A mericai, lavish Pertained &ter
Ju 7, 1944
CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Le al Chronic!e
REFORM
no longer exclusive in the sense
that it would keep the masses Reform Judaism. A rabbi who
out, but excluded in the sense would form a new congregation
(Continued from Paste 1)
that the masses could not find must no longer be concerned
the new immigrants with all any affinity with it and were not with conformity to the conven-
tionalities of a Reform sect. In-
attracted to it.
far ms of philanthropy but did
stead, he must ask himself what
Reform
Judaism
now
faces
its
not associate with them. Con-
second opportunity. All the Jews qualifications he has as a leader
iously or unconsciously Reform of America are now as fully of American Jews. The Jewish
socially Americanized as were the people people have a quick way of rec-
ongregations became
the spirit of a man. A
exclusive. The membership of the to whom Isaac M. Wise addressed ognizing
rabbi who does not have to hedge
Reform congregations became himself. Religion, moreover, has when he speaks of Palestine and
identical with the membership of grown in prestige among all Zionism—a rabbi who appreci-
the Phoenix, or the Harmonie, or groups of the Jewish people as ates
and cultivates the folk arts
other exclusive social clubs. As among the American population and the folk sentiment of the
individual East European Jews as a whole. If Reform Judaism is Jewish people----a rabbi who
prospered and became socially to be a Jewish religion and not loves the color of Jewish life
ac ceptable, they became members merely a Jewish sect, if it is to and who possesses and emanates
of the Reform Temple and the establish congregations among Jewish culture—a rabbi who is
social club. T0 the credit of the all groups of the Jewish people, as congenial to workingmen as
Temple be it said that they were and especially if it is to establish to businessmen—such a rabbi
enrolled in the Temple before new congregations in the great will readily gain a following
they were accepted in the club. cities of our country where most among the Jewish masses.
But no such revolutionary Re- of the Jewish people live, we
The new Reform congrega-
form movement ever developed shall have to take some practical
among the groups that composed steps towards popularizing. Re- tion must be a singing congrega-
the East European immigration form Judaism and bringinig it to tion. The congregation must learn
as had overwhelmed the Jews the masses, who are now psy- to sing the Hebrew responses as
from Germany. Individual East chologically prepared to respond well as beautiful Jewish hymns
in English. The hymns chosen for
European Jews, out of a variety to it.
singing must have real melody
of motives, including social ad-
It must be remembered that and
should be vital rather than
vancement, joined the established whole the Reform congregation in
Reform congregations, but they the large city represents a minor- merely solemn. The lovely Sab-
bath hymn "Sholem Aleichem"
did not organize new Reform ity, it is nevertheless a large
congregations in the large cities congregation and it carries pres- and similar traditional melodies
should be frequently sung. The
in which they were settled.
tige. Older congregations and
Approximately at the beginning their rabbis have wanted a mo- new Reform congregation should
of the 20th century Reform Ji.da- nopoly of this prestige. They have have a cantor. The presence of
ism stopped growing. The "Hous- feared that a new congregation, a "shazan" alongside of the rab-
tonites" argue blandly that this and a new rabbi, may diminish bi definitely gives the service a
stagnation is attributable to cer- their personal influence in the deep rooting in Jewish tradition
tain deviations from he original Jewish community and in civic which it would not otherwise
platform of Reform. The con- affairs. This monopolistic attitude, have. It should have an all-Jew-
trary is true. Reform Judaism wherever it exists, will have to ish choir, supplemented by chil-
declined because it did not be abandoned. If Reform Juda- dren's choirs and youth choirs
change its platform sufficiently ism is to grow it must take the for special occasions. The choirs
to attract the now fully Ameri- risks of growth. To preserve its should sing Jewish music, in-
canized Jews of East European monopoly, a Reform Temple may cluding appropriate selections
origin. After a generation of undertake to organize branch or- from Yiddish folk music and
life in America those Jews had ganizations. In Detroit, the songs out of Palestine.
No Reform congregation with
become ready for change and branch experiment failed. Branch-
adaptation, and progress away es do not develop either enthusi- the negative attitudes expressed
by "Houston" could possibly con-
from the forms of Jewish life asm or leadership.
tribute to the growth of Reform
in Eastern Europe. Reform Juda-
The character of the Reform Judaism in America. Its mere ex-
ism, however, (lid not adapt it-
self to their spirit. Thus Reform rabbi has a great deal to do with pression of distaste for the deli-
Judaism tended to remain a sect, the growth and popularization of cious foods that have been devel-
oped by the ancient tradition of
POLITICAL .tI)VEICIlsE3IENT
kosher cooking would tend to
freeze out the masses of the
Jewish people.
This paper is not the occasion
for a redefinition of Reform Ju-
daism. Suffice it to say that Rab-
bi Reichler's congregation sings
heartily and is still Reform
Dozens of congregations have
the Bar Mitzvah ceremonial and
are still Reform. Many congre-
gations teach their children the
living Hebrew tongue and Jew-
ish folk songs, and Palestinian
Chalutzim songs and dances, and
still Reform. The Reform rabbis
of Baltimore wear yarmelkes and
Taleisim and are still Reform.
At Temple Judea in Chicago men
wear their hats, and still it is
i
a Reform congregation. The prin-
ciple of change and evolution
and progress in Judaism, which
is the essence of Reform,. is
hardly impaired. The populariz
a-
tion of Reform Jaudism requires
c
9
an evolution towards positiveness
and color in Judaism in contrast
to the emotional negativism of
the Reform Judaism of a genera-
tion ago.
Both for the vitalizing of our
existing congregations and the
expansion into new congregations
we need a Reform Judaism which
places as much emphasis on Ju-
daism as on Reform, and which
gives to the word "Reform" the
connotation of positive progress
rather than conformity to nega-
tives. Such a Reform Judaism is
capable of becoming the religion
of a large proportion of Ameri-
can Jewry.
Rabbi Leon Fram to
Preach on "Psalm of
Brotherhood" July 14
"The Psalm of Brotherhood"
will be the subject of Rabbi
Leon Fram's sermon at the Sab-
bath Eve services of Temple
Israel next Friday night, July 14,
at 8:30. Rabbi Fram will inter-
pret the famous Psalm 133. This
is the second in the series of
summer sermons Rabbi Fram is
delivering on "The Beauty of,
the Psalins".
During the summer the Sab-
bath Eve services of Temple Is-
4 11 Membership Rises
real are held on Friday nights
An army of 62,404 rural boys and at 8:30, in Room 14 of the
girls in New York state is enrolled Boulevard Bldg., 3076 E. Grand
Blvd.
in the 1943 4-H club program,
a 75
per cent increase over the 1942 num-
-
BUY WAR BONDS
ber of 35,853 members.
POLITICAL ADVEICTISEMENT
VOTE FOR A MAN YOU CAN TRUST
os. H. Cantor
RE-ELECT
•
POLIT IC AL ADVERTI S EME N T
He Deserves Re-Election
on His Record
CONGRESSMAN
VOTE FOR
John D. Dingell
•
It goes without saying, that in this crucial period of
National existence, we must choose as our representa-
tives in Government, individuals who will not bring
shame and distortion to our cause.
The Jewish people of this community reside mainly in
the Fifth Senatorial District. It is our duty as American
Citizens, to support Joseph H. Cantor for State Sen-
ator. He is known to us and has lived within this area
for more than thirty years. No other man is better
qualified to express our ideals and sentiments than
Joseph H. Cantor.
•
On His Competent and Faithful Record
A Majorit y Leader of the Ways and Means Committee
VOTE DEMOCRATIC
15th District
Wards 10-12.14-16
Progressive - Aggressive
Fearless • Fair
E."
Primaries Tuesday, July 11
•
• This Ad Paid for by a Jewish Friend
POLITICAL A1)VERTISENIEN1'
• Fearless!
*Experienced!
•Honest!
•
Paid for by a good friend.
POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
CHARLES LASKY
Ele a
I
FURAY
Eugene C. Keyes
for
Lieutenant Governor
Republican Ticket
•
•
For State Representative
DEMOCRAT
1st DISTRICT
•
Endorsed by Labor,
Civic ed Church Groups
VOTE TUESDAY, JULY 11th
for JOSEPH H. CANTOR
Candidate for State Senator
5th Senatorial District
Liberal — Progressive
Tolerant
•
•
Primaries
Tuesday, July 11
FOR
COUNTY CLERK
REPUBLICAN TICKET
PRIMARY
'TUESDAY, JULY 11th
•
Member of Republican County Committee
Proven, Capable, Efficient, Courteous
•
Present Deputy Chief Cerk of
TRAFFIC COURT
•
1
YOUR SUPPORT EARNESTLY
SOLICITED
rt