DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle

October I, 1943

AMERICANISM AND JUDAISM

peculiar customs, or particular religion, unique rituals
SILENCE
nor our distinctive culture.
By RABBI JOSHUA S. SPERKA
16
(Continued from page 9)
Now, all this is founded upon a foreign, a false and
a
most
unAmerican
philosophy
of
Americanism.
It
is
of
express them. It DOES make
make t
It is the prime duty of every American Jew to dedi-
difference whose ox is gored.
cate his might, his means and- his life to hasten the the deepest essence of true Americanism that groups, thus
far, the Zionists do not corn-
defeat of our enemies and. the complete victory for the races and religious minorities coming to these shores must pletely
the life of Amer-
retain the freedom to observe and preserve their prat- pletely legislate
orn. AtTel those of suts who
United Nations.
Today
few
can fail Hence
to see we
the find
clearly
Iona
defined,
the difficult,
road
to victory.
that tices. That was uppermost in the minds of the founding d i i as L wf 1;y
gram too, will neither relinquish
in the responsible . quarters of the world postwar plans fathers of America. To give up one's unique cultural, our
convictions nor refrain from
and religious heritage is to undermine the divine expressing
and programs are being constructed. That is as it should
them. Either would be
)2entitlhiattisthdeemeoonn.vstertaited,
be, lest we win the war only. As American Jews, too, experiment we call America. The danger is not only that ow
we must seriously concern ourselves with winning and this or that minority will be lost, but the greater danger i if it
1
°
looses
lhi
the raison d'etre
d'
for are injurious to the best interests
sharing in the spiritual benefits of the postwar' world. to America, lest in ti time it
those who need help. So far it
It would be most unfortunate for us to suffer and its existence. Then, too, we have enemies within our of
is interesting to observe that no
s acrifice in this brutal and bloody war, as American gates who would like to consider America not a corn- criticism of the American Council
Jews, and not fully grasp what is this Americanism we posite but a completed nation in an attempt to destroy for Judaism has made that fact
T I h n ei a .ebun tsneb eeeT
n he preershoanvatl,
are fighting and dying for. It is distressing to find some the development of a pluralistic American culture.
attacks
Americanism is purely a political copept. To be an been threats and intimidations.
Jews who misunderstand the basic concept of Ameri-
canism in relation to their Judaism. There are some Jews American means to accept the fundamufitals of the Bill There has been no refutaCon of
who believe that in giving up some rituals, customs or . of Rights and the Constitution—human equality and in - the logic presented in the two,
ceremonies, which are different and strange to the people dividual liberty. This gospel of Americanism demands .1117('eo'ulc-iticnihle:in tadteements which
about them, they are becoming better Americans. I find • that we be one ir6a political union, but that we safeguard Among the“ lessa publicized ad-
ad-
•- some
o
Jews who have adopted as a guiding thought the religious liberty by the persistent practice thereof, that dresses at the recent Conference it
w
as one by Adolph Held of the
i dea that all Americans ought to be more alike. I have we protect the process of a cultural pluralism by remain-
Jewish Labor Committee. In the
s poken with many' who are convinced that they are sere- in loyal to our own culture and racial heritage.
course of a fine, restrained
d and
ing America by dropping some Biblical, Talmudical or
Those who seek assimilation on intellectual grounds dignified address, Mr. Held said,
Rabbinical laws and thereby becoming more like the are few. One would have to comprehend thoroughly "But whether our dead and mar-
reach Ohre
te
hre r four
other people. Some will argue with righteous indigna- Jewish theology and religion before he could honestly t . y r-51 brothers
ne s a
b e o shaken
tion that in this manner they bring "harmony and equal- say that he abandons certain rituals by reason of his con- from the conviction
ctioni F thai t Jewish
ity" into the community of America and create a more victions. There are also those who wish to escape Judaism life will
hl continue in
the ws fli is n ot h one :1 u of aln l:(11e. o:(1 1oe S(
g o - )
unified people. Thus they feel justified to modify and because membership imposes restrictions and impositions. jecononc
by the masses of
qualify religious practices, to reconstruct and recreate I am concerned in p resenting the thesis that assimilation ies possessed
the one
theological doctrines, to alter and if need be abandon when Jews lived among one organic people was disloyalty logics possessed
• i d. by the
the classes,
cultural traits, to change and if need be convert historic to Judaism only, but that assimilation in our land lb
is on the l othe slie t ( in It is a funda-
mental conflict. It cut s through
rites. It is their counsel that by deserting the unique, also a disloyalty to America.
every life.
of Jewish thought
peculiar, different and distinctive Jewish usages, they
Is it not true that throughout the centuries of our
is
controversy in-
are more like all Americans.
volving.
tragic
a i that is at stake
tragic dispersion we were exiled into lands ruled by one
This is not only alarming, but dangerous. We must organic people? And in most cases the church and state in this war.
For it is not true, as Dr. Silver
not allow this process of assimilation—which is a reflec- of that people were together either directly or indirectly. implies
iels is that, "the magnificent.
tion of the spirit of Americanism—to be clothed with These were two powerful reasons for assimilation as a h
it and
vast sacrifices
c td a fices o f
the fallacious dignity of service to America. Altogether matter of fact all small conquered races and .nations our brave soldier o
too many seek this "equalizing" process by giving up rapidly disintegrated and lost themselves when exiled ( I a Y fighting on all the b efItti -l'e:
i.o rits of the world" should be
the Sabbath for another rest day in order not to be and- forced to be ruled by a dominant majority. The f "com
p ensat ,1
e d
e finallyand at
glaringly different; too many find this "equality" in Jewish people are the outstanding historical exception long lastw i th t h e re-esta
oni nnw
io bl ishment
ea, ,
surrendering their dietary laws to eat everywhere and to this rule. This was changed in the 18th century follow- of a free Jewish Commonwealth."
These
ese men are not fighting as 111
everything; too many criticize the synagogue service for ing the costly gift of emancipation, coupled with the Je
ws
they the burden of
its length, content and atmosphere, it is much unlike the process of secularization of many aspects of Jewish p 1owsioraltt
roving
is
church service, too many have become timid to demand living. The Jews, too, were subject to assimilation. Under
They
that are, uanrtei I st huaptaillii.D
oorf.
a Jewish divorce since Americans are satisfied with a these conditions some Jews found reason ' and comfort is furnished, fighting as Amer-
ica
n
Britains or Australians.
civil court divorce only; too many Jews carry about the in their escape from Judaism. This, however, happened A nd ns,or
they arefighting for a better
mistaken notion that for tht-sake of the future and peace in lands such as Germany, France, England, Rumania, world; e for
the c chance to return
s
of America we must not obviate, nor empnasize
to homes and loved coe
t. as free
ones
Russia, Poland and Austria, in lands where the ruling emen
..They are not fightin to re-
_________ _ _
people were organically, religiously, linguistically and
ttlut-e0;„.ca.0 Ji e u wi ish nationg . They
culturally one. This dominant people as a rule was zealous are : pre-occu pied
Best Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
nd sweat anp
for its way of life and jealous against any disturbing Pr
they cannot si7a lk.
influence. But America is not composed of one organic .. So pre-occupied
themselves. l A n e ad ristdoldpfewtdo „
racial or cultural stock. President Roosevelt is responsible I.o)1:
s t ie, a k honiors
f
fora in terms
tt
less than
for the phrase "immigrants all," for he knows that
,,,,
whi
ch Jews will a not
be be armless ile4
America is a mixture of immigrants from every , co mer
t"'" s lr a ea d 4 c'.
t negatee.trh "eiNivopluirdp,os
of the world. Here we have English, Scots, Irish , Scots- i•
Y
f their a sacrifice, out
Irish, Germans, Italians, Dutch, Scandinavians, Finns,
problem,o to(
fun
l
CV
lives
i sr as
Spanish, Russians, Poles and Greeks. America is not a o i n n l o n ur • vc
iadboa iano 'only
are neutral,"
l," y
people with a c mmon origin. America in that respect pQhureanstin, ss Those
o
h 0Reynolds
seeo
w fsu
beautiful
2162 CLAY AVE.
is a new phenomenon in political history and is therefore phrase.
s s who expect
unlike any other nation. The immigrants and native born to live as J
MAdison 5676
cannot
nnotitd
shalla ve
li-,
remain so. W
Americans who advocate cultural integration and assim- gently
to i
or have a decision in-
— ilation are desirous of trans planting a foreign instrument of m vi decide
inlriono surofIn and the destiny
— of adjustment dangerous to America. America must
-%
remain that
in human history where people for us and for 't sM u l 1 l'eoli)le' ' rie!al4an'si.emisatllel
still
osapl of t oeiar minds and it is
ONE OF THE "BASIC SEVEN" FOODS
of different racial, religious and cultural origin say to !,,,I•tttray
ht . freedom not to
each other, "Let us agree to live together as Americans V so. Th
es
in freedom and justice."
silenced.
al of them
t It is a betrayal
in ::eeiiis n- i
George Washington in a letter the Hebrew con re- tte t iteenl l, the NtVh01 l e l ye! d ' ,n1 anevyten:ynna (n)byyf al)it
gation of Newport, R. I. in the year of 1790, writes that end
the e woltdiil.s men will make at the
"all possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of
famous HEALTH BREAD
of
citizenship. It is now no more tha l toleration is spoken The mighhtwy al spiritual
iritu I np ao pn pco.asl of
Raisin Bread and Pumpernickel
of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, the Holy Days Sp calls
the deepest recesses of our
that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent nat- l probe
ives; to o rediscover
ediiiie covtr the powerful
FURTHER ENRICHED
ural rights. For happily the Government of the United sp r ings
ilortfilities
States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution that ultimatel y move am
l
a r l el ife . u j peow
;ustht ote es e II e .n c a i ta l n y rsoe, ot hu hti r,;
no assistance, requires only that they who live unde its yme an
, call M an3 s' ,
protection should demean themselves as good citizr ens, selves
1 zaer that - 1 I
there is no r es ta ping the hard dtit
in giving it on all occasions their effectual support."
cisions
tha
i th responsi.
In 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant stated that . "the
with
of le eliadaleie.;hw
i
United States knows no distinction of her own citizens im bilities
•eomriaTiltyuiss
ssta en y leitet, h of
)ni
the ll a . nedM
on account of religion or nationality."
VITAMIN B1
freedom
h
1 d looe:asleif ty
iint oluol..fr eeoss (.1 A is theexer-
Secretary of State Blaine, in the year 1881, said
•
that "I need hardly enlarge on the point that the Gov- C o
1 epho i eeem
Extra Vitamins
ssi on ofmi:Il 3( the
ernment treaties
of the United States concludes
of its
all trt es with t ta ln;uadtt rl aivom
atiellisantbklienuaromble trust to
tofsrGaod
el
foreign states for the equal" protection
ln co consecrated d effort we may
classes of choos h iag
and iron
t American citizens. It can make absolutelyi
e wisely for the benefit of
no dscrimina-
ion between them, whatever be their origin or creed." the '
nd.
i
Theodore Roosevelt in an address delivered in Wash-
'ngton in 1909,said
:IN %
,
• , "We should keep steadily befor
l
1 our
minds f
the fact
re
sal that Americanism is a question of e NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS!
Just the bread you and your family need.
principle, of purpose, of idealism, of character; that ° it
Now richer than ever in vitamines. And
is notm
matter of birthplace,
or creed, or line of descent."
a
it has a flavor that is distinctive--a taste
Most eloquent
guent and pointed is the expression of our r
present great
r
so wonderfully good that every member
President of the United States , Franklin '(
Delano Roosevelt: "This country is thoroughly
of the family likes it. The preferred bread
g committed
to the e principle of hl
civil and religious
.
'
for war-workers' sandwiches.
igious
liberty.
Instead of
k
the variety of racial strains and spi
•
ri
spiritual
tradi-
tions which are /an inherent part of
Irradiated with
wel-
come them as a token of the freedom on tr
Scrap Iron
h woe enjoy and
that
believe that the common life is enriched b
Ultra Violet Rays
these groups contributes. In this nation
•
it
equal rights of all religious groups, whe \ve
For your protection. Stays fresh longer, too.
y p or w f l e l s rh l r oe s o a,i
ther
1 : f t i ine2l
jority or of minorities, and find our unity
11833 E. Vernor Hy.
Made without Sugar or Fat. Low in Calories
i in a common
citizenship. Freedom of speech, of the
g. ha ts
nd:, of
LE. 8800
assembly are guaranteed to all by

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MANUFACTURERS STEEL
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Samuel G.
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