PAGE NINE
THE DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE
The Outlook
of Judaism
in America
1 I J111111111 1111111111111
•
The Way to
Consider it as 16,000 Users Rate it—by Perform-
ance and Endurance—Not by its Size and Weight
( • ile Jewish Chronicle is fortunate in having secured from a
number of the members of the Executive Committee of the Central
Judge the Essex
Conference of American Rabbis interviews in regard to the present
outloOk- of • American Jewra;,. • These interviews indicate a spirit of
optimism ()lithe part 41f the leaders in American Israel. To be sure
they are conscious of existing' problems of no mean import, but thee
are unanimous in the feeling that through concerted effort on the
part of the Committee and the pulpit these problems can and will be
solved in due time.—•ditor.)
.
The Awakening in
Jewish Education
s(ptria c at inces
, the inner
reason
;Vet i ' ietv'v.istli ail''
promptings of the soul were hence. ,
forth to fashion or refashion the re-
ligious life and thought of the Jew.
Thus America became for tho. Jew
brought up muter the broadening in-
tluence of modern thought, the land
Congregation B'Nai Yeshurun
of a new departure, of a religious re-
Dayton, Ohio.
form based upon .the principles of
-
The answers to the question, what historical progress and evolution, and
is the outlook of Judaism in America, laying all the stress on the sublime
will be as widely divergent as are the phophetic teaching rather than upon
angles front which the subject may the legalism or the ritualism of the
By Rabbi David Lefkowitz.
be viewed. It would be, it seems, as priestly Torah.
This attitude of Reform Judaism,
foolhardy to give a clean bill of
health to our Judaism in this country which aims at a universalism of re-
as it would be to say that it is dis- ligion which is to enter all men, 1i:-
integrating. The wisest thing to do tions and classes in the belief in the
is to divide the problem and to con- 0 -1'y () Ile God and Father of all, is
et not understood or appreciated
cider the various factors that enter a .; j
into it. by t hose who behold in Judaism a
At the outset let it be sorrowfully n•ere national or racial or narrow
stated that Judaism in America has sectarian concern. They still cling
not experienced the revival and quick- either from religious convict:on,
e surely honor, or from a
ening that we were led to believe the which w
war would bring about to a remark- more secular point of view, wh191 is
able degree. Our young men with in conflict with all that has been
ar experiences have sacred to the Jew of all ages, to l'al-
the soul-stirring w
not seemingly found themselves; at estine as the land of Israel's future.
least we have not found them in the Though they are in the majority at
synagog. They may be coming, but present„ we feel certain that after the
their influence has not yet been ma- Zionist bubble, despite all the dupli-
terially felt. city of its boisterous leaders, has
The reports of the Holy Days seem burst. the fact will be recognized
to prove that the appeal of those has the Reform Judaism in America has
stronger than ever. \V tether proved a conserving force, keeping
IA' a i
more devout the enlightened Jess..within the f o ld
that is indicative of a
spirit in American Israel remains still and continuing the upholding of the
proven. winciple declared by Traverse Her-
to be
a
The spirit of rancor in the various ford to he that of Pharisain, of
divisions of American Israel, so dam- continuous devine revelation in :,ew-
gerous to the health of the congrega- ish history.
In this spirit the leaders and expou-
till of Israel, is gradually decreasing
Knit together as we will have to be tilts of Reform Judaism must ever
for the relief or Jewish communities work and the future will, under God's
•
that have suffered through the war, i•nidanee, be ours.
The Essex has filled a HMV position among
motor ears, and nearly everyone knows it.
that manner, consider the advantages it pos-
At first, before they had seen it outperform
sesses over those other larger ears with which
most every ear, they merely regarded it as it
fine, unusually well- b uilt and finished, light
And then when you have tested the Essex
you have classed it.
Costs Less to Operate
Easier to Handle
weight automobile.
They appreciated its quality construction.
They conceded it a better built car. Still,
because it has man: , details ill eommou with
other similar weight cars, they' could not, at
thf, time, bring themselves to look at it in the
light it is now held by smite 16,000 users.
Thal
You sacrifice hone of the ideasures of motor-
ing because the Essex is no larger than Cars
known as of the light weight type.
But you gain all their advantages. When
riding in the Essex you have no conscious
Put Aside Its Size and Type
Consider Only Performance
feeling that it weighs any less or that it is per-
is what all Essex owners will .tell you
ly ears.
forming any less satisfactory than the big cost-
to do. Do see it with the same expectation
of its Value that you would examine any fine
You sit in as comfortable and upon as richly
upholstered cushions.
quality
You hold no concern as to the endurance
If speed is your requirement see if the Essex
of your ear.,
does not meet it.
