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PAGE FOUR

nor a

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Tishri 12, 5685

October 10, 1924

When a Jewish Hospital?

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attitude or with the comfort and peace philosophy, sus-
taining ourselves with the feeling that once upon a time
our ancestors were a force in the world. Such an ex-
istence is purely parasitic and is hardly calculated to
impress those who ask for present works and not past
achievements.
The first step in militant Judaism is the proper
evaluation of the Gentile world, and that is being done
by many who will have none of the tolerance attitude.
Wherein is the Gentile philosophy of life, Gentile mor-
ality and Gentile idealism superior to the Judaic? No
longer must we defend Judaism but the Gentile world
must be examined and must be subjected to the most
thoroughgoing criticism.
Militant Judaism asks more of the world than mere
permission to exist. It says that it has a contribution
to make to world culture and is ready to meet all con-
tending philosophies of life. If Judaism is to become
a factor in world thought and advancement it must
have a genuine pride and belief in itself and must ex-
press that pride and belief with all the militancy and
conviction it possesses. Judaism has never been defeat-
est in its outlook even though for ages it was not active
and militant,
In this age and in this country defeatism has scant
chance of survival, The high spirit of militant Juda-
ism should flourish and quicken the whole mass of the
people. The opportunities for Jewish influence have
never been greater in the whole history of the race and
we have the conviction that they will be used to the
greatest advantage.

The city of Pittsburgh, with a population only half
as large as Detroit, has had a Jewish hospital, the
Montefiore, for more than 10 years. The Montefiore
was a very modest undertaking, but it bespoke a civic
interest that reflected credit upon Jewish communal
leaders. Now they have outgrown their present quar-
ters and have undertaken to build a hospital to cost
$1,500,000. This new hospital will compare favorably
with any hospital in the city of Pittsburgh.
The Jewish physicians and the Jewish patients
need no arguments to convince them of the need of a
Jewish hospital in any large city in America. The same
reasons which are persuasive in Pittsburgh are strong-
er in a city like Detroit, but to date nothing has been
done in a constructive way by Detroit Jewry to bring
a Jewish hospital into being.
The Bureau of Jewish Social Research urged the
building of a Jewish hospital. Their report showed an
under-hospitalization that actually menaced the health
of the city. That report was read at a meeting more
than six months ago, heads were wagged, perhaps
many resolved to do something, but nothing definite
and concrete has been done to build this much needed
institution.
The hospital as a material thing is of little signifi-
cance, but there is the spirit of communal and civic
interest behind it which is of much larger significance.
The Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh means that the
Jews are not only living in the community but are of
it. They have taken their place as an integrated fac-
tor, self-centered and reliant, prepared to minister to
the needs of the sick as well as to the educational and
spiritual needs of the well.
We in Detroit have a sound excuse to offer for the
lack of a Jewish hospital. The Jewish community has
grown to its present bigness in the last 15 years and
many are strangers who have not yet learned to co-
operate in communal undertakings. However, the
apology which sufficed in the past cannot be used much
longer. The Jewish comunity is large enough ; a suf-
ficient number have been closely knit in various under-
takings ; leadership has been recognized and establish-
ed and all that is now needed is the realization that
the Jews of Detroit not only live in Detroit but are of
Detroit.
The New Year is a most opportune time to make
the definite resolve to begin work in earnest so that
Detroit be placed on the map of Jewish cities in Amer-
ica that have attained their majority. We cannot much
longer shirk the responsibilities which are imposed up-
on us. We can establish our right to recognition and
respect in the community when we participate in the
varied activities of the community and share the bur-
den, not only in terms of money, but in terms of co-
operative effort and civic helpfulness.

Nt.vtir .•Nt ••• • 4 .1 ■ 1

ProgreFs In the Y. M. H. A. Movement

By E. J. LONDOW,

Field Secretary, Jewish Welfare Board.

Ceseatiee •

W 11ETIIER the observance of the
Jewish high holy days repre-
sents an intense inner feeling on the
part of the Jews of America or
whether it has become a superficial
demonstration induced by habit or so-
cial pressure, the tact nevertheless
stands out that the withdrawal of
Jews from the marts of trade and in-
dustry on Rosh Ilashonah and Yom
Kippur constitutes an impressive in-
cident in the general life of the coun-
try. In New York and in the other
great cities where large numbers of
Jews live the absence of Jewish work-
em and business men from their
wonted places in factory, shop and
ace is visibly felt. In New York,
for example, the effect is so striking
as to cause an impression as of a
mighty giant held in subjection by
magic sleep.
There is something heartening in
the conspicuousness of the absence of
the Jew, on these sacred days, from
the complex life i nto which he has
been so inextricably woven. Be the
attitude of the Christian majority to-
ward the Jew what it may, the startl-
ingly insistent part in which the Jew
plays in the workaday concerns of
the community suggests that he is in
American life—business, industrial
and professional—to stay.

This Must End.

Compensation.

According to a report from Ottawa, Canada, five
aliens who were being smuggled into this country were
killed by bandits and their bodies thrown into the river.
We have become accustomed to prohibition violators
being robbed and even murdered by bandits and gang-
sters. These affairs are usually of a feudist character.
But the case of these poor benighted aliens really
arouses our sympathies.
It is sufficiently tragic to be excluded from a coun-
try. Add to this the danger of crossing a river at night
constantly beset by fear of detection and arrest. If this
picture of misery is not complete, it is completed by
bandits who prey upon these aliens and, if they resist,
are knocked on the head and thrown into the river.
The smuggling of aliens must be stopped by the
authorities if such outrages are to end. Surely the Ca-
nadian, Mexican and American governments can reach
some agreement on the subject. It makes very little
difference whether one bootlegger profits from the il-
legal sale of whiskey or another does. but it is a mat-
ter of genuine concern to every socially conscious and
law-abiding citizen to prevent the murder of poor, ig-
norant aliens who are more often the victims of greedy
smugglers than conscious law-breakers.
These questions of prohibition and immigration can-
not be solved by a panacea, but we believe sincerely
that the governments concerned can put a stop to smug-
gling of aliens and can certainly prevent bandits from
committing murder with a wantonness surpassing any-
thing which has come to our notice.
The men of good will and sympathetic understand-
ing in the immigration department should investigate
these reports and act with such despatch that the rivers
will be freed from such vermin at once.

Do We Thrive On Prejudice?

/. - 1%, • /,s

IIE notion that sorrows occasion-
'. ally are blessings in disguise has
become a threadbare truism. But in-
frequent is the circumstance which
proves the beneficent outcome of that
which in the beginning brought trag-
edy and suffering. The enforced wan-
derings of the Jews have been de-
scribed as perhaps the most poignant
tragedies in history. Nevertheless, aa::
Professor Kulisher points out, the
far-flung dispersion which resulted
from the expulsion of the Jews from
this country and that made it pos-
sible for Jews, who in a later day
were called upon to leave their na-
tive heaths, to find shelter and hos-
pitality amid their own co-religionists
in strange lands. Whereas other races
succumbed to extinction in the course
of attempts to adjust themselves in
new countries after famine or defeat
made it necessary for them to secure
new settlements, the Jews who fled
from one country to another invariab-
ly found themselves the guests of
their brethren who had already
habituated themselves into the life of
their surroundings.

been instrumental in securing and
equipping center workers.
Directly and indirectly the beard
has been drawing en ever-inereasa y
number of more mature men oil
women into the active direction of as-
sedation affairs. This brief sketch of
the Jewish Welfare Board program in
relation to the community center
movement is given as an indication of
the line upon which the centers
progressing. Once sufficient resoun
are placed in the hands of the boa el
an acceleration of this progress may
be confidently expected. But this h
not the place to discuss at length the
program of the Y. N. II. A. Some-
thing should be said here, however, of
the effect of growth upon the ideolsee
of the center. In the constitution ,;(
many an association its purpose %tie
stated "to be the physical, mental and
moral development of its members."
The Y. Pt. ('. A. program of mind,
body and soul culture had evidently
been noted. But, as pointed out above,
lock of equipment and limitations of
leadership prevented the program of
the Y. M. II. A. from conforming lit-
erally to these high objects.
Becoming • Center.
Today the Y. M. II. A., if not in
name, certainly in purpose, is ap-
proaching the conception of the cen-
ter. It seeks not individual improve-
ment alone but the cultivation of com-
munity life as well. Its philosophy, al-
though not static, since the center -
a product of life—is itself a prwe,,
is becoming clearer and cleareeltreal-
ly speaking the center takes a corners-
hensive view of Judaism and Jeeish-
ness. It presupposes that there is a
Jewish group without entering into
the debate as to whether this group is
cultural, ethnic or national. It pre-
supposes further that this group has
a right to exist not merely because the
life principle and self-respect call for
such existence but because, in ed.
dition, it is of actual and patented
value to the world at large. It belie,
that there are within the Jewish
group talents, and other cultural
forces capable of enriching civilization
in a distinctive way. This contribu-
tion will not be and need not be neces-
sarily exclusively religious in the
restricted view of religion, since Jew-
iehness finds expression in many
ways. The center is concerned with
a healthy normal Jewish life as ex-
The difficulties under which they la-
pressed in art and in ethnics, with the
bored were real and serious. Their
body as well as with the soul, with
quarters were frequently not their
beauty as well as with truth.
own, and small. In planning and exe-
Because of this catholic view of
cuting their program they were en-
Jewish identity the center asks ne
tirely dependent upon volunteer effort.
question as to what synagogue com-
Activities limited by space and
mands the loyalty of any member. it is
meager conceptions could not attract
association with the center reelies
and hold large memberships and per-
that he regard himself a Jew and
manent interest. With intermittent
work for the preservation of Jewish
success they continued the struggle,
identity. The center therefore sue-
and inspired by the success which the
ceeds in being a common meeting
associations were having in New York
ground of those who differ in opinion
and Louisville. for instance, they kept
and in status. In many instances it
the faith and awaited the day when
has actually brought together various
from their humble beginnings they
elements.
would emerge into the light of full
Future of Jewish Center.
The Jewish center opens a possibil-
realisation
When a reckoning will be made of
ity of Jews in America living a Jew-
the history of the Jewish center move-
ish life naturally and healthfully, with
ment no little place will be assigned
dignity and self-respect. It cannot
to the leading spirits of these groups.
and will rot be a substitute for the
The significance of their faith and et.
home and synagogue but it is in a pos-
fort could not but impress itself in
ition to bring the hest influences of
the course of time upon the general
these institutions to hear upon the
public. Gradually the interest of the
center, and in turn, to equip its mem-
more mature and influential citizens
bers for a more conscious and more
began to manifest itself. More and
effective membership in these and our
more of them began to consider ser-
other sacred agencies.
iously the need of young people for
Democratic in spirit and American
wholesome recreation and the mani-
in origin and operation, the -enter
fold problems which arise in the ad-
promises to be an important factor in
justment of the Jew to his environ-
creating a finer Jewish life in Amer-
ment. Nationally this interest took
ica. For those who have eyes to see
term in the creation of the Council of
Jewish life is astir in spite of the tre-
Young Men's Hebrew and Kindred
mendous difficulties which modern
Associations, for the purpose of stim-
problems have created for our people.
ulating and directing the activities of
There is an apparent growth of Jew-
ish consciousness. Forces are begin.
these associations.
ning to make themselves felt more and
Jewish Welfare Board.
more for our re-invigoration. What-
Although modestly equipped the
ever may be the character of Jeweh
ceuneil in the brief period of its ex-
life in the future, the Jewish center
istence significantly pointed out the
will undoubtedly occupy an increas-
advantages of co-ordination and guid-
ingly large proportion of Jewish ac-
ance upon a national basis. The mer-
tivities. No one who wishes to tithe
ger of the council and the Jewish Wel-
part in the direction of Judaism in
fare Board in 1921 resulted strikingly
America can ignore the center awe-
in the expansion of the Jewish center
!tient. Communities which have est
field. The Jewish Welfare Board has
made provision for the education and
since the consolidation conducted cam-
recreation of their young people up e
paigns for new buildings and raised
a
democratic and community-wide bn,-
the substantial sum of $2,750,000, as
is may in the course of time he cla-s-
that today 91 constituent associations
eel as backward and unprogressive.
have their own buildings. The board
No matter how much money they mats
has given expert advice in the plan-
spend to house the orphans and Pet
ning of buildings, equipment and bud-
aged, no matter how much en
gets. It has made educational and
they may display in those broken nt
recreational studies preliminary to
the wheel of fortune, they will be un-
community action. It has been con-
just to themselves unless they create
stantly at the service of the centers in
the facilities whereby the energies of
the organization of their programs
their children can be directed for the
and in furnishing material for various
common good. The achievements ef
types of activities. For direct contact
the Y. M. 11. A. or the Jewish center
it maintains a corp of field secretaries.
life
speak prophetically of a Jewish
For the manning of executive posi-
contributing richly and beautifully to
lions locally the board has conducted
the civilization of our country.
training courses and has otherwise

The anniversary celebration of the
Young Men's Hebrew Association of
Manhattan last March impressively
recorded the fact that the association
movement has been before the public
half a century. Almost simultaneous-
ly groups of seeing men banded to-
gether in New York and Philadelphia
"for the pursuit of American and
Jewish cultural subjects," as Oscar
Straus, one of the founders of the
New York organization, explained in
a recent interview. Many years fol-
lowed the modest inception of these
societies before they were properly
housed and reached the extraordinary
significance of their present careers.
The building now occupied by the Y.
M. IL A. of New York was not se-
cured until a quarter of a century
ago and the new structure in Phila-
delphia is just being made ready for
occupancy. Among the oiler associa-
tions are those of Louisville and New
Orleans, founded 35 years ago.
A study of association history shows
that the majority of these organiza-
tions came into being within the past
15 years. flow spontaneous and wide-
spread the movement has been can be
seen from the fact that at present
there are 331 associations and similar
organizations coming under the pur-
view of the national agency, the Jew-
ish Welfare Board. The founders of
these associations were for the most
part young men and women who, like
their pioneer predecessors in New
York, could not find themselves spirit-
ually at home in the Y. M. C. A. Fol-
lowing the tendency toward organiza-
tion no characteristic of America they
formed these Jewish clubs principally
to afford opportunities for the social
life. Environmental conditions and
inward prompting were not always ac-
companied by a definite conception of
ultimate objectives, but the important
thing is that organizatons were cre-
ated with a tendency which has proven
permanent. The ambition of these
young people in furthering their cause
is noteworthy. They labored in their
own et mmunities and then proceeded
with a missionary spirit to the estab ,
Bahr:tent of associations away from
home and to the formation of region-
al groups, such as federations, for the
purpose of carrying on inter-associa-
tional activities.
Beginnings Small.

Monument.

MERICAN Jews who were born i n
A Poland have determined upon
plans to erect a monument to Ham
Salomon, the American patriot who
gave liberally to the funds which en-
abled the Revolutionary force ,: to
achieve victory. The stbry of Ilaym
Salomon o common property. Ile was
on intimate terms with George Wash-
ington, Itobert Norris and many of
the important figures in the American
Army. Periodically he made loans to
the provisional government, the total
of which mounted up to a sum which
in the latter part of the eighteenth
century was accounted a fortune.
However, the money wits not repaid.
To this day, Congress has failed to
honor an indebtedness which it is
obliged to clear even though a cen-
tury and a halt have intervened.
The plan of the Union of Polish
Jews of the United States to honor
the memory of Salomon, who was
born in Poland in 1740, is commend-
able, But here is one man whom the
Jews of America, regardless of
whether they are native or foreign-
born. whether of Polish, German or
Russian Jewish extraction, should
honor in a concerted, not a partisan
manner.

Anita Brenner, writing in the Nation on the Jews in
Mexico, states a position with such positivity that one
is perforce compelled to lend an ear, even if it be an
unwilling one. In the course of an article decidedly
refreshing and sanguine, she says:
"It is practically an historical axiom that the Jew
Militant Judaism.
Maurice Samuels strikes a new and withal encour- thrives on prejudice, on persecution ; tolerated, he loses
aging note in his latest book, "You Gentiles." Ameri- the intensity of his race consciousness, tends to dissem-
inate and assimilate. But in Mexico the assimilation
can Jewry, attacked and criticised both within and
without, has been thoroughly tested in the last decade. of the Jew is more than a tendency, it is the key of his
The anti-Semitic attacks with their poisoned screeds future in the new land. Not only does the Jewish tra-
Race..
dition of race struggle—if one may put it so—against
E shall not concern ourselves
touched the soul of Jewry even less than the self-criti-
a
wholly
unexpected
tolerance
;
it
is
completely
dis-
with the various stirring races
cism from within. Hanch, Paunch and Jowl penetra-
that fascinate the public mind—the
deeply and nothing was more convincing of its concerted, undermined, by the Mexican attitude of in- race for tit Presidency, for suprem-
S ted
truth than the numerous protests which it called forth. difference and, somehow, there hardly seems any point acy in the field of the national game
in the nines that attract men and
Jewish leaders may try to hush and conceal, thinking in being a Jew and declaring so passionately when no or
women by the thousands to the vari-
thus to dissipate the facts, but our critical Gentile one prohibits it. The whole procedure becomes a little ous arenas in which fast-galloping
horses strain the utmost of their
friends and embittered anti-Semitic enemies will shout ridiculous.
"While the easterners have made no attempt to pre- strength to reach the goal first. We
these things from the house-tops, making our attempts
shall refer to the race to which Rabbi
at concealment more hurtful and ridiculous. It were serve their race individuality—they have a synagogue, Ilershman refers when he speaks of
rabbis,
a
Hebrew
school—the
attempt
takes
on
a
char-
the race—a momentous contest—be-
much better that one of our own laid bare the corrup-
a broken backbone and tween assimilation and Jewish edu-
tion and rottenness which did prevail and does prevail acter of pathos. Their zeal has
cation, which he parallels to the race
brought to the world's attention by
in some of the larger centers of Jewish population and their struggles are fruitless."
We are not prepared to say how accurate and ob- II. G. Wells, the race between catas-
it is much better for our own salvation to recognize the
trophe and education.
truths and proceed to correct the abuses and differ- jective the findings are, or how much the preconception
One may not agree that catas-
and wishes of Anita Brenner have colored her conclu- trophe
of a swift and overwhelming
ences.
sions,
but
in
any
event
she
makes
very
serious
charges
kind is imminent or that education,
Did anybody with understanding imagine that the
in
a
general
sense, is being neglected.
against Judaism as a mode and philosophy of life.
denial of the facts revealed in Haunch, Paunch and
Education in modern countries is be-
Place Judaism in a friendly environment and presto! ing given increasingly greater es:The-
Jowl convinced anybody or did these same hushers
it disappears. It has no vitality of its own; its forms Bi,9, and although the schools and uni-
and hiders imagine that their protests made the ugly
can be rubbed away with the first touches of tolerance; versities in European lands are suf-
facts more palatable? The Jew in America was af- its culture has no comparative strength. All this is re- fering as a result of the general im-
poverishment, the approach of nor-
was
the
Gentile.
as
fected in much the same manner
mal conditions in Germany, France,
The Jew has no monopoly on vice or corruption, ma- ally difficult to accept.
Austria and in Europe gen-
The logical inference drawn from her position is Poland,
terialism or ostentation, any more than he has a monop- not at all palatable: Our identity can only be preserv- erally will witness a wider diffusion
of educational effort. It is not so
oly on virtue or idealism. Starting from this premise,
ed by prejudice, hatred and discrimination. We have much a question of how much edu-
backed by the conviction that Judaism as a philosophy no authentic existence unless we are constantly irri- cation as of what kind of education
the coming generation will receive.
of life has a place it follows that militant Judaism must tated and prodden by the outside hostile world. We
In Jewish life, however, the race is
between the assimilation
emerge.
unhesitatingly say that if Judaism must be preserved definitely
which ignorance brings in its train
As a tendency "You Gentiles" marks the end of the
and the moral and spiritual strength
sufferance attitude of the Jew. Up to the present we at the price of persecution and hatred it were much
hon- better that it disappear from the face of the earth. and cultural and religious persistence
were more than pleased if the Gentile paid us a
which Jewish knowledge holds in
do
know
there
is
a
distinctive
wisdom,
culture
store. The race between Jewish edu-
eyed compliment, not for something which we did, but But we
for something that our prophets and sages did ages ago. and religion which Judaism has contributed to the ctaion and assimilation is more swift
world which persists despite persecution or the ab- than most people think and from the
When we spoke defensively about our pride in being
standpoint of its effect upon the Jews
s'
and upon the world is one of breath-
Jews it was never a voluntary and spontaneous pride sence of it.
If we were to hazard a guess to explain the absence less import.
but one evoked only when some suspected or open in- of Judaism in Mexico we would say that the Jews of
salt It was
offered.
Adviser.
may
well be asked at this time, What are the Mexico have a very defective and inadequate know-
R. HENRY MOSKOWITZ, social
fruits of the sufferance and comfort attitudes? The ledge of Judaism. Their commercial equipment is
worker, reformer and communal
apologetic and sufferance attitude which characterized far superior to their spiritual. They do not have a worker, is one of the men closest to
t added much Judaism with which they oppose Mexican culture, or Governor Smith of New York. Ile it
ghettos
has
the Jews of European
is who advises the governor on ma-
luster to the history of Judaism. The culture of Ghet- with which they can make comparisons.
of social
problems aggera
American Jews in the United States are faced with t ers re lating is to not
an exti on
t wo elfa re. It
life did not influence European affairs. Among our
to
the identical possibilities as those with which they are
say that the bulk of social legiSla-
people there was a Talmudic inbreeding, but it gave
admilis-
which marked the
rise to little originality or to works which touched the confronted in Mexico. We can hardly feel compli-
two is to be
tion
Mat i ons of Govern or Sm
outside world. Judaism as a world force was negli- mented because our existence is made possible by anti-
el
ut ed to the couns
o ib tza
er
Semitism and discrimination. Judaism can be kept v
who
e h obefore
o rr.Mir-
was Belle Lindner, • for c e-
at best.
gible Even
less can be said for the comfort and peace alive not by persecution, but by the dissemination of marriage
ful advcate
of measures promoting
o
philosophy which so many are happy to embrace. We literature and philosophy and by an understanding of
the welfare of women and girls along
industrial and recreational lines,
may retain our identity as Jews with the sufferance the religious conceptions of Judaism.

4

W

Succoth

What offerings can we bring Thee, Lord?
Thy ruined Temple stands forlorn ;
Its stones are level with the sward
Or alien altars now adorn.
And bitter desolation stills
The lowings of the stately herds,
The bleatings on a hundred hills,
The shepherd's songs of joyous words.
No fields of corn or luscious vines
Thy people's toiling hands engage,
And from the ghettos' dark confines
They make no holy pilgrimage
To bring their offerings to Thy shri.te
With sound of tabret and of lute;
They pour a draught of bitter wine
And lay before Thee Dead Sea fruit.
Oh, give us back our father's days,
The land they trod in festive glee,
When harvestings were acts of praise
And best ripe fruits were gifts to Thee!
M. M.

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