this evening."
rabbis of Americus received on the first day of Passover from
' \Vitt you try this?" I'hil asked
boy
of long ago? How indifferent he
"So am I," he said.
"Why, girlie, nothing more serious
Mr. Felix NI. Warburg, Chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee hopefully.
They stood still a moment amidst than that?" He hesitated a moment. had become, how estranged and
"I
would
yra
shook
her
head.
M
of American Funds fur Jewish War Sufferers, the following telegram,
alienated.
love to, but I'm terribly tired, and be- the moving, swaying mass, looking "I intended to go to school tonight.
The rabbi was
Ile looked tip.
Which is self-explanatory, and which tells something of the weight of sides it is getting late."
stea d ily. unsmilingly into each other's I've been working on a problem that
standing at she head of the table,
if
solved
will
make
a
lot
of
wonder-
eyes.
She
was
gone
again.
woe that rests upon the shoulders of our stricken co-religionists in the
" \\'0ffit you sit it out wills me?"
wineglass
in
one
hand,
open Magadan
To Phil Hart, standing where she ful things possible for vou and me."
war devastated countries abroad. 'Clue message reads:
eagerly.
"I know, l'hil, and.., know you'll in the other.
left him, the music seemed suddenly
"Our representatives now abroad send this Passover message to you.
- I'm awfully sorry. but the girls
"M ay the Lord, who is nsost mer-
sweeter, the lights softer and prettier. solve your problem; but you must
Conditions every while appalling beyond description. Bogen says lw sees are ,waiting for lie. It's after eleven,
the world somehow a wondrously come right away. W'e're going to a ciful," he prayed, "send us Elijah of
daily scenes in Poland so awful he cannot sleep. Children begging !sinfully and tomorrow's a labor day for me,
blessed memory, to bring us good
Community
Seder
tonight
at
the
Beth
beautiful place to live in.
babies in their arms. Men in rags too.
tidings."
or bread. Women carrying emaciated ,
The girl, not so young, in the cling- Abraham Synagogue. Tomorrow is
Goldman cables from Serbia
"Can't I see you home then?"
The indifferent one raised his brim-
wandering aimlessly. Typhus raging. Miss H.
the first day of l'assover."
She shook her bead. "No, I— we- ing jersey dress moved on.
and Greece thousands without housing, clothing and medical care. Rabbi
ming wineglass and drank. Some-
He listened wonderingly.
Teitelbaum wires from Constantinople one-third Jewish people have only ns, girls of the house always go home
thing
new and warn' surged its his
"Community Seder, Passover!
ia, says
Three months later. on the very an-
110 W in Czeho-Slovakde mo
together.
heart. A feeling of kinship, of love,
What's the big idea, dear?"
food from our soup kitchens. It. G. Alsberg,
re
niversary
of
their
meeting,
found
Phil
He pleaded desperately. "Not this
food conditions frightful. Plight of Jews its Bohemia and Moravia ma
"Don't question me, Phil. I read it of need for his brethren in Israel—
f rom
Hart sitting in the chilly parlor of the
one time, please."
terrible by race prejudice. We are receiving splendid co-operation P
in the paper this morning. It's a the strangely cosmopolitan family
ar ,
"League House," operated under the
"No, really, I can't. Good-bye."
Herbert Hoover's Food Commission. Lewis Strauss, Isis secretary, is
Seder
given for people without home about him, symbolic of his artificial
s dollars'
She was gone, her slim erect figure supervision of the Women's Civic affiliations, for strangers like our- dispersion and his innate natural unity
giving indefatigable help. bliss Lowenstein arranged half milffist
Polan
Betterment Society, within the ghastly
worth purchase from army and navy surplus to supply clothing. d sent sw allowed 111 1 he crowd.
selves, for transients passing through. —stirred in his soul.
Phil took an involuntary step for- radiance of the greets-shaded parlor
He turned to the radiant girl at
this week half million dollars and are nearing limit. More money must be
" \VIsy, really, Myra—'
forthcoming if thousands are not to perish. Please transnsit this message to ward. An outstretched hand groping lamp, on a stiff-backed chair that im-
"Please, Phil, come over right away. Ilk side.
"Myra, darling," he whispered.
fur the girl who had waltzed so di- pudently defied repose, listening to a I want to go and I can't go alone.
your congregation."
record of a religious nature Won't you come, Phil?" There was There was a note in Isis voice she had
\Vhile we its Detroit have contributed very generously to this fund vinely pawed the empty air. He broken
masses. that reminded one unpleasantly of a trace of tears its the voice that lie never heard before..
through our Detroit Patriotic Fund, there must surely be many in this stood still amidst the moving
a sinful world.
"Myra, I'm going to knock off a
A girl not so young in a clinging jer- damp pews and
could not resist.
lint Phil was quite happy. Mira
great community who have not yet dime their share. Perhaps there are sey dress smiled invitingly into his
He
"Of course I will, dear; I'll be right day tomorrowl You too, dear.
those who at the tissue collections were made for the Detroit l'atriotic eyes. But he did not heed tier. lie was near, Myra with a dress of some over, though I know we'll both be pressed her hand under cover of the
dark
stuff
that
clung
lovingly
to
her
give. Perhaps there Were those WhO Were was looking again into a pair of blue- lender frame and a snowy frill around terribly bored." snowy cloth. "We're both going to
Fossil Were not in position to
They rude the distance to the syna- Schul."
absent from the city at the time.. Perhaps there were those who did not black eyes almost on a level with his her slim throat. Myra with the
own. Again he could feel the con-
sense the tremendous need for generous giving. If any such there be tact, light as air, of the slender body,
to whose attention these words may be called, will they not feel it their the smooth cheek brushing his own.
duty during this Passover season, to do their share toward breaking the :Mechanically he reached for his
plight is so pathetically described check. He was going home. It
chains of suffering from those Nvhose
would be sacrilege to dance with an-
in Mr. \Varburg's telegram?
How can we with Joyful hearts sing a song of gladness on our other.
Myra!Myra! \\hat a sweet name.
have not clone all that in
A sudden thought brought anguish.
Festival of Freedom when we know that We
us lies to set free those hundreds of thousands whose chains none can He didn't know her last name, her
address, where she worked, nothing
break save their more fortunate brethren in America?
except that her first name was Myra,
that she was the sweetest, dearest
girl—
A slim, graceful body darted swiftly
Nut by any means the least important of the actions taken by the
through the throng. A slender hand
Be Independent
For the Wife and Kiddies
Central Conference of American Rabbis at its recent meeting was the brushed his sleeve. A breathless
appointment of a committee to work out a standardized curriculum for young voice stirred his numbed
the Jewish religious schools of this country. Any one who is closely senses.
BUILD
She spoke hurriedly, unevenly.
. NOW
in touch with the religious school situation knows that, with the excep-
NOW I.
"Myra Kanter is my !lame. I work
tion of the larger cominunities, the teaching is wholly inadequate—not
at Smith, Dewey & Porter's in the
merely because of a lack of properly trained teachers nor yet only for Olds Building. I live at 400 Elm
the want of proper equipment but quite as much because any standard- Street."
The music crashed. Another dance
ized curriculum has up to this time been wanting.
Each rabbi has worked out his plan in his own way with the result was over. The crowds pouring out
of the dance-hall closed in about