If you drive you feel the ease of its opera-
Where luxury and finish are demanded cont.
tion. You learn that the Essex requires little
attention land that it grows in your esteem
Pare the Essex with any ear.
because it so completely meets your motoring
Don't put yourself in the erroneous posi-
needs.
tion of classing it with light cars.
You will place a large car price on the Es-
Expect of the Essex the sante riding quali-
sex if you judge it by performance and dura-
ties—the same performance ability—with a
range of speeds equal to any of such cars as
you consider worth $300 to $500 more.
bility.
•
That is why everyone is so enthusiastic for it.
Bemb-Robinson Company
we may develop sufficient cohesive- _..
ness to keep us front mud slinging
when sincere differences appear. It
is very hopeful for American Judaism
that the Jew is just as responsive non
to the call of the Jewish Relief Com-
mittee as lie was while the war raged.
May that spirit of ready helpfulness
Cincinnati, Ohio.
continue I
To my mind the toast hopeful sign
second answer is that we must work. It must be intensive, reach-
for American Judaism is the awaken-
e are to believe the many
been pos-
claims, and above all, the political My
e s - thropies and Jewish social agencies ' I
begin to think of Judaism not as a ing the unaffiliated men and women
ing that is perceptible on all sides
If we views that h ave een out-
ing
have grown by leaps and bounds., taint have done no little harm. It mere religion, or confession or matter and most of all, untaught children,
for Jewish education. Religious edit- simisti
however, that
These too, witness to the birth of a , appears at present,
cation in American
Israel has ad ;tressed
time in
to America
tinw, the
of belief, but as a scheme of life. He wherever they are to be found.
look of from
Judaism
is dark
A
' most harm has been done itself. But.
new Jewish spirit.
It is one of the great arousing
vanced during the past few years in
we are inclined
this phase of who tells us that Judaism is a way of
I firmly believe that the future of without lingering upon
believing truths and principles and effects of the war, that it has given
leaps and bounds, the curriculum has indeed. If , seriously,
ously. it will to take e
American
Israel
is
full
of
promise
and
I
it,
one
must
confess
that
the
agita-
Jewis
er since be
we
articles of faith, misses its genius. our people a renewed earnestness,
been improved, the teachers are be these view recall
been
country, potency, and that it is destined to tion has been helpful to Judaism at And he who has no better•word for and a more real religious outlook.
ing better prepared, and the education for us t tom
in
sm began `vet
put forth fruits of Jewish life that large. It has caused discussion, it
has been proffered and accepted by journa
giving opportunity for public expres- will compare favorably with and pos- has stimulate(' interest, it has won that genius than that it is a religion, This must be utilized to the utmost,
gathering in
a more diversified class of our people. stoti and discussion of conditions con-
large number of the unaffiliated perverts it, and he does not mend the and made effective for
sibly surpass those of any Jewry in I back a
hosts of Israel to the last indi-
Religious education of a, formal na- fronting Jewry, there have been those
who were drifting away from the matter by repeating his word and the
vidual. We must go forth as mis-
lure is on the way of becoming C011- w ho have asserted that the outlook the world.
fold. It is true it has won them back shouting it. I look for the day when
to our people, and not rest
sinuous; that is not merely for child- touching our faith was anything but
to a false interpretation and a pitiful Rabbis will say, as they should have sionaries
until the spiritual value of our re-
reit up to the Confirmation age but
misconception . , but I have strong said it all along, and as our fathers ligion is made real to every one. It
' decades ago the pages of
mmising
ver
six
have
told
us
plainly
enough
that
through the highs school period and P O
hope that eventually they will see
requires vision and a sense of mis-
on into the adult bible classes, the the American Jewish press were re-
this themselves and then be no less Judaism is the organization of life,
Have not our leaders, lay and
council and temple Sisterhood classes, plete with articles setting forth de -
loyal to a safe and sane and genuine of the life that you and I are trying sion.
clerical, this inspiration?
plorable
conditions
within
the
camp
and the courses prepared by the Je-
conception of the part and purpose hard to live aright, that it is the best
and
ish Chautauqua. We are coming to of Israel. Even before the . Reform
of Judaism, as a purely religious organization of human life and of
appreciate our own spiritual treasures alovement began to make use felt,
missic...., utterly divorced from politi- human association as yet devised by
her
as
being
The
hi
Richmond,
Ye.
in American Israel.
cal aspirations and nationalistic ambi- man, that it is the most efficient, be-
th svnagogs were repor e
i
cause most moral, instance of social
schools
of Jewish
learning
are gong
to feel this
quickening
of interest;
woefully neglected, while the plight
tions.
the "country" few, from a religious
Thus all in all I feel very hopeful law and order among men.
The outlook for Judaism in Amer-
point of view., %vas declared to be well ica is full of hopeful promise. From for Judaism in America, as I firmly
And I have a third thing to say:
if not now, very soon.
