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January 11, 1929 - Image 6

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish Chronicle, 1929-01-11

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flEVETROITIMSRARONIC111

MiaVinttlnlYttMLVM

TREY) ETROITJEWISil (ARON 1CLE

Published Weekly by The Jewish Chronicle Publishing Co.. Inc.

_President
Secretary and Treasurer
_Managing Editor
Advertising M

JOSEPH J. CUMMINS
JACOB H. SCHAKNE •
PHILIP SLOMOVIIZ
MAURICE M. SAFIR.

Entered

es

Second-class matter March g. 1916, at the Postal. at Detroit,
Mich., under the Act of March t, 1819.

General Offices and Publication Building
525 Woodward Avenue

Telephone, Cadillac 1040

Cable Addresst Chronic!.

Landon Office.

14 Stratford Place, London, W. 1, England.

$3.00 Per Year

Subscription, in Advance

To insure publication. all correspondence and news matter moat retch this
Oleg by Tuesday imenitig of each week. When mailing notices,
kindly 11st one sid• of the paper only.

The Detroit Jewish Chronicle invites correspondence on eubJecte of Interest to
the Jewish people, but disclaims responsibility for an indorsement of the dews
nitrated by the writers.

Sabbath and Rosh Chodesh Readings of the Torah.

Pentateuchal portions—Ex. 6:2-9:35; Num, 28:9-15.
Prophetical portion-4s. 66.

Tebeth 23, 5689

January 11, 1929

Tel Aviv's Thirteen Parties.

Tel Aviv's election last week was a colorful affair,
and the citizen of the all-Jewish Palestinian city who
desired to vote intelligently, and for the "best men,"
as the saying goes for independents who cast their bal-
lots regardless of parties, had to solve the equivalent
of a Chinese puzzle.

Not only did 13 different parties contend for posi-
tions in the City government, but the voteis were
called upon to decide' between four different labor
lists. Furthermore, the Orthodox Mizrachi group was
not alone in the field as the representative of the
religious element. A group of Mizrachim competed
for political places on the ticket of the liapoel ha-
MiZtachi, the Mizrachi workers, actually increasing the
labor tickets to five.
This abundance of political life in the New Zion
is far from being the least interesting symbol of the
development of Jewish life in the ancient homeland.
As a matter of fact it is the barometer of a great oc-
curence in the history of our people. In an earlier issue,
speaking of the divergence of political thought among
the Jews, and of the Jewish "knack" for diplomacy,
the present writer pointed out that

riZ M7:€

10

4.3

3

0

Ir

This is now best illustrated in the first all-Jewish
city in the world since Israel was dispersed from the
Land of Promise. Having acquired autonomy as Jewish
citizens in a Jewish municipality, these Jewish voters
give vent to their sentiments by creating political par-
ties, and by their insistence on being heard in their
political opinions
The number "13" of Tel Aviv's contending parties,
may, by some, be accepted as an omen of political Bar
Mitzvah and maturity. The more realistic among our
people will reject all guarantees that we are not to have
an even larger number of parties at the next election.
For the serious student of the new chapthr of Jewish
history that is now being written in Palestine, however,
the differences in political opinions among the new
Judeans is one of the symbols of the moulding of the
New Jew. Out of the many elements now settling in
Palestine there is being moulded a physically and men-
tally strong Palestinian ; out of the political sieve
we may hope to witness the emerging of a doctrine
which will help bring us a step further to a new order
of events, dominated by a sense of social justice.

Two Child Prodigies.