sea when he enters upon his work, where subject of study and the
method of presentation is altogether foreign to anything that he has
encountered heretofore. Steps are also being taken by the Conference
MICHIGAN'S JEWISH HOME PUBLICATION
a definite minimum of
to arrange for teachers' courses and to require
Pdblished Weekly by The Jewish Chronicle Publishing Co.. Inc.
knowledge for the Sabbath School teacher. Even in the larger cities
frequently so inade-
President the teachers in the Jewish religious schools are
-
-
failure to interest
JOSEPH I. CUMMINS
Secretarv-Treasurer quately prepared for their responsible tasks that their
NATHAN J. GOULD -
the children entrusted to their care is not at all surprising.
If the Jew is to remain loyal to his faith, he insist know what that
Entered as second-class matter March 3, 1916, at t he Postoffice at Detroit,
faith stands fur today and what it has stood fur through all the ages.
Mich., under the Act of March 3 , 1879.
put upon
This can be accomplished only if the Jewish religious school is
a proper basis of efficiency. 'Flue rabbis of America are keenly awake
Offices 307-308 Peter Smith Bldg., Detroit, Mich.
to this fact and they arc doing what in theist lies to meet the crucial
Telephone Cherry 3381

THE DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE

A Natural Protest

The Jew and Jesus.

•
New Books of Jewish Interest.

We'll Finish the Job.

"COMEBACKS"

An Unhappy Passover.Message.

'Flue

'f

Standardizing Religious Education.

SAVE RENT
SECURE COMFORT

LEEI

that a child going from one city to another finds himself hopelessly at

A SAFE INVESTMENT
GROWING IN VALUE

Ltriorlz_cep= fat3 BUY