This diagnosis may, in certain of nigh hopeless. The cry that Judaistn personal experience and from reports believe that here on this soil of free- If by "outlook" is meant a plan of
Its elements, not square with the is beset with dangers seriously received from various parts of the dom will be worked out, for the happi- action for the maintenance and fur-
Rabbi, Temple Eamon-El,
facts in a special section of Jewry threatening its future is in fact cent- country I know that the recent hall- ness of all mankind, the wonderful therance of the life of the Jewish
San Francisco.
Isere or there in this large country uries old. In every generation there days were genuine revivals. My OW n moral truths. the world-embracing people in this country, I must say,
of ours. It is presented as a sum- have been those who discerned the congregation has the largest enroll- principles of justice and righteous- and I am very earnest, we must give
menace
of
indifference
and
irreligion.
thought
and
sincere
effort
to
educa-
mary of the observations made as
tnent, the largest attendance and the ness as given in the Word of our
American Judaism has many diffi-
they came under the eye of the writer. And yet, Judaism has survived.
greatest enthusiasm ever in its hist- God, and through the inspired visions tion. Education is the only construc- cult problems to face in the immediate
Again today, many a pleader for ore. I believe this was generally the of prophet and sage and law-giver. tive force we have today. And even future; but problems never fright-
Altogether American Judaism is in
a much healthier state than it has the Zionist cause, in order to case throughout the country.
But to use the colloquialism of the of that we have only a small and ened the Jew. In fact, he would not
been for many years; more cohesive. strengthen his arguments in favor of
Several causes have contributed to street—it is up to us to niake this grudged part. I believe that in the feel himself quite normal if he lived
immediate future we shall regret that for any length of time without a
less turbulently radical, more rev- that cause has pictured the future of this. First, the war itself. It is an real, through our own energy and en-
.
erent and very much more energetic, Israel in the diaspora and particularly old story that the war had a tretnend- thusiasm, our loyalty to our faith, we have neglected it and shall sec problem for solution for the well-
in this country in the darkest colors, otis influence upon many people. The and our devotion to the synagogue. that we cannot afford to neglect it being of his people and his relation
living vital.
any longer. The outlook for Jewish to the world and God.
contending that the Jew and Judaism nation found its soul. The sacrifices
education is bright, for we are being
will finally succumb to the forces of that were made, the suffering that
In fact, I should say that the im-
disintegration and assimilation. At was endured had crumbled the crust
undeceived and are facing facts that mediate problem is to make those
the risk of being dubbed a hopeless of skeptic indifference that had en-
are compelling.
who saw and felt no problem to
and possibly dangerous optimist, I closed many a heart during the years
understand that there is a problem.
maintain that indications of strength of plenteous peace and prosperity.
There are two groups at the present
and virility, self respect and of a for- The spiritual exaltation experienced
time who are a menace to our future.
President Hebrew Union College.
ward looking spirit in American Jew- by the men in the trenches and on the
First of all is the group of "don't
ish life, are manifold. The space lim-
the
revelation
of
Cincinnati,
Ohio.
cares." They are so sated with their
It is rather a truism today to itation imposed on this article pre- battlefield was a
own self-esteent and so contented
uda-
power
of
pure
faith,
of
religion
un-
speak of the bright outlook of J
vents a detailed analysis of the situa- adorned. This was felt, perhaps to
with their own well being, materially
As a firm believer in the destiny of
m in America. America has become tion. Suffice it to call attention to the a less degree, but in kindred manner,
speaking, that they have deliberately
like Egypt of yore, the land that feeds fact that even though immigration by
M PLE,
PEOPLE'S TEMPLE,
the folks back home. Despite Israel, I consider its outlook certain.
shut their eyes to the facts of modern
going to say, it is more certain
the inhabitants of the earth on its practically ceased several years ago,
York C ity.
W
N
ew
Jewish life. And if by chance they
whatever disillusionment the months I
abundant produce, and the Jew has there has been a.marvelous growth since the signing of the armistice since the destiny is that of Israel in
admit that all is not well with Jews
proved to be the Joseph whose fore- in the number and activity of Jewish may have brought, there is no doubt America. For America and Israel are
If American Jewry can vision as ev•rywhere —generally speaking, they
sight and generosity has been, and religious institutions. In all parts of
great flood- synonyms as to certainty fur the task clearly the fiery great step to- are too small to think beyond the
a
still is, saving his unfortunate breth- the country, in communities large and that the war caused
have
v been confines of their own community—
tide of spiritual and religious scull- future.
wards achi evment rst will ha
ren from starvation. Devine Provi- small. new and strong congregations
But ii the question: "W hat is the taken. That task, put si
they do not see why, they should
anent
that
has
not
yet
ebbed away.
dence has blessed this modern Joseph have been organized with great rapid- Nor should it be permitted
to do so. I outlook of Judaism in America"
de-
mply,
is
is disturb themselves about such things.
ism.