Yehudi Menuhin was less than a year old when he
began to be taken to symphony concerts. At 3 he was
able to handle the violin and play selections on it. At
6 he was soloist in one of San Francisco's largest audi-
toriums, playing Mendelssohn's Concerto. At 10, ap-
pearing at his first concert in New York, he was ac-
claimed by the country's most noted critics as a genius.
On Dec. 27 last, at the age of 11, Yehudi was able to
draw a capacity audience to Carnegie Hall, New York,
as soloist with the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra.
So enthusiastic was the audience for young Yehudi,
that the music critic for the New York Times concluded
that "the concert, for the audience assembled, was
Yehudi Menuhin."
Yehudi is not the only Menuhin to attract attention
in the musical world. His 8-year-old sister Hephzibah
is also astounding the musical world with her piano
playing, and only two months ago thrilled a crowd that
packed the Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Francisco.
The abilities of these two child prodigies are being
ascribed directly to the love for music displayed by the
Menuhin parents and the care and attention with
which the activites of the two youngsters are being
guided speak for deep-rooted devotion of Jewish par-
ents to their children and to their children's art.
There will be cause for deepest regret, however,
if the abilities of Yehudi and Ilephzibah continue to be
publicly displayed, because such display is almost cer-
tain to prove detrimental to the children. Youngsters
should be given their due share of play and study. They
should be guarded against too much attention, and
should be kept from the limelight. In the case of Ye-
hudi there is some fear that the limelight has done its
damage. The New York Times reviewer of his most
recent concert describes the "edifying" demonstration
for the youngster, but pasSes the judgment that "the
playing of Menuhin was considerably less admir-
able than his performance of the season previous."
This reviewer makes a serious criticism:

29:29

-le

*bo olif9FiT5
13,1-
= ERAS.

It isn't very often that we hear of prominent (or for
that matter any other kind) of Jewish women goin'
huntin' in Central Africa. Yet that is just what Mrs.
Oscar Straus, aged 70, widow of the late distinguished
statesman, intends to do, and she is starting this month.
Mrs. Straus centainly has great courage to undertake
such a journey. She will use a camera and not a gun
in collecting photographs and data for the American
Museum of Natural History.

2=4ataVetz 11 Ve1

4 tiZZilY

Palestine Greets Its Third High
Commissioner with New Hopes

News Letter from Jerusalem.

By S.

SCHWARTZ

This is the week of the new which is just what the new High
_4•
He is
wanted.
High - Commissioner, Sir John Commissioner
anxious to exercise his influence
Chancellor, who has just arrived through personal contact, through
,
in Palestine to take up his official mutual sympathy, and he started
duties. Never before has there his speech very simply and unaf-
been no much enthusasm and so fectedly. lie said that he had goy-
much ceremony on the arrival of priced in a number of countries,
but in none had he felt the bur-
The mention of Mrs. Oscar Straus rescinds me of
n new High Commissioner. When in of responsibility es much as
the splendid service her son Roger is rendering Judaism
by his unselfish and devoted service in promoting; interest
Sir Herbert Samuel arrived in in Palestine. It was not merely a
in Jewish congregational life in this country. We find
June, 1920, the atmosphere woo phrase. One could see that he
still very tense. it was not long meant it seriously, and his very
any number of wealthy young men engaged in philan-
thropic work, but it is rare to find any interesting them-
after the first big pogrom in Je- next sentence was in the same
selves in the spiritual side of Jewish life. Mr. Straus
rusalem. No one was in the mood strain. "I am a new man in your
to arrange public demonstrations land," he said. "I must weigh and
has been a vital force in the development of a National
and ceremonies. Lord Plumer, consider everything very carefully.
Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. It seems that no
who came three years ago, at the I have to learn to know Palestine
personal sacrifice is too great in behalf of the cause.
American Jewry could spare some of its young men
end of August, 1925, despised and its peoples."
, r
from other tasks if they could be induced to follow Roger
ceremony, particularly civic cere-
Selects a Middle Path.
mony, and some say even military
Straus.
Then he proceeded to lay down
ceremony. Sir John Chancellor, on the program of his administration.
the other hand, is said to be fond
It is stated that Ann Nichols, author of that modern
of ceremony, and Lady Chancellor The new High Commssioner has
classic, "Abie's Irish Rose," has earned for herself a
is a society lady, who likes this selected
the of
middle
between
the policy
his two path
predecessors.
profit of some six million dollars! Well, the Cohens and
sort of thing,
Sir Herbert Samuel, its a politician
the Kellys have done well by Ann. And the world is still
So when the government au- accustomed to speech-making, de-
d P
groping about the answer.
thorities arranged a big reception livered a long address on his ar-
for them, everyone was pleased. It rival, in which he enumerated a
enabled Sir John to see at once, long list of reforms Whch he in-
"Collier's" on the cover of its Christmas issue has a
immediately he set foot in the tended to carry into effect. Lord
picture of North and South America with Uncle Sam
capital, the leading people in Je- Plumer, an old soldier, who does
holding forth with a Christmas smile, covering the area
rusalem, and also the population not speak much, contented him-
that belongs to the United States, and circled about are
whom they represent, for tens of self with a few brief words, that
all the nationalities that are to be found in this country.
thousands of inhabitants, practi- he would endeavor. to • maintain
These nationalities are represented by distinctive types
cally the whole of Jerusalem, peace and order in the country.
of individuals that are easily identified, and each is say-
turned out on Thursday morning Sir John Chancellor was briefer
ing "Merry Christmas" in his own language. One of
to welcome the new High Commis- than Sir Herbert Samuel, and he
them is pictures as a sort of Solomon Levi Jew, with his
sioner. In spite of the bad spoke at greater length thin Lord
expressive gesture. On another page, "Collier's" gives
weather, old and young, women Plumer. Ile stressed—and this
a key to the various nationalities and the one of the Jew
and children, Jews and non-Jews, was the crux of his speech—that
is named "Christian Hebrew." I have puzzled my head
stood for hours in the streets to he would govern in accordance with
trying to find a sane reason for such a libel, but I con-
see the new High Commissioner the mandate and in the interests
fess myself beaten. Maybe the artist that drew the
drive past and to cheer hint no he of every section of the population.
cartoon, which in itself is rather offensive, can explain
DR.
HUNT
INDICTS:
went. Never before has a new The first reference was to the
THE MISSIONARY SAYS:
why he uses the term "Christian Hebrew."
High Commissioner been given Jewish National Home, and the
Can a clear-cut reason be ad- I indict missionary work
such a warm welcome on his ar- second to assure the Arabs. In
winced for the decay of Juda- among the Jews on the score of
I have called attention to some unusual bequests, but
London, Sir John in his interviews
rival.
one of the most interesting that has come to my notice is
ism? This question seemed to its futility. One must search
with various Zionist delegations,
occupy the conference of the
Everything Became Hopeful.
that of the late Charles Henderson, of Toronto, Canada.
United Synagogue of America, far and wide to find a bona fide
always dwelt on the mandate. It
Ile left an estate of some $56,000; and he leaves a third
Another thing: no other High was gratifying to us to hear him
held in New York City (11-25- convert. Those that we have
of it to the bishop of the archdiocese of the Roman Cath-
Commssioner has had so good it speak here, too, of the mandate;
28). The speakers "deplored are usually mere social climb-
olic Church, Toronto; one-third to the rabbi of the Holy
press on arriving in Palestine. On it convinced us when he repeated
an increasing indifference to ors—religious burglars trying
Blossom Jewish congregatibn of Toronto, and the remain-
the day when Sir John arrived, all his London declaration publicly in
the faith." Dr. Levinthal said
ing
third
to
the
Salvation
Army
of
Toronto,
to
be
used
the daily newspapers—which the streets of Jerusalem, where
"We have developed a talking to break into the second stories
in each case for religious • purposes. The rabbi of the
means the Hebrew papers, because not only Jews, but also Arabs,
Judaism." Rabbi Morris Silber- of houses whose doors are not
Jewish congregation is Ferdinand Isserman, and he writes
there are no Arabic dailies in Pal- Moslems and Christians, all the op-
man stated, "The Jews were so opened to welcome them. The
me that Mr. Henderson used to attend his services occa-
estine—published articles praising ponents of Zionism and all the
ignorant of their religion that it true Christian shares with his
sionally. He surely has shown himself to have been a
Sir John as an administrator, and government officials, should hear.
had become necessary to con-
man of broad sympathies and tolerant in his attitude
because he had in all his state- It is a good thing that all these
vert Jews to Judaism." The Jewish neighbor only contempt
towards all faiths. He was, as I understand, born of
ments in London declared that he groups of the Palestine population
condition of present-day Jude- for the vanity which will sell
Presbyterian parents, but later became a Catholic.
would govern in Palestine in ac- heard it !rein Sir John hmself.
ism was likened to a leaky ship the birthright of Israel for such
cordance with the spirit and the
by Dr. Louis Finkelstein (N. Y. a mess of pottage or a cup of
Without mentioning the Jews by
letter of the mandate. In spite of
George Jean Nathan cleverly hits off the weakness
Times, Nov. 26, 1928).
all the disappointments of recent name, Sir John paid them, how-
The disintegration and life- afternoon tea.
that finds a place in the soul of every snob in this coun-
years,
a
profound
faith
suddenly
I indict Christian missionary
ever, a very high compliment in-
try, Jew or Christian. We find it emphasized in those
less formalism of Judaism is
sprang up in the hearts of Pales-
hotels and apartments that do not accept Jews, where
conceded by other leaders also. work among the Jews on the
tine Jewry. Everything became deed. He mentioned the economic
those
with
an
inferior
complex,
in
order
to
make
them-
Yet energy, time, and money is score of its costliness and waste.
more hopeful and a light seemed crisis of past years and praised
selves feel they are somebodies, must exclude other some-
spent in trying to restore the
to kindle in our souls. They are the courage with which the popu-
synagogue. A true analysis of Let the Christian church use
bodies, therefore, automatically putting them in the class
not exaggerated hopes, or Mes- lation had endured it.
the synagogue shows it lack% the funds which are being
of nobodies:
sianic sentiments, such as were in-
power. It fails to meet the thrown away for this purpose
What are Sir John's plans in
dulged in eight and one-half years
Says Mr. Nathan:
greatest need of mankind, sal- and devote them to bringing
ago when Sir Herbert Samuel Palestine?
vation from sin. And the Jews
Another form that this itch for bogus purple
came to take up his office. It is a
He delivered himself quite plain-
to permitting the synagogues Christianity to the many nsnti-
takes in the American is his passion for so-called
clear and commonsense hope of ly on this question. Ile would
to decay because it does not nal Christians who are living
exclusive places of residence, cleverly encouraged
better
times
coming,
on
a
scale
concentrate
all his attention, he
by wily real estate agents. As a consequence
meet their utmost need. How without God today.
which is now seen to be from the said, on the development of the
then can a Jew procure salve-
there is hardly a fifth-rate apartment house that
I indict it because it is un-
practical
point
of
view
feasible.
resources
of
the country, both
isn't advertised into his favor as being "exclu-
tion?
This is the feeling which pre- through the work of the govern-
Only in Jesus Christ, the Christian. Any one who be-
sive," or hardly a suburban sand-lot development
ment
and
by
supporting
private
Jewish Saviour. His blood, the lieves in the hand of God in his-
vailed in the streets, and to some
that isn't held out as bait to him under a restricted
extent also in the marquee, which initative. In other words, no poli-
blood of the Deity Himself, is tory must glimpse His purpose
label. All that a real estate agent has to do to
had been put up at the Jaffa gate, ties, but economics. No Palestine
the perfect sacrifice for your to preserve Israel and once
lease flats in a building that has been a white ele-
in which for a couple of hours the parliament, or any other political
phant on his hands is to make an elaborate show
sin. Christ meets mankind's more establish them in the land
formal reception to the new High activities. And the promise to
greatest need in His power and
of investigating Mr. Goldfarb's or Mr. Mullaly's
teachings. Today many Jews which their fathers made the
Commissioner took place. The promote private initiatives, also
genealogical tree. The circumstance that Mr.
Jaffa gate is situated just between affects mostly the Jews, for who
and Gentiles in all lands have Holy Land for Jews and Chris-
Goldfarb, once he persuades the agent that he is
the old and the new Jerusalem. It but the Jewish industrialist, the
experienced His saving power. tians alike.
one of the Knickerbocker Foldfarbe and moves
is at the end of the central Jaffa Jewish farmer, the Jewish mer-
Don't allow the false opposi-
in, discovers that his next door neighbor is Mr.
I
indict
it
because
it
is
un-
road, which divides the new city chant and the Jewish peasant is
tion of the ages of darkness and
Finkelstein no more disconcerts Mr. Goldfarb than
tradition, or of present-day American in that it ignores the
in
two. The Jaffa gate is a fine striving to upbuild Palestine by
Mr. Mullaly is disconcerted by the discovery that
symbol. It is the center, between private initiative?
skeptics and doubters to keep value of the synagogue in muk-
the great aristocrat and social leader who has
the
old and the new in the Holy
When he came to speak of immi-
bought the lot next door to him is his brother Elk
you from seeking to know the ing godly citizens and in the
-
Land, where Jews, Christians and gration Sir John was openly Zion-
truth. The revelation of truth
and Knight of Columbus, Mr. McCarthy. For
Moslems
meet.
All
high
govern-
will assuredly come to you when furthering of many good causes
ist or pro-Zionist. Economic de-
both gentlemen the M. Goldfarb and the M. Mul-
you desire to know the reality for the betterment of the corn-
ment officials, all religious leaders velopment, he said, was essential
laly immediately proceed to convince themselves
and secular nobles, all consuls and for two reasons—so that the
and power of Christ. Because munity.
that the M. Finkelstein and the M. McCarthy
pressmen, about 400 people, men country should he able to maintain
of that infantile fear that has
must, by virtue of their having got in too, be even
and women, were present in the a larger population and that the
been planted in so many Jewish
bigger swells than they themselves are.
marquee. It was a very happy present population should become
hearts, many will not read the
cY
gathering. The streets hummed more prosperous. Therefore Pal-
New Testament. Exert your
That was an interesting selection of Nathan Straus'
with people. Thousands of school estine must have a bigger popula-
courage and make your own ap-
in
sending
Dr.
John
Haynes
Holmes,
the
liberal
minister
children were marching under tion, which means immigration.
praisal of Christ, after your
of the Community Church, New York, to dedicate the
their banners. Police and scout
search through the Scriptures.
On the second day Sir John
Nathan and Linda Straus Health Center in Jerusalem, to
bands were playing. When Sir Chancellor again had a good
For once, an attack upon the missionary efforts of take place on January 31. It is characteristic of the
John took his stand on the high, press The Hebrew newspapers
broad-gauged make-up of Mr. Straus to select a Christian,
improvised tribune erected in the praised his speech, finding it a very
Christians comes from the right source: from a Chris-
marquee, we saw a typical English-
and just such a Christian as Dr. Holmes. And Dr.
Holmes fits in the picture admirably. Ile is just as much
man, a tall, slim man, strong and hopeful beginning. But the Arabs
tian. From a Jewish viewpoint, the missionaries de-
healthy-looking, although he is are not so pleased about it. They
at home in a synagogue as he is in a church. lie is
serve only pity. Those who attempt to proselytize
probably the most radical of all the ministers in the
well past middle age, and his hair are
already
making They
arrangements
to stage
a protest.
demand
Christian pulpit in this country. When I say "radical," I
is gray. lie has a friendly smile, a Palestine parliament.
They
Jews being, as a rule, former Jews who have been con-
mean one who has completely nationalized his fath as
and a great deal of natural sim- want politics.
much
as
is
within
his
power.
lie
is
for
social
justice
first,
verted to Christianity, they have, by their false and
plicity. lie immediately won the
last and all the time. He does not preach the religion
affection of everybody present,
(Copy right, 1929, J. T. A.)
misrepresenting methods, been "a sight for pity to
of Jesus, but he tries as far as possible to live it. That
is what usually gets him into trouble.
peruse." But in the hearts of genuine Christians they

must, inevitably, arouse feelings of contempt for the
manner in which they would belittle not only a great
sister religion, but the mother religion, and, in the pro-
cess of their missionary efforts, be responsible for such
a waste of funds.
But there is something even more pathetic in the
attitude of the Christian-Jewish missionaries when they
continue to class themselves as "Jews." They become so
ridiculous, that it is amazing how sensible Christians
can continue to finance their proselyting endeavors.
Mr. Wiesenfeld of the "Christian Witness to Israel,"
in one of his missiles first expresses faith that "God has
a purpose for Israel," and that "were it not that God
has His hand upon the Jewish race, it would have dis-
appeared long ago." (Note how he hides himself
under the cloak of the Jewish race!) By enticing us
with such poorly coated candy, this "witness to Israel"
would have us believe that "God sent the Christ es-
pecially for us Jews. We first rejected, then admitted
a little, and then a little more. And now some of our
rabbis are getting up more courage, giving a half-
hearted acknowledgement, slowly feeling their way,
hopeful, yet fearful as to how far their brother Jew
will allow them to talk and write about the Lord Jesus."
Dr. Hunt has hit hard and, we hope, effectively,
It may be asked why it is necessary to dress a child of
when he pleaded with the Christian church in America
11 as if he were a child of 7 and in a way not particularly
.appropriate to a concert at night time in a metropolitan
to cease missionary activities. His eagerness to see the
auditorium. Such dregs is not necessary to advertise the
new year "write a new and more glorious page in the
wholly exceptional gifts of the executant and does not add
story of Christian-Jewish relations in America," should
a jott or little to the artistic value of his playing.
strike a sympathetic chord among Christians. His
This smells either of poor judgment on the part of
charge that "there is one stumbling block which we
parents, or of an attempt at a publicity stunt, and in
must first of all remove, and that is missionary activ-
either case the boy's genius may be harmed. And in
ity," should help bring those who finance the mission-
order to prevent the possible loss of a truly great genius
ary activities to the realization of the foolishness and
in music, the parents should tolerate this bit of warning
wastefulness of their efforts.
boy
who
is
already
a
genius
at
11.
against spoiling a

•")(

I

Indicting the Missionaries.

Over the signature of "Cha's Wiesenberg" and under
the heading "Christian Witness to Israel, Inc., 521
West 179th street, New York City," an effort is made
to convert the editor to the belief that "Christ is not
in the synagogue, and the synagogue is disintegrating."
Placing the question, "What is causing the indifference
that is undermining Judaism in the United States," this
fellow Wiesenfeld claims to know the truth, when he
says: "The truth is that the synagogue has no power.
Most of the Jews know it, and keep away from its
doors, with saddened hearts." In his self-evident at-
tempt to convert us, or, as he would most probably put
it, "save us," he suggests a "remedy" to offset the "un-
dermining of Judaism :" "Ile (Christ) alone is the power
for the individual Jew's and the nation's salvation."
Ordinarily we would ignore this "foolish mouth that
blabbeth out foolishness," and this false witness who
makes an effort to preach to us in one form of
religious propaganda or another. But the same mail
that brought us the missionary leaflet also brought the
current number of the Jewish Tribune of New York, to
which the Rev. D. Edward L. Hunt, former pastor of
the Washington Memorial Church, a member of the
Committee on Friendship Between Jews and Christians
of the Federal Council of Churches, and director of
America's Good-Will Union, contributes an article
pleading that an end be put to "missionary" efforts
among Jews by Christians. In four "indictments" of
Christian missionary efforts, Dr. Hunt deals a severe
blow to the false "Christian witnesses to Israel." So
effective are his indictments that they deserve reprint-
ing and comparison with a statement of the "Christian
Witness to Israel:

every Jew is a diplomat, trained in the intimate councils
which met- Around the fireplaces of the Ghetto synagogues
to decide wars, create and destroy governments. It is no
wonder that these imaginary diplomats, when they meet
with factual conditions, should be found in the ranks of
all parties, regardless how divergent.

Ay

imiyiyMyin

Dr. Holmes is usually discovered among the leaders
in the fight for justice for the laboring man; his name is
always signed to appeals for aid in sofoe liberal move-
ment looking to the help of the unfortunate and the
oppressed. During the war he was arrested because he
chose to hold open air meetings and to present pacifist,
and, what he deemed were, Christian views on the war.
When you see the name Holmes in print in connection
with some liberal movement, you will find generally it is
keeping company with Dr. Stephen Wise and Norman
Thomas and frequently Bishop McConnell of the Metho-
dist church, another great liberal soul who has a real
understanding of the meaning of the brotherhood of man.
There is one thing sure, you will never find the names
of Dr. John Haynes Holmes and Dr. John Roach Stratton
bracketed in the same cause. They are at far apart as
the poles. With his usual generosity, Mr. Straus has
given the Community Church a gift large enough to cover
the expense of obtaining the services of a supply pastor
during Mr. Holmes' absence. Yes, Nathan Straus and
John Haynes Holmes are servants of God, knowing no
creed, no race, no color, in their endeavors to make this
world of ours a decent place to live in.
-

A few hours after having written the paragraph about
Dr. Holmes trip to Palestine, Judge Josiah Cohen of
Pittsburgh, who is a lively young man of some 80 years,
telephoned me about an item that appeared in the news-
papers, in which Dr. Holmes created a great deal of
excitement among his Christian friends. The worthy
pastor said that there was more real religion of Jesus to
be found in the synagogue than in the Protestant
churches. Ile said a great deal more, too, that would be
bitterly resented by the average churchman. Ile depre-
cates the emphasis that have been placed upon the mira-
cles which he evidently does not believe, and he also
takes the Jewish position that Jesus was not the eon of
God, but as he himself said, the "eon of man." But the
most significant statement was his reference to the fact
that Christians worship Jesus for things he never said.
and they seem interested only in those things that have
to do with his divinity. The real teachings of Jesus have
to do with loving your enemies, despising luxury, loving
all men of all countries and races. It takes courage.
friends, to make assertions like these, when one sees on
every hand more and more of a tendency to revert to
superstitions, and narrowness in the interpretations of
the teachings of all religions. Dr. Holmes is a Christian
who seems to understand something of the religion of
Jesus of Nazareth.

F..





Gems From Jewish Literature

Selected by Rabbi Leon Fram.

"THE DEATII-KISS"
"The Prophet dies as he has
lived, in his faith. All the evil that
he has seen has been powerless to
quench his hope for the future, or
dim the brightness of the ideal that
illumined his path from afar. Ile
dies with gladness on his face, and
with words of comfort for the lat-
ter days on his lips; dies, as tra-
dition says, "in a kiss," embracing,
as it were, the ideal to which he
has consecrated his life, and for
which he has toiled and suffered
till his last breath.
"When Heine wanted to describe
the greatness of the prince of He-
brew poets, Jehudah Ilalevi, he
said that 'he was born with a kiss.'
But that idea is foreign to the Jew-
ish spirit. When the national tradi-
tion wishes to describe the great-
ness of the prince of Prophets, it
makes him die, not to come to life,
with a kiss. That death-kiss is the
crown of a work completed and a
duty fulfilled to the uttermost. of
a life whose burden has been borne
from first to last with the stead-
fastness of a era-girt rock, which
flinches not nor bows, but beats
unmoved the onset of the devour-
ing waves."
—From Ached Ha-'Am's Essay on
"Moses."

"A SEA SONG"

A watery vra.te the sinful world has
grown.
With no dry (pot whereon the eye
can rest,
Nom•n. no hew', no bird to gaze upon.
Can ail be dead, with silent sleep posy
gemed!

R. .

()h. how 1 long the hills and vales to me
To end myself on barren steppe. were
bliss!
I nee' about, but nothing greeteth me,
Nmight save the ship, the clouds, the
...vet.' abyss,
The crocodile which rushes from th
deeps:
The Semi fnems grey: the whirling
waters reel,
Now like it. prey whereon at last it

YYYP.,

The (wean swallow/4 up the vemeCs
keel,
The hiilows rage--exalt, oh soul of mine,
Soon ,halt thou enter the Lord's owed
shrine!
JEIIIIDAII

A SABBATH SONG

LECII0 DODI

("COME MY FRIEND")

Come forth. my friend, the bride to meet,
Conte, t) my friend, the Sabbath greet.

Greet we the Sabbath at our door ,
Riell•epring of blessing evermore
With eyerla•ting alarineys fraught,

Cu old ordained. divinely taught.

1.a.t in creation, lint in thought.
Como forth, my friend, the bride to
meet.
Come. 0 my friend, the Sabbath greet.

Arbte thyself, awake and shine.
For lo! it mime-. the light divine:
Give forth • song and ova r thee
The story of the Lord .hall be
Revealed in beauty speedily.
Come forth. my friend, the bride to
meet,
Come, () my friend, the Sabbath
great.

Crean of thy hu•hand, come In peace.
Como. bidding tai! and trouble cease.
With Joy and cheerfulnme abide
Amon. thy people true and tried,
Thy faithful people--come. ft bride .
Come forth, my friend, the bride to
tweet.
Come. 0 my friend, the Sabbath
greet.

—SOLOMON ALKABEZ

4 3,4

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