It to
ert the ew to Juda
with uncommon success and pros- ity. The "country" Jew far from
It is the task of the leaders of mantis what we are likely to do, and conv
J et at it ien d s would call And the second group are the ostrich-
wh
our
Chri
at
was American Jewry to conserve this what we ought to do, so as to ac-
perity, and he has everywhere losing touch with his faith.
which is re- like optimists who unctiously declare
th e "home miss ion" work
as has
throughout the land reared as monu- predicted a half century ago.
make it play its complish &finite results witnbe at quired in every town and city of the that all is well for the Jew in a
ments of his gratitude, magnificent evidenced a new interest in his re- pable emotion and
part in the times of peace. In a next year, then the
world alive with alarms. It is diffi-
ted Sttes.
a
temples in honor of the God of his ligion. We cannot here discuss the measure this has been done by the best merely suggestive. Policy is a Uni
The reli gious aggressiveness of the cult to say which of these groups do
The
matter of discernment and lessee- Jew
fathers and institutions of benevo- reasons for this awakenings
the
has
unfortunately
been
a
minus
the Jew the most harm.
U. A. H. C.,
lence and education of an extent and fact remains that in places where two campaigns of the
Even the most rosy presentation
Centennary Fund, lion.
My answer must be twofold. First quihtity for several generations. We
granduer unattained before. Natur hitherto there was no concern evi- one for the Wise
content with being let of the situation must make due al-
een
b
and the other of the "double your
Jufdaism
have
n a bout
ally the longing of still persecuted denced in our spiritual heritage, there
t top talkpieog
others
alone.
The
Incidentally
wed
mus
lowance
for the obvious facts of the
letting
drive.
Ihey alone and
bership"
ple, as
brethren of the east turn to America is now' a revival of interest. In Jew-
the Jew ish
. i .
result has been most woeful loneliness hour. Our opponents of other faiths
these campaigns were likewise con- an
l.
of
promise
and
oppor-
were
merely
local
and
provincia
ish
college
circles,
where
religious
as the land
tributing causes to the religious re- is curious that we Jews who like to which is the very opposite of Jewish see the disintegration of Jewish re-
tunity. Nor will the twentieth cent- life was conspicuous by its absence,
ligious life. They are prepared to
vival that was made manifest during interpret ourselves and the religion co-operation and co-ordination.
ury close, before the center of gravity and in country towns. where indiffer-
The movement to "double the con- accept us into the bosom of their
is
the holidays. It is only necessary
Which
universal in spirit, lapse,
have
as
of the Jewish population,
ence to matters Jewish was once the
we
by
the
union
of
churches. And mere grandiloquent
should continue to agitate,
gregation" advocated
ere we know it, into the small talk
still in the former l'olish provinces, vogue, the desire to know and be in that we
American Hebrew Congregations, repetition of what we once were
to seek to maintain that interest. It
of sectarianism. We must regain the and eagerly taken up almost every- potent to accomplish will not satisfy
has been transferred to our western touch with Judaism is manifesting
can be done.
sweep of vision and the largeness of where is only a symptom of the our disturbed followers nor quiet the
itself in no uncertain manner. Never
hemisphere.
It would be perhaps unfair not to
conception our fathers had despite
Under such favorable conditions. to m knowledge, has there been such
insidious perverter of Jewish spirit-
mention Zionism. I am strongly their Ghetto limitations. Congrega- awareness of some of our people.
Judaism, too, gould but enter a new
widespread call for religious lead-
The mere adding of names to con- ual idealism. We need a program
opposed to Zionism as it has been tionalism, for instance, the latest of
a y
era of freedom and progress unpre- ership as there is today. Congrega-
gregational rosters and collecting of
propagated by its present leaders. I
(Continued On Page 11.)
cedented and undreamed of The tions throughout the land are seek- believe the rather devious methods our fads in Jewish talk and thought, dues is the external aide of the real
is an instance of our self-restriction.
trammels of medievalism, blind ad- ing capable leaders. We cannot but
the exaggerated
of progaganda,
herence to customs and traditions note also how our Jewish philan-
of by-gone ages, had to be given up,
The Demand for
Jewish Leaders
Main 3786
288-290 Jefferson Ave.
By Rabbi Henry Englander.
The Holidays
as Revivals
Rabbi Edward N. Calisch.
Difficult Problemsof
American Judaism
By Martin A. Meyer.
A Universal Religion
Dr. K. Kohler.
Judaism, a
Scheme of Life
By Dr. Louis Grossman.
The Immediate Task
of the American Jew
Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy.